Gaucho Brazilian Barbecue — Restaurant in Calgary

I had an absolutely terrible experience at this restaurant, which was deeply disappointing given the expectations that come with an all-you-can-eat establishment. Unfortunately, the service we received fell shockingly short of even basic standards.

From the moment we were seated, our server’s attitude was curt and dismissive, making us feel as though we were inconveniencing him simply by being there. The situation escalated when we were ordering appetizers, as we started listing off what appetizers we wanted he stopped us by the second dish, the server put both hands up in our faces and said, “That’s enough.” in a tone that was both condescending and completely unwarranted.

We politely explained that we were Muslims and were fasting and simply wanted to have enough food on the table to break our fast while we waited for the meat to be walked around. His response was both insensitive and disrespectful — he chuckled, said, “Love that for you,” and rolled his eyes, and walked away. I was stunned and embarrassed. It’s hard to shake the feeling that this level of disregard went beyond mere rudeness and reflected something more troubling.

The situation worsened when we asked for more water. We had only been given water when we were initially seated, and despite a long wait, the server never came by to refill it. When we politely asked for more, his reaction was completely uncalled for. He raised his voice and said, “OKAY, I’M NOT GOING TO REPEAT MYSELF TWICE, SO LISTEN. IS THERE ANY DIRTY PLATES I CAN TAKE OFF THE TABLE NOW?” We were so taken aback that we weren’t sure how to respond. We quickly apologized, passed him the plates we had finished with, and once again asked if he could bring us some water when he had a chance. He rolled his eyes and walked away without saying a word. It took him another 20 minutes to bring the water, which by that point felt like a deliberate act of neglect.

After the meal, I approached the manager privately to share my experience. His response — “Oh well, I’m sorry… we just had a staff meeting about this” — made it clear that this was not an isolated incident. The indifference from management only reinforced the impression that poor treatment of customers is not only tolerated but possibly systemic.

The lack of professionalism and empathy completely ruined what should have been a simple, enjoyable meal. I left feeling unwelcome and disrespected. I won’t be returning, and I would strongly advise others to think twice before dining here if they expect even a basic level of respect...

There are waiters, and then there is Steven. Dining out has always been a fleeting pleasure for me—a rotation of menus and atmospheres, some pleasant, some mundane. But then, like the protagonist in an indie film about existential dining experiences, I encountered Steven. And my world shifted.

From the moment Steven approached our table, radiating an aura of quiet authority and unspoken wisdom, I knew this meal would be different. He didn’t just ask what we wanted to drink; he delivered the inquiry with such gravity it felt like a question about our very essence as people. “Any special events?” Suddenly, I was reflecting on my values, my choices, and what I was there for.

The food was, I assume, delicious. I can’t honestly remember because every bite was elevated by Steven’s presence. His timing was impeccable, as though he were synchronized with the universe itself. Need a refill? Steven appeared before the thought even fully formed in my mind. Finished with a plate? It vanished, almost as if by sorcery, and yet I never felt rushed. It was as though Steven operated in a parallel timeline, always one step ahead, ensuring my needs were met without disrupting my reality.

But it wasn’t just about service; it was his artistry. When Steven recited the process, it wasn’t a mundane list of ingredients and options—it was poetry. “I recommend the choros” Was I hungry for choros? No. Did I order it anyway? Of course. Because Steven made me believe in it

By the end of the meal, I found myself grappling with the realization that no other dining experience would ever compare. How could I return to mere mortals taking my order when I’ve tasted the celestial realms of customer service? I left with a singular, haunting thought: I can never go back.

Steven, if you’re reading this, you are the protagonist of my culinary story. Please come with me to every restaurant moving forward. Together, we will revolutionize dining one table at a time.

Five stars. No, ten stars. I am petitioning for Google to allow...

Gaucho has moved from their previous location across from Chinook Centre to a HUGE location on the corner of Southland and Macleod in the old Jack Astors/Fudruckers location.

They spent a pretty penny here in renovations and it looks amazing. The atmosphere is quite nice as a result.

There is no more self-service buffet. You now have to ask the server for the various items to be brought to your table. There are a couple of problems with the new system. 1. It relies on the server being attentive. 2. There are no photos of the items so it is not clear about what each item is and what the portions are. They should really consider going back to a self-service buffet style. Let me choose with my eyes on my own and move around. It will save on staffing costs too.

The meat was served perfectly cooked and in a timely fashion too. Top grades on the meat. The pineapple, which is usually the dessert highlight was disappointing in taste and presentation. They used to shave the pieces off just like the meat but now have it precut and in a serving dish.

Our waitress with the red hair was very congenial, but woefully slow and unresponsive. We had to ask at least 3 or 4 times for dipping sauces for our meat. When she finally brought them we were pretty much done eating the meat and no longer needed them. The same thing happened with getting ice water after the meal. She also clearly doesn't know about the drinks in the restaurant and was unable to recommend beers, wines and cocktails that would be appropriate for the patrons tastes and match with the meal. She was very polite but is in definite need of more training.

Overall it was a good experience.

I am rooting for them to be successful here. They have clearly swung for the fences on this massive...