"For the food, I started with the Baked Beef Empanadas. These were incredible and surprised me the most. I also tried the chicken version, but the beef was clearly the standout. They had the perfect crust, and I really enjoyed the filling. This dish is an absolute must-try!
Next was the El Gauchito Salad, which I ordered to add some greens to my meal. It was a good salad, and I loved the arugula, but the menu suggested it was for two people; in reality, it could easily serve three. With a group of seven, we could have comfortably shared two salads.
Moving on to the Parillada Completa for two, this is a classic starter at any Spanish steakhouse, offering a sample of various meats. This platter was enjoyable, and I thought the selection was great. My favorite items included the morcilla (blood sausage), short rib, and skirt steak. I found the chorizo to be simpler than expected and thought it could have been spicier. The sweetbreads were perfectly cooked with a nice char for added crunch, and the kidney had pleasant flavor, while the intestines didn’t have much taste at all.
I also tried the Parillada Especial de 3, which I found to be a better option than the Completa, though it was $40 more. This platter featured a trio of meats: strip loin, skirt steak, and flap steak. The strip loin was flavorful and tender, the skirt steak was excellent with great taste and tenderness, while the flap steak was surprisingly easy to cut, yet a bit chewier than I anticipated. This platter is ideal for four people to share.
As for sides, the Maduros were my favorite—some of the best I’ve ever had—crispy and not at all greasy, which is often the case. Definitely a must-order! The Yuca Frita was also fantastic; they were perfectly fried and light, and I loved the accompanying dipping sauce. The Papas Fritas were made well, crunchy yet not oily, and light and fluffy in texture. I recommend ordering all three sides: maduros, yuca frita, and papas fritas.
I was really looking forward to trying the Ensalada Russ, especially since I’ve enjoyed it at other Spanish steakhouses, but I found it somewhat bland here. I also didn’t care for the firmness of the potatoes; typically, this salad has a creamy texture, but this one was quite disjointed."
