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| - The Strip District, Pittsburgh's home to most ethnic foods and fresh seafood, recently got a new neighbor - a restaurant serving up wood-fire grilled fare from Argentina. I am not familiar with Argentinian food, so I was eager to try it out when I heard about the place. The space is next to the 16th street bridge(Near Altar Bar), so the cold weather had prevented me from making the hike up, until there was a nice warm break and I was finally able to walk up.
The space itself is minimal, imagine a pizza shop - 70% of the building is dedicated to the kitchen, the remaining 30% is left to standing room. There are about 3 countertops to eat at, but no stools. On the wall there is a menu, written in chalk, separated into about 4 sections: Small Plates, Hambre (Hungry), Salads, and Con Pan(Sandwiches). There are 4 types of condiments in jars in the middle of the restaurant which are there for your tasting pleasure: Chimichurri(Herbs, oil, lemon), Ajo(garlic), Cebolla(onion), and Pimenton(Roasted pepper). Gaucho also offers various ways to receive 10% off on different days. Wednesday, show your facial hair(doesn't have to be real, ladies) - Friday, show your fashion flare.
So far I've had tastes of quite a bit of the menu - The Vegetales sandwich($7, I think), two steak sandwiches(Flank and ribeye, $10 lets you choose from any beef they offer), Shrimp(6/$13 - 'hambre menu'), Empanadas(Beef, onion, and hard boiled egg, 2/$3), Chorizo($5 - small plate menu), and a pollo sandwich($8). The empanadas were hands down the best that I've ever tasted(Which should be taken with a grain of salt), the steak is incredibly flavorful and juicy, the shrimp were very large, with a sprig of rosemary stuffed into the back of each one and a lemon that was charred on the grill as well. The chorizo was full of peppery flavor and just a little bit spicy, and the veggie sandwich was piled high with peppers, zuchinni, and asparagus(my friend ordered without portabello).
You can also order two slices of oiled, grilled bread for $1. The bread here, a fresh ciabatta, is stunningly delicious, soft throughout and a crust that, while chewy, won't resist you as you bite into your sandwich. I highly recommend ordering the bread so you can try out all of the condiments. I'm a sucker for caramelized onions, so the cebolla is my favorite, but the ajo is a close second, with the others also being incredible.
I've only gone around 1:00pm, and there is usually a short line, but I'm not sure how this place handles around dinner time, or during the lunch rush. I asked about catering and the chef said that one day they'll be able to. He also said that he dreams of doing a whole cow roast one day - a goal that I can wholeheartedly stand behind.
Gaucho is a welcome addition, and I am sure I will find myself a regular here. If you work in the strip or downtown, block of some time and make the walk. If you don't, then drive down on the weekend or for dinner. Their website sums it up nicely, "Eat Gaucho."
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