Santiago Restaurants

Las Vacas Gordas

#1 of 261 things to do in Santiago

#1 of 1153 things to do in Chile

3 reviews | Write a review

Good for: cheap, comfortable seats, Good food and wine, nice & quiet dinners

Not good for: Chilean Food

  • Address
    • Cienfuegos 280 Barrio Brasil
  • Transport
    • Cumming or Santa Ana
  • Phone
    • 02 697-1066
  • Price
    • mains CH$4000-6000
  • Hours
    • noon-4pm & 7pm-midnight Mon-Sat, noon-4pm Sun

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Lonely Planet review for Las Vacas Gordas

The name means ‘fat cows’ and cow-print paint plasters the outside walls and pavement: if it once said ‘moo,’ it’s on the menu and in hefty portions, too. Your steak sizzles on the giant grill at the front of the clattering main dining area, then dead-pan old-school waiters cart it over to your table. It’s usually packed, so reserve or get there very early.

 

Traveller reviews for Las Vacas Gordas (3)

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    Best Steak in Santiago!

    readytofly recommends this,

    I usually avoid restaurants that are hyped up by travel guides, but I thought I would give Las Vacas Gordas a try today and boy am I happy I did. It was absolutely wonderful.

    An enormous flaming grill greets you as you walk into this two story building in a slightly run-down but quaint neighborhood. I felt pretty confident that I was about to have a great meal...and it turned out that I did.

    The menu was exactly what one would expect from a steak house in South America. I chose a filet that was just beautiful. It was a large hunk of meat that was perfectly seared and expertly seasoned. If you're a meat lover like me, you might get teary-eyed when it's served to you...it's that appetizing! With the steak, my friend and I shared a delicious salad of lettuce, tomatoes, heart of palm and avocado and an order of sautéed potatoes, which were cooked to perfection. Even the bread was exceptional.

    One reviewer here said that it was cheap...it is not. I know the exchange rate varies and costs can be somewhat subjective, but lunch for two was about $27.500 Chilean Pesos ($56.70 US at 485 exchange rate)...WITHOUT WINE. However, the quality of the food and the size of the portions make the price extremely reasonable. The same reviewer also made the comment that there are no Chilean dishes on the menu and he viewed that as a negative. There are several Chilean dishes on the menu. They even serve you a delicious deep-fried empanada when you sit down. I don't see their "limited" Chilean menu as a negative...to me, it's a positive. Unfortunately Chileans do not have a wide palate. Consequently, it's typical to find five or six restaurants in a row that serve the exact same thing. I know my Chilean friends and family will take exception with that statement, but having lived here on and off since 2004, I stand by it. Not every restaurant needs to serve Chilean food!

    I should add that the service at Las Vacas Gordas was prompt, friendly, and highly professional.

    Before my visit to Las Vacas Gordas my standard "go-to" place was Liguria...but I have to say, this was probably the best steak I've ever had in Chile and I absolutely can't wait to go back.

    Las Vacas Gordas, located near barrio Brazil in Santiago, gives even the best steak houses in Argentina a run for their money...and that says a lot.

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    A great Restaurant, cheap, and very comfortable.

    jorgee_ignacio recommends this,

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    I like a lot this restaurant, i found it really cheap, and you feel at home, becose the waiters are really nice.

    The only thing I dont find good, is the fact that if your are looking for Chilean Food, is not the best choice, they dont have all, but they have a good variety.

    Another point, is the wine, they have an excellent variety at cheap prices, the best Chilean Wine you can buy it for U$50, But excellent Chilean Wines are like U$5-8

    Good for: cheap, comfortable seats, Good food and wine, nice & quiet dinners

    Not good for: Chilean Food

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    this is a must when you are close to barrio brasil

    brekelmans recommends this,

    heavy proportion steaks strait from the grill served with the best chilean wines or ofcourse a pisco sour alto del carmen, the best pisco sour of chile.
    exelent serving in a true chilean atmosphere.
    make reservation ahead.

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