Garufa

(4.5/5)Can't believe I just now experienced Garufa for the first time as an El Pasoan. I had a friend dinner to attend with my partner and upon arrival I was surprised to see that a steakhouse resided within. This two story restaurant has a main dining floor and bar on the first floor and a semi-private balcony/event space on the second floor.The staff here is super attentive and I really enjoyed the dimly lit environment. Hearing live vocals from a vocalist was such a nice touch and really made it feel so romantic. Garufa's menu features different cuts of steak, pastas, empanadas, salads, sides, and a few small bites. Their empanadas are so freaking delicious (a bit pricey) and arrive cut up in halves. Their signature cheese empanada was super scrumptious and the crust was flaky with each bite feeling airy.My partner and I shared the alfredo pasta with their freshly made alfredo sauce and pasta, one of their steaks (16oz but can't recall the cut), and a few of their sides. WOW - everything was so dang good and I honestly could've get enough of the mashed potatoes and sauteed mushrooms.I wish they had a few zero proof cocktails but perhaps that'll change by the next time I go back.All in all everything was super good and I had a great time!

This was by far the biggest piece of salmon that I have ever eaten. It was cooked perfectly with a crust on top. The sauce was delicious. The veggies I wish had more squash rather than peppers but still good. Everyone at the table was surprised at the size of the fish. I thought the crapes were good for 2 people and not over the top with the dulce de leche. It would have been nice with some chopped strawberries. I have to go back to take the wifey. Reason for not the 5 was the service. Empty dining room and we had to wave down the server for more water.

Wasn't very impressed by the food. Ordered the fettuccine Alfredo, ribeye steak and Chilean sea bass. Food was pretty under seasoned. Tasted like boxed pasta and lacked Parmesan. Chilean sea bass was a tad over cooked which lost its texture that you are looking for. Nothing special about the steak and the bread was terrible, untoasted and doughy.Ambiance was nice and there was live music. For the prices, I would not return. Applebee's quality food at best.

The service was AMAZING . The food was soo delicious and well worth the price I will definitely be coming back . The waiter made sure our drinks were filled and took great care of us . We even got a desert at the end that was so delicious and the restaurant was small but beautiful and they had live musicians. The atmosphere was great

Argentinian food is up there with some of my favorites since it's a wonderful blend of Mediterranean influences brought by Italian and Spanish colonies and then their criollo descendants. The cuisine is heavily meat centric and they're known for their asado, chimichurri, and empanadas. Luckily for us, in El Paso, Garufa brings the high end versions and they do it well. I met up with some friends and we had the best time catching up and enjoying the lunch menu at Garufa, which is a steal of a deal. For $22 you get a starter (soup or salad), a main entree, and dessert. It's perfect portions and we each got different entrees to try it out. My starter lentil soup was so rich and savory, my friend's salad had dried fruits and a light tangy dressing. My sirloin was perfectly medium rare and the mashed potatoes oh-so creamy. My friend's salmon was not dry, but moist and flaky. The sausages that were my other friend's entree were savory and filling. I think I had the best entree though, that steak was just amazing.We honestly didn't know how much food there was and ordered empanadas as our appetizer. They were just ok, I've had better. The crust was greasy and yet dry and the ingredients inside (we ordered 3 different types) were really salty. I would skip this next time. Bread was included in our meal with 3 different dipping sauces and condiments. It was really good and filling. We should have just stuck to this and our lunch entrees. Ice tea was included in the meal as well.Service was beyond excellent as we were like 3 parties there, which is a shame as the food was really delicious and a steal of a deal! Our dessert was flan and it was incredible, creamy, rich and decadent. We ended up with leftovers and my husband really enjoyed it. I should take him sometime. Come check them out if you're looking for a gorgeous ambiance with great food!Garufa(915) 833-61005411 N Mesa St, El Paso, TX 79912https://maps.app.goo.gl/kfCrDP39RPXEewze7

Go to texas road house. Good ambiance, nice music not authentically fire cooked churrasco. Overpriced for normal steakhouse grade food. The Mercedes and Ferrari parked in the owners spot says it all. We ordered the bone marrow, as an app, was too gamey, under salted, and under done. The chimicurri was the biggest disappointment for a Argentinian steak house. They should invest in a Santa Maria grill, and a better beef purveyor. Do better.

Food is good but the service is terrible unless you are a frequent customer and then it seems you are treated like a human being. The restaurant was not busy at all, we had to ask for bread for the table, had to tell them we were ready to order, had to ask several times for the dessert menu.At the end we ordered the chocolate lava cake, the waiter lights it and you have to make a wish before blowing it out. We wished for the rest of you to get better service than we did.

During our last visit to El Paso we decided to try Garufa again after having not been there since before the pandemic. We have always enjoyed Garufa and feel like it has never received the attention it deserves.For one, management is always on site and visible. Not uncommon for nice restaurants, but very uncommon in El Paso where restaurant owners and managers are happily absent or invisible. Been here at least a half dozen time in all and never have I seen management NOT on site greeting guests when they enter and stopping by the table.We were warmly greeted and shown to our table by a smiling host who made the impression he was happy to see us. Too often, I observe the new breed of host who can't be bothered to break away from Tiktok to look up from their smart phone when I arrive. Gotta finish the video first, right?Anyway, Garufa is consistent with their service and in the kitchen. Never a misstep--a rarity among restaurants anywhere, and very rare in El Paso, where service is notoriously inconsistent. We just returned recently from South America, mostly Argentina. We have a love of Argentinian cuisine, including empanadas which Garufa does very well. Garufa's steak is excellent, always cooked to the correct temperature. We enjoyed an authentic Argentinian parilla during our visit to Buenos Aires and Garufa's beef measures up fine.Beware if you come to Garufa on Saturday evening, the live music can be distractingly loud, making conversation difficult. We have learned not to come Saturdays rather than complaining about the volume. We figure others like it loud, that's fine with us. We just come on other nights. We aren't opposed to live music if the volume is low enough to enjoy conversation. IMO, loud music (live, dj, or just just playing thru the PA) should be reserved for dancing, concerts, and night clubs, not nice restaurants.

The food has great taste. I've had boils where the water overtook the flavor. This boil has rich deep flavor.

Food is okay. The service is great. The place is pretty clean and the manager and the servers are kind and efficient. The atmosphere is okay. For the price of the plates I was expecting something a little better. Steaks that you can get in other places, nothing special.Overall, the restaurant is okay.