Charkoal's Brazilian Steakhouse (formerly Gaucho's Prime) — Restaurant in Upper Merion Township

Visiting Gauchos Prime last night (4/13) brought me to an even higher appreciation for this restaurant, which was already superior. We've been regulars since they opened up because the atmosphere, food and service topped our former go-to (which was Fogo de Chao). Last night however, blew the ceiling off any service I've EVER HAD ANYWHERE!!! My son and I were taking my granddaughter out to eat and she really wanted "filet mignon, pineapple and watermelon at the place where the man cuts the food at the table". When we got to the salad bar, there was virtually everything you could possibly want except for watermelon. When one of the owners, Anna, overheard Ariella's disappointment about the lack of watermelon, she immediately said that she was going to get her some and would be back in 5 minutes. (Fortunately, Wegmans is right up the road.) I assured her that wasn't necessary (they were quite busy), but in about 5 minutes, she was back with a dish full of delicious watermelon!!! I was stunned and truly respected the outstanding customer service we received. We've always had great food and service at Gauchos, but this time was just something I've never experienced before in my life from any establishment anywhere. Kudos to Anna and Gauchos Prime 👏 We've been regulars since the beginning and we will be forever!!! Customer service and quality food are definitely their top priorities!!!

• Update - 4/27 visit * At my granddaughters request once again, my son, granddaughter, and I came back again for dinner last night and were greeted in what we've grown accustomed to as Gauchos warm and welcoming manner (they truly show appreciation for your business every time you arrive). One of the owners, Anna, was there again and made a point of greeting and speaking with us at length. (There is always a full compliment of staff catering to your every desire. Management, Gauchos and every other employee bend over backwards to ensure that you have a superior dining experience and all of them pitch in to take care of every and anything. Every employee works collectively as a true team where no job is below any staff member.)

Apparently remembering my granddaughter's love of watermelon from our visit 2 weeks ago, Anna took it upon herself to immediately run out for a watermelon without even giving it a second thought. Where else would you ever receive that level of customer service??? Certainly not anywhere I've ever been!

I just can't stop raving about how amazing this restaurant is! The quality of food is consistently exceptional, and the service is beyond compare. If you haven't been here yet, add it to your list - you won't be...

Review:

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Gaucho Prime Brazilian Steakhouse, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. From the moment we walked through the door, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality.

The owner, who clearly takes immense pride in his establishment, went above and beyond by personally giving us a tour of the restaurant and sharing insights into the rich Brazilian culture that permeates every aspect of the dining experience. It was evident that he had worked hard to establish a culture of excellence, honesty, and a commitment to delivering top-quality service to their cherished clients.

What impressed me the most about Gaucho Prime was the friendliness and sincerity of the staff. Every member of the team seemed genuinely invested in getting to know us and ensuring our overall satisfaction. One individual, in particular, stood out—Gabriel, our extraordinary waiter. Gabriel's attentiveness, knowledge of the menu, and genuine passion for providing exceptional service truly elevated our dining experience. He went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring that our dining needs were met with utmost care.

The food itself was an absolute delight. Gaucho Prime truly delivers an authentic Brazilian culinary experience. From the mouthwatering selection of perfectly grilled meats to the tantalizing array of traditional side dishes, every bite transported us to the vibrant streets of Brazil. The flavors were rich, the ingredients fresh, and the presentation impeccable.

Overall, I cannot recommend Gaucho Prime Brazilian Steakhouse highly enough. The combination of outstanding food, genuine hospitality, and a commitment to hard work creates an atmosphere that is truly memorable. Whether you're a Brazilian food enthusiast or simply looking for a remarkable dining experience, this restaurant deserves the highest praise. And a special shout-out to Gabriel, an excellent waiter whose dedication and exceptional service added an extra touch of magic...

We arrived to have a business lunch. We were greeted so warmly and asked if we would prefer to sit in the the bar or the dining room. The bar was wide open and bright and cheery so we sat there. We were instantly greeted and given water, and no less than four people came up to explain different things to us and take us for a tour of the buffet. The buffet was one of the nicest I’ve ever seen and I thought I would come here every day and not have the same thing twice. So many interesting salads! Yes, the chubby lady said salad! Ceviche, chickpea salad, beet, salad, eggplant and mushroom!! At least 20 different combinations of interesting salads.There were two fresh soups, there was Manchego, Big chunks of blue, and Brie cheese freshly cut. A Parmesan Wheel that you could shave Fresh Parmesan out of. My boss, who is completely gluten-free lit up when she saw all the options. Even a chubby old lady like me thought I would enjoy eating healthy here! But don’t worry there’s still the fun, absolutely wonderful homemade garlic bread that was brought to the table with the fresh meats! There were lollipop lamb chops! Parmesan crusted, pork! Garlic sirloin! Fillet! A salmon and some kind of mango sauce that I would bathe in!!! And again they brought wonderful, mashed potatoes, a fried egg side, plantains, and a jalapeño and onion side dish that I would eat bowls of! Perfect place for a work dinner or romantic evening! I’m so glad I came across this place! They also have a food truck that they showed us outside. Absolutely pristine I would’ve eaten food off the counters. It was that clean. I thought maybe it’s new or they hadn’t used it yet. But was informed yes they use it quite often. They also have banquet rooms. I am going on and on about this place, but there is a history. The building that this restaurant is housed in was actually my first bartending job as a wee lass of 17. 40 some years ago. A nostalgic twinge was the whole reason why I went in there. So pleasantly surprised and I’m dying to bring everyone there! Sidenote, the cachaca cocktail...