(This venue is closed.) For getting comfortable, there's nothing like your favorite "old clothes."
That's the literal meaning of "ropa vieja," a classic Latin American dish whose raggedy appearance supposedly suggested the name. From the flag in the window, you'd correctly gather that El Gaucho is Uruguayan-owned, with a specialty in grilled meats. The chef, however, is Cuban, and ropa vieja ($5 without sides), shredded beef with bell peppers and onions, is the most classic of Cuban dishes. Excellent.
El Gaucho Restaurant
2111 Bergenline Ave. (21st-22nd Sts.), Union City, New Jersey
201-668-6557
