This place should be named "El Gaugo." My husband and I went out for "date" night. We wanted a peaceful and enjoyable time together. Instead, we were terribly bothered. Time wasted. Money wasted.
Be careful ordering here. Make sure the waiter knows you want the prices on the menu. Double check your bill and make sure you say something if you see a discrepancy. Our bill did not reflect the menu prices. It was manipulated without our permission. Our check was over 4,000 pesos, $223 USD --- over $100 inflated. On top of that, we were generous to give a 20% tip of 800 pesos ($47 USD).
We ordered from the menu two margaritas (130 pesos each), one mezcalita (220 pesos), one glass of wine (120 pesos), two empanadas (70 pesos each! - they're not flown in from Argentina!), the meat platter for two (Tableanas 1870 pesos) and one tiramisu (185 pesos). This does not add up to $4,000 pesos or $223 USD.
We ordered the barbecue for two people, The "Tableanas" at 1870 pesos, about $110 USD. It comes with one ribeye, arrachera, one sausage and another piece of meat. The check came with a surprise of 2700 pesos for just the meat! The waiter took back the bill and the new total for just the meat was 2500 pesos. The waiter said we chose prime instead of choice. That was not true because had I known there was an up charge for this, I would have declined.
This grade option isn't stated on the menu and the waiter did not tell us. USDA meat grades are not in Mexico. Also, shouldn't all the meat be "prime" at $110 USD?
The margaritas on the menu are 130 pesos. Our bill said they cost 320 pesos.
Paid the bill of $223 USD because we didn't want to ruin our night and make a fuss even though we wanted to say the bill was not true to the menu prices. For this price, we should have crossed the border to the US to dine at Mastro's Ocean Club.
The next day, we returned to "El Gaugo" because we felt taken advantage. We asked for the manager. The waiter who served us the night prior came over to ask "what happened?" We explained the price discrepancies. I asked to get a copy of the check.
The manager was listening to the waiter more than us. The waiter did not tell us he was adding Don Julio 70 to mango margaritas. No one mixes Don Julio 70 with margaritas! I explained this to the manager. The waiter argued that we ordered it when we didn't.
The manager backed the argument of the waiter about the extra cost of the "prime" meat. I told him the menu should be clear about the meat grade.
The manager was trying to add up our bill by himself but I suggested let's go through the bill together and you can return the difference to us. The waiter was arguing and deflecting. The manager said you ate everything and you want your money back? That is not what we wanted. We didn't eat everything and brought our leftovers back to prove it.
The manager was getting frustrated after the waiter was arguing and we were trying to explain. It was ridiculous.
Finally, the manager became hostile toward us and said, " l'll give you all your money back but don't ever come here again." I was stunned. I insisted we just wanted the difference. He gave us 1,000 pesos without taking consideration the exchange rate. We paid in US dollars.
Shame on the waiter Orlando, for manipulating the bill and shame on the manager for not listening or understanding us. Telling us to not return is disgusting. He should be grateful that we brought this to his attention and additionally, he should make the menu clear! He should have said come back again do we can make it right for you. We spent a fortune at this restaurant.
We'll tell all of our friends in Rosarito and California that we will never return to this place that over salts their meats, and over charges prices for ungraded meat posing to be graded. Also, we will tell our friends that our bill was manipulated without our permission. We know better. Ridiculous. Check your bill at "El Gaugo." Or better yet, go to another steak restaurant in Rosarito. read more