Gaucho Beach — Restaurant in Long Beach

I'd like to start off by saying that the server who ended up taking care of us was very nice and accommodating. Aside from her, this was a dining nightmare, here are the main points. The first server to come to the table greeted us, I asked for waters for myself, my friend, and if she could bring some sort of to-go bowl with water for my dog. She returns with 2 waters in 6 oz plastic cups reminiscent of the cups you'd see at a water cooler, along with an empty to-go container. My friend and I both assume this was the set up for the dog, so we pour the water from the small cups into the to-go bowl on the ground. When I ask what the seasonal beer is, she can only tell me the name of the brewery and nothing else, I order a beer at 4:20 pm. At 4:30 a second server comes over and greets us as if we've just been sat, this is the server who ended up taking over our table, we tell her we've placed a drink order with the first server. At 4:35pm, one of the bartenders comes over and greets our table. I say we ordered from the first girl, he confirmed my beer order and then walks back in to the bar. At 4:50 our now server ( the second woman who greeted us), brings over a very dead beer that had clearly been sitting a while, and takes our food order. She does apologize for the waters we were initially given and brings us actual glassware with water.

It took 30 minutes to get one beer.

I order the lobster roll, my friend orders a hamburger cooked to medium. Now, given that this was on Labor Day, I assumed the food would take a little while. It took less time for us to get our food than it took for me to get the one beer. When our food does come out, my friend's burger is beyond well done; practically burnt and beyond dry. My lobster roll is pitifully small, served in what looked like a grocery store hot dog bun that is so burnt on the bottom it's entirely charred, and rock solid. For $30, there was only 4 oz of lobster mix. The portion of fries outweighed the lobster roll, the sprig of parsley was half the size of the lobster roll. I also notified the kitchen of my food allergy, it was disregarded and still served with the allergen. Both of our dishes were also bland.

Throughout the meal, as other staff would bus tables, they'd throw the remaining liquid in glasses over my shoulder, into the bushes next to our table. Disgusting.

I did ask to speak to the manager and explained the many many issues, when he offered to buy us dessert I said that we were ready to leave and to do what he thinks is the right thing to do for our bill. He offers then to buy the beer I ordered.

10 minutes go by and the manager returns with a new beer. I tell him, again, that we'd like to leave and did not want this. He says he'll comp both off our check. 10 more minutes go by before we see our server and ask her to bring us our separate checks. The manager interrupts her splitting the checks and instead presents one check to us, prompting us to pay even though we asked again for a split bill. We paid and left, I made sure to still tip the server since other people's incompetencies aren't her fault.

The overall attitude from the management is apathetic, as if they believe because they're bound to get tourists due to their location they don't have to work hard or take any pride in what they're doing. I've been in the service industry for over a decade, that is a terrible attitude to have. I live in Long Beach and will not be going back. There are so many other great restaurants that going to Gaucho Beach again would be a waste of money. It was a waste of money to go there in the...

Since moving to Long Beach, I've been here twice.

The food is delicious, the cocktails and mocktails are crafted well, and the atmosphere/location is amazing, so I won't comment on any of that. The service from the servers during my 2nd visit left such a sour taste in my mouth that I doubt I will ever go back to Gaucho Beach for a sit-down meal.

2nd Visit Service Rating: 1 stars Reason: 40-minute wait before a server even acknowledged us. The server added a $15 tip to my bill without saying a word. Not 0 stars only because our bussers and runners were kind and helpful.

Details: We arrived at 4:07, sat down, decided what we wanted. Spent the next 40 minutes trying to get a servers' attention (There were 2). Let the busser know twice that we wanted to order. Busser promised to have someone with us. Watched busser talk to servers both times. Servers would check in on the tables around us while seemingly avoiding eye contact with us. Busser sees this, walks up to Server 1 who was serving a table next to us and points us out. Server 1 makes eye contact for a second, we smile, Server 1 turns around, goes back to the bar to put smoked drink container away. We expect Server 1 to come right back but see her chatting with Server 2 and laughing by the bar, before heading to help some other table. Fed up, I go to Gaucho Empanadas and get 2 empanadas. Another 5 minutes later (it is 4:45 now), Server 1 takes our order. Kind runner brings food, we eat. Server 2 pours us water twice, while we eat. Ask for the check and the total is $82.70. ($75 for food + $7.70 Tax) Inform Server 2 I would pay via gift card, she hurriedly takes the check from me, takes my phone and completes payment. Received no receipt, so I check gift card balance to figure out exactly how much to tip in cash. (Although the servers' service was bad, I wanted to make sure the busser and runner got tipped out) I check my gift card balance, and notice I was charged $97.70. A lot more than what I thought I saw on the bill. I double check the prices, and do the math, and realize Server 2 added $15 to the total without saying a word.

Final Thoughts: I can understand a long wait time due to being short staffed. This was not that. It honestly seemed like the servers were actively avoiding us and the other party who had sat down at our table (8 top). Was our table cursed? I would not have a problem with paying the tip via gift card if the server had asked, but to add a tip without asking just seems wrong . If it wasn't for this, I probably wouldn't have even written a review. I really appreciate how diligently the busser worked to get the servers attention on top of his regular duties. It seemed like he struggled with English, but he honestly provided the best service out of anyone and if he was my server I would absolutely go back.

Feedback for Management I understand with your system you can order from either the server or from a QR code on the table. I think it's a good system, but every table needs to have a QR code, or servers should pay special attention to the tables that don't. (I looked all over on the sides and top of the 8 top on the second floor and couldn't find it. Please add one for future guests.) Being able get food from Gaucho Empanadas, Gaucho Cafe, or Gaucho Beach then sit anywhere in the restaurant is a great system, however if this is leading to confusion on who to serve by your servers, it may be better to separate it, so servers know who...

I came to this restaurant with a friend for lunch, and from the beginning the experience was off to a rough start. The waitress was like before you order we are out of most of our items & sides which she names at that point. We asked well can we at least order drinks and look over the menu again which the printing is faded and can barely see the menu options.

We finally ordered and when the appetizer came out we were missing one, we had to wait 15-20 min before the waitress came to see if we received everything and we told her that we were missing an appetizer. She said quote "I didn't put it on the bill, because I thought you ordered it online" when we clearly ordered it with her and ALL our food, we then said forget it we dont want it anymore (she didnt even offer or ask if we still wanted the app). So strike #2 basically.

We'll my son ordered his food a specific way and they brought the wrong order out to us, now having to wait again to even get the waitresses attention to send the food back he had to wait for his order to be remade (strike #3) eating his food last as we were done. For the portion that is given it is not worth the prices, wait, or experience here. Now her comes the best part (strike #4) waitress comes to the table we let her know we're ready to check out (mind you I asked her from the very beginning can we put it on separate checks as im paying for my son, and myself) my friend is paying for herself. So we go to pay and she tells my friend all on one bill, we said no we asked if we could split it. As she's itemize it, she said ok here your bill, ok fine I see my order and tap my card to pay for my portion. It goes through, ask for tip and signature OK normal process. Well then she goes ummm you still owe $XYZ ummm excuse me you just ran my card for the full amount and tip what do you mean I have to pay more. She then leaves the table to get the receipt and said the manager just ran the card again through the system and it's clear now. I did not authorize for the manager to run my card without my acknowledgement.She then proceeds to run my friends portion and again bill is incorrect. Like if you dont know what you are doing ask for help or ask to get more training. I WILL NEVER COME BACK!

If they had a selection for no stars I'd pick ZERO star rating...