Gauchos Steakhouse Highland Square IL — Restaurant in Highland

felt we were judged from the moment we walked in. perhaps because we had our children. perhaps because we looked "less class" but as for someone who own 3 businesses you shouldn't judge someone by their appearance nor their appreciation for growing the generations that could go to your business. $150.00 my son never got to eat because he wanted a steak that wasn't available for him. our salads came out after our dinner only because I asked. my husband sat with an empty drink most of the night. yet our waitress was at every other table immediately. would never recommend this place. I don't leave reviews. but felt this was necessary. the owner was also present and definitely aware of our unhappiness. but made absolutely no effort to address it. maybe she took a look at us and thought we wouldn't be able to pay? regardless. she should be ashamed.

Okay. I admit, i wrote this review in anger, sitting in the parking lot directly after leaving this restaurant still 2 hours from home. Woke up this morning and decided perhaps I was a bit harsh and needed to revise my review. The purpose of a review is to help future customers decide where to eat, as well as help the business owner adjust any issues and fix where they may better their business. That is why I felt the need not to revise my review after the comment left, but to help future customers understand my experience and why I may have been "rude" which I felt I wasn't in any way, being as I didn't want to disturb any other guests dinner experience. I don't mind spending 200+ for a meal, but it comes with expectations for that kind of money. Regardless of the "looks" we received when we walked in, we decided to dine. Ordered our dinner, waited, had to ask for our drinks as she never ordered them. The other waitress came and apologized and said when the bell rings they need to drop everything and get the food. Understandable. Two options for children. Chicken tenders and steak. Perfect. Daughter loves chicken tenders and the son loves steak but hates chicken. Chef comes out, no steak for the child, all out. Okay sir can't you cut one of your larger steaks for my son? Being as he does not like chicken and I shouldn't have to purchase a $50 steak for a 7 year old. Would have gladly paid half price of the adults meal. Told no. Our dinner comes out and my son asks me "mommy where's my food, am i not allowed to have steak?" failed to be given any other options for my son and they couldn't even send out the fries that would have came with the steak. As we all have plates and my son is sitting there with nothing in front of him, i ask for another plate. All while the husbands beer sits empty. My husband and I serve our son portions of our steaks. But wait, wheres our salads? And to be honest the longer I sit in this restaurant the more frustrated I become. I'm not full by any means, but also no longer hungry with the experience we have had. Check please. I understand they were busy, but there were also empty tables. I also understand that regardless of being busy, the expectations of "fine dining" and paying that much for a meal are far more than I received and I believe anyone...

I generally don't like to leave alot of reviews especially bad ones. However, I feel I would be doing a dis service by not expressing my experience. I was here for a small birthday party. At first it was great. Ordered quick, apps came out quick. Appetizers were really good. Everything on the menu was pretty pricey. I decided my daughter and I could share a plate and add on an extra side or 2. This was our first-time in. The waiter knew this as it was discussed. When I told him we were sharing not once did he mention there's an extra charge for it. (Almost the same price i would have paid for her kids' meal) Didn't notice till we got the bill. Not a huge deal but not thoughtful. My biggest issue was the quality of the food. Everything seemed like it was drenched in salt. The steak flavor and quality were very bare minimum. For $37 a steak (plus a share fee) I would expect a juicy, tender flavorful steak. In the nicest way possible, a steak at Applebee's would have tasted better. On top of all of this our waiter seem to then forget about us. We asked multiple times for more water because we were all dying of thirst after how salty Everything was including the sides and it wasn't until we asked the owner did, we actually get some. The water tasted like it came from a sink. (From other reviews, apparently, they used filtered water) but it absolutely didn't taste like it. Our fries came out cold and hard as if they had been sitting out. We had 2 ppl show up a little later. No one came to help them till way after everyone was done with their food. I am absolutely mind blown that they are charging this kind of money for this quality or food an service. The owner was very kind an it sucks having to write this but as nice as she was, it is not worth the money. Definitely recommend another steak place. Another steak place.

In response to your response, We gave you the chance to fix the problem. We ask multiple times for water and were neglected. We gave you a chance to serve us hot fries. We gave your server the chance to tell us there was an upcharge for plate share. We gave him the chance to attend our new guest in a timely fashion. I gave you the chance when I paid the amount of money i did for this experience. I should not have to stop our dinner in front of everyone to complain to receive the bare minimum of customer service. This comment was your opportunity to "fix it". But instead of apologizing, you deflect and stated for some people "Its never enough" and "You're not afraid of seasoning and flavor." As far as short staff, there we possibly 4 other small tables that night. I would be completely understanding if it was even a little bit busier, but it was not. Even if I'm wrong and you were busy, at no point was there a "Sorry for the wait." It's that simple. So again, for me, it was...

For the price of the meal being $100+, it simply wasn’t worth it. The appetizers: Plantains - Great combination of flavors. Love it.; and Empanadas - Great but over priced, go to the Foundry in STL, they’re cheaper and just as good. The entrees: Strip steak - Mediocre at best and overwhelmingly fatty and not a strip steak, at least a quarter of the steak was pure fat. There was more fat on the strip sirloin than the ribeye. It wasn’t even remotely trimmed and the piece that the waiter cut off as an example on how to use the stone was 95+% fat. Steak was bland minus the rock salt, which was unappealing.; and Ribeye - Again a bland steak with the only real flavor being rock salt. This rock salt sounds great but it was embedded into the steak and it’s not fun biting into a rock in the middle of a steak. The sides: Four Cheese Mac and Cheese - The topping on top of the Mac was over done and dry. The noddles were also dry. Missed the mark on the cheese. Go to O’Town for some good Mac and cheese. The best!; and Fries - Somehow cold upon arrival. Under seasoned and lacked salt. I tried to use my stone to heat them and add salt to no avail. I couldn’t even flag anyone down for some ketchup. The staff: I totally appreciate the waiter training the new guy. But we were visited three times total without being prompted by us or the food to come to our table. One, to take our order after 15 minutes of waiting (there was only three other tables occupied there with a total of 10 people, excluding us.). Two, to ask us how the food was when we were 80% done. Three, to ask us if we wanted the check, after I asked three minutes before. If you want water, you might as well wave the empty bottle until they realize you want something or you ain’t getting it. Priority was flipping tables instead of waiting on guests wanting to order or anything else needed. Other grievances: I was so excited to eat here since they opened right by my house, compared to their lunch spot by Scott AFB. Their lunches were awesome. But it was impossible to tell when they were actually open here. I call their number twice to see if they have any tables available. Never get a response and their VM is full. I did a test call while in the restaurant and no one answered while I’m staring at the phone. When we were able to actually open the door and get a seat we were so excited. I was hoping to treat my wife because she’s been so stressed with work, but I wish I would’ve just taken...