Gaucho Grill Downey — Restaurant in Downey

This might just be the WORST Gaucho restaurant in ALL of California!!! I say that because I’ve eaten at other locations without any issues-very sadly, this place literally served nothing BUT problems!!!

One of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in a long time!! Especially for a steak house that attempts to project a “classier/fine dining” experience.. SO very much went badly, so foregoing a lengthy rant, I’ll attempt to condense into a quicker list of what went wrong-everything.

After being seated, my table was immediately bombarded with street peddlers literally sneaking up behind me and getting right in my ear to try to sell flowers-this happened MULTIPLE times throughout the meal, and after asking we found out they ALLOW IT.. so, hope you guard your cell phone, purses, and valuables.

Ordered recommended penne pasta for appetizer. It came out with the wrong type of pasta, and literally not seasoned at all.

Steaks came out, again, neither were seasoned AT ALL. No salt, no pepper, simple as it may be, but not prepared correctly.

Sent back a filet, and when they brought the replacement out, it was LITERALLY GREY. They took it away too quickly, or if have provided a photo so you’d understand how nauseating and rancid this meat was. The entire steak was grey, was surely expired, and even the waiter looked uncomfortable knowing it looked off.

Had no choice but to send the second attempt back, for serious fear of food poisoning.. they merely took the same cut and put it back on the grill, and attempted to serve it again, which astonished me. What was even more surprising, was I found out the restaurant’s manager was the one that brought out the bad steak.

In the end, I told them to stop trying, didn’t eat anything beyond the pasta appetizer, and kindly brought all the above to the attention of the manager, who said his hands were tied as far as allowing the street peddlers/vagrants into the restaurant that harass all the patrons, and that he simply wasn’t aware of anything about the off steak, etc. He understood the complaints, charged only for what we had painstakingly eaten, and that was that.

The only consolation was our server being super helpful, understanding, and doing his best with the blunders of the kitchen-which are out of his control. He was a champ!

We will NOT be returning, and I STRONGLY recommend eating anywhere else-at least McDonalds won’t overcharge for bad meat that isn’t seasoned. Could not have been more disappointing.

I Hate making reviews like this, but i’d rather WARN people to avoid...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse in Downey, California, and I must say it was a truly delightful experience from start to finish. The moment we stepped in, we were greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly set the tone for a fantastic evening.

The restaurant's cleanliness was immediately noticeable, reflecting their commitment to providing a comfortable and hygienic environment for their guests. The cozy yet stylish decor further added to the overall ambiance, making it an ideal place to enjoy a great meal.

The staff at Gaucho Grill were not only attentive but also incredibly friendly. However, it was our waiter, Willy, who took our experience to a whole new level. Willy's outstanding service, coupled with his knowledge of the menu and genuine enthusiasm, made us feel like valued guests. He made excellent recommendations and was always ready to cater to our needs, ensuring that our dining experience was second to none.

Now, let's talk about the food. We opted for the meat sampler platter, and it was a carnivore's dream come true. Each cut of meat was cooked to perfection, tender, and bursting with flavor. It was a delightful exploration of Argentinean cuisine, leaving our taste buds more than satisfied.

To complement our meal, we decided to try the red sangria, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. The sangria was a refreshing and fruity delight, beautifully complementing the richness of the meats.

I can't recommend Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse enough. Whether you're a meat lover or simply seeking an unforgettable dining experience, this place has it all. And don't forget to ask for Willy as your waiter – his personalized attention will make your visit even more special.

As a final note, I have to give a shout-out to their bread and chimichurri. These seemingly simple accompaniments were absolutely on point and added an extra layer of deliciousness to the entire meal.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a friendly, clean, and welcoming environment with top-notch service, delectable food, and a touch of Argentinean charm, Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse is the place to be. Cheers to a memorable dining experience – I can't...

I came here on a tip from fellow Yelper (shout out to them). My buddy from out of town wanted some steaks. So we decided to meet here because it was in between LAX and OC.

I came in on a Tuesday night, and waited at the front for about 2 min before anyone acknowledged me. (not sure where the hostess was at). There is a huge full service bar in the middle, the bartender looked straight at me and didn't say a word either. Nonetheless, I waited to be talk to hostess and be seated. After being shown my seat, there was another 5-6 min wait to find out who my server was. (Also, I'm not sure if they're following a European style of serving where people usually go, sit and chat before anything is served). FINALLY, after about 10 min of sitting my buddy arrived and our waiter was also ready.

The drinks were ordered: Tarta Lima ($13) + Moscow Mule ($13). Before I order the the waiter precedes to tell me the Tarta Lima is a "fruity" drink as a warning of some sorts I guess. I already had the expectation that it was and I highly recommend it. I also, ordered a second more manly drink; a smoked Old Fashioned ($14). This drink came with its own presentation, a box full of smoke. The drink itself was not smokey, so that was a bit of a letdown, and a bit on the harsh side but still tasty.

As we were ready to order the food the waiter explained the menu. A la carte meant A la carte. You can order the meat itself, then order the sides on it's own OR order it Gaucho Style. Gaucho style comes with a bigger piece of meat (usually for two people) and it includes 2 sizeable sides. We order a salad to share (Evita Salad $13) and decide to do the Gaucho Grill Tomahawk Ribeye. This is 40 oz of beef, fat and bone. It was good, a bit under seasoned for myself, but my buddy really enjoyed it. The accompanying chimichurri sauce was excellent!

Besides the VERY SLOW START, once the food came, everything came together. The ambiance is good, dimly lit, good for dates, and fairly quiet. Plenty of parking around, but shared with multiple establishments.

I'll have to come back and try again. In the meantime, happy...