Argentinian cuisine delights

Tucked away in a hidden strip mall only a few minutes away from Palomar College, Gauchito Grill serves authentic Argentinian food.

This small restaurant is a break from the typical taco and sandwich shops, and brings a bite of Argentina to the San Marcos locality.

Celeste Bran, from Guatamala, has created a restaurant decorated with photos and posters depicting the culture, flavors, and famous people from the South American country best known for its revered, first-class beef. Gauchito Grill also features a variety of salads, sandwiches, and appetizers.

Located in the shopping center on Twin Oaks Valley Road, Gauchito Grill is not the typical quick serve place.

Instead of the ordinary fountain drinks, guests can choose from a variety of Tejava teas or San Pellegrino orange, strawberry, and lemon-flavored sodas. If an alcoholic drink is preferred, there is also a selection of imported beers and wine.

Guests could choose to sit in the clean and colorful dining area inside filled with lighting and music that provides a cozy and romantic ambiance. Fans provide a cool relief on a hot day. If one wishes to enjoy the fresh air, Gauchito Grill also provides outdoor patio seating.

The house special chips are the perfect start to a meal. Cut and fried in-house, they are salted and mixed with cilantro and chopped onion and served in a basket.

For lunch, try their Gym Chicken salad. Gauchito Grill uses 100 percent organic natural chicken and spring mix with organic brown rice, tomato, onion, walnuts, and sesame seeds. Or, enjoy one of their sandwiches, like the veggie one that includes grilled eggplant and portobello mushrooms.

Along with these selections, Gauchito Grill is also famous for their empanadas. These are hand-baked, mini-dough pies filled with everything from spicy beef, to chicken, to a blue cheese medley. They are served with a homemade chimichurri sauce. Although one empanada is $2.75 a piece, they are hand-made and labor intensive.

Gauchito Grill is an ideal lunch option for college students looking for something new, delicious, and healthy.