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Categories: Steakhouses, Brazilian [Edit]
133 N. La Cienega Blvd.Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mon-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fri. 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sat. 4:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun. 4:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
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I've been to other locales but it was first time to this one and like the other ones, they're a consistantly good chain. Probably the best of this kind of dining in the US (Platoforma in NYC is a close 2nd).
Luckily, they were open for Thanksgiving day so went there for lunch with a buddy since we were both in the area without our families around. Great place to get all you can eat top quality meat. Their lunch selection for the salad bar portion wasn't as wide as dinner so keep that in mind when going but great place and service was awesome. I don't think I went a minute with my glass of water being empty.
Yes, it's gluttonous, but I love it. Is is the lovely Brazilian men who bear spears of meat, rushing to my table that lures me? Is it the giant wine list? The salad bar? A littIe bit of all. I know it's a chain, but Fogo de Chao is as good as you get for quality all you can eat Churasscarria. Not only is the meat hands-down remarkable -- I can eat the lamb chops and beef ribs forever and ever, but the sides and salad bar are also amazing. That's really a feat for a restaurant that specializes in massive portions of meat.
If they had the option of just salad bar and sides, I would still be at Fogo de Chao. The hearts of palm here are one of my favorite items on the salad bar. Have you seen the size of those things? They're huge and delicious and everything there is fresh and quality. Endives, juicy tomatoes...but I digress from the main attraction.
At your table, feel free to ask them for a sample of all the sauces (and they have a lot!) so you can sauce your meat accordingly. The sides are served non stop at the table. My favorite are the polenta cakes -- the best polenta cakes I've ever had. I mean, who doesn't love fried polenta??
The wine list is gigantic, but if you just want something to sip on, try their lemonade. It's refillable and it's hand-shaken so it comes to you with frothy goodness. And save room for dessert. Or find room :)
If you are able to go, they serve lunch on weekdays for the same amount of food, but about half the price. Definitely worth it!
After hearing so much about Fogo de Chao, from Brazilians and non-Brazilians whom swear it's just as good as the real bbq from Brazil, I went there to give it a try.
Parking lot was full, but I was glad I didn't have to park it myself. The valet took the car and I went inside.
I don't want to go on about the service or the atmosphere because everybody already wrote about it, so I'll just go to the main reason why I am writing about my experience there: the food.
I liked. I didn't love it. Maybe I wasn't that hungry. Maybe that night they overcooked some of the meat and dried up others. I don't know, but I didn't thought it was really tasty or great. Just good.
I might visit it again but... I'd rather just eat some bbq in Brazil.
Great place to celebrate special moments...like my birthday! Yay!
Simply one of the best Brazilian places in town, I honestly think, THE BEST in this part of the state. Service deserves 5 stars. Fast and accomodating.
The buffet salad bar was overwhelming. I get to choose all of the good stuff. I recommend the chicken salad! I know why this place is so popular, the meat quality is superb, with a variety of cuts. I'm not a meat lover myself but my brother just goes gaga when they hand him his second servings. After that, you have to try the Papaya Cream. I tell you, it's their most popular dessert for a reason.
My cousin had the Creamy mashed potatoes with cheese and sweet carmelized bananas. u-umm...The Tres Leche cake was amazing, just thinking about it makes me wanna go grab a bite!
Over all, 5 starts. Need I say more?
Absolutely amazing! It's difficult to put into words what a unique and incredible dining experience it was!
My husband took me for my 30th birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. I would LIVE there, if they would let me.
Firstly, the salad bar is amazing. So many different things and all are fantastic. It is actually offered that you can pay a separate price and have just the salad bar. Not a bad option, since one could make an entire meal from it.
Next, the side dishes. Creamy mashed potatoes topped with cheese, and sweet carmelized bananas! Also, cheese bread and corn bread. However, the way they make bread is totally unique. The outside is crispy, while the inside is doughy. It's almost like the inside is undercooked, but not quite. So, the cheese rolls are more like cheese puffs of heaven. I'm usually a rather classy individual, but I was seriously debating scooping baskets of them into my purse. I decided against it, but only narrowly.
And, of course, the meat!! Oh, THE MEAT!!! All the different cuts and types, with the spices and flavors! I can't say that I was in love with them all, but that's the beauty of it - who cares? If something isn't the best, just push it aside and on to the next!
Because we apparently have a death with and our stomachs hadn't exploded yet, we also had dessert. Hubby had the Papaya Cream, which is their most popular dessert. It looked like a pudding in the picture, but was actually more like a heavy/creamy sorbet. I had the creme brulee and it was absolutely perfect.
Above and beyond the food, the service was everything I could possibly ask for. The manager, our table attendant, and our wine and spirits server came over to see how everything was and to assist us quite often.
Also, as soon as we flipped our cards to green it only took about 5 minutes, tops, to end up with a full plate of meat. At one point I thought I had stopped for the evening, but made a brave decision to try for some more meat. I flipped my card with gusto - so it made an audible slap against the table. There was a gaucho not far from me, but on his way away from our table with his back turned. He heard my slap and spun right around on his heel to present me with some bacon wrapped chicken and fillet.
This place is carnivore heaven...good salad bar...meat cuts are great...some of them on the fatty side but overall very impressive... very trendy atmosphere...& very expensive too.
I've forgotten how much I missed Yelp. My memory is so poor these days that if I don't write these reviews soon I forget that I've even eaten there. I think my copious alcohol consumption has definitely affected my memory and killed some precious brain cells. But before I forget later, I thought I would do a belated review for the best churascarria place in Los Angeles. The only thing better would be to fly to Brazil. I've had churascarria in Rio and I would say that the meat quality of Fogo is definitely comparable. My bf took me here for my 30th birthday and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate such a momentous occasion than with unlimited meat.
And boy was there a lot of meat. You cannot keep your little card flipped to green for long because you will just be inundated with waiters bringing you too much meat. I never thought it was possible to overload on meat but you definitely can.
The salad bar is pretty good too. But you definitely just want to sample a little of everything but not to fill up too much as you want to save your appetite for the meat.
I was definitely too full but the waitress brought by a complimentary papaya cream dessert since it was my bday. It was surprisingly pretty good...enough that we managed to finish most of it even though we were so full we thought our stomachs were going to explode. It is s a bit pricey so I probably wouldn't come back unless for a special occasion and I would make sure I skipped a few meals beforehand to really get my money's worth.
The first problem with the restaurant is that it does not live up to it's hype. The second is that the food doesn't live up to its price tag ($57/person).
The salad bar is of high quality, but the selection is underwhelming. I can honestly say that it has less variety than any other Churrascaria I have been to. The plantains, mashed potatoes and yukka were bland and uninspired.
The service in the joint was impeccable. Everyone was attentive and not pretentious.
The meats, clearly the headliner of the show, was were the dinner lost a couple stars. Everything was extremely gamey, overly salted, and many of the cuts of meat were very fatty. The linguica even had a funky flavor, and it's pretty hard to mess up sausage! Each member of our party left a plate of meat on the table with no interest in a doggy bag.
In closing, what has happened to restaurant row? It has become so ghetto. There must be a direct bus line from compton. Even the bartender looked like he belonged in the wu tang crew, his hair greased down with crisco or something.
Having been to Brazil and had authentic Churrasco, Fogo de de Chao is a cut above everything else. All their meats are well seasoned, well cooked, and come at you as if we had an unlimited number of cows and sheep. I've been here 3 or 4 times, and each time as I head in, I tell myself I'm not going to flip my red/green (meaning stop or go) card to the red side. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I had to flip it red after 10 minutes because my plate was covered with meat....
Let me say that they have an amazing salad bar. But with that, please don't go to the salad bar, because they offer 15 cuts of meat, almost all of which I could eat for the rest of my life and die happy. I even really like the lamb here, and it's not my favorite protein, because they prep the lamb in a way that its not ultra-gamey. The side dishes of plantains and cheesebread are amazing too. I always want to steal the cheesebread home, so I don't risk over-filling myself with food prior to eating the meats.
Service is great here, but I mean, it has to be when 8 people are coming at you with meat on a stick. Could life get any better? I think not, unless you're a vegetarian...
I have been eating at FOGO DE CHAO for the last 8 years from Atlanta, Chicago, LA, I am always amazed how much better they get...staff very well trained (I guess they are REAL GAUCHOS), food always fresh, salad bar is actually BRAZILIAN, not a lot of mixed salads, the meats are simple and taste soo good...THANKS I CANT WAIT FOR YOU GUYS TO CAME TO SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN
I have successfully been initiated into the Fogo culture. I LOVE this place. All you can eat meat, need I say more?
First of all, let me say that u definitely have to come here with an empty stomach....cause u will eat and eat and eat an endless amount of meat!
The first thing I have to comment is there excellent service...that alone deserves 5 stars! It was my first time eating at a churrascaria and the manager did everything possible to make sure I enjoyed my first experience. The waiters made sure to give a new plate every so often and the table was spot clean....they even noticed I placed my purse on one of the empty chairs on the table and to make sure it doesn't get dirty from when the chefs come by with the meat, the waiter placed a table cloth over the chair with the purse. Even after paying for the bill, the manager followed us to the door to make sure we enjoyed our time at the restaurant. Now that's what I call good service!!! Making sure the customers are happy. =D
Now to the food....what can i say...it's kind of like one of those dreams you have with endless amount of top-of-the-line meat keep being served to you...wait a second! this wasn't no dream....this was reality! hahaha! Once I turned the green card over I was so overwhelmed with all the chefs giving me a variety of different meats that I immediately had to turn the card back over to red just to enjoy the meat already placed on my plate.....and each meat was so tender and excellently cooked....the chef even asked how I liked my meat and knew which part of the meat was rare, medium rare, or well done.
Besides the meat, there was also the buffet salad bar....which had different types of cheeses, salads, dressings, etc. I absolutely loved the chicken salad....it was ohhh-sooo-yummieee!!! hehe...i went back for seconds with that one. There was also unlimited cheese bread, polenta, mashed potatoes, rice, etc.
After eating all of those delicious items, hehe, we still had room to eat dessert...we ordered two different types: papaya cream and the creme brulee....both desserts were excellent however the papaya cream overshadowed the creme brulee....the papaya cream was their signature dessert....supposedly it helps with your digestion especially after eating all of those meats...hehe =D
Well.....all i can say is the price is worth it....but you'll just have to go and see for yourself....now i have to go and sleep now because of my food coma...LOL!!!
MEAT-LOVERS HEAVEN.
Atmosphere: upscale, classy
Service: impeccable & fast - If your card is GREEN on the table, they'll constantly be bringing meat to you. There's not much sitting around & waiting. ::thumbs up for that::
Meat: over 10 different cuts/types of meat. All are good, but serious props to a previous reviewer for informing about the off-menu BEEF RIBS cut - it was THE BEST melt melt-in-your-mouth-tender meat in the house.
They don't bring the good stuff around unless you request it, and understandably so.
Dessert: We had the Tres Leche cake.. mmm.... can't stop thinking about it. very sweet, but I like sweet. It's a vanilla-y spongy soft cake. Sounds simple and plain, but the best vanilla cake I've ever had. It ended our meal perfectly.
Salad bar: Although good, I did not waste room for much of the salad.
Parking: valet =$5.50 which really means $6. but at least they're fast
Fogo De Chao is a decadent place for a once or twice a year indulgence.
I went two weekends ago. My girlfriend and I were thinking about ghettoing it out and going to the Brazilian BBQ place inside the farmer's market near The Grove, but she was dressed too nice, so we had to go bling and go Fogo.
Fogo does not disappoint. One must overcome all temptations over the salad bar/appetizer bar and hold out for the meat. The meat's awesome. I always regret wasting my previous stomach space with a piece of the sausage, which always disappoints. Next time I go, I'm gonna get just beef varieties.
I love Churrascaria and this is one of the best I've had in the US. Comparable to Churrascaria… Read more »
Good service.
Really good place for people who like meat.
Salad bar was fresh.
What's left to say? It's an amazing dining experience!! If you have not been, you must try it. It is expensive but it is worth it.
Like other Churrascarias, they serve all you care to eat (and I care to eat a lot of what they've got). They have what must be the best tasting Filet Mignon. Along with the Filet, my other favorite cuts of meat are the bottom sirloin and top sirloin. The salad bar and the sides are amazing and I would probably be satisfied with just that.
This place strength to strength but Fogo De Chao leaves you wishing for two more things: A bigger wallet and a bigger stomach.
It's not going to be very often that I come here, a bit pricey for my wallet, but its so worth it every now and then.
So we pull into valet, walk in and get seated since we made reservations. Waiter comes over and tells us what to do and to go ahead. So first things first, salad bar...I fill half my plate with some greens and then firmly tell myself thats all I'm going to get for the meal. Cause well I'm there for the meat right? I flip my card to the green side...and so it begins...
Best Meats-ribeye, top sirloin, bottom sirloin, beef ribs, lamb
So so Meats-pork, filet mignon (tough)
Can do without-sausage, and didn't try the chicken or pork ribs.
I kept getting more and more of the meats I really liked...alas my stomach cannot stretch so far and I had to stop eventually. They served a neverending supply of mashed potato, fried yucca, onions, plantains and cheese bread too. And they refreshed anytime they thought it got cold. The fried yucca was so delish! I wanted to eat all of it!
Service here was really good...though you don't really have your own waiter so you have to flag someone down if you want something specific. But there are plenty of people walking round with meat, filling the water and the side dishes.
I really really wish I was a bigger person or am one of those people who can eat alot lot...but I ate until I was bursting full..and was still wanting more. This place is pricey, 57 after tax, then tip. It's worth coming though for the quality of the food and the service. I'll just have to save up for a bit in order to come back and feast again.
I did enjoy Fogo de Chao more than any other brazilian bbq I've been to. With that being said, I can't give it 5 stars because it's not the perfect place. First, it does have nice interior decor, warm ambience and an open dining area. But on to the meat of the review.
Salad bar --
Fresh selection of cured meats, cheeses, salads, vegetables and assortment of other appetizers although I didn't spend too much stomach space on them. Overall, it gets the job done of whetting your appetite.
Meats --
I am very appreciative that they are able to meet each person's cooking preference. I am a medium rare person and there was no issue of not being able to meet my preference. They were also very prompt in bringing the meat to us, to the point of almost forcing it down our throats. Overall, the cuts of meat that is expected to be good are good. Some meats were too salty for me though.
Picanha (Top Sirloin): really good
Filet Mignon: can't go wrong with this
Beef Ancho (Rib Eye): excellent
Alcatra (Top Sirloin): average
Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin): don't remember trying this
Costela (Beef Ribs): on the dry side, perhaps i'm just a bbq ribs person
Cordeiro (Lamb): not into lamb
Frango (Chicken): looked dry but was actually moist and tender
Costela de Porco (Pork Ribs): again, dry for my taste
Lombo (Pork Loin): too full to try
Linguica (Sausage): nothing special
Dessert--
chocolate cake: just too sweet and heavy
Drinks--
wine: whatever it was, it went down nice and smoothly
Yes the place is fun, yes the meat is delicious, and yes the service is fantastic. But it also boasts the best salad bar I've ever had in my life! I know that might be a little much, but it's true. We had a great experience.
The food here is as close as you can get to top notch Brazilian food. They didnt get a full 5 stars from me simply because the salad bar (which most people i know do not order so they have more room for the meats) is a bit weak. Now, you will never, ever leave their hungry. You get a circular sign disk you leave on the table. Green means come and serve me and red means stop. I excused myself from the table once and forgot to flip my sign. Lets just say when I came back, I felt like Fred Flinstone. The mixed drinks are great, their wine selection is amazing with a 2 story state of the art cellar. Great Ambiance, always met with a smile. If you need to entertain or have a romantic dinner, you may see me there with a toothpick in one hand and a glass of merlot in the other. You must go.
We had dinner here a couple of nights ago and once again, everything was spot on. Their service is incredible and other restaurants should take stock in their success. The food was wonderful as usual and the salad bar was incredible...although you could fill yourself up on salad and have no meat.....which would equate to a very expensive salad. Bottom line - Awesome place for dinner and I wil continue coming back when I'm in LA.
There are a few things I agree to with my Brasilian friends. They have better beaches, they play better soccer, they have better parties, women in Brasil are much more fun than American women (the arguement about better looking can go on all night long!!!!.. so we agreed with this..), and finally..... THEY HAVE BETTER "HEALTHIER" BEEF:) Watch FOOD INC and see how most American Beef gets to your table...GROSS!!!!!
One of my favorite places to go! I wish my metabolism was higher. I've been to the original in Porto Alegre, Brasil. The meat is better with a bigger selection of meats (Pampas Grass Fed) in Porto Alegre and they have a stage for entertainment. The best one I've been to though was Porcao in Rio:)
Fogo de Chao was a first of many things for me when I visited 2.5 years ago...
It was my first time...
- trying Brazilian bbq
- spending this much $$$ at a dinner buffet
- devouring some of the best meat I've ever eaten
- eating until I almost couldn't breathe
- leaving a restaurant looking preggo
All I'm saying is, I will never forget that first bite of the tender, juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked prime rib eye... The sides were amazing as well. Fogo really set the bar high for the other Brazilian bbqs that I've been to since.
If you've never experienced this concept before, definitely start here. I was impressed!
This is a truly Brazilian place I've been to so many different Brazilian places in La but nothing to be compered they have the best service in town, meats are the best.. can't complain about the price it is worth ed
The huge selection of meats, the great salad bar, and endless wine list make this a great place for a romantic dinner or a birthday.
Fogo de Chao is a perfect representation of abundance and variety. The side dishes will roll out to your table like clockwork, and the different meats circulate around the room non-stop. As soon as you flip your little card, be ready to devour some of the best rib eye, filet mignon, prime rib, lamb (and at least another 8-10 cuts of meat) that you'll ever have.
I've been to real churrascarias in Brazil, and this is the only that can compare. Will you pay $40+/person, yes - but it is well worth it.
After a couple hours of stuffing yourself with meat, cheese, caramelized bananas (and some 20+ dishes at the buffet), you'll probably need a gurney to roll yourself out. It is decadent and delicious.
If you want to experience true Brazilian Barbecue in Los Angeles, then do not settle for anything less than Fogo de Chao.
A Cool Kid's Guide to Eating Fogo.
First thing if you are a girl going to Fogo. Either --
A. Reconsider going because you will most likely never be able to eat enough to make it worth your while.
B. Make sure you are not going with another girl or a uncool.
Reading a lot of the reviews of this place, either you are uninformed or went with uninformed people. It's like buying a Porsche and complaining about it's radio. Or even more n00bish, buying a car just to listen to the radio! This will change all that.
When you arrive get on Clifton and look behind the restaurant to see one side of the street for free parking. Might save you a few bucks and you will look like an insider.
Bring a little cash just in case. Parking will be over 5 dollars and don't expect change. If you liked the service, cash tip is something the servers and gauchos can leave with that night and not have to wait for the credit card tip in their paycheck.
You can set a reservation online. Even without it you can be seated but its a good idea for weekend dinners. Lunch time will be your best bargain for price and seating and service.
Once you are in:
The red side card means stop. Green side means more meat. Don't get a bunch of stuff at once as things will get cold. Go for one at a time though as soon as you sit they will bum rush you. It's a way to fill you up fast. Slow your roll.
Avoid the salad bar. It is the first mistake almost every Non-Brazilian will make. And you will end up grabbing 2 plates of crap you can get at Fresh and Easy. Only go there for the salsa to eat with your meat. All that stuff there is cheap. You are paying over 60 a person if you include tip. Do not make this mistake, its a way buffets save on money by making people go crazy with ala carte salads. You guys would never eat a salad at home, why the hell at a Brazilian Churrascaria?
Also they will keep bringing you cheese bread. Avoid that as well. It will keep coming cuz its worth pennies.
The chicken and the pork and sausages are good but all things you can make at home and nothing to brag about and also very cheap.
Stick to the beef, the house special especially, the bottom sirloin, the rib eye, and it's not on the menu but you can ask your server to bring you beef ribs served to you carved like prime rib.
Other than the beef if you are a lamb fan, you can also try the leg of lamb. If you never had lamb before then try the lamp chop which tastes like a lean pork chop.
Rice and beans are not on the menu but you can ask your server for it. I am Asian so I had to get rice as ruffage.
I needed to get the taste of meat out of my mouth. It's not something they mention but you can get a bowl of fruit as dessert because they don't have any in the salad bar. But its a good way to digest all that meat. Your stomach will thank you later.
At the end when you get your bill.
When you figure out the tip make sure you base it off the subtotal before taxes after discounts. That is how tips are calculated, not off of total. Also 15% was the standard in the 80s and especially at a Denny's or so. But at a place like this or actually all eateries it should be 18% for subpar service and over 20% for good.
Remember in LA, no server smiles because they don't want to be a server, they want to be an actor. Don't hold that against them.
Finally this is not a good place to bring kids. They won't appreciate it, won't eat enough, hot meat walking around all over the place, people with knives, and it will annoy other people. Also reconsider bringing dates. Get a bunch of young professional guys or people trying to close a business deal or for tourists.
This is your guide to this place,
From the Cool Kid on the back of the bus
BTW: You may not realize it but it will be the best meat you ever taste. I don't care what you think about how the Japanese make sushi or prepare meat or how the Japanese can do no wrong or your foodie Japanese food fetish. This will be your best meat experience.
Lots of good food and very good service.
Love this place but I can't eat that much meat! The salad bar and fried polenta are amazing! Price went up though...
This place actually deserves 4 1/2 stars. Out of all the Churrascaria I've ever been to. I think Fogo de Chao has the best meats, as in Quality and Selection. The service is always excellent, and the Picanha is seasoned and cooked to perfection. I also loved the Beef and pork ribs. The salad bar is fresh and has a nice selection of hearts of palms, fresh sliced tomatoes, chicken salad, potato salad, marinated artichoke hearts, variety of salads, cold meats, etc..... We each had a glass of Merlot with our meal, along with coffee, and dessert... The bill for 2 people for dinner came to $173 (w/o tip). It's not cheap, but for all you can eat prime meat.... It's the BEST! Definitely be in the mood for meat and eat your moneys worth! Don't waste too much time at the salad bar... Savor the different meats instead.
I love this place. So much good food. My favorite is the chicken salad. The flan: OMG. Excellent service. But it comes at a price.
I am not one of those girls who pushes around a salad for her whole meal. I am a girl who can eat!! This place is meat heaven. I do hit up the salad bar to start but hey, you gotta get some veggies! I can keep up with the best of them when I am here. I guess it's because I love me some red meat. The only thing that i don't like is the sides that they put at your table. It actually takes up too much space. If you don't see what you are looking for please ask and they will bring it around on the skewer. Yummy I just wish they had a location in san diego. I miss LA and all the fabulous restaurants
Honestly, with the price, location and reputation I had rather high expectations.
Well, after dining there, I was disappointed. The ambiance was OK, but it could have been nicer compared to other places with similar prices. The food was good, but not great!
The service was good, sort of... in fact, my biggest complaint was it was TOO good. As soon as we flipped over our little red light/green light coaster to green, at least five waiters descended like vultures. We quickly learned we had to go back to red immediately lest we be pestered while we were trying to eat. Even so, some waiters still stopped by when we were "red" and asked us if we wanted some more meat.
I know this sounds picky, but the constant buzz of waiters nearly ruined the evening. A huge part of your experience is the conversation and laughter with your friends as you enjoy good food. If you're constantly being interrupted, it makes it hard to enjoy both!
That reminds me... at one point, when we were being assaulted by about five meat bearing waiters (a few minutes in), another one approached (I'm assuming the head waiter?) and noticed we were putting meat on our salad plates. He happened to have clean plates in hand and said "You don't put meat on the salad plate! This is for the meat!" Then he set the plates down next to our salad plates (for a few of us who'd used the salad plates.) Not a big deal, but it came off like 'You idiots! You should have known this!' You'd think he'd scold a waiter or two? No. Honestly, he seemed to take it out on us. I'll grant that he might have had a tough night, so I let it slide. But wait...
Fast forward about 15 seconds. The same waiter is still circling our table. There were a couple of us who had yet to place our napkin on our laps once we'd gotten our silverware. In a matter of milliseconds, dude grabs the napkins (still sitting on the table) and drapes them across our laps. WTF??? OK, maybe I'm too much of a rocker/rebel to appreciate this, but really??? Sorry dude. I'm an adult. Jeffy get his own nappy... Jeffy big boy now.
OK, I'm being a bit knit picky... If you're a priss who likes everyone to wait on you hand and foot, then you probably would've had praise for aforesaid events. But this review is not for you, you self-centered sycophant.
Nonetheless, it's a decent place. But if you want great Brazilian BBQ and you're in the South Bay, there is a small place named "By Brazil" located in Old Towne Torrance. At half the price of Fogo De Chao, the meat and salad bar are far better. They don't have the foo foo cheeses, but their meats are what Fogo's should be. And their service is great.
First off, 2 stars off for the WTFLamb.
Seriously, if this was the first time I ever tried lamb, I would swear off lamb for life. It was SO gamey. And I'm asian. I don't give a fuck. I will chow down some rare beef. I will eat your child. But this lamb tasted like...fat dirty lamb. Furry, dirty lambs that have been roaming the wild masked with a sour, chemical tasting marinade. Gross.
But Fogo will forever redeem itself off the pure fact that I love beef. Bloody, bloody beef.
The service was top notch with the servers working as a team. Since it was my first time, the waiter was nice enough to explain the green/red cards and how to "keep the meat flow going". LOLS. I'll show you how to keep it going. (once again, NO idea what that means.)
Anyway.
The prime rib was clearly the winner along with the Picahna. The garlic beef was tender as was the sirloin (quite salty though). I accidentally got a piece of pork which I'm totally fine with eating but next time I know not to make such mistake. The salad bar was enticing - I got some lox and one asparagus - we each only had one cheese bread because we know better. Must make more room for beef. I didn't even TOUCH the mash potatoes.
Random: I found that I really enjoy the tips of the fried bananas. The tips are nice and crunchy. Mmm.
I'm sure we each went through a good 4-5 plates full of meat but we still found room to get the creme brulee at the end which was delicious but at this point I was half falling asleep.
By the way, I was taught this weekend that you're not supposed to go on a completely empty stomach. In fact, you should eat big meals in preparation of this meat bonanza to stretch out your stomach.
Yea, it's a sad, sad life when you're plotting meat domination. :(
My bf & his friends are the biggest carnivores I've ever met in my life. I, however, am not a serious carnivore, but I appreciate a good cut of meat. We've been to many churrascarias and Fogo is definitely my favorite.
I've come here before & just gotten the salad bar ($28) because I knew I wasn't going to get enough bang for my buck with the full dinner (which is $57.) Between their salad bar & their sides, there was enough variety to keep me full & happy. I love their fried bananas & polenta & the parmesan cheese at the salad bar is one of the best I've ever had.
The last time we came here (part of our friend's bachelor party weekend) I ordered the full dinner & it was absolutely delicious. The filet mignon & the picanha (sirloin with salt & garlic) were the best cuts.
It is like a meat orgy up in here, so pace yourself. They will keep coming out with more meats until you turn your card over to "red," signifying you are done (at least for a while.) Obviously, only come here hungry to get your money's worth.
Coming here is a really enjoyable dining experience (except at the end when you have to loosen your belt buckle or explode.) The waiters are always very attentive and the decor is elegant & beautiful: dark wood, mellow yellow paint on the wall, murals, great lighting and white table cloths.
If you want an excessive, primal, yet civilized meat eating experience this is the place to go. especially if you like a lot of excellent steak served bloody, and I mean so bloody that beyond the charred outside it is beef sashimi. Only time in LA where I really got it that way. I think the server came out 3-4 times and each time although the meat was progressivly more rare, I told him the meat was overcooked. The server didn't get it...and I was about to resign myself to having your typical medium done 'rare' steak. Then the manager comes over sensing something was up comes over and hear me say that I would like a truly rare steak and makes a swift walk over to the grill to discuss with chefs.
Within a few minutes, came a parade of cuts truly raw except for a little charring on the outside. And it was like that for the whole night! They kept coming even though I was full. LIke they wanted to make sure I was totally satisfied. Was talking a bit with the manager and he said every night there is a guy like me who is a hardcore steak lover and they are always prepared for those occasions...
I think I probably ate at a few pounds of filet mignon.
Now, this is the "Cadillac" of churrascaria.
Pricey pricey. Otherwise they would get 5 stars. Better come with an empty stomach to get your money's worth.
Excellent meats
Excellent buffet selection
Excellent wine selection
If you cant afford it, save up but everyone must try this place.
I seriously can't get enough of this place, it is a prime example of the way restaurants should be run...highlights:
1) the service: one word, phenominal...plates were taken away and replaced, drinks were never more than half empty, and we were constantly asked if there was anything else we needed in a very unobtrusive way...even the "gaucho" men with their food asked if we wanted any cut in particular...
2) the meat was hit or miss at times, but it was ok at its worse and orgasmic at its best...the filet was to die for, even wrapped in bacon...I always liked the sausage, and the top sirloin was great...another highlight was the house special, one serving at the beginning of the meal was just ok, but the second, when it was fresh off the spit, was TO DIE FOR...
3) I went for my birthday and, without even mentioning it overtly to our server, I was presented a b-day flan on the house...not necessary, but just a sign that the restaurant is out to please its customers...
Some people (especially vegetarians or the like) would not be a fan, but it's all you can eat and a prime example of the type of place you have to at least check out once in your life just to try it...a bit pricy, but worth the annual/semi annual trip :)...
Went back recently.
How is this place ($$$$)? It's $$$. $$$$ is up the street. Only in L.A., where we act like we know but we really don't.
Too salty, Fogo de Fail. Expand your tasty salad bar. I don't need to say much else, I've been here literally dozens of times, but that salt was just too much last time. Or maybe my palate has matured? I don't know. Either way, if you're a carnivore, you'll love this place. Read the other review. If you're not, man, you're going to be seriously bloated from all the water-retention the salt gets you. But eat, carnivores, eat! If you think you can taste the meat past all the salt, then by all means! If you don't care and just want to eat tons of meat: go to Korean BBQ. Unless you're in a rush. Then go to the Brazilian BBQ at the Farmer's Market.
x3
Euno
This is both a five star place and a one star place sometimes.
First of all, if you're a buffet…
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It's Meat Heaven here! I just sit and take in every bite along with a nice woodsy cabernet. Great service, great food, great atmosphere. The fried polentas with a nice crispy edge are the best treat. I can't say enough about this place. I will be back!
Went here with my family for a late birthday dinner. I must say the service starting straight from the valet was spectacular. Went in without a reservation seated promptly and given our beverages quickly.
I have to say MOST of the meat was good, with some a bit over-salted. But overall most very tender and had quite possibly all the meat and cuts you could want. Buffet was also nice, my mom decided she only wanted to eat the salad buffet (which was cheaper). The birthday dessert flan was amazing!! It was so smooth and just rich enough, some of the best I have had.
Price was a bit on the high side, but expected for this type of service and restaurant, but overall 3.5 stars, some of the meat was just too salty.
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
Category: Brazilian
Los Angeles, CA
Category: Latin American
Neighborhood: Glendale
Category: Brazilian
Neighborhood: Koreatown
Category: Brazilian
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
Category: Steakhouses
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