Chow down at Fogo de Chao

Before I begin I need to give full disclosure. I am not nor have I ever been a steak lover. In fact, due to poor cooking of steak throughout my childhood (sorry mom) I have had a disdain for steak my entire life.

Now let’s talk about Fogo. It is a Brazilian steakhouse with meat served the “gaucho” way. Gaucho is essentially a Brazilian cowboy. If you are unfamiliar with this style its worth checking out. Similar to the show put on at a hibachi style Japanese steakhouse Fogo’s food delivery is an experience all its own.
So the basic concept is that of a buffet, unlimited food. Only we’re talking high quality food and lots of it. Starting with a ritzy feeling salad bar to the endless supply of 15 different types of meat this is one dinning event that’s sure to leave you stuffed.

The meal, which is identical for lunch and dinner, includes the salad bar and endless meat service. A trip to the salad bar reveals a finely laid out selection of aged cheeses and succulent slices of meat. Everything is fresh and the vegetable variety for salad making is wonderful.

With all this said I don’t recommend wasting much of your stomach space on the salad bar. You’re paying for the meat and a salad is just going to fill you up on the cheap. If for some reason you’d rather just eat at the salad bar you can purchase it alone for a lesser amount.

Once you’ve satisfied your veggie cravings it’s time to let loose the carnivore in you.

Here’s how it works. The wait staff works as a team so any and all people working can and most likely will serve you. The chefs are also servers in a way as they bring you the meat on a skewer right to your table from the kitchen. It’s all controlled by this little coaster they give you. Flip it to the green side when you’re ready for meat and when you can’t fight them off any more flip it to red and they’ll leave you in peace. When the card is on green these chefs will literally come from every direction offering whichever of the 15 meat choices they have on their skewers. Like what they’re offering? Have as much as you would like. If you don’t you can just say no. sometimes they will ask if there is a particular cut you’re looking for and they will have it sent over on the quick.

To go along with this fantastic meat bonanza you will also be treated to “limitless service of traditional Brazilian side dishes, including: pão de queijo (warm cheese bread), crispy hot polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas.” The bread is kind of a popover with a cheesy inside, hard to explain but I liked it. The mashed potatoes were good but nothing amazing. I tried the banana…it was different. I’m sure it’s a taste, texture, flavor some people like it just isn’t my thing. The polenta reminded me of a cornbread type thing but with a more unique flavor. All were good and all were refilled at an alarming rate.

The craziest and maybe the most impressive thing about dinning at Fogo is the service. Traditionally you would expect your glass to be refilled when it’s empty or soon to be. Not here. I couldn’t get my glass past halfway gone before it was being topped off, and those who know how fast I drink water should be in pure amazement at this. Everything else is treated in the same manner. Three polenta came on a dish. My wife and I grabbed one and put it on our plate. Moments later with one still on the plate they took it away and replaced it with a new set of three. Likewise with the potatoes, took a few spoonfuls and bam taken away and a new one is sitting there. Clean plates were also swapped out in just as efficient a manner.
It was this bizarrely fantastic service that makes it an experience worth trying, amazing meat selection aside.

But how about that meat? Well I personally could not get enough of the filet mingon. It was so soft and juicy that it literally melted in my mouth. There was also a garlic beef that was packed with flavor. I also could not pass up on juicy season chicken wrapped in bacon! Most every cut was the best I’ve tried. Even your run of the mill sausage was bursting with strong flavor. The one piece I didn’t like was the filet mingon wrapped in bacon. It just seemed to be a cooked poorly or just tasted less juicy.

Overall it is a pretty awesome time. The food is spectacular and the service is beyond marvelous. They had a vast selection of wines and offered several other drinks from Brazil.

As far as cost goes I would recommend going during the day for lunch time. The price is significantly cheaper, $26.50 compared to $46.50 for dinner. Sure it may not be as romantic and for most people will be more difficult to find the time during the day to go but it’s the same food and service for 20 bucks less.
I would definitely go back but it won’t be for some time. While I feel I got my money’s worth it is still an expensive time out for two people. Still I am recommending everyone try it at least once…even if you don’t care for steak.

Things to know Before You Go

Parking – While there are endless options downtown for parking most will cost you a decent amount. Also if you go during lunch daytime parking is harder to find. I took the light rail. It was cheaper than parking.

Prices – If you can make lunch work still expect to $80 or more for two people if you get something to drink and tip well. If you go for dinner $100+ are bare minimum.

Reservations – Always recommended. Even for lunch the place fills up fast.