Luxurious NW steakhouse chain to open in huge, remodeled Boise space downtown
Downtown Boise’s upscale dining scene is heating up.
A massive, empty restaurant space soon will be occupied again — by a Northwest steakhouse veteran.
El Gaucho, a regional chain, plans to open at 610 W. Idaho St. in late 2025. It will take over more than 10,000 square feet vacated last October by House of Western.
Specializing in steak, seafood and cocktails, El Gaucho operates locations in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and Vancouver, Washington; and in Portland. “The legendary steakhouse is known for a distinctively personalized dining experience,” according to a press release, “combining the highest-quality ingredients with classic tableside service.”
The original El Gaucho opened in Seattle in 1953 before closing in 1985, then was revived in 1996 in Seattle’s Belltown district, according to the release.
The large Boise location — which House of Western had divided into three separate dining concepts — will be “beautifully reimagined.” With a capacity of 341, El Gaucho will offer five private dining areas, as well as the opportunity to buy out the entire restaurant, the release said.
“The remodeled space will include the signature El Gaucho live fire grill seen in all other locations, a racetrack-style bar with a built-in fireplace, and as a nod to the original Seattle El Gaucho, elevated booths will provide privacy and a ringside seat to the open kitchen and bar,” the release said.
“The restaurant will feature a private cigar room, where expert staff will pair premium cigars from renowned brands like Davidoff and Padrón with rare, rotating selections of top-shelf bourbon and scotch for an unmatched experience.”
High-profile menu items on the Bellevue location’s online menu include Steak El Gaucho ($89, 8-ounce custom-aged filet mignon, Maine lobster medallion, asparagus, béarnaise sauce) and the flamboyant, tableside-served Flaming Sword Brochette of Tenderloin & New York ($72, crimini mushroom, béarnaise).
Other El Gaucho highlights, according to the release:
▪ “Tableside service is an El Gaucho hallmark — from Caesar Salad and Flaming Brochette of Tenderloin to the final flambé of Bananas Foster.”
▪ “Live piano music is performed nightly.”
▪ “A service team is dedicated to creating a personalized dining experience for every guest.”
▪ “The menu features traditional steakhouse classics with thoughtful seasonal updates, as well as seafood and vegetarian options.”
▪ There’s an “ongoing commitment to sourcing the best ingredients in the world,” which include “28-day dry-aged Niman Ranch all-natural prime certified Angus beef”; “Idaho-sourced specific cattle and lamb programs”; “ local and organic seasonal produce”; “sustainable seafood”; and “rare and specialty items.”
Operated by Fire & Vine Hospitality, El Gaucho will enter a Boise steakhouse scene that’s growing increasingly competitive. Corso Italian Steak opened at 1555 S. Broadway Ave. in March. Another newcomer downtown, Hemlock, is slated to open this spring in the former Richard’s Restaurant & Bar at the Inn at 500 Capitol hotel.
El Gaucho restaurants rate an impressive 4.5 to 4.7 out of 5.0 stars on Google. On crowd-sourced reviews site Yelp, they range from 3.9 to 4.2. Customers who enjoy the El Gaucho concept often really, really like it. “OMG 5 stars aren’t enough,” a recent Yelp review of the Seattle location proclaimed.
“Opening an El Gaucho in Boise has been a goal since 2019,” Chad Mackay, CEO of Fire & Vine Hospitality, said in the press release. “I visited this space in 2021 and thought it would make a great El Gaucho location and when it became available three years later, I immediately got on the plane to make it happen. We are so excited to join the already vibrant restaurant scene in Boise and the Treasure Valley. We look forward to joining the party and bringing our tradition of reveling and celebrating life.”
This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 11:56 AM.