Ever eaten at a Brazilian Steak House?

in America? We just got one here in Myrtle Beach.
My boss took me Friday night, and I must admit,
it was pretty fun. None of the meat was the best I
ever had, but it was all dang good, and wonderfully
cooked. Great salad bar, all you can eat meat sliced
right onto your plate (15 different meats)...pretty fun.

I am in Houston and they are several of them here. I wanted to visit one but they are $45 per copy and no way on earth could I justify that as I could not consume that much beef, pork or chicken or goat.



Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

There is one in Pittsburgh and it is called Green Forest. I have only been there once, but I did enjoy the atmosphere and the food. It is definitely something different, which is a good thing!

Here is a review from the newspaper:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05105/488373.stm

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

I am in Houston and they are several of them here. I wanted to visit one but they are $45 per copy and no way on earth could I justify that as I could not consume that much beef, pork or chicken or goat.



Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

You must have seen Fogo de Chao on Westheimer. They are a little expensive.

http://www.fogodechao.com/

There is one on Nasa Rd.1 called Chabuca's International Grill which is along the same lines but $10-$15 dollars cheaper. I have never tried them and they do not have a web page to look at. I read their menu once and it looked like it was also same concept as Fogo de Chao.

joe

Actually it was Nelore Churrascaria on Montrose Blvd.


http://www.4412montrose.com/menu.html

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Captain Morgan

in America? We just got one here in Myrtle Beach.
My boss took me Friday night, and I must admit,
it was pretty fun. None of the meat was the best I
ever had, but it was all dang good, and wonderfully
cooked. Great salad bar, all you can eat meat sliced
right onto your plate (15 different meats)...pretty fun.

They are fun. We had a group go to Fogo de Chao about a year ago. The food was great the atmosphere was fun. They have a traditional Brazilian drink called a Caipirinha made much like a Mojito, sugacane liquor, sugar, lime icecubes you have to try one if you haven't already.

joe

It is complete gastronomical hedonism. The one I visited a couple of years ago in NYC on 49th street offers living proof: http://churrascariaplataforma.com/

I had beef aftertaste 2 days later. Of course, I think that's the next time I had any urge to eat. One of my favorite cuisines, needless to say.

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

Actually it was Nelore Churrascaria on Montrose Blvd.


http://www.4412montrose.com/menu.html

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Oh boy, I didn't know about that one. Thanks for the info. I have to look into it.

joe

Oh yes! I only wish I had a doggie bag! lol

www.texasdebrazil.com

There have been a bunch of write-ups of this style of restaurant in several locations. The most recent was one in Fresno, CA if my memory serves me correctly. One comment seemed to pop up in many of the 'reviews' was the large amount of salt used on the meat.

There is a Brazilian Steakhouse here in Northern Va. called The Malibu Grill, I've been several times. I agree none of the meat is top quality but it all tastes great and is cooked perfectly. I'm a big fan of the turkey wrapped in bacon........and the Caipirinha's.....WOW! One of the most potent little drinks I've ever had!

Malibu Grill is very reasonably priced...if I remember, around $20 or $25 a head. I believe it's a chain, the one I've been to is located just off the Fairfax County Parkway in the Fair Lakes area.

This one was 35 bucks a pop...and yes, the meat was pretty salty, although
I wouldn't say too much in most cuts. The parmesan pork loin was excellent.
Chimichurri sauce rocks.

Was it Rioz?...
I have a brochure from them at my work, and keep drooling over the photos?
Isnt it $35 all inclusive? (well not drinks)
Doesnt sound like a bad deal to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

I am in Houston and they are several of them here. I wanted to visit one but they are $45 per copy and no way on earth could I justify that as I could not consume that much beef, pork or chicken or goat.



Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Pretty much the same here in Dallas. Too expensive!
I'd rather go to the Capital Grille and pay $32.00+ for a fabulous steak .

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

Was it Rioz?...
I have a brochure from them at my work, and keep drooling over the photos?
Isnt it $35 all inclusive? (well not drinks)
Doesnt sound like a bad deal to me.

yeppers....35 bucks a head, no menu that I'm aware of.

I'm going back a week from tomorrow!

Fogo de Chao in ATL is good and there are a few others in the area now. I'm like Paul, I can't justify the $$ especially since Mrs. Oneiron only eats salads. I'm too cheap and I end up trying to get my money's worth and feel miserable later.

Here in the states they are an attraction. Amsterdam or San Palo is the real place to try them. In the states you're getting a show.

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen


There have been a bunch of write-ups of this style of restaurant in several locations. The most recent was one in Fresno, CA if my memory serves me correctly. One comment seemed to pop up in many of the 'reviews' was the large amount of salt used on the meat.

Fogo de Chao was where we went. It was about a year ago but I don't remember the food being salty, and I grew up in a Morton Lite salt household, my father was a heart patient.

joe

quote:

Originally posted by Captain Morgan

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

Was it Rioz?...
I have a brochure from them at my work, and keep drooling over the photos?
Isnt it $35 all inclusive? (well not drinks)
Doesnt sound like a bad deal to me.

yeppers....35 bucks a head, no menu that I'm aware of.

I'm going back a week from tomorrow!

Capt..
Did you see the review in the "Kicks" section of the newspaper on Friday?
Whoever did it really ragged on the bartender.
*****
But I did see this review as to how the restaurant works.
(Not the one in Fridays paper)
I noticed they didnt mention anything about "liquor" cocktails, only beer and wine.

Interesting:

Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse
The scene | Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse, 2920 Hollywood Drive, Myrtle Beach 839-0777

The taste | Rioz is modeled after a Brazilian dining concept, known as rodizio-style dining, where waiters, or "gauchos," circle the dining room with a variety of meats that they serve to the customers.

At Rioz, dinner guests first visit the extensive salad bar, which features greens, vegetables and salads, as well as wheels of cheese and samplings of prosciutto and salami. Rice and beans, smoked salmon and fresh fruit are also included.

For the main course, diners are given a small circle that is red on one side and green on the other. Turning the circle to the green side indicates you are ready to be served. Meat offerings include beef and pork ribs, filet mignon, sirloin, lamb and chicken wrapped in bacon, but with 15 varieties of meat on the menu, it's easy to fill up a plate fast. Servers also bring side dishes to the table, which include polenta, mashed potatoes and fried bananas.

The service was a highlight, as each table has a server to take care of the small things like refilling a water glass, but other servers would stop by to check in as well.

The price | The menu is fixed price. Dinner and salad bar for adults is $34.95, and $17.95 for children ages 7-12. Children 6 and under are free. Salad bar only is $19.95. Desserts and beverages are extra.

To drink | Beer and wine are available. The wine list is extensive and features a number of high-quality wines from California, Argentina and Australia. Soda and water are also available.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/entertainment/dining/16087370.htm

"The price | The menu is fixed price. Dinner and salad bar for adults is $34.95, and $17.95 for children ages 7-12. Children 6 and under are free.Salad bar only is $19.95. Desserts and beverages are extra."

Sheesh...

I went to Texasdebrazil in Orlando ... It was offensive-salty.

Tara, I think this is owned by the Liberty Steak house people,
and the layout of the bar is just like Liberty Tap Room...also
noted by me for terrible bar service! In fairness, I was at the
Tap Room last Friday, and the service was better.
The do have a full bar at Rioz.

In the Chicago Area, we have at least 4 different Brazilian Steak Houses with one of them, Sal 'n' Carveo having three locations. I've eaten at 3 and the similarities extend to all areas including feature drinks and the cloned dessert menu. It's a great spot for large groups and easily handels groups of 10, 20 or 30. The food is good, the atmosphere fun, and the prices are high when adding in beverages, desserts, tax and tip. As some differentiation begins to occur, one now features shrimp and some sushi "light" offerings.

Where I live, in the next city over from mine is an Argentinian steakhouse called "Caminito". I chose this place for my birthday in September.. I couldn't have picked a better place to experience traditional South American cuisine.
I started off with a plate of "noqui" (gnocchi as we Italians know them) with spinach, garlic, olive oil and crumbled blue cheese. The "noqui" were so tender and delicious.. I was almost in tears!!!!! (I was especially interested to find out that Italian cuisine is extremely popular in various South American countries) I have yet to make a batch of gnocchi as good as those I sampled.
As great as the noqui were, I was quite fortunate that I hadn't filled up on them. (The first courses are generally small so that you can prepare yourselves for the main course) I ordered a flame-broiled prime rib steak with churrasco as my main course. Again, I was experiencing heaven on a plate. The meat was as tender as any I had ever tasted, and the churrasco was ultimately spicy and cooling at the same time. Argentines believe in large quantities of beef, and I wasn't about to finish my entire portion despite how incredible the flavor was. I had only eaten half, but the next day I made THE BEST sandwich from the leftovers. I only wish I was eating one now..

I ate at several in Brazil including a Fogo de Chao in Belo Horizonte and a churrascaria in Rio called Picanha. The food was wonderful at both, and I am not a big meat eater. The array of salads and side dishes went on and on and on. The ambiance was very chic and the prices VERY inexpensive......$12US for all the meat, salads and sides and dessert you wanted. Good Argentine wine for $7US/bottle. There is a Fogo in Beverly Hills and a Picanha in Palm Desert, neither of which we've tried. Would be hard to match those experiences in Brazil!

Went to TexasdeBrazil today in Addison,Tx for lunch. It was a lot of fun, and the food was really good. And best of all, the lunch is only like 19.99 a person but it seemed like the full menu was offered. One thing that they did different from Fogo was they told us that if we wanted meat cooked a certain way, to let them know and while it would take longer they would be happy to oblige. So we asked for the Filet Mignon served almost bloody rare, to just pass it by the fire and they did!! All around we had a great time, thoroughly enjoyed the food and are still so full that it may be Christmas before we're hungry again!!

We just met some friends this weekend at Amor de Brazil, no the prices had not come down yet. $125 for the dinner and drinks for the 2 of us.

The food was great, the salad bar was a little weak in it's selection, but the boiled shrimp on the salad bar defiantely made up for the weak selection.

I must admit though I could only FORCE my way through 10 of the 14 meats offered.

I really liked the garlic pork and the parmesan pork. The lamb was very tender and juicy. I loved it, my table companions not so much.

I can't remember the name of the one chicken dish they had that night, but my tongue is still tingling.

All in all was a very good evening with friends.

The down side:

My friend Kris & I are big meat lovers and had not ate anything all day so we totally enjoyed ourselves.

However our wives were not such big meat eaters and had eaten lunch, they did however polish off a huge bowl or 2 or 3 of shrimp off the salad bar.

Amor de Brazil is in Cincinnati, and was really good, if you like MEAT!

I've been to Fogo de Chao in Chicago (the one downtown) and it was very good. Definitely a "once-in-awhile/special occasion" place. Excellent salad bar, the sides that come with the meat are very good, and the meat is excellent. The friends we went with have also been to Sal & Carvao and they said that the extra $15 you pay for Fogo is worth it (I think Fogo was $60/person and S & C was $45.) They said the service is better; when they were at S & C, they said that they didn't refresh the side dishes as often, like they were trying to hold out on you, and the food at Fogo was just a little better.

Fire of Brazil is a decent churrascaria in Atlanta. What distringuishes is from the other churrascarias like Boi Na Braza and Fogo de Chao is that they sell exotic meats such as alligator, venisor and quail on special holidays in addition to the usual assortment of meats. If you like to try it, they should be running their exotic meats special for Valentine's Day. Great opportunity to try new meats (although I must say that alligator tastes disgusting. It's a cross between fish and chicken. But then my boyfriend loved it. To each his own!)

I went again last week to Greenfield, a place I've been going to for years. I'm quite sensitive to oversalting and I find their food not salty at all. Amazon Churrascaria for example is much saltier. My favorites are the duck, portugeuse sausage, tenderloin and lamb. They have a few locations in the East as well as here on the West Coast.

http://www.greenfieldchurrascaria.com/sub1.htm