Fun experience but a bit pricey. Steak and potato was delicious. Tomato was a bit old school. Asparagus was perfect. Service was excellent but if you're looking for intimate it was hard to come by. Overall we loved it and would do this again. read more

El Gaucho - Tacoma - Steakhouses Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Look, I've been going to El Gaucho for years in their Seattle spot (the old one and the new). My stepdaughter told me to try Tacoma. Since I did, it's now my go-to Gaucho. If you've never been ti El Gaucho, I promise you will love every menu item you try. You will love the ambiance. You will enjoy the piano, you will relish the sumptuous cocktails at their beautifully fully stocked bar. You will experience an evening where you are treated like RatPack Royalty. Make sure you make reservations when you decide to go. This is a popular room, and you don't want to be the one waiting for a table. This is one place where when the bill comes, you happily pay it. read more

My boyfriend and I celebrated our 8th year anniversary here and we were so grateful and happy that we did! We never felt more taken care for at a restaurant as they truly treat you like valued guests. From the complimentary parking to personalized menus with a card and rose petals celebrating your anniversary. Our server Toshi was an absolute sweetheart and truly made the visit more memorable and wonderful. She would offer suggestions, hold fun conversations and ensure that we got everything we needed to enjoy our evening. Additionally all the staff members here were very professional and polite. The food and drinks are some of the best that my boyfriend and I have ever had that we left no sauces or crumbles on the plate as it was just that good. We got the Tendorloin Diablo, Diver Sea Scallops, Filet Mignon, Filet Mignon Oscar Style, Crab Mac and Cheddar Cheese, and Banana Bread Pudding as well as Guava Press and Melon Press. The complimentary garlic bread was fantastic too, we had to get at least three more orders of it. The meat was absolutely tender, the crab was generous and fresh, mac and cheese was amazing with the homemade pasta, and the scallops were cooked to perfection. Again the sauces truly were the showstoppers with making each bite superb. The presentation here is also fantastic. Our banana bread pudding came with fresh fruit and I wasn't expecting a whole fruit fruit plate with cheese and crackers with an amazing fig jam that paired well with everything. There was also a pianist playing beautiful tunes to make the night even more special with tableside shows going on throughout the restaurant. My boyfriend and I are definitely considering this to be our date night spot as we have never been more impressed with a restaurant that we've visited and we have visited several for dates and anniversaries. One of the best surprises was that you get a cookie when you get your car back and they are baked fresh the day of, and the cookie was also heavenly. Thank you Toshi and El Gaucho for one of the most memorable anniversary dinners and experiences that my boyfriend and I have ever had the pleasures of experiencing. read more

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Went for special occasion (birthday) and loved the food, experience and all of its. There was beautiful music as we sat next to the pianist. Thank you for the excellent t service and all of that! read more

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My dad, sister, and I came to El Gaucho Tacoma a couple months back for Tacoma Restaurant Week. Out of all the menus this one sounded the most intriguing so we were excited to try it out! It is pretty dark in the restaurant but I didn't mind it. It was a fun vibe and I loved all the string lights. Our waiter (I forget his name ugh) was the NICEST guy ever! So personable and attentive. He made the experience even better! We started off with the Wicked Shrimp (on the regular menu, wasn't on the TRW menu) per my cousin's recommendation. 10/10!! The flavor was on point and I literally could've had a big plate of these. For my starter I got the Asparagus Soup. Wasn't quite sure what to expect but I'm an asparagus fan so I figured it would be good, and it was! Loved the creamy texture and the flavor was subtle but on point. For my main I got the Steak Diane which was two 4oz filet medallions with mashed potatoes and a mushroom sauce. So freaking good. Steak was cooked to perfection and I loved the sauce. It was so flavorful without being overpowering or taking too much away from the steak itself. We all finished up with a slice of the Key Lime Pie which was so bomb! I'm normally not a huge fan of lime but I loved it. As we all know it's definitely a splurge type of restaurant but it's definitely worth it. read more

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Another anniversary wonderfully celebrated! The atmosphere, beautiful and romantic. Rose petals everywhere, low lighting, personalized menus, and message for us. Our server, Leo, wonderful, attentive, and charming. The drinks and food, absolutely delicious. Completely satisfied with our experience, once again. We will most certainly be back next year. Thank you El Gaucho team read more

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What an amazing meal--we didn't have a single bad dish. Our friends took us to El Gaucho while we were in town, and the experience felt special from the start. The personalized touches--place cards with our names and menus printed just for us--were such a thoughtful and impressive detail. The cocktails are a bit on the pricey side, but they feature unique ingredients that make them worth trying. I had one to start--small, but absolutely delicious--before switching to a white wine with my main course. I started with the oysters, which were fresh and not fishy at all. The cocktail sauce was one of the best I've had (and I'm usually a mignonette-only girl!). For the main, I split the Flaming Sword Brochette of Tenderloin with a friend. The tableside fire presentation added a fun, memorable touch, and the meat itself was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Honestly everything was perfectly seasoned. The real star of the night, though, was the lobster mashed potatoes. I'm still dreaming about them--rich and indulgent, with a lobster bisque-style sauce over creamy mashed potatoes and topped with lobster. Absolutely to die for. For dessert, we ordered the Cherries Jubilee, which also came with a bit of a show and was just as delicious. Overall, an incredible experience, and I'm so glad our friends shared one of their favorite spots with us! read more

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Everything is always great when you dine here. The service is fantastic and the food is always perfect

We have been wanting to go to the Tacoma El Gaucho for so very long. We were a little bit intimidated with the prices but decided we would explore the bar menu as opposed to the regular dining table menu and this plan went very well! Steve and I got the Taste of El Gaucho which was a small plate of top sirloin steak with lobster medallion, asparagus and truffle mashed potatoes. The steak was delicious and so very tender! I definitely was all about it! I don't get steak too often anymore and getting it this time made me if I should order it just a bit more often it was so good! Despite the plate being a bit on the small end we felt just right and not overfull or hungry. Of course we had to get dessert... it's all a part of going out when having yourself a fancy meal (of course it doesn't have to be fancy either for dessert). I got the Key Lime pie which was out of this world. It was excellent! The zest in this sweet treat was so very well executed! I think Steve got the Banana Bread Pudding for his dessert and it was quite good as well! Of course where would we be without drinks! We had to get some cocktails too! They were very well made, flavorful and artfully done! What a great first time visit! I'd love to go back! read more

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El Gaucho is our go to spot for every celebration because you'll not only get a 5 star meal, but you'll get a curated and thoughtful experience that'll make your day feel extra special. My husband and I have celebrated multiple birthdays, anniversary's, and even our engagement at El Gaucho and we're so happy with every meal we've shared here. They always call the day before our reservation to get details of what we're celebrating so they can make the day special: a hand written card, romantic rose petals for the table, and cute celebration chocolates on you dessert of choice at the end of the meal. They also have a rewards programs where they give you credit for your bday and anniversary, usually $75! The food is incredible and worth the price every time. The cocktails are heavenly and the bananas foster is out of the world. We love the tableside caesar and the flaming sword of beef tenderloin as well. Presentation and delicious food, the best combo. If you've got someone special in your life you must take them here for a lovely evening. You'll be so glad you did! read more

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This was my first time experiencing any of the El Gaucho locations & it did not disappoint. I went with my daughters for Tacoma Restaurant Week & it was AMAZING. Very upscale but welcoming & comfortable. Our server was the absolute best & took the time to make great recommendations & even chat it up a bit. We were seated up above so didn't get the lower level table service where they prepare you meal at your table. We could see it but not quite the same flair. For restaurant week the menu is limited but you can always add add-ons which we did & it was worth it. It is definitely a special occasion experience because it is a little pricey but delicious & worth every penny. I would definitely recommend this place & restaurant week. read more

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I feel like this should truly be a 2.5 star rating, but 1. Yelp doesn't allow that 2. The waygu main dish we ordered saved the meal. Unfortunately El Gaucho was extremely underwhelming which hits HARD when you're paying $26 a cocktail & a minimum if $24 go Cesar salad. The Romaine on our lettuce was so - not fresh. Limp, so many thick stems cut evenly, overall so disappointing. Luckily my martini with blue cheese stuffed olives was pretty good. The bread they bring out at the beginning, also not amazing- which was helpful because then I didn't care to eat it. The escargot was one of the better things we tried. Side dishes were also not anything special. Our server was simultaneously polite and pushy at the same time ? I love a boujee steak house, but if I'm paying hundreds of dollars for a meal I definitely expect more attention to detail and a better over all meal. Save your money & make the drive to Seattle for the Capital Grill. read more

El Gaucho - Tacoma - Steakhouses Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Once again El Gaucho Tacoma is the place for a nice evening out. Great Service, Excellent Food and drinks and fabulous atmosphere keep us coming back again and again. read more

Gosh I love this place. Been here for date nights, valentines, private parties, and happy hours. Love it! Esp. The happy hour which is so worth it. Can get a nice meal, martini, and apps for a wonderful price. Makes me want to go tomorrow (: Good people, service, can be too dark for my taste but I still enjoy it. And the key lime pie!!! I never ate key lime pie because I did NOT like it but because of them- I can NOT think about anything else but this on their dessert menu haha! They have me addicted. It's not too sweet or tart- just right. A great place to go for any time. Plus, they have gift cards at Costco 20% off and they have a rewards program. Do them all and enjoy yourself! read more

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Our first time dining here and it did not disappoint! The food was amazing...Lobster tail, Filet Mignon, crab cakes, and asparagus. The ambience was wonderful with a card at table acknowledging our 42 anniversary! The service was spot on. Can't wait to come back again! read more

This has to be my favorite steakhouse in the area. Steak El Gaucho is a great blend of meat, veggies, seafood, and sauce. I'm not even a seafood guy and will order this every time. The El Gaucho roasted sweet corn has a cult following and sign me up for the Kool-Aid because I'm in. Pair it with the crispy Brussels sprouts. The El Gaucho Old Fashioned is an experience you have to see to believe. Same with the table prepared Caesar salad. Save up those extra buck and take your lady here for those special occasions. read more

El Gaucho - Tacoma - Steak El Gaucho. - Steakhouses Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Came here on NYE around 1500 hrs when they just opened for a couple drinks and some food. I usually go to Aqua but decided to check out this location since I was in the area. Sat at the bar and was welcomed by Travis. Great bar tender who's personal and remembers your name. I ordered several cocktails and their burger which was good for the price. Can't beat free valet parking when the lot isn't full. Maybe I'll become a regular here. read more

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Wow, incredible place! Our son booked this for our last night Inn Seattle, and what a wonderful establishment! It's nice and dark and reminds me of those speakeasy bars for many years ago! Lots of guys running around at servers with their bowties and black suits and talk about service! We were waited on hand and foot. Our water glass was never empty, and the drinks were flowing.! My son told them it was Mother's Day that we were celebrating, and they put my name on the menu, which was really cute, the food was absolutely delicious.! We did curbside Caesar salad, I have never had a real Caesar salad salad, and this was absolutely amazing done at table side! Hubby ordered the Steak Gaucho stir and Bernaise sauce the steak was cooked to perfection. The asparagus was delicious, the asparagus could've been cooked just a little bit more, it was pretty Al Dente' but was wonderful.! so ordered Cato's to share, we also ordered the lobster mac & cheese, which was delicious! I ordered the filet mignon medallions with the crab sauce on it and asparagus, steak was cooked to perfection and everything was seasoned really well! Ordered the ribeye, the food all around was absolutely 5 to 10 stars seriously! Service with Mick was exceptional!! The atmosphere is incredible, the piano player was great! 5 Star and above service. Desserts were amazing, I cannot wait to go back! Happy Mothers Day! Thanks. read more

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Wonderful experience! The service was top notch. The steaks were perfectly cooked and the accompanying dishes were all very good. The personal touches recognizing my birthday were much appreciated. Enjoyed the old school steakhouse vibe read more

Always an amazing experience. Service is always friendly and entertaining. Not a bad seat in the house. And never a bad meal. Only place in town to get escargot as well read more

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Once again, El gaucho never fails. From entering the restaurant to our server, the service was amazing. Everyone was super friendly, and had a great atmosphere. The Caesar salad is a must. It is so flavorful. The shareable baked potato was amazing and the steaks were cooked perfectly. The seasonal king crab was amazing and their bread as an appetizer is soo good. read more

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The food was good and the drinks were made well, but overall the experience didn't quite match the price point. For what we paid, the flavor and quality of the food simply didn't meet the cost. The table spacing was extremely tight, and one thing that isn't advertised is just how loud the environment can be. My spouse and I were hoping for a nice, intimate dinner date, but we were seated between two very loud tables, both less than an arm's reach away, which made it difficult to enjoy our night. Our server was genuinely kind and attentive, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to offset the noise level, the lack of intimacy, and the mismatch between the price and the meal quality. read more

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Premium-priced King Crab and Lobster... and both had zero taste. For a meal that totaled over $600, I would expect flavor, proper seasoning, and food that actually feels worth the price. Instead, the main dishes were bland and completely missed the mark. The drinks were on point, and the wicked shrimp had great flavor and a nice kick, but none of that could make up for how underwhelming the crab and lobster were. read more

Leo and his team were awesome and treated us great! Rl Gaucho still has that it factor 25 years after I went there for the first time

Top notch experience. Our server was exceptional. Food was good but the steak el gaucho was a little dry on the inside but the sauce helped. The personalized menu's made my wife's night. Only real complaint is our filet minion appetizer leftover somehow didn't make it into the to go bag and I was super disappointed when I went to reheat it. The flavor on that appetizer was excellent. Edit: they did put the appetizer in there . My wife just buried it. 10/10 experience. Also I'd like to add that after this review they reached out and offered me a voucher for the missing appetizer. Next level customer service. It would be nice to see this level of service at other establishments. read more

No longer the happy hour standout it used to be but still a solid choice. The 410 salad was definitely lacking in the crab department though. I needed glasses to find it. Other than that it was pretty good. Burger isn't cheap anymore but still solid. Worth a stop for sure as the upscale choices in the area are limited. read more

The staff are amazing, Pepi was wonderful. They made our anniversary very special with flowers, petals, a card and the coolest thing I'd never seen before, Custom menus with a message to us across the top. VERY nice touch! And the food is ALWAYS AMAZING! The piano player was great. read more

Absolutely amazing experience. I went with my fiancé & the set up was amazing. The custom menus were cute & food was great for both of us. The customer service was great from the beginning all the way til the end & I'm definitely coming back! read more

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I've never had a bad experience here. We love sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartenders. They always make us feel at home. The drinks are great, and I always order the Taste of Gaucho because it's such a good value: steak, a lobster medallion, asparagus, and truffle mashed potatoes for $28. It's truly the perfect meal for me. The ambiance is also nice, I love the live piano music. You can request songs which is always fun. read more

Always a great dining experience. Steaks are the signature here, but there are plenty of other options. Service is always excellent, and there is always great energy at the bar and in the adjacent dining room. read more

El Gaucho - Tacoma - Medallions Oscar - Steakhouses Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

What a phenomenal evening!! My parental unit was retiring and I wanted to do something fancy for him. He's into steak, I do the vegetarian thing...enter El Gaucho. I made reservations and was asked if it was for a special evening. They went way above and beyond with custom printed menus, rose petals, and a note! The ambiance is fantastic, though was a little jarring at first since it was so bright outside. Fairly dark, intimate space with the string lights making it almost feel like you're outside. All of the employees really contributed to the evening and clearly take pride in their work. I went with the oven roasted cauliflower, which was absolutely lovely! I would eat it again and I want to figure out how to make that red pepper pesto! The guest of honor had the Steak El Gaucho without the béarnaise. Seems like he liked it overall, but acknowledged that it was intended to be served with the sauce and he maybe should have selected something else. Valet is included with your evening. No comments there as I strongly believe that you never valet a car you care about. The one thing I really don't like is the 20% service change. That being said, they are super up front about it and don't try to bury it like a lot of other places, so it's one I'm willing to look past occasionally. read more

I took my wife to El Goucho for a Mothers Day dinner and the food, service, and ambiance were more than I ever expected. The staff truly made our experience memorable. I wholeheartedly recommend El Goucho. read more

Absolutely wonderful service by everyone we encountered. Delicious food and a surprise upon picking up our car.....two delicious freshly baked chocolate chip cookies given to us by the valet!We will be returning! read more

Dining here is an incredible experience. The ambience of the dark restaurant is very nice. The staff are all very attentive and welcoming. The food is delicious and I love having the Caesar salad salad made tableside. read more

Jorge, our server, and the rest of the team provided phenomenal service during our dinner. Their warm and friendly hospitality, paired with the wonderful atmosphere, made for an exceptional experience. Our compliments also go to the cooking staff; the food was outstanding.This location has always been one of our favorite dining establishments, and we will continue to return. From the moment we arrive, the valet greets us warmly, and the host staff at the entrance sets the tone with their professionalism. The attention to detail throughout is truly remarkable.We were celebrating my birthday during this visit, and I was touched that everyone wished me a happy birthday, making the evening even more memorable. Thank you for creating such a consistently welcoming and special place to dine.10 out of 10! An exceptional experience all around. read more

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10/10 Pepe was amazing food was fantastic red wine was the French 75!!!! Ahhh amazing! Pepe again amazing! read more

El Gaucho - Tacoma - Steakhouses Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

A special celebration for my wife. Low key elegant vibe. Always top notch service. Had a couple of bourbon pours before our meal. Table-side Caesar is a must. My wife had the Halibut and I had a New York. Sides were sautéed mushrooms and lobster mashed potatoes. Right up front- the lobster mashed potatoes are phenomenal. It's actual a lobster sauce over the potatoes. Exceptional. My wife enjoyed her halibut, but I have to say, I've had better steaks at this same location. Not sure what was off, but it wasn't as good as in the past. Key lime pie for dessert. Always. read more

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Definitely the most overpriced meal I've experienced. The good: the symphony of staff were impressive see in action. Our waiter Zed was A+. The sides were the highlight, good Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, and perfectly cooked asparagus. The bad: the steaks were very forgettable. My NY strip was lacking seasoning and beefy flavor. The steak El Gaucho was dressed up a bit better, but still just ok. Pro tip, bring a head lamp, because the dining room is sooooo dark! Not a bad meal experience, but the $$$$ pricing is not justified. With so many better steakhouses options in the region, we will not be back. read more

Hard NO!! :( Our experience at El Gaucho was unfortunately not a good one. It was our first time dining there and likely our last. We spent close to $700 for four people. We ordered two steaks and several starters, so this was not a small bill. It was actually my man's birthday dinner, which made the experience even more disappointing. Our server, Diana, seemed very rushed. I understand we arrived later in the evening and there was about an hour left before closing, but as guests spending that kind of money, we still expected to feel acknowledged and taken care of. There were multiple times we tried to get her attention and felt ignored. She appeared much more focused on another table while we were left waiting. At one point she came back and admitted that she did hear us calling, but said she was trying to "hurry things along." That comment honestly made the situation worse because it confirmed that we were heard but simply not acknowledged. Customer service matters, especially at establishments where guests are spending hundreds of dollars. The food itself was also disappointing. The steaks, which were around $80-$90, were very dry. The crab mac and cheese was probably the best thing we had, but overall the quality did not match the price. What made it even more disappointing was that it was clearly noted that we were there for a birthday celebration, yet there was no acknowledgement at all. No small dessert, no slice of cake, nothing. Even many smaller restaurants recognize birthdays in some way, so that lack of acknowledgment stood out. For the amount of money we spent, we expected a much better experience overall. In my opinion, El Gaucho looks beautiful, but the service and food quality did not match the price point. There are many other restaurants that offer better food, better service, and a much better overall experience for less. Unfortunately, this will be our first and last visit. read more

Wine tasting event. While I have dined there dozens of times, I attended my 1st wine tasting event. These are offered several times a year on their event page. Sommelier Bryant Mason does a terrific job of hosting, a bit of teaching and making certain all attendees feel welcome. Wine snobs or newbies will enjoy the experience. read more