:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59046067/Screen_Shot_2018_03_15_at_2.31.42_PM.0.png)
After 25 years in Southern California, Gaucho Grill permanently closed its Brentwood location this week. The decades-old Argentine barbecue chain has been on a closing streak in recent years, and is presently down to one location in Downey. Westside reporter Toddrickallen first noticed the Brentwood closure, though a Gaucho Grill spokesperson tells Eater that a West Covina location is still in the works.
Longtime Angelenos have clear memories of the Argentine chain, especially the original location on Sunset and Laurel. Gaucho Grill had multiple locations throughout Los Angeles County, including Glendale, Third Street Promenade, West LA, Pasadena, and Studio City among others.
Adolfo Suaya first opened the original place back in the late 1980s, but sold the brand to Adrian Amosa in 2008. In its heyday, it was commonplace to see the Gaucho Grill take over a large vacant restaurant, imprint the space with their signature minimalist look, and watch customers come in and eat the restaurant’s empanadas, salads, milanesas, and meat doused with chimichurri sauce.
Over the last decade, the company kept closing locations without explanation. Just one week ago, the current Gaucho Grill owners completely converted the Long Beach location on Pine Street. They stripped away the name and converted it into a fast-casual restaurant with a full bar called the Buenos Aires Grill.
