Made the reservation for 7 online. went there 2 mins after my reservation time and my family members were seated already but for 6. when I arrived and asked the tables to be changed due to my reservation, they gave me a dirty look. did not start well... food, overall was great as usual. really didn't like the service... email confirmation for my reservation came 1 day "AFTER" i ate there. classic fail! lol
(3)
Jenna B.
We came here tonight for our anniversary dinner and had such a memorable experience thanks our wonderful waiter Moises. Besides the food being amazing, Moises made our experience truly spectacular. The service was amazing, we were never without a ton of food or an empty basket of cheesy bread (our favorite!) We were very happy with our experience tonight and look forward to coming back again!
(5)
Paula S.
Went to Fogo de Chao for my daughter's 32nd birthday and were pretty disappointed. There were only four of us and our bill was over $300 and we didn't even have drinks! Sure, we were served a lot of food but nothing was very good; if meat is the main item on your menu your meat should be really memorable and after trying every kind of meat offered, except the lamb, there was nothing that left me wanting more. I must admit to even spitting out a piece of meat that was entirely fat. The side dishes were lukewarm when we got them and pretty boring, as were the hot dishes at the salad bar. Our server was very nice, funny and accommodating, but we found ourselves waiting for food most of the evening. We're sorry we chose this place for a special occasion and feel it is way over-priced ... we won't be back.
(2)
Larry L.
Wow! What can I say... This place is FANTASTIC!! The food was awesome, the people are terrific and it was an absolute pleasure. I can't wait to come back. I recommend this place to everyone. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Heather W.
Excellent service, excellent food. I loved the garlic glaze. All the sides were amazing too! The fried plantain, the rice, the wild yucca. Very authentic and amazing! Well worth the price!!! I would recommend to everyone!
(5)
Sharon N.
Absolutely love Fogo! We love all the different cuts they bring to your table. One of our favorite cuts that you have to personally request for are the Beef Ribs. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Eric L.
It's Fogo de Chao. If you've ever heard of Brazilian BBQ then you know Fogo de Chao Pros: Best quality meat from Brazillian BBQ that i've had. Great service. Ease of making and keeping reservations. Good variety of meat. Lots to choose from at the salad bar. Cons: Price. The wait time if you don't make reservations and the lack of reservation times if you don't make reservations earlier. Some of the meats were a little overcooked the last time I went. Bottom line: It's very expensive.(Most Brazillian BBQ places are, but this one is more expensive than the rest) It's a place where you would go for a special occasion and not very often. I feel like the salad bar is a bit pointless because you're here for the meat and it'd be a bad thing to get filled up on bread and other things. I've tried many different Brazilian BBQ places and this one has them all beat. The meat tastes great for the most part. If you like Brazilian BBQ or you're looking for a classy place to try out to take a date or something then definitely consider this place. Side note: You can dress casually. If you can find parking elsewhere like in the neighborhoods then that's fine. Valet isn't too bad though.
(4)
Randi B.
My boss has been suggesting Fogo de Chau to me for many months, so for our annual joint birthday dinner, I suggested it to my friends. We tend to go to Mastro's every year. It's close, always delicious, pricey, but well worth the cost. I called to make reservations. The lady I spoke to did not ask for any contact information, just took my name, repeated the date and time I wanted, then said "Ciao Ciao Goodbye" and hung up on me. The next day I went online and make online reservations - I recommend doing that over calling. The big day finally came and we all drove out to Beverly Hills. Parking was fine, valet only, and I think it was $6. We were seated right away, in the farthest room they have from the entrance. The rest of the restaurant was very pretty, nicely decorated, dim lighting. The room we were put in had basically no decor, super bright lighting, and overall horrible ambiance. From the moment we were seated we were bombarded with servers, busboys, meat delivery people...it was too much. The table for 6 people was a decent size, but once we got drinks, and they put all the bread, sides, and extra plates down there was NO room on the table. It was a bit much. They were also really bad at clearing away dirty/unused dishes. We were hit up by the meat people probably 6 times in the first 10 minutes we were there. We all changed our cards to red, they did not care. They kept coming over. They would throw the meat down on the table whether we wanted it or not. It was very annoying to us. We are a group of people who only gets together maybe 3 times a year, so we enjoy spending time catching up and having conversations, and it was very difficult to do so with people constantly up in our business. Service aside, the food was good. Best ever? No. The bread was fantastic, I know we all absolutely loved the cheese bread. Salad bar was alright - I personally preferred the salad bar at Agora in Irvine over Fogo. The meat was decent, with the overall favorites being the Picanha and Lamb Chops. The garlic beef and the bacon wrapped chicken were both so dry they were nearly inedible. We did order dessert, and everybody seemed to like it. I had the creme brulee and it was great. The price per person at dinner is $61.95. The total bill with drinks ended up being roughly $600. Dinner at Mastro's would have probably been $800, but I think we would have enjoyed it much more. The food here is good, but the service is just too overbearing. I think if we are craving a Brazillian Steakhouse in the future, we will skip the long drive and go to Irvine.
(3)
Aimee P.
What a great experience! This was my very first time at Fogo de Chao, and I will definitely return. I had the pleasure of taking up the dineLA experience, and had the full treatment. Remember that game you used to play in school - Red light, Green light?! Keep that in mind. Green means bring on the BBQ! Red means "Stop! (hammertime!, sorry, I had to) =) The service was excellent. Very attentive. We even met the manager, and he showed us where they grilled the different meats.
(4)
Genesis V.
if there was the possibility to put 20 stars on this review, I would give it that. THIS PLACE IS ABSOLUTELY TO DIE FOR. the meat is literally nonstop, they keep serving you variety of meats until you ask to stop. it's quite a pricey place but it is absolutely worth it. it's also a fancy place so come dressed up instead of casual clothing. overall, enquisitely fantastic, out of this world deliciousness.
(5)
Giles S.
I am appalled by the fact that I have never written a review here. This is my all time favorite restaurant in the world. I have been here over one hundred times. Here is how to do Fogo correctly: Pao de Quiejo - the cheese bread they bring you. It's the only bread you should eat here. It's amazing and the salad bar bread is filling. The Salad Bar - go eat it, because it is not only delicious, but it will enable you to eat more meat. Trust me. While at the salad bar go for the heart of palm with green sauce, artichoke hearts, mozzarella, green beans, broccoli, apple salad, asparagus, beets, and slices of cheese. Those are my choices. For meat, I recommend the bottom sirloin, the picanha (with the Vinagrete sauce,) pork ribs (with lime,) lamb chops, lamb leg, sausage (lingua,) beef ribs, and the special pork if they offer it. The rest of the meat is filler, IMO Dessert - tres leches is the best. The rest are good, including the flan and the papaya creme, but the tres leches is the star. Go hungry, leave full. Do it today.
(5)
Jeremy F.
Ghetto fabulous.
(3)
Steph C.
I like Brazilian barbecue. I mean where else do you get an all-meat buffet that comes to you? Supplemented by an actual buffet, no less. Fogo de Chao is, by price and reputation, the top churrascaria in L.A. I haven't been to many more, but I imagine it's also the best when it comes to quality of meat. I've been twice now, both times with family, with parties of seven and ten. Fogo is a great for a big group. It's a pretty space, but it's far from romantic or intimate. The atmosphere is busy and vibrant. If you must have a churrasco-based date, I'd book M Grill instead. The style of service is also well suited for a big group. You help yourself to the salad bar, and when you sit down, you just flip your meat card to GO and wait for the parade of people to come by with hand-held carving stations. One thing I don't like - you don't get to taste whatever meat you want. You're kind of at the mercy of who comes by. In fact, when we came a couple weeks ago, a waitress stopped by to ask if we had any requests. I asked for sausages, which had reached our table earlier but hadn't made it all the way to my side. They never showed up, which made me think, why bother asking? That's my only complaint against Fogo, so raves from here on down. The food is excellent. The salad bar is a full buffet, with little emphasis on salad. (Matt B. and my fourteen-year-old brother load up on meats and cheeses.) I like to pick up salsas for the meat, pickled jalapeño, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. It's easy to overload with the larger sides. Giant asparagus and artichoke hearts are less filling than smoked salmon and prosciutto, but it's hard to turn down all-you-can-eat meat, even in cold cut form. More sides await at the table, starting with Fogo's signature cheese bread. These little warm discs are irresistible, with a gooey rice cake texture to the fragrant, cheesy insides. You also get plantains, hot polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, and on request, rice (and black beans and farofa apparently, but we stereotypically ask for rice). I love the sweet, starchy caramelized plantains with my meat. The meat is all fantastic. If I were to get any of the cuts as entrees in another nice restaurant, I would be pleased - especially with the sides of chimichurri and hot sauce available at the table. Fogo bills itself as a steakhouse, and it fulfills that purpose quite well. The medium rare steak pours juice with every chew, as does the tender ribeye. I love the house special picanha. Both the regular top sirloin and the garlic version are robust and meaty, with a hunky chew unbothered by string or rubber. There's another top sirloin that goes around as well, and it's also delicious. Fogo doesn't do exotic meats, but the non-beef offerings are as good as the fruit of the cow. The lamb is marvelous, hearty with a tinge of game, so tender your teeth sink right in. I also love the moist fatty chicken drumsticks. Baby back ribs come hulking with meat, and the juicy pork tears right off the bone. The only meats I don't love are the bacon-wrapped filet and chicken. These are drier for some reason and harder to get through. The desserts are a surprising strong point for Fogo. I am enamored of the strawberry cream, a simple half-soupy mix of strawberry ice creams and blended strawberries, topped with a drizzle of creme de cassis. It's amazing, cool and fruity with a spoonable creamy texture. The papaya cream is also great, but I just like my strawberry. The passion fruit sorbet is another nice tart dessert, decorate with fresh berries. If you're more of a cake person, the molten chocolate with vanilla ice cream and the raspberry-drizzled cheesecake are both great versions of the standard desserts. Dinner at Fogo is quite expensive - it must set the ceiling for chain restaurants with buffet service. I have yet to come on my own dime, but I think the food is worth the price if you have room to eat whatever you like. It's a fun spot for a lavish group occasion, and I hope to come back and overeat again soon.
(5)
Javier F.
I'm not sure what Fogo de Chao means, but I am going to assume it roughly translates into "You Have Died and gone to MEAT HEAVEN". We came for DineLA's special ($25 per head for lunch). The place was PACKED and if I had to quibble about anything it would be that parking can be a bit of a nightmare because it's a little tough to get into their lot with all the hustle and bustle of La Cienega. That being said, it's Los Angeles. We should all be used to this by now and Valet was only $5.50 so let's suck it up and move on! I could talk about their salad bar, but I will save that for later because what you REALLY want to know about is their meat. And boy oh boy, it's Ridiculously Good! We sampled the following: Filet, Ribeye, Garlic Beef, Sirloin, Picanha, Lamb Chop, Pork Ribs, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, and Sausage. I listed the meats in that order because it also happens to be the order of our favorites. The filet was tender beyond belief and had a smoky flavor you could only get from bbq. They did a great job of making sure that everyone was covered, whether it's bloody rare like me or well done (UGHHH I don't understand you people! seriously a cow gave his life and you want him to burn to a crisp??? what kind of animal are you!!!). Anyways, I digress. The ribeye was Fantastic and definitely a much higher quality than other ribeyes I've tried in other churrascarias. Plenty of fat, marbling and flavor. It was definitely the meatiest of all the cuts and if it wasn't for the filet's mouth watering tenderness it would have been crowned King of the Cuts, lol. I read somewhere on here that the Garlic meat was too garlicky. I don't know if they were unlucky or we were just lucky, but we had it twice and the garlic flavor was subtle. You know it's there, but it's not so much that you have to: a) worry about bursting into flames for you Team Edward types, or b) worry about making out with your lady types like Team Me. =) Sirloin was great. Picanha was a tiny bit of a let down in the sense that I was expecting a bit more flavor from it but it was cooked to absolute perfection! The lamb chop had no gamey flavor whatsoever while the rest of the meats we ate were good. Just not great. (I suspect our pork ribs could have been better but I think we got the only ribs in the house that had been overcooked, as evidenced by the fact that everyone else around us seemed to receive super juicy looking ribs). The salad bar does not have a huge selection but let me point out a few highlights from my point of view: - Mozzarella Balls (the wet kind, totally FABULOUS) - Sun Dried Tomatoes (Amazing) - Jamon Serrano (BEST surprise ever!) - Manchego cheese (these guys really thought it through) - Bunch of green stuff like lettuce, etc but Im not a freaking rabbit so I leave that to you people who are watching your delicate figures... As for dessert, we had Flan (quite literally the best example of flan I have ever had and I grew up in a household where flan is on the menu quite often) and Strawberry Cream (strawberry ice cream which is pureed with actually strawberries - absolutely AMAZING and totally sharable). Even with the chaotic nature of lunch hour and the fact that it was a holiday, service was superb. All in all, a wonderful visit and a tremendous experience. Fogo, you have ruined me for any other churrascaria and dare I say for most steakhouses, but I regret nothing! I hope everyone gets to come here at least once!
(5)
Fra C.
Went today, for my man's birthday lunch. We have excitedly been anticipating coming to an all-you-can-eat Brazilian establishment and waited for a perfect day. The general price for AYCE lunch is $36, which does not include drinks or desserts. Even though I tend to be frugal-minded, I thought this was a deal, considering dinner is nearly double the price (I would probably never go during dinner). The salad bar was not the star of the show, but I love cheese so I got a shard of parmesan and a slice of some other type of firm cow's milk cheese--both were delicious. The Cesar salad was underwhelming, especially the stale croutons. I would also skip the prosciutto and salami. The smoked salmon was excellent though. The beans were alright. As a carboholic, I can admit that the little bread they provide is so wonderful. I ate far too many and wasted room that I should have saved for the meats, but alas, I was a happy camper. The mashed potatoes were nothing special. The plaintains were actually better than most Salvadoran restaurants, and Salvadorans are known for their plaintains; what set Fogo's apart was the fact that the plaintains were perfectly cooked, with care, so they seemed sweet and perfectly (lightly) fried. The polenta was interesting in a good way, but I did not eat much of it. THE MEAT The PICANHA was great and no description will do it justice. Let me just say that this signature is a wonderful meat to have represent the brand. I recommend you get it medium, even being the well-done meat eater that I am. I am not sure what type of meat it was (I asked the server, and I think he said Baracon), but it was some type of beef and it was murderously delicious. This and the picanha did not have any competition with the other meat; they were tender, well-seasoned, melt-in-yo mouth other-worldly divine. The sirloin was another delicious meat. The sausage was just okay, I am ambivalent as to whether or not I truly enjoyed the seasoning. I really enjoyed the chicken wrapped in bacon, as the chicken was lean (breast/white meat) and the bacon a decent flavor accent. I did not like the lamb (leg or chop). I've come to the conclusion, I will never be a lamb lover! THE SERVICE From the moment we walked in, I knew this place had it together. We were immediately greeted and seated. The place was rather empty at noon. We were sat near the salad bar and were asked about which drinks we wanted. We ordered Guarana, which I highly recommend. A carbonated beverage is perfect for washing down good and not-so-good meat. We literally had 5 people catering to us and 5 male servers carving meat tableside; it was friendly and frenetic. El FIN I highly recommend Fogo for any special occasion, they will make you feel like you made a smart, gluttonous decision. I plan on coming back with an appetite. Go during lunch to save your money. Like I treated my man, TREAT YO SELF!!
(4)
Jerm B.
If you are a meat lover, this is heaven on Earth! There are like 10+ types of meat being brought to you on swords and daggers. They slice this perfectly cooked meat onto your plate and keep shaving until you say stop. I walked into the place about 180lbs and left at 200lbs. And as good as their food is, the bartenders and drinks are just as on point! A bit pricey but great for a date night or anniversary dinner.
(4)
Calvin C.
Quick Tips! 1. There is a small parking lot in front of Fogo De Chao. You can self-park in this lot when there are not a lot of people around, but you will still have to pay a $6.50 service fee. Otherwise, during busy times, this is a valet lot! 2. There is street parking along the way, but it may be a lot easier to go with the valet. 3. Lunch during the weekday is $34.95. 4. Prices include access to their wonderful salad bars as well as fifteen of their selections of beef, lamb, and chicken. There is not a lot that I will have to say about Fogo de Chao that hasn't already been said by glowing reviews other yelpers have left. I believe Fogo has become synonymous with high quality when talking about Brazilian restaurants and certainly, my visit, did not disappoint. There is something to be said when you see delicious skewers upon skewers of barbecued meats parading to your table. I saw an endless possibility for the carnivore inside of me. Between the excellent house special picanha to the amazingly tender filet mignon to the very lamby lamb chops, every meat presented looked like it went through a rigorous cooking process. And yes, they tasted just as good as they looked. There is not much I have to complain about the meat, all of them were excellent and flavored differently. Among our favorites were the house special picanha, the pork ribs, the lamb chops, and the filet mignon. Try all of them if you can! As for the salad bar, they are stocked with various delights including asparagus, shittake mushrooms. and papaya. Throughout the spread, you will find various cheeses, italian meats, and salad. They also served to you loaded garlic mash potatoes, polenta, and caramelized grilled bananas. On top of all of this, they give you excellent cheesey bread. As if the food were not enough, we found that service at Fogo de Chao was excellent. The hostess was polite, the waiter that helped us was extremely friendly, and all of the servers were extremely, extremely helpful with suggestions on what to try and what to look forward to. They were always willing to bring out something that I liked OR suggest something that I might really enjoy. To top it off on a personal note, my mom is a sucker for the cheese bread at Brazilian steakhouses, as such we always take our leftover bread home from these places just for my mom. When I asked for a box for the three remaining pieces of the cheese bread, the waiter said that they didn't normally box up stuff for guests, but he would see what he could do and disappeared into the kitchen. He not only boxed up our three pieces of bread, but he also gave us a whole new batch! What amazing service! I really hope that those who are interested will look past the price tag and really treat themselves to one of the best Brazilian steakhouses in Los Angeles.
(5)
Michaela U.
We just celebrated my husband's birthday here and had a wonderful and very special night. Particularly Luis, the chef who served us Filet Mignon, was amazing. He was very upbeat and the Filet was delicious. He, along with the other staff took great care of us and made us feel special. Not to forget: The food was delicious!
(5)
Samantha C.
Amazing Brazilian food I haven't had food like this since after I left Brazil! Defiantly a must try when you come to la if you like a good Brazilian dine
(5)
Mark David Y.
First, A churrascaria (Portuguese pronunciation: [uaskai.]) is a place where meat is cooked in Churrasco style, which translates roughly from the Portuguese for 'barbecue'. The restaurant is located in Beverly Hills just ion the middle of a very dynamic street close to world renowned famous hotels. It offers a great valet parking service. You are basically well pampered from the second you decide to visit the place. I usually come here with family on special occasion or to celebrate a special event with someone special. This restaurant is as impressive as it is expensive. I know it states $65 per person but I'd say prepare to pay $100 (or more) per head here, including drinks and dessert, tip not included. Drinks vary from $3 for bottle of 8oz coke to $12 or so for cocktails. So why come here? The experience is unique, the food are amazing. We always had great time here (and in Florida location), our recent visit was not any different. Salad bar are tops; I always enjoy their smoked salmon, Prosciutto, heart of Palm and the aged parmesan. However, I always TRY my best to save room for the main meats - every single cut are cooked and seasoned very well. Some might find it salty but I like bold flavors in my meat. My favorite is the cordeiro or lamb, next would be the beef ancho (rib eye) and the filet mignon (of course). I use to love picanha (rump) but for some reason, on my recent visit, it was not much to my liking. It tasted somewhat rough, overcooked and dry. The chicken and the sausage was the least of my favorite here. As always, I love the polenta and caramelized banana. They usually do not serve rice unless requested. PS. They have a wealthy choice of more than 16 varieties of Lamp, Cow, Chicken and Pork cooked to the best tastes one can imagine. I have visited world renowned steak and meat restaurants from Dubai to Singapore and New York and I have never tasted something as juicy and mind blowing as the variety which is offered at Fogo De Chao. It is a pure genuine Brazilian steak house, with the taste of Brazil in California. As for drinks, one must try caipirinha - sweet and refreshing; cleanse the pallet from all the heavy meat taste. As for desserts, one must try the papaya cream, crème Brulee and molten cake. I have yet to try their Brazilian flan. TIP: If you are celebrating a special occasion, do call for reservation and let them know, they surprised us with a complimentary molten cake for the occasion (with special greetings on the cake). The restaurant theme is a standard fee for all you can eat. Don't get turned off by that as you are surrounded in a 5 star atmosphere clearly visible and experienced through the welcoming staff and the quality of attention they surround you with. Make sure you take your time in opening up with the salad bar. It is a huge selection of the finest ingredients which prepares you to the main course. Take your time in savoring the varieties offered at the restaurant. A word of advice go there early at around 8 PM as I am sure you will not get out before 10. Once the meat starts rolling you just want to taste everything . I even bet you that you can't stop. Each seat has a red and green card. As long as your card is on the green the meat will keep on getting offered. You can always turn it to red and stop but I somehow doubt that anyone will do that knowing how tasty the menu is. Make sure to order some of the fine red wines they have in store. They have a gorgeous variety to suit every taste. Whether it is a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir or Shiraz, they got it all. My recommendation goes to the Californian Pinot Noir, a somewhat dry red wine but sure makes the best companion to the variety being offered. Service is consistently awesome - friendly, fast and efficient. They also do not rush you. It doesn't matter if it's a full night. So yea, eat as much as you can yet take your time and enjoy your company!!
(4)
Victor O.
I loved the service. i went with my wife and all waiters are very friendly and helpful.
(5)
Pamela G.
Great meat! Great sides. So much food and for my 27th bday it was perfect! Really excited for the downtown Los Angeles location to open. Wasn't too happy about the seating all the tables were super close felt like they squeezed way more people than they could in this place. Highly rec making a reservation :)
(4)
David K.
Good meats and the salad bar but wayyyyyy too expensive. I mean the price is not justified. For a meal for two people with 1 drink its $200+ Just go down the street to the Cut and get your self a life changing steak for that kind of price. Total not worth the price. There are so many Brazilian bbq restaurants for half that price and just as good or even better food.
(3)
Luis R.
Lunch at Fogo! OMG!! Half the price All the meat of dinner!! Great quality of meat Awesome salad bar Worth the money
(5)
Christine M.
The good news: I always try to eat my money's worth for Brazilian BBQ, but I always just end up eating my money's worth of the damn cheese bread. Who am I to say no when they keep refilling the basket with fresh, hot cheese bread?! The side bar has your usual salad and veggies to even out all the meat you're about to consume. For the meats, my top picks would have to be the Filet Mignon, Picanha, Beef Ancho (Rib eye), Garlic Beef and the sausage. Service was great (esp with the meat) and they were pretty attentive, refilling our side dishes and making sure everything was good to go, but then again it was a Sunday evening. The bad news: This was my second time here, and unfortunately, I feel like the quality went down in terms of the meat even though the price went up (~$62 per person). The Alcatra (Top sirloin), Fraldinha (Bottom sirloin), Lamb, Chicken, and anything wrapped in bacon was all pretty dry and I didn't even end up finishing the piece I tonged off. I was especially disappointed with the Parmesan-crusted pork because I was looking forward to it, but the layer of Parmesan was super dense and overpowering, and the pork was dry of course. Overall, I had a great time, but I don't think I'll come back because I would rather spend that money elsewhere, but it's definitely a good experience for first timers or come during DineLA's Restaurant Week. A dinner for two (with wine) will easily come out to around $200. Also, valet is mandatory and it's $6.50!
(3)
Lia A.
Amazing experience lastnight at this Brazilian spot (Churrascaria) in Beverly Hills... Definitely step over to the bar while waiting to be seated and see the bartender from Lithuania.. Sorry forgot his name... But ask him to make you a Mojito... Guarantee you have never had better... The lighting is a bit too dark for my taste... But the food makes up for it.... Their starting area... Is delicious enough to fill you up... But don't because the parade of mouth watering meats are on there way... My favs...at salad bar.. Are Smoked salmon w/capers ,prosciutto, 24 mo aged Parmesan, fresh mozzarella, jumbo asparagus , Italian Salami... Black beans with rice and grilled onions... Meats......filet mignon wrapped with bacon,Picanha, pork ribs, chicken, rib eye, and lamb, with mashed potatoes and fried polenta... Don't forget to save room for the Flan!! It's so delicious ... If not a fan of flan go for the chocolate cake .... We will definitely be back .... But I think once a year for this place is just right...
(4)
Caley M.
So good!!! We went here for my aunts birthday and it was delicious! There was a group of about 16 of us and my uncle brought all of our wine but the service was still awesome, they took really good care of us and I would go back again.
(5)
Ambar C.
3.5 stars. It was ridiculously busy, and I'm not sure if it was because of dineLA or because it was a holiday (or if it's always like that). We had a reservation for 5 at 2:30pm, but they were not turning tables very well, so they made us wait at the bar for almost 40 minutes! We decided to order a pitcher of sangria ($18), which was more than enough for our group because it was extremely sweet. I was shocked at the amount of sugar the bartender put into the drinks. Next time I will order my go-to limeade. The atmosphere was interesting. It looked like a fancy Beverly Hills restaurant with white tablecloths, but then there were the gauchos (the men holding meat on a large metal stick). They try to encourage people to visit their vast salad bar first, but I sat down and flipped my coaster to green. I'd really rather get my money's worth of meat; there are 15 choices! They sat us at a really nice table in the corner by the meat pit in the window that faces La Cienega. Unfortunately, because we were in the back corner, we got jipped a little bit on service. Service was not fantastic. Our main waiter seemed annoyed that I skipped the salad bar, and he rarely checked up on us. The gauchos were not coming to our table at all in the beginning, and when they did, they only had one or two pieces left of that particular meat (and it often wasn't hot off the spit). I ended up getting the attention of the floor manager to let her know we felt left out, and she sent over some gauchos who started with our table. After that, we didn't have as much of a problem getting meat. The food was mostly great. The pao de queijo (cheesy bread) was fantastic and so were the mashed potatoes with paprika and cheese. Of the meats, I tried the sausage, sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon, garlic beef, picanha, parmesan pork, lamb chop, leg of lamb, and possibly more. The best meat of the night was definitely the garlic beef, but it is not for the faint of heart. It is super garlicky! I love to take it and rub it all over my plate so the garlic flavor gets all over the rest of the meat. It was also the most medium-rare meat I got, so it was tender and juicy and flavorful. The house special picanha was delicious, as well, though some pieces were very salty. The parmesan pork was dry and overcooked. The sirloin was very tough. The filet mignon was nicely cooked, and the lamb was incredible. Parking is a little bit of a nightmare. They have their own lot where you can valet for $5.50, but if there's traffic on La Cienega, you are going to wait a long time to get into the lot (especially if you are trying to turn left). If you can find street parking, that would be the way to go, but if you're looking for street parking, come early. The prices for dineLA are $25 for lunch and $45 for dinner. I think it's a $10 discount. Why not pay less for more meat?!
(3)
Chris Y.
To my beloved Fogo de Chao, It was such a pleasure to have finally met you. I have always heard wonderful things about you, but for whatever reason we have never met until this point. First I'd like to thank OpenTable for arranging our meeting. I have to admit that when I first met you I was a little nervous. I knew most people come to a churrascaria to fill up on meat and not other things. But little did I know, your salad bar was fantastic! I tried to not over-indulge myself with the first course knowing what was coming up in the main course, but once I saw your beautiful sun-dried tomatoes, I just couldn't resist. While filling up a little on some salad and cold meat, we got some wonderful sides brought to our table. The sides included cheese bread, plantains, and mashed potatoes. Your cheese bread was tasty, but I had to keep telling myself again not to over indulge. After nearly finishing up on the first course, our delightful waiter brought us clean plates for the main course; and that was where our experience really took off. We swapped plates, flipped the little cards over to Green, and your gaucho chefs brought us an endless supply of meat. I think I have tried every type of meat you had on the menu, with the only exception being the Lombo (Pork filet encrusted with Parmesan cheese). For whatever reason, your gaucho chefs with the Lombo never made it to our side of the room. But its okay; it was just a minor miscommunication between us. Every cut of meat I've tried was delectable. They were all very tender, juicy, and flavorful. I would gladly order any cut alone as a main course. My favorite was surprisingly the Costela de Porco (pork ribs). Simply put, it tasted so good... My second favorite was the Garlic Picanha. I was afraid your chicken (the Frango) might be overcooked and dry like most places, but it was moist and delicious. Although I liked it too, my least favorite out of all the cuts was the leg of lamb (the Cordeiro). Ironically I really enjoyed the lamb chops. Lastly, I want to thank you for giving me my favorite dining experience of 2012; on New Years Eve nonetheless. Needless to say, I can't wait for our second meeting as I look forward to seeing you again. Sincerely, Chris Y. P.S. I opted for the $5.50 valet since finding parking is a pain in the area. And since I came on a Holiday (or in my case, the day before one), I didn't expect it to cost $42 a head for lunch instead of the regular price of $35.50
(5)
Jan R.
I just got home after having a small bday dinner for my friend tonight. I just want to say how unpleased I am with my experience at your restaurant. Complaints #1 Vallet: I pulled up my car and stopped at the section where it tells me to stop to be parked by a valet. I was never approached by anyone and was sitting in idle for a good 5 mins. It seems that there were several people that could have possibly helped me or even acknowledge me to wait for a moment. I had to step down out of my car and hand my key to the people on the valet station. - although annoying, i let it be and didn;t want to ruin my night. 2. Dining: I'm quite familiar with the setup of a churrascaria, having eaten at Espetus, Mgrill, Cleo's etc. So I understand how the flip your cards if you want more food flip it again to stop. I was on the lookout of a great restaurant experience, coming from San Francisco. I yelped out good places to eat and found this restaurant and decided to go here. For being on the higher price of a restaurant, i expect a great customer service experience - but that's not what I received. In a matter of a couple of minutes, a barrage of servers with their grilled meat approached us and gave us food. I was ok with that but it seemed to be rushed and pilled up. I had to flip my card to stop it for a moment. But I guess that doesn't matter because they were still a constant flux of food coming in and we just have to say no because our plates were full. The night continued and after finishing the plate we have, we were ready for more meat. But we noticed that nobody was coming - so we decided to call on a waiter. a waiter came and asked if we wanted dessert. My friend, who was the bday celebrant told the waiter that he actually wanted more sirloin. The server seemed baffled. He said that he can get more meet cooked. Me and my friends just decided to ask for the bill because it seemed that at 10, the restaurant closes - even the buffet line was closed, exactly at 10. I just find this experience rushed. Im upset that I picked this restaurant, coming from san francisco to just not have a great time. I mean why would you stop serving the food, or close the buffet line when there are still a lot of people in the restaurant? I find that to be a de-service. I understand that the restaurant is closed for walk ins but the line or the service should still be ongoing. At least tell the customers that the buffet line is going to be closed in the next 15 mins?! Last order?! or just say something that won't catch anyone off guard. Food: Good Service: Mediocre Experience: Horrible I'll also be posting this on Yelp so Hopefully this can help you, even if your food is "okay", a foodie like me won't ever come back. First impressions lasts, and unfortunately, tonight was a failure.
(1)
Eleanor G.
Best service! Best cuts! Should add some hot foods w the salad bar, BUT the complimentary meal for spending our Valentines lunch w them gives them 10 stars! I love all AYCE and FREE! Went on Friday after Valentines to take the BF for a lunch I know he'd love just as much as I. I live in SD and have done Rei Do Gado a few times, but this is a whole other level of service and quality of food! Filet Mignon was the best with everything else being delicious and lamb being least favored and unfinished. The cheese bread is good but mashed potatoes shoul have been left off the table. Wish they had a hot buffet like Rei Do Gado but the meat is what we were there for so it wins nonetheless.
(5)
Irvin L.
Coming down from La Cienega Blvd, the first thing you notice is the smell of grilled meat. There are other restaurants around, but who can even pay attention when your olfactory senses take over? The doors are about three times my height and I expected to enter King Arthur's court. On the right, there is a pleasantly-sized bar whereas on the left, the true magic happens. Beef, Pork, Chicken, Lamb - these are the four main elements of the meat dishes. Chopped up in skewers, perfectly cooked pieces come through when you flip your coasters to the green side - which remind me of the green lights on Santa Monica Blvd: Maybe I should slow down, but I'm already here so I might as well go all out. That's exactly how a Churrascaria should be. Question my authority? I'll give you my 11 years of experience living in Sao Paulo, Brazil to vouch for it. The sides are delicious too. But when you're making that huge dent in your wallet, why bother with rice, beans, and bread? Go for the meat and meat only. The staff is also very professional and has accommodated all of our needs. I've gone here plenty of times and they are always amicable. One thing that I have to wonder about are the huge wine bottles that serve as decorations. Inquisitive, I grabbed one to see if there was something in it and behold, t'was full. What kind of wine could be inside these bottles? Can we order these and have merry festivities with them? As I chow down a perfectly sizzled picanha, I know I have to come back some other time and head down to the bar when parentals and relatives won't be there to judge my drunken debaucheries. This would be a place that I would take my friends, foes, and executive bosses to show them what it feels like to eat in Brazil. To beat a dead horse, trust me, I'm Brazilian.
(5)
Chris J.
I came here with three other friends during a spring restaurant week. I consider myself a true carnivore, and having heard about brazilian steakhouse, I was excited to try it. I was certainly not disappointed. The setting was that of a cavernous dining area, almost like a large ballroom with massively high ceilings and lots of natural light. The place was also packed, but that did not slow down the meat, which the waiters were soon bringing to us in piles almost as soon as we sat down. I remember almost every cut of meat tasting excellent. It seemed as if the meat was marinated and/or tenderized with salt and herbs for a very long period of time before being grilled. The Pao de Queijo, cheese infused mini soft breads served at the table, was also to die for. Additionally, the pineapple with caramelized brown sugar coating was a nice addition to the meal. There was also a massive buffet of supplementary food. However except for grabbing a bit of salad to provide roughage, I focused exclusively on the meat. After gorging on who knows how many pounds of beef (along with a little pork and chicken), we made our way out of the restaurant. Given the normal price of food here, the lunch restaurant week special certainly was a big plus for our group of (at the time) poor college students. All in all, this was certainly one of the most most memorable meals I had in LA.
(5)
Mitch G.
Great food and even greater service. Always treat us like royalty here. Everyone from the hostess, to each server, to the people walking around with the food. They do an A+ job taking care of people. The salad bar is great, the meat is delicious, and my favorite... The lamb chops w mint jelly, makes me Bahhhhh.
(5)
Cel S.
Customer service: was amazing, very attentive, they always make sure have everything you need/want Food: if you are a meat lover this is the place to be, be sure to try the beef ribs..... Parking: HORRIBLE is took and I am not joking 25 minutes to get my car, not a good thing
(5)
Nasir R.
Great salad bar. Above average meat and good variety. Only thing that was a let down was the compulsory valet parking, which for a car park that was so small was completely unnecessary. If you want meat their are better places.
(2)
Christina T.
I was really excited to try Fogo de Chao but I don't need to try it again :( if you're thinking about trying Fogo de Chao I recommend trying it during restaurant week. Making reservations was nice and easy. I was on the phone for less than 5 minutes. Upon arrival, we were sat immediately. The hosts are excellent. Friendly and very helpful and continued to be helpful during the meal. We were asked during our meal when a lot of meat wasn't on the floor if we would like any specific meats sent over to our table. Our waitress unfortunately was not as friendly and helpful. I think she checked up on us once, and looked unpleasant taking away our plates. When asked for our check, we waited for about 15 minutes. We saw her walk back and forth and looked at our table, I think realizing she forgot the check, and finally came back with it. Noted it may have been a team effort and "anyone could assist [us]", no other waitress/waiter checked on us. For all you can eat meat, I felt like the meat was subpar. When asked for medium rare for some meats, we were given meat that was done/well done. Some meats were overly seasoned and some had no flavor at all. None of the meats were hot hot in terms of temperature. Top Sirloin: good, tough (possibly cooked well done/overcooked), not memorable Filet mignon: definitely the best! If you could request it early on, I would definitely recommend it. That way you can get the most bang for your buck and continue getting it. Rib Eye: not memorable Lamb: Meat was cooked most accurately. Medium rare was medium rare. Not hot in terms of temperature. Chicken: good. Skin was crispy. Slightly on the drier side (kind of expected with chicken). Pork Loin: very good! Juicy, favorable. On the saltier side because of the seasoning on the outside. But I definitely would get seconds. Sausage: believe it or not, Very good! Seems weird and questionable for the price you're paying, but it was fresh, hot and very tasty. Pretty full we opted out of dessert, but I went for my sister's birthday and thought we would get some sort of acknowledgment for it, but nothing not even a "happy birthday".
(3)
Sonia J.
We had quite a wait but we also didn't make a reservation and it's xmas party season. Don't know what all the negative reviews are about because as usual it was excellent! My favorites are always the beef ribs which your Waitress brings from the kitchen. A few things were too well done but the gauchos would bring a rarer one next trip. Lamb and bacon wrapped chicken also excellent! Will be back! Also, ask for sauces-- we had chimichurri, horseradish and mint
(5)
Will L.
All meat lovers should try Brazilian BBQ. It's one of the greatest things ever created and we can only thank our South American friends for blessing us with it. To top if off, we have a lot of Brazilian BBQ options in LA and a couple of them even offer cheaper prices during dineLA. One of the better ones is Fogo de Chao. The wait gets a little crazy sometimes, especially during dineLA, but the meat here can be amazing. I still dream about this cut of Ribeye that I had here about 2 years ago. It was perfection in meat form. Anyways, make sure you have a reservation, especially for dineLA, cause this place gets packed. The seating here can also use some work. If you're unfortunate and get seated towards the back side of the restaurant, chances are you're going to be uncomfortably close with the other parties next to you. Aside from that, I really enjoy all the food aspects here. The salad bar is really fancy and they constantly keep everything looking fresh and tidy. I absolutely love the sides here, especially the caramelized banana and garlic mashed potatoes. They both go superbly with the steaks and they are probably the only clear cut things I like about Fogo over M Grill. On the good days, everything about the meat is top notch. I really love the Ribeye, Picanha (Top Sirloin), and the Filet Mignon. Also, if it's your first time, you're going to really dig the whole AYCE Brazilian BBQ experience. To be honest, the best experience I had at Fogo was during regular hours and not dineLA week. It was way more spacious and the quality was supreme. A couple of the times I've come for dineLA, there was a clear drop in quality. One time the meat was too dry and another time the meat was way too salty. With that being said, I've also had a couple really good meals during dineLA as well, so I guess you're just going to have to try your luck if you're doing it.
(5)
Steph S.
Been here twice and unfortunately I wasn't impressed. First of all, both were during dineLA so I'm not sure if it was the massive crowds that affected the food, but I have to say that for a place that specializes in meat ... the meat was NOT its strong point. It's AYCE style and they come around with large slabs of meat (12 different types I believe) and you either say you want it or not. They give you a little piece of cardboard with two sides" green for YES and red for NOPE, I'M DONE. But honestly, they don't even look at it and most of the time it becomes buried in your plate/napkins/cups. The meat was SO DRY. The only good meat that I had was the filet mignon. Only one that was moist and delicious. Everything else ... you could really skip to be honest. The ribs were SO TOUGH that most of our table just gave up trying to eat it. Other times they wouldn't even ask how you wanted your meat. They just cut, dropped it on your plate, and left. The only upside to this place is that it's AYCE and the salad bar is pretty fancy. Lots of veggies to pick from so you're not just eating pounds of meat. But then again, I'm a salad lover so I might be biased here. (Plus they have sun dried tomatoes and I LOVE SUNDRIED TOMATOES). I'm going to reiterate here - I went during dineLA. $45 per person. I'm really not sure if the fact that it was PACKED really did make that difference in meat quality, but regardless I'm going to have to say to pick another brazilian meat place or maybe try this place when it's not dineLA. Though I understand that the dineLA pricing is quite attractive. All in all, I'm going to give this 3 stars. Eh on the meat, a plus for the salad, and a tiny plus for the price.
(3)
Jamie Y.
This is my second time experience at Brazilian steakhouse, with Espetus being my first. Just thinking about the different types of succulent skewered meats makes me giddy and excited for my next experience. From my experience, the main difference between Espetus and Fogo de Chao is the customer service. Fogo de Chau really sets itself apart with superb customer service even at an extremely busy night (Valentine's Day)! I was pretty impressed. The salad bar was just OK to me, but what really reigned from the copious amounts of appetizers was the signature cheese bread! I had the hardest time refraining myself from eating too much. The texture is cheesy and chewy, almost mochi-like. Also loved the mashed potatoes - not chunky and very smooth in texture. My favorite meats were the picanha, filet mignon and alcatra with picanha being my favorite. So juicy, so succulent...drool. The seasoning was on point - I love biting into the tiny grains of salt that gives the meat a complimentary crunch and flavor. The servers were also very attentive - when you want a certain type of meat, let them know and they will bring it out to you asap. I literally stuffed almost 2 lbs of meat in my mouth... I have never been so full even before dessert, so unfortunately I can't review the desserts - but I'm sure they are all delicious. I must admit though, the first few pieces that came out were on the dry side, maybe because they were the end pieces or maybe the quality diminished due to the endless amount of people, but they quickly made up for those inconsistencies after a few skewers that passed by me. Tips: Make a reservation Valet parking available for a small price Refrain from eating too much of the appetizers! Flip the card to green for more food, red for stop Definitely ask the gaucho chefs (servers) for the type of meat you want If wait is long, go to the bar Make a reservation the day BEFORE Valentine's Day ;-)
(5)
Brynna B.
I went with my boyfriend when we were too late for a reservation at The Bazaar. If the bill had been lower it would be a four-star spot in my opinion. The food was mainly very good and fresh. I can't fault it in anyway. But it's a buffet. With very loud families and what looked like people using coupons. Now I'm from the 909 and not going to look down my nose at a good buffet. But...for the price you should be having a nice meal. Not suffering through bad cocktails and strangely dressed people presenting skewers of meat every 5 seconds. Maybe I'm being unfair but what is Yelp for but unfair opinions?
(2)
Andrea M.
ALL YOU CAN EAT MEAT! enough said If anyone complains about the quality of this place they are just complaining to be negative. I've lived in Brazil and this is as good as it gets.
(5)
Magic H.
BIG TOPIC POINT: (The place is basically a meat buffet in Beverly Hills, you can wear what you want, but I'm sure they encourage you to dress well... but don't kill yourself to go fancy here, because you might just spill meet on your fanciness) I actually like Texas De Brazil better... But there's none of those around here (until I hit the Mega Millions...) So... Here's to Fogo De Chao. It was DINE L.A., So I took advantage of a discounted night @ Fogo De Chao. Grabbed a nice bottle of wine, and hit the amazing salad bar. Lots of fancy stuff that I did not recognize there. So I grabbed some Salami and Salad and sat down... Knowing that this was a mere distraction to the epic night of meat I was ready to embrace. Tonight was Meatocalypse, metasauraus rex's resurrection, it was meatfest 2013, it was... A lotta meat. To give me, an a.d.d. and hungry professional pain in the ass a button that has GREEN FOR GO FOR MEAT and RED FOR NO I'M GOOD ON DAT MEAT Is a dangerous thing. Because the guys see green, and they come over and GO GO GO, trying to get all that meat off their plates. (Be warned: PLATES LEAVING YOUR TABLE CAN STEAL YOUR MEAT GO STOP BUTTON!!!) It happens more than you think, then you get yourself into a little situation, because the meat men don't know what to do when you have no button. You can totally get a kidney stone from this joint. If you dehydrate and just eat meat, that's what happens for folks who develop stones I hear... So be careful on that. I've considered becoming a meatatarian after visiting this place. It was good, but it was expensive. And that's okay, if you want a night of meat! (On an off note, we got sat next to a great couple who we talked to for HOURS while eating more meat and drinking, which is very cool. Just reminds me of this point here: When you spend some money on a nice night out, you're going to meet potentially better guests and folks than you would at say..... Big Wangs.)
(4)
Ki F.
Wow !!! It's so good Good service , meat ! Meat ! Good food Very clean ! I cannot talk Let eat !! Bar salad it's very good Good selection of meet! The best ever !! You always have someone close to your table to serve you !! One of the best in Los Angeles
(5)
Chris D.
One of the Yummiest places ever... Keep it green & the food never stops coming ...Also their wine selection is rad
(5)
Mikheyla C.
It was my first time here. We came yesterday, February 16. Our reservation was at 7:30pm but we still had to wait 30 mins to get seated.. It was off to a bad start already.. The line around 7:45PM was out the door and they were telling everyone that were already waiting to go to the bar and wait there.. but the bar was also packed with people waiting to get seated. There was no where to wait after checking-in. It was just a crowded mess out there and I really just wanted to get seated because people kept bumping into to me. I would have waited outside but it was too cold and the seats were also already taken. So when we got called in to get seated, we were sat next to the wall. Our hostess explained how the stop-go card worked and where the salad bar was then our waitress came over to ask what we wanted to drink. It went pretty smooth.. in the beginning. My boyfriend also ordered Sprite but it never came so he had to ask for our server again. She was really nice but it was just way too busy that night. For the price we paid, I wish mistakes like this didn't happen as often as it did that night but it did. I tried to be understanding but we are customers too. I guess the line outside for reservations was becoming unbearable because I noticed that they put another table behind me which I was a little annoyed with because it made it hard to go to the salad bar and whenever the server served them something, I always felt like it was so close to my head.. my boyfriend would even tell me to duck down so the tray doesn't hit me. Thank goodness nothing hit me or spilled on me but that's how inconvenient putting another table in back of our table was. Another thing that was annoying was our table. One of the legs on our table was shorter than the rest and kept tipping down. It was so uncomfortable eating because I was always worried my drink would spill from the unbalanced table especially when my drink was full. Last thing that I didn't quite like, we asked for the check because we wanted to catch a movie after dinner but the check didn't arrive until after 15-20 minutes. The service that night was just awfully slow. In no way am I mad because my boyfriend is such a great company. He made the waiting bearable. The food was amazing but since service was a little slow, we didn't have the patience to try everything. I understand that everyone starts off with a cheese bread but our server didn't give us any. When we saw the server that was serving the table next to us start them off with cheese bread, I was surprised because we didn't get the same thing. We asked for it but we never got it.. I wish I could have tried some because I heard it was pretty good. My favorites were the filet mignon and beef tenderloin. Yum! Their aged manchego cheese was also very delicious and fresh so make sure you try it from the salad bar if you're a cheese fan! Oh and just a tip: dessert doesn't come with the fixed price of dinner or lunch. The papaya cream is $11.50 and the turtle cheesecake is $11.00. Both of these desserts are worth a try! The cheesecake is very rich and decadent and the papaya cream is different but very fruity and good. It has a soft sorbet texture and the liquor they put on top compliments it very well. Dinner for one person is $58.50. I'm not sure if I would go back. It was a good experience but I was turned off by the service.
(3)
Parker H.
Have you ever just wanted to punch a hostess in the vagina?! Well this place will make you think that! But after you actually get seated you instantly start getting a bunch of meat and it's sooooo good! ^__^
(4)
Johnny R.
Well, it's my wife's birthday so the plan is an afternoon of shopping followed by an early dinner. I was in the mood for meat so thought I would search Yelp for a nice steakhouse. Fogo de Chao popped up with great reviews, so off we go. The salad bar was great, with a fresh assortment of steak tomatoes, asparagus, green beans, shitake mushrooms, beets and so on. We especially enjoyed the artichoke hearts. At the table, there was an endless supply of cheese bread rolls, quite tasty. After finishing the salads, one flips over the round stop go casters, signaling the waiter to begin the onslaught of meats. The first serving was a top serloin that was carved on the well done side even though we asked for medium rare. The second to pass by was the garlic tenderloin, nice but again too well done, and on the tough side. Next came the lamb chops, which I was especially looking forward to. I was sorely disappointed as its was way overcooked and inedibly seasoned - way too salty. Despite my first impression, I still held out hope for the ribeye cut. Unfortunately, no salvation can be found here. Although the cut was at best medium, not medium rare, the meat was tasteless and grainy, not like rib meat should taste like. We had enough by this time and was anxious to get to dessert. I ordered the creme brulee and thought they would come out singing with the dessert, since I let them know ahead it was my wifes birthday. Instead, it was a dud. No fanfare, no singing, no free dessert, nada. Not a very good opening for a Chanel bag - I was disappointed. In all, its a Brazilian steakhouse with a good salad bar. Sorry to say the meats are not worth the effort or calories. Its not cheap by any standard, so I would highly suggest considering Mastros or even Ruth Chris in this price range. The waiters do make an effort to provide good service, but the product just is not deserving. Judging from the ratings for this place, Im saddened to see how quantity can obscure quality when reviewing. I must be more careful when trusting reviews on Yelp. Most of the time I come out ahead.
(2)
Frank B.
Solid 4 star...nice little bar...excellent salad bar, great selection of Meats...an experience you must have...I would recommend this place...
(4)
Stephanie-Ann Y.
Great service. Good wine selection. Quality food. Mouthwatering meats. Fresh vegetables. Yummy caramelized bananas. I really enjoyed the salad bar because the ingredients were simple, fresh, and different from other salad bars. My favorite item from the salad bar, fresh mozzarella. The meats were all tasty and nicely cooked....probably one of the best rib eye steak I've had in a while. The only downfall was the fried mozzarella, which made the cheese extremely rubbery and the outside taste like recycled oil from china.
(4)
Kathy C.
What can I say about Fogo de Chao that hasn't already been said before... The fattier cuts of meat like the rib eye were definitely more tender than some of the other cuts. The sirloin prepared that day was quite dry and not pleasing to the palate. You should try a little bit of everything to figure out what tickles your fancy. The salad bar offerings were great and accompanied the meat offerings well. It's good to mix it up so you don't overdose on a meat coma.
(4)
Mary Jo T.
My birthday is Christmas Eve. Several years back friends too me to Fogo de Chao for dinner and I remember it as extraordinary. This year we decided to do it again. Party of 5 wanted to eat early so we arrived at 6pm. The place was jammed and we were in the very back room, smack in the middle. NOISY! But we went with it. However, the waiter rushed us to start, our drinks did not come for a very long time. I was disappointed in the meat. Three things came, asked for rare lamb chops but got well done, lamb chops were well done (ordered medium rare), chicken was ok. Then nothing. Finally steak, it was good but only offered one kind. No offer of additional drinks or a refill of tea, or an offer of coffee or dessert. Finally my dinner mates tired of waiting, asked for check, long wait, check came, they overcharged us, another wait. Then the parking lot, must have been 50 people (not kidding) waiting for valet. We stood for half an hour. Really disappointing. Don't think I'll be going back.
(2)
Herve D.
My only real complaint with this place is that I'm spending over $60 a person to have to pay $5.50 for a valet service on my way out. For that much money they should have complimentary parking. But I'm not one of those people who will take out a star for something like that when the dining experience is as great as it is at Fogo de Chao. I made the mistake of coming here as my first steakhouse experience in Los Angeles. The good part? I found a spot that I can continuously return to whenever I want top quality, delicious cuts of meat. The bad part? Every other churrascaria I have tried in Los Angeles has disgusted me, because it didn't live up to the standard set by Fogo de Chao. The service is always impeccable, as all of the waiters are on call for all of the tables. Need something? Ask any of the waiters walking around, and they will do their best to accommodate you as quickly as possible. Every once in a while, the place gets so packed that the service can be a bit slower than usual, but they immediately fix it as soon as they become aware of it. The manager is also very nice, and walks around to every table to make sure that you are having a pleasant dining experience. The salad bar is pretty good, and the cheese breads that they start you out with are great too (make sure that they are warm, and if not, ask for a fresh batch). They will bring out mashed potatoes, polenta, and sweet plantains (deliciously done up), without you having to ask. But I learned from dining their many times that you can ask for rice and beans as well (they don't bring it out unless you ask for it). Lamb chops are my favorite. I also love the leg of lamb (but it depends on which gaucho chef is cooking it). I love Vaomir's (spelling?) rendition the best, and he is my favorite chef -- if you go there often you will get to know the chefs, and they will make a special effort to keep coming to you first before anyone else, and will bring out special cuts for you. The place is really awesome in this way, and they will keep getting my business because of efforts like this. Picanha is delicious also, but it has to be cut thin. Every once in a while a chef will cut it a little too thick and its not as good (but luckily you can just request it whatever way you like, and leave whatever you don't like on the plate for the waiter to take away). I love the garlic beef also (very garlicky flavor), chicken leg marinated in beer (delicious!), and oh my god, the PARMESAN PORK is amazing (sometimes the parmesan cheese is dry and hard....you want to get it when the cheese is bubbly and soft -- the first time I dined here a friend told me I had to try the Parmesan Pork and I had it where the cheese was dry, and I didn't care for it much. My experience definitely changed next time when I realized how amazing it was when it was soft and melting in your mouth). If you come here for lunch, you get the EXACT same menu as dinner, for about half the price, BUT, the three times I've come for lunch, I've found that something just isn't the same about the meat. It's not as good as dinner. So I never do lunch anymore because of that. Overall, I have to give this place 5 stars, because it never disappoints for the most part, and every person I have introduced to this place has become addicted to it and introduces it to their friends and family who in turn become addicted as well. If you haven't been to Fogo de Chao yet, and think you have tried good churrascarias in Los Angeles, then you need to come here to see what the real deal is and dismiss all the other mediocre to horrible places in LA that just don't stand up to the level of Fogo de Chao.
(5)
Tess R.
I fully intended to love this place, but... I should title this review, "Water water everywhere but none for me...." It's our 5th wedding anniversary, and since we spent our honeymoon in South America, we thought it would be fun to go to Fogo de Chao - for the memories. We've got kids now, so we don't get out as much anymore (dropping $100 on a babysitter before you even get out of the house certainly changes your outlook on date night). I made the reservations and asked if they could surprise my husband with a special dessert - they were enthusiastic and offered a decorated plate with a complimentary dessert. Cool! We get all dressed up (no yoga pants tonight - I pulled out the heels, push up bra, and make up!!!). We show up for our 7:30 PM reservation, and... there's a 15 minute wait. Okaaayy... gave me a chance to sit and people watch. And by people watch, I mean I watched people in shorts, jeans, t-shirts - not quite what I expected for BH for a $$$$ place on a Saturday night. But, to each their own, I guess. We finally get in, and the decor is gorgeous. We order a bottle of wine, head to the salad bar, start sampling the yummy rolls. Food is fantastic for the volume that they must prepare and serve. We didn't do Dine LA because we wanted the best cuts of meat - that was a good decision. Filet for the win! Where things went south was with the service. When we sat down, I jokingly told our server that I was part camel, and would be going through a lot of water. She laughed but apparently didn't believe me. (I'm breastfeeding - I drink water like it's going out of style!) We had no problem getting food... lots of meat, refills on the bread, chimichurri sauce. But as the evening went on, we saw less and less of our server. And that meant, less and less water for moi. I don't know what happened but by the time dessert rolled around, she had filled my water glass twice, and I drank all of my husband's water too. She either wasn't told about our special occasion or decided not to honor it, and honestly, by that time, I was tired of waiting, tired of constantly having to ask for water and not get it, and tired of being there. We just asked for our check (and more water) - 20 minutes later we got the check and no water and we were out of there. (Well, once we got our car from valet - another 20 minutes) It was a disappointing end to what started as a great night.
(2)
Jesse V.
What can I say!?? If you love meat this is the place to go. The quality is spectacular and well worth the money spent.
(5)
Keya S.
We love this restaurant. The food is amazing, the service is excellent and the prices are good for the quality of food given. I just wish they had more space as it can get very busy and even with a reservation one had to wait a while at times. I would definitely recommend this restaurant!!!! Parking should be free too ;-)
(5)
Brian A.
I feel like I am cheating on M Grill but this is a legit Brazilian steak house. Their picanha, garlic beef and rib eye was very delicious! You can try... But you will for sure fail at not trying to fill up on their cheese balls. All in all a great place. I would prefer m-grill over this place because Fogo does NOT I REPEAT DOES NOT have the grilled pineapple or corn cheese!
(4)
Lisa H.
We were recently here for a Yelp event, and, of course, the service was spectacular! The staff here is very friendly and ready to help with any questions or requests. We were first served some cheesy bread, and they were really good. Then came the polenta fries, and they were OK, nothing I would waste precious stomach space on though. The fried bananas, now, that's my favorite! The garlic mashed potato was very good also. As far as the salad bar goes, there's a lot of items there from cheese to veggies to salads to rice and beans. Overall it was pretty standard, nothing too special. I got the potato salad and I've definitely had better elsewhere. The chicken salad was good, but Copacabana down in Hermosa Beach has hands down the best chicken salad I've ever had. The scalloped potatoes were great. Now onto the meats: Picanha - their house special, very tender, but lacked a bit of flavor. My boyfriend and I both agreed that the picanha at Copacabana was better seasoned Top Sirloin - better and richer flavor, but the meat was too tough and hard to chew Bottom Sirloin - good seasoning like the top sirloin, except it's more tender and tasted better than the top sirloin Filet Mignon - great quality meat and oh so yummy! I had to get 2 servings of this one =) Garlic Beef - I love garlic, so I liked this one, except because it's "special" flavoring, the meat quality is not as good but it was still very tasty. Rib Eye - I think I had this when I was being overwhelmed by everything. I remembered it was tender and flavorful, but I definitely prefer the filet over the rib eye. Lamb slice - I had this before the lamb chops and it was soooooo good. The flavoring was amazing, so delicious, and it was perfect with the recommended medium cooking. Lamb chops - this is by far my favorite. The chops were so juicy and tender, it was so good and I wish I could've had more but it was at the end of the meal and I was already stuffed as it is. Pork ribs - surprisingly very tender and juicy though it didn't look like it on the skewers. Bacon wrapped steak - nothing special here, save your stomach for the better meats previously mentioned. Bacon wrapped chicken - yes, it's bacon wrapped and it was juicy and tasty (better than the bacon wrapped steak), but just take a small bit and go for the better quality beef. So after just an hour of stuffing ourselves with protein and we were sooooo happy to turn the serving card from green to red, the servers started explaining the desserts...I can't skip dessert ;) We shared the flan, which was very creamy and very rich, and I liked it more than other flans because of how dense it is. We also had the papaya cream and oh my that was delicious! It was like a papaya shake smoothie and soooo rich in flavor and I love papaya! The server came by with some special blackberry liqueur to pour on top to add in some flavor, but everyone at our table agreed that it was better without the liqueur, and it kind of took away some of the good papaya flavors that was there. Overall it was a great experience. Would I ever go again if I have to pay for myself, probably not. I remembered back 10 years ago Fogo was like $45/person and now it's $62! I just can't eat enough to make it worth it, but what a great restaurant and super wonderful staff!
(4)
Faustino R.
came at around 5:30 on a sunday,wasnt too crowded until around 7.I recommend coming on an empty stomach!you are served over 10 different meats in a row. The Brazilian house special is a must try! There were so many meats to try,I got tired of chewing and had to stop.this place is for meat lovers only! nice staff,wide variety of meat, and tasty food! #Five stars.
(5)
Luke L.
Came here for DineLA and it was a very pleasant experience. Fogo de Chão is probably the MOST popular AYCE Brazilian BBQ restaurant in Los Angeles and a well-known destination for UCLA students. It is so popular that Fogo just recently opened up a branch in downtown LA (located at the intersection of Figueroa St and 8th St). This is also one of the top five DineLA options because you only pay $50.00 for $61.50 (regular dinner price - not including dessert) worth of dinner, Beverly Hill has a pretty bad street parking situation and valet parking might be your best bet ($6.5). Even if you come here close to your reservation time, there's still a good chance of waiting additional 15 ~ 30 minutes. *Side dishes* #Pão de queijo (warm cheese bread) - Airy and fluffy, amazingly good. Way better than M Grill's cold and non-airy cheese bread. (5/5) #Crispy hot polenta - Tasted like French fries (3/5) #Garlic mashed potatoes - Very fine and smooth texture, definitely one of the best mashed potatoes I've had. (5/5) #Caramelized bananas. - Slightly too sweet, not my cup of tea. (3.5/5) Salad bar - Get jumbo asparagus and mushroom. Both were my favorites. *1st Plate* #Chicken with Bacon (Frango) - Tasted pretty boring and dry. #Garlic Beef - Garlic flavor wasn't very strong. #Sausage (Linguica) - A bit dry with a hint spiciness. #Picanha (Top Sirloin, House Special) - Juicy and tender, tasted better than M Grill's picanha. *2nd Plate* #Bottom Sirloin (Fraldinha) - Flavor was somewhat plain, but more tender and juicier than M Grill's fraldinha. #Rib Eye (Beef Ancho) - My least favorite meat. *3rd Plate* #Pork Rib (Costela de Porco) - One giant slab of pork rib. Very good, highly recommended. *4th Plate and 5th Plate* #Top Sirloin (Alcatra) - Dry, a bit too well done #Lamb (Cordeiro) - Not as good as lamb from M Grill. Flan (Vanilla and caramel flavored custard served chilled with caramel sauce on top, $9.5)- Tasted pretty dense ... a bit too sweet with too much caramel sauce. Personally, I think Fogo is slightly better than M Grill. M Grill has better flan, kale salad, and lamb. However, Fogo has better beef, pork, and side dishes. You will find higher quality of meat at Fogo. P.S. - Always tell gaucho chefs on your preference (rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well done). I typically just get medium rare (with the exception of lamb, which I would get medium).
(5)
Dana K.
Meat, meat and some more meat. Wait I don't eat steak so how did I end up here? In fact I don't eat red meat, pork, or lamb, just chicken, but even the chicken they serve is wrapped in bacon! The truth is I came for the yummy side dishes. They looked so yummy! This restaurant was participating in Dine LA where you receive an endless variety of different kind of meats, the salad bar and unlimited Brazilian side dishes for $50. The side dishes included warm cheese bread, garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas with your meal, and crispy hot polenta. I'm a sucker for some good polenta. My friend and I came here on a Friday night. We had reservations for 8:30, but when we arrived, they told us the wait was going to be 30-45 minutes long. There were herds of people everywhere and we were packed in the lobby like sardines. Cows in a cattle car...And since I'm not overly fond of veal and have no desire go Moo, it was hard not to be annoyed. We later found out that they had over 900 reservations that night and a huge group had remained longer than they were supposed to stay. That now made all the reservations behind. It was the last weekend of Dine LA so everyone was trying to come in. I ended up eating the salad bar for $32.99 instead of doing the Dine LA for $50. Since I'm not a meat eater, it seemed like a better deal, since you get the side dishes either way. The salad bar was good but because there was were a lot of people they continuously ran out of things ;the good stuff...Umm, JR, we seem to be out of the scallop potatoes again. The poor guy was working so hard to keep things refilled. After dinner we tried to order dessert. They were out of their 3 most popular desserts, which are the Flan, the Crème Brule, and the Key Lime Pie. Since those were the 3 we really wanted but weren't available, we ordered the cheesecake and some kind of banana custard. I'm not a huge fan of cheesecake but my friend loved the banana dessert. This place has exceptional customer service. From the hostess, to the waiters, to the general manager Vitor, we thought the service was flawless. Once I spoke to Vitor about the disappearance of some of our dessert favorites from the dessert tray, he made our visit 100% better by comping our desserts. Also I think if we came on another night our experience would have been much improved, so I'm going to give them another shot.
(4)
Pearl J.
I think I built up my excitement so much that when I finally got to try it, I wasn't as excited anymore. Took advantage of DineLA and the $50 dinner price. It included everything except for the leg of lamb and the filet mignon. Must try meats - picanha and alcatra, both top sirloin cuts Must try at the salad bar - shiitake mushrooms, spicy and sweet bacon, kale salad, and the charcuterie board They bring the cheese bread, the garlic mashed potatoes, and the polenta to the table. Didn't really care for the garlic mash, nor the polenta...they are just fillers, not worth the extra calories. The cheese bread was good, but cheese bread is always good. They also bring plantains, which is a nice sweetness to offset the flavors between meat servings. Service is impeccable...for this I give them 4 stars. They are very attentive and accommodating. The food was delicious, but at $50 for DineLA and $61.50 any other time at dinner, it seems a bit over priced in comparison to other Brazilian steakhouses that tastes just as good.
(3)
Amy M.
Came here during DineLA. I decided to come here cause I heard that you get your money's worth since its AYCE. It was my first time coming here & I was really looking forward to it because I've heard SOO many people rave about it. Upon arriving, we got seated right away because I had a couple of friends get there first & checked in our group. We arrived like 15 mins later than them after they gave them our table but at least they were nice enough to let us keep our table instead of saying the whole party had to be there. Once we arrived, oh my goodness there was A LOT of people waiting & all the tables inside seemed really close together. Anyways, onto the food. They had a really yummy salad bar, it's a little different than any other salad bar. There was grilled veggies, kale salads, smoked salmon, salami, pickled jalapeños, and a few other goodies. I really enjoyed it. So onto the meat & everything else, I'm not sure if it was because it was DineLA & it was insanely packed that the service and meat was not up to par. Service was lacking & it kinda seemed like the servers were a bit rude. It's also took long for us to even begin getting our meat & it took a while for them to come around w/ meat once we started. The meat was also really dry. I disappointed because it was my first time trying Brazilian BBQ & I heard about great & juicy the meat was here. HOWEVER, the cheese ball & crispy polenta was AMAZING. And we got a complimentary strawberry cheesecake for my friend for his bday. Also, there as a waiter that was rude to my friend & her guy went to talk to the manager & they gave us 2 free drinks on the house & also a $25 gift card to everyone at our table. I wasn't planning on coming back since its expensive but since we got the gift card I'll give this restaurant another shot & hopefully next time it'll be better. I'm just hoping that next time the meat will not be dry. I honestly do not feel like I got my money's worth. I would give this place 3 stars instead of 4 but the fact that they gave us 2 free drinks on the house and $25 gift card each person, that gave them the 4th star.
(4)
Jon T.
The best piece of advice I can give to you is to not go here during dineLA, i've been here at least 4-5 times prior to my trip there last night for dine LA.. my previous experiences here have been great, good service, good quality meat, everything was great! really a 5 star experience.. last night was a 1(maybe 2star) experience... we were sat promptly which was great (the line outside looked insane), we had a party of 7 and none of the servers were stopping to give us meat which puzzled us a bit.. i flagged down a waiter to ask him what was going on and he told me that they were supposed to give us a dinner plate to signal the servers to start serving us.. as to why we never got the plates in the first place? i'll never know! this delayed our start time by around 25 minutes already which was obviously not great..as the night went on the meat quality got worse and worse, dry, rough, way too salty.. just not what you expect from this place, i have no idea if it's because of the large amounts of people that were there due to dineLA or what but that's no excuse for such an extreme drop in quality in food AND service which was pretty damn bad as well and to top it off there was a guy going around introducing some new drink and he came to our table to speak about his drink.. after his speech he asked if we wanted to try some.. my girlfriend asked if it was free (since he never made it very clear if it was a sample size or a full size drink) he looks at her and says "nothing is free here" then he points to the drink she already ordered and says "just incase you didn't know that's not free either" WHAT THE HELL?! r u serious? needless to say i spoke to a manger immediately and he was kind enough to apologize and give us 2 of the drinks on the house and gave our whole table 25 dollar gift cards, which is the reason this is still a 4 star review or else i would be slamming this place to shreds... with that said, i did have very good experiences with this place in the past and i will give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they were hit with a large crowd due to dineLA and still give them 4 stars
(4)
Mo J.
I was very excited to go to Fogo since it had such great reviews. We had reservations for 8 pm and when we showed they still made us wait 30 mins. What is the point of having reservations when you still have to wait for half an hour? The food was not worth the price. The salad bar was sad. It had very little selection. Water that they served was warm. The meats are either under seasoned or over seasoned. With all this said I got food poisoning. Staff also need to work on their attitude. Specially with prices like this.
(1)
Melissa D.
Delicious! Great cuts and tasty flavors! I went here for dinela since my usual Brazilian bbq gave closes down ( rip libra). This place is expensive but for the quality, service, and location..I makes sense. The place was packed by 7 but they were able to somehow accommodate everyone. (Oh the hectic-mess that friday dine la night brings!) I would definitely come again to treat a friend or for a celebration Oh yeah. Parking is valet for 6.50 and a really long wait. But hey that's a small price to pay for avoiding the stress of finding Parking!
(4)
James T.
Short Sum: Wide variety of delicious meats, upscale atmosphere, attentive staff, potential difficulties if attended during DineLA On the last day of DineLA, my friends and I decided to head out to Fogo de Chao for (most of us) our first Brazilian barbecue. We anticipated long lines and large crowds due to the DineLA promotion - so we were surprised when the 20 minute wait turned out to be 8 minutes. We were seated promptly, but then soon realized our corner table was one of the most ill-located spots in the restaurant. Fogo de Chao's dining experience is a full service barbecue, meaning waiters scurry around with large slabs of meat and literally cut off slices and allow customers to pluck them off with small tweezers. However, they can only carry so much meat. Since it was DineLA, the restaurant was pack-crammed to the walls with tables and hungry groups (many college students like my friends and I). For us, it meant that the waiters often times ran out of meat before reaching our end of the restaurant, or forgot our corner entirely. Frustrating this was to our screaming stomachs at initial onset, but we were satisfied when an army of waiters came to us one by one in succession and proceeded to populate our plates with different types of beef. That day, Fogo de Chao boasted 15 different meats, with a salad bar and other side dishes (garlic mashed potatos, cheese bread, fried plantains, etc.). We manged to try around 7-8 of the meats (my personal highlight being the bacon-wrapped filet mignon). Along with the pipin hot fresh-out-the-oven cheese bread, all of our party was stuffed after an hour. The DineLA promotion was what initially attracted and drew us out. Our bill totaled to around $30 per person (including the tip). For me, it was hard not to draw comparisons to Korean BBQ: personally I'd rather have the latter. The meat was excellent and the meal satisfying, but I don't think I'll be taking a trip back to Fogo de Chao anytime soon. If you have an intense craving for meat (beef in particular) Fogo might just hit the spot, but I'd rather spend the money (less money too) elsewhere. Recommend trying once, return tripfirst there depend on how much you enjoyed that first time. Thanks for reading!
(3)
Brianna B.
We've been coming here a lot over the years and it has always been one of our favorite restaurants. One of the most delicious on Beverly Hills' "Restaurant Row," this place is very delicious, unique, and the service is GREAT. If you're a meat lover, you will love this restaurant. If you don't know what this restaurant does, I'll explain it to you, as it's unique and I've never seen it done by any other restaurant. At your table, you have little paper circles that almost look like coasters and that have a red side and a green side. If your circle is flipped to the green side, the many guys carrying around huge pieces of meat stuck through a giant skewer will come to your table, ask you if you would like whatever meat they have (which there are large varieties of), and then proceed to cut you several pieces cooked to your liking. If your card is flipped to the red side, no one SHOULD come up to you, but when my family and I went last night people still came up to us asking if we wanted the meat that they were carrying. Another nice little touch of this restaurant is the side dishes that they bring to your table: fried plantain, mashed potatoes, and some other sort of fried dish. They also bring DELICIOUS gooey cheese rolls and they keep them coming, constantly replacing them with fresh, warm ones. There is also a giant salad bar that offers a wide variety of delicious vegetables, cheeses, and deli meats. The people here are VERY nice and attentive. Last night when we went, the place was PACKED: there were a to of people outside, there were a ton in the bar and lobby, and there were even more in the main part of the restaurant. However, despite the hustle and bustle and cramped space, the servers were constantly checking in with us, constantly brining us new drinks or a meat that we requested. Some tips: make a reservation. This place is popular, and growing even more popular. Be prepared to eat a lot! Eating a light lunch and rarely throughout the day will allow you to get the most of your money, because this place has a TON of food. Overall, I really like this restaurant and definitely recommend it.
(5)
Hills B.
The food was DELICIOUS! And the waiting staff was polite and always kept the food coming.
(5)
Roy I.
Save your money! Went today for an office luncheon. DISAPPOINTED! The "market table" ( Buffett) was just sad. They had everything for lochs and bagels except bagels. All of the other salads would have been descent had they seasoned anything. But it was apparent they saved all of the seasoning for the meat. Some even a little to heavy handed. The staff though were great! If you want a private room, make sure they understand. My company had to walk through another company's event to get to our area. That also lead to a long line for the "market table". so save your money and LA driving headache and pick something else. Lawry's steakhouse is across the street.
(2)
Kira T.
This is a late review, but a review is still a review. I went to Fogo de Chao on Father's day 2014. It was packed, as to be expected on a "holiday". I heard about this place because I went to the one in Portland, Oregon, and thought my dad would really appreciate the excellence of food here. He is always complaining about a restaurant not having good meat. So, I thought this would give him something to talk about. Anyway... back to L.A.. Parking is valet so be prepared by bringing cash so you can tip them for it. Do not try to find parking because I did that and not only did we waste gas because there is none, but any parking that would have been available is metered. Once you go inside you can feel yourself becoming confident because of how classy the establishment is. They have the largest wine collection I have ever seen. The food was just as amazing as it was in Portland. The meat is cooked perfect. You will not get burnt pieces and if you order Medium- Well, it comes to you that way, unlike other steak houses. The appetizers are unique and delicious. They are continuously bringing these appetizers throughout your meal. The only disappointment I had was the salad bar...I realized that these stores are different from their other locations. The one in Portland had an amazing salad bar included with a large are for hot side foods, a variety of unusual vegetables and cheeses is what I remember. Also, the desserts are different...sad day. The Beverly location is not like this. The salad bar is very small, but it is also good. Just wish the structure of the salad bar was the same as the one in Portland. Needless to say, this place is pricey but oh so worth it when the meat melts in your mouth (get your mind out of the gutter :p) For 4 people I spent about ~$260. Totally worth it. TIP: Good place to take a date out to eat, or an anniversary. Enjoy!
(4)
Kelly Y.
The first time I decided to do Dine L.A.... and I was disappointed. Maybe I'm being too critical and expecting too much, but if you're going to pay $45 per person you should expect some pretty good customer service. To me the whole experience seemed very unorganized. I checked in with the hostess she marked my name. Then she started herding people in groups. To be honest, I don't think you really even need a reservation just come by when they start herding people by the amount of people in your group. The hostess told us to follow the crowd into the room. We weren't seated by any of the waiters. So my friend and I just seated ourselves. We sat there for a good 10 minutes waiting for someone to explain how the whole buffet thing worked. Everyone seemed to be getting plates and served water, and we were confused on why we weren't being paid attention to. It might have been the manager or one of the other workers who gave us plates, but no explanation or directions telling us to go to the salad bar. Luckily one of the waitresses came by and asked us if everything was okay. We asked her if we could have some bread and water to our table. She then explained how the whole buffet works and what to do when we want the meat-cutters to come to our table. The salad bar was your typical salad bar. Good selection of vegetables, dressings and toppings. When I got back to the table and the meat started coming by, that's when my vibe for the restaurant wasn't too bad. All the meat was tender, juicy and mostly medium-rare. The only complaint I have was most of the meats had too much salt. You definitely need to down that with their creamy mashed potatoes. The filet mignon wrapped in bacon was probably my favorite. I guess it's normal for all-you-can eat to all taste the same after a while. We finished our mashed potatoes and noticed other tables were being brought rice. No one brought us rice. We had to ask one of the waiters to bring us rice. The fried bananas were delicious. The only good thing about the service was probably our waitress, she seemed attentive at making sure we had water. We wanted to try the brisket, but the guy cutting kept bouncing to different tables (mainly the larger parties) and by the time we were going to ask him, he ran out. When we finished with our meal, we asked one of the waiters to bring the check. They cleaned our tables fast, yet forgot about our check. We waited a good 15-20 minutes and finally had to ask the guy who looked like he was charge of the area. He could tell we were not pleased. At least he brought the check immediately. For $45 a person, I've had better customer service at a $20 All-You-Can Eat BBQ place. I know it was busy and hectic week, but this was not my idea of a Dine L.A experience.
(2)
JJ V.
WOW...where do I start....we had dinner here and the food was and endless supply of quality meats and a complete salad bar (bottles of quality Olive Oil, including Sicilian) with everything, including a huge parmigiano reggiano wheel of cheese, just dig in. Service was Great!!! Lots and lots of food. We arrived at 5pm, when we left after dinner, the place was packed. I tried everything (and I mean everything) ... it was like an endless supply of the best. Only negative.....I ate toooooooo much !!! Yes, I would go back. I highly recommend this restaurant, just make sure you're prepared to eat and eat, non-stop.
(5)
Mike C.
Gotta say, quite disappointed in Fogo! First time here and will probably be my last. Not sure what happened, but I came here on valentines day to celebrate and it was not good. I do realize that there were tons of people that had reservations and they probably overbooked understandably to make more money, but this was not a good experience. I did arrive slightly late due to the massive traffic on la cienega, but they were still prompt in seating us. Waited maybe 30 minutes around a huge crowd of people waiting around. I didnt mind the wait too much. What bothered me was where we were seated. They pretty much squished us against the edge, with zero breathing room. It was hard for me and my date just to get out of our seats and navigate our way to the buffet area because people were so tightly packed next to our table. Couldn't have a quiet conversation in there because it seemed like the table next to us was dining with us. It was more like a 3 way triple date! I tried to disregard our seating position and focus more on the food that we were about to have. One by one the meats started rolling in and I was excited. That excitement quickly died down as meat after meat was full of disappointment. Mostly every single piece of meat i was served was over cooked. On top of that, very salty. The meat piled so high on my plate that my server asked if I needed a new plate. I was a little embarrassed because it seemed like I asked for more meat than I could handle, but that definitely was not the case. For around 70$ a person after tax and tip, I'm expecting really good quality meat. I don't mind shelling out the money, but it better be worth it. Honestly, I've had better Brazilian BBQ for just $15-20 a person. The lone bright spot in our meal was probably the cheese bread. Warm, fluffy, and cheesy. Very delicious. Worth $70? I think not. Oh and the buffet portion isn't good either, just a stomach stuffer, but not going worth eating. Will I be back? Doubt it. Also, only valet available and expensive. Around $15 I believe.
(1)
Gretchen R.
Dine LA, Friday for lunch. 1130am reservation for 6. already crazy packed, but we were seated right away. So loud that you couldn't talk to your table. More time for chewing, I guess. This time for Dine LA they decided to offer a limited menu of meats at the discount price. All the meats that I never eat when I go to Brazilian BBQ. sa face. This was unfortunate as the whole point of Dine LA is to get you in there so you enjoy it and return. If you only give me the crappy meat, why would I come back? Anyway, they did have the option of paying regular price for all the regular meat options, but then I'd just come back on a regular non-super-crowded day for that. We got like 4 types of sirlon, house special, bottom sirloin, top sirlon, etc. I realize that sirloin is a cut of meat I don't really care for. I prefer ribeye or skirt steak. I won't be returning to Fogo. I'll save my Brazilian BBQ eating for Vegas, where there's a Texas de Brazil which is fantastic. The salad bar is much better than Fogo's. If you go to TdB, make sure you try to sliced rib, you may have to request it but you can die happy after you eat this. Bottom line: maybe if I'd eaten the good meats like the sliced rib, ribeye, or filet I would have like Fogo de Chao.
(3)
Danny H.
You got me so wild How can I ever deny? You got me so high So high I cannot feel the fire at...FOGO DE CHAO! - Skrillex (promises) I was hoping for the Fogo de Chao experience (clearly the forefront of Brazilian steakhouses in the US with many locations scattered about) to be pioneering, but it really wasn't and I was a tad disappointed when all was said and done. We went during restaurant week on a weekday night and it was nuts. I imagine this is how it is on normal weekends and I couldn't believe how many people there were. The moment you pull into the valet, it's pure madness as there's probably more attendants than you can count with cars just lining up. Upon entering the restaurant, I checked in with the hostess and surprisingly, the reservations were prompt and despite the amount of people there, we were able to get our table in a timely fashion. I wouldn't even try to come here on a weekend night without reservations. FYI this place can get very loud since the tables are quite close to each other. It's fun with a bigger group of people but not ideal to take your significant other for a romantic dinner. Salad bar...where's the fruit? I was so sad - this was the worst selection of a salad bar that I've seen at a Brazilian steakhouse. I'd be surprised if anyone took a second trip because there wasn't much to want to try on your first trip lol I guess you're here for the meat anyways...which was disappointing overall. Usually when they brought over the meat, they have the medium version and the rarer version of each cut. There were several occasions in which they didn't even know which was which and gave us the wrong one. Honestly, it seemed like half of the servers handing out the meat were in a rush or sad. You would think that it would be nice if you put on a better game face for everyone hoping for a 'FOGO experience'! Our main waitress was really nice though, she helped us to start and getting drinks and dessert. Oh the dessert was good, I'd definitely give them thumbs up for that. If this was my first Brazilian steakhouse experience, I'd probably wouldn't be hyped in the future, especially when you think of FOGO as THE leader of the pack. Maybe it was restaurant week or maybe its just the Beverly Hills location, but something real is missing here and if this is a proper representation of the FOGO franchise, I'm done!
(3)
Ken N.
Meat eaters paradise ! If you love to eat meat you will love this place ! What a scene on New Year's Eve ! The place was packed , one of the bar tenders said to me that they booked 1300 reservations for New Years & at least 70% for large parties wow ! Well I have to say it was quite the experience there salad bar had everything you could imagine & they consistently were restocking to keep things fresh ! I like that ; ) ! But we really came here for the meat experience & we were not let down . They were serving close to 16 different meats & we could only try about half of them ! We both were blown away by the Picanha cut its the prime cut of the sirloin & seasoned & cooked to perfection ! Overall a great New Years experience our servers were top notch ! The only reason 4 stars is because it is very commercial & a bit overwhelming ! But I think most people would enjoy !
(4)
Itay D.
I use to eat meat and this was the best place. Their filet is great. I'm vegetarian now and I still go for the amazing salad bar . Wonderful service
(5)
Kat T.
DineLA Friday was the day I came. I believe it was the 2nd to the last day for DineLA. I had to try it out for the first time. DineLA and Fogo. I had to pop that cherry that needed to be popped!! I arrived to a crowded valet and a very crowded lunch time. Luckily we made reservations a week ago or it would have been a long wait. So here goes the WOW word! Front of Fogo entrance was a mass amount of Asian. I mean hello is this KBBQ or Fogo? But anyways I was home with my fellow Asians. So I went in and WOW more Asians. I am HOME!! I guess we Asians know when there is a good deal or what! So it took the hostess to sit us maybe 10 Min's. She really looked flustered. Hey I would also. So they took us to the back which was another room. And when I went in I was like WOW more Asians. My friend and I was super excited for our first time here. They started with "fried polenta, plantines, and mashed potato or well watered down boxed mash potato. ON the green card..... So the men come with beautiful meat & poultry. Wow!!! Cooked to perfection... but if you would like it cooked well they will do that for you. There was two times when 3 men came by and had wonderful meat. And then there was a time or a long period of time when all you can hear was my stomach from waiting on for the meat. It was like are you trying to make us full. Not this woman!! I'm here to eat what I can!! Lol! When you don't see what you want you just ask the waiter if they can bring out what you like. Which I did a couple of times. I loved the house special Picanha top sirloin oh so good. Then there is my 2nd 3rd & so on which are Beef Ancho, Alcatra, Filet Mignon, garlic beef ancho & lamb which was good but I'm not a baaaaa kinda person. Me Moo moo kinda girl. I saw the chicken and Parmesan cheese beef ancho. But they never got to our table. (Insert sad face) The salad bar wasn't WOW'd it looked good I didn't get much of the salad & cheese cause I wanted to fuel up on meat, fried polenta and cheese bread which is good. OFF red card (flip it)! I'm so full! I'm a happy camper... I will return here again! Meat cooked to perfection is just super duper YUM!! They know how to cook the meat, make you a happy camper and service is unbelievable awesome!! Make sure you make reservation!!
(5)
Javier O.
EXCELLENT FOOD AND SERVICE! We dined at Fogo de Chao twice, during Dine in L.A. week. My wife and I enjoyed the AYCE meat and a bottle of Alamos wine. We were so full at the end, it was hard to turn away the meat. I didn't enjoy each one, but there were so many I can't recall the ones I didn't like. You will just have to try it for yourself. The bacon-wrapped filet mignon was delicious. Come hungry!
(4)
Doki N.
Thsi place is amazing!!!! there are just no words to describe the great service,meat, and drink.... I die with Cheesebread!! This has been the best way to spend my hard earn money. You know that Saying "You get what you pay for" this is a great example, the prcy is high but the service and quality you cannot buy that.. Great place, if you love meat what are you waitign for drive over for a good meaty meal.
(5)
Erica G.
Underwhelmed for the money we spent. At first, food came at a regular pace but slowed down and then we found ourselves asking the waitress several times to get the gaucho to come to our table. Even then, it was tiny portions of meat. We got full because we filled up on polenta and rolls. Some of the meat was really good (the Picanha) and some was funky tasting (the chicken). The center bar area was packed nicely as well. Valet parking is disorganized and understaffed. we stood outside in a cloud of cigarette smoke for just over half an hour (not kidding) until our car came up. There was literally no other option for parking, all the streets were packed. My husband and I left not feeling well, and even felt ill on Sunday. One big plus was that a member of our party had a baby that just turned 1, and the lovely server brought us a lava cake for him. It was definitely the highlight of our night. I don't know if this was an 'off' night for Fogo, our friends rave about this place but we were not content.
(2)
Maria T.
Who wouldn't love slabs of meat being brought to your table over and over and over again? I sure did. The actual servers were on point, very polite, attentive and very informative. The salad bar was constantly being restocked with fresh items and I must say the meat selection and taste was superb. My only reason for not giving this establishment a full five stars is because the we kept on getting the same type of meat brought to our table over and over again. Not that it wasn't tasty, but when you give a girl options, don't expect that shes not going to want to try all of them. I would definitely give this place another try.
(4)
Diane T.
Meat..meat...meat..and oh, more meat. Finally got to try Fogo de Chao for DineLA! Came here for dinner $45 which is around $15 less than the normal dinner price. As expected, it was super busy, parking sucked, they did uphold our reservation, so not too shabby. Beautiful ambiance, closely packed tables...so not the best for private conversations, but not too bad. So... i've had this place bookmarked for the longest time and man was i excited to finally try this place. Let me just say a few things: 1.) If you love meat..upon meat..upon chunks and pieces of grilled meat.. then hallelujah, fogo de chao is the place for you. Let me elaborate... Fogo is a place for genuine meat loving carnivores that enjoy the natural juiciness and essence of meat. If you're not a super big meat person...then yea, maybe fogo really isn't the place for you. You're wasting your money to be honest. Unlike Korean ayce the meat here is simple.. maybe seasoned with a rub..but no deep marinade..it's just a whole lotta meat. 2.) If your card is on green..man be warned that they will keep piling that meat onto your plate until you beg them to stop or remember to turn the card over. Remember, red = stop! 3) A tad bit a of a disappointment, but the salad bar was sooo dinky. I was expecting a pretty legit salad bar but found that nothing there was that appetizing nor worthwhile.. save your stomach for more meat.. don't waste it on the mediocre veggies.. 4) If you do go for DineLA expect that if it's your first time..you should probably go with a friend that has been to a Brazilian bbq place before.. or else you would be very lost. For example..they have little tongs for you to use to pick off the meat as they're shaving it off the spits.. well me over here...had no idea..and was completely lost. Also... don't expect them to be patient with explaining the different cuts here.. During dineLA their main objective is just to serve and to move on. end of story. So enough of that, what are the cuts that you should try if you decide to do so? -filet mignon -ribeye steak -top sirloin -the one with the bacon wrapped around it -ribs! -if you like lamb, the lamb chops were pretty good..however if you dont, then their lamb is super gamey! Personally, the other items weren't really memorable in my opinion and to be honest after a while, everything started tasting the same to me.. the chicken was bleh, the sausage not worth the space, and the sides that comes along with the meal was just okay, So.. overall would I suggest y'all giving Fogo de Chao a chance? Yes..if you love quality meat I definitely would. Its once of those must try at least once kinda experiences that you simply can't skimp on. However, do know that if you're not fond of just pure simple meat..then you won't enjoy the experience too much. Also, as a tip.. make sure you avoid the surface piece of the meat..meaning the piece of meat that is slathered with all the spices/dressing/etc.. if you eat that, it will be salt overload and not too pleasant. Try to make sure that you get the inner cuts and you shall be fine. Also..if you're up for it, order the pitcher of sangria :)
(4)
Bradley L.
DineLA lunch? Best deal. Ever. We went on a Friday for lunch (the last day of DineLA actually), and if it wasn't for a reservation we definitely would not be eating there. The restaurant was packed and every seat was occupied. Even then, there was no moment when the salad bar had empty dishes, and the food was promptly refilled. There was a wide variety of selections from the salad bar, from smoked salmon to parma ham to salad, but who goes to a brazilian steakhouse for salad? (just kidding) There was a lot of variety of meat and there were some very outstanding cuts. The fillet mignon was very nice, as was one of the cuts of strip sirloin. Unfortunately it was pretty inconsistent as only the cuts which were closer to the center were better because they were less cooked and juicier, while the outside cuts were tougher. There were some disappointing cuts though. The top sirloin was chewy with no flavor and the garlic beef was (unfortunately) overcooked. The chicken was really average and the lamb rack fared barely any better. But if I had so many things to complain about, then why the 5 stars? Apart from the (mostly) high quality beef, one of the biggest highlights of the meal were the cheese bread. No joke, it's probably one of the best breads that I've ever had. It tasted like cheese but you couldn't physically see cheese, but it was so fragrant and chewy it was hard to imagine how they made it. With as many refills as you want, and I might sound crazy, but this was one of my favorite parts. As soon as I got sick of eating the meat, or got a bad cut, I took a break with one of these bad boys. The plantains also served as very nice palate cleansers, refreshing the mouth for another cut of beef or meat, and providing a much-welcomed change to bite after bite of meat. $25 for all you can eat with that kind of quality is seriously a steal, and I would make sure to come back to DineLA at Fogo in the future if they offer the same deal. Unless you're a vegetarian, or don't like beef, this is probably one of the best places you can go to just be happy. Forget about diet and just eat.
(5)
CK W.
I took a group of 12 friends here to celebrate my husband's birthday and we had a very merry time. It's perfect for large groups because everyone can eat what they want when they want. The group included non meat eaters who happily enjoyed the large spread at the salad bar. The service was solid. Good enough. They were very accommodating with the cake we brought. Honestly, the only bummer was the dated decor. I realize that it takes millions to renovate a space this large but it felt old and predictable.
(4)
Victor L.
We came here for dine la.... and so did a sea of other Asians/yelpers. Priced at $25 we all saved $10, which is a good thing because if we paid full price our haterade levels would be off the charts. I feel bad for the people who would come on a normal day and pay $28.50 for the all you can eat salad bar. It really is not that impressive. Other than the smoked salmon and maybe the sundried tomatoes nothing else was really all the memorable. I tried to go back to the salad back and I ended up going to my table with nothing on my plate. I went around and there was nothing amazing I would want more than once. Now for the meat. I had the same problem here that I had at Libra. I would advise you to finish whatever you have on your plate before you get more. Use your button wisely. Sure all the meat is cooked perfectly with a nice pink center, but put all together on one plate you can't really tell which is which. They all more or less taste the same and are very similar textually. The meats most memorable for me were the lamb and the filet mignon. The lamb because the gamey flavor made it unique from all the other meats. The filet mignon was amazing. It was thick cut and cooked medium rare. The meat was so soft and flavorful. If only I could have nothing but that I would be so happy. Don't think that can happen though. The meats I would avoid are the parmesan crusted pork and bacon rapped filet mignon. Really not that good. The bacon takes away from the filet mignon and the small pieces end up being cooked inconsistently. My friend had a piece that was rare. One notable good side dish is the cheese bread. Very fluffy and soft. Couldn't stop eating them. The service was very bad probably because of the dine la rush. We wanted to try the pork ribs, but they passed by us 3 times. We never got it. When it came to the bill it took more than 30 minutes and 3 waiters until we could pay. The only way I would come back is if I could get all you can eat filet mignon. I don't want anything else.
(3)
Adden K.
Service sucked! We barely got any meat. We were placed in a corner and it seems the servers were serving everyone but our section. We got maybe one person to come by every 10-15 minutes. I've been to other brazilian bbq and they would come by every 1-2 mins with different kinds of meat. Wife couldn't wait and just filled up with the salad bar since she was starving. There was a couple next to us and they didn't eat beef. They ate maybe 3-4 pieces of nonbeef items and left pissed due to the lack of service. They even complained and complained to the wait staff. Overall very disappointed with this place.
(1)
Debbie O.
NO grilled pineapple?!? This is an outrage!!! Blasphemy! Upon seating, my date and I were literally giggling like little school girls waiting for the onslaught of meat to arrive at our table. We were both SO excited to try this place, and we were ready. I suppose I could have prepared myself even better by starving for a day, but that just doesn't sound like me. This place is one of the nicest, classiest Brazilian Churrascarias out there. From the huge doors to the floor-to-ceiling wine displays, the decor itself is just very elegantly chic, and you can't help but feel like your at a high class restaurant here. I mean, you are paying a hefty load for food, but it's nice that the environment makes you feel special, too. For $45 during dineLA, you're definitely getting a deal when you eat here during restaurant week. First off, there were NOT 15 types of meat served last Sunday night. They gave us the menu to look at I swear there were only 11 types of meat on the menu itself. Huh? I realized they didn't serve the bacon wrapped chicken breasts, BEEF ribs, or the garlic seasoning of the top sirloin. What's more of an outrage is they don't serve grilled pineapple. What respectable Brazilian Churrascaria doesn't serve grilled pineapple?!? There's my reason for taking a star off. There's just no way I can allow myself to give a proper 5-star review for a place that's known for but doesn't serve my favorite dish in Brazilian BBQ. They do, however, have pretty legit cheese breads and a admirable salad bar. BTW I did find some pineapple in the raisin coleslaw, so it wasn't a completely letdown. The meats were overall quite tender and juicy. I don't consider myself a huge meat eater (although I could never be a vegetarian), but I do enjoy an orgy of meat every now and then. The only problem with that is all the meat start to taste the same after a while. Then you realize what a horrible mistake you've made and you'll have to pay for it with constipation the next day. At least that's what my doctor always tells me when I stop eating my veggies. Nevertheless, my favorite meats here were the Lombo (parmesean crusted pork loin), lamb chops with bone-in, beef ancho (rib eye), and the chicken leg was pretty juicy. The rest started tasting similar very early on. They have amazing thick cuts of smoked salmon at the salad bar, so I couldn't help but fill up on that in the beginning. Another thing they're missing, besides the all important grilled pineapple, is a fruit bar. It makes sense they wouldn't serve dessert at the salad bar, but I was really hoping for a few selections of fruit to eat after your meal. Overall, I'd say this is still one of the best Brazilian Churrascarias in Los Angeles, but Libra in Culver City has grilled pineapple AND creamed corn, which makes it one star better.
(4)
Tiffany C.
Came here for Dine LA. SO GOOD. I can't believe the meat is unlimited. Someone pinch me. Okay so not all the pieces were cooked to perfection, but over all I thought it was still very good. I got some salad, but realized that it would make me full so I put that aside. I liked how they keep replacing your mashed potatoes, plantains, and polenta strips. I ordered the limeade which was good. But their cheesy bread.. Omg. I should've snuck some out. They're unbelievable. And I say just pay the $5 and go to valet parking. Fogo de Chao is always packed, so make a reservation. Even with a reservation, you'll still have to wait about 15 or 20 minutes. Definitely coming back, but not anytime soon this place will make me fat.
(5)
Joe P.
Fogo de Chao (Fire on the Ground) is an upscale Brazilian churrascaria chain w/ several locations in the US. In addition to the traditional pao de quejo (cheese bread) and banana frita that most churrascarias serve, FdC also serves hot polenta and garlic mashed potatoes on the side. The bread was awesome!!! The pieces were larger than most places and pillowy soft: 5 Stars. On the other hand, the remainder of the sides were just OK: 3 Stars. I tried every type of meat except the lombo (pork loin), costelo (ribs) and frango (chicken). I had the signature picanha (top siroin), beef ancho (ribeye) alcatra (top sirloin prepared a different way), cordeiro (lamb t-bone, lamb chops and leg of lamb) and linguica (sausage). All of the meats were excellent quality and nicely seasoned. I had seconds on every one of the meats: 5 Stars. As my yf Al S. says, the sides were sorely lacking. You have to ask for feijoda and you don't receive any rice with it: WTF?!?!?! In addition, there was no sausage in the feijoda. There were no hot dishes like fish, clams et al, and no cold dishes like shrimp, and a wider array of vegetables, et al. In comparison, Greenfield (LBC and West Covina) has a huge salad bar spread in relation to FdC. Although Agora (Irvine) has a smaller salad bar compared to Greenfield, it has an excellent selection of cold and hot dishes in their "salad bar" compared to FdC. The four of us had different flavored caipirinhas. I had the coconut flavor and it was OK, nothing special: 3 Stars. Only two of us shared a dessert. We ordered the South American flan and it was pretty damn good!!! I am used to the Filipino homemade style of flan that uses a lot of condensed milk. The Filipino homemade flan is firm and heavy. FdC's version is very similar to what I am accustomed to and prefer: 4 Stars. The service was very good. We constantly had people attending to us, although it took a while to get the meat flowing. The ambiance is nice as well: 4 Stars. The two main reasons why I don't rate this place a 4 is because of the weak salad bar and the price ($60/head before drinks and dessert!!!). The other churrascarias I go to don't charge more than $45 for dinner. In addition, back in Brazil, churrascarias are very casual places and the pricepoint is more family oriented vs a splurge type of meal. Yes, this FdC is located in Beverly Hills, but I think there are better places for the price. I would be hard pressed to come here unless someone else was buying (as in this case), or if my imaginary gf (ala Manti Te'o) asked me to take her here - LOL!!!
(3)
Robert F.
Love this place. Great food, great service. Good quality meat and even the salad bar is fresh and tasty. Highly recommend it!
(5)
Matthew B.
I love Fogo de Chão so much, my wife and I got married there. Tired of mediocre food at weddings, we wanted our guests to experience an excellent meal, and Fogo de Chão immediately came to mind as the ideal solution. Dealing with the restaurant in planning the wedding went so smoothly that they made us feel like part of their family. Everything on the night of the wedding went off better than my high standards could have demanded. In addition to the food, this is what sets Fogo apart from other churrascarias: the top-notch service. I have dined at Fogo on numerous occasions, and at multiple locations, and my experience is always wonderful. From the service to the food to the ambience, it is one of my absolute favorite restaurants. Fogo is a standard rodizio-style churrascaria, so I don't need to elaborate on the setup. Their salad bar is large and high quality, but I go to fill up on the hot items, so I don't always walk up to the salad bar. Hot sides are brought to the table, and the standard sides are: pão de queijo (cheese bread), mashed potatoes, aipim frito (yucca fries), and fried plantains. While the pão de quiejo and aipim frito are exceptional, it is the black beans, rice, and farofa (seasoned yucca flour) that I load up on. These items must be requested. You will never run out of side dishes, as they are almost always replaced with fresh ones before you even finish the dishes. They serve a variety of meats, including the traditional picanha, pork ribs, chicken legs, lamb, and filet mignon. All are high quality, especially for an all-you-can-eat place. Unlike many other churrascarias, the meats at Fogo are always well seasoned. Churrasco is not synonymous with Brazilian food. Indeed, Brazilian cuisine is so much more than churrasco. I love eating other types of Brazilian food, but when I am craving churrasco, Fogo de Chão is where I want to go.
(5)
Angeline W.
I wasnt too crazy about this place. It's definitely for meat lovers, which is not me. You get cheese biscuits or rolls or whatever they are. They are so good! Ugh!! Not gooey cheese that looks fattening, but cheese that was baked into the texture. Its hard to explain. The service is always there. Like... None stop. Always polite of course since this is an expensive restaurant. The meat comes on swords! (in my perspective). And they slice off a piece for you if your green coaster side is up. I dont know. The meat seemed really tough and salty. I kept my red coaster side showing most of the time because i didnt want to eat the meat/sausage/chicken. I think there's 16 different kinds, in which the servers provide often as the circulate around the restaurant. The side dishes were caramelized bananas, mashed potatoes, and cassava? They looked like really thick french fries. Those were all pretty good. The salad bar had good variety... Smoked salmon, salami, pasta salad, and some brazilian items. The chocolate lava cake dessert is amazing!!
(3)
Vanessa F.
With skewers of varieties of mouth-watering game floating around its Beverly Hills grounds, this is the official Disneyland of Meat. Should be renamed Fogo De Chow Down!
(5)
Katie D.
I think out of all the DineLA place, Fogo is the best deal. You're essentially getting the exact same menu as normally at $13 off per person. Can't say that for anywhere else... I was very impressed by the decor. Enormously tall ceiling. The huge wooden door with a glass cutout of Brazil in the middle - love it! Inspirations for my future home? Drink specials were Capirinha's - surprisingly strong given they were a special at $9. I only had 2 and felt pretty nice. BF finished his 2nd way before mine, so the waiter came up and offered a 3rd. He was hesitating and the waiter said "you can't let her drink alone!" Ok we'll have a 3rd. Strong sales skills. Now the food: I definitely see through the strategy here. A great salad bar, kinda weirdly textured but still good tasting bread, sides (all carbs) that keep on getting replenished... Taste them but don't fill up! You need to keep your stomach empty to get your money's worth on the meat! =) Finally the meats: there's always at least half a dozen guys walking around with skewers at all times, but not everyone stop by your table every time they pass by (even though the green card is up). Not sure if they have some kind of system or not... The better cuts certainly come less frequently and we had to request a second serving of filet mignon. So TIP: if you want a specific meat, just ask for it. Best to worst: filet mignon (medium rare of course), picanha, garlic beef, chicken, skirt steak and lastly lamb steak. I actually hated the lamb, it was way too overcooked and tough. But i'll overlook it, because the filet mignon was that good. Yumm... No more room for dessert so can't comment on that. NOTE: 1 thing I'll mention now that I didn't like about the place: I think in they go overboard in their strategy of always keeping the side replenished... We weren't even half done with ours when the waiter took them away and replaced with brand new dishes. That's a huge waste and was upsetting to see so much food simply go into the trash. I was going to give 4 stars, but deducting 1 star here just for this - can't jive with wastefulness!!!
(3)
Jasmine S.
I came here on the first day of DINE LA ...gotta say i was more impressed by the crowd of people waiting to eat here than the actual meat on my plate...I lost count how many types of meat I tried, but overall, I didnt really enjoy the food much. There were a lot of fat and burnt parts, and I am a pretty picky eater, so I spent a lot of time cutting up my food before eating them. The only thing I liked was the lamb and sausages, but all the other steaks, they were okay.... We started off our meal with a plate of salad at the salad bar, I really enjoyed the mozzarella balls and the chicken salad, but I had to save my tummy for all the meat, so I end up only eating a little bit of each. While we waited for our table,(we made a reservation, but the place was a little chaotic since its the first day of Dine LA, so the hosts still made us wait for like 30 minutes before we were seated) we got a pitcher of sangria at the bar, and I think the bartender dumped half of a bottle of sugar into that pitcher...it was sooo sweet that I really didnt taste the wine or anything else. Hmm overall, I have to say it is not the best restaurant in Beverly hills, and I wouldnt come here to eat if its not for Dine LA...well, at least i get to checked this one off my LA food list :)
(3)
Darrell L.
I'd say the food was 5 stars! This was my first time visit and we went for lunch taking advantage of the dineLA pricing $25 for lunch vs $58 during normal dinner pricing. But... the meats were beautifully seasoned and grilled to perfection. Most of the wait staff were wonderful, but we had one REALLY snooty staffer that was a bit of an ass... He was a condescending jerk... I'll skip the long story... But, all the other staff were great. Salad Bar: I thought the quality of the ingredients was outstanding but it was missing fresh fruit and anything sweet. But what was there was so good! Grill: Loved the meats... the leg of lamb and lamb chops were great and usually I'm not such a big lamb fan. The cuts of beef were all so good and full of flavor. The filet mignon two ways, chicken two ways, sausages, sirloin 2-3 different cuts, pork, oh so good... the ribeye... the meat was surprisingly lean and not quite as tender as I was expecting but it had such a wonderful burst of flavor in my mouth! The grill meats were simply seasoned allowing you to really enjoy the taste and the flavor of the meats. Brilliant! I've been on a kick the last couple of years of making various French sauces for my ribeye steaks and it was great today to get a reminder of how simply delicious I find excellent quality, flavorful cuts of meat can be. I can understand why the pricing is as expensive as it is, but they do a great job with bringing out the table with lots of side dishes, how labor intensive it is and because the way the meats are brought out to the diners by the meat carvers, the meat is hot off the grill and you can choose how well done or rare you want your meat cooked. Loved it! I did manage to try every meat option on the menu and every last one was delicious! A wonderful dining experience. Oh, they do have desserts a la carte which will cost you $10-15 but they are so delicious! So, if you are a dessert lover, save a little room for dessert!
(4)
Tony T.
Alot of meat, I mean a lot of meat. This place looks great and have fast service. I love that they just non stop bring all the types of meat to your face. At the end of the night I was soo full I couldn't eat any more meat the next day!
(5)
Cindy L.
I just went here for DineLA yesterday for lunch. Even though we had reservations, it still took them 30 minutes to seat us. I guess it was our fault though, since our entire party was not present at our reservation time. Once we were seated, the servers came with meat skewers very quickly. I loved the filet mignon and prime rib. My friends really loved the beef ribs. The meat was flavored very well and it was extremely juicy. The cheese bread that comes with the meal is always excellent. My suggestion for this place is if you can't deal with crowds, you should not be coming here for DineLA. For $25, the meal was a steal, but I know that some people in there were getting angry. It is less crowded when it's not DineLA (although this place is very popular). Remember to make reservations. This is, after all, a Beverly Hills restaurant.
(5)
Natalie K.
When a restaurant has 1600 reviews, it seems kind of pointless to write any more but I just can't help it. I was so impressed that Fogo de Chao managed to get 4.5 stars with that many reviews. A restaurant like this surely has to be the best, right? Well, unfortunately I didn't get that 4.5 star experience. I made a reservation on OpenTable for dineLA at 2:30pm. Our table was not ready and we were asked to wait over 30 minutes. I noticed that they put my name on the list when I checked in and had us waiting behind other parties. What is the point of a reservation if you're going to have to wait anyway? We sat at the bar and ordered a pitcher of sangria. It was too sweet but I liked that they put a lot of small fruit pieces instead of big chunks. The sangria was quite delicious and would have been perfect if they didn't add as much sugar. I heard that their limeade is famous and I saw over 50 glasses went out from the bar area while we were waiting. If I return, I will definitely try it. The salad bar was just okay. They were running out of some items and there were quite a few empty plates. I would skip it next time except for the charcuterie piece. They had really great cheeses and prosciutto along with big thick pieces of smoked salmon. The table spread has sweet bananas, mashed potatoes, fried yucca, and cheese bread. Don't fill yourself up on it although I love the bananas so much I ate it all. There are 15 types of meat. The table's favorite was definitely the garlic beef. I preferred the picanha and the sirloin myself. The meat was cooked perfectly. Everything I got was medium rare except for one piece of overcooked beef. I skipped the chicken and pork. The sausage isn't that great. It was too dense and didn't have good flavors. The service was just alright. Our waiter introduced himself and then disappeared. I don't think we ever saw him again. We ended up just asking random people who came by for things we needed. Meat didn't come by very often or everything was gone by the time they came around since we sat in the corner. Things were drastically improved when one of my friend complained to the manager. They started coming by so often. We paid $25 per person for a late lunch for dineLA. It's a great deal since it was my only meal that day. I couldn't eat anymore after that meal even if I tried. Valet parking is $5.50. I would just suck it up and valet rather than try to find parking somewhere.
(3)
Alison N.
I'm usually not that picky, I swear and I know everyone else LOVES and swears by this food, but my experience was not the best. Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE protein/carnivore, but even with the restaurant week discount, I didn't feel that this place was worth my $60+. I started out at the salad bar, and was really disappointed by the options. The website claimed to have brussel sprouts and lots of yummy veggies, but I didn't really see that many options besides salad. Also, uh, maybe it was b/c of restaurant week, but was super surprised that there weren't ANY fruit options? The hot salad bar sides were okay looking, but wasn't going to waste my appetite on them...so we went back to the table. At the table, the waiters would often skip me and some of my friends b/c they were in an awkward middle place and it was really crowded, but still. Also, it was hard to understand what meat was meat, so at one point most of us just had a huge plates full of some sort of beef. I tried the bacon wrapped chicken at the end and it was disappointed. Lamb came by once (luckily, I don't like lamb...so I wasn't too upset)..but I wanted to try all of the chicken options. The food was salty from the beginning and water was not refilled often. The only saving grace were the sides brought to the table, i.e. cheese bread, garlic mashed potatoes, and plaintains. We did have a large party (10 people?) but still, there were other parties that had the same amount of people who looked like they had a more attentive waitstaff. I think the LAST straw for me was the fact that AFTER they ignored one of my friends multiple times even after he made eye contact and flagged them done AND had his green card up (the whole time, I might add) - THEY TOOK AWAY HIS FREAKING PLATE AS HE WAS STILL EATING. WHAT THE HECK...,?!?! So long story short, DO NOT COME ON RESTAURANT WEEK but if you do - try to have smaller parties, and SCREAM AND SHOUT and let the waiters know what you want, cuz god knows the service sucks and can't deal with the crowds. I doubt I would fork out this much money again, but only time will tell.
(2)
Ehren B.
Great food but we had a reservation for 730 and had to wait 40 minutes for a table. How does that work??
(3)
William B.
Awful. If you make a reservation you will still wait a minimum of 30 min. Wtf?!?? It's a reservation people!
(1)
Alex K.
Amazing. All you can eat perfection. Meats of every kind, incredible service. Solid drinks. This is a great place to bring your manly man for his birthday dinner! Prepare for extreme meat sweats -- you've been warned! I would come here for the salad bar alone. Definitely try the bacon wrapped chicken! I got to try one of every meat they offered, least favorite was the lamb but it wasn't terrible. Check this place out, I cannot wait for the one in San Jose to open. I'm totally sold!
(5)
Maggie C.
Five stars for the cheese bread. I know people say it's stupid to fill up on bread at an expensive all you can eat Brazilian grill, but the cheese bread is the best thing I have had there. In fact, it's the best bread I have ever eaten. The quality of the meat is top-notch, but if I have to choose I prefer a ribeye at a steakhouse. The spices and seasoning of Brazilian barbeque kind of overpowers the meat in my opinion.
(4)
Edouard S.
Meat Lovers Paradise! I've been here way too many times and have unfortunately overdosed on it..Yes it is possible..I haven't been to any other Brazilian places like this but it would be hard to find any that top it. The restaurant itself is HUGE, and it can get extremely busy. Where to begin..You walk through the giant two doors and greeted instantly by polite and helpful hostess. I recommend making reservations at peak dinner hours, especially on the weekend. The staff here will remember you and greet you every time and provide exceptional service..They have a nice bar and sitting area if you have to wait for a table which is always nice. Moving on, the moment you sit down, you stand right back up and take a stroll to the salad bar..I highly recommend getting some greens in you because you're about to overload on meat and its nice to balance out a little..But if you're trying to get the most bang for your buck, save the room. Their salad bar has pretty much everything when it comes to salads, already prepared or customize your own..They do not rush you and let you enjoy your salads..Once you are finished they clear your plates and bring you fresh ones and set a bunch of side dishes(the cheese bread puffs are amazing).. Flip it green and enjoy, I've had almost everything here except the lamb(not really a fan of lamb)..The house special and the chicken are my favorite, followed by the bottom. To each their own here, it's all good just comes down to personal preference. You can request anything and eat all you want. You can request the way you like you meat. Stuffed but not done.. No matter how stuffed I am, I always have room for the dessert..They have several delicious ones but what I stick to is one that makes me feel better after eating what I feel is an entire cow..The papaya cream, I like to mix it up with the strawberry papaya..It is not only refreshing but makes you feel a lot better after that overload of meat. I generally bring my office here to dine or friends, never on a date for obvious reasons. There is no option other than salad bar or meat/chicken. It's definitely the place to go in a hurry and wanting to eat right away but never rushed. It's not a cheap dining experience, expect to dish out roughly 100$ per person with drinks.
(5)
Raz R.
Lunch. The place itself nice organized, we came with no reservation and were welcomed in very fast. One thing about the place which very annoying, it was very dark. If it was evening I'll get it, but it was 2 pm and it feels very weird. They have a big rich salad bar which is fresh and contains veggies, cheeses, bacon & bread. It was nice but nothing really unique or special. We were told they have 16 different kind of cuts and meats. I didn't get 16. Most of the cuts were over done or sliced to thin, when I got to eat them they were hard and cold. The best cuts I had: top sirloin & Bottom sirloin. We also got 3 sides to share: Mashed potatoes - didn't try. Deep fried polenta - over fried, served cold. Fried banana - banana?? For main course? I'm not a banana fan so... Wasn't for me. Nice ambience, rich salad bar & few tasty cuts but still Not 35$ worth (for lunch, 55$ for dinner) Drinks & desserts are not included.
(2)
Gary C.
The best Brazilian restaurant in Beverly Hill , very pricey but you won't regret it! However, be aware of your coin or expensive stuffs in you car, those valet parking driver is not discipline, they steal my friend's coin at lease over $8 dollars and they still charge $5.50 for valet parking! Except valet parking issues, everything is perfect!
(5)
Jonathan B.
First of all let me preface this by saying there are very few places I can take my wife without having her complain about something-fogo de chao is one of them. From the unbelievable service, to the delectable meats and quality salad bar, this place has won me over. It is, as a matter of fact, where I asked my wife to marry me. (I took a knee and everything!) Garbriella used to work there as general manager and she knew us both by first name. I think her twin sister has taken over charge (forgot her name) but she also recognizes us whenver we reserve a table and she does a stellar job as well. Favorites on the menu include: pichana, top sirloin, garlic beef, beef ribs and the piece de resistance a imported "tres leches" cake. Reserve a table here once, and you WILL become a regular!
(5)
Karl K.
Classy holiday dinner, but hide your blazer from sloppy servers! ------------------------- I was fortunate to have been invited to celebrate a holiday dinner with our affiliate office. We reserved half the banquet area in the back. Had not been here in a while (since my Philly days), and I will say it was a mostly pleasant dining experience. For starters, our affiliate office team leader brought a case of Merlot from his family vineyard. Not gonna lie to you, that was pretty Ballin! Notes of earthy complexity and hints of oakiness... Oh forget the pretentious adjectives. It was really good wine! The salad bar was very well stocked with high-end ingredients, including smoked salmon with capers, Belgian endive, sun-dried tomatoes, and prosciutto. I had to remind myself not to fill up on this excellent (yet space-occupying) spread. Now, on to the meat of the discussion. The meats were well seasoned and cooked by the gaucho servers. Glad to see they still offer bacon-wrapped filet mignon, bottom round, top sirloin, and tender lamb chops. Had to keep the red card up for most of the dinner so that I could actually enjoy what I was stockpiling on my plate. BUT - in their haste, as the server sliced up a piece of bottom round for me, a few droplets of sizzling fat/blood spattered onto my shirt sleeve. Not the end of the world, I thought. I'll go to the bathroom to wash it with soap and water (and roll up my sleeves). But guess what I saw when I came back? You guessed it, another big fat oil droplet on the collar of my wool blazer. WTF?! Were you trying to serve my seatmate across the table or something? Sheesh... Off we go, for an unanticipated trip to the dry cleaners. Small piece of advice - see if they offer coat check. Or wear a washable jacket. Or ask for a dining poncho.
(3)
Annabelle K.
I've been to many a Churrascaria, but almost none of them compare to the quality and diversity of the cuts here at Fogo de Chao. As far as the meats go, I believe their quality and the number of different cuts is almost second to none... another great being Texas de Brazil (closest location to Cali is Las Vegas). COLD/SALAD BAR - 3/5 I was a little disappointed with their cold salad bar. There isn't as much selection as other places I've been to and not all of the ingredients were of the highest quality. My favorite salad/buffet bar is Agora Churrascaria in Irvine. HOT SIDES - 3/5 Their hot side dishes were also mostly just okay for me. The CRISPY POLENTA STICKS I could have done without, they lacked in flavor and were just crunchy filler. The GARLIC MASHED POTATOES were actually pretty good and full of garlic cheesy flavor and were smooth and creamy. The PAO DE QUEJO (cheese bread) was very cheesy, but a little tough for my liking. Lastly, the FRIED PLANTAINS were actually really good. They roast/grill it so it is super tender and it has tons of cinnamon sweet goodness on it. YUM! a great counterpoint to all of the other savory salty dishes and meat. SERVICE - 5/5 The service here is impeccable. The staff work as a team, so although you may start with one server, whenever you need anything they all work together to get it done. The gauchos are all very fun to talk to and will joke around with you and be playful. It just makes the experience that much more enjoyable. Some of them are pretty easy on the eyes too :D The manager came by at least 2 to 3 times to make sure we were doing well and enjoying ourselves. The service here really is the best out of all the churrascaria places i've been to. MEAT - MY FAVORITE CUTS - 5/5 (all requested mid rare) BEEF ANCHO - cut from the prime part of the ribeye... full of flavor due to being well marbled, melt in your mouth tender, the meat really shines and the flavor is just wonderful PINCANHA - my all time favorite Brazilian cut prime top sirloin. it had an amazing fat cap around it and renders as it cooks and blankets the meat in fatty goodness. AMAZING! ALCATRA - special Brazilian cut of top sirloin similar in texture in flavor to Picanha FILET MIGNON - super tender and melts in your mouth, perfect seasoning They have 16 different cuts of meat and several cuts that are specifically Brazilian. They all have their own uniqueness and flavor. I generally avoid having any chicken, lamb or sausage because that just means i have less room in my tummy for my favorite cuts :) Do yourself a favor and definitely try the ANCHO and PICANHA when you go. You won't regret it! TIPS 1) try not to fill up too much on sides and salad bar. you'll have less room for the meat, which really is the star of the show. save room! 2) you can request any cut of meat you want from any of the gauchos or servers and let them know how you want it cooked and they will bring it to your table when it's ready. they all communicate with each other very well and make sure you get exactly what you want 3) get a little bit of meat at a time. if you're like me and you like your meat warm and tender then get a couple cuts to start and then turn your card over to red. this allows you to enjoy the meat you have and then once you're done turn the card over to green and in seconds you'll have gauchos all over you wanting to cut you more meat. my friend didn't listen to me and filled her plate with 7 or 8 different cuts and they all got cold, tough and yucky :( 4) Parking is pretty much valet only unless you want to park far away and walk. it is $5.50, not including tip, so make sure you bring some cash with you.
(4)
Forby H.
love and love and love their food
(5)
Bobby C.
Only 3 stars but I'll explain. Came here for the dine LA restaurant week. The food was damn good. The salad bar is exceptional with wheels of fresh Parmesan, mozzarella balls and totally top notch appetizers. The meat was very good but at the price I would only come on a deal like Dine LA or a Groupon. The place inside the Farmers Market at the grove is a tenth of the price as almost just as good. Pacanas in Burbank is also a way cheaper alternative.
(3)
Stephanie H.
Upon arrival the valet guy didn't wait for us to stop our car before we got out (He tried to open our locked doors 3 times...WTF?!). There was a million people waiting out in the front...it was a mission to get inside. I made dinner reservations for two at 9:00pm...However, the host informed me that there would be a, "40 minute wait or less". The hostess was telling this to everyone at check in (loved seeing everyone's reaction). We were totally aware that its DineLA so, whateves we patiently waited. As I observed in the waiting area, there was a lot of screaming and commotion going on...hostesses were trying to find parties to seat them and people were impatiently pacing back and forth into the bar and back outside the restaurant. For a fine dining restaurant, I'm wondering if there's a more discrete way to alert people their table is ready...like maybe a pager? Anyways, 30ish minutes past and we finally get seated. Every server in the restaurant seemed to be in a rush (and for a good minute I thought I was sitting at a dinner buffet in Vegas lol). I could barley understand what our server was saying to us when we first got seated because he was speaking so fast...(I had to ask him to repeat everything a second time). Anyways, on to the food...I really enjoyed the smoked salmon at the salad bar. I didn't explore much of the salad bar because I wanted to leave room for the most important part. IMO, the meat was mediocre and inconsistent...some were yummie, some were salty, and some of them tasted the same? =/ A few of the meats listed on the menu apparently didn't make it to us? Cheese bread was cold...mash potatoes was not seasoned well. The table arrangements were so close to one another which made the dining experience very awkward because you can literally hear everyone's conversation from the side, front, and back of you. For the price tag of this restaurant, I was expecting a more quiet and intimate dining experience. It was total opposite...space invasion and chaos everywhere. Servers were running and weaving in and out to serve everyone their meat. Dinner for two came out to be about $100. I really don't think the price reflects the dining experience. To top this off, after dinner we picked up our car from valet (the valet dude drove our car out recklessly with the music blaring...just wow). We drove about a mile when we realized the radio was um not working? Apparently some shady person had stolen the antenna off our car. We called Fogo de Chao right away and calmly explained this situation and they immediately became defensive. They didn't express any type of remorse (no apology, nothing). Instead, the manager of Fogo De Chao specifically told me to to speak to the Valet manager and he made it clear that their restaurant has nothing to do with the valet service..So, I called the Valet manager and he did not believe that anyone would want to take my antenna...in his own words "Why would anyone want to take your antenna...they are working?!". He told me that there's no way to check the surveillance tapes at this time and the earliest would be Monday. After arguing back and forth...I finally decided to hang up because he wasn't going to help me handle this situation. DineLA or not...who would have thought that an upscale restaurant would be so rude to their customers and partner up with a such an unprofessional valet company to park people's cars. I wont be coming back!!!
(1)
Elica Y.
Fogo de Chao is my all time favorite place to get some delicious Brazilian BBQ. PARKING: Valet. It is $6.50. The place gets packed and I really wonder where they keep all of the cars.... FOOD: Delicious. From the cheese balls, to the salad, bar, and finally the meat, all are phenomenal. The cheese balls (I know that's not the correct name) is served piping hot and is an excellent way to start your feast. They have a subtle cheese flavor but these things are absolutely addicting. What's so great about Fogo is that they constantly bring out new breads, mashed potatoes, plantains, etc. to your table to make sure you are consistently eating the freshest and warmest foods. Then, you go to the salad bar where there are the freshest and most delicious kinds of vegetables, cheeses, charcuteries, etc. It is so hard not to over indulge at the salad bar because everything is so good. I try to limit myself to just one plate but it is so hard.... If you are a vegetarian, you can only get the salad option as well and it is significantly cheaper. As for the meats, all are seasoned perfectly and they are all super juicy and tender. All of the servers explain what cut of meat they are holding and all you have to do is get out your tongs and get the meat to your plate. My favorite meats here are the garlic beef, bottom sirloin, and filet mignon. Fogo seriously has so many different kinds of meat from chicken, to lamb, to even sausage. I highly recommend you try a little bit of everything. DRINKS: They have a fine selection of wines too. Their wine menu is pages and pages long. I honestly get lost sometimes because there are one too many drinks but the servers are all very knowledgeable about their wines. SERVICE: Great! Although this place can get slammed pretty quickly, they have a huge staff who is able to talk great care of all of their guests.
(5)
Jenny C.
Fogo de Chao is a meat-lover's heaven. As an authentic Brazilian Churrascarias, gaucho chefs expertly grill fifteen different cuts of meat. Along with the amazing food, the service style lends itself to being a unique, amusing and pleasurable dining experience. Once seated, our server went over the basics of table service. Each of us was given a round placard colored green on one side and red on the other. Similar to traffic signals, flipping to the green side signaled to servers that we were "go" for service. When we felt like taking a break, we needed only to flip the placard to the red side. Within seconds of turning over to the green side, the first of about a dozen servers hovering around the restaurant with oversized skewers of grilled meat arrived at our table. Next, the server carefully carved his offering, pausing at the correct moment to allow us to reach for the meat with our miniature tongs. I expected the pace to be slow and steady, finishing one offering before moving on to the next. Instead, for as long as our placard was flipped to green, it was more like a swarm of bees homing in on our table. One by one, servers made their way to our table, often before I even had a chance to try the last cut of meat. Before I knew it, my previously lone piece of Picanha was surrounded by Costela, Frango, Lombo, Linguica, and others. My boyfriend, a natural-born meat eater, was giddy with excitement. Each cut arrived sizzling hot and cooked to the perfect doneness. Each cut was melt-in-your-mouth tender and bursting with flavor. Among the dizzying assortment of meats, my favorites were the Picanha and Garlic Steak. As if fifteen types of meat wasn't enough, our meal came with fried polenta chips, carmelized bananas, mashed potatoes, and Fogo De Chao's legendary cheese bread. There was also a salad bar carrying an assortment of fine cheeses, cured meats, and vegetables. At $60 a person, the price may be a deterrent for some. I was somewhat anxious myself. However, after dining here, I feel the price was completely reasonable considering the unique dining experience, assortment of cuts of meat available, the expertise with which these cuts are prepared, and the wide array of impressive side dishes and salad bar items.
(5)
Christina L.
It's hard going to a Brazilian restaurant after you've been to Brazil...but in comparison to other AYCE Brazilian steakhouse in Southern Cali, I've had better. Their service is definitely above par, but I walked out really disappointed in the food, therefore it's not worth throwing in the extra 1 star. I came here with the in-laws for my brother-in-law's bday. There coaster system is easy...green means "GO! More meat please" and red means "STOP! I need a momentary break." When you are on green, they won't disappoint...my plate was always filled. Here's the breakdown: In my opinion, the best cut of meat they offer is the Picanha (the house specialty). It's delightfully flavored and hits the spot. My second favorite would be the Cordeiro- leg of lamb version. The juices flowed through the piece of meat and was well seasoned. I didn't enjoy the Cordeiro- lamb chops version much (and I normally LOVE lamb chops). The chops had a lot of fat on it...which I am not use to. The other types of beef (Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon, Alcatra, Fraldinha and Beef Ancho) were nothing special. The Lombo pork loin never made its way around and I skipped on the Linguica pork sausage. The Costela de Porco pork ribs and Frango (bacon wrapped chicken breast version) were really dry, in my opinion. They did have beef ribs, which I didn't see on the menu, but the slice I had was really fatty. As for the salad bar...the high end options (such as fresh hearts of palm, sun dried tomatoes, smoked salmon, fresh buffalo mozzarella, sliced steak tomatoes, pickled bell peppers, green olives and tabbouleh) are nice, and the freshness is appreciated, however the number of items were disappointing. Out of the items that were placed on the table, which included fried polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas and cheese bread (pao de queijo), my favorite was the fried polenta and bananas. For the birthday boy, he ordered the molten chocolate cake. For 10 bucks, that's a rip off! It was barely enough for 1 person. Luckily they comped it since it was his birthday. On the same note, they don't sing happy birthday...just bring out the dessert with a candle. Note: if the birthday person doesn't order dessert, they will bring out their house flan with a candle, but if the birthday person does order dessert, whatever they order is comped. Overall, it's not worth coming back for $60 per person (not including dessert and drinks). Tip: If you only want the salad bar, it's $30 a person (but it's not worth the $30). If you are going for the first time...try all the meats first, then the salad bar. If you start with the salad bar, you will fill yourself up and won't have room to try the different meats (and the meat is why they are charging you $60 a person!)
(3)
Darryl B.
very nice place but a bit over priced. great for business meeting where u get to write off the business expense but want to impress clients....
(4)
harold b.
The Rolls Royce of Brazillian churascaria's! The lamb is my fav meat here and I don't even like lamb!! Yes it's that good! Don't fool around going to cheaper Brazillian restaurants. The side dishes could be improved upon. My advice is to skip a meal before dining here to get the most bang for your buck. Also, lunch is a better value than dinner. Always enjoyable.
(4)
diana m.
lots and lots offff meattt!!!!!!!!!! there are about a variety of 7-8 different kinds that range from pork, chicken, beef the BEST IS THEIR HOUSE-SPECIAL!!! yummmmy! for the price you pay of about $80/person, it's worth it if you can eat up A LOTTT! and def for the ambience and also the experience of a brazilian steak restaurant!
(4)
Tony Y. Jr. Y.
Fogo de Chao or "fire from the ground". Well, call it what you want but make sure you dine at this restaurant. I'm not sure where to begin, other than be ready for a feast of meats in this fine restaurant. As you arrive on the parking lot, simply allow the valet to park your car, at a low cost of $5.50, and proceed into this fine dining establishment. My friend and I planned to come here and, let's just say we didn't plan poorly, as this dining experience is memorable for all the right reasons. Chef de cuisine was certainly present at Fogo de Chao. After we were seated, a gentleman approached our table and gave us a quick rundown of how the restaurant operates. Basically, if you want to order the meats, simply turn the card, on your table, over to show green, which indicates to servers you want more meat. Simply turn the card to red if you don't want anymore meat. Also, you can take advantage of the salad bar, which boasts of vegetables in brilliant hues. My friend made a salad that looked so good, I almost wanted to make myself a salad, and I don't even like salads. As for the meats, Fogo de Chao provides the finest grades and cuts of meats. We devoured everything from picanha and filet mignon to frango and beef ancho. The servers simply sliced the hot and tender meat at the table and you can have as much as you want. In addition, we were brought some of the finest cheese bread, known as páo de queijo, which was served hot and consists of parmesan cheese. Also, we were brought side dishes of polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, and some carmelized bananas. The food at this place is unquestionably phenomenal! Not only is the food phenomenal, but the service is most unparalleled and unforgettable! It's been a long time since I've dined in a restaurant and received service of this magnitude. Though we paid $60 per person to dine here, it was truly a worthwhile dining experience. All of the workers in the dining room provided the utmost service to all diners. Repeatedly, there was someone at our table making sure we were pleased with our meal and the service. There's not much more I can say about Fogo de Chao, other than just go and experience it for yourself.
(5)
Caro P.
Great service, great meats, great establishment only one thing, they don't serve pineapple on the skewer! Which is a must have at a Brazilian Bbq restaurant! At least in Brazil!
(5)
E. G.
MEAT LOVERS HEAVEN - If you want to impress someone that is a MEAT lover, bring them here, a little pricey but so worth it. It is a meat eaters dream (YES I'M A MEAT LOVER) unlimited Meat, sides and salad bar. The salad bar have variety of options and they bring you 4-5 different sides. The meat is tender and the waiters where very polite and informative about the meats/food over all. NOTE- If you are taking some that doesn't eat much, waste of money!!!!
(4)
Christine N.
All you can eat is not my favorite. It's pre-prepared food that goes around an entire room and then served to you. And on top of that, you don't know how long it's been since they actually cooked it. Or if they re-cooked it. Or if it's going to be cooked enough. 4.5. But I round you up, Fogo, and not because everyone else in the world loves you, but because my experience here was beyond fantastic. Scene: boyfriend has completed the MCATs. I am extremely proud. He is proud of me for being patient. Everyone is proud of everyone. And after all the proudness is shared, we realize that we have had an extreme lack of protein in our diets for the past few months. EXTREME. In comes Dinela. It's the one time that both our unemployed butts will go and dine like we've got money. And Fogo? Well, we both haven't been here. And we're both hungry. And it's $28?!?! Mother father. We got seated. Our waiter came and gave us water, explained the concept, and zoomed passed all the information. Literally zoomed. He talked so fast, I don't know if I got everything. He asked if we were celebrating anything, and I just shouted how he took his MCATs (it's the bragging girlfriend side of me, sorry). The salad bar. Holy eff. This is like Vegas buffet come to Beverly Hills. There's everything. Jalapeños, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, salad, cheese, olives, potato salad, fruit salad, green beans... I could literally eat from the salad buffet alone. I think that's their trick. Turn the card to green and the meat will come to you. We got champagne and got every piece of meat that came our way. The sirloin is absolutely the most memorable piece I had. It has a nice seasoning with a really juicy bite. I want to go back for it. The lamb was beautifully cooked and tasted really light and not gamey at all. The rest of the meats were good, but those two were worth mentioning separately. Instead of getting the courses here for Dinela, you just get the entire Brazilian steakhouse experience. Would I go back? Unfortunately, I'm a short asian girl that can't get $55 worth of meat down my throat at once. But for Dinela? Hell yes. This is what made our experience great. First, they will bring you wha you want to eat. You don't have to wait for it, people. Just ask! Everyone's really happy and nice. Then, we were about to leave when the hostess ( we were there around 1:30 and lunch closes at 2... I think most people had left by then) brought us a dessert that said "congratulations" around the plate. I was so so so shocked and impressed by our waiters generosity. I really did not expect him to do that for us. I was just being the annoying girlfriend who thinks her boyfriend is the best in the world! But he was gone. So hopefully, we can go back and thank him because that literally put everything to the next level. Oh and the dessert was flan. Holy frick can you say delicious? We're both not huge fans, but I think I am now. It's creamy, thick, and a perfect sweet to the end of a meat filled meal. Meat on!
(5)
Amy N.
Came here for restuarant week. Best 68 dollars spent (on food)! The food here is immaculate. The salad bar was great, very fresh and lots of selection. The cheese filled bread rolls are amazing! I dream of them still till this day. Very prompt service as well. The minute I turned my card green, the waiters were already at my side and carving big, beautiful slices of meat onto my plate. The meat is cooked to perfection (medium rare) but you can request how you like them done. My favorite is hands down, the PICANHA. For the quality and cut of all the meats, the price is right on par.
(5)
Al S.
I took clients to this Fogo not long after they opened. And being in an American-Brasilian family, and having a wife who's family is in the food business in Brasil, and who cooks and bakes traditional Brasilian at home, our perspective is a bit different. In a nutshell, I see Fogo as serving some of the best quality meats, but sorely lacking in their salad bar offerings. And even within our group of Brasilian friends and family, we argue as to whether a churrascaria should have a large salad bar. I say yes... but many of my friends say that when they go to a Brasilian BBQ, they are there for the meat. I agree with them, but have to remind them that for many, like me, "setting up my plate" is critical for taking in all that protein. My minimum is a thin bed of rice, some flavorful black beans (garlic and salt to taste), Brasilian salsa, called "vinegrette", and farofa de milho. From there... I can temper my larger intake of high quality meat. So, without re-writing my more recent Fogo, Las Vegas review, let me say that the salad bar at US based Fogo's is one of the more limited I've seen for a "high-end" restaurant of this type. And for me, the proper balance is high quality meat, (which Fogo does provide), coupled with a complete salad bar including warm entrees, (which Fogo doesn't have), and THE BASICS........ rice, black beans, vinegrette salsa, farofa and pao de queijo and banana frita... all at the buffet bar area, not "doled out by forgetful gauchos!" I actually had to ask the manager at the BH location for rice and black beans. Being a Brasilian, he apologized... and said, "We quit serving it because the Americans didn't eat it." That's why it should be at the buffet tables... duh. So...... Great meat, which is typical for Fogo, but only adequate salad bar. And as for the service? Each Fogo is different. I've never been highly impressed at any Fogo. Usually, the servers I've encountered were over-worked, and service was either "feast or famon." Great service is a medium tempo... not being bombarded, which happens when the kitchen can't provide a "steady supply" of meat. Only great churrascarias have consistent, and well timed servers. In my opinion, that's the challenge of all Brasilian BBQ's. Fogo is OK... but when you're in Brasil, Sao Paulo or Rio for most, visit the Fogo de Chao there. You'll definitely see some differences.
(3)
Natalie K.
First off, Don't come here hungry. Don't come here if you are on a diet. Don't come here if you are vegetarian. Come here if you love meat. The meat is excellent. It's not the usual crappy buffet meat. This place serves steakhouse quality meats, all you can eat! With that in mind, this place is a bargain. First off, the cheesy bread is good (be careful not to fill up on this stuff) The garlic beef and the beef ribs are two of my favorites.
(5)
Bill G.
A group of five of us ate there 12/19. We had reservations for 9pm, and when we arrived we were told we would have to wait 15-20 minutes. When we were told our table was ready, the hostess thought we were 2 people, so it took more time to get another table ready. Once seated the food came fast. The salad bar area was very plain, and the side vegetables were OK, but not a lot of options. The meat was good. Everyone at our table was done, but I wanted more chicken. After about 15 minutes and several waiters asking what I wanted, they brought more chicken wrapped in bacon. Around 10:30 they started to close the restaurant. We felt rushed to finish. We ask about desserts. The female waitress told us that they were out of three desserts. My wife ask for molten lava cake and the waitress said she thought they were out of that as well. She brought out the desserts and said that they were out of lava cake, but she gave my wife another chocolate dessert. When we received our bill, we were charged for 7 people, and the chocolate dessert we didn't order. I told the waiter that we were only 5 people. I didn't fight them on the dessert because we ate part of it. I am giving the restaurant a low rating because of making us wait, not being organized, rude female waitress, and messing up our bill. I would rather go to a place that has a better selection, and you don't feel rushed. If you want to close by 11pm, then have the last seating at 9pm.
(2)
Imomushi H.
Food was good. Service was good. I want to give 4 stars to this restaurant. Unfortunately I have got stolen something left in a car while we were using valet parking. Be careful for not leaving anything valuable!!! Restaurants does not take responsibility the issue occurred in a parking. Manager of valet parking has never picked up my call. What a high cost lunch and sad experience we had.
(1)
Nancy L.
We dined here last night to celebrate my Daughter and her boyfriends Mom's Birthday. The meat was great. Very flavorful. It was an experience. Service was top notch especially since we had a party of 9. Pricey but well worth it.
(4)
Julie L.
My first impression was, "My favorite animal is steak." Wasn't the first time I've used that line, but Fogo de Chao is definitely the place to hit up when you're craving meat. I first encountered this haven of red meats during one of my outings for dineLA. We've always driven past it on La Cienega Blvd and it was our day to indulge. I first walk in, and I notice the seating was a bit cramped. But then I'm soon distracted by the lavish decor of the place. Seated, the friendly waiter describes the menu and we are on our way to the salad bar...the grand salad bar...gives me enough reason to come back. If you want variety and the most excellent choices of sides, this is it. I adored the fact they serve a unique salad bar with aged cheeses, prosciutto, and some of my favorites like artichoke bottoms, sun-dried tomatoes, smoked salmon, and jumbo asparagus. The sides are marinated to perfection. You can taste the freshness of the greens and the natural flavors of the cheeses. The most sophisticated salad bar I've ever experienced. Back at our table we are greeted with a pleasant surprise: our sides. So delicious: pão de queijo (cheese bread, I wish I had more room in my tummy for more), crispy hot polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, and my favorite, the caramelized bananas. Then comes the meat extravaganza...one server after another brought their skewer of meats to our table. My favorite was the filet mignon of course, and the cordeiro (lamb). The seasoning was simple and not overpowering at all which featured the natural flavors of the meat. Tender, medium-rare, and juicy describes all of their 15 cuts of fire-roasted meats. The filet mignon melts in your mouth, and I don't mind eating just the filet mignon for my choice of meat the next time I'm there. The service is friendly, accommodating, and they will happily bring you your requested choice of meat if the servers happen to miss your table. I understand the complaints of some of these following reviews, however, the luxury of a grand salad bar, delectable sides, and mouthwatering meats comes with an extravagant price. You can't expect to get a deal on a diamond, so if you really are complaining, you should just take initiative during the next round of dineLA or better yet, during their lunch prices. (+) Tip: Their lunch menu and dinner menu is the same! Yes, you heard me right, so it's a great time to take advantage of that. (+) Another Tip: Since there is a smaller crowd before dinner hours, you're also likely to get better service and the gaucho chefs will be stopping by your table more often than during dinner where you'll have to wait for your choice of meats. (+) Silly Tip: That card on your table that looks like a coaster? Wrong, turn it to the green side to signal the gaucho chefs, "I want more meat!" Turn it to red to signal, "I am stuffed and had enough." (+) Date Tip: This is probably not the place to go on your first date. It gets pretty rowdy and loud, and the crowded ambiance doesn't help. Your date to Fogo de Chao should either be your hungry man friend, your hungry girlfriend (who you've dated for awhile and is not afraid to REALLY eat in front of you), or your other friend that is a serious, certified carnivore. The lasting impression? "Fogo de Chao is on top of my list for Brazillian steakhouses in terms of overall exquisiteness. So much I might even have to date a gaucho chef so that I can afford going there all the time!"
(5)
Ken C.
If you haven't had Brazilian BBQ, here's the deal: You go to the table and you take a seat. You can then go to the salad bar to load up on your first course. Once you're done with appetizers, you can get the meat at any time. Each person has a card with a red and green side. If you flip your card to the green side, you "green light" chefs to walk up to you with meat. Once you have enough meat, flip your card to the red side and the chefs will leave you alone. I went to a Brazilian BBQ place in West Covina and I wasn't impressed. This is simply a different level. Everything here is great quality. I loved everything here. Here's a snippet of what I enjoyed: Salad Bar: Definitely have a salad. Keep it simple, but don't forget to add their sundried tomatoes, their aged parmesan, and their roasted red bell peppers. Add them to your salad to make something truly amazing. Selection of meats and cheeses: At their salad bar, they have a nice selection of dried meats and cheeses. I really liked their Proscuitto, their fresh mozzarella, and their cured salami. Sangria: The red wine flavors are distinct, but the fruits in the drink made it awesomely sweet. A pitcher is enough for 2-3 people and will run you $36. Cheese Bread: This is so awesome. My friends and I took a bite into it when it was straight out of the oven. After my friends bit into the bread, they both literally went quiet, they closed their eyes, and they took a deep sigh of satisfaction. Feeling like Harry in "When Harry Met Sally", I, then, immediately looked to the waiter and asked, "excuse me, can we have some more?" The bread is shaped like a muffin, but it's deceptively light and airy and the cheese flavor is baked into the center of the bread to give it a flavor that's just right. It's so good. Eat it while its hot. Then get some more. Costela (Ribs). The ribs are tender, flavorful, and lightly seasoned. I love Texas style BBQ ribs, but it's nice to have perfectly cooked baby back ribs w/o sauces, for once. Linguica (Sausage). Casing has a really nice snap to it. The meat is extremely flavorful and warm. It's really, really good. If I were a cow and if I had four stomachs, then I would have had more of this. Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon. I think this dish is only available on Friday and Saturday. I really liked it. Eat it as soon as it hits your plate. When the meat and bacon are still warm, this is really awesome. Picanha (Top Sirloin): Must have item. Well seasoned. Juicy. Great meat quality. It's well-marbleized, which makes this so flavorful. After I was done with this, I sat up tall and I raised my hand like a schoolboy to flag down the chef serving this, so that I could get more. Caramelized Bananas: They're simply prepared, but they're good. Cost for lunch is $34.50. Dinner is $56.50. A pitcher of Sangria is $36. If you choose to have dessert (we didn't), it'll run you around $10. Valet parking is available and it's $5.50. This place definitely puts a dent into your wallet, but it's a great experience. The staff is extremely courteous, the meat is top quality, and all of the side dishes are amazing. It's not something I'd want to do with regularity, but I'm glad I was able to celebrate there with awesome company!
(5)
Jasmine C.
Disclaimer: I wouldn't personally pay to eat here because I can't eat that much, and it's $$$$! hahaha First of all, CHEESE BREAD. You can't go wrong. I must have eaten 5 of these as they kept being replenished in front of me. They don't even taste really like there's cheese inside, but they're soft fluffy savory puffy rolls that almost just melt in your mouth when you bite into them. I wish I could have taken a dozen home...but my figure probably would hate me. BRAZILIAN LEMONADE: uhm, can I say AMAZING? Fresh and foamy with some kind of creamy sweet milk mixed in, this is probably the best lemonade I've ever had. SALAD BAR: I wasn't that impressed actually. Or maybe it was overhyped for me. The vegetables are definitely fresh and beautiful though! I should have realized that the point was to piece together everything to make a salad (bell peppers, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, cheese, etc.), but I got to the greens last and the lightbulb went off too late. haha. The salmon pieces are really salty, so be aware. The aspargus was really good and so was the bamboo with the green pesto sauce. MUST get the green pesto sauce. There's a fruit/mayo mix salad too and I actually went back for more of that. I thought it was potato salad the first time I saw it because the apple strips look like potato strips! There's pineapple buried in it too. The taboulleh (sp?) is good as is the other diced veggie mix next to it...maybe my experience would have been better had I started with the greens, but I didn't really have time to go back to try again =P MEAT: they come around with the meat on giant skewers and ask you if you want it. I liked the filet mignon, the house special (albeit a tad salty), garlic beef, top sirloin, and probably something else...there was so much meat on my plate that I was sharing with my friend that I got confused. The bacon wrapped chicken is okay...and the chicken legs tasted like they were marinated in some kind of wine. Pretty good, but not my favorite. The experience was pretty good though, but I really couldn't eat that much. =( Couldn't try everything haha DESSERT: Papaya creme: this is REALLY good if you LIKE PAPAYA. If not, then just forget about it. haha I liked it because I can tolerate papaya taste and it was very cold/refreshing/light. =) Flan: very dense and rich and drenched in caramel...decadently good. Chocolate mousse cake: too rich for me...only if you're a hugeee chocolate cake lover, I think you'd like this =) Again, I'd never personally pay to eat here, but if someone else is paying...heyyyyy why not? :) pretty restaurant too! PARKING: they have valet parking in the lot (but it's tiny)...a couple streets over there's street parking available, but you just have to walk about a block. Be careful though; make sure you're parking on a street that doesn't say "Parking by Permit" :]
(4)
Thia G.
Okay seriously... this place doesn't impress me, especially considering the $$$$ price rating. The salad bar is very good, the meat is okay, but really, I wouldn't come here if I were paying. Of course, the few times I did come here, someone else was paying, in which case I might have given them 4 stars, but in all honesty, I much prefer a good steak dinner over this place which would cost either less than or about the same as this place. The only meat I like here is the rib eye and the sirloin... and I think I would prefer a huge slab to myself as opposed to small slices that dry out and get cold. Desserts are pretty good, very rich and thick flan, pretty good chocolate mousse cake, and personally, I would avoid the papaya dessert. Cheese bread is good. So is the lemonade. Will only be back if it's not on my tab...
(3)
Normalyn N.
Came here for Father's Day with daughter, hubby and both of our dads. The men are all big meat eaters and Fogo de Chao did not disappoint. An upscale Brazilian BBQ restaurant with Beverly Hills prices to match ($50 per person for Father's Day brunch). They had every possible meat selection but my favorites were the picanha, rib eye and filet mignon. I did get a couple of cuts of meat that were VERY salty (end pieces). But for the most part, the meats were tender, juicy and flavorful. The chicken wrapped in bacon was disappointingly dry, however the sausage was very tasty. There was also pork tenderloin, ribs, lamb and more, but I got too full on the delicious beef cuts to really bother much with the rest. The side dishes were good but nothing spectacular, the true star of the meal of course was the BEEF. On the table there was a basket of cheese bread and plates of garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized plantains and crispy polenta (all unlimited refills). The salad bar items were fresh and veggies a good offset to the hoards of meat we consumed. Of the 3 desserts we ordered, the flan was my favorite. Perfectly sweet and SO silky smooth. The raspberry cheesecake was beautiful on the plate but taste was just OK (part was still frozen). My dad-in-law and daughter shared a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and practically licked the plate clean. Oh and I really enjoyed my literally HUGE glass of sangria, probably the best I've tasted at restaurant in awhile (next time getting a pitcher!). Overall not sure if I can say the food justifies the price, but I guess that depends on how much you eat. We paid Father's Day brunch prices but the regular dinner price here is $60 per person (drinks and dessert not included). So make sure you come to this place hungry! One great surprise, at the end of the meal all THREE "Dads" at our table were each given a complimentary gift card good for one free meal at Fogo! Very nice! Not sure if would come out of my way to eat here again as I'm not a huge fan of buffet, all-u-can-eat places (and the hefty price tag). I don't mind spending on a nice meal but would rather spend that kind of $$$$ at a Mastro's or Lawry's type restaurant. But the free gift cards are definitely an incentive to come back to Fogo for more meat (and sangria)!!
(4)
J. D.
Hate to be the one person with the 1-star review, but... I came here for my 6-months with my gf. Food tasted great and all, left full and satisfied, but... My gf and I both got food poisoning from here. That night we were taking turns going to the bathroom, with major stomach problems. Puking and run-downs. It was terrible. I'm sure we're one of the very few that experienced something like this from fogo, we think it was something from the salad bar. We really wanted to like this place...oh well. Hope your experience is better than ours!
(1)
Henry H.
When I'm in the mood for meat, I come to FOGO. It is by far the best Brazilian BBQ I have been to. I'll do a play by play of my last few visits. 1) I arrive. The valets are quick, each time they park my car and make sure I don't spent much time waiting. 2) The outside waiting area with the small fountain is nice, and their large, wooden main doors are classy and inviting. I have had to wait a few times, but with reservations never more than 15 minutes, I'm always very happy about this. 3) I go inside. Their decor is very nice, definitely a south American vibe, but very classy. They have plenty of space with easy access to the salad bar. 4) We order drinks. They server generous amount of alcohol. Drinks aren't why you come here, but it's good to know that they don't skimp in the liquor. 5) I go to the salad bar. The salad bar is no joke. I tend to not "waste my time" on the veggies, as the first few times I got too full on veggies, bread and cheese to thoroughly enjoy all of their meats. The salad bar is always fully stoked. They have quality deli meats and cheeses, fresh mushrooms (shitaki as well as button), sliced grilled bell pepper (my favorite) as well as all kinds of fruits and breads. Their prosciutto is particularly tasty and their salmon is very fresh. But again, you don't come here for the salad bar. 6) Sides arrive: They serve friend plantains, which are standard. Good, but maybe just a tad bit dry. The mash potatoes are very tasty, and the polenta was crispy, very tasty (I don't usually like polenta). 7) Bread arrives: I am never at my table when the bread arrives, and I've never tried it. I'm too preoccupied with the salad bar, sides and meat! 8) Main Course: MEAT!! The quality of meat here is top notch. My favorite by far is the filet migon. Juicy, medium rare, can't be beat! Also, all you can eat portions are simply wonderful!! I am also a huge fan of the different types of picanha (top sirloin), it's usually pretty dry at most Brazilian BBQ places, but it is always well cooked here. Their lombo (pork loin) is a little salty but I really like it. Their beef ancho (rib eye) is also VERY juicy. I order all of my meats medium rare (except pork which is only cooked well done). Their chicken and sausage are tasty, but I don't usually spend much time on these. Also, they wrap bacon around most anything, I can't say how much this make me happy. 9) Dessert: I have tried nearly every dessert here. The flan is particularly tasty, however, do the right thing and get the tres leches cake, you don't regret it!! 10) Bill: I usually go in a group, expect to spend $75-100 per person ($100 if you get a drink and dessert, $75-$80 without. It starts at $60 but tax and tip as well as valet gets you to $75 -$80). Overall an excellent place, I will definitely come back!
(5)
Cheryl N.
Best Brazilian steakhouse! Food and service are excellent! Every time we took a short break from eating someone would come to our table and ask how we were doing and if we are enjoying our food. It was overwhelming but I appreciated the great customer service. I did feel somewhat self conscious to eat a lot but I eventually got over it. I like to think I got my money's worth. It is pricey but it is in Beverly Hills. My favorites were filet mignon, sausage and bacon wrapped chicken. All were very flavorful and the chicken surprisingly tender. I would definitely come here again for a dinner date or a family dinner. If you don't mind driving around, it is possible to find street parking or there's valet at the restaurant. I personally don't mind the walk to burn off all the yummy food I ate.
(5)
Annika Jo L.
I was here with my husband and some close friends for a birthday celebration. I've been to many Brazilian churrascarias and this the best! The pao de queijo is delicious, as is the fried polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and fried plantains. People always say to skip the salad bar, but I cannot go to a churrascaria without getting hearts of palm, artichoke hearts and the delicious shaved parmesean out of the giant parm wheel. I ate the thinly sliced parm with the polenta and it was a perfect addition to the many different meats that came around. Now, I can't tell you exactly which meats we had because there were a lot. It was a Saturday night at 8p, so they definitely had all their meats out. I tried everything but the skewers that had lamb. I just don't like lamb. My favorites were probably the bacon wrapped filet, bacon wrapped chicken, rib eye, top sirloin (both alcatra and picanha), parmesean crusted pork, okay, so pretty much everything but the beef and pork ribs. Those were just okay. One of the managers came to our table to see how we were doing and she explained to us that each gaucho that came around with the skewers were the actual chefs and the meat that they carried around were their specialities. It was so interesting to know why they were so quick to come to each table and fill our plates with meat! They each cook the meat they bring out and serve, so they want the meat to be hot when it comes out; however, since meat continues to cook even after it's been removed from a heat source, the longer it takes them to carve and serve, the more the meat cooks, so they have to be aware of which tables like medium rare, medium, well, etc. and hurry to the rare and medium tables first. Everyone at our table likes our meat medium, medium rare, so they were coming by one right after another. At one point, there were three chefs at our table at once. They brought out a tres leches cake for our friend's birthday and that was also really good. The only things which other churrascarias have that I wish Fogo de Chao had are rice, beans and bread crumbs at the salad bar; but I can order that separately if I really want it next time.
(5)
Kristina K.
We were invited to Fogo for a friends birthday on a Saturday night, and had no idea what the place was before hand. (With that came the sticker shock at the end!!!!!) The cuts of meat here are beyond amazing.(except the chicken, which I usually like; here, no so great.) So many different cuts of meat coming at you at a rapid rate! PACE YOURSELF! (Although I left my coaster on green the whole time so I could try a little of everything...) If you are a vegan or vegetarian, don't bother coming here! You start with the salad bar...what a crazy experience that was. It was like an eating contest; everyone races up and there is no distinct line formed or any direction...a little haphazard but the choices were awesome. Big chunks of Parmesan cheese, fresh salami....fruits and veggies, chicken salad...I would have been fine getting just the salad bar and would have if I'd seen the price tag before! I think it was around $30 for the salad bar alone and $60 for the salad bar and meats....granted it is unlimited but one can only eat so much. I think for $60 I should have had a full filet Mignon AND a lobster tail and side dishes!...I was VERY disappointed with how much it ended up being, especially since we were not warned at all by our friends... The atmosphere was a little cafeteria-esque and VERY loud! I couldn't truly enjoy much because it was so crazy and you have servers surrounding you or walking by you at all times. If I were to spend $60/person at a dinner I would likely not come back here...I am glad I got to experience Fogo De Chao but I've had better experiences. Maybe if I wa eating carbs I would have a higher rating as everyone was raving about the cheese bread.....? Hint: Get your salad bar stuff and ask for an extra plate for your meats. I shared a plate with the boyfriend but it made it easy for the servers to cut meat on that side plate!
(3)
Nayri Y.
it was my first time,i was with my boyfriend..such a nice place and foods!!
(5)
Mike H.
This is the second one of these I have been to. Once you turn on the green, there's no stopping the meat onslaught. You won't leave hungry, that's for sure. The variety of meats is impressive. Salad bar is above average. Overall, good, but pricey.
(4)
Barbara W.
Go for lunch, you get more bang for your buck and the place is almost empty! :-) Dinner the price doubles and you get a choice of 3 or 4 extra meats. TRUST me you won't miss it. KEEP the money in your pocket. This place is ALL YOU CAN EAT. If you are a meat lover you have just met your heaven. EVERYTHING is cooked with such great flavor. You get a "stop" and "go" card. As long as your card is on green for "go" then you will keep getting meat. If it's red, they will pass you buy. DON'T fill up on any sides...just eat the meat! Lunch is almost half off by the way ;-)
(4)
Luke S.
Fogo has the best food I have ever eaten! I went the other week with a few of my friends and this was hands down the best dining experience ive ever had. The salad bar is good, and use it as a warm-up because you will be eating meat non-stop. All of the meat is phenomenal and I couldn't stop eating until my body physically could not take it any more. You need to eat here, there is no better all you can eat food place than Fogo.
(5)
Ed K.
Yes Fogo is chain churrascaria with multiple locations throught the US and Brazil, but it is good, and still one of the more popular Brazilian BBQ joints in Los Angeles. Given the posh La Cienega location, a mere hop skip away from restaurants like Lawry's Prime Rib, and Matsuhisa, one might expect a night out a Fogo to be a bit of an extravagant, overrated, experience. In some ways, that's not entirely far off the truth. Sure while the all-inclusive price of $70 is a bit steep, it is still all you can eat, so that's worth the price, right? In my younger years I would have given a bregrudging 'yes' but being a little older, a little wiser and perhaps a little less healthy, I am not so sure anymore. Given that, I don't really seek out places like Fogo on a regular basis, but I have eaten twice here during dineLA's restaurant week where they offer the same all-inclusive meat & salad bar access PLUS creme brulee dessert for the low price of $44. Of course during these weeks, the bargain seeking carnivores come out in droves, myself included. Enough of my soapbox rantings, the restaurant itself; Once you step inside diners are greeted with a dark, semi-casual ambiance encouraging a minimal dress-casual attire. While waiting for a table you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink at the bar in the ante-room. Once entering the main dining area, the hard-to-miss salad bar spread can be seen off to the right, which includes a nice array of cold/hot items, not just vegetables & greens, but many cold cut meats served almost charcuterie style. While some may consider the green bar as 'distracting filler' I still believe in a little balance to offset the abuse of stuffing 20 lbs of red meat into my system for the next hr. Appetizers at the table include their fantastic fresh baked cheese bread, friend plantains, grits and polenta. The dizzying array of grilled meats all come served on skewers and cut to your desire and hunger. With most of the meats being of a comfortably safe array of cow, lamb, pork and chicken, it's hard to find a cut of meat that won't meat your tastes. Some of my personal standouts include: Picanha (top sirloin) - go for the heavier garlic seasoned variety, perfect with this cut Filet mignon - which comes either bare or in bacon wrapped varieties, the cuts always came out juicy that lovely rare. Beef Ancho (ribeye) Lombo - parmasean coated pork loin. The combination of cheese crust and pork gives a taste that stands out from the cow entries and one of the fave. For those interested in an over-the-top carnivore fest, it's hard to go wrong with Fogo. While I wouldn't take a date there, it's still good for families or special occasions like birthdays if everyone wants to dispense with the fineries and just eat a lot of meat.
(4)
Linda T.
The tyrannosaurs-rex from within came out to play! Wow, so much yummy meat. We went during dine-in-LA week, and it was about $10 cheaper than usual, which was nice. Still came out to about $126 for dinner for two and a bottle of malbec. We skipped the salad bar, come on thats not why we were there! The side dishes were good, but we also tried not to eat too many of those, my fiance didn't like the cheese bread balls, but I thought they were delish. But lets get to the star of the meal, the meat! OH THE GLORIOUS MEAT! So yummy, we tried it almost all but the beef was our fave, esp. the bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon. Ahh, my mouth waters just recalling it. There were other delicious cuts, but I don't remember the names. The service was good, not stellar, but very polite and would come pretty often. The people with the meat didn't always pass by us, which si why I took one star away. At first I was like, ugh where ARE THEY! I guess it was pretty busy since it was DLA week, but I was getting impatient, when the "men witht he meat" came by one, after another, after another. I had to flip to the red card, so they wouldn't keep coming. But once I tried most, I had anointed my favorites as the chosen ones, and I was planning to reject the rest. The problem was I'd see some go by, and walk straight past us to who knows where, and I never saw them come back ...breaking my fat-girl heart. Not to say we didn't have great choices come by, but I didn't get to have a second helping of the bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Dress is pretty casual, we were there on a Sunday night. I thought it was gonna be more fancy shmancy, but it wasn't. People were in jeans and a t-shirt. Nothing particularly upscale about it. Which is nice since it gives a relaxed unpretentious vibe. Valet takes forever to bring your car around, but oh well. All in all, great place, wish I had better seating where the meat people walked by more, or maybe just more of them looking around making eye contact. its pricey, but you get like 2 delicious steaks worth meat, or more if you are a glutton. You must have with wine, really makes it perfecto!
(4)
Marie L.
I love this place! They have so many choices for meat and in the salad bar. The cheese bread is amazing! I eat so many even after I have filled up on meat. I try to limit what I get at the salad bar so I have more room for meat. The waldorf and chicken salads are my favorites. The chicken salad on endive or butter lettuce is great. My favorites on the meat side are the alcatra, filet mignon, and ribeye. Soooo juicy and flavorful! The fried bananas seem to be a hit or miss. Half the time they're delicious and I can't get enough and the other half, they taste bland. I dont know why, maybe depends on the sweetness of the banana itself. I don't care too much for their other sides but who cares, I am there for the meat!
(5)
Andrew K.
So. much. meat. Truly a meatlover's paradise. The waiters and servers were all very nice and attentive as they paraded various types of meat across the table. The salad bar and sides were also good, especially the cheese bread. SO good. I did miss my favorite sides at steakhouses--creamed corn and creamed spinach--but then again, who really comes to Fogo for sides? I myself am not a huuuge fan of meat, and got a little tired of it after a white; still, it was a great experience and I could easily appreciate the fine cuts of meat and excellent preparation. Highly recommend the sausages as well! Overall, come if you love love love meat.
(4)
Kathy V.
I finally got to try this place out the other day. My girlfriends and I (party of 5) had a reservation for 730 and was seated within 10 minutes upon arrival. We all have never been to the restaurant before so it was all new to us. The restaurant seemed very busy and loud. It was kind of hard to hear my friends sitting at the same table. Our server was Raffy and he was extra friendly and attentive! Each person gets a card that's double-sided, one side is red and the other is green. You flip it over to the green side if you want to be served any meat. There are servers going around the restaurant going table to table with the meat; they have different kinds varying from medium, medium rare, and rare. When we went there were about 10 different kinds of meat I believe. If the one you want isn't nearby, you can always ask the server any time. They also have a self-serve salad bar with a variety of cheeses, side dishes, and bologne/salami (be careful to not get crazy on this or else there is no room for the meat!). The cheese rolls are really good here! It's perfectly soft and light. As for the meats, some were a little too salty for my taste. Overall, I had a great first time here. I'd come here for the experience, but maybe just once in a blue moon.
(4)
Rachel Q.
I will say that everything I ate was delicious! You start off at the salad bar, which had fresh items - asparagus, broccoli, salad, bacon to name a few. You also get delicious yorkshire style bread! Once you are ready, you flip over your red circle to green. The staff then brings you fried plantains (yum!), cheesy mashed potatoes and fried polenta - all yummy! The meats were delicious and melts in your mouth - some favorites are the lamb chops, rib eye, filet minion and the bottom sirloin! We were extremely stuffed by the end, too full for dessert. Overall I had a great experience, but the reason Fogo De Chao is not getting a full five stars is the stomach pains I experienced after. I don't know if it was this place that caused my stomachache but shortly after leaving, I was not a happy camper.
(3)
Michael N.
So I've been to Fogo de Chao four or five times. I'm going to tell the story of the time before last. It's amusing... So at the time, I'd been dating my girlfriend for about 2 months, and we wanted to go somewhere nice. Fogo was offering a DineLA discount, and I am definitely a fan of Fogo. We make a reservation, get dressed up, and drive on down. We decide to leave the car with the valet. There's a slight hitch in that my girlfriend's car has a security system that requires a code to start the car. We let the valet know about this. So we get seated and order a couple glasses of wine. Fogo has a salad bar. So we go on over to the salad bar. Heart of palm salad, beats, artichokes, cheeses, and cold cuts. Yum! We get back to the table and start eating. So, if you don't know, Fogo is rodizio-style restaurant. This means that the waiters carry around giant skewers of grilled meat and use large knives to cut you slices of it at your table and you grab the slices with a pair of tongs. The meats include sirloin, fillet, ribeye, chicken, etc. There is a little sign in front of each diner that is red on one side and green on the other. They will keep bringing you meat as long as it is green. This is all you can eat awesomeness. Anyway back to the story. We start eating salad and then we decide to flip our signs and start on the meat. Delicious! After the second serving of meat my girlfriend drops her tongs. Oh well. She can get another pair. Another server comes by and starts slicing meat for my girlfriend. I try to point out that she needs new tongs. Unfortunately, at the same moment the server point his knife across the table. SLICE! Right into my finger. I am bleeding. A lot. The server says he'll be right back and disappears and within seconds the manager sweeps me into the backroom and applies first aid. We all decide that I have to go to the emergency room. The customer service manager, Danielle, will meet us there. We try to retrieve the car from the valet, but of course, the valet can't figure out the security code and comes back about 10 minutes later. Meanwhile, I'm standing with my hand held over my head to slow the bleeding. We eventually make our way to the hospital and Danielle is there waiting. We wait in the emergency room lobby for about 45 minutes and chit chat with Danielle before the doctor is finally able to see me. All in all, I needed three stitches, but the amazing part is that Danielle stayed with us at the hospital the whole time(about 3 hours). She was very nice and very attentive. Fogo gave us gift card for a free meal for our next time there and they paid my medical bills. Despite the harrowing experience, a few months later, we found our way back and I am glad to report no injuries and a very full belly!
(5)
Steph C.
food, salad bar, services are all excellent, including wine list . it's great way of dining.
(4)
Victor N.
Close your eyes and imagine a beautiful dining room with servers tending to your every whim who whisk by your table like knights, but instead of shield and armor, these knights carry hot, delicious, perfectly seasoned meats ready to carve onto your plate at any moment's notice. It's almost a little hard to believe that there's an AYCE type restaurant in Beverly Hills, and one that doesn't look like it serves Panda Express out of hot dishes. I've been to Fogo de Chao numerous times and each time it's been during dineLA Restaurant Week. I'm very lucky that dineLA comes twice a year and in fall it usually falls in the vicinity of my birthday. Fogo has to be among THE BEST Brazilian BBQ locations in Southern California... I wouldn't know if their competitors are even close to the quality, flavor and service that they offer because I'm afraid I'd be wasting my hard earned dollars at those wanna-be-Fogo's. Fogo offers over 10 types of mouthwatering meats worthy of inducing religious imagery and Jesus sightings. My favorites from their menu include the Picanha (Top Sirloin) & Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin). And if you really know me, you know that I LOVE sausages (no puns please)... so the Linguica (Brazilian-style, cured pork sausage) is also on my list of favorites here at Fogo de Chao. If you're into salads, they also include a beautifully laid out salad bar with premium ingredients including fresh veggies, blocks of cheeses, cold cuts, and a variety of dressings. I personally usually prepare a plate of salad before gorging myself with the delicious meats, just for a little change in texture, temperature, flavor (and just to remotely try to be healthy for a teensy moment while dining there). But that's not all! There's melty, gooey and perfect cheese rolls that keep on coming, there's a aromatic garlic mashed potato side dish, fried bananas and the super addicting crispy polenta. All this for the same price across the board... so that makes it pretty darn easy to split up the bill amongst a group. Unless you're ordering libations, fancy bottled water (and they have some good bottled water), or desserts... each person pays the same amount. Hrmm... when is dineLA coming back again? ;)
(5)
Rajiv P.
This place is crazy expensive, but if you can eat alot it's probably worth it. I only come here during dine LA. The meat quality is good, but sometimes lacks flavor. This might be becuz of the dine LA crowd being served lesser quality than the normal crowd. They also stopped serving dessert this year w/ the dine LA meal. That was disappointing. bacon wrapped filet= awesome ribeye = depends based on the what you get, most of the time its good garlic beef = good, but kinda dry lamb chops = good but a little gamey lamb leg = good but gamey fried plantains = good ribs = okay sausage = worth getting one
(3)
Ellen C.
I'm going to try my best in why I gave it 3 stars. So the first time I came here was my senior year in college. This was before Mastro's, the Dining Room, Providence...well you get the gist. Of course with the "buffet-style" type of restaurant, you really can't compare this restaurant to any of the types mentioned above...but for $60/person and with dessert at a striking $8.75+, including each refill of soda ($2), you really are better off not coming here and I would recommend you spend your money elsewhere. So my first time I was just amazed. I LOVED this place and was so happy that I came. At that time I remembered it to be a high class restaurant, and the meat was just so juicy and tender. But 2nd time around (for my 25th birthday), I was very disappointed. It has changed to a bustling, crowded, almost casual environment, and with the meat's temperature as lukewarm. You ask for a piece of medium rare meat, they give you medium rare on one side, and then well done on the other side. What they should do is cut off the side completely, and give you the next piece. I feel that my taste in food has changed because I've tried different restaurants since then. Service is fast paced, and you get your meats fast..but if you think about it..them walking around trying to serve the meat as fast as possible is not the same as you ordering an entree and it is only meant for you..therefore it comes out piping hot from the kitchen straight to your table. In this case, the meats have traveled around the dining room, with its temperature dropping every second! (Maybe I'm exaggerating but that's what it tasted like.) Salad bar was really nothing out of the ordinary, and had everything you could get at Souplantation. The only thing that was exactly the same as I remembered it was the cheesy bread. I think we got 3 orders of it! For dessert, you definitely have to order the tres leche. It was like..ice cream fused with the cake. So refreshing and tasty! In terms of service, if you don't want personable service, which is exactly expected and justified in this type of environment, this place is for you. If you're looking for a more memorable experience, I'd recommend you go elsewhere. The waiters/servers are nice and will take care of you in terms of getting you what you want, but they are there to fulfill a service, and does not go the extra mile (again, completely justified and reasonable). For a party of 5 or more, you get charged an 18% gratuity. I don't think I'd ever come back again for the price and quality of food.
(3)
Tahnee B.
I love this place! It is pricey but so well worth every penny. Just dont go on Valentines Day cause its insanely overbooked. Let me start by saying that its wonderful Brazilian food! Oh and the bread rolls are amazing!! Cant wait to go back!!!
(5)
Steve S.
My 300th review. Dine LA 2013 I was talking to my brother about Dine LA & my sister over heard us talking about Fogo de Chao. She had a gift card from there and a pre-birthday lunch date was arranged. Thanks sis. Valet parking is the way to go ($5.50) I check in with the hostess and we were seated within 5 minutes. The place was packed, I'm sure thanks to the Dine LA pricing. Lol. The waiter explained how things worked (red = no meat, green = let the meat feast begin). He also explained that the salad bar was included in the meal and sides of Brazilian Cheese Bread, Garlic Mash Potatoes, Crispy Polenta & Caramelized Bananas will be delivered to our table. All the sides were delicious, specially the bananas. The salad bar - it has everything you want in a salad bar & more. Aside from the salads (mixed greens & spinach) itself with a myriad of salad dressing. They had black beans, rice, coconut haddock (delicious), mortadella, prosciutto, chunks of Parmesan cheese (from a giant wheel), green beans, artichoke, etc etc etc. I was already getting full from all of it. The meats - were hit and miss. The first meat we were presented was a top sirloin. It was not edible, very chewy & hard to a point the I had to spit it out. Not a good start for the meat course. They redeemed themselves with the next few meats we received. Bacon wrapped filet mignon, garlic filet mignon (the best of what we tasted), sausage & pork ribs were all super good The chickens (bacon wrapped chicken & chicken wings) were just okay. The disappointment - we weren't able to taste the lamb. The guy with the lamb skewer passed our table, but said another lamb dish was on its way out. We were their over an hour and we never saw that lamb or any other lamb dish out of the kitchen. The service for the most part was good. But on two occasion and with two different meat servers, my sister requested some well done meat (she doesn't like bloody meat) and each time the meat server said they would come back with her (well done) meat. They both never came back. Not cool. My experience here was 3.5 stars worthy. Coming during Dine LA and getting a discounted price made this culinary excursion a definite plus. Having lunch with my sister (and she paid) made it a special meal. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Jonathan N.
This is based solely on my dine LA experience and let me tell you, it's so damn good! The pao de quiejo, that cheesy bread they give you, I destroyed that basket. It's so... perfect. A steakhouse that does more than just the meat right? Sign me up. That bread tastes like happiness, enough said. And now for the meat, a carnivore's paradise. I highly recommend the Picanha which is the garlic steak. That and the prime rib like cut. All you can eat until you get the meat sweats and are too full you food coma. It's that good and for that price, the trip from Orange County was definitely worth it. I love this place. My stomach loves this place. Take me here and I'll love you forever.
(5)
Chelsea L.
Never has my stomach expanded quite like it did at lunch today at Fogo De Chao. Of course, we couldn't pass on the $25 dineLA special so my mom, brother, and I went on a short trek to Beverly Hills to see what all of the hubbub was about. When we got to Fogo at noon, there weren't many people. However, when we left an hour later, there was a HUGE crowd, so make sure to make a reservation! We were promptly seated and a waiter came up to us and explained to us the process and experience that we were to expect. I had been to a similar Brazilian steakhouse before but my brother and my mom had not, so it was very helpful how patient and thorough the waiter was at explaining everything to us. Afterwards, they brought out the appetizers. OH MY GOSH the appetizers were delicious! Of course everyone on here raves about the cheese bread and it definitely lived up to the hype (also, I'm pretty sure the waiter said that they are gluten-free, but I'm not 100% sure so don't take my word for it). I also really loved the caramelized bananas, oh my lanta. The salad bar was so extensive that I was afraid that I would fill up on just that before I got to the actual meat. There was salami, proscuitto, sun-dried tomatoes, portabello mushrooms, olives, zucchinni, asparagus, tabouli, and so much more! I think there was also a small section where there were potatoes and other starchy foods like rice, but I didn't get to try those. Long story short, everything at the salad bar was so fresh and it was definitely good to have as a break between the lbs of meat that I would later consume. And now to the meat mania! After flipping the card over to green, it didn't take long for waiters to come over and politely ask if we would like to have some of that particular cut/type of meat. I'm not even really sure what I ate half of the time because I gobbled it up the second it landed on my plate and I was not really paying attention to what the waiters were saying because all I was thinking was "YES I WANT WHATEVER THAT IS GIMME GIMME". There were a couple of meats that were a little off for me though. Sometimes it would be a little too salty for my taste, which is why I had to take the bacon off of the chicken and the filet. Sometimes there would also be chunks of fat in the meat, so be careful if you are wary about chewing on pure fatty solids. What helps though is if you eat the meat with one of the appetizers like the mashed potatoes;it definitely gives more of a balance. Little tip: Try eating the caramelized banana with either the pork ribs or the pork sausage. Like put it on the same fork and eat it in one bite. I was so addicted to that combination the bananas were gone in no time! The service was absolutely spotless. Everyone was so polite and friendly, and they didn't rush us at all. We even made small talk with one of the waiters, which is always nice. We left completely stuffed and ready to be rolled out of there like the little mozzarella balls at the salad bar. Because of the price, we will probably save this place for a special occasion the next time we go, but as a once-in-a-lifetime restaurant to experience: I definitely recommend it!
(4)
Jennifer C.
DineLa review. I came here late for lunch, but still got a table within 10 minutes. Valet parking is roughly 6 dollars. They had a full salad bar without labels, so I had to guess on what some of the things are. As for the three dishes (mashed potatoes, banana, and something i forgot) was good. The main course was wonderful. The filet mignon and the top sirloin was amazing. The chicken are hit & miss. Some of them were dry like the bacon wrapped chicken and some were pretty yummy. The service was great, I would come back again.
(4)
Sean B.
I went to Fogo with very high expectations. I discovered the Brazilian Steakhouse concept last year in San Francisco at Espetus Churrascaria and thought it was THE BOMB. So when my nephew raved to me about Fogo, I was saving it for a rainy day. Well, today it rained, it was my 36th birthday, and I was busy all day packing for my move tomorrow. That's the occasion I was waiting for. So we went tonight, and showed up at 5:30pm, before it got busy. It's a nice space, well-lit and great ambiance. The staff were friendly and we were seated straight away. Off to a good start. Hit the salad bar, and while everything was delicious and fresh, there weren't any of the unique offerings like I had experienced at my first Brazilian steakhouse, which was slightly disappointing. Shook it off though, not really a big deal, let's see how the grilled meats taste! Everything was good. I have to be honest, there wasn't a bad item in the group. But nothing blew me out of my seat. Again, comparing it to my previous experience, we were frantically insisting that each other try what was on our plates, insisting that each dish was better than the last. Tonight... not so much. Everything good, tasty, well-prepared. Nothing wowed. The bill came and it was about $20 more than our amazing place, which just added a touch of "Yeah, we'll probably not come back here for $125 for two people - not really worth it"... but still in a generally good mood. Then we stood under the awning outside, awaiting the valet to bring the car, and a cigar smoker stood, two feet from the front door (illegal), puffing away at the foulest cigar I've ever smelled (and lets be honest, they're all vile). Five minutes of waiting for the car, and we reeked of cigar smoke. So badly that the thought of going out for a nightcap was out the door... What was bothersome was that this was in plain sight of several hosts in the 'front of the house' as well as all of the valets, and nobody said anything. We see the car pull into the lot, and realize that there are two cars 'ahead' of it in line to pick up passengers in front of the doors. It's pouring rain at this time, so nobody wanted to get wet, I guess everyone valeted their cars. I'm thinking that it's actually worth the $5.50 to valet, and expressed this verbally to my dining companion... until my car stopped... third in line to the front door... parked... and the valet got out and held the door open... in the rain... twenty feet from the door. Really? Seriously? We couldn't believe it. We ran to the car and got in, soaking wet, thinking that THE WHOLE POINT OF VALET IS TO NOT GET WET IN THE RAIN! So now we smelled of cheap cigar and rude jerk, and we were soaking wet, after paying $8 to valet the car rather than street-park. Needle that broke the haystack. That should never happen at an expensive 'customer-service-oriented' restaurant. Done. First and last visit to Fogo de Chao.
(2)
Julie Y.
To be honest, Fogo de Chao doesn't need another 5-star review raving about its awesome dineLA lunch deal for ayce Brazilian BBQ, but I thought another one won't hurt to serve as a reference of what I will want to do and order the next time I come here. Again, this is purely for my reference, but if anything I say holds some merit, feel free to read away! The dineLA deal for lunch is $25.00 for unlimited access to an amazing salad bar, a variety of roasted meats, and comfort food side dishes such as pão de queijo (cheese bread), crispy polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas. Now if you haven't been before, don't worry. There are a friendly set of directions available on Fogo's website of what to expect when you arrive. But if you don't want to go through the trouble of looking up the website via mobile, here's my nifty version: 1. Arrive and expect to pay $5.50 for valet parking later. 2. Despite your reservation, expect to wait ~30 minutes to be seated. 3. Once you've been led to your table, immediately get to the salad bar and stack up on all the goodies you'd like. But leave some wiggle room because that same plate will serve as a vessel for meaty morsels. 4. When seated, flip your little coaster thing to GREEN. That's the green light that you're ready to nom. 5. If you want a particular cut of meat at a specific meat doneness, just ask. But feel free to remind a staff member if it takes a while because sometimes you' will be forgotten. 6. ASK FOR THE CHEESE BREAD IF IT HASN'T ARRIVED ON ITS OWN! I loved that the salad had a variety of raw to simply prepared ingredients, most of which were flavorful and fresh. Big fan of the aged manchego cheese, the giant spears of asparagus, the lightly marinated shiitake mushrooms, the juicy slices of tomato, the seeping purple beets, the crunchy endive leaves, and the sweet roasted peppers. Not a fan of the mozzarella... it wasn't all that "fresh". My favorite meats of the night included the picanha (top sirloin), because it was tender and each cut was lined with a nice layer of beefy fat. I also loved the frango (chicken legs) because it was super juicy and I'm a sucker for dark meat. And the costela de porco (pork ribs) was superb; the meat melted in my mouth and I loved the play of salty, sweet and smoky flavors on my palate. The ones I tried that I didn't like as much include the alcatra (top sirloin), which was very flavorful but definitely required more chewing because it was more tough than the picanha. The bacon wrapped filet mignon just screamed of salty porky goodness so if you don't like pig, don't get it. And the Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin) was just meh to me. Overall, just expect to be super super full at the end of it. And do not skimp out on that cheese bread. Trust me--they're like golden puffs of sunshine. :) Extra Notes: -For a group of 6, our calculated total with tip and tax included was ~$32.00 per person. - Valet is a nightmare, especially when you're turning left into the lot while going up La Cienega. Expect mean drivers. - In terms of seasoning, the meat cuts can tend to be on the saltier side... but I think the salad sides and what not help balance that out.
(5)
Emily T.
I had planned to come here for a while, and when Fogo De Chao popped up on the list of restaurants participating in dineLA, I immediately made a reservation. As expected with dineLA, the restaurant was extremely crowded and busy. Although this was my first time here, I was pretty sure that they squeezed in extra tables. Even the gauchos (meat servers) were having trouble navigating the restaurant. The servers were really nice and welcoming. As soon as we were seated, water, bread (which was amazingly chewy), and three side dishes appeared. He also took the time to explain to us how the service system worked and his personal recommendations. The salad bar had a wide variety of items to choose from. There was a giant bowl of bacon! The salad bar was good, but since you're paying for the meat, I wouldn't dedicate too much of your stomach space to this amenity. We were able to try most of their meats, but I felt like I saw a lot of repeat meats before seeing new ones. The meats that I thoroughly enjoyed (bacon wrapped filet mignon, costela de porco, etc) never came around again :'(. I think the more popular meats probably only get to a few tables .. which sucks for the tables towards the end of the service route. My table was most excited for the cordeiro (leg of lamb), and we waited about an hour. NEVER SAW IT. I thought they might have ran out of the meat, so I decided to ask a waitress about it. After 5-10 minutes, a server with the rack of lamb came to our table and delivered the meat. Our table got three pieces and the exterior for all three were charred black. When I cut into the meat and ate it, it was WAY TOO DRY AND TOUGH. I was extremely disappointed as leg of lamb is favorite type of meat .. In general, the meat quality was pretty good, but a lot of it was a bit too well done and tough for my taste. Overall, the service was spot on and the food was decent. I just felt like I wasn't getting my money's worth and that Fogo might have been forgoing its quality for dineLA. Seems like I could get the same quality Brazilian BBQ elsewhere for cheaper. Today just wasn't Fogo's day :(. Don't think I'll be back.
(3)
Mark D.
Went here for my birthday dinner. Was pretty good, especially if you like entering yourself into a meat coma. Basically anything beef is good - forget the lamb, chicken, sausages or anything else. The beef rib, ribeye and the house special Pichanta (I think) are all excellent. However, the level of gluttony is what puts me off this place. Really its about quantity rather than quality. Honestly, at $60 a head for food, there are far better places to eat.
(3)
Danny L.
Came here during dineLA week and definitely one of the best decisions I made! Had a 7:30pm reservation and came late around 8. Although the restaurant was very packed, we were seated within 20 minutes. This place is definitely for meat lovers (lamb, chicken, sausage, beef, pork) basically the finest cuts and high quality meats all cooked in Brazilian style. They also had delicious sides (cheese sticks, friend banana, garlic mash potatoes) at the table and a great salad/pasta bar. Service was very good and different waiters came up to our table to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. The meat was delicious. As long as you keep your green tab up, they will keep coming with meat and just turn your tab red when you don't want anymore. Dinner was $45, definitely pricey, but for the quality of food and atmosphere, I would definitely come back!
(5)
Mimi H.
CALLING ALL MEAT LOVERS.. DineLA has got this place poppin' for only $25 for lunch and $45 for dinner. Definitely recommend getting a reservation because you can expect everyone trying to take advantage of the prices. Great huge salad bar but... AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT! Just kidding, from the things I did manage to pick, they were good and fresh. Cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, roasted eggplant, grilled cut up bell peppers, waldorf salad, broccoli, beets, asparagus, green beans, tabbouleh, smoked salmon, prosciutto, salami, cheese, bacon, etc.. all crisp and some flavored with simple lemon juice. Only complaint is, they didn't have much salad green options to pick from, only pre-arranged salad mix and ice berg lettuce. Lunch Meats: Picanha/Prime Part of Sirloin -- THE BEST and just about everyone's favorite! This is their house special meat and it is seriously amazing. Thin cut of meat that features a small section of marbled fat right above the perfectly medium rare sirloin seasoned in sea salt. The salt really brings out the flavor of the tender piece of meat. Alcatra/Top Sirloin -- Another tender piece of meat seasoned nicely and not as salty as the Picanha. Fraldinha/Bottom Sirloin -- Less tender than the other meats but still good and flavorful. Cordeiro/Leg of Lamb -- Gamey but still tender and boldly flavored with herbs and lemon. *Beef Ancho/Ribeye* -- I don't believe that this is on their lunch menu during DineLA but we somehow got something that looked very much like this. At first we thought it was filet mignon but the only filet mignon they served was wrapped in bacon. The meat was flavored nicely and all but was a little tough to chew and not as good as the other choices. I think that you should still try it but I probably wouldn't waste my energy getting too much of these. I didn't bother with any chicken or ribs because I could probably cook those at home. Complimentary Sides: Cheesy Bread -- Resembled cheese puffs but had more of an airy texture and look. When they come out fresh, crispy outside and soft moist texture inside. Pretty good and not too salty from the cheese. Caramelized Bananas -- Sweet little treat. Cooked with a slightly crunchy coating of sweet sauce. Didn't try but also offered: Crispy Polenta(fries) and Garlic Mashed Potatoes Valet parking only($6) or good luck with street. Servers are somewhat attentive but it's understandable when they are so busy. Beautiful restaurant with lots of space and dim lighting. Restroom is very clean with their own custom soft paper towels. Good thing DineLA only happens twice a year otherwise I'd have heart problems from all this red meat.
(5)
Hanson H.
My first Brazilian BBQ experience, and I'm glad I came here. Fogo is a joy to eat at. Our reservation was made for noon. We came a bit early but we were seated within 10 minutes. I wanted to look around for parking but got lazy (and stomach was rumbling) so I used the valet service. Having never eaten Brazilian BBQ, let alone Fogo, I got one piece of everything that came my way. I am a lifelong spoiled foodie as well as a decent cook, so I am sure my mouth has not deceived me. Armed with veteran taste buds as well as numerous experiences with all-you-can-eat KBBQ, I felt confident enough to tackle every item. One look at the salad bar told me what I needed to know. As all KBBQ lovers know, you do not come into an AYCE restaurant to eat salad, let alone to a high-end BEVERLY HILLS AYCE restaurant to eat salad. The salad bar items seemed fresh but I did not partake. I did, however, walk around it a few times to settle the contents of my stomach a bit to force down a few more slices of meat. The waiters were very attentive despite the hungry hordes that endlessly clamored for their attention. Among the appetizers, I only had the cheesebread (one piece) and a few tiny scoops of mashed potato. I do not like bananas and my main goal was to consume expensive cuts of meat, although I was lenient this time and allowed myself to eat a piece of chicken and a sausage as well as two appetizer items. The cheesebread was surprisingly good and the potatoes were decent. Now, onto the meats (the ones I remember): Sausage: Quite flavorful and plump. They were seasoned well and were cooked in a way that allowed them to retain their juiciness without compromising texture. Pretty good sausage. Ribs: I was anticipating tender ribs with meat that could be easily eaten. I was deceived in this regard. I had a hard time simply taking the meat off the bone. It was dry, tough and overcooked so I did not eat much of it after the first bite. Lamb: Gamey and bold but I could imagine that it might be an acquired taste. It was cooked to my liking: Rare. I fucking love rare. I'd eat more of it. House special: A spiritual experience. The best item in this restaurant. The slices were rare to medium-rare, juicy, yet had a very savory crust outside. The crispy crust of fat made every bite a supremely sinful moment in carnivore heaven. The amount of salt used was perfect. I tried these with and without pepper and both were good, though I do recommend not adding any pepper at all so that you can fully appreciate the natural flavor of the meat with that perfect crust. Personal preference and whatnot, but that's how I feel. Before eating this, I was quite jaded about BBQ and meat, the crust on the cuts that I cook at home having been the best I've had. With this, the game has changed. Oh, house special. Praise the house special. Top sirloin: My second favorite after the house special. Served quite rare, just the way I like it. This cut also had a nice strip of thoroughly-cooked but still moist fat running along one side. It was incredibly juicy and served in thicker slices than the house special, its thickness enhancing the mouthfeel of biting through that crust and through the meat and fat. Wonderfully tender, gristle-free, flawlessly prepared. Very good. Bottom sirloin: My cut did not have as much fat as the top sirloin and was cooked more of a medium-well. As I consider anything above medium-rare to be a waste of perfectly good beef (might as well cremate the damn thing if you're not leaving it at least medium-rare), this cut could not hold a candle to the previous two, although it is, by no means, terrible. Try it out but it may not be for everyone. Maybe some other batches were less done. Chicken: Dry. The flavorful seasoning was there but....it was dry. I don't like dry chicken and do not know of anyone who truly does. Filet mignon with bacon: Although it was pleasing to the palate, it was a tad salty. I finished the piece I was given but I refused all later offerings of it. It was also cooked slightly too done for my tastes. Center cut Fogo steak: Pretty much the interior portion of the house special. The meat quality was excellent and the meat was perfectly cooked, but due to the cut being more on the inside of the block of meat, there was much less of that delectable fat crust that had me asking for more and more of the house special. Overall, a fine dining experience and an unforgettable first step into the world of Brazilian BBQ. My only regret was that I did not smoke out before coming here.
(4)
Aris L.
Average brazilian restaurant..the staff was very friendly..... CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED!!
(3)
Yi Y.
Oh man oh man oh man. This place is tops for DineLA and meat lovers all over the place. I went with a party of 7 during DineLA for lunch. We came hungry and we were not disappointed. First off, we hit the salad bar and got some "vegetables" and by vegetables I mean an assortment of cold cuts, salmon, and cheese. They also had many other varieties more expensive greens (bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and whatnot) After we went back to our tables, we flipped our dining cards over (they let the waiters know when to stop giving you meat). We got served very quickly (probably because our reservation was for 11:30, way before the majority of people came). Honestly the meat came so fast that I lost track of what I was eating. Although I do remember the best were the ribs and filet mignon. The sides were great too, the mashed potatoes, plantains, and cheesy rolls were delicious. To be honest, you should save room for the meat that I mentioned above. Meat there is not all created equal. Save your space for only the prime cuts! Never in an AYCE restaurant would I think that I would refuse top sirloin, but alas that place is fogo.... I will be coming here again...might just take a while after I finally digest everything.
(5)
Edmond B.
Amazing meat and food. One star less because we had a reservation for 8:15 and weren't seated until about 9. It was a Saturday night and incredibly busy. Apparently there was a party taking up half of the restaurant so they were waiting for them to leave. Other than that, amazing.
(4)
John A.
Meh, I've had better Brazilian. Upon arriving at the restaurant, you see by the Bentley's and RR's parked in valet that this is an upscale restaurant. At least that's what I thought. The meat hanging in skewers hanging in the front window is reminiscent of a hole in the wall chinese restaurant. Looks enticing but not what I would expect for a restaurant like this. For Sunday dinner, I was expecting a big crowd and there was but we had reservations so our wait was only about 5 min. The tables are cramped together, you add the meat servers making their rounds and diners walking to and from the salad bar and you end up brushing up against a lot of strangers on your way to the table. I didn't pay $50/$60 to have a waiter's balls brush up against my shoulders. Our server was very polite and he was willing to answer any q's we had regarding their menu. The salad bar was sub par, the only saving grace was the bucket of bacon, the prosciutto and cheese. The servers begin serving the meat but we were never offered clean plates so we were eating our main course on our salad plates, this to me is a bit strange/lazy. Beverage refills came without me having to ask, which to me, is the mark of good service. Now, on to the meats, I admit, I did not get a chance to try all the meats because I got pretty full very quickly. The top sirloin was excellent. I had a medium cut so it was juicy with a lot of flavor. The Filet mignon was bland and a bit dry. The rib eye was good, not great, could have used a little more seasoning. I can say the same about the beef ribs, you can get a better order of ribs at Lucille's or a lower end rib joint. The chicken and sausage was ok, not anything to rave about. The highlight of the meat parade for me was the top sirloin. Nice thick cut, juicy, and flavorful. For dessert, we had the molten chocolate lava cake. This was excellent. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this made my night. Now after all that , I would say it was a good dinner, until you get the bill. Now I have no problem spending a few bucks for a good meal, but to me, this dining experience was not up to par for what we paid. Its a $30-$35/person type restaurant that charges extra for ambiance and a Beverly Hills zip code. Sidenote: I did see Mel Gibson sit down at the table next to us. He caught me looking at him so he glared back at me. I looked away for a few seconds and when I looked back, he was still giving me a death stare. I promptly signed the bill and left.
(2)
Esther M.
For a Brazilian place it was decent. Didn't blow me a way. Servers have to walk around and I found the place to be have really tight spaces so I had to lean over every time they wanted to put meat on the plate. Chicken and pork was dry and service was mediocre. Service was poor maybe it was an off day? For example my husband didn't get a clean plate but servers kept on trying to serve him meat. Salad bar was okay. Price is very over priced. I have been to places that were nicer with better meat and more variety that was less expensive. One thing though the cheese bread was good just not worth the extra 10-15 bucks! Won't be needing to come here again.
(3)
Rho L.
Although my review from a few years back was on the high end of a four (if that makes sense) I was less than captivated during my visit last night to Fogo. It's Dine LA week so as expected, the restaurant would be relatively packed. Well packed might be an understatement. It was chaos. CHAOS. There was literally a mob hanging out in the waiting area, some with reservations, most without, who even knows, but it was ridiculously chaotic and I'm sure the staff was doing the best they could in calming down the hungry masses. We were seated within 10 minutes of our arrival (we made reservations) and our server was quick to bring us drinks and the three mainstay side dishes. The salad bar appeared lackluster compared to my last visit. The bucket of bacon that I wrote so proudly of wasn't there. Instead, it was just a little serving dish which had to be constantly refilled. They were also missing the hot buffet items which were available during my last few visits. I was looking forward to those too. We were able to try most of their meat selection, however midway towards our dinner, we almost had to chase down some of the skewer guys just to bring us any kind of meat. Again, i'll attribute that to how busy it gets during restaurant week but the service shouldn't suffer, moreso since they've been restaurant week for years. The meat quality was as usual, very good, but I was slightly put off by the ribeye. It was a lot tougher than what I remember. It also appeared as if some of the meat options weren't available, or maybe just didn' t make it to our table. I am almost certain the softdrink refills were unlimited, (correct me if I'm wrong) but this time, they charged per bottle. (teeny bottles too). I still enjoyed my visit, but this time around, i wouldn't be able to distinguish a visit to fogo compared to the lesser celebrated brazilian bbq's. Get your game right Fogo.
(3)
Alton W.
Fogo has always been one of my favorite restaurants, and it never disappoints. Despite it's higher price tag, it's typically worth every cent. Usually I go only for very special occasions ($$$$), but with restaurant week, I went for lunch again. Everything was as great as I expected, despite taking a couple meats (including my favorite, the lamb chops) off the restaurant week menu. The meats are cooked to perfection, tender and well seasoned--never over or undercooked. The salad bar is frankly worth a trip to Fogo in and of itself--and I learned you can in fact only pay for the salad bar if you'd like! The service is pretty good, although you need to be a bit patient when it gets busy.
(5)
Roxanne A.
Short and to the point - GO TO FOGO DE CHAO. Go....go.....GO I say! You will not be disappointed. The End.
(5)
Joanne L.
Bf and I went here on valentines day of this year. It was the only place that didn't need reservations. Ooooh girl it was soooo packed! Parking was horrible so we just valet. Okay onto the good stuff. We got seated and helped ourselves to the buffet bar. OMG THE SMOKE SALMON WAS SOOO GOOD. Everything was fresh! They had cold pasta, cheese, salad, and I forgot what else but I definitely remember the salmon. The cheese balls were so soft and soooooo goood. It seriously melts in your mouth. We had probably 3-4 baskets. My bf loved it! I'm not really a meat person so I don't remember much. My bf loved the filet and the bacon wrapped chicken or something? Something with bacon. He still talks bout it til this day. I actually really liked the house special steak and the lamb. Oooh the lamb was so yums! For dessert I was debating between creme brulee and the tres leches cake. Bf wanted the brulee so we got it and it did not disappoint. It was a really nice touch to the end of the meal. The price came out to be around 200 with tip! It was sooo worth it. Everything was amazing that night. I will definitely return. I actually like it better than M Grill.
(5)
Yanir R.
fogo de chao was an amazing experience. We came for my birthday and it was incredible how fast and efficient the service was even with a restaurant completely full. I thought for sure the food would take a while or would be cold by the time it got to us. Thank god I was wrong this place was incredible. I am coming back in 3 weeks for lunch.
(5)
Priscilla C.
Sorry fellow Yelpers I have to disagree with the majority on this one.... One of the people who I follow on Yelp is Anthony N. and before coming here I checked to see what my friends had to say about this place. Well since I follow Anthony his review was the first to pop up when I pulled Fogo's profile. Sigh... I follow Anthony for two reasons, 1. I feel more intelligent/sophisticated & cultured when I read his reviews 2. I believe we have the same taste in food But I decided to also take all the amazing reviews of this place from my other fellow yelpers and tried this place out. Hrmm... I've experienced better. Where? In Pinky's backyard, in MY backyard, AYCE kbbq, Mastros (duh), Ruth Chris, list goes on and on. And you might think, "Wtfudge at an AYCE kbbq spot??" where meat quality can be considerably sacrificed in an effort to save money from all the nonstop eating piggies?? Ummm yea... Then again, I don't like beef and majority of the offerings are all beef so maybe you should take my review with a grain of salt. However, I still eat beef from time to time and when I do there is a certain standard I require to make a meal out of my beef. Seasoning, tenderness, medium/medium well and overall natural flavor of the meat. Honestly I felt that although some of the meat was tender, the flavor and seasoning were a miss. The bacon wrapped chicken was pretty salty and probably the best pick out of all the choices. However all the beef just became monotonous in flavor and the party in my mouth was dead. The salad bar was not as popping as I had expected even though I had seen the pictures of it on yelp, maybe it just looked better in pictures. I did enjoy the tabbouleh though as well as the mashed potatoes they served us. Pinky's favorite part of the entire meal was the bread, the tapioca cheese bread, served nice and warm, tasting lightly salty and chewy. Pinky enjoyed the bread so much he wouldn't let me have one until I asked for an extra basket of them from the waiter. Idk, for the price of one person Pinky and I could have gone to either hot pot or AYCE kbbq. Yea some people might say my review is complete heresy, but for all the hype, cost and location I was expecting to be converted into a diehard beef fan and I wasn't. So I'll stick to the kbbq that doesn't taste boring, Mastro's for special occasions or bone in ribeye grilled up at home with my own seasoning. Meeeh I've had better :/
(2)
JR C.
Here's a tip: if you've been wanting to experience this place, the dinner menu is the same exact as lunch. The only difference is the price. So, a small adjustment of meal hour makes a difference of almost 50% off. Just sayin'. Fogo lives up to the hype. I was surprised to see that this Beverly Hills Fogo was one of a few around here, with the next nearest one being Las Vegas. Somehow I thought this place would be franchised like crazy, but it's somewhat unique. My review of this place is focused around the attentive service and the quality of the meats. Pretty unsurpassed in all the expected and unexpected. -=-MEAT-=- You can eat whatever you want, however much you want. So if you are like me, you are looking for flavorful, juicy, and fatty, and that pretty much means that filet mignon and chicken are out. No matter, since the star of my meal here was the Picanha, Fogo Steak, and Top Sirloin. Picanha and Fogo Steak is the same cut of meat, just that the Fogo Steak hasn't been folded over. While Picanha ends up being a sliver of a slice, Fogo Steak tend to be a thicker cut, hence juicier. Top sirlion cuts come out like nuggets, so indulge responsibly since they tend to be the fattier cuts. Rib eye is typically my all-star favorite, but the garlic-ness of the top sirlion actually edged it out. -=-Cheese Biscuits-=- OMG these are so gooey cheesy good. When they cool down though, the magic is lost. Do not fret, since with the impeccable service here, our waitress offered to replace our magic-less biscuits with fresh ones. And when it looked like we were slowing down, they asked us if we wanted to specifically request our favorite meats for the home stretch. My lunch hour did not incur the crowds that other's mentioned here, but I've also been here before for dinner and it wasn't at all bad. I cannot imagine that you would get blatantly ignored here.
(5)
Carolyn S.
It's embarrassing to talk about the bread when reviewing a steakhouse, but I gotta. MAN! THE CHEESE BREAD! I dream about it sometimes. This place is perfect when my boyfriend and I go on our keto diets. The meat is cooked to perfection. Salad bar is amazing. Service is incredible. Love it!
(5)
Annie H.
Took my sister and niece here for a belated bday dinner. This place is all hype. Almost all the meat were salty! The best cut was the picanha and cheese rolls as a side. Service was spotty with our server. It was a packed house but he didn't seem busy or flustered. The ones that are doing the work were the gauchos and runners. We asked our lazy server two times for more cheese rolls and he was giving us the run around and lame excuses. I guess they're back there churning the milk to make the cheese ugh Overall, this place is not worth the money. The price is ridiculous because of the famous zip code but you can get the same thing at Greenfield in LB for a more reasonable price. I can cross this place off my list now. Valet is $5.50 and some are jerks. Oooh, sorry I don't drive a Rolls. Just shut up and park my car, bitch! You park cars for a living so don't act so uppity!
(2)
Spunky M.
Yummers. The salad bar is delightful and the meat, quite awesome. The service is prompt and the ambience, elegant. There are so many fly-by-night churrascarias around but, really, this one is the standard bearer...in the United States. I had such a great time that, even the tourists seemed quaintly eye-pleasing--all dressed up for their Beverly HIlls repast. In the words of Governor Schwarzenegger: "I'll be back."
(5)
Sarina V.
Took my brother here for a graduation dinner after hearing so many good things about this place and the meat! It definitely disappointed me eating here and I feel bad having taken him here for a celebratory dinner. For the price, it is definitely not worth it in my opinion. I just don't think it's a very good concept, especially when the food doesn't match the price. This place has a pretty nice decor, but is not the least bit upscale or classy anymore, with people coming to eat in hats and basketball shorts to kids running around. When I walked in, I thought I was in the wrong place, or the people were at least for sure. They have a salad bar, but I didn't want to fill myself up there, so I chose a few options to try, some cold cut meats and cheese. They have a bunch of things, but didn't want to fill myself up for the meat! I tried all the following and only had 2 cuts of meat that really stuck out to me, but everything was over-salty anyways: Picanha (Top Sirloin)* Filet Mignon* Beef Ancho (Rib Eye) Alcatra (Top Sirloin) Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin) Costela (Beef Ribs) (least favorite, dry and inedible) Cordeiro (Lamb) (also inedible, overcooked and over-seasoned) Never made it to our table: Frango (Chicken) Costela de Porco (Pork Ribs) Linguica (Sausage) Also had the following sides: Pão de queijo (warm cheese bread) (5 stars):Oh man I could have taken a whole basket full of these warm airy pieces of heaven! Reviewers weren't wrong about this! Crispy hot polenta (1 stars): Took one bite, over salty and flavorless, yuck! Garlic mashed potatoes (3 stars): Pretty good potatoes, light and airy, the things they top it with make it look less fancy. Caramelized bananas (5 stars): Also amazing, how can you go wrong. Even when the side dishes weren't empty but were getting cold, they replaced them immediately, the service was very good here, they checked on us more than 5 times! Also valet for $5.50, not too bad.
(3)
Roxanne H.
This place was awesome! I had to control myself and stop eating the stuff at the salad bar so I could enjoy the mounds of meat. Definitely the best Churrascaria I've ever been to.
(5)
Rani N.
Great service and good-quality food do not justify the price of my Fogo de Chao experience. Maybe I went there with too many expectations (it is $59/person for dinner after all), but ultimately, both my girlfriend and I realized how disappointing this place is half-way through. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, nothing really wrong with it, but it just wasn't spectacular enough to warrant that much money. It does not matter if it is all-you-can-eat, you'll get full pretty quickly anyway and realize that it was a bad decision to go there. There are cheaper all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouses of similar quality. Agora down in Irvine is an example. And if you're looking for better (and cheaper) steakhouses, check out Carlitos Gardel (Argentinean steakhouse). Pros: Great salad bar, Cons: Price, poorly mixed cocktails (very uneven alcohol distribution).
(3)
Charmian W.
Came here with two other friends for DineLA lunch - $28 per person, $35 with tax + tip. Not bad for deliciously cooked and tender meat! The cheese bread balls were GOOD! I loved how the cheese was inside the bread, and it's not too particularly noticeable either (i.e. it's not oozing out as I had expected it to do!). Be warned that those bread can fill you up FAST though. My favorites: lamb, filet mignon, and the beef ancho. I love how the flavors weren't too heavy that completely covered the natural meat aroma, but it wasn't too bland/light either. I thought the Picanha was alright, but perhaps it might have been because I had a piece towards the end of my meal, when all the meaty goodness kinda just blended in together, hahaha. But in general, I really enjoyed all of the beef cuts and the lamb. I can't comment on the pork/chicken/sausages stuff though since I didn't have room to try them. Everything was very tender and juicy, and unlike most places, medium-rare is actually, well, medium-rare and not medium-well/well-done! Beware though that if you ask for medium-rare, the center-most part of the meat can actually be quite rare. It's a sacrifice that you kinda have to trade off though, since obviously it's hardest to cook the inner-most areas of the meat. Salad bar has a decent amount of selection if you ever tire of meat, meat, and more meat. I liked their concept of serving the meat portions right at your table since I'm the type of person who dislike buffets because of the constant standing/walking/waiting in between plates. Here, they come right up to you and announce the type of meat and you just tell them how well done you want it, and they just cut it off the skewers for you. The only complaint that I had was that the servers seemed to skip our table... I guess it doesn't help that the surrounding tables were huge and all predominantly male, and that at my table, only my friend had his card flipped to the green "Yes please!" side whereas my other friend and I had ours flipped to the red "No thanks" side... Eh, it's ok. It wasn't a big deal to flag them down and serve my friend more meat since they would apologize for skipping our table and were quite nice about it. Service was also excellent - there were a ton of people there for DineLA, but they were all prompt and cheerful, so you definitely know that this establishment values their customers quite highly no matter how busy they are. As a poor college student and a small eater, I definitely can't afford Fogo's normal prices... But when DineLA rolls around again, I'll be sure to come back!
(5)
Lauren S.
This was my 2nd Fogo's experience. I have been to the one in Las Vegas during lunch and was amazed at the attentive service and of course the delicious food. Fast forward to my dinner this past Sunday, where I was unaware that it was DineLA. I was treating a couple friends to their first dinner here. Good news, my dinner budget got a little break, so I got a bottle of wine. Bad news, seeing all the griping comments of how much of a zoo it was at the restaurant during DineLA. You figure, for a restaurant that serves its FULL menu sans dessert for almost $20 less than it's usual dinner rate, that's a treat in itself rather than a fixed menu like TravelZoo? I guess last year, dessert was included but the restaurant is still a business, so they opted out of free dessert this year. But who the hell can eat dessert after stuffing themselves here?! Eh, I guess me. I shared the Papaya Cream with my girlfriend. It was delicious. Despite our server's apologies in advance that service might be slower, the service was still impeccable. My group arrived earlier for our reservation, and we were seated within 10 minutes. So for the all the people that decided to bring their entire family to take advantage of the restaurant's DineLA special, that's why you have to wait longer. Valet was a little crazy afterwards, but again, DineLA. I get it. Perhaps an outside warmer would make waiting a little more pleasant for patrons. *hint hint* The cheesy bread balls are amazing. I'm convinced they are baked with rainbows, unicorns, and fairy dust. The polenta side dish was tasty, didn't touch the banana dish. Mashed potatoes seemed a tad tasteless before some salt & pepper, but I'm a mashed potato snob, so nothing against Fogo's. I was almost going to knock a star off since I was waiting for the bacon-wrapped filet mignon to come around for a while, but it made it before I started succumbing to food coma.
(5)
Louis K.
What can I say about the world famous Fogo? Incredible in every way. The meat, the service, the drinks...You will leave this place feeling like you've not only eaten, but experienced Brasilian food. Highly recommended: Picanha (of course); filet, and I even broke my own rules and ate the bacon wrapped chicken. Warning: stay away from the salad bar, and try to avoid the delicious pao de quejo (cheese bread), as they are there for suckers only. Meat it up, and you won't regret it. 50 buck a person feels like a bargain for food of this quality.
(5)
Wes S.
Review # 6-0-0! This had to be the place for number 600. Why? Here's a breakdown. Lent, the yearly ritual that Catholics give up something they love. Whether it's a vice, food, or anything you enjoy doing. So I gave up smoking, beef, and soda. After two days, I missed eating a piece of cow more than smoking a cigarette. Go figure. 46 days / nights later - I had to make up for lost time. Why not at this mecca for carnivores? I have been to other Brazilian Steakhouses before and Fogo de Chao is up there. Even with a hefty price tag for dinner, I would easily go again in a heartbeat. Just let me lose about 20 lbs. first, so I can happily gain it all back here. If you've never been to one, they basically have "gauchos" walking around with specific cuts of meat. If your "flag" (round coaster with a red side and green side) is on green, they ask if you would like a piece. If it's red, they move along. I wanted to keep it green, but they literally bombard you (not in an annoying way) when that thing is flipped on green. Fogo features 11 different cuts with a salad bar to compliment your meal. Out of the 11, here's a list of what I tried, please note, most of the meats were tender, moist, and seasoned just right (light salt) with additional descriptions Picanha (Top Sirloin) - their signature cut. This thing literally melted in my mouth. It had a nice salt crust. As soon as I put it in my mouth, it was euphoric. My favorite cut, bar none. Filet Mignon - basic Filet Mignon if I'm not mistaken, wrapped in bacon Beef Ancho (Rib Eye) - nice marbling of fat and meat Alcatra (Top Sirloin) - not as tender as the other meats, but still enjoyable Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin) - a bit more juicy than the other cuts, but wasn't "off the chain" Costela (Beef Ribs) - the surprise of the bunch. I normally get dry, tough beef ribs. This was so tender and moist, my friend Amy W's eyes LIT UP when she ate them. I'm guessing she was expecting the same thing. Frango (Chicken) - wrapped in bacon, was a little dry, not one of my favorites Costela de Porco (Pork Ribs) - really dry, and a little on the tough side. I got it once, and passed on it the rest of the meal Lombo (Pork Loin) - a little dry, Parmesan cheese crusted, tough. It wasn't one of my favorites Linguica (Sausage) - pretty good, snap. It was good, but I chose the other meats. Side dishes (included in the meal) - po de queijo (warm cheese bread), crispy hot polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas I didn't touch the bread or mashed potatoes as I know that would probably fill me (carbs). I did try some of the polenta, which was decent, but nothing to right home about. I also tried the bananas, which I ate as my dessert. I got the following from the salad bar which were good to compliment my meal, but nothing that I you MUST get if you're here: 24 Month, Aged Parmesan Aged Manchego Cheese Prosciutto Brazilian Hearts of Palm Artichoke Bottoms Italian Salami Jumbo Asparagus I also enjoyed their Brazilian Ginger Ale - Guaraná Brazilian soda It has the taste of Ginger Ale with a fruit twist. I'm currently looking for a case of this stuff! We also ordered a Sangria which was really good. I'm normally not a Sangria person, but I ended up drinking three glasses. Well worth ordering the large and sharing it with the rest of our group. The service was superb. Our waiter checked up on us just right. Drinks were hardly empty and the meat was always ready to be served to our individual plates. On a side note, on the way to the restaurant, the beauty salon right next to the parking lot was had paparazzi taking pictures of a blonde in the salon. Who it was? I don't know, or did I care. :X If you plan on going here, please take me with you! I'll pay for my own food, promise!
(5)
Austin S.
Long story short: If you don't know what an orgy of meat is like, come to this place. Long story long: A good friend of mine just recently turned 30. In his hay day, he was known for being a big eater. He definitely appreciates food and just loves to eat. He is in fact, a Yelper, but shall remain unamed. Anywho, for his 30th birthday, he decided to go big. He originally wanted to go to some other Argentinian place for dinner, but they couldn't accommodate our party of almost 20, so we switched to this place. This restaurant is located on La Cienega Restaurant Row. Hiding in the shadow of the SLS Hotel, this place seems to get lost in plethora of restaurants. If you've read my Jar and Petrossian reviews, you should know what I'm talking about. The restaurant itself is beautiful. I mean, given the neighborhood, there's no doubt that this place is catering to the upper middle class and beyond. I mean, $60 for endless and copious amount of meat? Hey, if that floats your boat. I'm just saying.... We were set up in the back room and were given one long table. I guess the way the room was laid out, that was the best they could do. Of course, when you have as many people as we did, it only adds to the difficulty of it. I suppose looking back in retrospect, the key complaint among our group was the setup, not allowing everybody the ability to talk to everybody else. We were more or less restricted to talking to those only in our closest proximity. Each place setting had a little button, which actually more resembled that of a stock paper coaster, that was red on one side and green on the other. In case you're not familiar with this concept, it's the "keep the meat coming/I'm done" button. You put it green side up if you want the guys coming around with meat on a stick to you, red to let them know you're done. This is where I went into a bovinal, swinal, and poultric haze. I had tri-tip, sirloin, filet, chicken, pork ribs, lamb chops, garlic beef, garlic chicken, uh... probably one or two more things. I can't really quite remember. I told you it was a copious amount of meat. I originally had decided to not hit up the included salad bar, because well, salad would only take up space, but I probably should've gotten some leaves to help pass things through. Just saying.... I had some filet mignon and it was on the rare side of medium rare, but I liked it. It was glorious. I honestly had so much meat I can't remember what else I liked. The garlic beef had good flavor but was dry. As was the garlic chicken. Service was alright. They were quite attentive and helpful. One of our servers, who happened to be Asian, spoke in a low, Sulu kind of voice and was oddly polite. Like when I asked for the bill, he said, in his Sulu voice "Very well". WTF?!?!?! It was quite amusing in fact. I mean, this place has been here for a long time and if you're a big meatatarian like my friend or myself, then you would really enjoy this place, however I'm just not sure if it's worth the $60 price tag. I suppose if I was invited back not on my dollar, I'd come back. But I'd rather spend that amount of money on a variety of things at like Petrossian. Just saying....
(3)
Andrew W.
Oh, Fogo. I've heard so much about you and I finally got to come for dineLA. We got seated in the very back corner which, as we anticipated, caused some slow service problems. When we alerted our waiter, though, three guys with skewers of meat simultaneously rushed over to our table almost immediately, so props for that. The meat is kind of hit or miss. I had two servings of the pork ribs from two different servers, and one was way oversalted while the other was just right and quite delicious. The filet mignon is not brought out as often as the other cuts, and they won't give each person more than one piece at a time (which our server told us rather rudely). They were nothing to obsess over, though, just small golf-ball sized cuts of filet mignon that were predictably overcooked - the piece I received was about medium-well, which more or less ruins the point of eating a filet mignon. My favorite cut is the picanha, the top sirloin, particularly the thick cut version. The garlic picanha is quite tasty but was also oversalted. The salad bar is pretty extensive with many varieties of vegetables and cheeses, but the smart choice is probably to save room for the meat. I sampled everything on the first trip but after that just stuck with some butter lettuce to chew on occasionally, so as to prevent my body from rebelling against me after it discovers that I am trying to devolve us back to carnivority. The side dishes are so good, though, that they almost outshine the meat. The fried bananas provide a nice sweet respite, while the cheesy bread is simply amazing. I think I ate two baskets of the cheesy bread myself. Needless to say I felt horrible afterward, but I think it was worth it. As others have said these past two weeks, it's worth the dineLA price, but is it worth the regular price? Probably not, and it's because of the inconsistency in the way these Brazilians barbecue their meat. You could have some of the best cuts of beef you've ever eaten, or leave with your plate full of half-eaten oversalted and overcooked rubbish. Most of the time you'll fall somewhere in between.
(4)
Robert F.
Amazing steak, beautifully cooked. Great selection at the salad bar.
(5)
Juan P.
Really good. Took my wife for Valentines dinner and i was more than what we expected. The bad thing is i get full fast, so really could not try every meat selection. But over all this place was well worth it. I even got a complimentary gift card to return for a free lunch. Since my office is in Beverly Hills i though it was a really good gesture on their part. Will be coming back soon...
(5)
Marielee C.
I read somewhere that if you like the taste of meat, Fogo is the place to go. I must admit that Fogo de Chao did not disappoint. I like the fact that if you are the kind of person that likes their meat a bit on the burnt side, you can ask one of the servers that you like it well done and they will just do their round and come back to give you a well done portion. The salad bar has a good selection as well since they have salami's, prosciutto's and cheeses. All in all, it was a good experience and indeed the best place to go for meat lovers.
(4)
Diana H.
WHAT HAPPENED HERE? Came here around two years ago and I would have given it four stars, but I came here this year and everything was just blegh. First off - the salad bar. WHAT HAPPENED? They used have such an orgasmic salad bar with different kinds of deli meat, cheese, all kinds of fancy schmancy great tasting stuff but this time when I came it was smaller and more generic. I can't taste the quality at all. Also - the meats. I can't even describe how disappointed I am that I spent over $70 here. Seriously. It's near impossible to get actual medium to medium rare cuts. When I ask for it, I would rather you be honest and tell me you don't have any than give me medium well and pretend I wouldn't notice. Also another problem - two years ago when I came and it was crowded, the waiters carrying the slabs of meat were competent and knew how to make rounds and get to every table and were observant of your green/red table card. This time it was like they couldn't wait to get off work or something (we came here well before closing). Not only can they not tell the difference between medium well and medium rare, they were pretty negligent and I had to FLAG THEM DOWN and wave my arms around like a madwoman - I even had to ask other waiters to send specific cuts over. Such a mission, and totally ruins the experience. Also - most of the meats and cuts just didn't taste as good. They were kind of bland and dry, and some of them weren't even hot - they were lukewarm bordering on cold. But the worst offense is still the lack of flavor. I came here in February of this year a day or two after V-day, so it wasn't even that busy. This used to my boyfriend's favorite restaurant (hence the late V-day dinner), but after that night both of us left feeling unfulfilled, hungry (HUNGRY!), and vowed to never come back again, or at least until things get better. We're both HUGE meat eaters, so you can imagine how disappointing this was to us. The two stars is for the service (our waiter was really nice) and the papaya cream. Thank god for the papaya cream, or else I would have just given one star. But I guess it's also worthwhile to mention that the small side dishes that come with the meal are still pretty good - especially the mashed potatoes and the sweet plantain.
(2)
Irene C.
Made reservations for Mother's Day and was super excited to go into a meat coma with my mother-in-law-to-be-maybe. We got seated right at our reservation time which is always awesome. The meats were all burnt and dry except for the inside of the garlic picanha They're pretty quick to come by when you're ready for meat. Maybe too fast because it got a little overwhelming with men with big knives and tongs trying to cut you a piece of the daily catch. The salad bar has a bunch of stuff but its not that amazing. Their have huge cuts of asparagus. I'm talking freakish.. The size of a carrot? Is that how they do it in Brazil? Anyway, the service was okay but nothing too friendly. I wasn't too impressed with the food and probably won't be coming back unless I was being dragged here.
(2)
Yesenia R.
Words can't express how I feel about this place . It's amazing, service it's amazing, people are amazing, atmosphere it's amazing, food it's amazing.. I can't say anything wrong! The perfect experience! One of my favorite restaurants..
(5)
Abbys A.
I usually come here with family on special occasion or to celebrate a special event with someone special. This restaurant is as impressive as it is expensive. I know it states $65 per person but I'd say prepare to pay $100 (or more) per head here, including drinks and dessert, tip not included. Drinks vary from $3 for bottle of 8oz coke to $12 or so for cocktails. So why come here? The experience is unique, the food are amazing. We always had great time here (and in Florida location), our recent visit was not any different. Salad bar are tops; I always enjoy their smoke salmon, Prosciutto, heart of Palm and the aged parmesan. However, I always TRY to save room for the main meats - every single cut are cooked and seasoned very well. Some might find it salty but I like bold flavors in my meat. My favorite is the cordeiro or lamb, next would be the beef ancho (rib eye) and the filet mignon (of course). I use to love picanha (rump) but for some reason, on our recent visit, it was not much to my liking. It tasted somewhat rough and dry. The chicken and the sausage was the least of my favorite here. As always, I love the polenta and caramelized banana. They usually do not serve rice unless requested. As for drinks, one must try caipirinha - sweet and refreshing; cleanse the pallet from all the heavy meat taste. As for desserts, one must try the papaya cream, crème Brulee and molten cake. I have yet to try their Brazilian flan. TIP: If you are celebrating a special occasion, do call for reservation and let them know, they surprised us with a complimentary molten cake for the occasion (with special greetings on the cake). Service is consistently awesome - friendly, fast and efficient. They also do not rush you. It doesn't matter if it's a full night. So yea, eat as much as you can yet take your time and enjoy your company! I seriously have not tried any other Brazilian churrascaria than Fogo de Chao. If there's one out there that's worth trying, do let me know.
(5)
Nancy A.
I came here for my graduation dinner and loved every minute of it. If you love meat, this is the place to be. I've been to several Brazilian BBQ places and this is by far my favorite. Their salad bar is excellent. They have a wide variety of cheeses, meats, salad and etc. Come hungry because there are so many items to try!
(4)
Lidiya M.
My mom decided to be fancy for her birthday and asked me to make reservations here. I got on Yelp and made some quick reservations for the same night, at 7:30. I know the dress code says "casual," but we dressed nicely anyway. GLAD WE DID. Everyone was wearing suits and dresses! The only people in jeans were total tourists and stood our like sore thumbs. Either way, I digress. My reservation is for 7:30, but we're not seated until closer to 7:50. That's annoying, but okay. It's Saturday night. I get it. The table we get is a little bit crappy (right near a service desk and right under the AC), but we are surprisingly okay with this. Let the meal commence! We hit up the cold plates/salad bar, where I find a small selection of deli meats, a cheese, several salads, a make-your-own-salad station, and assorted marinated, cold vegetables (e.g. garlic, bell peppers, asparagus, etc.). My mind isn't blown, but we sample a bunch of the food and it's tasty. A waiter brings us cheesy bread, polenta, plantains, and garlic mashed potatoes; YUM. The servings were small, but replenished often. At this point I decide to order a bottle of champagne for the table and we flip our discs over to the green side. Bring on the meat! Right off the bat I could see we would have a small problem with the meat because two of us like rare meat and the rest like medium/well. Those particular cuts are rarely brought out together, so we often had moments where half of our table had food and the other didn't. But whatever, it was delicious. I stuffed my face full of rib-eye, sirloin, and of course, filet mignon. The bacon-wrapped chicken and meat was just okay; I stuck to steak after that. Nobody tried the lamb and we didn't get to try the grilled fish that was apparently being circulated, but the cuts of meat I received were tender and were definitely a reasonable size. I usually eat a primarily vegetarian diet but I definitely let my wild side out. The server even laughed at my voracious appetite! The champagne was phenomenal. It was the perfect complement to the meal. And at $45/bottle, it was more than worth the price--a glass of the same champagne is $15/person, and with that bottle we got two glasses each for five people. Win! Total bill came out to a little over $360 for five people plus drinks, and I left a nice tip on top of it. Service was top-notch and the food was good. Splurge!
(4)
Ahat Serdar C.
Lamb, lamb, lamb and lamb! Just go there for the lamb and the lamb is great. I wish they give more selections and a volume of lamb tho. It's mainly beef and pork.
(5)
Sam P.
Get ready for meat-ageddon. These fools have declared jihad against vegetarians and they are fully armed with skewers of meat. They'll bombarded from all sides with chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and sausage. The meat barrage won't stop until you yield under the pressure by turning over your card from green to red. You instantly feel emasculated to have to cry "Uncle" so you call it a break when you already know you've been defeated. Don't be a rookie and fill up at the salad bar. Seriously, don't be that guy. Go out under an avalanche of meat that leaves you in a food coma for days.
(4)
Yana T.
This is one of the best restaurants!!! I just realized I should of made reservation here for Mother's Day!!! Salad bar is great and the meat --- it melts in your mouth!!
(5)
George L.
Best Brazilian BBQ in LA!
(5)
Phoenix W.
I absoultely love this place.. it's pricey to most, but I believe you get what you pay for.. the meats are cooked perfectly.. juicy, nicely seasoned.. Have I mentioned their bread? It's yummy! I LOVE GARLIC! Their signature mojito style beverage is quite fabulous (me- non alcoholic drinker) it sure made me feel awesome lol!
(5)
Fahad A.
Excellent food but the service wasn't as expected from such a restaurant . I waited for a long time for the waiters to start serving me with meat. In fact, I talked to one of the floor managers (I assume) and since then, the show began
(4)
Esther L.
I don't know what they put in the cheese bread here to make people give it such high ratings, but you know something's just not right when you gift your parents--that's just two people folks--a $150 gift cert to this place, which ended up barely covering their drinks on top of the food, and find the food is overcooked, salty and the salad bar underwhelming. I've been to a few other Brazilian steakhouses in my time and I was expecting the salad bar to at least rival the one at Rei do Gado in San Diego with Fogo's top location and steep pricing, but there was truly only salads and boring ones at that here. Ok, so Fogo's doesn't have crab legs and assorted seafood, meats and cheeses in their offerings at the salad bar like Rei do Gado: that's fine, we're not expecting it to be Vegas. But they also didn't deliver on their promise of nicely cooked and seasoned meats. Somewhere in Brazil a gaucho is crying.
(1)
Tina C.
good meats and very good salad bar. they have just about everything you want to put in your mouth. Oh and good sangria too!
(5)
Vicky L.
This review is totally on the receptionist who answered the phone at 430pm on February 1, 2013. RUDEST response ever. Gave me attitude for a simple question of if I can push back half an hour. Not what I'm expecting from fogo.
(1)
Charlene H.
Great picanha! Great pao de queijo! Good service. Average salad bar.
(4)
Danny C.
The Fogo De Chao in Baltimore was absolute amazingness. So while visiting my girlfriend in Orange County, I found out there was a Fogo De Chao in Beverly Hills! :O My girlfriend has never even heard about a Brazilian Steakhouse before. Soooooo I took advantage of the situation and introduced her to Fogo De Chao! This particular location was more upscale. Valet is $5.50 and its mandatory unless you wanna park a mile away and walk your butt there. The moment you walk in, you're surrounded by walls of wine bottles. Then taking a seat at a table; comfy seats, nice tables, very spacious, excellent servers. We went in right when it opened at 11:30am so it was only us and 1 other couple which really made our experience more special. All the attention was to us. We got up to get some food from the salad bar and wow... They had the same stuff from the Baltimore location but also had more variety. Fresh as can be. Quality smoked salmon. Different kinds of deli meats. Various types of different salads. Fruits & veggies. A 50+ pound wheel of cheese. Greatness. We sat down and flipped the cards to green... Not even 1 minute later the food started to pour in! But instead of them overwhelming us with so much food, they gave us time to eat some of the hot, fresh, and delicious meats before serving us more. The service here was PERFECT. Always refilled my glass of water and iced tea before it even got halfway through! And when they refilled my drinks, they always put them back down to its original place. Since it was my girlfriends first time going here, she wasn't used to using the tongs but those who served us were very patient and friendly. Some of the servers were humorous as well, making us laugh a few times. The manager? Stopped by a few times to make sure we were having a good time. Everybody that worked there were always smiling and outgoing. We ordered dessert. A chocolate ice cream and a molten lava cake. The chocolate ice cream tasted like, chocolate ice cream... But my gf loved it. My molten lava cake was delicious! Hot chocolate cake with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Sooooo good! We were already full before the dessert, but since it was my first time showing her this place, I had to finish the experience with a cherry on top. :) The service in Baltimore was almost perfect. The service here was perfect. (In my experience). But the food in baltimore was better because they actually had 3 choices each time the steaks came around. Medium Rare, Medium Well, and Well Done. As for this location, they never had it... Or they just never asked. Either way, as long as the steaks aren't too rare and not fully done, i'm happy.
(5)
FRANCE B.
This place is just like any other churrascaria except with better choices and cuts of meat. The unlimited sides and salad bar is awesome and this place has a great ambiance. Its located on a very busy street, difficult to find parking so you probably have to valet. The restaurant is nice but seating is a little crowded as the tables are close together and there's a constant stream of servers walking in between tables serving the meats. I really liked eating her for my sister's birthday. We came for lunch during Dine-LA week so it was about $25/person which is a great deal. I recommend people who want to try out this place to come during the next Dine LA/Restaurant week because normal prices are $35/$56 per person.
(4)
Jane R.
This restaurant is by far one of the best of LA. Even though I feel is a little touristic, the quality and the service is always great.from Monday to Saturday is great! Si days are usually very slow, you don't get to eat as much meats as the other days. It's pricey, but it definitely worth it. I would suggest to include pick up service at least for the paÅ de queijos, and some starters.
(5)
Macky G.
Very good service and great setting. We went here this past Labor day. It was very busy. We had a reservation, and got seated right away. The server was very pleasant and professional. My 14 year old loved the different steak options as well as the chicken. The leat is well seasoned and not overcooked. The server will ask t ou what cut you like and how cooked you like it. When my 19 month old baby decided that she was not going to sit in the booster, the staff was very accommodating to my needs. This place is very kid friendly. That was a relief!. Thank you.
(5)
Ben R.
Perfection. Meat was exquisite. A meat lovers paradise. Our servers were awesome and kept bring our select meat items to the table. I never felt like I had to settle with cuts I did not prefer. The produce in the market bar was delicious, fresh and a great accompaniment. As a matter of fact it was a meal in and of itself. The ambience was nice but loud. Long wait and lines if you don't have reservation or seat after 5.
(5)
Josie C.
I wish I can give it a better review since this is my second time to this place. First time we came for our anniversary and the food and services were great. So we come back again for my friends birthday during lunch time today. This time, we all felt disappoint on the services. We got a table that is in the corner next to a door that were slightly open, and a fly were flying all over our food. We told our server to close the door, and he said he gonna see if he can close it but the door were open during the whole time when we where there. The worst part is they keep ignore our table when they bring the meat out. We have to ask our server 3 times and wait so long for meat to come to our table. We can see they keep bring those meat to those table around us but never made to our table. I will NOT recommend for big party.
(3)
Bert V.
The food was ok. Sometimes the meat was overcooked, sometimes it was all cartilage, and sometimes when you find that piece with the little burned end the salt is over whelming. Sometimes I get mad when I spend $60. 5 stars for the water. One of the best I've drank. It wasn't even one of the expensive water options they offered. It was the free version.
(3)
Silve G.
I loved it! The food was amazing, the service was great, the place is nice and clean and great selection at the salad bar!
(5)
Lindsey M.
My boyfirned took me here for my birthday. We had a reservation, it was busy but we didn't wait long. Small bar with bright lighting. The dining room is much more dim. The salad bar was deliscious, however be careful not to load up too much because the meat is the best part. Wonderful tasting meat. Many different types and varieties. Very tender and juicy.
(4)
Roberta A.
Beginning with the valet parking, all the way to the end of the service, Fogo de ChÄo is worth EVERY penny. The place itself is extremely elegant, the food has flavor like no other, and the background music made the environment cozier. The most important part was the treatment we got from our Chic Mario. He made the experience very very important and made the place very special to us. We made memories and met people we'll never forget.
(5)
Liz B.
Loved every second of being at Fogo de Chão!! The Experience, the food, the service, the cleanliness...Everything was spectacular!! Brazilian food is delicious and desserts even more!! Everyone made us feel welcome and catered to, especially Mario!! Mario..You are awesome!!! Hope to come back soon!!
(5)
Nicole B.
All you can eat meat during DINE LA for a price you can't beat?! I had to be there! I heard nothing but amazing things about this place, so I had to try it out. I went during the week of DINE LA for lunch because I couldn't make dinner times, but the menu was the exact same thing as it was for dinner. I made a reservation for about 1pm and got there 10 minutes late because I got stuck in traffic. However, once I got there with my boyfriend, the host attended to us immediately and we got into our sits right away. The server was very friendly and explained how ordering the meat works. They give you a small circular chip looking thing with red on one side and green on the other. Red means that you didn't need any meat at the moment, but once you flip that little card over, men with fresh, hot, and juicy meat would walk up to you and offer what they carried. The salad bar had a good variety. I personally LOVED the smoked salmon. It was delicious, and this is coming from a person who doesn't like fish. The cheese was good and the salad options were nice and fresh! I wanted to try as much meat as possible so I didn't have too much salad(which was an ingenious idea!) After the salad bar, the waiter brought us our side dishes. The cheese bread was delicious, I had to stop myself so I didn't get full off of just bread! The other sides were good too, I personally liked the mashed potatoes. On to the best part, the meat! There were so many different meats that they offered me, I can't really remember which one was my favorite. They had several options for lamb(which I'm not a fan of, so I can't really go into that but my boyfriend said that it was his favorite meat that he tried that day), chicken, sausage, and a variety of beef. I'm personally a chicken fan so I loved the chicken. It was succulent and the seasoning they used was amazing! Another meat that stood out to me was the filet mignon. It was tender, juicy, and delicious. I repeat, it was freaking delicious. I'm not much of a meat person, but man. It was seriously to DIE for! Overall, I had an amazing experience at this place, and I would go again! You can only have so much meat, but the quality here is impeccable. If you're on a college budget like I am and haven't tried this place, I'd recommend going during DINE LA to save some money, but still get a pretty good experience. It was pretty packed when I went, but I didn't have any problems with the service. Everyone was attentive, prompt, and I got all the meat my heart could ask for.
(5)
Reza S.
Good food and good service . It is pricy though the lunch a d dinner menu are the same so try luncheon since it is 20-25 dollars Cheaper than dinner menu.
(5)
Marianna K.
Awesome salad bar - I was full before they even started serving meat - and I knew it too since this is my 4th time here... And I tried all the meat - wait for the beef rib - it's THE best! they bring it out of a special cutting board!
(5)
B R.
Hands down this is my favorite places to dine .. It's a great experience if you've never tried it I suggest you do.. Best Brazilian BBQ ever..
(5)
BETH E.
This is my first time to this restaurant for dinner - and haven't yet decided if I would go back. The place was completely 100 % packed . Tables extremely close to each other, as well as chairs. Very loud. Customer service ? I don't really know if there was customer service?--They weren't overly polite or asking any questions-I know not a person asked me if I needed anything or if I enjoyed my meal - but this restaurant seems to be more about High speed- like you are at a Nascar race and waiting to see who can change the tire the fastest. The food was good- but friends on both sides of me had super undercooked under rare beef on their plates that they were unable to eat. They have a huge amount of employees that barely stop moving -all they do is offer meat. But did a large group eat fast - YES . The salad bar is very nice -and they don't rush you there. Great selection of antipasto type items and interesting vegetables. One waiter filled up my co workers glass of wine and poured it on the table and my cell phone and didn't even notice- and barely even cared because he was moving so fast. We had to call him back over - and ask for help . Steak was excellent but this high paced eat your meat as fast as you can atmosphere in a meat warehouse--- unless I am going to catch a plane or jump in a race car- - not for me . Samba is not as fancy , but the customer service excels.
(3)
Alice Y.
This place blows me away! Having gone to Brazil twice, I occasionally crave brazilian bbq and pao de queijo. That said, this place rocks! I went during DineLA restaurant week with my boyfriend for an anniversary dinner. Having made a reservation and arriving 20 minutes late, we only had to wait 10 minutes to get seated around 7 pm. It was bustling in the foyer as soon as we got seated! Nevertheless, the servers are so kind. They came and checked on my table multiple times for drinks, new plates, and fresh side dishes. The cinnamon/sugar bananas, crispy polenta, and mashed potatoes were all pretty good. I love plantains, so I was a little sad not to see that on their menu (especially since lots of plantain dishes exist in Brazil), but still good. Also, you can't go to Fogo without ordering Guarana. It's the national soda of Brazil. Trust me, once you try it, you'll fall in love. The endless pao de queijo! AHH!!! Their cheese bread is scrumptious! I had to restrain myself from eating too many so that I could save room for the meat! The bread is crispy on the outside, warm and chewy on the inside. They brought them fresh from the oven to our table every 15 minutes or so. Really good. The meat was delicious. The filet mignon, beef ancho (rib eye), alcatra (top sirloin) fraldinha (bottom sirloin), and bacon-wrapped frango (chicken breast) were delicious! The meat just melts in your mouth and the way it's prepared (i asked for medium-rare) was spot on. It's cool how the gauchos are all in charge of grilling their own skewers of meat. It really gives them control (and improves quality of service) when they know exactly what part of the meat is a specific heat (rare vs. well-done) and they can give you details on how exactly it's grilled. I'd have to pass on the linguica pork sausage (a bit dry), cordeiro rack of lamb (dry and smelled like lamb), and picanha (top sirloin). They weren't as good as the others, but since I'm not the biggest meat person, you can judge for yourself. We finished off with dessert with coffee. I had the tres leches cake and my boyfriend had the flan. They were okay. Both were really rich and sweet, so the coffee was a must. Just a warning: brazilian coffee is really strong (which goes perfect with the super sweet desserts). Just letting you know... Overall, a great experience. I would totally come again.
(5)
Elijah K.
My girlfriend and I decided to celebrate her new job here on July 14, the first night of DineLA. And as a former, I can attest first-hand to knowing how much busier the restaurant can get - especially from poor college students like myself who normally couldn't afford such restaurants. The restaurant was filled, and even though we were dressed for the part, I'm sure that we didn't come across as the most desirable table for a server... "Just tap water, please". That being said, Fogo de Chão provided us with the best restaurant service that we have ever received. Seriously. I could write an entirely separate post about the quality and variety of their food (also 5 stars), but I'm sure that enough people have done that. What surprised me most was how on top of it their entire staff was. It felt like we had an army of servers and bussers who were eager to offer us new meat selections, bring us more bread, and refill our cups before we even had to ask. I never reached the bottom of my glass. However, an attentive staff is nice, but not exemplary of a 5-star rating by itself. Then came along Assistant Manager Moises. This man was one of the best floor managers that I have ever seen. He was cordial, polite, and extremely attentive. He noticed that my date had a nice dress on, so proceeded to bring a spare tablecloth and drape it behind her chair to make sure that none of the juice from the meat would splash on her clothes. He came by at least 3 times to check on us throughout the meal, and when I had asked what his favorite meat was, he personally escorted one of the meat cutters to our table and made sure that we were satisfied with his recommendation. When he offered dessert and we had said that we were too full (or poor), he brought over a delicious dessert On the House to make sure that we were satisfied. The entire staff was professional from beginning to end, and the food was great, but Moises really stole the show.
(5)
Kyle M.
I visited Fogo de Chao during DineLA, and I was not disappointed. The meats were very tasty despite what I read from many reviews saying it was overcooked, flavorless, etc. The trick is that you have to try and get the meat from a fresh piece if possible; this way, it hasn't been continuing to cook as the servers walk around from table to table. I didn't spend much time at the salad bar, but what I did grab was very fresh. The table service was fantastic--every server was extremely polite and friendly, and they were very quick moving around the dining room. We never had to ask for more drinks or more meat. Overall, a great experience and I would probably even come back for the full-price menu!
(5)
Leo C.
Fogo de Chao is one of my favorite churrascaria place for great Brazilian bbq. I've been here several times and each time the experience gets better. It's not just about the quantity of meats, but the quality and variety that you are served which makes it one of the best churrascaria places in LA. It's simply a meat paradise. If this is your first visit, I suggest checking out the glass window from front of La Cienega Blvd. next to parking lot. Inside the glass window you can see the meats being cooked on the fire pit. Each slab is speared into racked skewers and turned in circular motion for even cooking. You can see the juices and fat drip on to itself as it self baste, keeping the meat juicy and moist. It's great way to see your meats being cooked. Both lunch and dinner are identical. Same food and cuts of meat are served. Only difference lunch is $20 cheaper. Once you walk inside and have been seated, you're served with a side dish of cheese bread, mash potatoes, polenta cakes and sweet cooked plantains which comes with your meal. There's also complimentary salad bar - salad, cold cuts, cheese and vegetable. Tip - I would ease up on salad bar, plantains and bread if I were you. Last thing you want is to get full before the meat even arrives. The reason you came here is to taste the great cuts of cooked meats. Not for sides or salads. Now for the good part. There's a large two sided colored button on the table. Red color means "Stop" and green "Go." If you're ready to release the flood gates of meat goodness, then turn the button over to green. Immediately you're served by guys carrying slabs of meat on large skewers, coming by your table and slicing pieces of meat on your plate. Each person carries different cuts of meat . The meat selection include: bacon wrap filet mignon, lamb chops, sirloin, ribeye, chicken, beef ribs, pork sausage. My favorite was garlic sirloin, ribeye and filet mignon so juicy and flavorful. The lamb chops were also good, but a little gamey which I didn't mind cause I like lamb. Overall - the experience is incredible. The staff and waiters provide attentive service. If it wasn't for the location (Beverly Hill) and traffic, I would be here more often. The price of the meal is definitely worth it and earns a 5 star. Parking: valet or park on street.
(5)
Evelyn L.
For a place that specializes in meat I was very surprised at how good their flan was. I would love to come back to Fogo De Chao but just for the flan. Why you ask when everyone says the meats are so amazing? Well I feel that the price is pretty steep and you are just paying for the location/service when there are comparable places at lower prices just a hop, skip, and jump (through traffic) away. Parking: Valet for $5.50 but if you are VERY lucky you can get free street parking after 4pm. Service: We had a party of about 25 people, they get auto gratuity 18% but they deserve it. They are attentive with water, requests, and providing clean plates. The meats: Its a hit or miss, some are over cooked or bland while others are moist, tender, and delicious. I really liked the lamb chop, but the 2nd piece I got was very tough. The ribeye was great and so was the beef rib. Seriously, get the beef rib NOT the pork rib which was dry. Salad bar: Pretty standard: cold cuts, cheeses, salads, cold veggies etc. I'd rather go to a Brazilian place in Pasadena or Glendale. For the price, unless like this time its a special occasion or DineLA, I won't be back.
(3)
Linda D.
Must go to Fogo! This is the best Brazilian BBQ that I have had to date! It is meat- heaven! Even the salad bar was good!
(4)
Jamie B.
Went there for our anniversary and the staff and manager greeted us and have us a free dessert. It was truly a surprise!!
(4)
Francis M.
Take all those DineLA reviews with a grain of salt. It's like people complaining that a department store is messy on black friday. People complaining about price, you should know what your getting yourself into (you can check the website for $). I've gone to restaurants where 1 steak ended up costing $60-$80. So All You Can Eat isn't that bad for $60. If you like Korean BBQ go eat that. I reserved a table for 2 @ 500pm on a Sunday. I was expecting a wait after reading all the recent reviews. We got there around 4:50pm and checked in and we were immediately seated. There is only valet parking ($6.25), you could try finding metered parking on the street as an alternative. Servers were attentive and could be found everywhere. Even managers came out to say hello to all the diners. From the previous post I was expecting service to lag. But to my surprise we were getting served really quickly. At one point I had to turn my green card upside down to red because of all the food I was getting. The chicken was dry but all the meats were juicy. The bread of course was still good. For the people saying they could cook better at home, just stay home and cook or open your own restaurant.
(4)
Jen H.
The salad bar along with the wide variety of meats is impresive. Be sure to save room for the picanha! It's the most expensive meat they have and they always bring it out last so you don't eat as much of it. Beware that valet takes a really long time to retrieve your car.
(4)
Lauren G.
This place is a total zoo. People are running around like their hair is on fire. It's noisy with weirdly bright lighting. The ambiance is absolutely horrible. I got the salad bar and it was exorbitantly priced for an incredibly limited selection and mediocore food. On top of that there was an actual line for the salad bar 20 people deep. The only thing I can say is that their version of a moscow mule was good and the service was decent. This place reminded me of my college cafeteria except more expensive and filled with tourists. The worst dining atmosphere I have been in counting Taco Bell. Never again.
(2)
Ryu C.
Food *** 4.5 ***. Meat lover must go ! Service *** 3.5 ****. So so Clean *** 4.5 *** Price *** over $$$ *** I enjoyed their Brazilian Style BBQ even though I'm not a big meat fun. However, I wouldn't go back there anymore since I don't want to eat too much meat, I would rather go better steak place for better Quarity meat with cheaper price. This place is $60 per person, whatever you eat, you pay $60. If you can eat a big portion, it's worth going there.
(4)
Jackson Y.
Usually, I wait til I've been to a certain location at least 2 times before I give them a yelp review. But I don't think I will have another chance to come back here. Everyone who has ever mentioned Brazilian BBQ, FOGO DE CHAO always comes up. And for good reason. Not gonna lie, service here was spot on. Didn't wait very long til my table was ready, especially with the crowd of people that is already waiting in line to be seated. They don't rape you on the valet parking fees only $5.50! It is a definitely cheap parking when it comes to Beverly Hills. Besides the excellent service, I very much enjoyed the aesthetically pleasing salad bar. Everything was so organized and well presented. As a visual eater, its a must for me. If I can fill my plate with food in less than a minute, then you've done your job. I always enjoyed the sides they gave you. The puffy bread was so good, I would eat a million of these if I could. Same goes for the corn meal thingy. Enough about the not so important stuff. Lets get down to business! The meat! Let me start with the good, the 2 lamb meat were really. The lamb shank and the lamb chop were both juicy. Full of flavor. No complaints Next would probably be the pork ribs, the middle pieces were good, but I ended up with a bottom piece, it was dry and salty. The house special and the top sirloin steak where both good. Perfectly cooked, however, I found it to be a little bit under seasoned. For the rest of the meats they were either too salty, or too bland. It was quite disappointing. Not what I expected from a place like this. How could a fancy place like this serve anything that is over or under seasoned? I am not saying that the food isn't good, it's just not worth the money. I'd probably come back, if I didn't have to fork out a pretty penny or TWO just to eat some mediocre cooking. Honestly, I'd probably take my money and get some good old American BBQ or Korean BBQ for a fix of delicious protein for significantly less.
(3)
Mariyam M.
I've been looking forward to dining here since forever!! I love me a good brazillian steakhouse and the reviews sounded amazing. Made reservation for BF's birthday lunch, then found out our reservation landed on the week of DineLA. I was ecstatic! We came for lunch and it was already a pretty full house. Ordered our Caipirinhas and took a walk to the salad bar and wasn't too impressed. Yes, the smoked salmon and prosciutto was a nice touch but where were the soups? The rice? The hot foods? Oh well, I guess I prefer the salad bar at Greenfields. Back to our tables and we were set on Green and good to go! Tried various cuts of meat, the sides arrived at our table but we were already getting full. I really liked how they ask how well you wanted the cut of meat to be, I've never had that at a Churrascaria before...I should have stuck to medium but at the end I went ahead and tried a rare picanha cut and I feel like that was what did it. Because that night I was locked in the bathroom suffering from the worst food poisoning of my life!!! Oh god the terror!!! chills, cramps, explosive diarrhea...it was hell. Unfortunately I won't be able to eat here again.
(2)
Erika M.
Get ready for a MEAT FEST! Fogo doesn't play around! So be prepared to eat a small farm of sorts. Sorry Old MacDonald! Some basic steps you should take into account: Step 1: First things first, DO NOT eat that day. You'll regret it if you do. Step 2: Get yourself a drank while you wait for a table. I highly recommend their Caipirinha. Sooo delicious! They have a fruity version as well, which looked equally delicious, although I didn't get to try it. Sad face. Step 3: Once you get a table, walk on over to the salad bar. They have a good mix of appetizer-like food & salads. These make good side dishes too (better than the mashed-potatoes-out-of-a-box you get at your table), so no need to finish it all up before the meat starts to come around; unless you're a carnivore and take your meat straight up! If that's the case, then more power to you...and your heart! Step 4: Prepare for the barrage of meat that's about to come your way. Once you flip that little circle from red to green, it's non-stop! Staff is very good about coming your way with every single meat you can think of! But if you happen to miss the one meat you had your masochistic heart set on, you can simply ask for it and the Gauchos are more than happy to bring it your way. Cooked just the way you like it too! Step 5: Eat to your hearts delight! Step 6: Don't forget dessert! Their flan & chocolate lava cake are to die for! I have to admit, I'm not as big of a carnivore as I thought. I actually felt really bad afterwards seeing those poor little creatures on a stake like that. So did I get my money's worth? Probably not. Not even at the $45 Dine LA price tag. & I'm not even sure how much more it is regularly, but I heard it's pricey! Sigh. I tried. The meat is delicious. It's one of those places you just hafta try. The customer service is amazing! Major props to Victor and his assistant manager (sorry, but I forgot your name) who helped me straighten out the mistake on my bill! They even went out of his way to contact my bank to ensure the mistake was taken off immediately. I really appreciated that. That's an automatic five stars in my book.
(5)
Bob V.
I have been to San Diego and Las Vegas locations and this one is by far the best. Service and quality of meat is always on point. Best tres Leches cake you can only get at this location
(5)
C C.
I have an acquaintance who just moved here from Brazil and she gave me the approval for this place. She said it's up to par with the native Brazillian steaks so that's good enough for me! All the cuts were tender and well-prepared. They have a great selection of other items at the salad bar, etc. But we figure we'd enjoy the meats for tonight. The LEMONADE is a MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is absolutely out-of-this-world-DELICIOUS! Very pricey but I've been to other brazillian steakhouses throughout the US just as good. It's a nice splurge once in a while. I'd come here just for the lemonade though.
(5)
Christine H.
2.5 stars. I brought my boyfriend here for a surprise date during DineLA. First thing we thought was hooooly crap, they filled this place with as many tables as they could. It was so cramped and hard to navigate between the tables without your butt being on other people's tables.. Awkward... Service was slow and I had to flag a person down for everything, and with the ocean of people there that night, it was very difficult for someone to notice me :/ Anyways, we tried every piece of meat, the salad bar, the cheese rolls, mashed potatoes, plantains, polenta, & we even got dessert. The salad bar was okay. Lots of deli meat, assorted veggies, very few cheeses, few lettuce mixes, some dried fruits, and a few choices of dressing. They had shittake mushroom, bamboo, & smoked salmon. The cheese rolls tasted very similar to the popovers at BLT steak. Texture was not as good as the popovers at BLT though. Fried polenta was kind of strange. SUUUPER crazy thin. It was almost like a thin little polenta cracker of sorts, nothing amazing. Mashed potatoes were very subpar, but I love potatoes, so I ate almost all of it. Hahaha. MEATS: Picanha: The house special. Bleh, so BLAND. All we could taste was charcoal and fat :/ Very disappointing.. Filet Mignon/Rib eye: I could not tell the two apart. Seasoning was very weird.. I would cut into my meat and it'd be seasoned right, then the next piece would have a thick salt crust, and the next piece would have no salt at all.. :/ Alcatra (top sirlon): Tasted burnt. Fraldinha (carne): It's weird how half of it could be suuuper rare to the point of being raw and the other half is beyond well done.. Lombo (parmesan crusted pork): WAAAY too salty. It was inedible. Costela/Costela de Porco (beef&pork ribs): I didn't have this, but my boyfriend said it was good and he seemed to enjoy it. Cordeiro: He liked it very much, hahaha. Can't say much because I don't eat lamb.. Bacon wrapped chicken: SO MOIST, SO TENDER, SO GOOD :) I got this one twice ! Bacon wrapped filet mignon: Mmmm, so yummy. Cooked just right and the bacon had just enough saltiness to over the seasoning :) Linguica (sausage): Very smokey and packed with flavor ! Delish ! Finaaalllyy, we had creme brule because I can NEVER say no to my favorite dessert of all time :) It was pretty dense, but flavorful and suuuper creamy. Yummy. Not the best creme brule I've ever had, but it was pretty simple and good. Honestly, I would not come back. The meats were supposed to be the main part of the meal and I only enjoyed three things -__- It was really disappointing. Save your money and go to a nice steak house. You'll enjoy it a lot better, believe me. P.S. Valet is 5.50, but they don't give you 50 cents back in change, so it's really six dollars. LOL.
(2)
Leena B.
I went here for a birthday week celebration and we had an LA restaurant week coupon! If we didn't have the half-off price, I would not pay that much. The meat was cooked very well and if I wanted it rare, the waiters would come back with more and more rare pieces. I was forced to turn my car from red to green just because I felt that the waiters came back just for me. The salad bar was also delicious. But I feel like the smoked salmon doesn't go with the meat and I LOVE salmon... The drinks were not good. Maybe if I were one of the girls that liked drinks where you couldn't taste the alcohol, it would be nice. It was filled with fruit and ice. So after two fruity caipirinhas, I went for the bottle of wine but by then, my tab was waaaaaaay past it's budget...
(3)
Sam L.
Great selection of meats and large variety at the salad bar. Make sure you come starving because its an insane amount of food! The meats are a hit and miss. The chicken and pork were very dry. I didn't particularly enjoy the sausage either. But the lamb, filet mignon, and garlic picanha were outstandingly juicy and flavorful. However, they went overboard on the salt for few of the cuts. [One note: the way the meats are cooked is very inconsistent. I had a perfectly tasty medium cooked filet mignon piece and when I asked for the same cut a while later, the piece they gave me was extremely dry and way overcooked. Make sure to ask the carver how the meat is cooked on that particular spit.] Plates of fried polenta (fried and tasteless), bananas (yummy), mashed potatoes (a bit watery and tasteless), and a basket of warm cheesy bread are brought to every table. At the salad bar, I'd recommend the smoked salmon Also the cut apple salad with pineapples and raisins-very refreshing in between bites of salty meat. For drinks, the sangria is excellent! Dessert-wise we ordered the papaya cream and tres leches -which weren't anything too life shattering. Service was okay, it was crowded during dinnertime and frequently the servers would miss our table. Ambience- nice but not pretentiously upscale. Overall, its a great place for a rare treat...definitely not a restaurant anyone would want to frequent weekly or even monthly- unless you want to have serious weight/health issues. Valet is $5.50 and for dine la, our bill came out to approx. $75pp including dessert, drinks, tax, and tip.
(4)
Guillermo C.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't been said before. This place is definitely worth the coin! Thank you DineLA for making it a little more affordable ;) So far the BEST Brazillian BBQ I have tasted in SoCal! The meats are GRRRREAT! 'Nuff said! ;)
(5)
Alana M.
Went for DineLA and was thoroughly impressed. The service was great, food hot, and my caipirinha strong. I had never been to a Brazilian steakhouse before so I wasn't sure what to expect except a lot of meat. Favorite cuts were the picanha and bacon wrapped filet mignon. The other meats are flavorful but not super special. Only minor complaints were that the regular filet mignon was overcooked and the sides were not good. Mashed potatoes from a box? Yuck. But that's not why you go. Salad bar was pretty good. For $25 restaurant week it cannot be beat. During lunch, there's no problem finding street parking either. 2 bucks per hour. Whatever you do, do not eat before coming here. After this dinner you will not want to eat red meat for a week.
(5)
Ryan W.
I finally went and tried Fogo De Chao after waiting a very long time! All I can say is wow! If you have your card on green, which means you want meat, be prepared to get bombarded with sticks of meat in your face. I swear I just got a piece of meat and before I can cut it, another waiter brings another cut of meat to me. Pretty much this is every persons "meat paradise". From beef to chicken to pork, they have it all covered! Parking: Valet $5.50 or park on a side street for free Service: The service was excellent! the staff was non-stop. Not only the people that brought the meat, but the staff that refilled the drinks, the staff that helped clear the plates, the lady who walked around asking if we needed anything else and the gentleman who brought us more of the sides. I'm a big person a service and I was extremely happy with the service that I received! Food: Salad bar: It can be sort of overwhelming at first with all of the different kinds of cheeses, meats (prosciutto, smoked salmon, salami), salad, artichoke hearts, vegetables and so on. Don't be fooled though...these are meant to fill you up before the meat arrives so I just got a little of everything just to try it out, but saved the majority of room for the meats! Sides: Palenta, mashed potatoes, cheese bread (yummm) and fried plantains (add sweetness to an otherwise salty meal). Meats: I could go into detail about every single meat that I tried, but I'm just going to say my top 3. Filet mignon- Cooked perfectly to a medium rare. It was so tender and flavorful! Absolutely excellent! The best part is AYCE! I seriously ate about 30 oz. of filet mignon. Beef ancho (rib-eye): This cut has such good marbling on it. Provided just the right amount of fat so it's nice and juicy! The piece is so tender, juicy and flavorful. Picanha (prime part of sirloin): I had mine flavored with a garlic sauce. The meat was a little less tender, but the garlic sauce tasted like heaven. I absolutely love garlic and this piece of meat definitely had enough garlic on it. Like I said the meat was a little less tender and more dry, but I was in love with the sauce. Overall I thought the service and food was great! I'd definitely come back soon.
(4)
Su L.
It is by far the best Brazilian BBQ I have ever had. The flavor is good, the meat is tender (except the pork selections), the cocktail drinks are awesome, etc. But considering how expensive it is, I just can't bring myself to say it's amazing or I'll go back often. The salad bar can be better. If you like red meat and really love BBQ (especially Brazilian BBQ), you should at least go check it out!
(3)
H. A.
Tried this place during dine LA and I fell in love. If you're meat lover you would definitely enjoy dining here. The meat was amazing, my favorites were the Picanha and Alcatra. Their bread rolls and plantains are heavenly. The service is great, everyone is so attentive and I really felt welcomed. I highly recommend trying this place out and will be dining here again.
(5)
Faraz T.
This place used to be my favorite Brazilian restaurant. Last time I went there, I was very disappointed with the quality of meat. The meat was very dry. To my opinion, this place is not worth the price any more. They either have to lower the price or higher the quality.
(3)
Robert B.
So much meat---- a meat lovers paradise--served with one of the best salads bars I had the pleasure of enjoying.. Kind of pricey but a real unique dinning experience.....
(4)
Mike Q.
For my birthday dinner I chose Fogo de Chao because 500 yelpers and a 4.5 star rating of a meatstravaganza sounded like a perfect way to celebrate. I knew it'd be on the higher end of the price spectrum for churrascaria, so I was really expecting a Fogo de Wow experience, but it ended up being more Fogo de Pretty Good, I Guess. First off, I thought the salad bar was rather average - yes, the items were all pretty fresh, but the selection didn't blow me away. However, the main reason why this dinner didn't meet my admittedly high expectations is due to the hit-and-miss service that our dinner party received. Our primary server informed us that Fogo employs a team serving approach, at which I thought, Great! There's no way service could be lacking, as there were swarms of servers, busboys, and gauchos. In fact, as soon as you flip your coaster-indicator to green, the gauchos will buzz around your table like a swarm of bees, waiting to unload some meat your way. You better be prepared for this carnivorous onslaught, so wield that red-green coaster judiciously. I felt a little rushed at first; since I didn't want to feel like I was missing out on any of the meat, I didn't turn any of them down and inadvertently let the meats pile up. I wish the gauchos would slow their proverbial roll - it would make for a classier, less frenetic atmosphere. So future Fogo diners take heed: Don't be afraid to take a break! Savor the different cuts of meat, and take your time. Our table ended up eating, drinking wine, laughing and enjoying ourselves for a good two hours, and we figured out that we could just request whatever cut of meat, and how done we wanted it, instead of being pressured into shoving mounds of meat on the plate and into our gullets. One additional note of complaint is that our primary server, the captain of our serving team, let's say, disappeared for stretches at a time. Well, disappeared isn't the right word, since we could see her serving the tables around us. Although we could (and did) flag other servers, we felt we could've been more attentively served. We had to wait for our after-dinner coffees, and we had to prompt our server to explain what the desserts were (I highly recommend the papaya cream, btw, esp. for its purported digestive properties). Even though service was an issue, the quality of the meats was definitely outstanding, and almost compensated for all the other little issues. (The stars of the night: lamb chops, filet, and ribeye.) It's just, at this price, I would expect a relaxed, upscale atmosphere with little to no hitches in service.
(4)
Lauren P.
This place is so shitty omg. 1. Bad service 2. Meat is horrible (too burnt or hard ). Came here for the first time for Valentine's Day and I've heard that it's really good in fact, better than M Grill. But no. We saw our waitress ONCE when she seated us and after that she never came to our table to check up on us. We didn't get refills for our water, didn't take away our dirty plates so we had to stack it on top of each other, the service was just shit. And the food definitely wasn't worth the price. The environment isn't great either and it's crowded but it is Valentine's Day today but still, still isn't worth coming. I don't recommend it at all. Never coming back here. If you want some bomb Brazilian BBQ with good service go to M Grill!!!
(1)
Edgar M.
My 2nd time going there (yes, I'm a bit selfish, but sometimes the first experience is so delectable, that you just HAVE to go one more time!) You're already getting a nice feeling when you walk in front those giant wings they call "doors". The decor is dark and velvety, and since I made a reservation for three, I was seated within five minutes. I'm sure people know the deal when you're seated: You're allowed to go to their salad bar, and once you're satisfied with your greens, the waiters can serve you your cuts of meat. I said "screw it" to the salad bar, I came for the artery-clogging goodness! While waiters pass by with their cuts of meat, you're offered 4 different appetizers. My 2 favorites are the plantains and garlic mashed potatoes. (Sometimes, simplicity can be best.) And now, the meats. They have around 15 different cuts and varieties, but since I lost track, I only remember trying half of them (for a reason). My personal favorite cut when I went there, also being my recommendation to everyone, is getting a cut of filet mignon cooked at Medium. MAN! The first and third time was done perfectly. I recall the second time being a little dry, but hey, it's all you can eat, just move on to another cut, and try again later. That said, you MAY come across a moment where you have a cut that's does not meet your preferences, but you're going to be there for a good hour or two to eat your money's worth, so try as much as you can. Oddly enough, the bacon-wrapped filets were incredible (now doesn't THAT sound healthy), while their sausages had TOO much "snap" to it. That was my opinion, but the experience on that one was just enough to make me try it once. Enjoy an excellent nice there. Get a table that's NOT at the edge of the restaurant, enjoy some beverages native to Brazil (anyone know where I can buy Guarana Autenticas in Los Angeles They're delicious!), and, if you're a carnivore like me, EAT TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT. Well, that comment might be a little awkward to shout at the face of red meat, but I hope you know where I'm going with this.
(5)
Justin L.
Delicious. You definitely get your money's worth. I suggest going at lunch since it's a lot cheaper and you don't really miss out on that much meat. My favorites: house special and garlic beef. What's great about this place is that you can pay the same price you would at a high end steak house and get unlimited amounts of meat. Also, each piece of meat is fresh, unlike a steak that gets cold over the course of a meal. It's like biting into a new steak every bite. Go hungry leave full. Definitely a great lunch,.
(5)
Robin B.
This is the carnivores heaven!! I've been here a few times and will definitely be back. When you get there they give you a coaster on your table with red on one side and green on the other. If you have your coaster on green the meat will keep coming around. They have over 15 different kinds of meats to try and the servers keep bringing around all these delicious tasty pieces to eat. They also have a huge salad bar for those vegetarians out there or people that want a something healthy.
(5)
Phoenix A.
("Let's try Gyu Kaku) + ("No reservations and nasty scowl from the hostess) = ("I've always wanted to try the place next door") Who knew that hunger could be solved algebraically!?! Poor planning on New Year's day helps, too. So Nekked Sexxy & I decided to ring in the new year with dinner on the day and ended up here. Funny thing is we just talked about Brazilian restaurants a few days prior and my contribution to the conversation was that I had never been to one. What a deprived Phoenix I am no more! I feasted on tender bottom sirloin, juicy bacon-wrapped filet, succulent lamb chops while taking bites of the wonderful goodies I grabbed from the salad bar...artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, buffalo mozzarella, tomato slices, and some prosciutto-ish cured ham. Had my first capirnah (sp?). That was me. Nekked Sexxy was sitting next to me repeatedly dying, going to heaven, and resurrecting with each kind of meat he ate. I'm sure there was a trip to hell in there, too. On top of our great service, the manager came to our table and spent a few minutes chatting with us, making sure we were enjoying our meal and talking about Brazilian-style restaurants in general. NS & I both loved our experience here. Words like epic and un-fucking-believable came to mind. So did "I'm going to live in the kitchen". But who knew about a "mathematically sound" meal....
(5)
J K.
This place was awesome. We went here for a birthday dinner and the food was amazing!!! The salad bar is a veggie lovers paradise and a meat/cheese lovers paradise. It was a really fun and interesting dining experience. GO HUNGRY!
(4)
Noland J.
This place is awesome. I took my girlfriend here for her birthday this year and we had a great time. All of the meats were good and some were very good. The service was out of this world. We had a primary server, but they all worked together to make sure that we were taken care of. Our glasses were never empty and our plates were always full. The wine recommendation was on point as well. We didn't really touch the salad bar, but the side dishes and bread that they served at our table were good. I can't wait to go back here.
(5)
Vince W.
You pple write WAY too much. 1. This is buffet meat. 2. This is the Costco of cooked meat. 3. This is cooked meat done dim sum style without the grumpy old Asian ladies. 4. This is not exactly quality meat. Edible yes. Quality no. 5. Otherwise service is good and decent place for hanging out with friends.
(3)
Peter N.
Only if there was a 3 3/4 star rating. Cause that's what this place gets. I don't exactly remember how many cuts there was, but after awhile they all taste the same. The meat was high quality and very good. Some cuts were a lot better than others. The meat is overly salted though. Service was very good, and we got free dessert for my girlfriends birthday also. The salad bar was just okay, Irvine Agora Churrascaria had a better salad bar, but than again who goes for the salad bar? The pricing was about $56 a person and parking was $5. Overall Good place if your a meat lover
(4)
Wei C.
The place has a wide variety of high quality meat. Service was good. A bit on the pricey side. Perhaps the best meat buffet I ever had? But it's still a buffet.
(3)
Waelm M.
This Place is Forever Amazing. I love this place. Unlimted all you can eat good quality brazilian steak house. I love it. The bread, the salad bar, The meat choices, it just don't stop. It keeps coming. This is the best place i have ever been too. One thing tho, it's a bit pricey about 60.00 per person. It's one of those places where you go for special occasions. By Far the best place i have been to in LA..
(5)
Susan H.
Fogo de WOW! Two words: MEAT COMA! We just had our office holiday lunch here on Friday and OMG it was so good! I've been to Brazilian in Burbank and Glendale and those do not stack up to Fogo. Hell naw. Fogo's salad bar is the best and freshest selection I've seen. Ever. From the cured meats and cheeses to the hearts of palm, huge asparagus stalks, artichoke hearts, giant mushrooms, fresh beets, roasted red peppers, garlic green beans and various salads. So, so good! What is different about Fogo is that they bring you your side dishes to the table: fried polenta (so so), garlic mash potatoes (can't ever go wrong with mashies) and plantains (wow!). Like most others have said, don't fill up on the salad bar or the bread. Total rookie move. Also, do yourself a favor and pass on the sausages, ribs and chicken thighs. Yeah, pass on those. Serious. The key is to be patient and wait for the good stuff. Here were my absolute favs: -Rib eye (what's good is they have varying temperatures...AWESOME!) -Garlic beef -House special beef -Filet Mignon -Lamb chops (super wow, so so tender and very flavorful) Our table had a variety desserts served: Tres Leches, Creme Brulee, Papaya something-or-other, chocolate martini and Fragile Baby (coffee with Bailey's and Kahlua...i think. It was damn good!) Since this was on the boss' dime, we got to thoroughly enjoy the entire experience from the food to the valet. It is best to come at lunch since the prices are so steep but as long as you follow the rules...you should get your money's worth. Mos def. Thanks Boss.
(5)
Kari R.
The food was wonderful. The salad bar was plentiful and the meat even more so. Cooked just right and with amazing flavors.
(4)
Rachel R.
My husband and I went to Fogo de Chao for the first time last night. We will definitely be returning. If you are a carnivore this is the place for you. The service was amazing from the moment we walked in. We were taken directly to our table where one of the servers explained how it all works. You use your coaster to signal when you want meat, green = more, red = stop. The entire staff works as a team so we never had to wait for anything. We decided to try the "salad" bar just because it was our first time there. It is not your average salad bar, it's more of an antipasto bar. Cured meats, cheeses, marinated vegatables, everything we tried was great. You are also served mashed potatoes, polenta, plantains and the most delicous cheese bread ever (kind of a yorkshire pudding textured roll with cheese in it). But we were really there for the meat so we flipped our coasters to green. This is when the "meat parade" started. As soon as we turned our coasters the servers began bringing all of the different meats to our table. Each gaucho would step up to the table and tell you what he had to offer. Once we had enough on our plates we flipped our coasters back to red. Each cut that we tried was delicious. We had lamb chops, bacon wrapped filet mignon, picanha, fraldinha, pork ribs and linguica. Everything was seasoned perfectly. We also asked our server for the different sauces they had and she brought us a selection of all of them. The meat was perfect without them, but if you like sauces, just ask. The chimichurri sauce and the ancho sauces were my favorites. Yes, it is expensive, but well worth the splurge.
(5)
Hazel Q.
So...yes, I'm a fan. Any time I'm consuming several pounds of meat in one sitting, I'm generally a fan. But, I've got a few things to get off of my artery-clogged chest first. Uh...have the 500 of you that have reviewed this spot never been to Brazilian BBQ before? Because let me tell you this, it comes just about as good and for about a Jackson less. Also, what's up with the meat bombardment as soon as I turn my li'l thing to green? Whoa...slow it down there fellas. I feel like I'm the middle of a "Night at the Roxbury" sketch. I like my meat at a nice an steady pace, not all wham bam thank you ma'am. And you can quote me on that. ;) But, with that said, there was some pretty great meat here. And no shortage of it either. The gaucho dudes were on it with the meat as soon as you turn your sign to green...the waiters on the other hand? Hello? How many times can you pass us by? Coffee please? Please? Pretty please? This is blasphemy coming from a carnivore like me, but the tres leches dessert was one of my favorite parts of the meal...okay, and the ribeye. Mmmmmm.... I guess what I'm trying to say is....yeah, it was delicious, but knowing I can get a similar experience with quality meats at Agora in Irvine for $20 less...well, I probably won't be back to Fogo.
(4)
Ticha B.
Beverly Hills, tons of meat, good service, FREE parking (NO VALET CHARGES) for my Ducati, and yummy AYCE Brazilian BBQ! That pretty much sums up my lunch. Lunch is about $20 cheaper than dinner, but I think there's more from the non-meat selections for dinner. Lunch meat still included: rib eye, filet mignon, lamb, beef ribs, Brazilian style beef, more meat, chicken, pork, sausages, etc. The non-meat selection was also pretty good (salad, cold cuts, cheeses, veggies) and you have to eat Fogo's freshly baked bread! Full bar also. I think kids under 6 eat free too. I'd kind of dress up for Fogo's just because this location is in Beverly Hills. Vegetarians please do not enter. My friends and I threw down. Thanks!!!
(5)
Josephine H.
This is by far my meat lover's dream come true. I'm so glad I convinced my friends to come here on the last day of DineLA. It's possibly one of the best dining experiences I've had. From experience, if I ever had a deal or discount from a place, I would be treated like the $5 discount. But for DineLA at $25 a person for lunch, I could not be happier! Parking: you can definitely park on the side streets. Don't be fat and just walk. You'll definitely need that walk and more after you're done stuffing yourself at this place. Salad bar: okay not the best options at the salad bar but I can work with it. Many people have said that there's no point in a salad bar when the focus should be on meat. Wrong! You're going to need some veggies to lighten up that meat sweat you'll have coming on after a while. Ready to go? Green it is! And almost immediately you are flooded with guys holding up racks of meat! You have the picanha which is a top sirloin and possibly my favorite meat on their menu, as it should be being their house special! The next thing you must try is their filet mignon. Not just plain old filet mignon, bacon wrapped filet mignon. Yep, you might want to grab another piece while the meat man is still there. My least favorite would have to be the pork loin and lamb. The gaminess of the lamb lingered in my mouth as I was trying to swallow and the pork was just tough as rubber. I'll admit, I didn't get to experience the ribs because I never saw that guy come around and even if he did, I probably would have had turned him away. Side dishes: With your meal, you get a crispy hot polenta cake, mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas and the best of yet, yes, the cheesy bread. It is by far the best bread I have ever eaten at any restaurant. Any! The outside texture is light and crispy and once you take a bite, you're surrounded by the soft doughy texture on the inside with a hint of cheese mixed into the dough. Don't worry it's not like they stuck a block of cheese on the inside. It's an amazing blend and I would pay to just eat their side dishes. On a regular basis, I'd come here for special occasions. An unemployed recent grad like me can't afford an amazing meal like this often. But mark my words, my first paycheck is going towards Fogo de Chao!
(5)
Zsuzsanna O.
This restaurant is always a very nice experience. The service is top notch and all the meat is just so nice. I always leave here satisfied. The cold buffet bar is always fresh and a nice addtion to the yummy fried plantains at the table. A huge recommend for any special occasion.
(4)
Thithien N.
Meat, meat and more meat! Was here for Dine LA, and gotta say the food was great. I would come back if I could afford it, but on nights that are not Dine LA, I would recommend against going because it could set you back a lot. Especially during the dinner hours which could run you about 100 bucks a person while for lunch it can be half that. However, if you are a lover of chuhasco, or brazilian bbq, then this place is for you.
(4)
Renee H.
Hmmm. Welp. I came. I saw. I ate. I left a bit disappointed. I ordered the leg of lamb medium rare and was expecting a juicy piece of meat, but what I received was an overcooked Bambi. I can't really review anything else because I can't believe a restaurant of this caliber can't get the temp on lamb correct? *shakes head*. I just can't wrap my head around that.
(2)
Michael C.
Yeah, the whole "dudes running around with meat skewered on giant swords" thing is pretty awesome. It's dizzying how many choices you have here. Sirloin, filet mignon, and lamb, are just a few of the many players here, and all you need to do is grab the cut you want with your tongs. This is a concept that I'm on board with. I filled up real quick here, though - I'm just a sucker for the salad bar and side dishes. Eating all that steak can get real salty, so you'll be glad those amazing plantains are there to keep you going. Also, the cheese bread/muffin/whatever might be the best pastry I've ever eaten. I know this is a Brazilian Steakhouse, but I may have gotten more enjoyment eating carbohydrates than protein here. My main problem with Fogo is that while the quality of the meat is fine (but salty), I don't know that you can justify the normal price of admission here. $28 for a DineLA lunch is reasonable, but I'm not convinced that this is worth $50 a head on a normal given day. I enjoyed Fogo, but I really don't feel the need to come back. If anything, it just made me curious about Agora Churrascaria in Irvine. It's $25 for lunch there and from what I can see the offerings are comparable if not superior.
(3)
Jackie M.
I've been to other Brazilian places before and this place far exceeded the others in terms of experience and selection of quality meats. Staff was attentive and accommodating. Taste of the meats that I actually had was just so-so, however. Maybe it was just my own selection but I really wasn't too impressed in that aspect. Don't know if I would necessarily come back here again.
(3)
Christina G.
Came here during dineLA ... wow I heart FOGO forever. Cheese bread was delightful and puffy and cheesy and so perfect. All the steaks were good... love it rare... sigh I miss all the steaks. Valet parking is $5.50 ... I'd recommend doing that, because street parking is about the same price... I don't know what else to say about Fogo except everyone needs to try it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Camila Q.
I've been to many Argentinian restaurants and quite honestly this place was nothing out of the ordinary. Some of the meat were stale and cold and others had no flavor. The decor was bleh and the atmosphere was loud. The service was pretty good but I felt as if our waiter was trying to push extra food we didn't want to purchase. All in all, I don't really care to come back here.
(3)
Jack M.
Good food and great service. These make it worth the money. At least once a month we drive from OC to BH to come here. Good place to celebrate birthdays too. Everyone is friendly and u can tell their goal is for you to have the best dining experience.
(5)
Knar N.
We had dinner with the girls here one time. Everyone had bragged soooo much about this place, I was expecting phenomenal food! Well, it was definitely overrated!
(3)
Grace B.
This Brazilian steakhouse was delicious. With over 10 cuts of meats that will leave your tastebuds in heaven. The salad bar is also amazing with over 20 items to choose from, and included are traditional sides. Overall a phenomenal Gaucho experience was had.
(4)
Sabrina M.
Best Brazilian steak house by far. All the meats are superb! The salad bar is diverse and clean. The staff is polite and attentive. No matter which location you go to it will not disappoint. I have been to the one in NY, LA, San Diego and Puerto Rico. They are all great, especially being that they are a chain restaurant.
(5)
Pascale B.
So good! I had an amazing evening! Awesome food, great service, I like the concept. Try the bacon in the salad bar...omg....unbelievable! The only negative point.....it's a little bit pricey. 165$ for two. Only had one drink each.
(4)
Shari M.
Wonderful experience great food and awesome service. Very special thanks to Margarita and Ramon. Will definitely come back with the rest of family.
(5)
Patrick B.
We just had the best experience at Fogo De Chao! Great food, great service especially with Margarita & Ramon they are wonderful!
(5)
Bruce N.
What a fun place for friends to get together.The salad bar..really an antipasto bar is fantastic,cold cuts,lox,salads,the largest asparagus ive ever seen..the cheese ball,bread is awesome we had several baskets,and the meats each one selectively seasoned..and excellents of beef lamb pork and chicken..this is a destination event place,a bit noisy but fun..prices were about 80 per person with tip..no alchohol
(4)
Thiago A.
Everything was so great on our visit to FOGO. This is the best in the Valley. Service was excellent, the food is delicious - I don't remember having such a great steak in my life. There were dozens of different cuts perfectly served. This is 5 star, must go steakehouse in town !
(5)
Jessica K.
Fogo de "Chow" more like... Excuse my silly joke, but this place offers some serious eats. This review is belated because I'm reminiscing upon this past DineLA week, but I am positive nothing has changed at this place. Fogo de Chao is a humungous dining space, and they serve some of the best traditional Brazilian churrascaria meats I've tasted. I really do mean some of the best. My absolute favorite was their picanha, a sirloin steak. It was very well seasoned and cooked. Another favorite of mine was the lamb leg. I don't eat a lot of lamb, so I really indulged that day. Their salad bar was just OK. They did have really good items, but I was expecting it to be more varied. The sides served was just alright too. Compared to the meat options, the sides and salad bar are easily forgettable. The service was amazing. Drinks were refilled constantly, the gauchos came by seemingly after every bite of food, and everyone was honestly so very gracious. Personally, I can't imagine coming here without the amazing DineLA discount, but I would highly recommend Fogo de Chao to anyone for a special occasion meal or if you're seriously just that loaded.
(4)
Sherry J.
After my friend talked my ears off about this place, I finally decided to go and try it. Fogo de Chao is $35 for lunch and $50 for dinner (we opted for lunch because it's way cheaper) and totally worth your money if you are a meat lover. It was a unique dining experience - what more could a person ask for than endless gourmet steaks cut in front of you by gaucho chefs? The filler items were very delicious as well. Be sure to try the Brazilian cheese bread - it is so soft, warm, puffy and gooey at the same time. Of the 3 plates they give you in the beginning, I probably enjoyed the polenta the most. Plantains are a little too sweet for me and the mashed potatoes tasted like typical mashed potatoes you could probably make at home. The salad bar was truly extraordinary. Being someone who can't just eat meat after meat without some sort of break, I really enjoyed cleansing my palette with some lettuce, artichoke hearts or cheese. The hard cheese were so tasty, as with the smoked salmon. The chicken salad and pasta salad were both very flavorful and yummy. My favorite would have to be the artichoke hearts- I literally ate like 5 of them. Soooooo good and the presentation was gorgeous. Now the main act - the meats. My favorites would be the garlic steak, top sirloin, and the house special. The rest were decent but not to die for. The filet mignon was very tender but could've been flavored a little more strongly. I did like the sausages but some bites were a little saltier than others and could use some consistency. I suggest if it's your first time, try a little bite of everything. Everyone has their different favorite meats. Fogo is a great experience - I strongly recommend it with friends or a nice date. Make sure your friends are down I gorge a little bit on gourmet.
(4)
Alex Y.
Great restaurant! Salad is delicious. Great selections of meats. Service is awesome. Must try caiprinha and picanha!
(5)
Dimple- LudMilla B. F.
Carnivores unite! True, authentic Churrascaria from the heart of Southern Brazil hidden in Beverly Hills. You can spot this place with it's cool, blue, giant sized chimenea inviting you to come inside where the food overflows and the service keeps on comin! Everything is served to perfection, my personal favorites being the Costela de porco (pork ribs) that are juicy tender inside/ crispy outside & the Filet Mignon and Top Sirloin made perfectly the gaucho way with the cheese bread & fried plantains that fill you up like good old comfort food should I hosted my husband's surprise 40th birthday dinner for 20 people here in 2010 and it was more than he ever expected, overwhelmed with a feast fit for a king! A truly memorable place perfect for group parties or dinner for two. Make sure you eat very light meals early in the day & bring your dinner appetite in full swing! This Brazilian Steakhouse is as genuine as it gets!
(5)
Kevin H.
Food: 4 stars. As other reviewers noted, cheese breads were indeed awesome. Crunch on the outside, chewy, almost mochi like textures, inside. The corn meal french fries thing was pretty good, too. Mashed potato was ok, bland. The meat were more hit or miss. Lambs were great, tender, and flavourful, although the crust on leg of lamb was a bit too salty. All the beef were good. Chicken legs were wonderful, juicy with cruchy skin. Pork ribs were alright. I didn't like the pork sausages, a little bit too salty for my taste. Salad bar was ok. Cheese and cold cut were good. We all ordered the Premium Fogo caipirnha cocktail. It tasted like stronger mojito. I like it. Service: 4 stars. Maybe I was tired and cranky (I drove almost two hr in rush hour traffic from Riverside county), but I disliked the Asian waiter we encountered. He was polite, but came off "sincere insincere". The manager (or was she hostess? she lead us to our seat, but she also overseen some customer services and I saw other girl manned the hostess stand) was one of the greatest, sweetest person EVER. She bent over backward in helping us. She alone definitely earned 5 stars. Other servers were good, too. Polite and efficient. Overall: 4 stars. Great food, good service, nice environment. Price tag of $58 per person may seen steep at first, but the never ending meat orgy definitely worth it.
(4)
Abbi H.
Omg! I went here for my Boyfriend and I, for our two year anniversary. The service was AMAZING. Have not had good service like that in a long while. They were very imformative and happy to answer any questions. Gave us tips on how to enjoy our experience. The meat kept on coming! All the meat was amazing as well. The atmosphere was good as well! We wanted to go to the saled bar, but the meat kept on coming and I was alrerady full. I do recommend this place. Wish I can come more often but it is very much expensive. I am happy to have spend my 2 year anniversary with my boyfriend here. Great everything!
(5)
Emma N.
Been here several times for Dine LA and I gotta say... $45 + tax & tip for classy AYCE Brazilian BBQ? Definitely worth it. You should try this at least once! The salad bar is just decent, but the experience and meat is exquisite. Guys, definitely take your girls here for a romantic dinner :) that is.. when you're comfortable enough to pig out together. Quick tip: start slow & sample the meats in small portions before telling the waiters you want a chunk of it! Let's not waste food now.
(5)
Rebecca T.
Fogo de Chao is pure meat heaven; do not expect to be able to move for the next 24 hours after injesting all of what this place has to offer. The inner carnivore in me is awakened whenever I enter this cavern of picanha, cordeiro, and fraldinha. Upon entering Fogo, either: 1) wait for the meat to be distributed, or 2) take a look at the salad bar. Be careful with the latter, though: be sure to save room for the barbecue (the star of the restaurant!). I really enjoy the mozzarella balls and crisp asparagus. At the table, I simply cannot take my hands off of the bread basket- the pao de queijo (cheese bread) is warm, crisp, and the inside melts into your mouth. Know how to distinguish between the red and green sides of the cards. Know when you feel good enough for another serving and when you're satiated. Personally, I do not find the chicken interesting. I go for beef and lamb. The picanha and fraldinha are amazing: caramelized and crispy on the outside for an extra bite, and a juicy, moist taste inside. I love the taste of lamb, and so the cordeiro satisfied my intense lamb cravings. Seriously, my umami senses were working overtime! Service was professional and friendly; the waiters appeared to be Brazilian (or, at least, from South America), to give an authentic touch to the establishment. I am definitely coming back in the near future (once I recover from my last visit).
(5)
Delan B.
Wow wow wow. What overpriced crap. The only thing I really enjoyed all night was the Portuguese sausage and I think the pepper steak. Maybe the fillet was good. Everything else was average at best. I'd rather go to Greenfields in Long Beach and pay half the price and enjoy the food twice as much. Boo, Fogo! Even the caipirinhas sucked. Oh yeah, and I'll downgrade this to one star for the terrible parking situation.
(1)
Gabby Y.
Loved this place! I unique experience and I would definitely go back (especially for their wine and salad bar)!
(5)
Seb C.
I used to love Fogo de Chao, now I just like it. the main reasons for my updated review are: 1- We expect the service to be TOP NOTCH! Unfortunately, the waiters who bring the meat are sometimes invisible and even requesting the meat, it is not coming. 2- Even if we had made a reservation, we ended-up waiting to get our table. We have experienced a 1h wait with starving kids. The front hostess was rude and not willing to help. 3- The valet parking is just okay - they could be nicer as they are the first contact the customer has with the restaurant. I have been in many Fogo de chao and I have always been positively surprised. In Beverly Hills, it used to be that way, but not anymore. Management team: please make sure you go back the way it was 2 years ago or your customers will move to there options.
(3)
Karina M.
Great restaurant for a special occasion or date night. The meat is amazing, especially the filet mignon. The salad bar is one of the best, offering prosciutto, mozzarella, and zucchini. The table bread and the plantains are so good. Tips: - show up with an empty stomach - you don't need to order appetizers because you'll get more than enough food - you should order a guarana (Brazilian soda)
(5)
Jennifer H.
OMG SO MUCH MEAT (: I'm not a huge fan of meat, but this place is definitely somewhere i would go to satisfy my craving for meat. It is delicious! I went here for dine LA which was perfect. This place is pretty pricey so getting the full experience for about 40 bucks is definitely worth it. The place is pretty big, and the restaurant has a nice ambiance to it. It's located in Beverly Hills, so I would expect it to be pretty fancy. Parking kinda sucked though, if you didn't pay for valet, i really don't know where else you would park. FOOD: to start off, they have a huge salad bar and an assortment of cheeses. They have a lot of stuff for just a salad, but it's not worth going for since you're in a place dedicated to meat. I would save room for the entrees not the salad. There sides were okay. I really liked the mashed potatoes and their warm cheese bread, but that's it. Their meat selection is just awesome. They have a whole list of them but my favorites were the: Picanha (top sirloin): this is their specialty, and its worth getting. they grill it to perfection! Filet Mignon: so tender and seasoned beautifully Linguica: i love the seasoning for this, soooo good! Cordeiro( Lamb ): tender and savory, best combination ever. Their other meats were good as well but these are the ones that i remember most! Their service was great! the waiters were super attentive and the servers were awesome. The best part is they come to you and slice the meat right in front of you! After you sit down for a bit, they remember your meat preferences and they constantly check back on you to make sure your plate is never empty, it can't get any better. If you're craving delicious meat, you have to go here, but be prepared to pay for it!
(4)
Fatima S.
Please read my review before going First of all my first visit 2 years ago was amazing. My family and I loved it. After talking about it for two continuous years my family and I decided to go again. We went and it was the worst experience ever. The food and service was definitely NOT worth 42 dollars a person. (We went for lunch). It seems as though they pay more attention to groups then just a few people at a table. Hardly any waiters or the meat servers paid attention to us plus they had an attitude problem. Barely anything at the salad bar. We ended up leaving 45 min after arriving. Just wasn't the same experience we had the first time we went. NOW FOR THE REASON I HOPE THIS RESTAURANT NEVER HAS ANOTHER CUSTOMER. When we got our car back we paid the valet and as we were exiting we noticed one side mirror completely out of its socket and hanging. We drove back and made a huge scene to which the valet responded by being sarcastic and trying to be "smart" with us and started pointing out other scratches on the car saying "oh look at these it's obvious you've had a few scratches and that's one of them" his name is Ramone and has the worst customer service skills ever and we got a claim form and are definitely going to call the company. Also, when we went inside the restaurant to speak to a Genreal manager (Victor) came out and started defending the valets and accusing us saying its an old damage, WHEN ITS STILL A BRAND NEW CAR!!!! Honestly, I'm writing this on the car ride home and after seeing my mom in tears because of how they blatantly accused us of lying, I seriously despise this place. I always hear horror stories of bad valet experience but you never think it can happen to you. My family and I wanted to ring in the new year and my moms birthday with a good time together and left with a headache. I know these experiences aren't happening all the time but its evident that it happens and we regret going and I hope they lose business because I couldn't care less due to how they treated us. Save your money. There are actual quality restaurants on that same street.
(1)
Gene X.
Ate here with my parents on New Years Eve and all three of us got sick immediately following the meal with bad stomach pains that lasted well into the morning. As all of us became ill, it must have been something funky this restaurant served us. Because of this, I won't ever go to this restaurant again. (Irrespective of the food poisoning, the meat was just so-so as it was fairly low quality.)
(1)
Tiffany C.
So my second Brazilian Barbecue meal of the week took me to Fogo de Chao. My boyfriend decided to surprise me for my birthday by taking me here to eat, not knowing that we were going to eat at Porto Alegre only two nights before! Although we had made reservations on a Sunday evening for 7:30, we were running late and called to ask if we could move it back by half an hour. The hostess said, "sure, not a problem!" starting the night off on a good note. When we arrived, we realized that the parking lot was quite big. Not sure if there is any parking if you don't valet, but you might as well if you're going to spend $$$$ on a meal. There were a lot of people waiting for tables, but because we had made a reservation (and because we were only a party of 2), we were able to get seated faster. The only thing my boyfriend and disliked was our table. We were seated near the salad bar, but right at the entrance to the kitchen in the middle of the dining area. There were tables on either side of us, which made it feel less private. Next time, should probably request a table by the wall or something! I felt like the tables next to us kept looking at us, but at the same time, I kept looking at them because the people who were seated around us were so fascinating to watch! The man who sat us down was incredibly nice as he explained how things worked at Fogo. He told us to go for the salad bar, but at the same time we would be getting the side dishes of the cheese bread, mashed potatoes, polenta and caramelized bananas. The plates are taken away quickly and replaced with new ones so fast, that I had to tell them to stop. I only really liked the mashed potatoes. Drinks were also served, so all these things on our table really made it feel cluttered. There was nowhere for the waiter to put down the slab of meat! Anyway, the salad bar at Fogo really outshines Libra and Porto Alegre. My friend said that at Fogo, they have this really good kind of lettuce, and they also have really soft bread. Lots of other stuff, but I stuck to the basics. Then the meat came around. You are given a little card that indicates whether you are up for more meat or you are done and need to rest. I tried a lot of different kinds of meat, and I really tried to slow down eating by taking breaks. My favorite out of all of them was the garlic beef. The chicken was also pretty good. The other choices were okay, but nothing out of the ordinary. I have to say that the service of Fogo really outshines the other Brazilian bbq joints. I felt very welcomed and the waiter even took the time to notice what we were doing. My boyfriend was taking pictures of me and the waiter voluntarily asked if we wanted a picture. Later, my boyfriend was scrolling through Fogo's page on Yelp looking at the pictures for a better look at the desserts, and the same waiter brought him a menu and told him that that would be much easier for him! So after all the meat, we decided to order a Papaya Cream, which is their signature dessert. It came out on a pretty little platter with an orchid (I think) next to it. They also poured some dessert wine or something into the papaya cream, asking us to tell them when to stop. I am not a fan of papaya at all, but that papaya cream was really good! Incredibly refreshing after all that meat! My friend actually told me that she really liked the strawberry cream, so that one must be pretty out of the world, too! Overall, it is a great experience to dine here at least once. Because there are so many tables and other tables are so close to you, it's not as romantic as I thought it was going to be. I could barely talk to my boyfriend, let alone hear what he was saying! For the price of the meal, I think the meat could be a little better, the cheese bread a little tastier, and there really needs to be the roasted pineapple with cinnamon here! If they have Fogo for Dine LA, I definitely recommend people to take advantage of that because you pay less for about the same overall experience. Valet is $5.50 and they have little packets of dark Belgium chocolates and matches that you can take by the door. Everybody is quite friendly. We were given the check before we asked for it, but I think that was because they were in need of tables as the restaurant was very busy that night. Will probably be back one day for a special occasion! I was curious if they did anything for birthdays (as it was mine), but I didn't see anybody write anything about that on Yelp, so I decided not to ask aha. In comparison to Porto and Libra, I definitely think the cheese bread at Libra is the best, the salad bar at Fogo is the best and the meat is good at both Libra and Fogo (with Libra being a little bit higher because of the pineapple). But the service at Fogo surpasses the other two. I even saw people ask for boxes here to take home some of their leftovers.
(4)
jase a.
Greaaaaat!!!!!!best lamb I've had better than the boxwood grill(chef Ramses place)this is a must go for meat lovers!
(5)
Cate W.
Fogo de Chao is the best. The price is high, but you'll get your money's worth if you have a big appetite. You'll start out with fresh, warm cheesey popover type things. They are to die for. Even though you should save room for other things, you can ask for as many refills as you want and the wait staff won't give you wierd looks. You will then be brought out fried polenta (amazing), mashed potatoes (amazing according to my friends who like mashed potatoes), and caramelized plantains (amazing). You can also request rice and beans. You can take a trip to the salad bar at any time. It is the most bomb salad bar - from hearts of palm to artichoke hearts to aged cheese, this salad bar has all things grand. If you're feeling on the lighter side, you can opt to just do the salad bar. Next comes the main course: Men (I think only men) walk around with hunks of meat on metal skewers. The meat is so well seasoned and so tender. And you can have as much as you want. I've never been able to make it to dessert, but if the previous two courses are any indication I'm sure they are divine. Fogo is definitely not a restaurant I could go to more than once a year, but when I do, the experience is always superb.
(5)
Chris H.
Craving for meat? Fogo it is. $5 valet parking. Off to the front for our reservation. We were seated after a 5 minute wait. That is enough time to appreciate the decor and ambiance of the place. The waiter was nice enough to explain to us how things work in their restaurant. They have those coaster-like things colored red one side and green on the other. Green if you want more meat, red means stop. I was impressed by their salad bar. They have cheeses and deli meat and veggies and salads... So much stuff to chose from. What I forgot was that of course the veggies would be cold after sitting there for a while. I was pretty disappointed when I took the first bite off of the asparagus. Oh, well. Pão de Queijo - In English, Cheese Bread. Amazing. Yes, it tasted fried and absolutely not healthy but who cares. The texture reminds me of those chinese sticky rice balls except there is a tiny hint of cheese each time you chew. It was really good. Caramelized banana - Came out too mushy but the taste was perfect if eaten with ... Linguica (sausage) - Too salty for my taste that's why it was perfect when paired with something sweet. Picanha - Top Sirloin. Pretty good, nicely flavored on top. Ancho - Rib Eye. As stated in their menu, this meat IS lightly seasoned and tender. Lombo - Pork Loin covered in cheese. One of my faves. The cheese does not overpower the meat. Everything else sort of blended together for me. The lamb was good if you get it medium. I tried it rare, too, but was too gamey for my taste. Caipirinha - came out too strong for me but that could be because I don't really drink and I was on a cleanse for 4 days prior to dining here. I was sleepy after drinking 1/4 of the glass. Overall: Ambiance - 4 stars if you go with friends and family, 3 if its a date; the place is too noisy for a romantic date. Decor - 4 stars Food - 4 stars Service - 5 stars
(4)
David F.
When entering the restaurant, I had a feeling it was going to be a good experience. Greeting you when entering is the tall wine rack, high ceilings, an appealing decor, and the smell of the delicious meat you'll be enjoying. They have a menu with the meat selection, but after the first bite you'll forget which one you want, go "f&*! it', and eat all of it. If you want a particular meat, let them know and they'll send that server to you (why can't dim sum places do that?!). Fogo is a restaurant that's worth trying. Though pricey, you are paying for a wonderful experience and delicious meal.
(4)
Re D.
This is by far the worst Fogo de Chão I have even been to, and I am unsure if it was a once time issue of if they consistently offer terrible steaks. Either way, it is not worth a second try. The waiters were great and attentive, the salad bar was decent, but the steaks, the reason why people visit a Brazilian barbecue restaurant, were terrible! The filet mignon was certainly not what was advertised and despite believing that the first piece that I got was the one bad piece, I tried at least 5 more pieces and they were all inedible, not even the knife could cut a few of the "filet mignon" steaks. I insisted trying different steaks, all less than fair, unlikely all my previous experiences at other Fogo locations, which were amazing. Waiters: 4 stars Salad bar: 3.5 Steaks: 0
(2)
Tim C.
The meat is not bad, but I'd have to say that this place is a bit overrated. It's pretty fancy and the service is good (plus they've got those chocolate mints by the entrance for when you're leaving....I grabbed a couple of those...), but it's pretty much just salad and many meats, no desert or anything. The Fogo Caipirinha was pretty good too. It's easy to get carried away and want all the meat, but I found it best to get one at a time since it's easy to have five different meats on your plate by the time you finish eating just one piece.
(4)
Mike L.
Went to fogo de chao last night. Very busy atmosphere but excellent meat quality. In my opinion, the chicken was the best. They also have one of the best pao de queijo. Took off one star because when we were paying we told our waiter its 2 meat and 1 salad bar salad only, cause my mom doesn't eat meat. Then he jokingly said, "are you sure?" Yeah I'm sure, she's vegetarian... The dry humor was awkward.
(4)
John K.
I think one of the previous comments mentioned that this place rates themselves and I'm beginning to believe it. This place is more gimmicks than good food. I would probably not come back.
(2)
Julie K.
Great salad bar. Great meat... I come once a year for a xmas party and really enjoy it. The same staff.. Happy people who know to take care of people. (Just don't eat the day before, or the day after lol)
(4)
Hillery G.
Excellent - there are a lot of meat choices - I think more than any other Brazilian BBQ. My favorite was the skirt steak. The salad bar was also phenomenal.
(5)
Paige A.
Eh. The meats were pretty mediocre. I'm used to Argentine Steakhouses, where the meat is medium rare, juicy, and has great sauces. Here, the steak was well done, and wasn't seasoned. The sides weren't phenomenal either, although i did enjoy the fried bananas. All in all, its the type of place you go once, just for the experience (of never-ending meat on skewers!)
(2)
Mia F.
Eww. So overrated. Last time I went the food was absolutely horrible and the service was even worse. Can't believe people still go there. Definitely a "tourist destination."
(1)
Candy C.
I have been here several times ,amazing salad bar. meat quality are downgrading, but still a decent place for celebration/gathering.
(3)
Benson T.
DO NOT COME FOR DINE LA. It was definitely not worth the price. Overall, the meat was too salty, too dry, or both. You lose out on most of the menu for Dine LA. They give you the shitty meats. Not worth it for $45. Picanha was the best cut by far. It was fatty, juicy, and flavorful but we rarely got to see it. It ended up being the last meat we tried. By the end, we were too full to eat anymore of it. Alcatra was just dry and salty. Fraldinha was by far the saltiest. Cordeiro was the lamb leg. Kinda tough for medium rare. Rest was just crap. The sausage was just sausage. The bacon wrapped chicken breast was dry as hell. I would have much rather spent the $45 on Ruth Chris TBO.
(2)
Wilson L.
Fogo is definitely a great restaurant, the ambiance and waiters here are top notch. It's located on the edge of Beverly Hills and if you don't make a reservation be prepared to wait a while. The lines get pretty long here. I did the dineLA so we got the free salad bar which was great because you're eating so much meat you need the salad to off-set all the delicious red meat you'll be eating. You get a little circle card that is either green or red which basically means if you want more meat you turn it over to green and vice versa. There's about 5-7 different type of meats but I only got about 3-4 this night. My favorite was without a doubt the Picanha, it was so soft and flavorable that it melted in my mouth. After eating that, all the other meats were a pale in comparison. Also, the cheese bread is really good, they gave us caramelized bananas also but it wasn't that good.
(4)
Grace C.
I've heard good things from others about Fogo, so when DineLA came around this time of the year, the first place I booked with Fogo on a Friday night at 7 pm. Due to traffic, we ended up arriving close to 7:30 pm, but they were still able to seat us with a slight 10 minute wait. Awesome! The ambiance of this place is pretty nice, very date-like but also sorta noisy. What's impressive is the high ceilings with wine bottles stacked up to the top. Tables are really close to each other (likely to maximize seating) so there were times when people would be using our table for balance when passing by. The salad bar is stocked with your cold cuts and cheeses, salads, grilled vegetables, and bread. The chilled mushrooms and priscutto were my favorites. The meat was so good--the Parmesan pork loin (lombo), the pork sausage (linguica), the pork ribs, and the bacon wrapped chicken. I ended up not really liking the Picanha since I got super chewy pieces, making it hard to cut and eat. The super standout of this meal, and usually of any meal I have at a Brazilian steakhouse, is the pão de queijo (warm cheese bread). I wished I could've consumed at least 5 baskets full if I wasn't so full with everything else. They also provide crispy polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas for refillable sides. They were good distractions, but I did miss having the grilled pineapple that every other place had! The caramelized bananas are not a substitute for grilled pineapple! =( The lot next to the entrance is valet only ($5.50). Very limited street parking if you are adventurous. Didn't realize how close Fogo is to the Stinking Rose either. Considering coming back, but I really want my pineapple. =/
(4)
Marie N.
Overrated and expensive! Save your money and head over to MGrill. For just a few bucks less, you get better quality food, amazing salad bar and much more meat options! The service was average. It seemed like they kept on coming around w/ the garlic pork chops and none of their more expensive cuts of meats. I was looking forward to having chicken hearts, as that is what's popular at most Brazilian places, and to my disappointment, they don't serve it at Fogo. The salad bar was subpar. I like to balance my protein w/ greens, but there was nothing appetizing there whatsoever. I ate less meat than I would have liked, and I hated that there wasn't much to choose from...Hmph!!!! The only positive thing was I liked the lively ambience and the drinks were good and strong! I was buzzed off just one drink surprisingly. My favorite was the capriniha and the mango refresher.
(3)
Jay C.
Wow. It's truly expensive but if I ever have a meat craving I would come back here. Screw ordering a $50+ cut of meat when you can have it all? That's what I love about Fogo de Chao...you have an opportunity to get everything you want! And if you aren't satisfied with the temperature of the food, just say no and wait for a better cooked option to come by! I loved the calf...
(5)
Elly C.
You cannot go wrong with Fogo de Chao. If you can't roll with AYCE Brazilian BBQ, we can't be friends. The restaurant is located on Restaurant Row on La Cienega (where there's ample street parking btw). It is located on a busy street, but there's a nice valet parking lot where you can leave you car. When you walk in, there's almost no wait time and the hostess gets straight to business. Seats us with the menus and leaves. Waiter comes immediately and asks if we know how "it" works. So, here's how "it" works. At most AYCE Brazilian BBQ restaurants, you are given a magic stop and go sign. Green light (go) means more meat. Red light (stop) means I need to take a break. It's pretty clear; a 5 year old could understand how it works. After you get past this, immediately the waiters come rushing at you with large trophy sized deliciously prepared meat. Here's a tip: take it slow, and don't over-eatbecause its ayce. If it's your first time, try a little bit of everything and find your favorite choices of meat. They also have a great salad bar in the middle of the room and bowls of bread and plates of plantain at your table (amazing btw). I would say lunch is a better deal than dinner, it's cheaper and it's pretty much the same selection. Food is amazing and worth a visit.
(4)
Tiffany V.
Fogo de Chao is well know for their ayce (all you can eat Brazilian meat). Wow service was awesome. They were attentive and always would ask if you wanted refills. This is what I call great customer service!Valet parking is $5 which is cheap! When I walk in i notice the beautiful waterfall near the front entrance. Once I was inside it was dark but one thing that caught my eye was the wine cellar that was so tall. When I got to my table I notice on table the servers quickly place some Yucca- It looks like french toast but taste like french fries Mash potatoes- Didn't taste good and was plain Cheese bread- GAWWH HOT AND CRISPY. When I bite in I could taste the gooey cheese goodness! Caramelized Banana- This was delicious! My table keep asking the server for more of this. I probably ate like 4 banana because it made me banana crazy! I also order a Guaraná Antarctica which is a Brazilian soda that was amazing!!! This drink is a must if you decide to come here! I came here for the $45 dinela special. Just to let you know that this deal have a limited amount of meat in the package and the full access of the salad bar.The salad bar is not all that here are some things I tried from the salad bar Smoked Salmon-It didn't have any flavor. The texture was chewy and not tasty at all Cesar salad- Taste like a regular Cesar salad nothing special Cheese- Yumm it was smooth in my mouth. My palette were in heaven Prosciutto- I'm not sure if it's is suppose to be salty but it was like someone throw a tablespoon of salt on my tongue. The meat that is included in 8 types of meats which are Picanha-is a prime cut of top sirloin. The picanha cut is very popular here and severd flavor in garlic This was my favorite kind of cut. The flavors melt in your mouth and the garlic give this meat a kick Cordeiro- is lamb leg slice from the bone Eww Eww Eww this meat was horrible sorry but I did't it to taste so rubber. When I bite into it it had a funky smell. I have eaten lamb before but the one from fogo wasn't something I would try again. Frango- Tender Chicken breast wrap in bacon Uhhh this chicken wasn't tender at all! It super dry and the bacon didn't have flavor. Linguica- Robust pork sausage- This was pretty good the pork was tender. Costela de Porco (Pork Ribs)- dry dry dry! Idk if it was suppose to be cook like that but all I tasted was charcoal. I believe they put it in the cooker for too long Lombo (Pork Loin) with Parmesan cheese I didn't try it because it look gross. Alcatra (Top Sirloin)- It was okay but I won't get it again Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin)- Tasty but they overdid the salt Overall experience- I like it because it was something different I never tried. Service was wonderful and the food was just okay. Personally I won't go here again I don't think it worth it and the meat wasn't what I expected but hey if you want to go try it go ahead everyone have different taste so I encourage newbies who never ate here before to give it a shot!
(3)
Bita N.
Do not go during LA dine in week. They have horrible service and the food selection isn't that good. Most of the options is pork.
(2)
Liana L.
I wanted to try this restaurant for the first time because of DineLa and because a lot of people say great things about the restaurant. We arrived 15 minutes early and they were kind of enough accommodate us. Were we sat was very cramped. My chair was constantly getting hit throughout the night. They started us off with Brazilian cheese bread, caramelized bananas, garlic mash potatoes, and crispy polenta. This was replenished throughout the night, which was nice. I really liked the cheese bread because it was light a fluffy. The caramelized bananas were pretty good compared to other places I've tried. Garlic mash was not that great. It lacked a lot of flavor and kind of tasted like grits. Crispy polenta was pretty good. Salad Bar - Wide variety of foods and cheeses. Roasted garlic and Jalapeno mixed with vegetables were amazing. Big slices of smoked salmon. Here's a quick breakdown of how I felt about the menu: Picanha - BEST meat of the night! Very juicy and very tender. Alcatra - Dry and lacked flavor. I do not recommend. Fraldinha - Dry and lacked flavor. I do not recommend. Cordeiro - I'm not usually a fan of lamb because of the after taste but this was pretty good! Linguica - Waited all night for this to come around. Had to ask the waiter to bring it by but it wasn't as good as expected. It was WAY too salty. Costela de Porco - I was really excited to try this because c'mon it's pork covered in Parmesan cheese. Overall, it was very dry and didn't taste very good either. Lombo - Very dry! Frango - Dry and chicken lacked flavor Overall, I think this restaurant is hyped up. All the food was either dry or lacking flavor. I think Porto Alegre Churrascaria in Pasadena might be better. I wouldn't that I wouldn't recommend this restaurant because I honestly think that the reason why the food was mediocre was because of DineLA. I may consider trying it again in the future.
(2)
John M.
I've decided to go to a few restaurants for DineLA and write a review for each of them. Fogo de Chao's up first! It's DineLA so reservations are absolutely necessary and you will still have to wait. The service was not so great. I'm guessing because they were so crowded. But still at $45 for my meal, I was hoping for better service (why I'm only giving four stars). The food was delicious. The buffet style salad bar and cheese bread were tasty, and I loved being able to try all of the meats. Overall this was a great experience. I'd like to come back after DineLA to give the service another chance.
(4)
Alice L.
**This review is specifically for DineLA** What a disappointment! I've become increasingly disappointed with each Fogo DineLA experience. What's changed? First, their reservation system is pretty useless. I waited over an hour even with a reservation last time. I was pleasantly surprised that I only had to wait 20 minutes this time (I expected much worse). Second, the food options have changed. DineLA no longer comes with dessert and the meat selection is more limited (8 choices instead of the regular 11). I could've sworn they offered all meats in the past, but I could be wrong. Third, the overall experience has gone downhill. It was at least 20 minutes before the first meat server even came to our table after our salad plates were cleared! I felt like I had to flag them down each time! Now I understand there's high demand for Fogo during DineLA (at $45/person, you save about $15/person), but honestly, don't bite off more than you can chew. It was completely overbooked! Another complaint - if there are differences between the DineLA menu and the regular menu, don't have both options! Make these 2 weeks of DineLA just DineLA! We actually had a meat server tell us that the meat he was serving was for the regular menu only! I don't think I will ever go to Fogo again; definitely not for DineLA. Churrascaria is supposed to be a dining experience, but sadly, there was no experience to be had this time. When it's overly crowded and you have to work for your food, it's just not worth it. Fogo's only saving graces this time was the salad bar and the cheese bread, which were both awesome. Sad huh? I go to an AYCE churrascaria only to be impressed by veggies and bread. Don't get me wrong. Some of the meat was pretty good (esp. the picanha and the lamb), but not $45/person good. Parking is valet only for $5.50.
(2)
Toa B.
We came by last night after having made reservations at 9pm but don't be fooled. During dineLA, reservations don't mean anything and expect a short wait (15-30mins) regardless, as was the case for us. But having read that in one of the reviews, we were expecting it. No surprises. However, a few people were taken aback after being told there would be a wait with the most common reaction being 'What is the point of making reservations if I still have to wait'. Once we were seated, the waiter explained to us how the processed work since it was our first time there. There is a self-service buffet type salad bar and 4 dishes (cheese bread, breaded polenta, mash potato, caramelized bananas) served table side, and meat carving waiters making their rounds. Salad Bar 5 stars for the smoked salmon that was so damn good. Seriously, I would have been just as happy and satisfied if that was all they served here. Smoked Salmon + Stuffed Olives + Bread. The 4 Dishes Brazilian Cheese Bread - The lady was in love with the bread. She ended up eating the entire basket. Breaded Polenta - Very interesting and pretty good. Looks and taste like thick fries. Mashed Potato - Very good as well. Silky smooth, no lumps at all. What else can you say. Caramelized Bananas - Not overly sweet and the banana was cooked perfectly. It was nice and firm. Good Stuff The Meats I'm not sure how many meat options are served here during the non DineLA weeks but as such, we got a chance to try out 8 meat types on this night. I must say, everything was exceptional minus the ribs. It did have a nice dry rub on it and full of flavor, unfortunately, it was quite dry. I didn't try the parmesan crusted pork loins since I'm adversed to any cheese other than mozzarella, but the GF said it was really good. The Service. Definitely a miss. Having been seated in the far corner of the restaurant, it took the meat carvers a while before they made it to our table. And there were times, the meat was already gone by the time they got to us. Secondly, we had to wait a good 20 minutes to have some refill our water. We had to get their attention a second time after the first waiter forgot about our water. All in all, it was a good meal and I thought it was worth the $45/per person DineLA price.
(4)
AC S.
Lamb chops---yummy!!! So worth the price you paid for. Just make sure you are seated around the salad station, you get served meats more frequently than if you were further away.
(5)
Adri R.
I have no complaints about a buffet style restaurant when they give you a stop/go sign to indicate to the servers that you want more meat! Fantastic salad bar with everything you can imagine. Can be very crowded so be sure you make your reservation!
(4)
Jenny C.
A great restaurant deserves a great review and Fogo is definitely the best Brazilian steak house in LA. It's a gorgeous restaurant down the street from the Beverly Center. You have to make reservations. There's no way around it. It's a must or you'll be waiting hours. Here are some of my favorite items. Meat- this is Carnivore heaven. Please don't spend your money here if your vegetarian. You can't really enjoy it if you cant savor these delicious meats. There's a huge selection. You can have lamb, filet Mignon, ribs, sirlion, pork, heart, sausages, chicken and its all quality meat. My two favorites are the filet Mignon, it's so tender and juicy, you can't just have one cut. The pork loin (lombo) with the encrusted Parmesan cheese is so delicious. I could eat that entire loin by myself. All the meats are delicious, but that loin is just perfect. The bacon wrapped chicken breast are also fantastic. Everything taste good with bacon! And the top sirloin, it's so juicy, tender, and flavorful another great meat choice. Salad bar- everything is fresh here. They have a large variety of salads, fruits, and deli meats like Salami. My husband loved the salami. It was fresh and had great quality. The salad bar was so neat and organized. I appreciated their attention to detail. Plantains- the plantains, mashed potatoes, and the fried polenta is brought to the table at the beginning of the meal. The plantains were my favorite of the three. They were Caramelized so nicely, they were very appetizing. Rolls- they come out in a basket and i believe their french bread rolls that are warm with cheese inside. I can't pinpoint the exact cheese, but they're so tasty. They actually gave us a basket of these while we waited to seated which I thought was a nice gesture. Dessert- skip the chocolate molten cake. Chills is better lol. It was dry. I should have ordered the flan. Make this a dress up night too. Ladies, wear stretchy pants or a loose dress, your going to need the room! Enjoy! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Desiree Michelle M.
My all time favorite place for steak! Actually for Brazilian or Argentinian flavor. They have the best Argentinian sausage I have ever had. Basically anybody will find something that they want. They have more then just steaks and yes a bit on the pricey side but you get what you pay for and it's all worth it! Great quality and quantity. Can't wait to go back already. Also going for lunch is a good id you don't want to spend too much money.
(5)
Kearan M.
We went to Fogo last night for Dine LA week. We decided to invite a group of our friends, as they have never been there before. The service started good, but as the night went on the service suffered. We honestly waited over 30-minutes for meats to come out. We called the manager twice to see why it was taking so long. She said it was coming out shortly (30 minutes later and still NO meat). It just became comical, as we all waited for the meats to come out. Finally, when the meats came out - we were done and just wanted to go. It took another 20 minutes to get the check and 15 minutes more to have them charge the credit card. The service was HORRIBLE. All in all - $400 later and it was a horrible experience. We have been there in the past and always had a good dining experience. Unfortunately, they could not handle the demand of Dine LA. And, honestly did not seem to concerned as we inquired about the slow service but management seemed unconcerned.
(1)
Betty L.
Food was great, service was great, everything was great!!! Would def come again!!!
(5)
Rob P.
I came here for my buddy's wife's birthday. I was both looking forward to going (as I have wanted to go for a long time) and mildly terrified (because I knew I was going to consume way more meat that I probably should have). The final verdict...Fogo de Chao was mostly what I was expecting. The meat was flowing out like wine and it was well above average in taste and quality. The specialty drink were terrific and very strong and the service was very good. I wish I could recount every cut of meat that I had, but Ill just hit some highlights and lowlights. As with every Brazilian meat place you are going to get a range of meats (at a range of quality, unfortunatly). Some will be amazing and some will just be ok. For the most part, the meats here ranged from ok-pretty good to damn that was tasty. The ribs were great, as was the ribeye and bacon wrapped filet. The thing that I found the most disappointing was the differing quality between some of the same cuts that were circulating. For example, I skipped on the first pass of the ribeye and my buddy thought it was a touch dry. I got the second passing of it and thought it blew my mind. I couldn't convince my friend that it was good until I gave him a chunk of mine. This happened more than it should have here... and at the price we were paying per head, that shouldn't happen that often on a Saturday night. Other than that, it was a very pleasant experience.
(4)
Gary K.
Don't bother looking for parking, just valet and get your grub on. A bit pricey but well worth it, ~$65/pp for dinner. Excellent salad bar but save it for last. Everything is fresh! When you're ready to eat some meat, flip your card to the green side, and when you want to stop and savor, just turn the card back over. The men walk the floor with different cuts of meat on a stake and you tell them how well-done of a cut you want and they'll cut it for you at your table. My top 3 meats, in order: beef rib, rib eye, filet mignon. The beef rib is pretty fatty, you can just feel everything just melt in your mouth, it's heavenly. The rib eye is actually better than the filet mignon, not as tough and has more flavor. You get 3 side dishes that are unlimited also: fried polenta, cheese bread, and fried plantains. The cheese bread is awesome, i've never had anything like it, so soft and fluffy, they're addicting. The polenta is also great, the plantains are so-so when compared to the other two. Excellent service, they'll clear your plates quickly and refill your water before it gets too low. Excellent food. Given the price and distance from my home, I like to try to pay a visit once a year. If i lived closer you'd find me here at least once a month!
(5)
Kyle T.
My fiance and I went to dinner at Fogo De Chao on a Friday night in early 2013. Overall Fogo de Chao is good, but is overrated and over priced in comparison to other Brazilian BBQ places such as Porto Alegre in Pasadena and Gaucho's Village in Glendale. The place was pretty crowded with a diverse crowd. The salad bar area at Fogo De Chao is small and had long lines at it. Porto Alegre has a larger salad bar selection and I've never seen a line at Porto Alegre, Gaucho's Village, or Greenfield. I also did not enjoy the dessert bananas as much as those offered at Porto Alegre and Gaucho's Village. I was pretty happy with the meat selection and the quality of the meat. Our waiter abandoned us for a good 30 minutes, which we didn't mind too much since we were in a good mood. When I flagged down a different waiter, he brought a free dessert, which he misidentified as being tiramisu when it was actually a flan. The valet also helped him to a piece of gum from my car and left part of the empty box foil on my car seat. Although it's just a piece of gum, this is not a good sign when a valet feels entitled to take something from your car like that and doesn't even dispose of the evidence properly. In summation, if you can get someone else to pay for the meal, like for instance expensing the meal on a business trip, then Fogo de Chao is a good place to go. In the scheme of Brazilian BBQ restaurants, however, Fogo de Chao is pricier than what it should be.
(3)
Elsa T.
It was ok, the food was good, service was fast, salad bar awesome. Place is busy I would recommend you make reservations.
(3)
Tiffany D.
If you're looking to try great meats this is the place for you! Instead of having to pay $40 something for a small piece of meat somewhere you're paying to really get the experience and get to try different cuts! The service overall is great, everyone is super attentive and seem to genuinely want you to have a great experience! If you're a salad person which I am, this resturaunt has such a great variety of choices at the salad bar! Now to the desserts... Where to start! Oh yah the FLAN oh my it is heavenly! one of the best I've ever tried! You also can't go wrong with the molten chocolate cake! If you have a chance to dine here I'd take it! Not to mention what pretty hostesses they have haha
(5)
Joseph D.
Went to Fogo to celebrate my wife's bday. We opted for lunch so I'm not sure if the salad selections change. Anyways if you're coming from the east side of SoCal, I would recommend taking the 10 and making your way up La Cienega versus coming from the 101 - yes, I know I just went all "The Californians" by giving you directions. Anyways if it's lunch time, opt for the street parking. There's a 2 hour max at a rate of $1 an hour, but there's enough out there you can just bounce around different spots. To really enjoy the experience, we took about 2 1/2 hours. The food is great, unlimited sides of polenta sticks, mashed potatoes (more broth than milk or cream, still very good) and caramelized bananas. My wife enjoyed their small rolls too, guessing there was a hint of cheese inside. The meats were amazing. The chicken wrapped in bacon were a little bit dry, but hey it's white meat so it's an A for effort. The picanha was the best, especially the end pieces which had the most flavor. To wash the food down we shared a large pitcher of the sangria. Not too bad, but a large costs you $36, which is a bit expensive for what you get. The complimentary bday dessert was good, you can't really mess up a chocolate lava cake. The ice cream had vanilla bean in it too, so that was a treat too. And thankfully they didn't sing or clap while hovering around our table. All in all it was a great experience. Use the reservation tool in Yelp, it's much easier than using the one on Fogo's official site. The Yelp tool also allows you to submit any comments or special requests. Also just grit your teeth and dress up a little. The only people there that wear jeans were guys who've never been laid.
(5)
Kimmy C.
My baby sister turned 30 (gags.. GOD I'M OLD).. and I decided to host the event here since she's paleo-centric, and it's a decade milemarker birthday celebration. I made reservations well in advance, and they were very good at updating our reservation numbers and ensuring that we had a semi-private location to host the event (I actually think we ended up in a private room!). Despite a group of nearly 25 attendees and being in a room that was away from the main dining room floor, the service and staff of Fogo de Chao made for an excellent dinner party. **Special kudos to our head waiter: Mr. Luis, and his brother - Kappa.** I am familiar with this chain of restaurants and this particular location, so there weren't too many surprises. Generally, my experience turns on the service received and the quality of the meats rotating on the floor. Our head waiter, Luis, was fantastic. He ensured that everyone had as much water, cheese bread, plantains and mashed potatoes we could ever want. He also directed the men with spears of meat to our room in the back to ensure we had a continuous flow of meat. He also helped to ensure that we had plenty of drinks, and he helped to coordinate the cake we brought. Overall, dining at Fogo for dinner is a treat. It is a very expensive experience, but you are notice prior to arrival - especially for dinner- so it's hard to complain about the price despite being exorbitant. I recommend not eating lunch, wearing stretchy clothing, and prepare for the meat sweats. Call in advance for large parties and expect to pay at least $80 a head for dinner. If you are seeking to experience Fogo de Chao for the first time, come for lunch. You get the same foods but at half the cost. Thank you to Luis and Kappa for making the birthday celebration a success. Recommend this establishment.
(5)
Courtney H.
OMGOMGOMGSOGOOD Salad bar is amazing, the meat is amazing. Try the house special. The servers are cool too!
(5)
Carla M.
Loved it ! I went for my bday last year and have to say they have great steak . The food was delicious , unfortunately i did not give them 5 stars because although I had reservations , they took forever to take us to our table , plus when they did waiters were breaking dishes in the back , let's say they need more training for being in Beverly Hills
(4)
Kevin B.
Fogo is awesome. I've been to this one and one in Chicago. I've been to this one in Beverly Hills a dozen times with family, friends and clients. I just took clients last earlier this week - and as always this place is as good as ever. The service is top notch, the salad bar is amazing, and the meats are excellent. I wish I could eat more. I really cannot think of a negative other than there isn't one right down the street from my house. Probably a good thing because I'd be there 5 times a week and weigh 400 pounds! lol
(5)
Jennifer N.
Came here on the Saturday during valentines weekend. It was super packed! Luckily we made reservations ahead of time. We had reservations at 730pm but we somehow arrived 30 mins early. I alerted the hostess that we were there and they had us seated fifteen mins later! Everything was fresh at the salad buffet bar. It had kale, asparagus, chicken salad, smoked salmon, etc. So I am a really picky eater and I prefer my food well-done. I felt bad having to ask the servers for well done because they took my piece back and had it cooked for longer. My favorite was the filet mignon! The servers constantly came back to offer more meat. They also have a pamphlet at the table to describe each cut of meat as well as the servers were willing to spend a little time to describe it. It was definitely a treat to come here. On the bummer side, they serve you little glass bottles of soda, so there are no refills! Not that you should waste your stomach space on drinks. Also, since we came on valentines weekend, they gave us a complimentary meal card for next time. How nice!
(4)
Mindy Y.
Experienced Fogo de Chao for the first time last night, and oh man where have I been? Endless servings of premium meat served hot and right onto your plate. The entire meal was heavenly. They already got me fantasizing about their house special, Picanha. So tender and flavorful..that was definitely the winner of the night. This place gets pretty hectic with staff members running around all over the place. The service was actually far more attentive than expected especially for a Saturday night's full house. A little on the pushy side I might even add. But all in all, I felt the experience was phenomenal and this place deserves to be on everyone's bucket list.
(5)
Shane H.
Fogo de Chao is a must try restaurant! They bring you a dozen or so type of meats everything from some very delicious lamb to bacon wrapped filet migon! The cheese rolls they bring out are out of this world. Awesome place to take your date but being a meat lover wouldn't hurt :)
(5)
Abraham G.
This place is great just read all reviews. Been here over half dozen times and its still great worth the drive.
(5)
Bill C.
Enjoyed my self at San Diego location ... Very friendly stuff food is better the Beverly Hill location.
(4)
Tia L.
Fogo wins! I love this place. I have been to several Brazilian steakhouses and Fogo is the leader. The service from the bar to the dining room was impeccable. I don't really know where to start with the food, it was all so damn good. Thier cheese bread is the best, so hot and chewy. Anyways, what can I say that has not already been said about this place...? It is a little pricey, but not unexpected for what you are getting.
(5)
Nathan R.
I hope that the food would be better for how much you have to pay. The meats are great, but for the price it just doesnt seem worth it.
(3)
Sam L.
Came here with a friend for lunch during dineLA week, which was $25/person! One of the best dineLA deals in my opinion :) (+): - All meals come with pao de queijo (cheese bread) (SO.DELICIOUS.), garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas, and polenta. You are also granted entrance to the salad bar of supreme awesomeness, which includes a GIANT wheel of parmesan, a variety of cured meats, random veggies (squash, hearts of palm, asparagus, etc.), fresh mozzarella balls, and oh yes, giant pieces of crispy BACON. - Picanha (top sirloin): crispy, perfectly salted/seasoned, juicy (I'm salivating right now as I type it) - Filet Mignon: Perfectly tender and very flavorful, and get this.. it's BACON-wrapped!! awesome. Only thing that would make it even better would be if it was dipped in chocolate! jk. (yeah, that sounds pretty gross) - Cordeiro (lamb): the lamb leg was alright. BUT, they had perfectly grilled & seasoned lamb chops! Because the chops are relatively small, you maximize surface area of seasoning to volume of meat, which equals maximum flaVOR. I had to employ much self-control to avoid consuming too much of this meat! (-): - Crispy polenta cakes were too dry for me. They look really delicious, but weren't that impressive when I tasted them. No matter, for what do I see beside the polenta ? Oh yeah, my buddy Mr. CHEESE BREAD. - Bottom sirloin: wasn't bad, just satisfactory - not as well seasoned or cooked as the other cuts - No dessert included in the dineLA deal (it was included last yr) - then again, I probably couldn't have eaten any more food beyond that point - Valet Parking - $5.50 - Okay, I know this is probably not that much for parking, especially in Beverly Hills, but still... Suggestions: - Omnivores and carnivores only! Not for the herbivorous species :P - You may be tempted to fill your stomach with the delicious side dishes, but you must resist! Save that stomach space for the tantalizing meat!! - If for some reason the waiters keep ignoring you, your card is probably flipped over to the red side (instead of green) :D
(5)
Robert A.
So much meat, so little time. Is the meat good? Hell yeah; don't get it twisted. Most of what I ate was delicious -- particularly the filet mignon wrapped in bacon and the picanha (I think that's what it was called). I wasn't a fan however of the chicken (too salty) and one of my choices was very fatty. The salad bar was surprisingly small -- but I guess that's not a bad thing; they are distractions after all (you wanna keep your eyes on the meat and not fill up on sides). The service, though, was spot on. The waiters were ON IT the entire night, even though they were well aware we weren't paying full price. Let's just clear the air on Fogo de Chao: you're paying a LOT more here than at most other churrascarias because of the name and location. I mean, Beverly Hills isn't gonna offer you good food at an affordable price -- that would be unheard of! Is it worth it? Eh, I'm still on the fence on that one. As part of dineLA, it was deeply discounted (if you consider $45 a bargain) so I guess I shouldn't complain since the regular price is much higher. However, I don't see myself coming back unless I've got a coupon. I guess you could consider this a spot that all Angelenos should have on their bucket list of LA eateries. This way you can say, "You've never eaten at Fogo de Chao?" in a condescending, Beverly Hills-esque manner to your working class friends. Just make sure you save up your pennies and starve yourself ahead of time to make this visit worthwhile. PS: Did you know cowboys from Argentina and Brazil are both called Gauchos?...well, now you do.
(4)
Jim S.
Yikes, I have to ding Fogo down to three stars after our visit today. The food was still very good, no problems there. However, I think coming during restaurant week was a mistake. The place was absolutely BONKERS with customers, and I don't think the grill could keep up. So, we'd get a few pieces of meat, then wait like 15 minutes for something else to come around. No fun. We also had to wait about 20 minutes for our 1 pm reservation. Our main waiter was also kind of a jerk - the table next to us spoke Portuguese to him, and received excellent service (new plates after each course, constant refills, etc.). We were never even asked if we wanted more water or rolls when our basket was empty, and had to flag down another waiter. Boo. Anyway, here's my opinion after two visits: 1. If you want high volume, pretty good food, come to Fogo. Favorite meats are the pichana, flank steak, and fiilet. 2. If you want high volume and saving $10 per person means you're willing to put up with crappy service, come to Fogo during restaurant week. (Personally I'd rather pay full price without the insanity). 3. If you want great steak and good service (and are willing to pay a small premium), go to a steakhouse. This will likely be my choice next time we crave beef. Oh, and restaurant week no longer includes dessert.
(3)
Janice F.
Came here for DineLA last night and it was totally worth $45. This place is THE place to go to get your dinner's mula worth! You can smell the meat from the outside. I was practically drooling when I pulled into the valet lot. The meats and sides came out right as we got seated. All the meats were tender and delicious. My favorites in order were: 1. Pichana 2. Garlic Beef 3. Lamb 4. Rib Eye 5. Chicken Some of the other meats that I not bother for a second round: 1. Bacon wrapped chicken 2. Filet Mignon which was also bacon wrapped. I wish this was on the medium or medium rare side, but it's cooked to well done because of the bacon. 3. Sausage I wanted to try the beef and the pork ribs but just couldn't fit it in anymore :( Dinner also came with 4 sides: 1. Cheesy bread- so gooey and melts in your mouth! Try not to eat too many of these because they will fill you up. 2. Fried polenta- didn't care much for. 3. Garlic mashed potatoes- was alright 4. Plantains- pretty good The salad bar was delicious as well. The smoked salmon and cheeses were very fresh so were all the veggies- asparagus, spinach, artichoke hearts, potato salad, tomatoes, mozzarella. The proschuitto and salami were also really good. The sangria was also delicious. We split a pitcher among 5 girls and we each got a nice full glass. It was sweet and the fruit was filled with alkie. Totally refreshing while chowing down on your meats. There is valet parking for $5 but I do suggest getting there 10 minutes before your reservation because this place is so busy, you may have to wait 15-20 minutes with reservations. I'll definitely be coming back for the next DineLA event :)
(5)
AnnMarie T.
Went here for Dine-LA week and was a bit dissapointed overall. Had a 6:30 reservation and was seated very quickly. However, when I left at 8:30, the line/wait was out the door. So it appears that the later the reservation is, expect to wait a bit. The meat was delicious, the sides good, and the salad bar provided a good variety to compliment the meat. I felt like even during the Dine-LA week special price, it was still a bit overpriced for what I got. Only one person came to our table to give us meat. Any time there was anyone else giving out meat in the vicinity, we had to literally wave them down to get them to come to our table. A bit discouraging to have to beg for your food all night long. Got full off of sides and salad bar.
(3)
Wes W.
DineLA opportunity. Brazlian BBQ for $25 bucks? That sounds pretty awesome for something that is normally on the expensive side. Perhaps it was hyped justttt a little bit. Fogo is definitely upscale, but honestly, most brazilian bbq's are so its a matter of how much you can shine. Theres crazier peacocks out there people. Salad bar: Nice, but like I mentioned above, theres more extravagant ones out there. Top 3 Meats given that day: RIb Eye, Fillet, Garlic steak - its good, but don't expect the quality like you'd get from a chophouse. I've had better cuts of meat at other B-BBQs. Cheesebread: I tend to eye these like a christmas turkey at any brazilian bbq place that has them. It was a little on the salty side =(. I tried four batches so we can account for a mysterious salt monkey in the kitchen. Environment: dim and clean. BUT, it smelled like a wet rag today. Service: DineLA created such an uproar that I think they weren't able to tend to everyone. I think I've been spoiled by other B-BBQs because they refilled (ie new plate) my sides after I've dug into it ONCE. Ridiculous huh? DOESN'T beat Chauma Gaucha in IL. But I guess Fogo's the best you can get here.
(3)
Diana A.
came here for dine in LA lunch :) They have 16 kind of meats and salad bar. The servers are really helpful and I LOVE their CHEESE BUN!! YUMM so good!! their polenta is also really nice. It tastes like fried tofu for me haha.. The salad bar is not big and there is no fruit there :(. I would love to eat some fruit after all the meat to refresh my mouth but well ohh well minus 1star for that haha.. Overall it is a really nice place :)
(4)
Justin A.
I first heard of Fogo De Chao a few years ago and it was immediately added to my restaurant bucket list. I decided to finally check it out for my recent Birthday dinner after years of hearing people rave about it, and I must tell you, the reputation of this place was spot on! This wasn't just my first time to Fogo but this was also my first time to a churrascaria, and I was completely blown away by the superb quality of all of the delicious meats that were perfectly executed! From various cuts of USDA Prime beef, to various lamb cuts, chicken, and Brazilian sausage. The salad bar isn't the biggest salad bar that you'll see, but the quality of the items on the salad bar was outstanding! You must pace yourself while eating, or as a few of my friends found out, you'll be full in a matter of minutes. The Passadores (meat waiters) will continually stop by your table and ask you if you'd like some more. Trust me people, this is a time where saying "no" every once in a while is a good thing. You have as long as you'd like to slowly enjoy all of the delicious items and I strongly suggest that you take your time and savor the flavors. And if you like to have a delicious alcoholic beverage you MUST try a Brazilian Caipirinha while you're there... It's amazing! I didn't just try one... I had 3! The service of the staff was amazing and extremely friendly. They'd stop and answer any question, and help assist you in selecting meats, alcoholic drinks, and helping make the experience of dining there as pleasurable as possible. I strongly recommend you try this place out. A few of my friends have been to other churrascaria's and they said that this one takes the cake.
(4)
Brittany B.
I made a very big mistake of coming here hung over & not so hungry. Biggest mistake ever. I tried with all of my might to eat as much as I could, & to try a little bit of everything. I don't get the excitement over the bread they serve, I didn't think it was that great, I actually felt like it was a waste of stomach space when I can be eating juicy filet mignon. I tried a bite of all the meats, except the lamb & pork (not my thing). Absolutely amazing! Juicy & seasoned to perfection. The salad bar is pretty good. My boyfriend was very instrutional on what was okay to eat from the salad bar & what was not...so I only tried a limited amount of things, but everything I tried was good. The drinks were strong, which is exactly what I needed to help rid me of my terrible hang over...obviously the only way to cure a hang over is to get drunk again. I did have a first time experience here though; Creme Brule! AMAZING!! I don't really love sweets so much, but this little vanilla sugar surprise is my new favorite. The service here is also absolutely fantastic. Everybody is very attentive & very sweet. I can't wait to come back here, starving, & not feeling like a train wreck so I can experience this the way it should be experienced.
(4)
maggie e.
We went on a Friday afternoon during Dine LA week and this place was packed! I heard the hostess say they had like 560 reservations for lunch that day. Overall, I think this is the best churrascaria I've been to. If you're a meat lover, this is a must try. The sides and salad bar were excellent. The wine was not expensive either. And for dessert, order the Tres Leches, it was heavenly! I would have given it 5 stars but Im giving it 4 only because I never like eating at churrascarias, I always feel disgustingly full after!
(4)
Caye B.
The Price For DineLA, Fogo de Chao is a very safe bet - you know exactly what you'll get, and ou know it's a good bargain. For regular lunch, $35.50/regular dinner, $58.50. For dineLA lunch, $25/dineLA dinner, $45. That's $13.50 off for the same lunch and $13.50 off for the exact same dinner menu! A very smart pick if you're just looking for a dinner experience that stays true to the restaurant's usual dining experience, unlike some places that offer menu items that aren't even on the regular menu. And also, it's a better deal than crosstown Brazilian BBQ competitor MGrill, which is also delicious, but offers a regular-priced $45.50 at the same $45 dineLA price as Fogo. The Experience Had dinner reservations for 2 for 8PM Sunday night. Following advice from fellow Yelpers, checked out the residential area behind Fogo/Gyu-kaku and found street parking and saved ourselves the $5.50+tip valet. Arrived there 25 mins early, and we were warned it might take the full 25mins to be seated, but we got our seats like 10 mins later. The waitress/waiters were all prompt, helpful and friendly. The Meat Didn't come around overwhelmingly quickly, which was nice. The meat overall was good - definitely preferred some cuts over others. My favorites were the pincanha (house speciality), beef ancho (ribeye) and bacon wrapped filet mignon (!). Other ones I enjoyed were the cordeiro (lamb - be careful though, it has lots of fat chunks) and lombo (parmesan crusted pork). Missed out on the pork ribs - wish I had a chance to try that one. Compared to MGrill, I'd say the meat quality and taste is actually very similar. The Salad Bar Disappointing. I'd heard really great things about, so I was super excited - there wasn't much variety. I usually can't get enough of the salad bar and have to hold myself back - the only things I tried here were the mozzarella, prosciutto, smoked salmon and salami. All were OK, nothing special. Did I miss a whole other section or something? The Sides Cheese balls were phenomenal and addictive. Fried polenta was interesting, really enjoyed them! Mashed potatoes were whatevers, and the fried plantain was pretty good, but I only had a nibble. The Drinks We ordered a caipirinha ($8) and tropical caipirinha ($9.50), which were both $4 off their original prices for dineLA. Both were very stiff. I enjoyed the caipirinha, but if you're going go order it, make sure you like lime. This national drink of brazil is basically rum, sugarcane and lime. The tropical one was the same thing but with more fruits and allegedly more alcohol. All in all, I enjoyed my drink and thought it was worth the price for the punch it packed. The Dessert Somehow, we did it.. we went in for the signature full Papaya Cream (not on dineLA menu - $13). Served in a large cocktail glass, it was like papaya syrup mixed with slightly melting ice cream. The waitress poured a tasty raspberry liquor over it at our table. This was a win for me - I really recommend it if you have room left!! Overall, it was a good experience but I think I'd only come back here for a dineLA lunch. It was a nice experience, but if I want Brazilian BBQ, I think I might actually prefer MGrill in general. The meat was very similar, the salad bar had way more choices and the ambiance was more intimate and romantic over there. But yes, between the two this is def the better dineLA bargain!
(4)
Rachel K.
This place is amazing! Extremely fast service and with a smile on their faces! Large variety of meats, poultry, and plenty of options at the salad bar. Best brazilian restaurant I've been to thus far!
(5)
Jackie C.
I'd say its a solid 4.5 We came for dine LA so it was an amazing deal. Despite the deep discount all the servers were more than welcoming (I know they cant be ecstatic at the lower bills etc). The salad bar was very fresh and a nice start to the massive amounts of meat you consume later. My favorite meats were the picancha (?) mmm delicious! And the filet mignon. I thought everything else was GOOD except for the garlic beef, a bit too garlicky for my taste. As far as the side dishes go I didn't try the bananas but the mashed potatoes were a bit thin. The polenta however was AMAZING. I don't normally like polenta but I really liked this. I really like the IDEA of this place. its so fun and interactive while still seeming very luxurious. Between you building your own salad, interacting with the servers, holding the meat with your tongs while they cut or flipping your card- its a great place for fun memories and good conversation. It's a place I could see you going every few years to impress out of towners or a business partner, but not one of those places i would go for a yearly anniversary.
(5)
Claudia B.
Fogo de Chao + DineLA = great opportunity to experience this Brazilian steakhouse. I've been hearing about this for years, so on my birthday, we went for lunch on the DineLA special rate. Even though we went at lunch time, we had a feast...and at a reduced fee. Even though we paid less, I'm sad to say, I didn't love it. Yes, that made it easier to leave without being pissed off. This place is incredibly expensive, so I would have been really irate if I had come for dinner and at full price. I didn't, so okay, it's just one of those things. I really wanted to love it, but I just didn't. The idea is great, men dressed in gaucho clothing walk around with huge skewers of beef, pork, lamb and chicken. They have different kinds of each, it all looked great, but looks can be deceiving. I found the beef to be a little overcooked for my liking, and the worst part, it wasn't all that well seasoned, and THAT is what South American beef is known for.... Argentinian, Brazilian, take your pick..... they are known for OUTSTANDING kick-ass flavor and tenderness. I've had a few dining experiences with this, and I've come to expect this outstanding flavor and texture. Fogo let me down in a big way, and I wasn't prepared for that since everyone else seems to rave about it. Second disappointment is that I PURPOSELY took very little at the salad bar, so that I wouldn't fill up too much on that in anticipation of the parade of meat and poultry, along with several side dishes. Although we sampled some of each protein on a skewer, after one bite, I didn't eat anymore because it either had no flavor, or it was too dry. As for the side dishes, the mashed potatoes tasted like they were made from a box of Idahoan dried potato flakes, and the crispy polenta was dry. As for the plantains, they were mushy and too sweet for my liking. I prefer the more firm, less sweet version of plantains. These tasted like warm, overcooked bananas. Ironically, it's the salad bar that I truly loved and would have eaten gluttonous portions of especially the chicken salad, asparagus, mozzarella, and my personal favorite, the smoked salmon. That alone would have been worth the $28.50 they normally charge for a salad bar only. The salad bar was divine. It looked beautiful, and it tasted even better. I simply regret my choices. Here, I was playing it smart and really watching how much I ate of the salad bar, and I ended up not eating that much of the main entrees and side dishes. Let's just say, at least I didn't leave there feeling like I needed to be rolled out. I suppose that's good. They're getting 3 stars outta me because I loved the salad bar.....but they would have gotten much less because of the entree/side dish issues. So, the question I always ask myself when I leave a place after visiting for the first time, is whether I will return. With Fogo de Chao, I don't really know. It's terribly expensive, and if I just eat their salad bar, okay, I would get full and be really happy......but $28.50 is a lot to spend on a salad bar, although a great one. I guess it'll depend. If we're dining with others, and they want to go to Fogo, okay, I'd go.....but on my own? Just not sure. So many other dining opportunities out there. I'm really glad I finally got to eat here and with the DineLA deal, but the disappointment lingers in me.
(3)
kim p.
Coming back again and again!!
(4)
William S.
I LOVE Brazilian churrascarias.......but not here, not in the U.S. Sorry to disappoint, but after visiting this chain 4 times (1 in Rio de Janeiro and 3 in the States), this churrascaria in the states is straight up NOT authentic. So why did I go so many times? I went to the other 3 FDCs in the U.S. on business meals. Each time I went, I always wondered why the beef tasted bland (sometimes oversalted, maybe to compensate for the blandness), why the meal just was not the same as I remember in Rio. If you have been to Rio or any other city in Brazil and tried a proper churrascaria there, you know that Brazilian beef is distinctly flavorful and delicious. Our beef just does not measure up unfortunately. American beef cooked this way dries up very quickly and is flavorless by comparison on top of that. In Brazil, the temperature of the meat matters because certain cuts develop umami flavors, textures and juices that are well coveted when served at a diner's desired temperature. And the FDC in Rio does serve up 9++++ churrascarian fare. Not the FDC's I've tried here, not in the States, unfortunately. My perception of this restaurant? FDC in the U. S. serves up inauthentic tasteless beef. It's no wonder there are enough Yelpers who focus their reviews on the salad bar, the bread, the cheese balls and other aspects of the meal and not the star of the show: beef. IMO, the other meats are good tho', the lamb, chicken..... the pork at the BH location was dry the one time I dined there. Fogo BH gets two stars for superb service. I enjoy the attention and service in all FDCs I have visited. The BH location is typical of the chain. Service is a large part of a good churrascarian experience. The uniqueness of this tradition and service protocols are genius. However, not serving Brazilian beef ruins the experience of this great cooking tradition for me. Fogo and other Brazilian restaurants/businesses in the U.S. , and we as a nation, should lobby in Washington to allow Brazilian beef into the US. This may take some time for us to realize this though...... So... buy a ticket to Rio and have a real churrascarian experience. If you paid $500 at FDC, you're already halfway there. True, it's not cheap to fly there but if Fogo can't replicate the exact Brazilian dining experience in the US, why bother? A superb churrascaria in Rio will set you back about $30 sans vin. An out of this world, fine, amazing, kick ass churrascarian meal in Rio will cost about $100 or so (sans vin). You will go to heaven and back.... guaranteed! Plus superb Argentine and Chilean wines are super cheap in Brazil. You'll thank me for this. Trust. Visits: 4 (Rio, San Antonio, Chicago & BH)
(2)
Khoa T.
So many meats, so little stomach space :( This place really makes me appreciate the noble sacrifice that so many cows, chickens, and pigs made to satisfy us humans. Even during DineLA it's pretty pricey but this is one of the few restaurants that's worth every penny. Came here for the DineLA deal and the place was packed within 30 minutes of opening (around 12pm), and for good reason too, because everything was delicious. From the salad bar (smoked salmon and onion vinaigrette are my favorites) to the wide variety of meats, I was propelled into a continuous state of ecstasy the moment my butt hit the seat. All of the staff are incredibly attentive and super friendly (I swear the guys who bring the meat around on swords can see green and red better than the average human). Roasted, charred, slow-cooked, grilled, or flambed, every meat was made to perfection--not too dry and not too rare. The only negative about this place would be that some of their meats are a TINY bit too salty, but the majority of their dishes are flawless. Side dishes and salad bar complement the meats well but are clearly overshadowed by the greatness of barbecue.
(5)
Nairi P.
WOW. Just Wow. The best steakhouse I have ever been to hands down. My boyfriend took me here to celebrate our anniversary together, he had been here before back home at the DC location and loved it so he surprised me to his favorite place. If you want endless rare steaks of the absolute highest quality with the most amazing taste... this is the place to be. It is endless, they literally won't stop bringing you cuts until you say so. Every minute they would bring different meats and ALL AMAZING LIKE WHAT THE FARK. I am not the craziest steak lover because my body can't take heavy amounts of protein at one time (I go into hibernation mode like a bear) but I walked out of this place feeling healthy, light, yet utterly satisfied. The quality of their food is without a doubt 10/10. If I absolutely had anything to complain about, I would have wanted more privacy and space between seating areas (there are no covers or physical separators) and would have liked more selection from their salad/deli bar. Our waiter knew it was our anniversary so we got a surprise cake that read "Happy Anniversary" with a heart on it, really sweet. They even have a bar if you ever want to come in just for drinks. The initial price tag of the dinner buffet may seam offbeat, but it is a VALUE when considering you get limitless top quality imported meats with a really nice salad bar. I would love to come here again anytime, occasion or not.
(5)
Atila L.
Seriously I wish these gentlemen with their deliciousness stick of yummy Brazillian steak would just serve me food all day every day!! Every cut was great, the salad bar had many varieties. The service was wonderful, and steak and wine what's better than that?
(5)
Cristina G.
The Good: Picanha, Sirloin, Cheese Rolls The Bad: The wait staff were very attentive at first. For some reason, they were unavailable during the course of our meal. Had to ask for hot water twice because the chica forgot. I like my meat medium rare so they had to go and source one out which took a long time. The filet mignon was a little dry though. The experience overall was great, because the food was good and company was awesome.
(5)
Andrew G.
I REPEAT COME HUNGRY. The atmosphere here is great and every bit what you would expect from a restaurant in Beverly Hills from the decor to the people. You will be tempted by the buffet at first. DONT BE TOO TEMPTED BY THE BUFFET. Flip your coaster to green and be prepared to not put your fork down for at least 10-15 minutes dining on 7 different kinds of fresh off the rotisserie meats cut straight off the slab onto your plate. Of course there is always room for desert even when you feel like you are going to completely pop. The papaya ice cream is terrific. It's funny spotting the girls coming here for the first time in prissy outfits expecting a typical Beverly Hills restaurant but little do they know they about to eat probably 2+ pounds of meat.
(5)
Alex H.
This is the happiest damn festival of meat in the universe. If Disneyland made a steakhouse, I would rather go to Fogo de Chao.
(5)
Elisa C.
Oh myyyyy this place is delicious!!! I came here on my birthday last week it's A+++++ in my book! Service is GREAT; the servers are so attentive, and are quick to help you out if you have any questions, and are even quicker to serve you meat!! Food is SOO good; all the meat they have there is so tender, juicy, and sizzling hot! Please try everything! Its all you can eat salad bar and meat for about $56. Not bad cause the meat is unbelievably good. They season it perfectly and sometimes the skin is just a little crunchy and the texture is just perfect. Party in my mouth! I am coming back here on...Valentine's Day? The fastest upcoming holiday for an excuse to treat myself ;)
(5)
Myra R.
My fiance saw this place on the list of restaurants participating in Dine LA and of course like any good Midwesterner he could not pass up endless of amounts of meat. So off we go. For Dine LA they offered unlimited salad bar and meat and a choice of dessert for $44.00. The salad bar was ok nothing really spectacular about it. So I will move onto the meat of the review. I know. What a lame joke. Whatever. Hahaha! They have a red light green light coaster procedure for the menu. When you want meat you would need to have the green coaster facing up and a gaucho would come around with a skewer. All the various meats were beyond good. I didn't have one bad thing. Fogo offers mashed potatoes, polenta, and platanos to pair with your meat choices. After I was done feeding my face full of meat and potatoes, we ordered up dessert. I had the tres leches cake and it was one of the best I have ever had. My fiance had the flan and that was pretty damn good. And for some odd reason I feel the need to review the complimentary bread. They were like little puff pastries. You can't just stop at one but you have to since you are there to partake the numerous meats offered.
(4)
Robert B.
Had a very disappointing visit to Fogo de Chao with my wife and parents. We were seated right by the meat spits that face out to La Cienega, which seemed nice until we were seated and saw how filthy the wall was next to the table. Lots of food and grease from previous diners. Floor was also filthy. Server greeted us quickly and was very professional. We went to get salads, and as soon as we were seated, the meat started to come over, even though all our discs were on red. Seemed like they were gearing up for a big night and trying to rush us out, because it happened twice more before any of us signaled. Once we signaled for meats, it was as if they had forgotten all bout us in the corner. My wife literally asked three different servers for her favorite cut of meat, and all three said "no problem." It never came out. All four of us had empty glasses while waiting to order a second round of caiparhinas. We never got a chance to order more drinks. Check came to $300 for the four of us. We tipped 20% so as not to make a fuss, but we all left very disappointed. This was our 5th visit to Fogo de Chao in Beverly Hills, and until this visit we have always had a great time. But I'm not sure we would return for the price after this most recent disappointment.
(2)
S D.
Come Hungry!! If you really want to get your moneys worth! Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian churrascaria and its the best one out there. First of all the waiters/waitress are very attentive. Its pretty much an all you can eat buffett, there is a salad bar but thats not what youre there for...you want the different types of exquisite meats. You are given a coaster one side red other side green, green means "offer me food" red means stop....Im eating. The waiters walk around the restaurant offering guest different kinds of meat, you cant go wrong. Dont eat anything before coming here. Enjoy!!
(5)
Cindy U.
Hmmm... It was ok. The receptionist was not the best. Like she was doing us a favor for sitting us in an area that would be appropriate when I made the reservation! Listen, I'm paying! You're not doing ME a favor! Somehow I expected, for the price you pay, more choices? Same meat selections came out to our table. Meats had good flavor except the lamb which I thought was downright leather! I would consider going back if I had a hankering for different cuts of meat on spick specifically and right now that I'm hungry, it's all I could think about... I would definitely recommend the tres leches for dessert! That was yum!
(3)
Nancy T.
I took my father and our party guest here for his birthday dinner. When I made reservations I emphasizes the fact that we were celebrating a birthday. Upon arrival, the server was informed that it was many of the party guests first time however... -NO instructions were given to my guest on what to expect or what to do. -Servers bombarded my guest, once they were instructed by me to turn over their card to green when in need of food. -We had to ask several times for our plates to be changed. - On occasion, the meat pieces were very dry. After a $800 dollar dinner, everyone left disappointed. I am shocked at how terrible the service was. I hope no one has to experience what we went through. I would advise those who plan on coming here with a large party to go ELSE WHERE.
(1)
Monica P.
Fogo de Chao is a wonderful place to eat! The service is fantastic and they had so many high quality items. Their salad bar was great! They kept it filled with high end items such as fresh vegetables, kale salad, fresh cheese and so forth. My favorite was the bread! I think I gobbled down three at the beginning. They are soft and slightly chewy and heavenly! The proteins they served were very high end. I had the ribeye (very tender) as well as a filet mignon wrapped in bacon (yum!). I personally prefer well done (for hygienic reasons) and the waiters were very quick to come back with items that were perfectly well done. Everything was moist and flavorful (even though it was well done!!! Can you tell that I'm excited?!?). Definitely a great place to try. Like other reviewers said, it's kind of pricey... but the food is great! Valet parking is $6.50 (yes you read that right!). Wonderful place to go!
(4)
Melissa W.
We have eaten at the this location for dinner a few times, and love it! The food deserves 5 stars. The reason for 4 is on busy nights (haven't been at night when it's not) it is so loud and crowded you can not hear people at your own table! And it takes some maneuvering to get thru the salad bar. But the meat selection is honestly some of the best cut and seasoned I have ever had! If the price wasn't so high I would eat here regularly (I do think it's worth the price just hard to justify regularly)
(4)
Mike D.
Good food, nice ambience, a bit pricey.
(4)
kent c.
This is how mad cow started... You eat and eat until that dizzy gut tighten sensation starts to overwhelm oneself, and your tipsily balancing yourself out of there ... I came to this place during restaurant week for DineLA - 2/5. It is a little pricey at $65 normally, but during that week it was $49. The decor is very nice, but come on all the restaurants on this street is OVER the TOP it is Beverly Hills. It is a upscale and fancy place. The place is a lot bigger on the inside than outside. The GREEN light and RED light service (ALL YOU CAN EAT) is quite an experience. It was a GO,Go, GO for me, after almost 2 hrs of green light i hit MEAT COMA land. If you like meat, then this heaven. Nicely prepared good cuts of meat along with quick and friendly staff that just want to keep feeding you is a A+ in my books. They have a good sized vegetarian buffet bar with a good selection of salads, cheeses, and smoked salmon. (so don't be worried you non-carnivores) The filet mignon was by far the best cut and flavor. I listed them by my favorite. Note i went through 4 rounds of 8 cuts they offer. I didn't want to try their sausages because I felt like there should be better cuts of meat going in my belly.. All the cut they offer: 1. filet mignon - --- [Left me speechless] 2. beer ancho (rib eye) --- [Perfect with every bite] 3. frango (chicken) --- [Rich in flavor and spices] 4. picanha (top sirloin) - [Hands down Awesome!!] alcatra (top sirloin) fraldinha (bottom sirloin) 5. cordeiro (lamb) -- [Juicy lil thang] 6. costela (beef ribs) -- [if this is at another place it'd be #1 on my list] 7. costela de proco (pork ribs) -- [They gave me too much of this RIB] 8. lombo (pork loin) --- [killer] linguica (sausage) The desert - Papaya Cream desert.- it was good and much lighter than the week's worth of protein in one sitting.. . The best item they have is their incredible smelt in your mouth cheese bread puffs. It is the best free "FILLER" before the main course ever!!!
(5)
Jacob C.
Atmosphere - A+ Service - B The meat waiters check to see if your on green/red 85% of the time. I had to flag one down to get my meat. Salad Bar - A- great variety and quality, but who likes cold asparagus? Meat - B+ some meats seemed a bit too salty... for the price they charge, hot asparagus would be nice...and less salt please...more flavors.
(4)
Beini S.
I love this place. Yes it's pricey, yes I think it's worth it if you bring your stretchy pants. Valet parking is $5.50. There's a pretty big bar area where you can wait. I had a Rio Daiquiri this past time, it was strong, somewhat delicious, and $15 without tip. Even if you have a reservation, sometimes you have to wait a little past your res time. However, it's not one of those situations where you wonder why they're making you wait, every time I've been there, they've been slammed. The people who bring the meats around are incredibly nice. The rest of the staff is hit or miss. Some of the hostesses give you the "Don't ask me for anything, I'm busy" vibe and take a long time to bring you what you ask for, but some are fantastic. Cheesy bread rocks my world. Mashed potatoes are garlicky. I have no opinion of the salad bar, I've gone once a few years ago and didn't understand why people go there. My friends often do, and tell me I'm missing out. I was here for the last night of DineLA this past week, and was impressed that everything was fresh and delicious despite how crazy packed it was. Can't come back all the time, but already excited for the next time.
(5)
Terence N.
Definitely expected better quality meats from this place, especially for the price! The only meats that stood out was the filet mignon wrapped bacon, the filet mignon with fat, and the beef ribs. All the other meats were dry and had no taste. All the meats just tasted salty to me, and everything tasted the same, there wasnt a great flavor distinction between the various meats. The salad bar was a dissapointment, I expected a larger bar, but it was actually quite small. The apple salad was decent and some of the roasted peppers were good..but then again, we didnt come here to eat salad did we?!?! Surprisingly the plantains and bread, which they serve as unlimited appetizers, were good! My friends went through 8 dishes of plantains, because the sweetness balances out the over-salty meats! It's sad to say the highlight of the meal was the bananas! But they were cooked pretty well, and came out hot! The service here was excellent, all the servers refilled our drinks and appetizer frequently, and always checked to make sure we were satisfied. They also served meats frequently, so you will never go hungry! The price for dinner was $57 + tax + tip, which comes out to be well over $65! At this price, it was definitely not worth it, the food quality was only mediocre at best, and they dont even include dessert with that price! You have to order dessert off a seperate menu, which is around $10-15! All-in-all, how much meat can you really eat? If your just the average eater, you wont eat $60 worth of mediocre meats, so stick to a steakhouse! I really dont know what the hype is about this place, why do people give this place 4-5 stars?
(3)
Rey L.
for a 4 Star Yelp average and a $$$$ price range, i expect a lot of an establishment. alas, on this night, Fogo let me down. made an 830p reservation for mama to take me out for an early Daddy Day dinner. arrived to a PACKED valet area and front lobby area full of Dads and Grads. lots of already unhappy people waiting, standing, scowling. not sure why there were so many people not being seated, other than Fogo taking an exhorbitant amount of walk-ins or a cow shortage due to the World Cup??? maybe it was another issue. i don't know. all i know is by the time i got to the front at 835p to check in for our 830p Reservation, i was given a beeper and told of a 1 hour wait. 1 hour wait post reservation time. seriously, wtf? on a saturday night, with a reservation, an hour wait. too late to go anywhere else in the area now without a reservation, so wait it is. luckily, mama is great company and the bar was open so we made the best of it. also, lucky that our babysitting was covered for our extended delay. when we finally got seated, around 45mins later, the rest of the evening went without any further incident. the managers were very pleasant and the dudes with the meat were relatively quick on delivery. oh, and food was still top notch. i've been told i had to wait to be seated at other restaurants even with reservations, but, not for an hour. still a fan, but, gotta knock them down.
(3)
Matthew M.
Sadly we had didn't have a good experience. We arrived on Saturday evening with an 8:30pm reservation - we were on time. Sunday was father's day, so this was my night out - well, apparently Fogo de Chao didn't think things might be a bit more popular that evening. Really...an all you can eat meat place the evening before father's day...didn't see that one coming..really?! They told us on arrival it would be an hour waiting. We decided to hang-on, we had a babysitter in, and didn't fancy our chances turning up somewhere else without a reservation after 8:30pm on a Saturday night. We were eventually seated at 9:15pm (so only 45minutes late in the end). The food was very good...at first. But on my 3rd small piece of beef, I got a big piece of burnt fat, and it just turned my stomach. I'm a 'love my meat' kinda guy, but I really struggled to deal with the effect it had on me. I took two walks outside to try and get some air, but I just couldn't eat any more meat after that, and it was really a wasted meal for me. Also, we realized that the drink we'd purchased at the bar cost more then the exact same drink in the restaurant, and just felt a bit cheated, especially as we were only drinking in the bar because they had mis-managed their bookings. We spent $155 for two meals and 1 drink (at the bar), and for me, things really need to be near perfect to recommend anyone spend that kind of money on a meal for two. And it just wasn't near perfect - I actually still had a fragile stomach all of Sunday as well. It was a real shame all in all as I normally love Brazilian BBQ.
This place is MINDBOGGLING!!! All their meat is so tender and flavorful and seasoned to perfection, whereas some other steakhouses who only give you one steak can't even get that one steak right. The servers are polite and courteous, and even if you have your card flipped on the green side, they will ask you if you actually wanted the meat or you just forgot to flip it over. [HOW TO USE THE CARDS: The ride side is used when you don't want meat and the green side is used if you do. If you don't know what something is, leave the card on the green side and just ask! They won't mind if it turns out you actually didn't want that particular cut of meat.] My personal favorites of the meal were the bacon wrapped filet mignon, the bottom sirloin, and the prime rib. All the sides, such as the cheese bread and mashed potatoes, etc, and the salad bar were amazing and way beyond my expectations!!!
(5)
Sona M.
If you are a vegetarian or a seafood person this is not your best choice. If you love meat then you are the right place!! I eat seafood and chicken but I ended up getting the Seabass as it's the only choice of fish if you want seafood. If you want chicken you still have only 2 options, which one was plain chicken and the other was a chicken on a skewer wrapped with bacon( not a fan of that idea). My husband loved it because it was a meat eaters heaven. I see this more of a place for a bunch of guys to come in and enjoy the all you can eat meat. Girls typically don't eat that much meat and it would be a waste to pay $61 per person. The seafood option which only includes the sea bass plus the all you can eat salad buffet is almost $46. It's great to come here for experience but I wouldn't come here the second time. If your looking for a good place with drinks.. This is not the place either.
(4)
Tugbek O.
Very friendly staff and excellent meat. Especially fillet de mignon was super. It's all you can eat, and you'll die to try each one of 16 different bbq, make sure you go there really hungry. Ohh... I should compliment salad bar too.
(5)
Carolina G.
Food is ok, not the best or worse brazillian I've had. The place is nice, clean, meats keep coming, choices of buffet options are pretty good.
(3)
Lucy T.
Everyone should eat here. Mel Gibson and his family sat behind my fiance and I.
(5)
Ana F.
I enjoyed my experience at Fogo de Chão. Meat was good, especially Picanha. You can really eat a lot, so go very hungry. Service was good too, they were nice and helpful. Fancy, nice atmosphere, but it could have a bigger selection for the price. They don't have chicken heart. For desert, take Pudim de Leite if you can - it was amazing!! I'm from Brazil, so it's nice to have a restaurant like this here. It is normally not cheap, even there, you only go once in a while. It was good overall, but the price was indeed a bit too high. If you want to try Brazilian barbecue, I definitely recommend. Go in weekdays if you can, for lunch, it's way cheaper.
(4)
Tiffany T.
This place is AMAZEBALLSSS. Oh yes. I went there. Their food and service are literally perfection. Make sure you make a reservation (you can do it through yelp) so you don't have to wait so long. My boyfriend and I came here tonight to celebrate my late birthday and I am truly impressed. I've never been to a Brazilian BBQ place before and I'm glad that this was my first. Finding this place wasn't hard. Just had to deal with some traffic on the way over. If you're lucky, you'll find street parking (remember to pay the meter!) If not then there is valet for $5.50. (We accidentally gave our car to the sushi valet next door LOL) after handing your car over you will walk through two huge doors and are greeted by a very friendly hostess. Our hostess was named Tiffany (what a coinkidink! (; ) and although we were about 15 minutes late for our reservation it didn't take long to get seated. Not only that but we also got to choose what kinda table we would be able to sit at (just for two or for two and a little more room; we chose the second.) If its your first time the waiter will describe how everything works. Listen carefully if you can't understand accents! Service is so amazing that when I was taking off my jacket, a waiter actually came from behind and helped to take off my jacket and put it on the spare chair. He also put a tablecloth over it to keep oil from dripping over my things. Sooo awesome we. Definitely not used to VIP service since I'm so used to awesome 626 service /end sarcasm. The meat choices are AMAZING. My personal favorite was the garlic beef. Its a sirloin marinated in garlic sauce. I'm all about that garlic yumminess! My boyfriend really loved the lamb chops. Their salad bar is pretty amazing too! They also have smoked salmon, porscuitto and salami at the salad bar along with some fresh parmesan for you to pick. All in all I LOVE this place. For two people, it came out to be about $137. The service is amazing. Food is definitely on point. What else could make this better? NOTHING.
(5)
Susan Z.
Loved it! Super delicious meats, my favorite was the lamb chops... And it's all you can eat! Really fun experience. Our waiter was super sweet yet professional--have us a papaya cream dessert with blueberry liqueur that was on him because I was celebrating my anniversary there that day! :)
(5)
Benjamin B.
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 :)...
(4)
Selvin T.
EXPENSIVE & TRENDY Visited this place about four months ago and it looks like not much has changed. Not impressed. I will have to say that if liked one thing, it would have to be the Bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon-keep it coming! All other meats were generally overcooked. I will have to say for you to save your money and head to the south-bay for some better tasting food-By Brazil
(2)
Taylor B.
All the cuts of meats I tried were exceptional, and was soo happy to be treated with the sides of carmelized plantains!
(5)
Carolin M.
Amazing place to have an all you can eat buffet. Yes it expensive but worth it. Since t there food is sooooo good. Your mouth is drooling. It was my first time and I can say I will for sure come back. It's funny they put a card on your table where it lets the waiters know if you want more food or you want to stop. So each time you want the waiter to come back you just need to flip the card. Amazing experience.
(5)
Mister R.
I really didn't want to love this place. I was really hoping it would just be mediocre, so I could say, "meh, it was okay", and not buy into the over-hyped build up I had heard prior to coming in. Sort of like the feeling of getting to look down your nose at a beautiful woman who has a terrible personality. Well, about 20 minutes, a stiff cocktail and a few bites of a nice meat selection later, I was softening up. Something inside of me began to quell the resistance to my disdain for all things over-hyped, and over-priced. Fogo de Chao is a sort of novelty to the dining experience. You don't order, wait for your food, hope you ordered the right thing, and then anxiously take your first bite with to see if you chose "wisely" or "poorly". They bring you selections of meat, piping hot, bursting with flavor. They do this over, and over, and over again until you can't take it anymore. Then they serve you coffee, maybe desert, and hell, if you want, more delicious meat! As a die hard carnivore, I love the concept, meat selection, fresh off the grill goodness that this place serves up. And if you are one of those people that enjoy eating what MY food eats (namely vegetables), then they have a salad bar with everything from you could desire, cheeses and breads too. Yes, it may be pricey (I didn't pay, so I wouldn't know, and truth be told, that may skew this raters review a touch), but from what I experienced tonight, I would have a hard time imagining me not recommending everyone try this place at least once. It's not the easiest place to get to in rush-hour traffic, and meat may not be your thing, but if you have an ounce of patience and a hankering for meat, you will not go wrong.
(4)
Joanne L.
fogo de chao... more like fogo de wow! keep the bacon wrapped filet mignon coming.
(5)
Sabrina A.
"ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS" This was my first experience at Fogo De Chao. I had heard a lot about it from my boyfriend who had been to the Dallas/Addison location once before and he was dying to go to the Beverly Hills location. My boyfriend had hyped it up and even with the huge expectations I had, I was very pleased with EVERYTHING. We started off at the salad bar, and we knew that we would have to be careful and save room for the meat that was coming. We saw many people piling their plates high with salad bar food, and thought that they probably had not been to Fogo before. A WORD OF ADVICE : Be careful not to fill up on salad bar/bread/etc. Taste things there but save room for the meat and you will be glad you did. The Salad bar is AWESOME! Delicious cheeses, gorgeous vegetables (huge asparagus was cooked al dente .PERFECT), a pineapple infused apple waldorf salad. smoked salmon with a pesto sauce you can put on it. Proscutto, gigantic hearts of palm and much more... I tried 14 of the 15 different cuts of meat. My favorites were: ~Beef House special Picanha (Half Moon shape) they also have it with a garlic marinade which was AMAZING! ~Filet Mignon ~Cordeiro (Leg of Lamb) ~Lombo (parmesan crusted pork loin) ~Chicken Leg ( I believe it was kosher chicken, which has a distinct, richer flavor than non-kosher chicken) I'm not a huge fan of bacon, but they do offer quite a few of the meats bacon-wrapped. The Bread/muffin that is served is like a soft pastry, very addicting so be careful not to fill up on those. The plantains are still on my brain. Fogo De Chao is definitely worth the money, great value. Where else can you get to try so many high quality meats and have as much as you like? I would save it for special occasions, to save your waistline as well as your wallet. You'll most likely want to go back. You should probably like meat though, and love food and love to eat.
(5)
Denis S.
Came here for Restaurant Week (I know, a while ago). The deal here for restaurant week is much better than most since it offers the exact same thing as their regular menu, but for less money. Unfortunately, it's still a lot of money. This place is weird. It's the only way to describe it. They treat you like a fancy restaurant, they make you pay like it's a fancy restaurant, but at the end of the day, it's a buffet. No matter how fancy a buffet is, it's still a buffet. For starters, the salad bar is a ripoff. Sure, it's fresher than Fresh Choice or Hometown Buffet, but it's also about ten times more expensive. Unless they have some extinct foliage from the Dinosaur age, it shouldn't even count. Some of the meat is good, some of it is too fatty. Overall, quality meat and plenty of it. Like I said, the service is top notch, so you're not sitting around waiting. You want meat, it comes. The sides are also delicious, but fairly standard. The mashed potatoes are creamy, the fries banana things are great (and filling), the triangle thing is a bit weird. Weirdly enough, I would probably have less complaints if they just gave me a larger chunk of one of those pieces of meat and those same sides on a single plate. However, there's something about the idea of a buffet that doesn't mesh with the idea of fancy and high-priced. Oh, and tres leches cake was pretty disappointing....
I've been to a number of churrascarias across the country and Fogo de Chao always seems to come up when the topic comes up. I've been to the one in Chicago and it was an okay experience. Can't say the BH location is any better or worse than the one in the 312. First off, the wine list. There is no sommelier as far as I noticed. Our waiter couldn't / didn't make any recommendations. Ding here. Chose the 2005 Chateau St. Michelle cab. Price wise, it's about 2.5x what you'd pay for the wine retail. Typical I suppose. The California red selection was decent but definitely not as diverse as I would prefer. The salad bar. I'm not one for partaking the salad bar as it distracts you from the main event - the meat. With that said, Fogo's salad bar seemed a little lacking for one reason or another. The main event. The meat. Lamp chops were pretty much perfect and so was the leg of lamb. Much of the beef was oversalted for my tastes, the sodium taking center stage rather than the meat itself. Overall, a slightly better than average experience. The sides... the cheese bread is always good. The mash is nice. The golden brown square thingamajigs... whatever they are... were bland and not even worth eating. The wait staff were quick to replenish all sides. Whether it's to make you happy or to fill you up on them instead of meat, I have no clue. Bottom line... if you've never been to Fogo, try it out, but I believe there are cheaper alternatives that deliver the same experience. Sure, you won't find the "upper scale" ambience, but at the end of the day, ambience isn't worth paying for unless it's a minimum Michelin one star restaurant.
(3)
kat c.
The best Brazilian BBQ joint I've ever been to. Service was impeccable, nice ambiance/decor, and the appetizers (cheese bread) mmm... Some of their meats are a bit on the salty side, but if you have a glass of Guarana~ (Brazilian soda) it washes down real nice. This is one of the first Brazilian BBQ places that have a good salad bar and they don't use cheapy cheeses or wilted lettuce. Their produce was fresh and their fresh mozzarella, to die for.. We came here for DineLA's Restaurant week, probably the best deals, since they offered their full menu at a discounted rate. ::joke time:: Brunette: "I slept with a Brazilian man last night" Blonde: " YOU SLUT" Brunette: "Huh?" Blonde: "Wait, how many is a Brazilian?"
(5)
Jenn S.
The idea of all-you-can-eat meat on a stick is perhaps the closest I'll ever get to Nirvana. The ambiance is relaxing, the service is great, and the food is beyond tasty! There is one drawback - it's so good and so popular that it gets pretty crowded. I am not willing to deduct a star for their success, so 5 stars it is. The salad bar has the most interesting items: hearts of palm, exotic cheeses and cured meats, baby ears of corn, along with the usual favorites of fresh greens, tomatoes, etc. The servers come around and serve you various cuts of beef, lamb, sausage from giant skewers that more closely resemble swords. If you want more of a specific item, just flag any of these servers down and they'll make sure you get it. You also are served bottomless hot side dishes at your table. We had fried plantains and polenta. Very tasty and an excellent complement to the spicy meats. This place is great for romantic dinners ( request the wine cellar room in the back - filled with more 2 and 4 top tables and very cozy). It's perfect for large groups - there was a group of 40 that all sat at one table! What a great infusion into the LA dining scene - with Brazilian flare! Don't miss it!
(5)
T M.
I'm not sure why this place is rated so highly. I was not impressed. The decor is nice, in line with a Beverly Hills establishment. The puffy cheese rolls were ok. They tasted exactly the like puffy cheese rolls served at Bossa Nova. Perhaps they buy from the same supplier. The salad bar has a very wide selection and was impressive but why fill up on salad, you come here for the outrageous amounts of meat right? Anyways, I had about 8 different selections of meat. The ribeye was good, the fillet tasted like a fillet. Nothing was exceptional. The desserts tasted like box mix. Overall, I think it's all about quantity here and not quality.
(3)
Kevin F.
I can only see this place as being great for a group outing, where with 5 or so friends, you revel in the bombardment of meat--- garlic beef, bacon covered steak, chicken, sirloin, filet mignon, rib eye... it almost feels like a beef tasting, where you are allowed to experience a little of each, and taste and compare right away what type of meats you like. I understood a little bit what is top cut and stuff, but here, you could actually prove to yourself, yeah, I do like sirloin over mignon. And I like the group dynamic because only through that trash talking and peer pressure could I push myself to the very limit of my stomach in eating all that meat. I think I was better for it, as I tried everything, and was very satisfied. Oh, there was some cheese bread and a GIANT salad bar, but I'm not sure how much I ate of that. But yeah, for $50/person, I don't recommend as a date place since you're not going to get your money's worth with your sweetie. Well, I could be stereotypical, but yeah, go with a group and eat essentially a baby cow.
(4)
Berk U.
What do Los Angeles, Philadelphia and the District of Columbia have in common? All three cities can are home to Fogo de Chao. And you can best believe that I will be sure to stop by this incredible restaurant whenever I visit any of them. Fogo de Chao was the first Churrascaria that I ever ate at... and after 4 years of trying to find another one in New York and the San Francisco, I must admit that it remains the best. Other establishments simply do not offer the same kind of overall quality as this place. Fogo de Chao has an incredible selection of cuts and harmoniously accompanies these meats with a solid array of side dishes and salad bar - all of which are *included* in the 'prix fixe' dinner. While some people might consider the salad bar and the sides a distraction from the meat, I would argue that these dishes are an integral part of the entire Brazilian Barbecue experience. You just can't eat plate after plate of Filet Mignon or Picanha (the house special top sirloin) without having something else in between... It all just makes for a far less pleasurable experience. In this regard, the cheesy bread and the caramelized bananas at Fogo de Chao are the perfect dish to accompany the type of salty meats that you will be gorging down. The atmosphere at the Beverly Hills location is best described as classical. Gently dimmed lighting, tables, white sheets... this place does not exactly pull fancy tricks to set the mood or the ambience - and in all honesty, it's fine because you should be here to focus enjoying the food anyways. Service-wise, don't be surprised if the waiters seem a little pushy in offering the meats - it's simply part of the Brazilian tradition. Just remember that you can avoid them by flipping over your card. Those of you with 'deeper' pockets would also appreciate the extensive wine selection that is offered at the Beverly Hills franchise...In contrast, if you feel like $55 is a little too rich for your blood, I would advise you to stop here for lunch, where you have the exact same experience for about $35. There is also a 'Salad Bar Only' option for $27 - that is, just in case someone in your party is not feeling up to the task of eating their weight in quality meat.
(5)
T H.
Carnivores dream. This is my benchmark for Brazilian churrascaria steakhouses. Great meats, the worlds best salad bar, and a fabulous wine selection. Just awesome, and reasonably priced for a steakhouse on Beverly Hills Restaurant Row. Minus one star for their desserts. We had the molten chocolate cake and it was pretty average, not terrible, but not great.
(4)
Luisa P.
The salad bar alone is a great meal in itself. Then they bring you meat - lots of it. My favorite is the lamb - so tender and really flavorful. It's way too decadent to eat this much red meat that often but once in a while - it's perfect.
(5)
Kali M.
I love Fogo de Chao. My only issues are these: - Tables with less than a foot of space around them... it is PACKED TIGHT in there! - ...interesting... clientele. It certainly attracts a very specific set of people. I was surprised, actually, as the other couple of times I'd been to this joint (at least 3 years ago... it's been awhile). They're the same people you'll run in to at Fleming's on a Saturday night, and that's about the only other place I've ever been surrounded by them. They're not a fun bunch. - This last visit they did not offer us the cheese bread!!! Okay, no, I'm not holding that against them in the review, but since the "salad bar" had changed so much since our last visit we figured that they may have done away with the cheese bread, as well. We should've known that was crazy talk... what were we thinking? - Our "reservation" apparently meant squat. We checked in 10 minutes prior (a lot for us), and the hostess quoted us for a 45 minute wait. I'm sorry, 35 minutes wait past our reservation time? Really?? I remember the same deal many years ago when we first visited, so it wasn't just due to unexpected volume of customers. They did comp us two of our four drinks, for no apparent reason. That was a nice surprise. And, of course, the meat is delicious. I'm not a big meat girl so this is a special occasion kinda place for me, and it gives me my meat fix for at least the next 3 months or so. The papaya creme dessert is a must.
(4)
Nikki S.
Ahhhhhh thank you Dine LA for giving me the opportunity to try this well known Brazilian restaurant. First and foremost it is a typical Brazilian meat house where it's all you can eat meat and sides from the salad bar. The salad bar was delicious- asparagus, green salad and numerous toppings, artichoke, potato salad (delicious), jicama salad with shredded chicken mixed (good also), cheeses, cold cut smoked meats, and more. Warm sides- cheese bread (favorite), mashed potato (eww), sugared plantains (yummm), and fried yucca (i think) meats- ohhhh lordy! I was bought with the house special. Effing melt in your mouth with the perfect salting that made my mouth water for more. The rest of the meats were good mostly I cared for was beef but the lamb chops were decent, bacon wrapped chicken and beef were ok, and so much more. Dessert was tres leche (too sweet for me and I really never care for tres leche) and papaya smoothie thingy (ehhhh). I love youfogo. I will come back, especially for your house speacial meat and cheese bread.
(5)
Sue Z.
There are certain types of abuse I unleash on my body. 1. 6-8 hours of practice, well.. because I have to. 2. Running everyday for at least 2 miles... Or I will go apeshit at a postal office. 3. Sit ups, crunches, leg lifts. Because I'm too cheap to buy new pants. 4. (no longer viable at my age) overeating and overdrinking It's been fun friends, but I'm so tired of hanging my head out the window, unleashing some unheard of projectile vomit. Coming here for Mike K's birthday, I had no idea this was an all you can eat till you die buffet. Though I must commend the restaurant on it's quality of meats. Filet mignon, lamb ribs, and bacon wrapped chicken were my favorite. The help is extremely efficient, and they will even help you track down a specific meat for you. Make sure to flip the card over to green if you want more meat! As mentioned by other yelpers, this is a vegetarian friendly place. The salad bar alone can feed an army. A vast array of radishes, beets, lettuce, prosciutto, artichoke hearts, everything! If I were to come again, I might just have the salad bar only. We were lucky to be in time for the dine la promotion, which was 44 a person (which included dessert- 10$ value). There were three desserts to choose from. The flan was divine, rich and thick. We ordered the chocolate lava cake for the birthday boy, and we were not disappointed. The tres leches cake was drenched in something too fatty to mention, but we were lovin it. Another reason why I'll try to avoid the place- their CRACK cheese bread. I have no idea how they baked the cheese in the bread?! WTF! I bet they save millions in meat just becase of that little piece of cheesy cheese. Ugh. We ate 9 baskets I think. I know. I'm disgusted just writing it. And though I promised to never abuse my body like this ever again.... You know. Life's short blah blah. Im sure I'll be back..
(5)
Julie S.
You don't come here on a whim. You don't come here because you want to "try something new today." You don't come here thinking you just want to sample a few different cuts of meat. No, no, no, that's just silly. To decide to eat a place as glorious as this is a commitment. You are saying to yourself, "Yes, this week I WILL exercise the band of my stomach and will make every effort to stretch it out before the big day." You also need not to eat at all that day that you come. Stumbling out of your car, famished, when you first arrive is regarded by the Valet drivers as a sign of respect for the Fogo. For, nothing is as disappointing as becoming full too early at a buffet. When you eat at Fogo for the first time, make sure that you go with people who have been there before. They can guide you through the evening dance of the meat skewers and spare you from the temptation of committing too early to less worthy meat choices. It's like a dating game. Girl goes to a bar w/ her girlfriends and strategically shuts down the advances of douchebags, until finally, Mr. Cutie w/ the plaid shirt, fresh kicks, and Jack-n-Coke-in-hand swoops in. The night is young again, and the girl is reminded that not all guys in the world are idiots, just as not all cuts of meat are as unfulfilling as the mere peppered steak. My personal favorite is the Picanha. It's the cut of meat that comes with an accompanying layer of fat around it. As if the already tender sirloin needed a wingman to win you over. Add a touch of garlic and cracked sea salt, and you got me at hello, Mr. Cutie. Here's my number. Let's grab some drinks later. Caipirinha, maybe? After all, this is Brazillian dining... -- Expect your stay to be at least an hour, enough time to savor, digest, rest, and repeat. Salad bar is fresh and crisp. Popovers and polenta are the perfect starchy sides to please the palette.
(5)
Kris S.
Came here with my fiancee for her birthday last year. One of the best meals of my life! So many choices of delicious meat, a great salad bar, excellent service and its all you can eat; whats not to like? A little expensive but well worth the price.
(5)
Adrian L.
Came here with my wife. Food is delicious. Dont fill up on the side dishes at the salad bar. They bring endless meat so you want to get your moneys worth. The sausage is one of the best. Price is a little steep but overall a great place to dine.
(4)
Tara T.
I had the pleasure of dining at Fogo De Chao with some coworkers recently. What an experience! From beginning to end, the food was scrumptious. We started with the gourmet salad bar which had the most delicious selections. My favorites were the array of cheeses and smoked salmon. Then came time to truly feast. The tableside service was excellent. We all had different appetites, so fresh selections of roasted meats were coming to us at every turn. My absolute favorite was the lamb chops - they were simply divine! I wanted to eat a whole plate-full, but had to consider the fact that I was with coworkers and had to remain polite. But oh my goodness, the meat selections were choice. The sides were also good, but I didn't want to take too many bites of the sides, as I really wanted to focus on what the restaurant is known for, it's delicious roasted meats! If you've never been, you should add this restaurant to your list of places to dine. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Francis R.
Meat and more meat baby! So much meat your crying protein tears and your colon is backed up for a month. Drinks are on spot, everything tasted great except for the pork, which was dry. Don't come to this place expecting Mastro's or other high end steak place, this is not that type of place. But if you want to jam a high quantity of high quality beef down your gullet in a classy place, do it here baby! Sumo people, I cry out to you, Fogo de Chao!
(4)
Mike N.
The food was AMAZING!!! The meat had soooo much flavor that it would blow your mind. If you wanna try Brazilian food this is the place to go. Don't even bother going to another joint. The servers here work as a team and it works out great. I can turn and ask any waiter want I want and WALLA!
(5)
Chow-time W.
Great quality of meat. Great selection of wine. Great salad bar. Great Friendly staff. I guess the only compliant from me is too much meat!!! but then that's what they are great for. Take ur time and enjoy each piece, pace urself, Get a piece at a time, eat when they are hot. Don't worry they will not run out of meat. Trust me!!! If you are a beef lover like me, you have to be here at least once. (Just make sure you eat salad a week before and after LOL)
(5)
Rad T.
Overrated! to expensive . Reservation at 22:00 (10 PM) got seated at 22:23 (10:23 PM) with a reservation. Giving 1 STAR because. . meat serve was uncooked or overcooked 1) especially the meat (lamb) weren't cook not sure if they were rushing or what. but I was able to taste was the salt/pepper/lime/lemon. 2nd) waiter keep asking us at approximately 2315 (11:15 PM) asking if we were done. That's was rude!! Will not recommend. .
(1)
Rose P.
Came here for a celebration dinner. Their wine list is fantastic! My experience with the food was great. The salad bar is truly a masterpiece in itself! I loved the seafood salad as well as their cheese selection. I found out that the parmesan cheese they have at the salad bar as well as the cheese they use in their traditional cheese bread is very pricey, at about $1000. I don't know how that was calculated but the waiter let me know that it's the highest quality to be found. The cheese bread is to die for and I cannot wait to make my own batch at home and see how it measures up! As for the meats, I feel I may not be the best person to ask. I am not a meet lover. I also was surprised at how chewy some of the medium-well cuts I'd request would be. I since switched over to requesting well done meats. My favorite were the pork ribs as well as the picanha (sp?). Overall the service was superb and the ambiance was open and friendly with a touch of class. I'd recommend anyone to go! My friend who turned me onto Fogo let me know that they even have a separate pricing for patrons looking to only enjoy the salad bar. On my next visit I will be sure to opt for that option instead!
(4)
Tom S.
Very good Brazilian BBQ. Five of us just had dinner there tonight for their DineLA special of $45/ person and it was well worth it. Abundant salad bar, many varieties of beef, chicken, and pork including generous portions of filet tenderloin. The meal also included side dishes of rice, beans, and fried bananas. Everything but drinks and desert was included. All very well prepared and tasty! We had a lot to eat.
(4)
Nicole B.
Planned a romantical date with my best friend Sayuri during DineLA week, and didn't really know where to go. Seeing as my nickname as a little girl was "T-Bone" due to my affinity for red meat, Fogo de Chao seemed like a match made in heaven. Not much else to say that hasn't already been said except starve yourself beforehand, layoff the salad bar, eat at least 2 of the cheesy bread rolls (because they are awesome), and be careful when you drive home if you tend to suffer from food coma, as I had a hardtime staying up midway through the meal. :)
(5)
Maggie C.
**Dine LA Restaurant Week Part I** Go to the lobby and you can see hungry people eating from the open window. Go to your right and the bar is there right next to the restroom. The place is loud and most people come with family and kids. The four of us went here and ate meat like we never saw meat before. I love Brazilian cheese bread aka pao de queijo. At one time I ate 15 of those pao plus tons of meat. That was 10 lbs ago =P Picanha, lombo, linguica, cordeiro...I was so full that I had to stop myself and save room for dessert. The best part of my meal was the dessert. We got papaya cream, tres leches and flan. That was the first tres leches I liked. Flan was pretty good. The best one was papaya cream. Papaya cream: fresh cut papaya blended with vanilla ice cream and topped with Creme de Cassis. You could say no to the alcohol but that's the best part. No, I am not an alcoholic but I didn't say stop when the waiter poured the alcohol. It was sweet, creamy and addicting. I would go there just to get this. This place is a little pricey compared to the other Brazilian Churrascaria places but the meat quality is better. I did like Roda Viva in Puente Hills mall but that place closed down. 3.5 stars!! Fogo de Chao's papaya cream is yummylicious!!
(3)
Nancy H.
3.5 stars. Please come here with one thing in mind...MEAT and lots of it! We came here for dineLA and I must say, I left wishing I came home to a stairmaster. That night, there were 15 variety of meats being hauled around the dining room. I swear waiters holding thick slabs of meet never stopped coming to our table (maybe it was the fact that we forgot to turn or little coaster from green to red because we were overwhelmed with the men and their meat sticks) I lost count after 7 types when everything started to taste about the same. The picanha, top sirloin, and cordeiro were some of my faves. The costela de porco and chicken were dry and the brisket was salty. The salad bar was my savior. After awhile, I needed something green and refreshing to cleanse my palate. The sides never stopped coming. The plantains were a little dry, the mash was pretty good, and the cheese balls were doughy on the inside. Everyone raves about the cheese balls, I still don't know if I like the taste of it. The dessert was fabulous! Papaya is an acquire taste. Some of my friends did not like the papaya cream but I actually thought it was pretty damn awesome. It's basically papaya/vanilla ice cream. If you don't like papaya, I suggest you do not get this. The flan was equally awesome. It wasn't 'eggy' and it was thick and perfectly favored. The service was definitely awesome. The staff catered to our every request and kept everything re-filled. Our server, Erin totally rock!
(3)
Nick H.
Meat on top of meat and then more meat and...saved money, too. YAY FOR DINING IN LA Got my grub on and saved a buck. This place was packed. So many people. I even thought I saw someone I knew there. So, they don't run out of meat and you don't even have to stand on your feet. Just eat, eat and eat. The salad bar was lacking compared to other places I have been. The guys bringing the meat around were hella slow! There is a full bar. Beautiful place to pose for a photo. One of the meats reminded me of this Chinese meat wrapped in bacon, delicious, oozing with taste and dripping with deliciousness. I think the waiter said it was fillet mignon. Doesn't matter. I will eat this meat every day for the rest of my life if I was given the chance. Oh ho ho..dessert! Yup, it is included! Tres Leches was the best I have had. Papaya Creme..Yummylicious. I have to say that I actually prefer Greenfield in Long Beach. Faster service and more variety. This place is right on the money. Dine LA sealed the deal with the discount given. This discount allowed for nice servings of merlot. Fogo de Chao is yummylicious.
(4)
Jesstine G.
Fogo de Chao is a meat lover's paradise! Probably my favorite restaurant. Before each visit, I get super excited... giddy... like a kid on her way to Disneyland. But man it's pricey! esp if you drink copious amounts of good wine. If you've never been to a churrascaria before, you're in for a treat. Each person has a coaster-like disc - one side is green, the other is red. When you turn it green-side up, men with scrumptious sticks of meat magically appear. Although you'll be tempted to say "yes please" to everything they offer, you should exercise restraint (ha! like that's possible) so that there's room for seconds of your favorites. I adore the PICANHA (house favorite), the GARLIC BEEF (a specialty dish but they always seem to have it, or maybe they make it once I ask for it?) and the LAMB CHOPS! And I definitely get my money's worth... I end up eating like two racks of lamb! Keep it coming boys, keep it coming. If there's something in particular that you want, just ask and they'll get it. If you want your meat more rare/cooked, tell the gaucho and he'll come back with it. The service here is amazing! Three side dishes are automatically brought to the table - mashed potatoes, fried polenta and plantains. Plus, black beans and rice are also available upon request (free of charge). And if you like chiles, they'll even make jalapenos torreados for you. One time, the kitchen sent out the jalapenos, some brazilian chiles, and a freshly made salsa for us. Like I said, excellent service. And although it's difficult to save room for the salad bar, you at least should check it out. It has a great selection of fresh veggies, cured meats, and cheeses... including fresh parmigiano reggiano that you scrape from the wheel! and moist buffalo mozzarella, manchego cheese, proscuitto, asparagus, hearts of palm, artichokes, etc. Since dinner costs almost $60 p/person, it can get expensive quick! I have a penchant for starting off great meals with a glass of champagne (it makes me happy!), and I love a good Cabernet with dinner. Since the corking fee is $25, it's usually a better bargain to bring your own bottle(s). But if you order a bottle, make sure it's the year listed... we went on New Year's Eve and ordered the 2005 Joseph Phelps. We were served the 2006 bottle and when we commented on it, the server said: oh it's the same thing. uhh, no actually it's not! *** Lunch price is $20 less p/person (like $36 p/person) and it's the exact same menu as dinner! But it's only Mon-Fri, from like 11:30 - 2:00 (so long as you're seated by 2:00, they'll keep serving you :)
(5)
Raj V.
Probably the best Brazilian steakhouse I've been to in LA! It easily beats out others like Picanha in Burbank.. I came here over New Years day with a friend from Canada. To be honest we went to the SLS first but they were full so this was sort of a second choice. And I'm so friggin' glad we came. I'm a steak fiend so I was in heaven, and as for my friend.. Let's just say it was the most meat I've seen eaten by a 110lb Canadian girl in one sitting.. she loved it! We had 7 different cuts of steak (yes I was counting), chicken and lamb. My favorite was probably the filet. It was seasoned to perfection. And best of all the meat chunks were grilled from rare to medium to well in sections so you could try different textures of the same cut in one sitting. The rib eye, top and bottom sirloins were great too. The lamb was a slight disappointment, they should've tried a sweeter marinade. The chicken was deelish! There was a good variety of sides too. I loved the mashed potatoes. Not a big fan of plantains though so didn't try that but according to my friend it was good. I asked for A1 sauce and got to work on the meats and boy was there a lott...! The servers come by in quick succession when you have your little card showing green. They weren't as attentive replenishing sides but as soon as we pointed that out they brought out more in a flash. Nice service! As for the price it was $57/person but I think that's well worth it, specially when you realize that a single cut at Lawrys costs $40. And the crowd is not pretentious at all, which is cool considering that its in Beverly Hills. Everyone there were dressed in t shirts and jeans and busy pigging out.. Ha! We felt pretty barbaric at the end of the meal having consumed so much meat. But we were happily shtuffed :)
(4)
Afrojen S.
downright smackin DELICIOUSSS $30 Lunch, $60 Dinner, for an all-you-can-eat Brazilian Churrascaria.... please, consider yourself LUCKY!! Try out the Picanha and Ancho. This restaurant is a guilt-free environment so get as many high class meat as you want!! Be a fat dinosaur for once! Every meal includes an endless salad bar and lots of side dishes! The cheese breads are wonderful! It has that mochi mochi texture. Get those as many as you can as well! GO CRAZYY! Fogo de Chao is a fabulous place with fabulous service. All staffs are super polite. Totally totally totally worth it.
(5)
Jen S.
don't get me wrong. i love my red meat. and i love my steak. here you get all the meat you want!! however, being that it is a buffet, i get so wrapped up in getting my money's worth that i don't feel like i enjoy the meat as much. this place is quite pricey too! almost $60 (the one in denver is almost $40- sigh premium for being in la) plus it gets more pricey since i like to have a red wine with my meat. however it is a must try if you havent been i tried this place in brazil the first time i ate at a fogo and stuff myself by trying every piece of meat available. this second time around i was a bit smarter. one person on our table was from brazil so he recommended the best slices of meat. they usually have a picture of a cow which depicts where each part of the meat comes from and which are the best pieces, however i didn't see it at this location. this might help those who can't eat as much or is more selective about their slices now i stick to: - picanha - medium rare - the meat and the flavor AMAZING - top sirloin / bottom sirloin - both good - garlic beef - who can say no to garlic?? salad bar- i cant ALL meat the whole night so i like to balance it out with some veggies. they have all sorts. salads, asparagus, mushrooms, cheese, etc side orders - cheesy rolls - my table loved these. but a bit too filling for me. have to save room for the meat! but i allow myself to eat one or two - fried polenta - YUMMM must eat; this was probably the dish that got replaced the most - fried bananas cant get better - mashed potatoes - nothing too special so i usually skip it - plantains - maybe because by the time i tried it, the dish was cold but i didn't like it dessert - signature PAPAYA CREAM - usually i don't like papaya but i got it because 1. its their signature dish 2. the waiter said it helps you digest your food (totally true) 3. its mixed with ice cream, even more yum; must must must get!!! super refreshing after the meal - South American FLAN - second signature dish. BEST FLAN EVER. if you love flan, you will love this dish. fogo is the only brazilian steakhouse i will go to. there are cheaper priced ones but their service and their steak is not as good. you might as well spend the extra bucks on a better meal. plus you dont eat like this everyday, so you can splurge once in a while. also i dont think you can find another restaurant where almost all the waiters speak portuguese...
(4)
Renuka V.
2 of us had lunch here just now while watching my favourite Brazil vs Cameroon game. Had the meats as recommended by our server, everything was ok but nothing stood out as exceptional. Also the salads were good but once again, nothing stood out. My comparison is lunch at GauchosVillage where the one or two meats we had were superior as well as a few of the appetizers/salads. Also, was disappointed that there were no desserts as part of the buffet other than the sweet plantain which was good. Total bill incl tax and tip was $90.
(3)
Jennifer R.
I took my brothers here for one of their birthdays and I had the salad bar...it was SALTYYYY. my brothers LOVED the meats though and the service was friendly. It's valet parking so bring some cash! I'll have to come back to try to meats..i just went for the salad bar because I had already eaten right before.... haha i know im a fatass.
(3)
Angelica D.
Oh, dineLA, thank you for the opportunity to experience expensive, over-priced food at an affordable price. Paleo people, this would be a place for you. Maybe. Do you eat burned, charred food? Does it add calories? Okay, maybe this isn't for you. Eat the salad only. A 1PM reservation became a 2PM reservation. For a moment, our friends and I thought we were in Chinatown. This is quite a unique experience where you can go to a salad bar first and grab some veggies to eat with the meats on the swords. When you are ready to eat meat, you flip over some red coaster to the green side and you are ready to dine on some meat the servers will slice off the skewer sword, thingies. I was expecting something like "Bridesmaids," hella good meat and then experiencing the aftermath. Luckily, that did not happen. I guess the only things for me that stood out was the soft cheesy bread, fried french fry looking thing, filet mignon, chicken sausage, and the salad bar. After a while all the meats started to taste the same - salty and burned. It took a while to get certain meats. There was filet mignon wrapped with bacon which was more like raw filet mignon wrapped with raw bacon. It took three different waiters to get us our check. Even the waiters started looking the same. I don't know why people like eating burned or raw meat. I don't know why people like eating here in general. I will not come back. Nothing was orgasmic to me.
(2)
Pete C.
I could not believe how bad the service was for our table. Many of the servers went around our table so we didn't get to try a few of the meats. When I asked for the check, the waiter responded with "I guess". We waited almost 20 to 25 minutes to get the check. We asked for the check 4 times. The waiters were sarcastic and rude. It didn't feel like they wanted us there. But we couldn't leave because they wouldn't give us the check. I want to say that the waiters are not too happy about the DineLA rush. As for the food, the only good meat was the filet mignon. All the other meats were alright. The cheese bread was also really good.
(1)
Kent H.
The warning I would say is when that little card board is facing green, boy does the meat come fast. The servers come by very quickly before I even had a chance to cut my first meat. I would say my best cut was the house special. I usually enjoy rare, but the garlic beef was very moist and juicy considering it was well done. The lamb was very gamey. The plantain was very mild and not too sweet which was great. Mashed potatoes came by and was refilled rather quickly. The salad bar was pretty good as well. I wouldn't say it had a wide select, but a good selection none the less. Heart of palm, artichoke heart, cured meats and other vegetables. I would not go as far as what they say in the the placard of exotic meats. The red sangria was subpar with floating apple and pair bits. The service was good overall as it was a team effort.
(4)
Christine C.
Fine dining at its finest!! Excellent service, glasses were never left half full. The salad bar was filled with the freshest vegetables.The meat was perfectly seasoned and at the right temperature, except for the pork. The pork was a little over cooked. Definitely get the Picanya during your visit. It was the best meat on the menu. Overall, great experience! Great food and great service.
(4)
Nick F.
Come on an empty stomach and do your very best to resist the Pao de queijo cuz it will fill you up really fast. It's not cheap, but it's not overly pricey either. If you drink though it will add up relatively fast. Can't wait to give it another go next month in Brazil... Ate prontinho...
(4)
Kat L.
I am a huge fan of the chain and was really excited to try this location. I have been to the DC location several times and the experience and the food were always wonderful so I expected nothing less for this one. Unfortunately, the food here seemed a bit off and the meat was not as good as the ones I had in DC. Maybe they were having an off day but I don't think I will be going back to this location.
(3)
Sandy C.
Came here with my family for Dine LA lunch, great price and great food. The little cheese rolls were so good, I think I ate like 6 of them. I didn't get to try all the meats but pretty much everything I tried was good. Meat was a good quality, nothing was too salty. I would only come here on Dine LA.
(5)
Laila P.
This is a place to go to for any meat lover! Planning my next trip there as i can't stop thinking about this place :)
(5)
Cindy T.
This is my first time ever trying Brazilian steakhouse and I have to say I am not that impressed. Most of the meat were dried/over cooked and maybe out of the nine or ten meat options, I only enjoyed one of them. For the price this place is charging, I have top expectations. I won't be coming back for sure.
(2)
Ella C.
pronounced fo go dèe shoun....best brazilian steak house hands down! Their salad bar is amazing, they carry hearts of palms so very gourmet! This is truly a dining experience, they have card on table; green will let them know you're ready to experience several delicious meats all types of cuts ranging from lamb to filet mignon. When you've had a enough you flip your card to red. One of the best things was their huge selection of wines all over the world and hard to find bottles. Cant wait to go back, maybe ill leave room for dessert.
(4)
Wendy G.
I have never felt so stuffed in my life until after I ate at Fogo de Chao. Aside from being stuffed with a million delicious meats they have a million delicious appetizers too. The salad bar includes:gourmet salads, fresh vegetables, imported cheeses, artisan breads, cured meats and more. I actually highly recommend going to the Fogo de chao website they state exactly what appetizers there are including 24 Month, Aged Parmesan Aged Manchego Cheese Prosciutto Brazilian Hearts of Palm Artichoke Bottoms Sun-Dried Tomatoes Fresh Mozzarella Smoked Salmon Italian Salami Jumbo Asparagus Tabbouleh Shitake Mushrooms One notable thing about the salad bar was the huge wheel of parmasean cheese. It was massive and very memorable. That's how they get you because with so much cheese and meat your def going to want to order wine with that. As if the salad bar hadn't stuffed me enough you aslo get side dishes including this warm cheese bread which was really delicious and fluffy. Polenta, mashed potatoes, and sweet carmelized bananas. Now down to the meats. There is an assortment of different steaks (top sirloin bottom sirloin) , porks, as well as chicken, lamb, and sausages. The waiters just keep coming and coming asking if you want more and more things. They are really attentive with the service. You actually get a little red card which is a stop and go signal if you want them to keep coming. The decor was also very nice. Everything is classy and the wine display is really gorgeous. Overall really good service and food, just don't go crazy on the salad bar otherwise you'll miss the main course which is worth more of your money.
(5)
Cesar A.
This place was great.courteous,freindly,great customer service.Oh and the carne was great.Thank you fdc.great iverall experience
(5)
Andrew S.
This place is the best buffet style restaurant I've been to. The meat is absolutely delicious. The service is unorthodox but it worked, our waitress was very very nice. We had a delicious Malbec called "Luca" from Argentina. When better to drink South American wine than in a Brazilian steakhouse?? There wasn't a meat I didn't love and the salad bar was pretty good too. High quality cured meat, cheese, and vegetables were at the salad bar. The decor of the restaurant is really the only place I would take substantial points off. It was cool, but I just think that the quality of the food was not matched by the quality of the decor. Obviously that isn't a huge concern.. I care much more about the food and service. Make sure you go on an empty stomach!
(4)
Boneyard Y.
At the invitation of my brother in law, I ate here with my extended family a few months ago and it was amazing. The food was excellent and the wait staff was amazing. Based on that experience I recently went with a bunch (23 total) of friends for a guys night out. I was stunned at the difference on my second visit. The salad bar was equally good and the meats - WHEN THEY ARRIVED - were outstanding. The problem is that the meats seldom showed up and the wait staff was totally inattentive. Our cards showed green all night but the gauchos didn't seem interest in serving us. Twice I mentioned to the head waiter and he said, "I apologize, I'll take care of it" but the expression on his face was "get lost bozo". He did NOT take care of it and it was frustrating. The bill for the evening was several thousand dollars and the attitude was that we were doing them a favor by being there. We weren't loud, drunken fools, we all behaved ourselves, in retrospect maybe we should have made a scene. I mentioned the experience to my sister and she said, "Bummer. Yeah, a couple people have told us that. We always get good service there, probably because Mike holds a lot of business meetings there. Plus he had his company part there and it was about $60 thousand." Holy smoke, 60 grand??! So if you have a truckload of money you'll probably get served well. If not, you're probably screwed.
(1)
Sam K.
If you LOVE meat, this is the place to get your fill and then some! Don't get me wrong, its pricey! Like 60 bucks a person pricey. BUT the service is impeccable and the choices that you get are just AWESOME. From the moment you flip that card green, the "guachos" as they call them, start the bombardment of meats to your table. Not just one or two meat carvers, but we got a total of 5 at once handling our table! Top sirloin? Ok....Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon? SURE....Chicken drumstick and Sausage? ALRIGHT....pork ribs? Bring it ON! Along with the meats, come the ENDLESS sides that come with the dinner. Grilled bananas ( its infused in crack i tell you!!!!), fried polenta, mashed potatoes, and their cheeeeeeeese Rolls!!!!!! (does anyone know how to make these, cuz i would kill for the recipe!) They also serve these drinks called Guarana....TASTY DRINKS! But surely and slowly, you start getting full but the waiters keep coming! WHY??? DO THEY LIKE TO HEAR MY REJECTIONS? why do they tempt me with all this yummy meat? OH RIGHT! MY STUPID GREEN CARD!!! they really don't stop coming to your table until all the cards are on red. Nothing like this other brazillian bbq place in anaheim where they just stop coming to your table period even if you have the card on green. They also have a great salad bar but i didn't check it out in person because i was just there for the MEAT. I am not gonna fill my stomach with silly vegetables at a bbq place! If you're looking to eat meat, this is definitely worth checking out. But if you're on a budget don't come here! ahhahhah especially if you're taking a date since you'll be leaving with 150 dollars less than what you came in with!
(4)
Joe L.
Hands down the best Brazilian restaurant ever!! Service is quick and you will be surprised how much meat the human stomach can consume in 1 sitting!
(5)
Lourdes R.
Love, love, love. I can't say enough how much I love this place! When I'm feeling carnivorous, this is the place to be! Lunch is a much better deal and is not as busy in my opinion. The quality of their meat is top notch and their service is even better. All the gauchos are attentive and will even ask you if there is a cut of meat that you particularly want. My favorite hands down is the house sirloin followed by the beef rib just because of the salt crust. Yummy! Their sides are fantastic as well! I am careful not to fill up on the warm cheese bread because they are just so easy to eat especially when they are just right out of the oven! The only thing that you need to worry about is pacing yourself when you come here because you could get full really fast. As soon as you get seated, the gauchos come around and offer you their cuts of meat. I usually have two plates, one for the salad and the other for the meats. This way, your food doesn't get all mixed up and you get to enjoy what you're eating. Parking is a bit crazy, but their valet service is cheap compared to other places in this area. It's just more convenient to valet so you might as well just do it and not worry about having to park your car and getting a massive ticket. Avoid this place during Dine LA or most occasions because it will get packed. LOL! Everyone wants to be a carnivore and experience the Brazilian hospitality! Victor, the manager is amazing and he and his team will make sure that your dining experience here is fantastic!
(5)
Elina A.
Amazing Amazing Amazing! Best service! Best food. I just wish I wouldn't get full so fast. If you are looking for great Brazilian food this is the spot. About $60 per person. But worth it!
(5)
Luba A.
Meat, meat and more meat!! This restaurant is a must for true Carnivores. My boyfriend and I tried this place during dine LA week so we saved a few bucks on the dinner menu however it is worth every penny. There is a total of 16 types of meat. Strategically we managed to try 14 out of 16. The favorites were filet mignon, chicken wrapped in bacon, lamb chops, rib eye and picanha. All the meat is brought to the table sizzling hot and the sides are just as amazing. Our reservations were for 6 o'clock and by 5:59 we were already seated. The level of service was superb. If definitely recommend this restaurant to any foodie who's looking to fill up on some delicious protein.
(5)
Mignon B.
So don't go for DineLA just go for lunch same menu as dinner. Almost $20 less. Simply AMAZING!
(5)
Courtney T.
Came here for DineLa. It was very busy but the service staff was spot-on. One of the best service experiences my boyfriend and I have had at a restaurant. Great selection of meats, endless. My favorite was the Picanha as well as the filet wrapped with bacon. The passionate caipirinha was absolutely delicious. As well, they have an extensive wine list, some a bit marked up though. We ended up bringing our own wine, corkage was pretty expensive $25. Had a great experience, ate enough meat to last me a month. Would definitely go back again.
(4)
Crystal W.
I've always wanted to try this place & finally got to do it during dineLA. It was extremely disappointing. All the meats definitely do start tasting the same after a while & I would not want to eat any of them as an actual entree. Everyone raves about the salad bar, but all I saw were fillers mainly. To make it worse, I'm 100% sure I got food poisoning from here! I can safely say this because this is the only meal I had all day!!! I had this for lunch yesterday & am still suffering from it. My immune system is really good & I've never had any problems like this before. WORST. MEAL. EVER.
(1)
Kai W.
It's almost impossible to find parking so you pretty much have to do Valet. This place is huge. It's a lot bigger than what I initially imagined. First, the cheesy bread ball thing is awesome. What's better is using the meat to make small sliders out of them. If you like pure meat, this place is for you! Out of all the meat I tried, the Filet Mignon is the BEST. It's amazingly tender that tears off so easily. The meat comes around often so you don't have to wait around for food to come. Service is friendly. It's a little bit on the pricey side but you definitely get what you pay for. Definitely recommended!
(5)
Michael M.
This is the best Brazilian buffet in town. Came here Friday night for the last day of dinela. $45 for dinner normally $58 ($28 just for salad bar). Crowded and packed, but well worth the wait. Make sure to make reservations before. The filet mignon and top sirloin are the highlights here. Oh and the cheese rolls were the bomb. Only downside was the $6 for valet.
(5)
Garry G.
In the ages old battle of man versus beast, this place is the hero's homecoming parade. And the victor is man. And to him go the lavish spoils. A Las Vegas-sized dining room is permeated with waiters in Gaucho garb galavanting with grilled meats on gigantic swords. Lamb, various cuts of beef, pork, chicken, sausage, and, perhaps the truest testament to the parade, meats wrapped in other meats, are sliced onto your plate until you run out of Lipitor. The salad and appetizer bar, while abundant, has everything in such gigantic, steak-house proportions, that even this is not for the faint of heart and certainly not for the faint of diet. The service is quick, attentive and friendly, especially given the size of the operation. Finally, I recommend going at lunch, where the exact same meal (there is no menu, it's all you can eat of everything except dessert) will cost you 30% less. Translate that into tax and tip savings, too, and it's a deal. Great for large parties, too. Viva la carnival!
(5)
Andrew H.
By far the best Brazilian BBQ ever. Wonderful service by the entire staff. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it. I STRONGLY suggest the flan. It's very rich, made with condensed milk. If you won't be drinking any wine, I also recommend GUARANA Brazilian soda. ENJOY!
(5)
Penn T.
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.
(4)
Leona L.
AYCE :) so yummy! The meat was extemely delicious, although some of them were a bit salty! I still loved it!! I forgot what drink I ordered, but it was the first drink on the menu that starts with a "C" and boy was that strong!! The sugar cane rum was soooo strong! The PAPAYA CREAM for desset is to die for!
(4)
Diana T.
I just have to say that I came here on a DineLa dinner evening and was less than wowed. It's what I would expect from a Brazilian restaurant however what kind of salad bar was that? I couldn't even construct a decent plate of salad. My husband likes to argue that when you go to a Brazilian restaurant all you should be going for is the meat which I can appreciate however even the meat wasn't spectacular. The place was PACKED! The meat was super salty. The only decent thing I overindulged in was the rolls. which are irresistible. So irresistible that I've managed to replicate my own recipe at home and have been having them nightly with dinner. Yum! Overall I'd find another Brazilian restaurant to go to and stay way from the BH hype.
(3)
Maral J.
I've been to this Brazilian meat fest for dinner multiple times and never disappointed. It's a little pricey, but for those of us with big appetites I think it's worth the loot. Open salad bar and endless meats are def my calling.
(5)
Steven G.
Fogo continues to be the best! Went to Fogo in Addison, TX, Scottsdale AZ and LA and all just perfect!
(5)
Sarah K.
I just went for the first time to this place for dineLA and it was probably the worst experience I ever had. My friends and I had a reservation at 9:30 and didnt get seated until an hour and a half later. There was a hostess that was giving out bread to the people who were waiting, but it seemed like she was going to the same people, cause i know my little starving tummy did not get any! the place was super crowded and it was a mission just to get to the salad bar, we finally got our check and they charged my whole table twice. If i wouldve known that it was only going to save just 10 dollars for the buffet i would have gone on a regular night.
(2)
Nicole K.
I love this place. It's a chain and both of the ones I have been to have been great. You pay one price then it's on. All you can eat baby. You have a card and you turn it red or green based on if you want them to stop with meat. They put a ton of sides on the table and there is a salad bar by save room for main stuff, the meat! Don't miss this place, it is delicious and authentic tasting!
(5)
Fonzelle A.
Came here for our anniversary on a Saturday night. We had a wonderful experience at a Fogo de Chao in another state and this experience did not live up to our expectations. I felt that it was overpriced for the value of the food and the ambience. On the other hand, the meats are delicious and well prepared but I feel you can get a better meal and service at a nice steak house for the price we paid.
(3)
Forrest D.
La Cienega is a street full of high concept restaurants played out in very large and mostly faux luxurious dining rooms. Some of them are fabulous, some are better to look at, but they all have one common thread in that they are each wildly overpriced. Fogo de Chao fits right in here, there's probably not a better location in the city for it. As expected, it's manly almost to a fault. Dark woods, tall ceilings, vaguely stiff but not offputting, it's a shrine to meat in all it's glory and though they have a salad bar that quite good, it's really all about the meat. It's also rather impressive, a constant flow of servers who also cook their own meats before they serve it to you. There's a little bit of everything and had I been on a more leisurely pace I would have taken more notes on the qualities of each type of offering, but the quality of meat is quite good overall. When you want meat, you flip you drink platter to green and when you've had enough you flip it back over to red. It's actually impressive how quickly the meat piles up when you turn it to green. The servers come in droves and if you forget to flip you'll be buried under piles of ribs and steak and lamb. Quality of meat here is fairly high considering it's all you can eat. Certainly some cuts are better than others, and some of the flavoringss are hit or miss depending on your predilections for certain spices but, especially at lunch time this is quite a bargain.....if you are a big eater. Mostly, all you can eat is lost on me as I prefer quality over quantity but there's a good balance here. The sides are pretty good, a decent mashed potato and a good plantain among other choices, and of course as much as you desire. Each meal I've had here has been for a company party so I'm likely to be more positive than if I had payed the bill. This is an excellent place for a party, even with large groups the service is impeccable but not overbearing. It's not cheap, at $36 for lunch and $56 for dinner there are lot's of other choices in the city where you can get better for less, but for a churascarria they do it right here. Drinks are expensive, and the house wines were terrible. The merlot and shiraz were almost undrinkable, and believe me I can drink anything. One of my coworkers said she'd ordered a really good bottle on a previous visit, so it's possible the wine list is better but it's also way overpriced for the offerings they have. This is the fourth time we've come, and it's been pretty consistent each visit. A little of the novelty has worn off by now, but it's a good solid choice for carnivores with cash. I'm having trouble with the star rating here, for me it's about three stars but for a Brazilian restaurant and the presentation I'm going with four stars. Best Plates: All You Can Eat Lunch Food - B+ Ambience - A- Service - A+ Value - B+
(3)
Cathy K.
Hat's off to the staff at Fogo! If I could wear all the hats I own and take them off one by one, all in reverence to their fantabulousness. When I called in advance to set up a particular arrangement, they were helpful as can be. When i drove my car into the lot, I asked the valet guys not to bother parking my car - I was planning to come right back out. As I struggled with my two packages against the whipping winds, one of the valet guys held open the door for me. As soon as the host and hostess saw me coming through the door saddled with my things, they rushed forward to relieve me. When I went back outside to leave, the valet guys had parked my car anyway, but right alongside the entrance so that I could leave easier. Awesome! Later, when S and I arrived for our proper reservation, the valet guys and the hostess threw me a little wink. Everything was in place and ready to go. Just as I requested, we had an unobtrusive corner table with everything set up just as requested. Our server, Anna, was fabulous. She was super adorable in her own quirky way, and though she wasn't exactly subtle, her profuse attempts to cunningly communicate with me were awesome. The food was perfect and delicious, and our water glasses were never left empty. As soon as they got half-empty, Anna was right back, filling them up to the brim. Awesome! When it was time for our "dessert," Anna was soooo on top of it, always making sure to communicate with me to make sure everything was perfect. A million kudos to Anna and the rest of the awesome staff at Fogo!
(5)
yelper b.
For me, it's not even about the meat. Don't get me wrong, I love a good piece of meat, but every time I come here, I end up stuffing myself silly with practically everything else but the meat. That's how good their salad bar is. Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, cheeses, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, asparagus, and more. Plus the endless sides of creamy polenta, cheese puffs, and mashed potatoes. Sooo good, soo good!
(4)
Cathrine Z.
WOOOOAAAAAHH! Meat lovers and food snobs read on! I walked into this blind. I didn't know what kind of food they served, what style of service I might experience or what sort of smells might cross my baited nostrels. All I knew was that I needed to check out the space to host my firms company holiday party. So a couple colleagues and I make our way to the restaurant and meet up with Vitor, a lovely man who helps set up the private parties held there. We take a look at the space.... CHECK, discuss set-up,,,,,CHECK... go over times and any sort of extras we need....DONE. So then, in the back of our heads we were contemplating someplace to go nearby to grab lunch. That mystery was soon resolved. Vitor escorted us to a table and explained the way shit went down during one's experience........................................Â....little did we know, his words would be greatly exceeded by a package unexpected. I felt like I was a princess being waited on hand and foot, I didn't have the opportunity to even ask for anything I may have wanted, it was brought to me as if each employee was a mind reader. I started out with the buffet, a variety of salads, meats, veggies, cheeses and breads lay before me. I was given a tip to not stalk up on this round, but I didn't listen (I never do). That was soon a regret and a delight. Once I was halfway through my colorfully loaded plate, the rest of my group flipped over these cards that were at each place setting.... tippin off the world that we were ready for heaven, which is what we got. It was brought to us on silver spheres... with unicorns dancing and leprechauns singing in the background. The experience was so unreal and fun that it seemed like a dream. The meats, each different and cooked with such love and care, I felt like the flavor explosion had to dissipate at some point, or I would get use to it, or I would come across a bad bite...... something had to lesson... but no. No. Dessert is designed to help your digestion and when paired with a rare coffee bean cup of Joe, it simply topped off our afternoon journey giving it a 5 star review. Go.. Just GO!
(5)
Eric R.
My goodness. The meat orgy going on here is ridiculous. Came with 3 other homies and we went crazy with the meats there. It does kind of taste the same at the end but come on, it's the same animal, you can only change a cow so much. Salad bar is pretty amazing too. Lots of options. Tons of cheese. And bacon. Just keep asking for those cheese rolls and keep your shit on green and life will be good. #meatgaSm
(5)
David B.
Just another one of these places. Not my think but OK and expensive.
(3)
Taya V.
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!
(5)
D S.
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.
(4)
Jerry K.
Lots of good food and very good service.
(5)
Harry P.
I have successfully been initiated into the Fogo culture. I LOVE this place. All you can eat meat, need I say more?
(5)
bebe c.
Good service. Really good place for people who like meat. Salad bar was fresh.
(4)
Alvin N.
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.
(3)
Jenn L.
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.
(5)
Robin S.
Love this place but I can't eat that much meat! The salad bar and fried polenta are amazing! Price went up though...
(5)
serina c.
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
(5)
Demanding T.
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:)
I have been to this restaurant at least 8 times and every time I go I enjoy it more... they have the best Pecania ever! And the service is so fast all the people that work there are so nice....They will definitely see me there again soon....
(5)
Nick B.
I've eaten at a lot of restaurants, especially steakhouses, and this Fogo de Chao is right up there with the best of them. From the amazing salad bar, to the great selection of drinks and wines, to finally the amazing variety of meats, this place delivers. The shear volume of fantastically prepared meats are enough to entertain, but this shop doesn't rest on just that. As I understand it, the chefs bringing the meats around to the tables prepare that individual cut, so there is definitely pride taken in the preparations. While the format of chefs walking the restaurant shilling food would normally not be a concept that sounded appealing to me, Fogo de Chao is so good that it does not seem forced or cheesy. If you like meat, this is one of the better options that you can entertain.
(5)
Serina T.
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.
(5)
Greg S.
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.
(3)
Nicole S.
I've been here a few times and the service has always been excellent, and they are very accommodating with my children. The salad bar is wonderful in its own right, and even better paired with the many, many varieties of meat. You will be full before you can try them all!
(5)
Arta W.
My favorite restaurant, hands down. have been coming here for years and could not be more pleased with the food and the staff. Fogo is not cheap, but you will not feel ripped off at all. Most of these Brazilian steak houses are notorious for initially bringing you inferior cuts to fill up on, but this place is not like that. If you only want filet mignon they'll only bring you filet, they are not here to nickel and dime you and will bring anything you request almost immediately in any manner you'd like it cooked. If it's your first time it can be very overwhelming because they just keep coming at you with the meats. There is an unspoken competition between the waiters, who are also the cooks, to see who can go through the most skewers as a badge of honor for their cooking skills. Do not be afraid to say no or ask them to come back, they won't take it personally. Pick your favorite meats that you'd like to try, usually filet and picanha for most newbies, and stick to them until you are satisfied and then try a few other things. Def check out the salad bar, but don't be a short bus rider and fill up unnecessarily. the steak quality is about 90% of what you'll find at Maestros, but unlike Maestros you can try an array of cuts of different meats without the pressure of having one steak being either great or mediocre depending on the night. If you don't like a particular cut you just wait until they come around again with either the same cut cooked differently or another equally good, but different cut of meat. Meats in order of deliciousness. 1. Picanha - there's a couple different types of picanha but ask them for thin slices from the traditional rounded ribeye cap, makes a big difference. It's the flavor of ribeye with the tenderness of filet. 2. Filet - excellent, very juicy and flavorful, even for a traditionally low fat cut 3. All lamb cuts. possibly more gamey than some lamb i've had, but lamb lovers that i've gone with all rave about the lamb chops. the record apparently is 42 in a sitting so good luck. 4. Ribeye 5. Bacon-wrapped chicken - seasoned with lemon pepper. DO NOT SLEEP on this one. 6. Beef and Pork Ribs. juicy and delicious. try the pork with just a squirt of lime on them like they recommend and you'll be shocked. beef ribs are incredibly tender and if you are so inclined they have a great traditional American bbq sauce to pair it with. 7. Top and Bottom Sirloin - overlooked, but great 8. Chicken wings and sausage - worth trying if you're not already full *Note on the bacon wrapped filet. Usually restaurants use some of their leftover filet for the bacon wrapped, as the bacon adds more flavor from fat. not sure if that's the case here, but if you wanna be a fat genius you get a piece of the bacon wrapped, take the bacon off and then get a piece of the non-bacon wrapped filet and combine it with the bacon. Salad bar itself it worth $40 with awesome parmesan that you can carve out a giant cheese wheel yourself, as well as great smoked meats. And they have a freaking bowl of bacon; it was as if God himself stocked the salad bar. All the sides and sauces are also AYCE and excellent. Chimichurri so good you may be tempted to inject it directly into your veins - try it with the cheese bread. Desserts are spectacular. Particular mention goes to the passion fruit sorbet, but literally everything on the dessert menu is excellent if you can lift your fork after all that food. Pizzi and Victor, the managers, are two of the greatest guys one could hope to meet. they care deeply about their customers and it permeates the attitude of the entire staff down to the bussers. I have been coming here for years and in LA terms, am a complete nobody, but every time I dine here I'm treated like I can give them a part in my upcoming movie. Lunch or dinner are equally great, but DineLA can be hectic and you will not get the same experience because they are stretched to the limit. The busier the better usually, so shoot for a friday or saturday because the meat turnover is higher and you'll get fresher cuts. Fogo is great for groups because with the flat rate you don't run into a situation where you have that one a-hole friend who orders the most expensive things on the menu and expects you to split the check with them. wine selection is varied and excellent. they also have traditional brazilian cocktails and sodas. I have no affiliation with this place, I just love it. insanely good. eat here before you die if you love steak. Don't plan on any physical activity for at least 12 hours afterwards
(5)
Tyler M.
This place is AMAZING. I was taken there by some of the in-laws, it was truly a great experience. I didn't go for the salad bar (though I did partake in it), I wanted the meat. I have heard so much about the meat at this place - the 16 different cuts that just dissolve in your mouth etc. Let me tell you, I was not at all let down. Not only do they just keep the meat coming, but the garlic mashed potatos, the rolls with the cheese inside of them, and the fried bananas keep coming as well. But I will warn you, if you over indulge in the rest of the stuff you will NOT get the entire fulfillment of the meat. So take it easy there with the other goodies. Everything from the wine racks, to the napkins are extravegant. The best part is, you can come in with shorts and a t-shirt on and still fit right in. Go eat, eat, eat, and enjoy the evening. Splurge on the significant other, but just remember what happens to you the morning after you eat to much red meat. Enjoy - now get out there and splurge a little would ya? The economy could use a little help.
(4)
Abraham C.
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.
(4)
Michael S.
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.
(4)
Angelica P.
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.
(5)
Diana H.
i love this place.. meats are so fresh and it melts in your mouth.. i love the fact that they serve different cuts. very tasty.. the salad bar is "okay". . but of course you go here for the meat not the veggies! lol remember to make reservations.
(5)
Jane D.
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!!!
(5)
Paula D.
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!
(5)
woojin k.
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.
(5)
Chang Y.
Green really means green for they will not let your plate go empty. Usually when a server turns his back, I'm ready for another one! But ah, there is another server right behind him almost offended that my plate was empty for a split second. Would you like another one? Oh yes! This other-worldly tag-team service is what stands out even more than their already outstanding steaks, salad bar, and wine list.
(5)
Brooke S.
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.
(5)
Cat T.
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.
(5)
Connie C.
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 loved this place. Excellent service, amazing food, variety of meats (and vegetables which was unexpected). There is a valet parking, which is also great. The cheese bread is an absolute must. The only tip I have is for the girls - they keep the temperature rather low, so a little black dress might not be a good option. It was colder inside than outside - that was 10 PM the end of October. Expect the check to be around $100 if you don't drink too much.
(5)
Rod T.
I've been here a few times and the food never disappoints. Never.
(5)
Ingrid L.
I hadn't had many experiences with brazilian steakhouses because my BF and I always went to Samba with their livingsocial deals. It wasn't until my dad treated the family to the new fogo in vegas that we were amazed and hooked. After one of the best dining experiences I've ever had in vegas, I came and wanted to take my boyfriend to Fogo to show him how much we were missing out on by going to the cheaper Samba. However, this location ended up being pretty disappointing. We were seated at this awkward table in the middle of a bunch of other tables. Some of the other tables around us had extra people extending out of their table making it pretty much impossible to get to our table. You would've thought that the waiters would've done or said something but they didn't. My BF and I ended up having to order what we wanted from whichever waiter we could flag down because nobody was coming to our table. It was just a really big pain in the butt and quite disappointing. I ended up getting full off the salad bar because they kept bringing me overcooked meat. I guess I'll have to just avoid this location and just make sure to go to Fogo next time I go to Vegas.
(2)
Wendy H.
This review is long overdue. I came here for dineLA and was so glad my friends suggested this place! Meat lovers, reunite! We had a reservation but still had to wait about 5 minutes once we've arrived. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to make a reservation and to also NOT park in the valet area right in front. We parked at the valet area right next to this restaurant for the same price and avoided having to wait a while once we were done eating. It was a complete mess. So once you're inside there is an open salad bar that has anything & everything you can imagine! You can definitely get full just by eating from the salad bar so refrain yourselves, people!! Once you're seated you have circle indicators at your table that you can turn for green or red. Make sure you remember to flip your indicator to red once you don't want any more meat because these folks come at ya FAST and you will be overwhelm. I was sooo surprised at how fast these guys show up to offer you different kinds of meat. The only gripe I had was sometimes it gets repetitive and the ones that you actually DO want to try tend to be wandering off somewhere else. But overall, I liked all the meat that I tasted and it was good quality! Also, because it was dineLA the restaurant tried to squeeze in as much table as possible so it was sometimes hard for the meat servers to move around so it felt cramped. The best part for me was dessert though. We got the flan and the tres leche cake. OHH LAWWWD, I just died and went to desserts heaven. Both were delicious but the tres leche cake just meeeeeeeelts in your mouth. Overall, I'd definitely come back here!
(4)
Chrissy K.
MEAT MEAT MEAT!! For all your carnivores out there, this is the place to go to get your fill!! Delicious meats cooked so exquisitely! and for the herbivores, theres an awesome Salad Bar! I've been here several times and will make sure to come back often!
(5)
Sean P.
lunch cost same as dinner so go there for lunch eat the same thing pay 50% less. order capriniha really good.
(5)
Kimberly M.
Love their food. I really recommend their salad bar. They are known for their meat, but a vegetarian can enjoy a meal there too.
(5)
Jette S.
I've only gone here 4-5 times now and they have never failed me. I'm not a big meat eater but when I do, we come here. Most of the time we come for my husband's bday cuz he's loves their lamb. I come for their cheese bread. Their service here is great when they're not too busy. We come during lunch cuz it's not crowded. They waiters are always great. Always ask if we have special request on any meat selections that we haven't been served or want again. They need more rooms between tables but other than that, great place to dine. They're pricey but what do you expect in Beverly Hills?
(5)
MaryAnne D.
Tried Fogo de Chao after salivating over pics and reviews on Yelp. Sounds expensive but 1200+ reviewers can't be wrong, right? Dragged a friend and hubby during DineLa for dinner. Cost was about $55 with tax and tip. The waiter gave us the run down since we were first timers. We started with the salad bar. There wasn't much on the selection unlike one of the pics on Yelp. Maybe they limit it during DineLA. The salmon was a standout. The cheese bread was just okay. The service is impeccable. The moment we turn our card green, a throng of servers were around us to over different cuts of meat. Even when we have it in red and they see that you have little meat, they will ask if you want to try. They constantly refill the bread basket. The fried plantain did not taste like the normal plantain to me. The filet mignon was great. The food was just 3 stars to me. Nothing extraordinary. The service is 5 stars. The price is 2 stars. I think even for the DineLa deal, it was still a very expensive dinner. There's really only so much that one can eat. I think for DineLa lunch price of $28, it will be worth it. Go hungry if you want to get your money's worth or want to try all their cuts. Quick tips: 1. Take you time and enjoy each cut. 2. Turn the card to red after each serving if you can't eat fast. Otherwise, the meat will get cold in your plate. 3. Go hungry.
(3)
Priscilla Z.
Meat came to table too fast, got full easily. But meat is high quality, though i think the beef was a little bit over cooked. but the lamb chops are really really good. Just about right. And the cheese bread was sooooooo delicious. When they are warm:) As the salad bar, not as fancy as the one at Libra I think.. But they are all of good quality. The dessert has no presentation, and the chocolate mousse cake was too sweet, cheesecake lacks flavor and was too heavy. Don't give them a chance to ruin your whole meal.
(4)
Niva S.
I came here with co-workers for a holiday party and I had a lot of fun! I do think it was over priced for the serviced we received. I had to raise my hand to get service and also had to call a waiter to twice to just to food when they walk round and slice food on your plate! if you are vegetarian then don't come here! the food was great when I did get served. I would go back just see if the service has changed. valet is under staffed so be prepared to wait.
(3)
Angela H.
This is my second time at a Churrascaria, the first being Agorra in Irvine. Came here for an anniversary dinner with the S.O. and for the price, I was expecting to be blown out of the water, either by the decor, or the 15 cuts of meat they had in their selection. - First thing we noticed that it was a casual restaurant, but could easily do for a nice night out like birthdays and private events. Most of the people we saw were dressed in jeans. - Second thing I noticed was the Appetizer/Salad bar. I love that they had an extensive deli meats and cheese selection which included prosciutto and smoked salmon. - The staff was very accommodating and friendly. Service was great! A few seconds after I turned my card over to green, 5 servers showed up with stacks of meat for me to choose from. Overwhelming, but in a very good way. I got one (or two) of everything. It made my little carnivorous tummy very happy. - The quality and taste of the meats..was decent and good, but not great. For $68, I was expecting the seasonings and rubs to rock my world, but it tasted more like something the S.O.'s family puts together on a weekly basis. The bacon-wrapped choices were my favorite for the night. I love bacon!! Maybe because this was my second time, I knew what to expect and it wasn't as much of an eye-opening experience as I thought it would be. S.O. said the food was on the decent side too, but nothing awe-inspiring. All in all, it's a little pricey, but it is in Beverly Hills, and it's a smorgasbord of good all-you-can-eat food that would cost about the same elsewhere, but for a much smaller portion. NOTE: One thing that sets this place apart was the service and hosts. Amazingly friendly, quick, accommodating, and made our anniversary much more enjoyable. All I did was mention that it was our anniversary on the reservations, and they brought a nice little sorbet dessert plate complete with flower and a little message saying 'Happy Anniversary.' That made my night. :) I will definitely post pictures. 5 stars for staff, 3.5 stars for food = 4 stars
(4)
Michael K.
Go for lunch, the price is much more affordable. Just a note for those going for the first time, take your time. We made the mistake of trying to keep up with the meat offerings and ending up getting way too stuffed, too fast. The meat is OK, nothing amazing. For me this was definitely a try it once and move on sort of place. The only item that stood out for me was the bacon wrapped chicken. Everyone working here was super friendly and willing to bring out any item that seemed to have missed our table.
(4)
Will K.
What more is there to say... its Fogo! Great meat, great place to bring friends, great service, and good wine, and great appetizers / salads Making me hungry right now. ... I guess I'll be checking in tomorrow! Come! you won't regret it
(5)
Tanya G.
Came here for DineLA about a year ago so the prices were much more reasonable, but it was also very crowded. The ambience was fantastic, as was the service. The salad/veggie bar was pretty good and a good compliment to all the meat. From their website, I see that they offer a salad bar only option for lunch/dinner that's just under $30 -- not worth paying that much for just the salad/veggie bar because the highlight of this restaurant is the different meat options. Otherwise, I found the meat to be good quality and cooked well.
(4)
Pat M.
I really don't know why this restaurant has such a high rating. We have been going to M Grill which is 5 stars so we thought we'd try Fogo de Chao and boy were we disappointed. The restaurant is very crowded with the tables really close to each other and waiters constantly squeezing by our table with dirty dishes and meat to serve. I felt like I was in a subway station the traffic was so bad. The way the tables were set up the waiter for the table next to us had to have his rear end about a foot from my seat to serve them. So I got to look at his butt all night. The air conditioning was not working very well and several people complained about the heat so they opened a window to cool the huge room. I'm paying over $60 per person in Beverly Hills and the A.C. doesn't even work!! The meat was O.K. at best, the baby back ribs were overcooked and the salad bar was picked over. I won't be going back that's for sure, I would recommend M Grill which has a relaxed atmosphere, better food and cost less too.
(1)
Kevin W.
Came here for DineLA since you get the same food for a cheaper price. Parking is valet $5.50 Make a reservation so you do not have to wait for a seat. Food, - Meat - I tried everything they had and it was hit or miss. Some were salty and dry and some were tender. Can't expect it to be perfect though, since its a buffet style. I was expecting better quality stuff, meat was the same as all the b-bbq I've had. - Beef Rib - This meat was awesome! So soft and tender. I ate two plates after I was full! I had to ask for this meat and waited like 30 minutes for them to bring it. - Cheese Ball - nice and fluffy - Salad Bar - Good choices to help cut all the meat flavor Issues, - DineLA, they over pack the restaurant so its super cramped. - They hide all the good meat. You have to ask for the good stuff and they take forever to bring it. And they give you the smallest portion of it. You pay so much to get to try it all and they just give you the crap cuts to fill up on so you do not eat the good meats they say they offer.
(3)
Jess M.
Favorites include the Picanha, bacon-wrapped filet, and bacon-wrapped chicken, but absolutely everything is amazing here. The service is unparalleled, and the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable.
(5)
Yoh T.
yummy! thanks muux2 for taking me here! woot!
(5)
Carrie C.
I am the ultimate meat eater. With that said, this place was absolute heaven for me. I had kept hearing about how great this place was and didn't have a chance to go until my sister suggested it for Father's day dinner. I jumped on it. It's right across the street from Lawry's (another fine dining establishment) and it's huge and beautiful. You sit down and immediately the feast starts. Brazilian BBQ is all you can eat. You have a paper disc that's green for go on one side and red for stop on the other. When it's green, waiters with huge skewers approach you to give you what they have. You control your destiny. The waiter automatically brings out their famous cheese bread (hot, and super moist on the inside that just melts in your mouth..I think we had several baskets) and the sides, polenta (which I'm not normally a fan of), fried bananas (MMMMM) and literally the smoothest and silkiest mashed potatoes that I have ever had in my life. I can't even imagine how they mashed it to that silky consistency. The meat were all super juicy and extremely flavorful. Chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, pork sausages, beef ribeye, bacon wrapped filet, siloin, lamb, all sooo delicious. Good thing we all looked at the menu before because we never got the ribs. I asked for it and they promptly brought out pork and beef ribs. Tender and mouthwatering. Besides the food, the service was spectacular. The sides and drinks were instantly refilled and we were asked by 10 different people if we were satisfied. my mom asked for a box to take the leftover cheese bread over and he actually brought out two boxes of fresh hot ones for her. So sweet. Oh there was also a salad bar, which looked fresh but which I skipped because I certainly didn't want to waste any stomach space. This place is no joke. Starve yourself before you go to this place. Get your money's worth and savor every moment of it.
(5)
JC K.
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. :(
(3)
Amy C.
Dined here with 10 other people on Sunday 10/2/11, as part of the Dine LA specials they were offering. Atmosphere is pretty classy. Service was outstanding! Their salad bar offers a decent selection of cheeses, fresh vegetables and salads and bread. Their side dishes were delicious! Everyone at our table loved their cheese bread! It was crunchy on the outside and warm and chewy on the inside. So yummy! Their garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized plantains were also delicious and accompanied the variety of meats served very well. I have to say the meats were all very tasty and juicy, with the exception of the baby back ribs which were over cooked and dry, crunchy and lacked any flavor at all. The amount of food you get at this place can be overwhelming! If you are a huge beef eater, then this definitely a place where you can eat your money's worth in meat. Dessert wise, I had a chance to try their chocolate mousse and key lime pie. The chocolate mousse was very heavy, rich and bit too sweet for my own taste buds. I am a fan of chocolate, but this was a bit a much for me. Their key lime pie however, was excellent as it was not too tart, nor was it overly sweet. The key lime pie also had an undeniably, smooth and creamy texture to it. I am not a fan of key lime pie, but this was amazing and perfect.
(4)
Kevin N.
$70 for all you can eat Brazilian bbq. Waiters/waitresses walk around with a big ass cart filled with various meats and ask you what you'd like. The quality of the meat is good (at $70 per person it better be!). There is also a salad bar, if you like salad... Parking is only valet. If you don't like people messing with your car, drive 30 feet south of the place and you will find a private lot.
(4)
Jaime B.
You leave this place with such a meat coma, I think they should offer free shuttle service home. On the high end of the all you can eat spectrum, Fogo de Chao (which we lovingly refer to as "Fog of Cow") offers both an awesome salad bar as well as an endless tidal wave of gorgeously grilled meat. Dinner comes with sides of crunchy fried polenta, deliciously artery-clogging mashed potatoes, and cheesy bread, which is similar in texture to popovers, but way way better. By request, they also offer sides like rice, and two kinds of chimichurri sauce: traditional and Brazilian. Get both. Be sure to get the Picana, as well as the bacon wrapped chicken, which is surprisingly flavorful. Take your time and pace yourself or you'll be stuffed full before even getting through 3/4 of the meat varieties. Parking is valet only (good luck finding street parking) and is $5.50. Try to come here on a weekend evening without a reservation and you'll be turned away.
(4)
Too U.
I've been to Fogo de Chao 4 times already and every time I go it is always a great experience. I love the Brazilian BBQ... always freshly cook and they way I wanted it (medium-well). They have 15 meat cuts to choose from. My favorite is the Garlic Beef and Lamb. Stay away from the salad bar so that you won't get full right away although they have the wide selection of fresh veggies and cheese. Great food and place. It's located in Beverly Hills (La Cienega Branch) and near WeHo.
(5)
Stephen C.
This is a definite must go for DineLA! For basically half the sixty some dollar price, you will be able to get the salad buffet and unlimited brazillian bbq. The salad bar: They have various types of cut vegetables, such as mushrooms, microgreens, tomatoes etc... Additionally, they have a wide selection of cold cut meats and cheese. Overall, the items were all very fresh and delicious. Meats: The servers during the course of your meal come around with meats and ask you if you would like a slice. I would say try everything, but the five best cuts are Picanha (top sirloin), filet mignon, cordiero(lamb), alcatra( another top sirloin cut), and beef Ancho( rib eye). The other cuts are OK. At the end of all the meat and salad, they also give you choices for desert. I ordered the tres leches. The desert was just as good but was a bit difficult to eat after eating so much meat so definitely save some room. Overall, DineLA fogo de chao is worth it!
(5)
Saarah S.
Another one of my meat-loving places to go!! Unlimited meat and salad....sounds like a place I can really sink my teeth into. The meat is always so tender and full of flavor....what's nice is you can get a choice of the "rareness" of the meat you want....and there are so many different kinds. The only thing to watch out for is a full tummy....cuz that's what you're gonna get!! Its SO delicious!! Make sure you make a reservation....and its an all inclusive charge when you sit down (I think like close to 60 bucks) except drinks and dessert you have to buy on your own.
(5)
Nutflsh Z.
If I were sitting on Death Row, THIS is the place I would request for my last meal! One of the TOP choices to dine in Los Angeles and simply AMAZING! The customer service is beyond outstanding and the entire staff is extremely friendly and at your service. On to the meats, over 15 cuts of steak and some of the best lamb chops you will find. This is one of the few places you will find "Bottom Sirloin" and it's incredible! The "Beef Rib" is always sizzling and just melts in your mouth. Their cheesy poofs are incredibly addictive and the salad bar is the size of a football field (For those who's dates don't eat meat). It is also a wine haven for even the hard to please like myself or the extremely picky wine snobs. There is a bottle to please everyone. You will need to make a reservation because as any top restaurant, they pack up every night. This place compares to, or surpasses in my book, any prime steak house in the city and for $54. a person.....it's the best deal in town! Enjoy.
(5)
Hailey J.
This is a great dining experience. My husband and I have been here many many times and it is our only dining experience at a churrascaria. Its all you can eat, they servers wear cute little out fits and they have a variety of different meats. The salad bar has a great selection. They also have an extensive wine selection and display. I do have to admit though that this is one of those places that is more about the experience. If your comparing the quality of meat to other high end steak restaurants its not comparible. If you are a germaphobe you might not be able to dine here as all the meats are brought around from table to table. If that doesn't bother you and you are a steak person this should be one restaurant on your list. Don't forget to grab a handful of choclate on your way out!
(3)
Soo H.
This rating should really be 3.5 stars. Tasty churrascaria, but a bit too crowded for my tastes. I've been to a couple other churrascarias (M Grill in Koreatown, and a few overseas) and this place definitely wins for the quality of the meats and side dishes available at the salad bar. The service here is decent, although, like every churrascaria I've been to, some of the guys carrying around the meat really seem to resent their jobs (WTF?). Also, our waiter changed throughout the night and wasn't terribly attentive, which was annoying. I went on a Sat night and it was very crowded (I think the tables are too close together... it was a bit of a maze getting to the salad bar - I don't know how the meat-carriers do it! As an aside- do the meat-carriers have a title?) The chunks of meat they give you are pretty hefty, so I'd definitely recommend coming here when you're STARVING, because otherwise, you won't be able to try all the various meats and you'll leave feeling a bit jipped. Overall, I give this place 4 stars for the quality of the food. They are a little bit stingy with the cheesy bread, which I found annoying since that's my favorite part of churrascarias. This place gets an A for the food and a B- for the service.
(4)
Mai M.
Definitely skip lunch before you come here because you're going to need that extra space to try everything here. First of all, vegetarians needs not enter. This is meat heaven. And excellent quality meat too. The folks here are very nice and very attentive. If you need anything, they're there to serve you. It's a bit pricey but so worth saving your dollars for because the quality of the food is really top notch for Brazilian BBQ. It's all you can eat. The salad bar is wonderful and they serve full strips of thick bacon in it. B A C O N!!! But make sure you don't scarf too much down at the salad bar as wonderful as it may look or else you won't be able to taste all the delectable meat. My favorite? Beef picanha. Yum! The sides are good too but filling. But be sure to ask for the black beans and rice. They save those dishes for people in the "KNOW" and now you "KNOW'! Luckily my OB is right next door because after my many future prenatal visits I'll probably be coming here for lunch. Hopefully I don't give birth to a baby cow.
(5)
kevin k.
Do not go crazy on every meat they bring you. If you do get everything, just try a tiny piece to see which ones you like the best. My favorites are the beef ribs, lamb chops (the lamb leg is too tough), top sirloin which is the house special, and their sausage. If you do not see some of the ones that i have listed, ask them and they will bring it to you. This is the best steak house in california i have eaten. Texas de brazil and las vegas compares very well to fogo. If you have enough room at the end of the meal, please order a dessert. All of their desserts are amazing. The turtle cheesecake is my favorite, followed by the chocolate mousse cake and tres leches cakes. I wish i could come here every day, but i will definitely be putting on some weight if i came here every day. The polenta is extremely good here as well. Crispy and tasty.
(5)
Mitra K.
Had a discussion with my friend the other night about this place and I can't believe I hadn't reviewed it yet. The food is served to you very Brazilian style and is super yummy - I am definitely a fan but warning - this place is EXPENSIVE!!! I can't quite say it's totally worth it because I have been to some smaller less-known places with meat that was just as good and lower prices - but I guess when you gotta pay rent in Beverly Hills - you gotta make your money somehow. I would like to see some less expensive options or maybe a better happy hour here - and I am not a huge fan of "bar" setups. Definitely try it once - but venture out to some hidden gems and you won't be disappointed,
(4)
Susie K.
Came here on a Sunday at 6PM. Made reservations to be safe. Husband and I ordered a bottle of wine, and I had the tropical caipirinha. Wine was good and the caipirinha was refreshing. Service was top notch, and everyone was super friendly/helpful. The salad bar is awesome. I starved all day and thought I would make at least two trips up there. But since I piled my dish high, I had no need to go back. I love love love the cheese bread. That is worth the extra trips to the bathroom for this LI gal. I also loved the three dishes they put at every table. Plaintains (yummy, and it helps to clean the palate in between hunks of flesh), garlic mashed potatoes, and polenta (I had way too much of this). They constantly give you new ones if you're running low. My favorite meats were the picanha and filet, rare/med rare chunks only please. I didn't try the sausages though...too full. I look forward to going back!
(4)
Bobby B.
Wow! This place is blew me away. Food was superb, great dining experience, service and staff were excellent. Overall: A
(5)
Andrew S.
Uhh, who wants all you can eat high quality Brazilian BBQ? This guy does. However, can't give this place the full 5 stars after my last visit. Maybe it's because the first time I came here was during DineLA, and the discount was decent, but better yet, I thought the meat was better cooked. The last time I came here was a couple weeks ago and the only meats I thought truly held it's superior taste was the filet mignon, garlic steak, and the house special. The other steaks and even the chicken was a little dry for me, even when I asked for the medium or medium rare cuts. Overall though, a great atmosphere, quick and attentive service by the dudes walking around with the meats, and overall great bbq. The salad bar of course is pretty decent with fresh fare. I also can never get enough of those frickin cheese roll things. So soft and moist, I'm sure that's why my stomach hates me after cuz those things just expand after ingestion. So if you have $56 bucks to spend (including tax, tip, and a couple cocktails, more like $100) per person, and want great Brazilian BBQ, I really can't think of a better place in LA.
(4)
Hoang T.
I absolutely love this place. The meat/cuts are all well flavored. The service is amazing. You'd think you can handle having your card flipped on the green side the whole night but you'd soon have a reality check. Just remember to pace it out because it all tastes better hot off the stakes.
(5)
Saad C.
This is my favorite place in the whole world. I could have fogo every single day until I die.. I've been coming here since I was a little kid, and both service and quality of the meat has been consistently maintained--phenomenal. The reason I prefer fogo over any other steak house is because of all the different cuts you get to have, as opposed to just having one cut at Mastro's or wherever. And of course the fact that its all you can eat makes it that much better. $60 for this is a bargain. I love the lamb chops and lamb t bone, filet mignon, not too big of a fan of thin meat so I dont really eat much of the picanha cut or the chicken. I dont even bother to look at a salad bar anywhere i go, but this place's salad bar is pretty amazing, specifically the chicken salad they have. The mashed potato and plantain sides are AMAZING as well. What makes this place even better is that service here is top notch, if the meat is undercooked or over cooked, simply let them know and they'll bring out another fresh batch with a smile, and they'll make sure it was perfected to the way you want it. Youre never rushed here unlike sushi or korean bbq all you can eat places, where you have a certain amount of time to finish your meal... you can take your time and enjoy your meal here and you will never, ever be rushed. Also, dont forget to order a guarana, the brazilian soda, it complements the steak perfectly. As for dessert, the flan here is awesome. Probably the best flan ive ever had. The tres leches cake is aiite, i've had better.
(5)
Jay Z.
There is usually a line here so make sure you make reservations. the food here is delicious. It is my favorite all you can eat brazillian bbq. The salad bar is great. they have a good selection of cheese and salads. The service is good. If you want meat, you life ur card to green and your various servers with various meat will come by and give you as much meat as you want until you are happy and full.
(5)
Agnes C.
Fogo de Chao is worth every compliment it gets. Among the three to four Brazilian steakhouses I've been to (I can't count/remember), Fogo's has the highest service. The meats are all good, though slightly saltier to my taste. However, one of the waiters came by and asked us if we wanted additional sauces to go with our meats. Chimichanga sauce in olive oil base is the best and goes with any meats and even the cheese bread they give as a starter. The salad bar serves great kale salad, slightly sweet and tangy. The filet mignon, done rare, is great. Once we entered we were delighted to see the beautiful venue and the entrance to the restaurant had a fake waterfall thing. (In fact, the drive to Fogo's was already fancy enough, since it is Beverly Hills.) The double doors are huge and fancy. Valet parking in the front as well, but we parked a block away to walk inside instead. Casual attire. Once we entered, we were seated immediately (though we did have a reservation at 8:30 on a Tuesday night). And once seated, we were brought forth a torrent of different meats. All the waiters are attentive and polite, and even refilled our water without us even asking. Music didn't put you to sleep, though it's not romantic, it does bring up the energy level a bit more than I had expected. Left feeling very satisfied.
(5)
Jeff L.
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.
(3)
David E.
I have been to several Brazillian steakhouses and this is without a doubt my favorite. If you love meat then you have to try this place at least once. Even the salad bar is great. They have way too many tables and you'll have to deal with the wait staff bumping into your chairs a few times as it's usually overcrowded but that's because the food is so good. Even the salad bar is amazing. Try the smoked salmon, Filet Mignon or the the sirloin. Those are my two favorites. It's an all you can eat atmosphere and sometimes you're so full but the food is to delicious to stop eating.
(5)
Karmen H.
this place is expensive but its so worth it!!! you are a carnivore. this is the place for you!! the meat just keeps comming. the meat has intense flavor, every bite is worth it. 5 stars for the quality of the food. be sure to drink plenty of water.
(5)
Jill A.
my third experience (in my life!) of having brazilian bbq. it was just as amazing as i had anticipated. i tried to prepare myself for the feast by having a salad for lunch and fruits in between. i was also advised to drink plenty of water. i love the gaucho pants that the servers are wearing. :) to start, they encourage going to the salad bar. i'm not much of a salad person so the salad bar wasn't that exciting for me. the cheese bread is pretty good but i only ate half of one to save my appetite for all the meat that was about to come my way. i turned my little card to the green side and braced myself. talk about overwhelming. they just keep coming! every kind of meat you can think of and every cut. my plate filled up with a quickness and i had to turn my card to the red side to collect myself. my favorites were the lamb and the fried banana. the lamb was very tender and juicy! reservations are best made online. and probably a good idea to wear your fat jeans, NOT your skinny jeans!
(5)
Michael T.
It's pretty much the best Brazillian Churrascaria around. We live in Irvine and trekked out there last Saturday for a birthday dinner. We brought our cake, 2 bottles of wine (25 corkage) and our appetite!! I know people are there for the meat, but the Parmesan cheese is to die for. The waiter was a sweetie pie, she got us everything we wanted, and cut our cake for us too! The management there is really friendly, and don't forget about the meats...!! DELICIOUS!!! All seasoned well, and all Juicy...not dry. I've been to Brasil, and man, this reminded me of Rio!! =) Please go...it's a great experience.
(5)
Danica R.
If you want succulent, tender, mouth watering filet mignon, Fogo de Chao is the best! They have all sorts of meat, from lamb chops to chicken breasts! The salad bar has all sorts of choices, you'll never get bored! The parmesan popovers are to die for! This is a summary of what happens at Fogo de Chao, I got it from their website. Step 1: Sit down, relax, and enjoy a drink while we explain the Fogo dining experience. Step 2: Visit our gourmet salad and sides bar. Enjoy over 30 items including fresh cut vegetables, imported cheeses, cured meats and Brazilian side dishes. Step 3: Turn your card green side up, signaling that you are ready for our gaucho chefs to begin tableside service. Step 4: Choose from the 15 cuts of delectable fire roasted meats that are brought to your table, sliced, and served by our gaucho chefs. Step 5: When you are satisfied, flip the disc to the red side until you are ready for more offerings. Although, this place is really expensive. For me & bf's anniversary, we went here, and for each person it's $65 a person. It's half the price during lunch, and you'll still get all the meat too! Waiters are really nice and catering! Come with an empty stomach because there's plenty to choose from, and it gets kinda overwhelming. Also, bring along someone who has an appetite and ready for an adventure. Don't bring picky people or else you'll just waste money!
(5)
chris w.
This place is top notch, I made it worth my while, try everything once then keep asking for fillet mignon. O and don't eat too much of the sides they bring out, its a ploy to fill you up.
(4)
Sam Y.
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.
(5)
Diana W.
If you crave the best meat you've ever tasted, go to Fogo de Chao. They have like twelve kinds of meats, all perfectly grilled, all sliced tableside. You have to beg them to go away-they will keep bringing you more. The salad bar is great, some very nice choices to accompany your meats, but be careful not to indulge too much on that, as you'll want to try all the lovelies they bring to your table...I made that mistake. The plantains are nice as well... We went for dinner, it is about $60 per person, worth it, but I hear the lunch price is half that, for the same food and service...so next time we'll try then. (Tough times call for tough choices LOL) A++++ service and a really cool dinner idea, especially for groups.
(5)
Steve M.
for the $60/person the meats, at best, are a slight and I mean slightly above of what i can cook on my patio. I was expecting mouth-watering, melt in mouth, soft meats but its all hunks of chunks. Nothing really stood out, expect the crisp asparagus at the salad bar. On top if it all, we were a large party and the waiter forgot to mention the bottled water that they opened before we even sat costs like $10 each. Yeoowwch! Very overpriced not for selection but quality.
(2)
Peter L.
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.
(5)
Damoun Y.
Often times we go to chic places where the in crowd frequent and are disappointed with the food and service. Well, this isn't one of those places. The meats are delectable, the service is impeccable and the price fits accordingly for a place in Beverly Hills. If Dady Warbucks is paying the bill this is one joint you don't want to miss out on. I went in a little faded so this may alter my judgment but having been to Brazil I have to say the meat is just as good. Plus you wont risk being kidnapped!
(5)
Ryan M.
Thumbs Up! I vouch for skipping the salad bar, and giving the green light to the good stuff coming directly to your table.
(5)
Randall K.
Who ever gave this place below a 4(and you know who you are) must be a first timer Brazilian eater, meat hater or just really cheap! This place is a high quality Brazilian meat restaurant. If you don't like meat, if you're not willing to fork out some money, then go to KFC and order some grilled chicken. Fogo de Chao serves meat with Phenomenal Taste, Great Service and Great Meat! This is my favorite restaurant in LA. By the way, I'm a meat eater.
(5)
Fancypants X.
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.
(5)
Josh F.
You must love beef. That is a requirement to enjoy Fogo. The restaurant looks very nice, a greatttt wine selection and quite a delicious system of beef eating. Overall the quality of meat is good, but the picanha really takes the cake. I always promise myself that I wont waste time with the salad bar and save more room for the beef but it too is quite wonderful. That along with fried bananas and the cheeseball bread and you are good to go. The fact that it is all you can eat without compromising flavor and quality is quite notable. How frequently does that combo not go hand in hand???
(4)
akzidenz g.
first time eating brazilian bbq, so i have nothing to compare it to. the food is delicious and plentiful, so dont waste your time at the salad bar or youll regret it. the best cuts of meat were: bacon wrapped filet garlic beef the others were decent, not my favorite. this place is pricey so try to eat your moneys worth. if you dont eat alot in general, its really not worth coming here. that said, i wouldnt come a second time only bc i just dont eat that much in one sitting.
(4)
Johnson H.
Fogo de Chao is your typical Brazilian steakhouse. They give you cuts of meat, beef, chicken, pork, or veal, from skewers and bring it directly to your table. Food - every cut of meat I got was either overly salty or overcooked. For instance, I had a cut of the sirloin and it tasted microwaved and rubbery. The old good cut of meat I got was the strip steak, which was pretty juicy. Every other piece of meat wasn't worth the wait. The restaurant also makes you request side dishes, versus serving yourself at most Brazilian steakhouses. However, we never saw our server (see below) so we only got a small portion of potatoes. Service - the service was simply bad. I went on a Friday night and it was crowded, which is good because it's and indication that people enjoy the restaurant. I put my name down on the waiting list and I was given an expected waiting time of 1 hour. I waited an 1 and a half and checked on the status and the hostess had no record of me putting my name down initially. They at least seated me within 15 minutes after that. The waiter for my table completely ignored me the entire night, didn't refill my drinks or clear my table. There was a larger table next to me that was ordering lots of wine and he spent the entire night entertaining them and ignoring me. I had to ask the restaurant manager for my check after waiting 20 minutes for him to not get it. I would recommend going to Pampas Grill in Culver City/The Grove or Porto Alegre in Pasadena. Pampas Grill has relatively good cuts of meat and the service is very quick. You don't have to stuff yourself, you only pay for what you want to eat. In addition, there is early bird special. Porto Alegre has very good cuts of meat and is more affordable than Fogo de Chao. It also has better side dishes. Overall, Fogo de Chao is overpriced for what you get. I will not be going back since there are two better choices in the nearby vicinity.
(1)
Bradley P.
This place is non-stop meat. I've been to Agora where I actually like the salad bar better. But the waiters there are slow compared to Fogo where they just keep bringing out the meaty glory... Cooked exactly as you would find in Brazil, don't bring your steakhouse expectations here. It's just different. Steakhouses people use terms like butter to describe how tender a steak is. This is not how the Brazilians do it. Food to me often needs to find texture and butter is not a quality I find favorable for a steak. With Brazilian preparation, I enjoy the char on the meat, simple seasoning (I hate sweet meat), and the variety. I don't do many regular steakhouses these days. You just get one big slab of meat with little variety and you might order one or two sides. Places like this you get to try everything and that makes you feel like you're not missing out on anything. The thing that doesn't make this a 5 star restaurant experience for me is the price and salad bar. But I would come back here with friends for sure...
(4)
Char L.
It's the morning after and I'm still stuffed with meat. Wow, the meat just comes by soooooooo freaking fast! If your lil puck is on the green side, you can barely take a bit of food before somebody comes up to you asking if you want more meat. My favorite cuts were the picanha, rib eye, filet mignon, garlic beef something, and filet mignon wrapped in bacon. I'm not a big fan of lamb. And why eat chicken when you have beef? I wasn't impressed with the sausage and pork ribs. The salad bar is awesome too. Everything is fresh, looks, and tastes fantastic. My favorite are the asparagus, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella/sun dried tomatoes. They seem to go best between bites of meat. The cheese bread is heavenly. I told myself before going that I would stay away from the bread, but, alas I failed miserably. Seems like every other minute, I was trying to flag down a waiter to refill my basket! Their fried bananas are some of the sweetest bananas I've ever had. Also fantastic between bites of meat! Service was superb. Everybody was friend, professional, and fast. It was my boyfriend's birthday, I excused myself to the restroom, and talked to the hostess. She arranged everything for me without a hitch! Wonderful service!
(5)
Ana F.
Listen, don't come here if you're a vegetarian. That should be obvious. Also, don't come here unless you plan on listening to the fat kid voice in your head that says "Eat everything you can see!". After my first visit I learned that Brazilian food is all about enjoying meat, meat, and more meat, with lots of delicious seasonings in between. The salad bar is only there as a diversion and for your annoying vegetarian friends and family members. Why do they tag along if they know you're eating Brazilian??? These people shouldn't be allowed inside.(The salad bar is decent, though, but don't let it keep you away from the meat!) My family, boyfriend, and I came here last year to celebrate my college graduation. Two seconds after I flipped over my little coaster, there was an onslaught of men with carving knives and huge skewers of meat coming at me. It was a dream come true!!! Later on it became a game of who could confuse the waiters the most as my brother and I kept flipping over our coasters every two seconds. Red, green, ahhh! This isn't advised because I'm pretty sure we pissed off the meat skewer guys. I am no expert on meat but everything I had was great, especially the lemon garlic seasoned meat...whatever it was...? I think we all left with high cholesterol and if a parade of naked women ran by, I'm sure my brother, dad and boyfriend would be killed instantly from heart attacks. So put your fat pants on, keep that little round cardboard coaster on GREEN, and let all those men carrying meat serve a few slices of delicious meaty heaven on your plate. I'll be back, Fogo! Even if you are ridiculously overpriced. There are a few brazilian places out there with better meat and cheaper prices...but this place is on Restaurant Row, what do you expect?!
(4)
Jackie I.
WOW!!!! Is the only thing I can say right about now of this place... We drive by it all the time and always say "we are gotta try it out" and we finally did. So, we went for the first time on Fathers Day (06-21-09). Where do I start.... Service was immaculate. The greatest service ever by far. I would turn around and had a waiter just there giving me water, offering me something or just making sure that we were doing ok. I loved it. I didn't have to flag anyone down or anything. They were there just ready to help us. GREAT! Food was superb. All the meats that we tasted were great. Nicely seasoned, perfectly cooked and delish....My favorite was the filet minion, sirloin, and the chicken wrapped in bacon. OMG these three meats were to die for, but that chicken wrapped in bacon was just addicting that I got it a couple of times. I couldn't help myself. Something about chicken and swine together just sound DELISH!!!! Salad bar was good; I really didn't see anything special about it besides the huge sun dried tomatoes which were delish too. Everything else was pretty much what you see at a regular salad bar except for they had cheeses and salmon and turkey which I didn't care much for. Side dishes were just as good. The plantains and mash potatoes were perfect. My daughter lover her some mash potatoes and my boyfriend loved him some plantains (just as good as the ones from Cha Cha Cha, he says) Now, I highly recommend this place on an empty stomach and to people that loves to eat just slabs of meat. Because really that's all you are really paying for. Really freaking expensive!!!!!! Let me repeat myself... Really Freaking EXPENSIVE!!!!! I think the prices went up. For 2 people the bill was 150.00 (no lie) and we didn't even have any drinks (thank the Lawd or else I think I would have had a heart attack right there and then cuz of course I paid for it, since it was Fathers Day...Never again...LOL) just a Lime-ade and some water please. The Bummer...20% gratuity fee for a party of 2 was RIDUNKULOUS!!!!! I really didn't get that at all, but I guess when you have 20 people running around the place making sure everything is ok, they just have to include it. Double Bummer....So, this could of just been my boyfriend, but he got food poisoning... The whole night he was throwing up and had the runs...LOL...Ok not funny, but it really did happen and he was not looking good this morning, but he still managed to go to work. So he basically barfed half of what I paid for...Chris you owe me 56.50...thank you very much. Will collect it tonight. That's it for now... Toodles!
(5)
Paul H.
I went for a birthday dinner and had a good time but half of the meats were WAYYYY too salty. I could feel the crunch of the salt crystals as I chewed on some pieces and that's a sickening feeling. The next day, I felt weak and drained of all my energy. I would not come here again but some of my friends liked it. I don't think it's worth the money.
(2)
joseph o.
Lots of good quality meat. Excellent service. But, kinda pricey. Lamb, Rib Eye, Picanha, Sirloin, Top Sirloin, Beef Ribs, Filet Mignon, and more! and...they're all delicious. Salad bar is fresh with a wide variety.
(5)
Miao W.
It was truly a house of flying protein. I went with the vegetarian buffet but stole a couple of beefy bites from my carnivorous friends--everything tasted pretty good. But dude where's my rabbit? This way $70pp was somewhat pricey for lack of exotic offerings. Amazing salad bar, including the best-simply-prepared root vegetables. I had beets for the first time in my life (that was 1.5 years ago, since which I breathed purple). And the smoked salmon tasted like, ham. I'm salivating now. Fogo might have hired an entire ward of OCD patients who took sick pleasure in animal style feeding and seeing others instantly grow fat, cause I just had never, or ever after, seen waiters anywhere THIS eager to put food in my face.
(4)
Karen C.
If I could eat here every day of my life I would. And I would think I have gone to heaven!!! This is the best meal I have ever had in my life. Seriously my man and I were in food heaven. Every parcel of food in my mouth was a delightful experience. The lamb literally melted in my mouth. The filet mignon wrapped in bacon was some of the best meat I've ever had. The wine was great and so were these green drinks. I don't know what you call them here but in NY we call them green crack. Super strong and super yummy. This place has the best service I've ever had in my life. I swear wait staff were like mind readers. I just had to think of having my water glass refilled and I swear they were there. They were very attentive and friendly. Can I move in here?
(5)
Darcy B.
The Los Angeles location is not as spectacular as the Chicago restaurant, but i LOVE me some Churrascurria! I'm not going to lie - I felt the service was horrible when I dined with my boyfriend. They do group service, but the "head waiters" were snobby douchebags. Fortunately, the other times I dined there the service was top notch. I try to stay away from the sides so that I can over-indulge in the meat...hhmmmmm....filet mignon wrapped in bacon, yes please! I do wish they could have some more rare options...
(4)
Allen C.
"I'm blue blue blue blue blue, da ba dee, daba blue blue blue!". That is what I started singing as I inched my way towards pissed-drunkenness for my birthday last year at Fogo de Chao. I don't even know how the song popped in my head, but it was so entertaining--with the help of a couple of pitchers of awesome sangria of course. And I vaguely remember making up a back-story for the song which was really funny--but what the hell was it? Oh well, the life of a lush. Like any other Brazilian churrascaria, I love the food!!! Stay away from the chickens, but their cow-based meats are so tender and delish. If you keep your little "come hither"-disk flipped to green, the waiters WILL swarm your table with their little scarves around their necks and huge knives holding their junk. And by junk, I mean, the best meat ever!! And by the best meat ever, I mean their sirloins, tenderloins, beef ribs, filet mignon, bacon-wrapped meat, aaaah.....uh, I think I hafta go now. And you can't go wrong with the classic Brazilian cheesy bread (how do I make this damn stuff at home?!). Oh, and there's a fairly big salad bar if that's your thing. The only down sides are that this place is uber-hectic and crowded, but even worse, uber-expensive. I don't know how we dropped a couple bills, but damn Gina! I feel violated!!** **Disclaimer: It was my birthday, so I didn't actually pay. So technically, I didn't feel that violated. Only slightly toyed with. Hence the 4 stars. Go here for really special occasions and that's it. Stick with Pampas in the Farmer's Market, M Grill in Koreatown, or Cafe Brasil in Culver for your everyday Brazilian needs. Except the waxing.
(4)
Tiffany N.
Fogo is only the 2nd Brazilian BBQ joint I've been to and I'd say it was pretty solid, but didn't blow me away like I anticipated. Thumbs up: -The service was spot on. Waters are served upon seating and once you're ready to flip the card to green, you will literally have BBQ guys forming a line by your table waiting to slice off a piece of meat for you. I think they've developed a hawk-eye for seeing green at a table. Well that happened to us at least because we were the 2nd table from the kitchen so most of the meats we got were piping fresh :) -I was impressed with the salad bar and the quality of it, they have a variety of olive oils/balsamic vinegars for u to choose and use! Also, their tuna salad was yummy and so were the SUNDRIED TOMATOES! I had a whole plate of them.. and we're talkin huge pieces of sundried tomatoes. yummm. -We ordered a pitcher of sangria (SO MUCH even for 2!) and it was nice and refreshing with fresh cut pieces of apple and strawberries. I was warming up after 3 semi large glasses... not too sure but I think the more popular drink to order is their mojito? Saw a lot of them going around, but our pitcher was plenty -The FLAN!!!! normally I wouldn't order dessert, but it was the bf's bday and we chose to share a flan which was absolutely ah-ma-zing! I know I said Taleo's flan was good and didn't think anything could beat it but I have now found my new best flan... it was the PERFECT combination of sweetness and consistency. The caramel that is on the plate isn't overly sweet and there is a bottom brown sugar layer which reminded me of creme brulee crust, only not crunchy :) REALLY REALLY yummy, and won't make you feel like you just gained 5lbs. Plus, they comp any dessert of choice for bdays! Thumbs down: -A lot of the meat was cooked Medium/Medium well, even when I asked for a Medium rare piece, for the exception of ONE.. I forgot which cause they talk so damn fast and are rushing but literally, only one of my pieces was cooked MR.. the rest were a little too cooked. The bf also got a WELL DONE piece when we asked for MR, so it seems they either don't keep track or don't care about what temp you request. -DO NOT EAT THE PORK RIBS! okay, maybe a center cut might be fine, but I had the first cut on the end and had bone particles going down and scratching my throat. I know, it sounds real weird, but it was pretty bad. Skip the sausage and chicken too, not a fan here. Also, limit yourself to the the plantains, mashed potatoes, fried polenta and bread they serve. It may be tempting, but one bite of each should be good enough otherwise u will fill up much quicker. As you can see, I can't say too much about the meats because I honestly was served so many slices at once I couldn't tell which was which. All in all a good solid restaurant, but I think Agora in Irvine will satisfy my Brazilian BBQ craving anytime it strikes rather than venturing up to Fogo, and it won't hurt my wallet as much (our check: nearly $200 for 2 including tip!)
(4)
R S.
Everything here was delicious! Hello bacon wrapped chicken and filet mignon! Mmmmmmm! Starve yourself for a few days before and don't expect to be able to do anything but pass out an hour after you get home. (ie. NOT A GOOD DATE OPTION if you are going to try and eat your $50 bucks worth). Wish they charged by the size of the person eating. There are some seriously big dudes eating a LOT in there... Where's the discount for a 135 pound guy??? :) And have one of those Caipirinha drinks... amazing!
(4)
Jellie M.
The quality of food and the salad bar is really good. Stairs by managers very professional and courteous. have your favorite ones after you go there once, & the second time you won't waste your appetite trying things you're not a big fan of. But since I'm not a big eater, all you can eat is not the most economical choice for me! I eat 3 pieces and some salad and I'm full! It's worth the try.
(4)
Daisy T.
Once in a while, I really long for a night of meat sweat.... Came here on DineLA week with my boyfriend. everything was so delicious. There was this cut of meat that looks like a half circle. I forgot what it's called by now, but it's suppose to be the best thing? I witnessed 4 waiters crowd around this one table next to me offering that meat all at the same time because those people are suppose to be somewhat famous? They wouldn't serve it to anyone else until I asked after a few waiters avoided eye contact with me. Also, the tables are so packed together, I witnessed a waiter drop a customer's credit card while dodging tables and walked away not knowing. They must be used to bumping into things. I had to chase him down, dodging more tables. It was quite a man hunt. On a funny note, I watched a sea of teenage boys coming in and out of the bathroom looking really sick.....maybe they over stuffed themselves? haha :P
(4)
michael q.
The best churrascaria I've had in the states! The picanha (rump cap) was the highlight, you must try this.
(5)
Amrita G.
We came here for my birthday. Ok so great food, great ambience, buffet is good too. Now about the steak and cuts I like it the filet mignon and the flank steak maybe. I did not like some of the other cuts, lacked flavour and smelled only of the meat. This was the first time I tried a Brazilian style steakhouse and I think it might have been too much meat for me, again how will you know until you come. By the way the bacon wrapped chicken and beef were both good. The complementary cake they served was excellent.
(4)
Rob Y.
This is the BEST Churrascaria I have EVER been to, and I have eaten to MANY of these places. I am a devout carnivore and this is indeed heaven. That said, when you talk to the waiters (gauchos), each person has prepared their own meat and had to go through lots of training. Also, you don't leave the place smelling smoky (that really doesn't bother me, but I do know that it does bother others). The cheese rolls are superb and the service is top notch as well. I really don't have any complaints! I find it strange that Vegetarians go here AND write reviews about their experience. If I were those people, I wouldn't even write a review because I would look really retarded. People should do some basic research about the place that they are going to. If you want a salad... go to Souplantation! But seriously though, the meat is top notch and you better come HUNGRY!!
(5)
Emily S.
I went there for my sister's graduation dinner. I only had the salad bar because I don't eat beef. $35 for salad?! I know huh. It didn't even taste good. I got what I thought was spinach but it ended up being something else. The ranch was nasty. It didn't even taste like ranch. And it was really thick. The little cheese balls were okay. I thought they were tofu balls. The olives were too salty. This restaurant has a sorry excuse of a salad bar, but I guess people go there for the beef. I didn't even finish my salad. I went back for romaine lettuce. That wasn't good either. I can make a better salad with my feet. I thought about giving this place 2 stars, but i'm feeling generous. My parents ate the full meal and they only gave this place 2 stars. My sister and her bf gave this place 4 stars. Also, we felt a little rushed. Things were happening quickly. The waiters would walk around with their slabs of meat and would get irritated if you didn't grab the meat they sliced for you quick enough. I don't think I will be going back to this place for awhile.
(3)
Christie K.
so this is an all you can eat place, and being the cheap person i am... i would try to get my money's worth.. don't go for the chicken or pork. .or whatever. .just get the rib eye or the filet mignon.. it was soooooooooooo good.. just melts in your mouth.. the cheese balls are also super delicious.. this place is definately meat heaven! they have a great selection of wine! but beware it is vvvvvveerry expensive.. they charge like 4-5 times retail price.. (our waiter was sooooooooooooooooooooo hot.. my gosh..)
(5)
valarie A.
As a vegetarian having to go to lunch here, of course my initial reaction was horror. However, their salad bar was fabulous and the side dishes of polenta etc. were nice. Actually a pleasant experience and if you have to eat all that meat (good god why???) I guess thats the place to go.
(3)
Gisele A.
They have a really good variety of meats and they taste awesome. The servers are really nice and keep the meat coming nonstop (sometimes even after you have turned you little sign to red.) The drinks are a bit expensive. But the place is definitely a must go.
(5)
John L.
I've been to this place several times and it never disappoints. I've been to many other brazilian bbqs and this one is the best. I usually don't get my hopes up too high for chains, but this one is the real deal. My friend has been to the Chicago and Atlanta one also and tells me there are just as good. The salad bar has the freshest and most flavorful items. The cheeseballs are awesome. The service is excellent and the meat is some of the best I've ever had. I don't like lamb but even the lamb there is good. The chicken was a tad dry this time, but the meats were so good it doesn't matter. Make sure you go hungry though because there's so much to eat. It's a bit pricey but I'm willing to dish it out here once in a while.
(5)
Annie C.
This is truly a meat lover's paradise. Not only is it all you can eat, with a red and green disk to control the pace of your meal, but the meat is served on skewers carved at the table. There is a wide variety of meats, from top sirloin, rib eye, filet mignon, chicken wrapped in bacon, lamb leg, and pork sausages. The best has to be Picanha. But don't get too focused on the meat, venture out to the salad bar. It is excellent! Meat Lovers Unite and head down to Fogo De Chao! Note this place is quite pricey and be sure to wear dark colors as the meat juices tend to drip while you are served. Otherwise, ENJOY!!
(4)
H. G.
anything that comes bacon-wrapped gets five stars in my book. seriously. if you're looking for some good meat, then this is definitely the spot. i've only been to greenfield in long beach, so that's the only thing i'm comparing this spot too. i came here with my fam to celebrate my master status (finally). there were about eight of us (6 adults and two kiddos). started off with caipirinhas. top notch and oh so tasty. kiddos eat for free. or at least five and under i believe, which i think is awesome, especially since ours don't eat that much. it's 56 bucks a head for adults. we didn't try any of the chicken although it did look good. bacon-wrapped beef/pork, beef ancho, picanha, filet mignon, costela, costela de porco and fraldinha. there was one other that was on a wood board, not a stick. it was SO tender and juicy and just downright wonderful. there was another pork that was covered in parmesan cheese. that one was good, but a little bit more dry than the others. the sides are also super delicious. there's the rice, black beans, polenta, mashed potatoes and fried bananas. all were really great. on top of that we got the molten choco cake with ice cream and strawberries. suffice to say we devoured it all. i was definitely one full girl after eating so much, especially since i never eat that much meat. if you're a big meat eater, this is a must try spot. take your girl (or guy) out and i trust you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Ray S.
Love it! Interior layout, love it! Service, awesome! Food, great!
(5)
De M.
If you plan on going here, I would fast from red meat for at least a week before eating here because afterwards, you'll have your fill of red meat for an entire season and that's putting it lightly; ;meat in general. My party went on busy Saturday evening and waited about 40 minutes WITH a reservation (granted we arrived late but the line was out the door). Staff was friendly and prompt. This is not the place to go for a quiet evening. I could barely hear myself talk and prepare to duck, dodge and veer when walking because there is heavy traffic of waiters with sharp stakes and knives, hosts/hostesses, buss boys and guests with not a lot of room in between tables. The price is fairly steep but worth it. The food was great. This is the only the 2nd of its kind that I've been to (the other a place in Salt Lake City) and this was pricier but I found the meat tastier and better overall. Plus, unlike the one in Utah, you have your choice how you want it cooked. I recommend checking this place out. Definately a unique experience. Again, I would fast from meat for a while before eating here as when you leave, you'll likely not care to eat another bite of meat for a while. Atmosphere is loud and chaotic-like due to the many guests and servers but pleasing otherwise. But if there's a Fogo de Chao in your area/destination, you should check it out.
(4)
Marie L.
ATTRACTIVE, AWESOME SERVICE and an EXCELLENT BAR! DONT EAT ANYTHING ALL DAY ... This will be a waste ... you must try all of the cuts ...
(5)
Kani E.
Where do I begin... Two words, PACE YOURSELF! The food & service at Fogo de Chao is amazing! When you think "all you can eat" it can be a bit of a turn-off but not at this steak joint. They have a cool system where you use these coaster like cards (one side red, the other green) when you're ready to start eating....Green obviously means GO and when you flip that coaster to green, you'd better brace yourself. About four waiters flock to your table with skewers of meats hot & ready to serve. I started off with the salad bar that was so impressive, I'm still in awe. There was hearts of palm, asparagus, fresh cheeses & meats to name a few. Now on to the meats...oh the meats! I loved the lamb chops, pork ribs & prime rib eye but my favorite was the Fraldinha - the bottom sirloin! I can't brag enough about it, it was fabulous! Crispy and a bit charred on the outside and JUICY on the inside. For desert we had the Flan & Creme Brulee, both were fantastic! The Flan was perfect, not to eggy tasting but carmely and sweet. The Creme Brulee was not too sweet with fresh berries on top, made just right. I plan on going back VERY soon and this time I will make sure to pace myself and enjoy every bite!
(5)
Jon P.
Went to Fofo de Chao (what a name!) finally last night for a meeting of UCLA plastic surgeons. Not being an eater of red meat any longer (I had my fair share growing up) I had no interest in trying this restaurant after hearing how the waiters carry around slabs of beef ready for carving at your shoulder. Well, to my surprise I found the restaurant to be very attractive, the service excellent and the combination of salad bar and grilled chicken (without the bacon wrap, thank you very much) absolutely delicious. The wine selection was excellent and contributed to a wonderful evening. For a change, I didn't have to pay the bill which added further to the pleasure derived from the occasion. I do highly recommend this restaurant even if you don't touch the beef. Enjoy.....
(4)
Andrew T.
You must be looking at the $$$$ price up in the description of Fogo De Chao. That isn't a typo. Fogo de Chao IS that expensive. Over 60 dollars per person! But is it worth it? You bet your bottom it is. No restaurant would charge customers that much unless they were confident in the quality of their food. And Fogo delivers. The variety of meats that they bring to the table is amazing. Chicken wrapped in bacon, filet mignon wrapped in bacon, lamb, sausage, etc. All of these are delicious. And the waiters just keep them coming until you flip that coaster to red. It's quite overwhelming the first go around, because before you know it your plate is filled with meat. Watch out for this, because just the site of all the meat on your plate can become demoralizing, lowering your chances of actually finishing the food. If this happens, don't even think of seconds. I suggest you pace yourself to enjoy 2 or 3 types of their barbecue at a time, being sure to flip the coaster over to red each time. Otherwise the waiters will bombard your table with meat and you won't have the courage to turn them away (the meats look too delicious on the skewers) My only complaint is that Fogo de Chao is the only all-you-can-eat restaurant where the drinks are not bottomless. 3 dollars for an 8oz bottle of coke is not nearly enough to sustain me through the meal. While they supply an endless stream of delicious meat, i think they should be able to spare a couple of dollars to allow the customers bottomless drinks. This is why i took off a star. Other than that, Fogo de Chao is a place you should definitely try if you have the money.
(4)
Dalia H.
Yum, yum, yum. If you are a meat eater, this is your place. They have everything, from rabbit, pork, beef, chicken, sausages, it's a carnivorous feast. The salad bar was also quite delicious, the veggies are very fresh, I guess they have to offer some vegetables to off set the tremendous amount of meat you are consuming. Their side dishes are also quite delectable. And let's not forget the alcoholic beverages, and wines. I must say that every time I go there, I forget about my cholesterol, heartburn, and I truly sit down to enjoy every bite of it.
(5)
Katrina M.
I have been here a couple of times and they are consistently delicous! The meat is just amazing! The salad bar is ok, but I am not going there for salad. The servers are ok, if you don't sit in the right area, you may have to wait a while to get a refill on the meat. The choice of wine was excellent as well.
(4)
E.V. K.
GREAT GREAT GREAT. Went to FOGO DE CHAO in Beverly Hills w/ teh family to celebrate Mother's Day. HAD to considering how SCREWED up Edible Arrangements made Mother's Day for me. Read my other yelp: yelp.com/biz/edible-arra… ::calm down:: Back to FDC review... Been to quite a few different Brazilian BBQ before, but this is the first place that we actually had to turn the signal to red. (green means more meat, red means stop) customer service, food quality, preparation, EVERYTHING was near perfection. the filet minion wrapped in Bacon and sirloin (cooked to medium) was EPIC!!! also, try the Tres Dulce for desert. it was delicious. im definately going back.
(5)
Grace L.
I never thought I would feel the need to be a vegetarian for a week. The food here is amazing! Everything is cooked a flavored really well! After about an hour to hour and a half your jaw starts to hurt from all the chewing and all the meats start to taste the same and it's slightly painful to keep eating, but nonetheless it's a great place to relinquish the inner heifer in you! :)
(4)
Tamara B.
Make sure you don't eat all day - you definitely need an empty stomach to get your monies worth! FOOD: Excellent. Especially the Filet. PRICE: for two meals, 4 fru-fru cocktails and nice tip it was around $220. SERVICE: Fantastic. At times the wait staff was too attentive. Which is good for those of us that can be a diva at a fine-dining restaurant. VALET: is $5.50. Personally, I think it should be complimentary. Attire is "casual" as I looked around everyone was dressed pretty nice. When I think casual, I think jeans and a t-shirt. Take note, this place is more like "Business Casual."
(4)
Toni H.
I love this place, Best meat and salad bar, great atmosphere and service.
(5)
Big Man G.
went for my first time today to celebrate mother day. the best Cadillac margarita ever and only 8.95 salad bar with all fresh and very interesting choices the meat are the most tender, flavor full ever the most professional and friendly service in any restaurant in los angeles the best restaurant i been in los angeles since 1983 pricey but great for special occasion
(5)
Luy T.
Went here yet again, this time for my birthday. I must say, the service at Fogo de Chao is IMPECABLE. You're basically a king, for about an hour of button-popping-face-stuffing-meat-fest. Here's how it works: You flip your meat tab to green and the cuts keep coming. You turn it back over to red and you have a moment to digest, relax and enjoy your own space. The location is amazing, so comfortable and classy. The meats are almost always cooked right and the sides are delish. I really cannot recommend a better place to introduce someone to Brazilian food. Definately try the Picanha, the rice and beans and the fried plantains.
(5)
x FREAKONOMIX.com x.
Ok. The food is really good. Don't get me wrong. Went there a couple of months ago with my gf. We basically just had the buffet for 2. No drinks. Nothing else ordered (except maybe 1 soft drink. i forget). Plus tax and tip, the bill came out to $170! I knew it was expensive, but geez. There's only so much you should have to pay for a buffet of mostly meat. Also, the waiters bother you a little too much. They are supposed to come by only when you have this little coaster-looking thing turned "up" on your table indicating you want more meat, but they came by literally every 2-5 minutes whether or not we had our coaster turned up. Besides that though, the service was really good. Can't complain about that. Just can't reason paying that much for a buffet of just meat and salad... My 3-star rating is based food, service, value for money. Good to go once if you've never done Brazilian BBQ before. Not sure why anyone would make this a regular spot though... I mean... for about half the price, you could do the Universal Hilton Champagne Buffet...
(3)
Frank M.
Superman punched out Hitler. So did Captain America. That's one of the things they're there for. Fogo de Chao is there to provide meat to the masses. And like Superman punching Hitler in the face, Fogo is awesome.
(4)
Jen J.
The food is incredible! The meat melts in your mouth and the sides are wonderful renditions of old fashioned comfort food. The wine list: top-notch and the waitstaff are pleasant and attentive. The price is spot-on for what you are getting and the restaurant itself is beautiful... ...but, the Hostess was unorganized and frazzled, so in spite of our 8PM reservation, we weren't seated until well after 9PM... In my book, that is a MAJOR glitch in the dining experience, so four stars instead of five, for Fogo de Chao.
(4)
Penm H.
Call me crazy, but "Fancy" and "All-You-Can-Eat" just doesn't mesh well in my opinion. Just make it one or the other. I'm not saying All-You-Can-Eat joints have to be grungy and cheap, but can you imagine taking a date to Beverly Hills for an All-You-Can-Eat? The quality of the meat is primo and prepared well. My only problem was I was dumb enough to get all the meats at once, some of which cooled by the time I got to them. So learn from my mistake and only accept two choices at a time. The plate will look bare, but the freshness and taste is better worth it. The server's tactic is to bombarded your table with all the choices early so you get full quicker. Take your time, the meat will always be there and stay fresh. So why only 3 stars? The price was a little steep for an All-You-Can-Eat The meats were cooked right, but lacked seasoning. Lastly the salad bar wasn't as grand as I had hoped. However I must say that the service is impressive and the cheese balls are phenomenal. I'd say you could eat at another Brazilian restaurant for cheaper and enjoy the meal just as much. It's not like I'm comparing a Denny's steak to a Morton's steak, I know the difference in meat quality. What I'm saying is most Brazilian BBQ's tend to serve decent quality meats so you're not missing out.
(3)
dae m.
Probly the fanciest Brazilian BBQ shindig I have ever been to and probly will ever go to. All the food here is amazing, from the salad bar to the orally orgasmic bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Sadly, the didn't have any feijoada but everything else pretty much makes up for it. I'll also have to add this place makes the BEST pao de quiejo i have ever had. They make it fresh from scratch for lunch and dinner time. Service is amazing as well. You honestly get treated as if you're the king or queen of Brazil. But you also get charged like royalty as well, so don't forget the wallet. Despite the fact that it's missing a few things, the experience alone is unforgettable.
(5)
Ken K.
Lesson #1: It's Fogo de SHOW, not Fogo de CHOW. Learned that w/in 3 minutes of sitting at the table. Lesson #2: The meat comes to you at blinding speed, so BE READY. Lesson #3: Easier said than done, but STAY AWAY from the cheese bread. And I say this not because it tastes bad... au contraire! It's so delectably delicious that you won't be able to stop eating it, thus filling your stomach w/ carbs and all that other stuff that will prevent you from eating your money's worth of meat. I think I ate at least a dozen of those bad boys and I could have easily eaten another dozen. DARN YOU CARBS! I had even told myself beforehand that I would control myself and limit the number of cheesebreads I ate. Discipline, clearly, is not my forte. I was contemplating whether I should start w/ salad for a good three seconds (maybe four) when someone came w/ the first blade of meat. "Chicken legs and sausage?" he asks. "Sure. Both please," I reply. I start to pick up my knife and fork when I hear, "Rib eye?" "Uh... sure." "Filet?" "Yup." I couldn't say no! I wanted to try everything! I knew I had all night to try everything and yet I said yes to the first 8 servers that came to me. Before I knew it, I was staring at my plate trying to remember what each piece was! Therefore my margin of error on my descriptions of each type may be a little higher than normal so forgive me. Chicken legs and sausage (linguica): 2 and 5 respectively. No big deal. Rib eye: 7.5 (10 the first time around... hot, tender and full of flavor; 5 the second time around... hot, not so tender and not nearly as much flavor as the first time) Filet: 6 (8 the first time around; 4 the second time for the same reasons above. In fact, the second one was really dry.) Sirloin: 7. Good. Not spectacular. Pork ribs: 7. Good flavor; The seasoning didn't take away from the flavor of the meat, but it wasn't amazing. Beef ribs: 5. I can't help but favor the flavor of pork ribs over beef. Lamb chops: 7. I really like lamb and this tasted good. It was just a little tougher than I would have liked. Picanha: 9. Typically the signature cut for Brazilian BBQ, this was seasoned and cooked perfectly. No complaints. Parmesan-crusted chicken: 3. Chicken was dry. Not much flavor. Prime rib: 9. The most tender of all the cuts and had a nice, rich flavor to it. Cheese bread: 10. Even when it cools down, it maintains its texture. And when it's hot (which it oftentimes was because they kept bringing freshly-made ones), you can't stay away from it. Sauce: 9. Compliments the bread so well. Adds a nice little oomph. Polenta: 9. Seriously couldn't stop eating these either. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The flavor didn't overpower anything. Mashed potatoes: 1. Not worth trying and it only takes up space in your stomach. The food was obviously fresh and of high quality... but it didn't blow me away either. And I was a little bothered by the inconsistency of the few items I had multiple times. The service, however, was top-notch. They were quick and courteous w/ our requests (ranging from getting a knife to refilling my water to returning w/ a few requests for medium-well done steaks [a couple of my friends are pregnant so I'll forgive them], etc.). In the end, because I didn't get that WOW factor for the price, I can't give it 5 stars. I'd give it 4 stars, but I think 3.5 would be more accurate.
(3)
Christine H.
I ate and ate and ate and ate and talked and ate and ate and ate and drank. Extremely friendly service, wonderful ambiance, high quality prepped meats, bar salads were refreshing! Definately, if you don't see a meat going around that you are waiting for, don't be shy and ask. They'll get it right out for you.
(5)
Kevin H.
Oh my god, i ended up taking a couple of friends i known for the past 20 years here for dinner and wow, we couldnt keep up with all the meats and sides they give us.. They give you unlimited mash and rice both mash were damn good with fried bananas and some type of bread i think which was very good.. They have Fraldinha, Costela, BBQ, Corderio which were all different cuts of beef and steaks Frango (chicken) Linguica (sasuages) Filet Migon fabulous!! The for the 3 of us came to $215 with drinks but it was worth it.. It was $57 a person sunday night. Verrrrrry wonderful and nice staff. I dont remember none of us asking for a refill unless we wanted to try a different drink or wine.. They looked after us and were not rich but they made us feel important!! Maravilha!!!!
(5)
Kristen G.
Things I've learned since dating a Brazilian: 1) Brazilians are hot -- all of em. Whatever is in their water needs to be put in MY water. 2) Brazilians love soccer. Too bad we live in the U.S. 3) Brazilians are passionate. About everything. 4) Brazilians love meat. I don't think there is a word in Portuguese for "Vegetarian." So, it's a match made in hell when I'm a vegetarian... and dating a Brazilian. Good thing we love each other. And it's because I love him so much that I took him to Fogo de Chao for his birthday dinner. Because seriously, the look on his face while eating slices upon slices of Picanha was worth $150 and more. And yes, he may have admitted in a moment of weakness that he loved the picanha at Fogo de Chao more than he loved me.... jokingly?? right?? maybe??? hmmmm.... ;) So yes, it's a total meat-fest. Meat coma is sure to follow your trip there. And once we left, my hot Brazilian boyfriend's stomach had grown so much he looked like a hot Brazilian pregnant man. For about $60 you can have all the meat you want... and all the salad too... and all the sides... And for about $30 you can have just the sides and the salad bar.... which is exactly what this vegetarian did. The salad bar was pretty awesome... but I'm a HUGE fan of Brazilian sides, so I barely visited the salad bar. Give me rice, beans (though I didn't eat them there because I suspected meat in them), plantains, mashed potatoes, polenta and pao de queijo (cheese bread) any day of the week and you've got one super happy vegetarian. Oh, and the caipirinha didn't hurt either. Super tasty, super strong. $12. Once all the food was consumed and he could no longer breathe... one of our many servers brought over the dessert menu... and insisted we order one of them for his birthday treat... We got the tres leches cake, which was tasty, but not OMGAMAZING. But the cafezinho was a nice diminutive(but strong) finish to the meal. Oh, and thank you Brazilian meat guys for actually being Brazilian... AND fans of the same soccer team as the birthday boy, so you guys could speak Portuguese and catch him up on all the going-ons with the team... and apparently give us special treatment because he was a fan. Thanks Fogo de Chao for making his birthday extra special...
(5)
Yonnie Z.
Fogo was my first Brazilian BBQ experience and also one of my favorite experiences there. Their lunch and dinner menus are the same but $20 price difference. Food was amazing. Salad bar was filled with greens, smoked salmon, red beats, variety of cheese (e.g. goat cheese), and anything else you can think of. In my opinion, it was a very healthy assorted salad bar. Next comes the best part, you can either choose whether to forgo the meat by simply laying out a color card by your plate. But who goes to a Brazilian BBQ and not eat meat? Simply uncalled for. Meat on swords are literally placed in front of you for your pickings. The whole farm is offered at your table every other 5-10 minutes by a server to each person. Beef, pork, chicken, lamb. Cooked in many ways. Also, their buttery cheese bread balls are simply amazing. Flaky on the outside, creamy and literally melts in your mouth. Service is great. The waiters are very nice and ready for anything you need.
(5)
perry k.
Went there with my boss and a few co-workers. I'm not really into "fancy" restaurants but DAMN, this place was nice. Selection of meats: great. The salad/side dish bar: wonderful. Service: They treat you like royalty (couldn't think of a 1-word answer) Wine Selection: Endless. Atmosphere: buzzing Ambience/Decor: beautiful. Price: EXPENSIVE. It's worth it. Great for special occasions. I can't believe some ppl gave it 3 stars or less. Really? It's a great place. Go hungry. Well, not too hungry because that backfires sometimes also.
(5)
Anna N.
Arrived here on Friday afternoon for LA restaurant week. The place was PACKED, the staff did an excellent job to accommodate the large crowds. With reservations, my party of 4 waited for 20 minutes before seated. The tables were too close together but understandable since is LA restaurant week, I really hope they are not like this during normal times. I did not like the meat very much. My main distaste for the meat is the seasoning, I find the it too salty. Moreover, the lamb was very unpleasantly pungent. The salad bar was decent and gave a very wide selection. Everything that I ate was forgettable. Service was excellent even with the mob of people here for LA restaurant week.
(3)
Bryan C.
i don't even have a check-in here but i'll review it. Why? Because when I called in for a reservation, the person who I was talking to, hung up on me as I was requesting for a reservation! i do want to try Fogo, but as of right now, no go!
(1)
stacey s.
If you're looking to entertain some out-of-town meat lovers who want to try something different, then this is the place to go. Zoro-looking-like waiters come around to your table with skewers of meat. And you can stay there all night...it's practically dinner and a show. What to get: Expensive cuts of meat (e.g. lamb, beef, etc) What NOT to get: Cheaper cuts of meat (e.g. chicken) Tips: Be extremely strategic about your stomach space -- no fillers. That means, no chicken (why bother), no salad bar (unless if you really need some roughage) and a minimal amount cheese puffs (I know, it is hard to resist eating 10 baskets of those yummy morsels but try to control yourself and stick to the meat)
(3)
Sasha M.
Overrated is the only word that comes to my head when I think about this restaurant.This is more of a tourist trap rather than a 4 or 5 star restaurant. They give you quantity but no quality. I almost liked the salad bar but then I discovered that all the dressings are commercial salad dressings that come in barrels and full of preservatives. The waiters and the staff were very friendly and they kept bringing cheap commercial grade meats to our table like we were cavemen. I really felt like I was on a cruise to Mexico on the Carnaval Cruiselines. Furthermore, We had dinner for 4 and it was almost $400. I can think of 50 better restaurants that are of the same variety and cost less and the food is 100 times better. Thanks but no thanks
(2)
Riyo L.
I was in town for work and craving Brazillian Steak. I've been to the one in Atlanta and thought I would introduce the great place to my colleagues. Man was the BH a big disappointment. It does not compare to the ATL Fogo. Maybe I was expecting too much but the meats weren't as flavorful. The service was lacking considering we were not Billionaires. On top of that, it was more expensive too. My friends were unsatisfied as well, complaining that it was not worth the money. The only upside is that they had valet. Other than that, I don't think I would be returning if ever in town.
(2)
Bella G.
Everyone raves about it, so took parents out for dinner. Considering that I am not much of a Brazilian BBQ person, I was only able to eat few pieces of meat but the ambiance was good and salad bar was decent. My dad loved it (picky palette) and service was great. Actually, service was excellent. Employees were trained similar to high end hotels.
(4)
John D.
Ayo imma tell you right now B, my favorite place by far. Just seeing my coworker get meat piled on his plate and him not understanding to flip to red to stop it was worth the meal cost alone. Tasty food great experience. Need I say more.
(5)
Jen W.
The food was decent, but not great. The salad bar has little selection. I'm glad I finally tried this place, but most likely won't be coming back
(3)
Bob M.
You must try once Bottom line
(5)
Tammy L.
I'm not sure where all of these bad reviews are coming from. I came here for the first time for my birthday and was amazed by not only the food but the service. The salad bar was okay but really what you should come here for is the meat. The lamb chop, ny steak and filet mignon were definitely top notch. Cool relaxed atmostphere and great service. I'll be back!
(5)
Natali R.
Great, very good place. Extremely delicious. If you love eat meat - this is the best place !! Customer service is very nice.
(5)
Bassem K.
What can I say? This is the best restaurant ever existed on earth! Fogo is simply amazing and like nowhere else! This is literally the best meat on this planet
(5)
Wise C.
I came here pretty late like 8:00pm. The parking is ok. The place looks good though the food is not that great. The salad bar is poorly/ not fresh/limited option. The meat is ok but not my cup of tea. I ended up paying around $100 including parking. In general, overpriced for its food and services. Not recommended.
(2)
Shelley L.
Came here last fall with a few friends for dinner on a Sat night. We did have to wait a bit for a table, but that was because we were late for our reservation. So we hit up the bar first. Nice bartender, great drinks. Who loves meat? I DO, I DO!!! If you like meat of all kinds this is the place for you. This is the home of the never ending meat skewers. The service was excellent, my plate was never empty. There is a salad bar, but really, if you have to have a "balanced meal" by all means, help yourself. I would save my appetite for the meat if I were you. Be prepared for a large bill. This place is kind of pricey, but definitely worth a splurge for all you carnivores out there! The Sangria was also really good. I probably would not have tried it myself, but my table ordered a pitcher of it. Why not right? When in Rome, or at a Brazilian BBQ.... Come hungry and eat up! GO MEAT!!!!
(4)
LiLLy C.
Any meat Lover with a BIG appetite will absolutely LoVe this place. You have to try this Brazilian restaurant! Green on the lamb & the filet minon please! Bring some cash you'll end up paying approx $75pp. (oh, & don't forget $5 for parking)
(5)
Irene C.
When I had to choose between the Omakase at Sushi Zo, or unlimited meat at Fogo De Chao for my 'nice dinner night' during my LA trip, I told my friend, let's see the availability for reservations at Sushi Zo first, and if it's too late, we'll go to FDC. Sushi Zo said 9pm would be the earliest for dinner. ::saddened:: ok, so FDC it is! 8pm please! We're running like 10 mins late, b/c since it's Beverly hills, I didn't want to look like a wet cat out of a shower so I had to look presentable, especially just coming back from Disneyland all day. So we call in and ask if we can move our reservations to 8:30pm, just to be courteous. They say sure! Of course! As if it'll be nooooo problem. Little did we know, we get there, there's valet, tons of ppl waiting, thank God we have reservations we thought.... WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok so straight to the point, this place SUCKS at seating you promptly when they're busy up the wazoo, reservations can kiss my ass b/c we might as well not have had any. Every 5 minutes they'll say 10 more mins, 5 more mins, oh, you guys are next, blahblahblah BS. We ended up having dinner past 9pm maybe around 9:30pm, which meant FDC indirectly CHEATED ME out of getting my glorious omakase at Sushi Zo. EFFF UUUUUUU FDC!!!!! (this is probably the worst part of dinner, but I get sooooooooooooo irritable when I'm hungry). Other than that, Fogo de chao, pretty much you can't get anything better than this as far as Brazilian BBQ is concerned---in the U.S. (so I've heard). I've only been to 3 Brazilian Churascarrias(?) Cleo's (this is like a mom and pop hole in the wall, this is good for cheap and local brazilian bbq), Espetus (slightly better, but doesn't even rival the selection of stuff that FDC offers). I'm sure there are better places in NY which I haven't even heard of... Salad bar: selection is pretty comprehensive. They have everything, but it's all pretty much crappy fillers in my eyes. One thing that did catch my tastebuds is the small selection of cured meats and cheeses. YUM! Hearts of palm are a go to filler too, the other crap... well, it's just crap. BUT! The one different thing I experienced here that other Brazilian bbq places didn't have is the fried polenta (freaking YUM), and mashed potatoes, which accompany the temptingly delicious cheese bread. I love cheese, I love bread, I double love cheese bread!!!! The selection of meats are pretty much what you get at other Brazilian bbq places. Nothing that stood out completely, the garlic beef was like over done and way too salty that night, chicken was crappy, the sausage was not memorable, and dude... WHERE ARE MY CHICKEN HEARTS YO!? AND MY SLICES OF PINEAPPLES? I liked: Lamb ribs Beef rib eye Both bottom and top sirloin cuts pork Anyways. Their white sangria is good, and their tres leches cake is generous and GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Worth the extra money for sure. Still not as good as the the 3 leches cake at Michael Mina, but dude, there is never a 3 leches cake I didn't like. Overall, didn't floor me, DEFINITELY NOT 5 stars, but it's a fun place to eat, would I come back? As long as I'm not paying. There are SOOO many other awesome eats in LA, I wouldn't waste my time or money coming back to a place I've been to already, esp if they make you wait so long!!!!
(4)
Diana S.
My sister and I went there last night. I am observing lent so no red meat or pork for me. Well my sister had all the different meats and she said all of them were amazing. Lots of flavors, juicy & nice and hot. I had the sea-bass and it was a amazing and nice and hot. I hate getting food and it's cold but this was perfect. The salad bar was AMAZING. I mean the selections isn't extravagant but the quality of the food, flavor & cleanliness of the bar was hands downs amazing. The staff was nothing but the best there. They always came around made sure we had enough of everything and was funny and kept us entertained. If you have an opportunity go there it's amazing. Will be back after lent for sure.
(5)
Alex G.
By far, one of my most favorite restaurants. The salad bar has a large variety of different salads, such as macaroni and pasta salads as well. Also they offer many different kinda of cheeses. Besides that they have a large variety of different kind of meat. My favorite is the lamb well done. If you like more redness in your meat, they offer that too! Highly recommend this place!
(5)
J H.
We just celebrated our wedding reception there last weekend, and I couldn't have been happier. For all major milestone events, my new husband and I tend to dine at Fogo De Chao. So it wasn't a surprise to us, when we thought of having our small wedding reception there. Everything was AMAZING!!! I was happy to see all our guests enjoying the entire experience. We got various compliments about the their salad bar, the meats, the desserts and just the overall experience. We even got an added bonus of a celebrity sighting as Bruno Mars was sat across from our private reception room. There are various reviews about this amazing place, so I don't want to go into too much detail. I definitely want to emphasize that if you want a stress free event, with all desires and expectations met, book your next event at Fogo. :o)
(5)
Niño M.
- Meats are friggin delicious!!!!!!! My fav was the filet mignon. dizaaamn, that was good. - Order those cheesy bread/knots. so good. - Staff is very friendly and attentive - avoid the bar at all cost. You'll pay 15 bucks for a jack and coke. LOLLL (that'
(4)
Heather C.
made reservations @ 7:30 pm got here at 7pm. now is 7:45pm. still waiting. . see them seating 7
(1)
Kimie L.
Warning don't ever sit at the table against the wall. We came here on a Sunday night and it wasn't too busy. However, they gave us a table against the wall. Service was horrible because all the staffs just seem to ignore/ skip us and move along to another table. Waited for at least 10-15mins each time to get a piece of meat and breads. They also took forever to refill our water. I never had such a bad experience dining out before. It made the food less enjoyable.
(2)
Teresa T.
Honestly I've only been here 3 times and all occasions were during dineLA so that may have been the reason for bad quality and poor service. The first time we went in a party of 10, so of course the waiter probably hated us. However, he just kept dodging us all throughout our meal. We weren't even demanding, we just wanted a couple extra napkins, breh! The salad bar is honestly lacking for a place that charges so much. My personal favorite Brazilian BBQ place would have to be Libra, but sadly they are no longer open. WHY?! I do not know. Selection of items is very limited, not to mention they don't even taste that good. I usually have the problem of focusing and filling up too much on salad bars/sides rather than the meat, but it's never the case here. Their cheese bread is GREAT, but that's about it. Onto the meat.... Literally the only great things are the filet mignon and of course the picanha. I honestly cannot say anything else about this place. However, I know I also need to visit when it's not dineLA to make a really definite decision on my feelings about this establishment. Valet guys are also rude.
(2)
Sarah K.
Not worth the money! How does this place have such a high rating?? -Meat is way overcooked - burned consistently on the outside -No soda on tap; small 6oz bottles that don't even fill up the glass -Meat is NOT seasoned - very bland. I love meat and the meat is good quality but needs at least a little seasoning to truly bring out the flavor! -Salad bar is OK. Very little there was enticing, aside from the Parmesan cheese -The sides are bland - mushy fried banana, polenta fries that have no taste, mashed potatoes with no taste, and the cheese rolls were not that good. Honestly, I was pretty bummed out. NO bacon wrapped ANYTHING was served while we were there, and we were there for awhile. MOAR BACON PEOPLE. Take your $60/head and go half a block down the street to The Stinking Rose for their filet. Their bread and meat is fan-effin-tastic and for that $60, you can buy dinner for two at Stinking Rose.
(2)
Gordo G.
What can i say, well first off im a meat lover and thats never going to change, i need to have it, but this place is just not reeling me in, ok so 58.50 for diner and thats just for one person, i wouldn't mind it if the food was fantastic but sadly it was not, the meat was to dry and chewy even when medium cooked, some meat had no flavor and some had to much season on it...really the worst steak house i have ever been in, and frankly I'm not stepping into this place anytime soon, sooooo disapointing, i had the best steak ever and it's suck to say it's not even in this country it was in Puerto Vallarta but this place is to hyped up and to expensive i suggest to go somehere else...
(2)
Jan D.
I have been here 4 times now.. And I can say that this place is pretty consistant MINUS Valentine's Day. But! The restaurant was nice enough to give us 1 free voucher to come back between Feb-May (Sun-Thurs) for lunch and dinner. We were pretty happy with the service and the food this time around. Less crowded, no waiters and people bumping into the back of our chairs and esp. BETTER QUALITY CONTROL! Anywhoo.. I still prefer M Grill better.. Not sure why.. but the meats just seem so much better. All in all, still a good place to go. Enjoy!
(4)
Jack K.
Pretty underwhelmed I gotta say. Filet mignon was decent, Quality of the rest of meat lesser, tended to be overcooked. Atmosphere is a little cheesy. House music is elevator jazz. For the money I'll do Ruth's Chris.
(2)
Micole C.
Ok so for all the fan fare I had heard about this place for years, it was great food but wasnt really anything special to me. Perhaps this is because my expectations were way to high from constant talk of this place but I left feeling like it was just another restaurant. The salad bar was good however after hearing rave reviews of what a GREAT salad bar it was i was expecting something different, what exactly that different was i dont know, but it was just a salad bar. The constant barage of meat once that card was flipped over was overwhelming, not once did a minute go by with a server leaving a piece of meat on my plate than another one came with a different choice of meat. I had to keep flipping said card back and forth just to enjoy the first piece of meat I received. I left very full though and the meat was fantastic, it was just overwhelming for me a bit. Mashed potatoes were just mashed potatoes, plaintains were good. SAY NO TO THE FRIED CORNMEAL, that was one of the most god awful things i have ever tasted in my life, i have no words for it except disgusting. for desert i had the strawberry cream with a black liquer on top that was tasty. SERVICE WAS IMPECCABLE. overall it was just another restaurant, there was nothing extra special about it to me nor did i leave feeling like i will definitely return. definitely try it out for yourself just to do something different, but it just didnt live up to all the hype for me UPDATE: IT IS NOW THREE DAYS LATER AND I AM DISPUTING CHARGES ON MY CREDIT CARD AS FOGO DE CHAO HELPED THEMSELVES TO A BIGGER TIP, AND YES IT WAS JUST $10 BUT IT WAS THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND IT WITH THEM HELPING THEMSELVES TO A BIGGER TIP AND ALSO BEFORE ANYONE SAYS ANYTHING, I CALLED AND ASKED IF THEY DID AN AUTOMATIC GRATUITY (AS I GAVE A 12-15% TIP AND THEY TOOK 20) AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ONLY DO AUTOMATIC GRATUITY FOR PARTIES OF 6 OR MORE AND IT WAS ONLY ME AND MY HUSBAND...RATING HAS NOW DROPPED!!!! P.S. EVEN IF I GAVE THOSE PEOPLE 1 DOLLAR (WHICH IT WASNT IT WAS 12 TO BE EXACT) THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE WHATEVER THEY WANT FROM MY CREDIT CARD)
(3)
Wakako U.
Lamb chops. Lamb chops. Lamb chops. It was so delicious, I think I ate the ribs of a whole lamb.
(5)
Yvo S.
Great place for meat lovers. non-stop service of meat from servers that walks around with tasty grilled meat. Great service and love the salad bar. The place could get crowded on the weekend and the seating could get very very close to your neighboring tables. Good for groups and family.
(5)
J C.
I finally tried it. I got there early, but because there's no street parking allowed before 6, I went for the pricey valet. Next time I'll go a little later. I was immediately seated. There were only a few other parties eating at the time. The staff was exceptional the whole time. The Warm cheese bread 'muffins' were excellent. I ate them all! I looked at the salad bar, and didn't see anything, except maybe some of the sliced bread they had that was worth trying Soda's don't have free refills, and run close to $3 a pop, so they get you there. Once I flipped the card to green, the meat started coming super fast! I got 3 in a row. This is the first place I had to turn it to red to stop them so I could eat what was on my plate. Some did ask how you want them cooked, and went back to the kitchen to get rare, or medium rare when they had medium. Some times they didn't say how it was cooked and I just ate it, but some were overcooked for my preference. Everything I tried was good. Seasoned to some extent. The meat that was cooked on the rarer side was tender. I liked the lamb chops, ribeye, and filet mignon best. The lamb chops were quite tender, and seasoned well. The ribeye was very good, flavorful, and seasoned great. It was the best ribeye I've ever had! The filet was quite good as well. The other meats were also good. I didn't try them all, but at least half of them. I know from past experience if I eat too much at one of these places I will feel sick. I stopped after I felt I got my money's worth. I was in and out of this place in about 45 minutes. If I skipped dessert, and was aggressive with asking for the bill, I could cut it down to 25 minutes. This could be a great place for a QUICK gourmet meal. It's not too far from LAX either.. hint hint. Save room for dessert. They have creme brulee, molton chocolate cake, ice cream, and more. I had the creme brulee, and it was good! Now how would I compare to Agora? I would say the lamb chops were more tender. The filet mignon I remember being better at Agora, it was better seasoned, and very tender. EDIT 2/4/09: Agora went downhill on my most recent visit, and fogo beats them in both categories now. Fogo has Ribeye, where Agora does not have it. Fogo also has a much better dessert menu. Overall, the filet, and lamb are quite good at Agora, and the price is noticeably cheaper. Agora has FREE parking..and is located much closer to me.. So I would say Agora has an edge here, and will be my preference. The ribeye though makes this a close call.. It was the best ribeye I've ever had! I prefer the cheese muffins here, though. They are BIG, and YUMMY! Bring your appetite, and bring your wallet. I spent just over $100 just for myself here with everything.
(5)
Marie r.
ok its actually 4.5 stars come if you're really hungry salad bar has a great selection and the meats are yummeee get the papaya cream for dessert as it helps with digestion swanson merlot during your meatfest good for groups also~
(4)
Vicky L.
FAVORITE BRAZILIAN BBQ PLACE EVER! Make sure to come here on an empty stomach or else you can't really eat much.
(5)
Kai P.
Let me preface my review by saying that I came here on Valentine's day... bit mistake. It was so crowded, the staff was not prepared for the quantity of patrons. Our waitress was on the very slow side (it took 45 min to get the check, pay, and leave)! The meat was okay.... I enjoyed the selection at M grill much more. However, the mashed Yucca was among the best I've ever tried. I would have enjoyed if the plantains were little more crunchy, but that's personal preference. All in all, for the price, I'd head to M grill instead... or the place in the Paseo Mall in Pasadena. Fogo is not the hype.
(2)
Scotty E.
First thing first. This restaurant has the best service out of all restaurants I have been to in LA, by far. It was my girlfriends Birthday and when I told one of the waiters it was her birthday he said "say no more", smiled, then walked away. Then at the end of dinner he brought out a wonderful cake with a candle in it. Now onto the dinner. The salad bar they have is mediocre. It does have a few items that most salad bars don't have like sun dried tomato's and fire roasted bell peppers. They also have a huge cheese wheel where you can carve out your own cheese. The Main course. Lets just say if you love meat, you have to come here. They have a lot of different cuts of beef, pork, and a few chicken. The meat is served to your table on skewers by servers in gaucho pants. You can tell them how much you want and how well done you want it also. All the meat has an amazing flavor and melts in your mouth. The wine list is great, and they have a full bar. You should try this place at least once for the experience. Bring your stocked wallet thoe.
(4)
Gloria L.
Buffet is delicious and fresh. Servers are attentive and friendly. This is the meat eaters go to. Not as amazing as I expected in terms of atmosphere.... But a nice casual outing dinner :)
(4)
Jon N.
I wish there was an ability to filter out the reviews by those (especially girls) who ate here but had their bf/husband/date/friend pay for their meal. I bet those people who got treated here would never come here if they had to pay for themselves, otherwise they LOVE the place and would come anytime. Give me a break... you're not entitled to give 5 star reviews of this place if you didn't pay for yourself. Your perception of this place isn't honest if you didn't have to pull out your wallet at the end of the meal because anyone can have a lovely time here on someone else's dime. Pay the $60 + tip and see how the place changes! I truly believe the quality of the meat here is terribly overrated. Not only is the meat is rough to chew some of the selection was overly salted. Although the service is excellent here I mainly focused on the food, which was below my humble expectations. Now, for $60 odd bucks I didn't expect Prime grade beef to be flowing out of the kitchen and onto my plate via the quick footed staff there but I'm sorry say that I was even suspicious if they even used Choice cut graded beef. If you've paid attention to the grade of steak/meat they serve you at restaurants you can definitely tell the difference in the tenderness and juiciness of the beef. As I said to my friend, I have bought superior quality steak from the supermarket then what I found myself eating at Fogo de Chao. Beef - With the exception of the Rib Eye (and maybe the Top Sirloin) I did not bother having seconds on any of cuts. Even the Fillet Mignon was dry like a rag. I found myself pretty much grinding my teeth on the meat small enough so that I could swallow it. I would have spit it out into my napkin if it didn't seem impolite in front of my friends. If you don't know where Sirloin steaks ranks amongst steaks you should read the following, it is important to know your steaks: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Si… Lamb - Dry and lacking any flavor. I know lamb is a lot leaner then beef, so when I say the lamb was dry I mean it was dry relative to the lamb I have eaten before. Also, lamb is too lean to roast over an open fire for a long period of time which is the primary cooking method employed here for their meats. Pork - Ribs NEED to be cooked properly to achieve its optimum flavor and tenderness. Great ribs simply just fall off the bone or can be easily be disconnected from the bone, this is done by cooking the ribs thoroughly so that the tissue will disconnect from the rib bone itself. The only way to achieve this is through time. Fogo did not cook the pork ribs correctly. I even thought they were somewhat undercooked Chicken - It tastes terrible when it is overcooked, especially white meat. Void of juices I found myself longing for fried chicken from Popeye's. Salad Bar - Actually very respectable. I enjoyed the cheeses, porchuto, sun dried tomatoes, white asparagus tips, and artichoke hearts. Service - Excellent. Out waiter was very friendly and quick, our water glasses never got 1/2 empty and our plates were refreshed frequently. All the servers there are quick footed, sometimes sprinting 10 steps into the kitchen to act that much quicker. The meats made their rounds in an orderly fashion. Other thoughts - Valet parking is $5.50. Be sure to make reservations if you can. I don't see myself coming back here again. It's not the price that disqualifies this place but the quality of food they so call pride themselves with. I'd much rather skip the organized chaos of this place and have myself some bovine at Lawry's or Morton's.
(3)
Richard P.
PROTEIN OVERLOAD!!! I ate at Fogo de Chao for a surprise birthday party for one of my friends (Roger T.). It was my first time at Fogo de Chao and I was quite impressed. If you like meat this is the place to go. You start off at the salad bar, which is average. I'd say just get a few things from the salad bar, because that will just fill you up. Save space for the good stuff -- MEAT! Once they start bringing the meat you'll get overwhelmed. They have so many varieties and the seem to all come at once. Everything was delicious! I loved the the House Special (Rib Eye) the best. But they have Top Sirloin, Bottom Sirloin, Filet Mignon, Ribs, Lamb, Chicken, etc. Everything but the lamb was great! It was a little dry. Overall great experience. We got a great deal since it was dineLA. I haven't been for a normal dining experience, but from what I hear it is exactly the same with a nice discount! If you're wanting to try this place, go for dineLA and save a little money! You got one week left!!!
(4)
Terence L.
Restaurant Week, a biannual event, started Jan 22 2012 and will run till Feb 3 2012. Basically a big bunch of restaurants in Los Angeles County will offer set lunches at $16, $22 or $28 and set dinners at $26, $34 or $44. DineLA have been running for 5 years since Jan 2008 and to start off had lunch at Fogo de Chao. So I was looking up the history of the restaurant. Apparently Fogo de Chao dated back to 1975 in the mountainous countryside of Rio Grande do Sul in Southern Brazil. An important part of the culture is churrasco, which is the Gaucho way to roast the meat over open fire (bbq) at festive occasions and gatherings. Now the restaurant located in Beverly Hills serves the Gaucho way of roasting in a buffet style setting. If you have never tried Brazilian beef buffet before, you should definitely take a trip to Fogo de Chao. The best Brazilian beef buffet you would get in town. The meat just keeps coming before you could finish the last piece there would be another right in front of you. In the picture you can see a red and green coaster-like item.. if you flip the coaster to the green side, it shows "yes please" and the red side shows "no thanks!".. you get the idea. There is also a large selection of meat that you could choose from. You will definitely leave this place filled to the brim and satisfied.
(4)
Alex K.
This churrascaria is as good as everyone says. I was surprised that given the price, most people were not dressed up to the teeth, but rather casually. Service was top notch, attentive and actually funny at times. Yea you might get a slightly bad eye if you ask for a piece "well done" (which is really closer to "medium"), so be ready for that. IMO, the best cuts were the picanha and rib eye. Salad bar was decent, not extravagant but you are there for the meat, not lettuce. Parking was valet only $5.50, not bad.
(5)
Charles H.
There really just isnt a better restaurant for a meat lover. You do pay for it, but at $50 all you can eat, I really dont have a problem with it. Im by no means rich, but the quality of everything is MILES past anywhere else I have ever been. The salad bar, and all the sides are CRAZY good, and everyone I have ever taken has regreted eating so much of them. Obviously you want try everything, but at $50 a pop, you really want to focus on the meat. Its great because every type of meat I tried, is the highest quality, well seasoned piece I have ever had, but not so great because every piece of meat I eat from now on will me judged against it. (not such a bad problem to have) The service is also great here, if you ask a server for the shirt off their back, im sure they would give it to you. My friend asked for a more rare piece then what the server had, and his eyes lit up, as he ran back to the kitchen to make it happen. Again, its a little expensive, but its a treat!
(5)
Ed M.
Sadly, the Fogo de Chao on La Cienega's not as good as the Fogo I'd eaten at in Brazil. But, hey, all-you-can-eat meat! Like a dim sum restaurant, waiters walk around with food. Except instead of old Chinese ladies pushing metal carts filled with dumplings, it's non-Brazilian guys carrying cooked chunks of cow, pig, and lamb impaled on large metal sticks. My personal favorites that day were the ribeye and beef ribs. My only complaint is that I prefer my meat medium-rare and sometimes the servings bordered on overcooked. They give you a coin with a green side for "Sock it to me!" and a red side for "No mas!" But even when I had the red side up, I couldn't stop looking up from my feeding anytime I sensed the presence of red meat. I just can't say no to anybody offering to fill my belly with delicious animal, and the waiters were very eager to pile slices of domesticated beasts on my plate. The service, by the way, was excellent. For those who want to include some vegetation in their meal so that their colon isn't blocked up like the 405, they've got a nice salad bar, complete with hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, and a bevy of heartless items.
(3)
Joe O.
We orphanted many a cow that day. My first experience with Brazillian BBQ in San Francisco left me unsatisfied. Then I went to Greenfield, and came away blissfully happy. Fogo de Chao blows Greenfield out of the water. I did not even look at the salad bar, ok I looked and it did look appetizing. But I came here for the meat. The ribeye and filet mignon were my favorite. Juicy, seasoned, and tender. My only gripe was that the skirt steak (or bottom sirloin) was disappointing. Skirt steak is supposed to be very tender and flavorful, but not here. However, everything else more than makes up for it. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Shirley K.
Superb service (5 stars). Value (3.5 stars). Quality (4 stars). Tried this restaurant for the first time on a Friday evening and I was very impressed with the service. Top-notch service here! Very attentive (on our food, side dishes, and drinks), accomodating (quickly seated us to a different table when we asked), and cheery attitude. The complimentary side dishes included the warm cheese bread (yummy!), fried bananas (hit or miss), crispy hot polenta (very good!), and mashed potatoes (tasted bland). The veggies from the salad bar were fresh and tasty. The following from the salad bar were tasty: the Mushrooms, Heart of Palms, Salt & Lemon seasoned slices of Cucumbers, Red & Yellow Bell Peppers, and Beets. Now, the meats: Most of the meats we requested were medium rare but were tough to chew or too dry. The ones that were tender included the filet migon, the filet migon wrapped with bacon, and the pork rib. I too, as Brian K's has done in his review, advise trying out the restaurant or going during the day because it's about $20 less per person. Lunch: $34.50; Dinner: $56.50. Just as Bernice C. said in her review, there are other AYCE Brazillian restaurants in LA for lesser price. However, you won't get the same type of service, decor, and freshness. Again, if I go back, it would be for lunch. Parking: Valet ($5) or meter (limited).
(4)
clara w.
this place serves the best meat in LA! It makes me wish I didn't have to avoid meat on fridays during lent. I like the intuitive red-stop, green-go system. The salad bar is second-to-none. I just wish it were more affordable. Lunch is at least reasonably priced.
(5)
Vivek N.
The variety at FDC is cray-cray! Service is damn good too, but it's more than most people can take on. Even though I tried taking the smallest samples of the meats, I felt like I ended up wasting a huge pile of meat (and I hate wasting). Part of it may have been because I could not stop eating those plantains that were off the hook! You gotta absolute love meat to eat here (though their salad bar is pretty exceptional as well). But be prepared for the food coma that is pretty guaranteed when you leave.
(4)
Cassie C.
I'm pretty sure eating here the day before my blood donation appointment is what caused a huge jump in my iron count LOL. (I was under last time, so it was a delicious excuse to fill up on red meat ;)) Everything's pretty much been said, all I have to add is that I'd advise you to: 1. Wear some comfy and expandable clothing (I understand you gotta dress classy, so ladies get those flowy tops and dresses out! Guys, don't wear a belt that's "just right"..you might regret it :P) 2. Eat sparingly at the salad bar. It's super tempting because it's got all of the good stuff, but it's easy to fill up a plate or two! 3. Skip the chicken. It's not bad... but did you really come to a steakhouse for the grilled chicken ;(? 4. PICANHA. After I had tried all the meats, this was the only one I kept going back for. I'm pretty sure I flagged the guy down a dozen times for it. There's valet parking and if you're in a rush to leave if you slip the valet some dough they'll get your car first (saw a couple people do this). It's a wallop on your wallet (unless you come during DineLA!) but it's definitely worth it and your inner carnivore will be wholly satisfied.
(5)
Marcus B.
I am a man, my needs are simple but numerous. A nice home, a car that won't break down, my friends, a kick ass DSL connection and a beautiful woman or two are but a few of my necessities to make me a happy Welshman... Another major need of mine is meat. I likes me some meat, meat in my mouth makes me happy (no snickering in the cheap seats). I have been to Fogo de Chao several times and I have now refined to an art the best way to satisfy my meat needs. Yes there is a kick ass salad bar, yes the bread is good, but do not let these temptations distract you from the true joy of FdC...MEEEAAATTTT! By all means get a few veggies to complement the feast, but do not over-stuff on this frill! The beef, the sausages, the chicken and of course the delicious lamb chops are what you should be cramming down the neck hole. The gauchos are walking around to offer you their meat swords, so take advantage and keep that little coaster on green for 'feed me!' I also like that it is a place that you can dress smartly and not feel out of place, which I like to do now and then, especially if there is a beautiful woman on my arm. If you have any space left after the orgy of meat, then the desserts are killer too, which is nice.
(4)
Joy R.
Meat, meat and more meat!! The quality of food and selection of meats here is very good. The wine overflows from every pore of this place. It's absolutely a great place to come with friends. By far the best Brazilian spot in LA!
(4)
Lance T.
Geddafuckouddahere! This isn't no 5 star churrascaria (Brazilian BBQ)!!! "Beverly Hills, Century City - everything here is so nice and pretty." I set the bar high on Fogo De Chao, but left disappointed. 5 star-like prices, 4 star service and ambiance, but 2 star quality food. Don't get me wrong though, I love me some hearty Brazilian BBQ anyplace, anytime! I have traveled to Brazil 3 times, and have eaten at many places there. I know: churrascaria. I even tested our waiter on his Portuguese to see if this place had really hired conversational Portuguese servers: Me: Boa Noite, senor Gabriel! Muito Prazer. Como Vai?! He responded correctly. Impressive. Ok, props. But he had to come up and assume: 'hey, you train in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, huh?' lol! 5 star prices for a buffet. Expect You and a date, with drinks, to exceed well over the into $130 mark. Sadly, the food, I felt, was only about 3 stars in quality. Some of the beef was excellent, but most were over cooked and tasted like rawhide. After your first round of meat, the servers assume that you are full and suddenly 'get ghost.' Then you have to twist your neck looking around for that select piece of meat you want. Salad bar was uninspired. Vegetables were not the freshest. Maybe i caught them on a bad day. I wanted to believe that this particular Fogo De Chao on La Cienga was just as good as the one I've eaten at in Sao Paulo, (even if it was twice as expensive, than Brazil) but unfortunately it was a major letdown.
(2)
Jessica L.
I've eaten here about 4 times, the most recent visit, was this past Valentines Day. Although I was warned by many people to avoid restaurants on that specific day, especially to this restaurant, I just could not get the thought of the yummy meat from my mind. As soon as we strolled along La Cienega Blvd around 6:30 pm, it was chaos. The street is known for great restaurants like Lawrys, Stinking Rose and Benihanas. All we could hear, were the honks and people waving their hands around in anger and impatience. We finally pulled up to the valet parking lot to Fogo de Chao... OMG. "look at all the people" we were totally appalled. It seriously looked like we were entering a club. The line (more like a huddle) was like a shoving match trying to get to the front. It was over a hundred people in the small space from the entrance to the hostess podium. So we finally managed to slip inbetween people to the front podium where there were two girls who were obviously overwhelmed and anxious. They would bust out their microphones, but unsuccessful from hearing anything from all the hustle and bustle of the people chatting next door at the bar, and the huge mass of people from the entrance. Absolute ridiculous situation. Anyhow, we let the two girls know we arrived to our hour late reservation (I know, our fault for being so late), she stuck us on a separate list and said we had to wait an hour and a half to be seated since we missed our reservation time. Geez.. . hour and a half! I guess that was the norm time because other couples we spoke to said they had been waiting for about that long already. Alright.. so an hour and a half passes, we finally get seated to our table and were immediately offered our drinks, polenta, fried bananas, and cheese bread. Their other appetizer bar includes various salad mixtures, cheeses, pancetta, salami, other veggies... etc. Their scheme to fatten you up before you eat your meats. Red side of the card means "no" and the green side of the card means "yes". Its kind of a fun aspect to eating. I tend to just get enough meat to eat at that moment, while its still hot and fresh, so I wont feel like Im rushing to eat it. Men with big metal skewers of meat and knife in hand, come to offer you a slice and your desired cut.. I tend to like medium rare, on some occasions they just hand you over whatever they have without asking you which you prefer. I love the filet mignon.. the staff is very friendly, food excellent as always, wine was wonderful. All in all, although we made a huge mistake in going on Vday.. as always, I was satisfied in the end. o yea, we were seated right across from LeVar Burton, the guy from Reading Rainbow and Roots. I guess its a hot spot for celebrities too.
(5)
Maurilio M.
I do not know how you can give Fogo anything lower than 5 stars. I lived in Brazil for over 2 years and can tell you this is true Brazilian Churrasco. Gauchos straight from the South part of Brazil are hired to slow cook a vast array of meats done in the traditional Brazilian Churrasco style. I am always delighted to brush up on my Portuguese everytime I go. The service is awesome with a team of wait staff ready to cater to your every desire. If you have room aftwerords from the mountains of meat that arrive to your table I do highly recommend to try their deserts, they are to die for.
(5)
Simon K.
Just came back and Fogo left a lot to be desired. The last time I had Brazilian BBQ was up in Seattle and it was absolutely awesome. The meat selection was so diverse that I was almost full before even trying all the meats (wild boar, bison, grilled pineapple, etc.). I was pretty disappointed with the meat selection here; I thought with such great reviews, it was going to be awesome. Really the worst part of the meat was that it was so overdone, especially the pork ribs. Most of the meat was barely edible, I prefer my meat medium rare. Other than the first cut of sirloin which was good, everything else was bleh. If you've never been to a Brazilian BBQ, you'll probably love this place. The seasonings they use for the meat is very good. I think if the meat were not so overcooked, I would have had a much better experience. I can say the service was great. All the waiters were very knowledgeable. Our daughters are 2 and 4 and they got to eat for free (although there was barely anything they could eat - just bread, some meat, and mash potatoes). Lastly, I even thought the salad bar was kind of weak. Although most of the items were fresh, a lot of the seasoned items were overly salty for my palate. Bottom line, I've had better.
(2)
apples b.
If you LOVE MEAT, then this is the place to go. It's basically like an all you can eat buffet. There is an open salad bar with a variety of vegetables, fruit salad, salami, salmon. The salad bar has all cold dishes. You can come and go as you please at the salad bar. The selection was very tasty. The meat, however, is served when you turn your paper coaster over to the green side signaling for the meat servers to stop by your table. The meats include lamb, filet mignon, bacon wrapped chicken/beef, pork loin covered with Parmesan cheese, sirloin steak, and ribs. There may be a few more items for a total of 8-10 types of meat. The server will come around with large skewers of meat and they will cut off slices for you. Most of the meat was flavored very well and quite tender. You can eat as much meat as you want, but you definitely need some side dishes or else it gets sickening after a while (just too much meat). The meal is also served with fried corn meal slices, mashed potatoes, and fried bananas (not plaintains, these were longer). All side dishes were very good. They have a very big selection of wines to choose from, but I just had soda. Definitely not worth the ~$3 per bottle of Coke. It was a tiny glass bottle. You don't even get refills and it's not even as big as an aluminum can size soda. Minus one star for not getting your money's worth for soda! The meal totaled ~$36/person. I think that may be a lunch price (not sure) since I came around 2:30pm on a weekday. On the window, it said 2pm was end of lunch so I thought I would be charged dinner price. They do close around 3-5:30pm so make sure you know the times before you come. This is definitely a nice restaurant with good food. If you are willing to pay a little more for lunch/dinner, come check it out. It's a good experience.
(4)
Tina M.
Surprisingly bad. I was VERY VERY surprised. I've been to M Grill, Libra, and a few other smaller places (not AYCE) in Torrance and I thought the quality--especially for the price you are paying was bad. This review--by the way--is mostly going to be comparing M Grill/Libra to Fogo. -- Chicken was very dry which surprised me greatly. -- Most of the meat was dry except for the two meats (garlic beef and filet mignon) we got piping hot just off the oven/grill. -- 3 of the meats we got had very tough bits in them and all of the meat was somewhat tough overall. I mean--really? For what is essentially a $55 meal, you have tough meat? Libra and M Grill are WAYYYY cheaper and they have no tough bits (or rarely). -- There is less salt which is good and bad. Good in that obviously it's healthier for you but bad in that it doesn't taste as good as Libra. Libra--the salt with the fat makes a more appetizing crust. Here the crust just tasted like burnt fat with little salt. -- Also all meats cut from a spit dry out the longer you leave them on your plate. The meat dried up to the same consistency as Libra in 2 min rather than 10 min. -- Libra has more hot plates/sides available. While usually I think more variety is bad as it is an indicator of poor quality--I think is one of the exceptions. Fogo has some of the basics, a few hot plates and not much else. -- Cheese bread was okay. Texture is a big gooier than Libra but its still delicious. -- Their plantains were better prepared than M Grill. They are deflated at M Grill. So what are you paying for in your $55? I realized as I was eating what you are *really* paying for: their expensive location and their extremely attentive service. Their service is very good--as to be expected for a $$$$ restaurant--though they did forget us when we asked for our check. That's pretty much it... I have a feeling the money they spend on the actual food is probably the same or less than Libra/M Grill but because both of those are located in less prime locations and hire fewer people, they can charge less. Actually for the type of dining this is--gorging essentially with friends--the upscale environment kind of clashes with it. It felt like everything was very hectic here with people running about making sure everyone was well served. It was made even more hectic when what looks like a gaggle of frat boys (literally like 25+ guys) trailed into the special side room with their hooting and hollering. I kinda like the few cute noobs at Libra who don't really pay attention to your card's status while listening to some of the light Caetano Veloso piped in the background. Much gentler experience. ;) Overall I feel like I didn't get what I paid for, which is unusual because I rarely complain about price. Or, alternatively, I don't think the location and hyperattentive service is worth more than good meat. Maybe I was there on an off day, who knows. Perhaps I'll try it again in the future but for now I'm sticking with Libra and M Grill as my go-to Brazilian BBQ places.
(2)
Cheryl S.
All I can say is WOWWWWIEEEEEEEEEEE! Being from Honolulu, Hawaii we no longer have a Brazilian BBQ this was an awesome treat. Luckily we were their during DineLA week and we got the special price of $44 but I would definitely pay the regular price as it is sooo worth it. For our dinner we actually went a large party and the restaurant was packed and we still got excellent service. The bbq meats kept coming around and it was non stop. I was pleasantly surprised. Ok I know you are supposed to focus on the meats but the salad bar deserves some talk. I really enjoyed the spread...from their awesome Caesar salad, to the artichoke hearts, to the thinly sliced salami and prosciutto, asparagus on steroids.... just to name a few. This salad bar really accompanied the delicious meats. I had to make two trips..... On the table they gave us some sides, cheese bread, mashed potatoes that melted in your mouth, plantain's that were just sinfully delicious, crispy polenta that was like a big hash brown potato that was just perfect...oh my mouth is watering now. Please help me..... So if you enjoy meats as much as I do then this is the place....they have filet mignon, flank steak, Linguica which I thought was one of the best sausages I have tasted in a while.. My friends hands down like the picanha which is their prime cut of sirloin.... They were all yummy. There are more but I would have to write an novel to explain all of them. You need to experience this restaurant for yourself and you wont have any regrets.
(5)
Angel N.
Came here for my gf's birthday n I like it!!! Just because I like varieties of diff types n cuts of meats. n since there's like soooo many diff types of meat to choose from, I was in heaven :) U get to see your meat n tell them which one u want. I had to take one star back because they only have smoke salmon as their seafood...boohoo :(
(4)
Joyce S.
Ok let me preface this with i AM brazilian. I have eaten at the original fogo de chao restaurants in sao paulo. Still do when i'm there. This place is good but it does not compare to the real thing in brazil at ALL. Maybe this is why i was kindof disappointed. The quality of the meat is great (no chicken hearts though....chicken hearts are soo good) but the sides are lacking. The salad bar could have many manyyyy more things that are typically in a brazilian steakhouse. And the rice and beans were definitely a little disappointing. The farofa (fried manioch flour) was too dry. The pao de queijo (cheesy bread) is pretty good. They didn't have real guarana :( For someone whose never been to a real brazilian steakhouse they probably will be very happy with this place but for the price they are charging they should really deliver more. You can get an equivalent, if not superior meal (the place isn't as nice obviously) at other brazilian bbq places for way less. Our bill was 100 per person. If you have never been to a brazilian bbq place and are downnn to spend money then you will LOVE this place. Get picanha. Get fraldinha. Request the rice and beans (they don't bring it out unless you ask). Eat lots of pao de quejo. Eat the fried polenta. Try the guarana. Order a caipirinha. Maybe i'm just a little too picky cuz i've had the real thanggg (and paid half the price for it in the motherland). Also, do not plan on doing anything after you eat there you will be experiencing an intense food coma.
(3)
Ted B.
I've been here twice and love every visit. I have to say the bottom sirloin is the king of this joint! All the other meats were good, but the bottom sirloin out shines them all. I have to say their salad bar was excellent they had everything from fresh veggies, smoked salom, to a variety of good cheese. However, try to resist the urge of eating too much and remember why you're here in the first place.........THE MEAT!!! If you eat to much at the bar, you won't be able to fully enjoy they're large selection of quality meats. So my advice to you my fellow yelpers is to meditate and keep focus on the main course. Try not to eat to much of the sides (which are all good) and get a bottle of some decent red wine.
(5)
Lain L.
5 stars doesn't do justice to this place! If you think going to a steakhouses and paying $45 for a 12oz steak is worth it, you have got to go here! For about $70 bucks, you get unlimited meat, and not to mention the best quality of meat! This place by far has been the most amazing meal of my life! I can write a whole review describing every detail about this place but my words wouldn't do justice. You will just have to go try it. I read Yelp reviews saying how amazing Fogo is but I had to experience it for myself to understand what everyone was talking about. Here are just a few words to keep in mind though. Meat Galore! Little Lamb Lollipop! MEAT! Filet Mignon (bacon wrapped or not)! MEAT! Cheese! MEAT! Delicious Desserts! Oh and did I mention, MEAT?! I'll have to make another trip soon! Cheers!
(5)
Grace L.
I don't think I need to reiterate what has been said in previous posts but I want to bravely say this is the BEST Brazilian BBQ place in Southern California. This is WAY better than Greenfields in LBC and Agora in Irvine. Obviously this place is more on the expensive side but nonetheless its worth it if you're going for a special occasion. Don't waste your time eating chicken and fillers, go for the good stuff like Lamb and Filet Mignon.
(5)
Jules P.
We had a birthday party for about 10 people 1 month ago. We had a reservation,but we still were not seated on time. We had to keep reminding the host that we are still waiting for a table. I think they overbooked the place. Beside the inital part of getting seated,which was very annonying. The food, adult beverages, environment, staff were great. My girlfriend had a great time.It is a fun place to have a party. I would definitely go again,however, I think if we had less people, we could be seated faster. Also, you can either park on the street or they had valet. The price is a bit pricy,but for all the food. It is definitely worth it!!!
(3)
Caroline W.
Been here 3 times and love it every time. Definitely the best Brazilian bbq, and also the most expensive, but you get what you pay for. To start off, the Cheese Bread is perfection! The best I've ever had. I'm sure the restaurant makes it really good so that you get full from stuffing yourself with all the bread and then you don't have anymore room for the meat. I love their salad bar. Everything in the salad bar looks really fresh and pretty. It's all very nicely laid out. I especially love that they have fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, smoked salmon, asparagus, etc. The servers will typically bring out about 8-10 different meats throughout the night. I don't love all the meats and some of them are definitely overcooked and dry at times. However, one thing that Fogo de Chao does right is their Filet Mignon. I typically don't even like Filet Mignon, I'm much more of a Rib Eye girl... I love my meats to come with fat, but DAMN, the Filet Mignon here is fantastic. I can honestly say that it's the best Filet Mignon I've ever had... and it's consistently good. It's really tender and flavorful... delight in every bite. Most of the other meats are pretty good, but I wouldn't say great. I think it's hard to have amazing meats/steaks when it's not cooked to order, but still any meat lovers paradise. The ambiance is a little underwhelming for a Beverly Hills restaurant. The entrance is beautiful (as is the salad bar) but the dining area is a bit packed and nothing that special. However, the staff, servers and waiters are exceptional and very attentive to your needs and dining experience. Still one of my favorites... and a great place to take out-of-townees that aren't from big cities... it's sure to impress.
(5)
Sassoun H.
Came here for the first time a few years ago for a company Christmas party. Had a pretty good time. The food seemed better back then for some reason. Went there just a few weeks for my current jobs Christmas party. It was my idea for crying out loud! Gotta admit, i wasn't impressed as i was last time. Now, the service for the most part is great. Friendly staff, attentive service (for the most part; i never got the medium rare lamb chops i asked for like 4 times), beautiful fresh salad bar with a lot of choices, they have the best little bread rolls on the tables, and their mashed potatoes and fried polenta cakes are awesome. What was disappointing was the meat! Under seasoned in some cases, poorly seasoned in others, not cooked properly, not sliced properly. I had all kinds of issues. The bacon wrapped chicken was not good at all. The bacon? Undercooked and not crispy. The chicken? overcooked and dry. The sausage? absolutely gross! The beef selections all tasted the same because they were all seasoned the same. The rib eye was good. Probably because it has the most marbling. But the sirloin and tenderloin and skirt steak might as well been from the same skewer. Sorry, Fogo. I'm the biggest carnivore I know and your salad bar, side dishes and wine selection impressed me a lot more than your "famous" meats.
(3)
Philip H.
I had my 30th birthday dinner here and felt like it was a good deal. I felt we got what we payed for in terms of cheap valet parking ($5.50), beautiful ambience and decor, attentive customer service, good food and wine, and a free birthday dessert. For a nice steak dinner with similar quality meat with wine, it would have costed somewhere around the same price, but it would not have been all you can eat salad bar and meat. The salad bar is very pretty and you will be tempted to pile your plate, but you must resist to save room for the meats and CHEESEBREAD balls. I loved the cheesebread balls. So warm and soft inside. It was torture resisting the urge to eat too many of these in order to save room for meat. Visit their website, and you will learn that there is an awesome selection of meats including nicer cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, and lamb chops. Most of the meats were cooked and served medium rare to medium. I did not have any meat that was dry and tough, which is the worst, but I didn't have any melt-in-your-mouth type of meat. The meat quality was enough to satisfy, delight, and please, but I would not rave about it. This is basically the churrascaria concept repackaged into the fine dining experience, which works really well for festive, group dining for special occasions like my 30th birthday. Your good friends and family will spend enough to make it feel like it was worth spending the money on a special occasion but not a crazy amount that they will hate for your denting their bank account so badly.
(4)
Cinthia C.
All I have to say is wow! This restaurant has amazing meat! And although it may not be popular for its salad bar, I do have to say it's one of the best salad bars I've tried. The dessert is absolutely delicious! I do recommend you leave room for dessert. The meat is amazing! There are so many types of meat and you get to try any one of them you want. I would have given 5 starts but this place is extremely expensive. Although I do believe it might just be worth it. :)
(4)
William W.
I came here during dineLA, which was one of the best deals during this offer in my opinion. The decor of the restaurant is impressive and the service was good. I paid about $30 during lunch, which worked out because I wouldn't pay the $50 that they normally charged. This was one of my favorite brazilian bbq experiences. I also thought that the caipirinha was an amazing drink and it should be tried if you hit up the restaurant.
(4)
Isaac K.
Price: Around $58-65 per person with tax. I ended up spending about $210 with wine, drinks, desserts, tips etc... Valet: $5.50 --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â----------- Pros--------- - I like having meat with plenty of salads to go around so...the Salad Bar was definitely something I enjoyed. I don't think the selections change too drastically. Its kept simple and is meant to blend in nicely with your meat. - You can bring your own wine to drink. I decanted mine for $25, but that's not really necessary. The cork service is $15 or so... which is relatively expensive but believe me, it will save you money if you bring your own wine! - As you might have heard, the service is pretty good. I have to say, it is better if you go as a bigger group. The servers there are very knowledgeable about what they're serving. - The meat quality is amazing. I like my meat medium rare so most of the servers were able to serve it right away, but if you like it well-done, you can also request a portion to be cooked to your liking. --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â----------- Cons--------- - It gets busy. The service definitely drops during peak hours (its only natural). My girlfriend asked for "leg of lamb" because it never came around our way about 4 times. We had to ask the floor manager to finally receive some. - Make sure you request for a seat that is located next to the corner/wall because servers come and go all the time, bumping into your chair and whatnot. When I went for a business meet, one of the bus boys bumped into a waiter holding a drink and spilled it on our partner. They were apologetic but things like this should not happen in a fine dining restaurant. - During peak hours, some selections of meat will not come your way. You will have to request for it to come. As mentioned above, even if you request it they will sometimes forget to bring it. I been there 3 times and its been a good experience so far. Again, the meat quality is definitely good to satisfy your hunger.
(4)
Donna G.
Fogo de Chao is now on my list of all time favorite restaurants. When we arrived for an early dinner, the place was already filled with people. I loved the salad bar. All sorts of interesting things - hearts of palm, artichokes, beets, asparagus, smoked salmon - it was just an amazing salad bar. I loved it. Then the servers bring around the meats. The meat is on skewers and they bring it right up to you. You point to what you want, and they carve it. Wow ! Lamb, steaks, sausage, pork ribs. I didn't even bother with chicken, since I eat it all the time. My favorites were the Filet Mignon, Sirloin, and the the Lamb cooked in garlic. It was all outstanding. And even though the place was really crowded, the waiters and servers were always nice and answered our questions about the food. They still took plenty of time to explain what it was they were serving. We were also served side dishes of garlic mashed potatoes, and polenta. But I was so full from the meats and the salad bar that I barely touched the side dishes. Fogo de Chao is amazing, and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ben H L.
I ended up booking a late reservation at Fogo when my friend and my original choice was closed until after New Year's. Having been to a couple of churrascarias in the SF Bay Area, I was already familiar with the churrascaria standard operating procedure. Eat as little as possible at salad bar and the bottomless carbs at the table...max out on the skewered meat! The staff and our server were very courteous and made our dining experience very enjoyable. The meat started coming out fast and furious. My only small gripe was that I had to repeatedly ask the meat servers for them to repeat the description of what meat they were carrying. They usually arrive in the middle of my conversation so before my attention is diverted, the part where they describe the meat...has already passed me. Besides this minor detail, they were very accomodating in giving me the exactly what I wanted even down to how well the meat was cooked. I received most of the sirloin cuts early so I had to wait out for the filet, ribeye, lamb, and pork which all did eventually come. I also had the chicken and the sausage were pretty good and only missed out on the pork or beef ribs which may or may not have been available that night. Since I've been to places like Pampas and Espetus in SF Bay Area, I was used to seeing some non traditional skewered items like grilled pineapple or chicken hearts. I'm guessing Fogo doesn't roll like that as I found out that night. Since Fogo is a chain, I guess I can't expect them to diverge too much from their formula. The dinner was almost $60 per person and the specialty martini and mojito that I ordered off their unlisted priced cocktail menu, always a danger sign for higher priced drinks, was over $10 each. Total for two people after tax and tip: $180. Would I come back to Fogo specifically in the future? I definitely think so because of my pleasant experience and add to that the environment was very casual, despite seeing people dressed in suits and fancy dresses to touristy groups in jeans and sweatshirts. At least I know next time that I can wear something loose fitted so that it doesn't make me look like that I pigged out too badly.
(4)
Sharon S.
All you can eat Brazilian BBQ. This place is amazing. The customer service is phenomenal & the meats are to die for. For around $60 per person you get ayce salad bar, meats & side dishes like mash potatoes, plantains etc.... Picanha (top sirloin) & filet mignon were my two favorite meats!!!!! They were tender & bursting with flavor. The meat carvers server it right to your table. Green means go & red means stop! If you have never tried Brazilian BBQ fogo de chao is a must. It was a great experience! Highly recommended!
(5)
John L.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Going in, I thought the food would be too salty or not tasty due to the large quantity it serves. I was wrong. The food was juicy, flavorful, and cooked right. The service was superb. As soon as we sat down 4 servers came right to our table to offer use taste-bud-teasing meats! Later on, the manager came by and asked if we have received everything we wanted. I asked if I could have rib-eye steak medium rare. 5 minutes later a man comes by with a rack of rib-eye steaks and says, "Made especially for you sir". If I could hold my wedding here, I WOULD! Came back a second time, thinking, "On no, what if it was a one time great experience?' But no. It was FANTASTIC again! LOVE IT! A man's dream restaurant.
(5)
Harrison G.
What more is there to say other than what everyone else has already said? This place is very expensive but you get a ton of food for the price. Come hungry since the barbequed meats (fifteen different kinds, I think) and salad bar don't stop coming until you say so. My advice: pace yourself.
(4)
Anna S.
Every type of cut, every type of meat - lamb, pork, beef, fish (in the salad bar area) and the sides are just as good as the main courses. We went for the lunch buffett for 35 or 39 dollars. The sides include a grilled plantain or bananas, mashed potatoes, polenta and the cheese bread is delicious. The cheese bread hits the spot. If they can add cream to the bread, they would be awesome cream puffs. There were some pretty awesome cuts of meat, more than others. We also got a slice of cake for a particular someone's birthday. They'll even sing happy birthday if you want them to. We didn't because we didn't want to draw attention to ourselves.
(4)
Sweedy J.
I took my mom here for Christmas Eve and we had such an amazing dinner. The food is incredible. They have a very high scale buffet full of all the foods you've ever wanted and an unlimited amount of meats to chose from. Its a very large restaurant and the service is so awesome. Im totally a fan of this place.
(5)
Ch K.
we went to last saturday, christmas eve 6pm. they were already packed. great food and great meat. also nice friendly service. we will be back
(5)
Cmi H.
4.5 starts! YEY! :) I've been to Fogo de Chao several times, but yesterday I left the place happier because of the dineLA deal. $44 is a pretty good deal (although it's still not cheap, it's better than $60 that I paid prior times)!! I love the entrance with pilled up wine bottles and the overall environment of the restaurant. The service is flawless; waiters are prompt to serve the customers. I have nothing to complain about the food either: I love the cheese bread, salad bar, and the meat . I'm just reluctant to give the lacking 0.5 star because I wish they had grilled pineapple and farofa! I can't say my Brazilian meal is complete without farofa. (: P.s: Try to find a street parking (walking should be good anyways after pigging out) because if you valet your car you might have to wait for a while for your car.
(4)
Edward H.
Bomb. I went here for dinela and it was about 44 dollars a person. I believe the regular price is 50-60 dollars per person. Either way to me it's a steal! The environment was very lively and the design and lay out of the restaurant was beautiful. The service was absolutely impeccable. I loved the mechanism they used for ordering food. You are given a card with a green side and a red side. When you would like to be given meat you flip to the green and when you want to take a break you flip to the red. Whenever I flipped to the green I was approached by a waiter within literally a minute. Now on to the food. Pretty addicting. I immediately craved this place the following day. Almost all the meats are delicious. I would say the quality of the meats are comparable to a steakhouse that charges around 35 dollars for a steak entree. However at Fogo de Chao the amount of meat you can get is unlimited, with 16 different varieties. The salad bar was also incredible. Everything was extremely fresh especially the smoked salmon. The potato salad was godly, and the rest of the vegetables were very refreshing. Finally the side dishes were scrumptious as well. The polenta was average, fried bananas were decent, mashed potatoes were great, and the cheese bread was incredible. At the end of the meal I ordered the papaya creme, which is basically fresh papaya blended with vanilla ice cream. It sounds simple but it was delicious. Please do yourself a favor and get it. Lastly, I'll attempt to give a quick ranking on all the meats I've tried. Filet Mignon- 9/10 Top Sirloin- 8/10 Bottom Sirloin- 5/10 Pacanya- 6/10 Rib -eye- 9.5/10 Beef Ribs- 9/10 Chicken leg- 7/10 Garlic Beef- 9.5/10 Lamb- 9/10 Sausage- 6/10
(4)
Douglas B.
Great food!!!!!
(5)
Eric M.
For nearly $60 a person, I would expect more in terms of service. Two meat slicers were rude, and overall, the table approach is jarring and distracting. As a result, the meal was unsettling and uneven. Our host/lead waiter disappeared several times when we were looking for assistance. It took nearly 20 minutes to get our check and 15 to get the bill to sign. Apparently their machines were down but that was never communicated to us until I made a point of asking what was taking so long. I would not go back nor could I recommend.
(1)
Derrick A.
OOOOOWWWWEEEEE!! All that and then some!! Service A+ Food A+ Though I was treated to an evening with family, I plan on patronizing this spot again.
(5)
Mike P.
100th review!! like a phoenix, from ashes i rose. and i have been born-again, in flames. in the past, Fogo De Chao has been a bit of an unattainable object on a shelf too high for me to reach. i love all things Churrasco, however, im very fond of another well-known Brazilian bbq joint. Fogo has been there all along, in the back of my mind, but the high price has always sent me back to my comfort zone. but this week, i had a day off, and the Dine LA price was just right. off to the land of 90210. The staff is overly friendly, and seemingly happy to serve. we had lunch reservations, and were sat right away. immediately, we were waved over to the Salad Bar. but i was no Churrasco amateur, and passed on that. usually only those who know little about Churrasco, bother to eat anything other than the meat offerings. little coaster on green, and away we went. the Gauchos came swiftly and in abundance. we were offered side dishes of polenta, fried bananas, and cheesy mashed potatoes. all of which i tasted just a bit. there was meat to be devoured, and i had no room for non-meat items. everything i tried was amazing. (The following paragraph will be dedicated to those cute, furry little sheep, which i love so much) dear god, the lamb. ugh, so sinfully good! three different offerings of lamb. Lamb T-bones, Lamb chops, and Leg of Lamb. all were supremely divine, above and beyond all the other meats. the spices were perfectly balanced, the slow roast giving the met the perfect tenderness. just..... i mean, it truly transcends words. i have experienced enough to know that, in the future, this place is well worth the full price. i had my doubts, but after today's re-birth, i will be opening a Fogo De Chao savings account. i figure 2 bucks a week will get me in there at least twice a year.
(5)
Helena H.
Fogo de Chao was a fun experience. I've been to only one other Brazilian BBQ restaurant before many years ago, so I've been really looking forward to trying Fogo. Service was excellent. Besides good food, I love good service. From the host to the servers, they were superb. Good selection of items in the salad bar. Fresh and delish. The cheese bread roll is very good. I had fun eating it. It fluffs up after every bite. Haha I didn't want to over eat from the bread and salads so I have room for the meat. I have to say from all the choices of meat, I liked the filet mignon the best. Perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. Overall good experience, but I have to mention the VALET. I think it's ridiculous to charge 5.50 for parking. Should be free and then more cash goes to their tips. And OMG, DO NOT hit the gas to hard on my car if you're just going 10 feet and DON'T hit my breaks so damn hard it screeches. It's very expensive to fuel my tank and even more expensive to change my breaks...which I've already did! I hate valeting my car because of careless drivers like that!!!
(4)
Pamela L.
I have to say the service here is very good and efficient. Parking is only $5.50. Casual and mostly Asians on the night we went. Pretty standard Brazillian BBQ place. Dessert menu was good we had the papaya ice cream and creme brulee. The salad bar was lacking though and the lamb was too game-y. If you had a choice, I'd pick Libra by the Pound in Culver City. I personally like leaner cuts of meat that are tender. Not the marbled style unless it's Wagyu.
(3)
Jason Y.
I don't know what I'd do without the chimichurri.. and hey! they give you two types of it; The traditional and one that seemed to have a bell pepper base. They offer a nice variety of meats, some of which are not on the printed menu. I enjoyed the salad bar particularly the tomatoes and mozzarella with aged balsamic. You're gonna have to assemble that yourself. Love eating hearts of palm and artichokes and beets! No one has given any love to the beets. The salad bar really saves your pallate from the meat onslaught. It brightens it up so you can continue enjoying copious amounts. We had no problems during our lunch service. Glad I got to enjoy this wonderful DineLA experience, however, driving to LA for churrascaria is out of the question these days. Maybe I'll see ya next time around?
(4)
Mary A.
So after hearing from my friend this place is great in food but pricey regularly you have to try them for Dine L.A. I had been dying to come. Finally got the chance to come for dine l.a. lunch! It was a great choice for $28 for all the food you get. The Parking ... forget finding any street you must valet $5.50. The location is on hectic La Cienega plain terrible! The Ambience was great! I particularly noticed that the Bathrooms were clean & smelled nice. The service was attentive & friendly except for 1 guy who was seriously tired of his life & looked like he wanted to end it any second. The Gaucho's wow some of them were really cute eye candy ;) So glad we had reservations. Oh boy this place was packed for lunch. I loved the waterfall in the front the doors are also cute, I loved their design. We were seated promptly & at a table that we had requested as well. Off to the salad bar! WOW o WOW! The entire selection of the salad bar was great. We both tried.. Marinated mushrooms- This was a pass for me Asparagus- pretty good with the green sauce they provide REAL Parmesano Reggiano- oh so aged & delicious! Manchego & swiss cheese- not bland Lox(smoked salmon) -my friend said it was fresh Salami's & Prosciutto= delicious Breads- soft & doughy Waldorf Salad= This was my fav! Chicken salad= Was my 2nd fav! Tabouli- was bland for me! Peppadew peppers- sweet & slight spicy! Roasted potatoes- bland & misleading Green bean salad- was delicious! On to the sides= Everyone gets their warm cheese Brazilian mini rolls- These were so soft, warm & delicious good garlic mashed potatoes topped with cheese- they were ok Black beans-blandddd Rice=bland it was just plain, with no butter nothing! Crispy polenta= Amazing! This tasted like crunchy potatoes yum! Fried bananas(NOT PLAINTAINS)= They were delicious & addicting used as a palate cleanser. On to the meats we tried= Parmesan crusted pork-This was flavorful but kind of dry but then again is a pork loin. My fav the Picanha= Prime Sirlion is seasoned with sea salt & thats all it needs. It's so good. Bacon wrapped filet mignon= Bacon? how can u go wrong with that?? Bacon wrapped chicken= Was kind of dry but flavor was all there. Regular filet mignon= very tender & delicious Beef ancho= Ribeye it was really good tooo! Lamb=my friend said it was too gamey she didn't like it. I don't eat lamb. Pork ribs= Beyond cooked to death dry. Pass on this! Chicken legs= They were good. Linguica= Delicious pork sausages wow I loved them snappy & flavorful. We were asked if we wanted some spicy salsa sauce of course we said yes. It was semi-spicy on top of the meats it was a perfect combo. Also some charbroiled jalapeños with onions those were good too! Beware the sodas are in tiny bottles. They should at least have fountain soda since they have such a large all you can eat menu & salad bar. The desserts are $8 & up & nothing too special.
(4)
Joremel A.
This has got to be the best brazilian steakhouse ive ever been to. If you are looking into splurging and pampering yourself, this is the place. I had a great time. Although, I would not suggest bringing people who have small appetite. I guess you could say this place is considered "sausage" fest. If you are in need of some tender loving care, this is the spot to be at. All the tender juicy meat that you can think of, they have it! They have meat of all types! Small sausage? Yes. Big sausage? Yes. Curvy sausage? Yes. Juicy, succulent, thick, tender steak? Yes. Their food was just perfect. you can request how you want it cooked as well, may it be well done, medium rare, or just rare. If you don't see your favorite meat floating around, you may also request it by speaking with one of the waiters. I don't know if it's just me, but i noticed that all the "meat" carriers, with their sharp knives were all men. hmp! go figure. Meat + knives + men = Fogo de Chao. Come in with your stomach empty to get your money's worth. I will definitely come back, but maybe with set of friends who eager to unbutton their jeans and ready to chow down.
(4)
Moody M.
Quality of meat: great Service: excellent, were very attentive to us, always passing by, felt special treatment. Ambience: terrific. Only one star less. as we were only two, and they added a mandatory service charge (tips). I even tipped them more than what they added, they deserved it, but didn't like the idea of having it mandatory. This should be the incentive for providing a good service.
(4)
Theresa G.
Delicious as always, I'm still full.Had a private room to celebrate Lizzet Rutas birthday with friends and family.
(5)
Ben D.
I've been here a couple of times. Its a good place for unlimited delicious meats. I encourage reservations. My only disappointment was when I finished a large bottle of Louis XIII the assistant manager tried to switch the bottle with a smaller one. Traditionally, if you you're the last one to finish a bottle of Louis XIII you're suppose to receive it. Only after the Asst manager realized the amount I spent that night, he gave me the bottle. Although this was a small issue in the past I'll still be a patron.
(4)
Daniel O.
Wow what a disappointment!! I came here to celebrate my birthday and was I not impressed at all. The restaurant is extremely loud, with tables really close to each other. You can actually hear every conversation each table is having. When I first heard about Fogo opening its doors in the heart of LA, I was so excited! Having already tried Fogo's in Houston, Phoenix and Las Vegas, let me tell you, there is no consistency with the food. The meats at Fogo Beverly Hill is dry, salty and most importantly they lack quality in everything. I won't be returning to this establishment. Obrigado!!
(2)
Koko K.
If you love meat... perfect place... I can't eat much so there is a diminishing return on great the food tastes. Service and ambiance is great but the experience is a one time thing, not so much for repeats.
(4)
Anari M.
So much meat. I've only had Brazilian a handful of times in my life but this is the first time I've actually enjoyed their cuisine. I'm not too big of a steak fan so I'm going to have to give them 4 instead of 5 stars, but it would have been a 3 if my family didn't like it so much!
(4)
Kenny K.
I came here with the same friend who introduced me to Urth Cafe and I must say that while a completely different experience, it was also great. I can't even name all the different meats that I had, but they were all great. My only issue was with the salad bar, which in my opinion was just ok and not worth going to. The service was fantastic and the staff rushes over to your table if you have your little coaster set to the green side which means you want more meat. Simply turn it over to the red side and they leave you alone. I hope some day to visit the other locations.
(4)
J H.
Not hype at all. This place is actually very good. The meat is all surprisingly moist, and if you need a piece that's rare, or well-down, you'll get it. The sides are great, but I tried to fill up on pounds of meat to get my money's worth. Even the salad bar is fantastic. Everything is very fresh, and high quality. The salt crusted filet is amazing. I'm not a big fan of the bacon wrapped whichever piece and the ribs are largely too fatty to enjoy. The sausage and the chicken are both very tasty as well.
(4)
jef C.
Salty meats galore. It's an amusement park for meat eaters.
(3)
Denise M.
DineLA's over for this year, but to do a solid for next year's adventurers and Yelp review searchers: do yourself a favor and don't go on the first day, the crowds are ridiculous!!! I was looking forward to the meat sweats... buuuuut we went on the first day of DineLA, which was also MLK Day = suuuuuper crowded. Travesty: the filet mignon only made it to us twice before we decided to give up (which was a good 1.5 hours). Pluses: - LOTS of lamb - lamb shanks, lamb chops, lamb steaks, yay lamb! - Cheesy rolls are indeed yum-a-licious, as are the plantains - Salad bar is amaze, as everyone else has said, there's smoked salmon, caprese salad, delicious shitake mushrooms soaked in something, salami, prosciutto, asparagus! Minuses: - So crowded, there was a lot of staring into space as we waited for meat of any kind, not just filet, to make the rounds and finally to get to us - Bacon-wrapped filet and bacon-wrapped chicken were both too salty :[ - Their house cuts were really chewy :[ One day I shall understand your magic Fogo, one day...
(2)
Tae K.
Yes, it definitely deserve 5 stars. The meat especially the prime, lamb and filet mignone were EXCELLENT!
(5)
Dennis C.
As soon as we sat down for the meal, the waiter was quick to point out that there are misconceptions about the pronunciation of the name... "It's Fogo de Chao" like "Fo sho..." Ah, got it. I would've given it a 5 star for the food quality, service and ambiance, but docked it for the sheer price (yes, the economy is having an impact on my rating... it's not just the financial and real estate industries suffering and the sheer volume that you feel like you have to ingest. It's *almost* disgusting. But you go to the salad bar and you'll see only high end basamlic vinegars, olive oils for your consumption. And overall, even though it's not that hard, the dishes at the bar were very good, especially the little red peppers that you SHOULD grab to go with you meat. As someone said, the meats delivery system is kind of like dim sum. Delivery guys come around with the skewers of meat for you to select, medium, medium rare, ect. They say there are 16 different varieties. Hmmm... I'm not sure about that, but I did skip some. Some of my favorites: * House special - I'm not sure which cut of meat, but it's got a salt crust, with a think layer of fat, and then the succulent meat. They're almost heart shaped? * Beef ribs - not with the bone! They're large cuts just right off the bone, so tender, so flavorful and not overly seasoned * Rib eye - you know you can't go wrong with this cut, and throw on there the seasoning and wham... bovine heaven * Anything with bacon - need I say more (oh which reminds me, I should add that to the Iron Chef comment) One last notable is the bread and dip -- not adviced to eat a whole lot given what's ahead, and definitely don't fall for their attempt to fill you up on these stomach fillers, but they're soooo good, worth at least trying.
(4)
Henry T.
you get the top quality meat that you would expect considering their price. Service is great. Place is upscale. Great wine selection. but nothing really out of the ordinary... (except that wine rack at the entrance... i like that...)
(5)
Stephanie R.
This place is truly AMAZING!! The meat is sumptuous and varied. Service is excellent. The cheese bread is ridiculously delicious as are the other sides like fried bananas and polenta. Besides the EPIC salad bar. To top it off, probably the best flan of my life. Definitely worth the splurge. YOU WILL NOT LEAVE HUNGRY!
(5)
Dania R.
Meat. Sweet succulent juicy meat. I am a carnivore of all carnivores and I have officially found my most favorite restaurant on the face of the planet. I'm pretty sure my eyes glazed over as I passed by the salad bar on the way to my table... I was with a friend who is extremely Fogo experienced... like many times a month experienced... and he explained the ropes to me. We started with the salad bar - smoked salmon, prosciutto, salami, mozarella cheese, giant asparagus, beautiful FRESH whole artichoke hearts, salad, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and red wine vinegar to your hearts delight. Based on my friend's recommendation and that of other yelpers - I went light on the salad bar in preparation for what lied ahead. 3-2-1... GO! Flipped the little card from red to green and the cascade of meat loving goodness fell upon my table. I couldn't even tell you what I ate - I couldn't keep up. But I had my teeny table tongs ready and whenever the meat river flowed by, I held up my tongs in full preparation to grabby grabby all the sweet goodness onto my plate. Filet mignon. Excellent. I loved the little sausages. I didn't waste time with the chicken. And I'm not a lamb eater. But every single piece of beef that crossed my lips sent me even farther into a state of heavenly delight... or perhaps it was just a meat coma? I had to swap from green to red, just to catch my breath... chew... swallow... digest. Then it was back on! The chimichurri sauce was delightful. We ordered a special side of grilled jalapenos and onions. These are not standard issue - but if you like hot - ORDER them. They are amazing. And hot. Very hot. Veins, seeds, and all. The service was impeccable. Everyone was so kind and helpful. One very key word of advice - make a reservation. And stick to your reservation... the night we went - the wait was almost two hours and growing. It was quite pleasant to slip right past the very crowded lobby and begin chowing down within minutes of our arrival. Does it live up to the hype? Absolutely - in fact, I don't think I could've even prepared myself or expected the amazingness that transpired that evening. I've already made arrangements with the hubster to go back for my birthday. Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a mountain of meat staring me in the face... Hmm - perhaps I should reword that last statement? Nah.
(5)
John C.
I'm an American male, so I can't believe I'm this but is there a such thing as too much meat? Could it be that Fogo de Chao has too much meat? Nah!!!!! I love meat. L-O-V-E. Love love love. Fogo de Chao's side dishes and breads are all great. But let's get serious. This place is all about the meat. I can't quite give a chain restaurant a 5-star rating, but this one is pretty close. If you love meat and you haven't been here, shame on you!
(4)
CC M.
Pricey but worth every penny. I love this place! It is all you can eat and if you go at lunch time they have the same menu available at almost half the price. It is not the kind of place you go every day for lunch but it is great for spacial occasions. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the food is consistently delicious. Ask them to bring you there selection of sauces. They also will bring you rice and black beans to go with your meal.
(5)
Jeffrey T.
5 stars for the food, their meat were excellent. I also enjoyed their soft mashed potatoes and fluffy bread. I'm rating them 3 stars because on the day I went (Valentine's Day), the wait was at least 40 mins and they were not accepting anymore walk-in's due to high volume. Also, I had to squeeze my way through the tables to get to the salad bar, because the tables were placed so close to each other. Lastly, it was hard to flag down a waitress for my check. It was my first time here and it was pretty crowded, I don't recommend going on a holiday. You'd probably have a better experience/service on a normal day. A+ for the food though, you will not have a problem waiting for meat, the meat servers attend to your need every couple minutes.
(3)
Jonathan K.
Incredible steak and service, Fogo de Chao has to be one of my favorite restaurants. The picanha steak is amazing, definitely my favorite and full of so much fantastic flavor. Pretty much all of the steaks are so phenomenal because of the incredible amount of flavor each one has packed into it. The side items included in the meal are awesome as well, the plantains and garlic mashed potatoes are unbelievably delicious, and even the polenta is good and I don't even like polenta. The cheese bread is pretty good too, you definitely need to exercise some serious self control to not fill up on the sides. The salad bar is incredible as well, with a fantastic assortment of vegetables, cheeses, and even smoked salmon. The service is unbelievably good, they will accommodate you and are extremely attentive. All of this great food and service definitely comes at a price, this location is really really expensive.
(5)
Anthony E.
Bring ur wallet. For two people was $130 with tax. Then you need to tip and pay for valet still. The food was good but some of the meats were dry and too salty. Also we were not served the filet mignon. Some of the waiters never even asked what type of meat, like medium or medium rare. Over all a nice place to take a date but come hungry and bring your wallet.
(3)
Bobbie W.
i've been here a couple times and i like it but i think there's a lot of hype. the meat quality is good but i don't think it's better than other brazilian bbqs, i.e. m grill, agora. i think their salad bar is definitely lacking. i know people don't go to brazilian bbq for the salad bar but i definitely prefer more variety since all that meat can become really mundane. my favorite meats are the picanha, lamb chops, chicken, pork and beef ribs and filet mignon. i was here last week for a really late dinner and was a little disappointed because all the meats were overcooked and not seasoned. overall, i've always been happy with their food but i think the consistency of the meat should remain the same at all times especially when you're paying $50/person. cheese bread, polenta, plaintains and mashed potatoes are brought to your table. yucca powder is brough upon request. the cheese bread is amazing but it's amazing everywhere else too. i like fogo de chao but i honestly prefer m grill or agora. it's on restaurant row which explains the hype and extra ten dollars but there really isn't anything that puts fogo ahead in my book AND they're more expensive.
(3)
Ana R.
Maybe our mistake was coming here for the first time on Valentine's Day. Spending the ultimate date night here reminded me of air travel during Thanksgiving: long lines, pushy crowds, and indifferent service. At least no one at Fogo asked us to remove our shoes, although they did remove a hefty portion of our cash. The place was jammed and uncomfortable from the moment we got there, with even less hospitality than romance. The floor was so packed with tables that even the servers had to fight their way through. Our main waitress showed up once then vanished. We had to ask a bus boy for plates. Every so often, a meat guy would wander by with his knife and skewer and slice us off a portion of something or other. It was so dim, we never could see what we were getting, which was just as well, because then we couldn't see the gristle. The steak was mediocre at its best, inedible at its worst. The different cuts by turn were fatty, chewy, gristly, or tough. The salad bar was copious but the choices were boring and it didn't seem very fresh. Finally, who cares if your meal is all you can eat when it's not very good to begin with? This restaurant is crazy overpriced especially when you consider the poor food, cafeteria-like atmosphere, and rushed service. Totally not impressed and would never go back.
(1)
Monique S.
If you are a Meatetarian you will have a field day at this place, the variety of meats that come to the table are great, loved the lamb, the Polenta was perfect (reminded me of Hot Water Cornbread), the mashed potatoes were creamy I was quite stuffed when I left. I'd recommend this place, it's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth a visit.
(4)
Steve T.
Great service and delicious food. A little pricey but its not like I eat here every day.
(4)
Sharon C.
Make a reservation. Even with a reservation, we had to wait for about 5 minutes before we got seated. The place was way too crowded and the tables were arranged too close together. For the a lower price, I've had better. Try M Grill in K town.
(3)
Ivan D.
I've tried Fogo de Chao at many locations, including Philly, Houston, Miami and LA. One thing they all had in common was the great food. The meat is amazing and the whole idea of having multiple cuts of meat brought to your table on a regular basis is very nice. I also love their side dishes, including their friend plantains but specially their cassava (cheese) bread. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Heidi L.
Great quality meat! Great salad bar! still dreaming about when I can come back and eat all the filet mignon i can get!!! Came here with my best friend for dinela and came back the next year with my friends from sb for dinela again. The service was really great with a nice ambience in the restaurant. It does get a little crowded but that just says how popular and good this place is! Gonna come back forsure! PS they have great desserts too!
(5)
Terrence S.
I have been here several times. It is always wonderful. Service is excellent. Every employee is extremely nice. Meat is very delicious!
(5)
James P.
This use to be my go-to spot for Brazilian BBQ, however the quality of the food and service has dwindled. They seemed to be pushing the same meat to us over and over again. It was always either the bacon wrapped chicken or the sausage. We asked for more filet mignon and beef ribs and they did not give it to us until the end when we were full already. The prime rib and the beef ribs were also very salty and it was hard to taste the actual meat. Maybe it was just busy today and I had a bad experience, but I felt like it was not worth the price.
(2)
Brian K.
If I was to choose a restaurant where it was love at first sight, Fogo de Chao would be it. How can you resist a place where an army of servers wait at your beck and call with skewers of delicious meat? Everytime I finished a plate, another waiter would be there in seconds with that marvelous skewer and all those delicious pieces of meat. The fillet mignon, the garlic chicken, the bacon wrapped chicken, the pork, the lamb.....if i was a cartoon character...there would be little hearts flying out of my head. Plus, they also have delicious cheese puffs and a decent salad bar for those people that believe in silly things like "balanced meals". My recommendation is to go during the afternoon on a weekday, as its about $40 while going at night or on the weekend, its around $60 and a tad too pricey for my tastes. If you're like me and enjoying eating pounds of meat in one sitting, you owe it to yourself to check this place out. To paint a picture...the first time I was here, I came for lunch....I didn't have to eat again till 11:30 that night. Win
(5)
bernice c.
I know there's a tons of reviews for this, but here are my insights. This place was good, but it was pricey. $56.50, per person for dinner and another $5.00 for parking. The meat was great quality and the service were great. I was missing the rice and beans though. Without the price tag, I would say the Pasadena Porto Alegre is the same quality for a more affordable price.
(4)
Mike D.
Not sure what all the hype is. Very very expensive place. Over $100 per person and we only had $36 bottle of wine. Service was not very attentive. They advertise 15 meats, we kept getting offered the same 4 choices. Crowded and very loud. Felt more like a mass feeding hall than a dining experience. Then 5.50 to park your car. Won't go back or recommend
(3)
Candy M.
Are you a meat lover like me? This is the place to go!!! I really recommend this restaurant.. Been here twice and can't wait to come here again.
(5)
Stephanie C.
I loved this place! Make sure you have an empty stomach - the meats are delicious. The lamb and the sirloin are the best. Interestingly enough, the driest meat was the filet mignon! The salad bar is amazing and it's so tempting to try a little of everything, but it's really best to just go for the meat. The sides are also good... I liked the fried banana the best. I'm always a fan of mashed potatoes, but I wish they threw some garlic in there. The polenta is meh -- but really, that didn't matter. Great place. Good cheesecake dessert. Without ordering alcohol, expect to pay about 60 - 70 bucks/person. p.s. If I had to go again, I would dress a little nicer. I wore jeans, tank top, and chucks but wish I wore a cute dress.
(4)
Angie W.
The rib eye is the best cut here. It was juicy and flavorful. The top sirloin would be my second favorite. The filet mignon my third favorite. The rest of the meats are satisfactory. The bottom sirlion was too dry, the pork ribs were dry, the lamb was dry. I asked for medium rare slices, and they ended up being well done. They charge $25 corkage!! Our bill ended up being almost $100 a person including 1 bottle of wine and 1 corkage. They charge 18% for us since we had 11 people. This was the first brazillian bbq place I've been to. I'm not sure how it compares to other places since it costs so much more.
(3)
Jon B.
Coming to Fogo de Chao made me realize how much I love being a carnivore!!! You start off by going to the buffet loaded with cheeses, salads, fruits, and Brazilian style appetizers. When your ready for the main course, you flip over your little card to green and let the games begin!!! In no more than 10 seconds there is about 5 different guys in your face with everything from lamb to chicken to bacon wrapped filet mignon, and all cooked to your likings!!! You can tell they take great pride in what they serve and how they serve it!!! Very expensive but very worth a try!!! Unless you can find street parking, your gonna have to pay for the valet. This place also has a very large slection of fine wines!!! I dont think I will come here again...... to pricey!!!
(5)
Pamela S.
Came here for dineLA on a Friday night! Both valet/parking lot and inside were super packed. Our reservations were for 9 pm but we didn't get seated until close to 10. Love how gorgeous and fancy this place is! Would be perfect for a date. The salad bar was just typical and okay. It consisted of a lot of salad and veggies; I personally wish they had more cheeses and cold cuts. The cheese balls are possibly my fav! Tasted very fresh and delicious. I did like the meats, very flavorful, but I actually prefer M Grill in Ktown. In the future, if I just wanted to get my fill of meat, I would rather go to M Grill, but Fogo is obviously in a better location and provides a very classy atmosphere. Didn't try the side dishes that they brought to the table, but was told that they're really good. Their dineLA menu didn't include dessert :( so we ordered the Chocolate Molten Cake that comes with vanilla ice cream, and it was scrumptious. Service was good, but definitely didn't blow me away. I know it must have been a chaotic week for them though. It isn't feasible for me to come back that often haha and the food didn't amaze me as much as I thought it would, but I would come back for special occasions!
(3)
michael s.
Visited during DineLA and it was a total zoo. Had an 8:30 reservation and the line to get into the valet stretched down La Cienega and through an intersection. There must have been easily 30 people waiting for their cars when we finally pulled up. Inside was just as bad, totally jammed in the lobby and bar. Take away, don't arrive or leave at 8:30. The guests were mostly short people. This doesn't affect my star rating, just an observation. We were seated 40 minutes past our reservation, table of two. I was surprised that even happened given the number of people. Our waiter later told us they had 2000 reservations (he didn't specify the period) and it was twice as busy as a normal night. As for the food, the meat was cooked well but certainly not something to gush over. The salad bar was ok, but after reading all the reviews I was expecting a lot more. The salad bar at M Grill has a lot of nice hot side dishes and has probably 2-3 times the number of options. The service was great, but completely overwhelmed. The whole evening felt more like a big banquet or dining at a Las Vegas buffet rather than a nice night out. I might return to give them another chance outside of DineLA, but don't see the value of the discounted price when the experience is compromised so greatly.
(3)
Yoomi P.
I can't help but compare Fogo with MGrill.. I'd say taste-wise, they are pretty similar... I like the grilled pineapple at MGrill that Fogo does NOT have.. and I believe the salad bar at MGrill is slightly better as well. The meat... pretty similar at both joints. But, the service at Fogo is significantly better. Our sides and waters were never empty, they always replaced it before we even asked, and the meat came at a nice pace so that we could take our time with the food. The staff was very nice and helpful. There was one single time that the waiter forgot our request for my favorite cheese bread, but I could let that go hehe. So next time, would I come back to Fogo or go to MGrill? Now that I tried both, I don't know if either is worth the $33 for a single lunch lol. But if I had to choose, I think Fogo. Service/experience MATTERS. :)
(4)
Mina H.
I'm not sure I'm a fan of this place. This place is more quantity over quality. The meats are not the best cut but the self-serve is awesome. They have selection of wine pairing like smoked salmon, cheeses, and prosciutto. Anyways, the highlight of our dinner at Fogo de Chao is we got to meet David Beckham! Other than that..we won't be back a while.
(3)
Ralph L.
For the price we paid, I feel that 80% of the meat cuts were really subpar. Yes, the skirt steak was a crowd-pleaser, but the filet? Forgettable. Rib eye? Ok, good. But not $80 good. While not chewy, I didn't really get that tender feel from most of the meats. And most of the meat servers had a bit of a scowl on their faces when we deigned to either ask for a non-burnt piece or politely declined their offerings. Despite the fact that we were there on a weekend, and things weren't really that busy, I felt like service could have been more attentive. When we wanted things like more sparkling water, it took a few minutes for our waiter to come around. He also spilled wine on the table right after I was going to complement him on his technique. Oops.
(2)
Hana A.
The cheesy bread and the fried plantains were melt in your mouth delicious! I loved the high quality salad bar. Picanha was my favorite meat. The best part of the dining experience was the superb service- all the waiters were attentive and observant and serviced us before we even voiced our wants. Kudos to the service!
(4)
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Address :133 N LA Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA, 90211
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Eddie C.
Made the reservation for 7 online. went there 2 mins after my reservation time and my family members were seated already but for 6. when I arrived and asked the tables to be changed due to my reservation, they gave me a dirty look. did not start well... food, overall was great as usual. really didn't like the service... email confirmation for my reservation came 1 day "AFTER" i ate there. classic fail! lol
(3)Jenna B.
We came here tonight for our anniversary dinner and had such a memorable experience thanks our wonderful waiter Moises. Besides the food being amazing, Moises made our experience truly spectacular. The service was amazing, we were never without a ton of food or an empty basket of cheesy bread (our favorite!) We were very happy with our experience tonight and look forward to coming back again!
(5)Paula S.
Went to Fogo de Chao for my daughter's 32nd birthday and were pretty disappointed. There were only four of us and our bill was over $300 and we didn't even have drinks! Sure, we were served a lot of food but nothing was very good; if meat is the main item on your menu your meat should be really memorable and after trying every kind of meat offered, except the lamb, there was nothing that left me wanting more. I must admit to even spitting out a piece of meat that was entirely fat. The side dishes were lukewarm when we got them and pretty boring, as were the hot dishes at the salad bar. Our server was very nice, funny and accommodating, but we found ourselves waiting for food most of the evening. We're sorry we chose this place for a special occasion and feel it is way over-priced ... we won't be back.
(2)Larry L.
Wow! What can I say... This place is FANTASTIC!! The food was awesome, the people are terrific and it was an absolute pleasure. I can't wait to come back. I recommend this place to everyone. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Heather W.
Excellent service, excellent food. I loved the garlic glaze. All the sides were amazing too! The fried plantain, the rice, the wild yucca. Very authentic and amazing! Well worth the price!!! I would recommend to everyone!
(5)Sharon N.
Absolutely love Fogo! We love all the different cuts they bring to your table. One of our favorite cuts that you have to personally request for are the Beef Ribs. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Eric L.
It's Fogo de Chao. If you've ever heard of Brazilian BBQ then you know Fogo de Chao Pros: Best quality meat from Brazillian BBQ that i've had. Great service. Ease of making and keeping reservations. Good variety of meat. Lots to choose from at the salad bar. Cons: Price. The wait time if you don't make reservations and the lack of reservation times if you don't make reservations earlier. Some of the meats were a little overcooked the last time I went. Bottom line: It's very expensive.(Most Brazillian BBQ places are, but this one is more expensive than the rest) It's a place where you would go for a special occasion and not very often. I feel like the salad bar is a bit pointless because you're here for the meat and it'd be a bad thing to get filled up on bread and other things. I've tried many different Brazilian BBQ places and this one has them all beat. The meat tastes great for the most part. If you like Brazilian BBQ or you're looking for a classy place to try out to take a date or something then definitely consider this place. Side note: You can dress casually. If you can find parking elsewhere like in the neighborhoods then that's fine. Valet isn't too bad though.
(4)Randi B.
My boss has been suggesting Fogo de Chau to me for many months, so for our annual joint birthday dinner, I suggested it to my friends. We tend to go to Mastro's every year. It's close, always delicious, pricey, but well worth the cost. I called to make reservations. The lady I spoke to did not ask for any contact information, just took my name, repeated the date and time I wanted, then said "Ciao Ciao Goodbye" and hung up on me. The next day I went online and make online reservations - I recommend doing that over calling. The big day finally came and we all drove out to Beverly Hills. Parking was fine, valet only, and I think it was $6. We were seated right away, in the farthest room they have from the entrance. The rest of the restaurant was very pretty, nicely decorated, dim lighting. The room we were put in had basically no decor, super bright lighting, and overall horrible ambiance. From the moment we were seated we were bombarded with servers, busboys, meat delivery people...it was too much. The table for 6 people was a decent size, but once we got drinks, and they put all the bread, sides, and extra plates down there was NO room on the table. It was a bit much. They were also really bad at clearing away dirty/unused dishes. We were hit up by the meat people probably 6 times in the first 10 minutes we were there. We all changed our cards to red, they did not care. They kept coming over. They would throw the meat down on the table whether we wanted it or not. It was very annoying to us. We are a group of people who only gets together maybe 3 times a year, so we enjoy spending time catching up and having conversations, and it was very difficult to do so with people constantly up in our business. Service aside, the food was good. Best ever? No. The bread was fantastic, I know we all absolutely loved the cheese bread. Salad bar was alright - I personally preferred the salad bar at Agora in Irvine over Fogo. The meat was decent, with the overall favorites being the Picanha and Lamb Chops. The garlic beef and the bacon wrapped chicken were both so dry they were nearly inedible. We did order dessert, and everybody seemed to like it. I had the creme brulee and it was great. The price per person at dinner is $61.95. The total bill with drinks ended up being roughly $600. Dinner at Mastro's would have probably been $800, but I think we would have enjoyed it much more. The food here is good, but the service is just too overbearing. I think if we are craving a Brazillian Steakhouse in the future, we will skip the long drive and go to Irvine.
(3)Aimee P.
What a great experience! This was my very first time at Fogo de Chao, and I will definitely return. I had the pleasure of taking up the dineLA experience, and had the full treatment. Remember that game you used to play in school - Red light, Green light?! Keep that in mind. Green means bring on the BBQ! Red means "Stop! (hammertime!, sorry, I had to) =) The service was excellent. Very attentive. We even met the manager, and he showed us where they grilled the different meats.
(4)Genesis V.
if there was the possibility to put 20 stars on this review, I would give it that. THIS PLACE IS ABSOLUTELY TO DIE FOR. the meat is literally nonstop, they keep serving you variety of meats until you ask to stop. it's quite a pricey place but it is absolutely worth it. it's also a fancy place so come dressed up instead of casual clothing. overall, enquisitely fantastic, out of this world deliciousness.
(5)Giles S.
I am appalled by the fact that I have never written a review here. This is my all time favorite restaurant in the world. I have been here over one hundred times. Here is how to do Fogo correctly: Pao de Quiejo - the cheese bread they bring you. It's the only bread you should eat here. It's amazing and the salad bar bread is filling. The Salad Bar - go eat it, because it is not only delicious, but it will enable you to eat more meat. Trust me. While at the salad bar go for the heart of palm with green sauce, artichoke hearts, mozzarella, green beans, broccoli, apple salad, asparagus, beets, and slices of cheese. Those are my choices. For meat, I recommend the bottom sirloin, the picanha (with the Vinagrete sauce,) pork ribs (with lime,) lamb chops, lamb leg, sausage (lingua,) beef ribs, and the special pork if they offer it. The rest of the meat is filler, IMO Dessert - tres leches is the best. The rest are good, including the flan and the papaya creme, but the tres leches is the star. Go hungry, leave full. Do it today.
(5)Jeremy F.
Ghetto fabulous.
(3)Steph C.
I like Brazilian barbecue. I mean where else do you get an all-meat buffet that comes to you? Supplemented by an actual buffet, no less. Fogo de Chao is, by price and reputation, the top churrascaria in L.A. I haven't been to many more, but I imagine it's also the best when it comes to quality of meat. I've been twice now, both times with family, with parties of seven and ten. Fogo is a great for a big group. It's a pretty space, but it's far from romantic or intimate. The atmosphere is busy and vibrant. If you must have a churrasco-based date, I'd book M Grill instead. The style of service is also well suited for a big group. You help yourself to the salad bar, and when you sit down, you just flip your meat card to GO and wait for the parade of people to come by with hand-held carving stations. One thing I don't like - you don't get to taste whatever meat you want. You're kind of at the mercy of who comes by. In fact, when we came a couple weeks ago, a waitress stopped by to ask if we had any requests. I asked for sausages, which had reached our table earlier but hadn't made it all the way to my side. They never showed up, which made me think, why bother asking? That's my only complaint against Fogo, so raves from here on down. The food is excellent. The salad bar is a full buffet, with little emphasis on salad. (Matt B. and my fourteen-year-old brother load up on meats and cheeses.) I like to pick up salsas for the meat, pickled jalapeño, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. It's easy to overload with the larger sides. Giant asparagus and artichoke hearts are less filling than smoked salmon and prosciutto, but it's hard to turn down all-you-can-eat meat, even in cold cut form. More sides await at the table, starting with Fogo's signature cheese bread. These little warm discs are irresistible, with a gooey rice cake texture to the fragrant, cheesy insides. You also get plantains, hot polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, and on request, rice (and black beans and farofa apparently, but we stereotypically ask for rice). I love the sweet, starchy caramelized plantains with my meat. The meat is all fantastic. If I were to get any of the cuts as entrees in another nice restaurant, I would be pleased - especially with the sides of chimichurri and hot sauce available at the table. Fogo bills itself as a steakhouse, and it fulfills that purpose quite well. The medium rare steak pours juice with every chew, as does the tender ribeye. I love the house special picanha. Both the regular top sirloin and the garlic version are robust and meaty, with a hunky chew unbothered by string or rubber. There's another top sirloin that goes around as well, and it's also delicious. Fogo doesn't do exotic meats, but the non-beef offerings are as good as the fruit of the cow. The lamb is marvelous, hearty with a tinge of game, so tender your teeth sink right in. I also love the moist fatty chicken drumsticks. Baby back ribs come hulking with meat, and the juicy pork tears right off the bone. The only meats I don't love are the bacon-wrapped filet and chicken. These are drier for some reason and harder to get through. The desserts are a surprising strong point for Fogo. I am enamored of the strawberry cream, a simple half-soupy mix of strawberry ice creams and blended strawberries, topped with a drizzle of creme de cassis. It's amazing, cool and fruity with a spoonable creamy texture. The papaya cream is also great, but I just like my strawberry. The passion fruit sorbet is another nice tart dessert, decorate with fresh berries. If you're more of a cake person, the molten chocolate with vanilla ice cream and the raspberry-drizzled cheesecake are both great versions of the standard desserts. Dinner at Fogo is quite expensive - it must set the ceiling for chain restaurants with buffet service. I have yet to come on my own dime, but I think the food is worth the price if you have room to eat whatever you like. It's a fun spot for a lavish group occasion, and I hope to come back and overeat again soon.
(5)Javier F.
I'm not sure what Fogo de Chao means, but I am going to assume it roughly translates into "You Have Died and gone to MEAT HEAVEN". We came for DineLA's special ($25 per head for lunch). The place was PACKED and if I had to quibble about anything it would be that parking can be a bit of a nightmare because it's a little tough to get into their lot with all the hustle and bustle of La Cienega. That being said, it's Los Angeles. We should all be used to this by now and Valet was only $5.50 so let's suck it up and move on! I could talk about their salad bar, but I will save that for later because what you REALLY want to know about is their meat. And boy oh boy, it's Ridiculously Good! We sampled the following: Filet, Ribeye, Garlic Beef, Sirloin, Picanha, Lamb Chop, Pork Ribs, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, and Sausage. I listed the meats in that order because it also happens to be the order of our favorites. The filet was tender beyond belief and had a smoky flavor you could only get from bbq. They did a great job of making sure that everyone was covered, whether it's bloody rare like me or well done (UGHHH I don't understand you people! seriously a cow gave his life and you want him to burn to a crisp??? what kind of animal are you!!!). Anyways, I digress. The ribeye was Fantastic and definitely a much higher quality than other ribeyes I've tried in other churrascarias. Plenty of fat, marbling and flavor. It was definitely the meatiest of all the cuts and if it wasn't for the filet's mouth watering tenderness it would have been crowned King of the Cuts, lol. I read somewhere on here that the Garlic meat was too garlicky. I don't know if they were unlucky or we were just lucky, but we had it twice and the garlic flavor was subtle. You know it's there, but it's not so much that you have to: a) worry about bursting into flames for you Team Edward types, or b) worry about making out with your lady types like Team Me. =) Sirloin was great. Picanha was a tiny bit of a let down in the sense that I was expecting a bit more flavor from it but it was cooked to absolute perfection! The lamb chop had no gamey flavor whatsoever while the rest of the meats we ate were good. Just not great. (I suspect our pork ribs could have been better but I think we got the only ribs in the house that had been overcooked, as evidenced by the fact that everyone else around us seemed to receive super juicy looking ribs). The salad bar does not have a huge selection but let me point out a few highlights from my point of view: - Mozzarella Balls (the wet kind, totally FABULOUS) - Sun Dried Tomatoes (Amazing) - Jamon Serrano (BEST surprise ever!) - Manchego cheese (these guys really thought it through) - Bunch of green stuff like lettuce, etc but Im not a freaking rabbit so I leave that to you people who are watching your delicate figures... As for dessert, we had Flan (quite literally the best example of flan I have ever had and I grew up in a household where flan is on the menu quite often) and Strawberry Cream (strawberry ice cream which is pureed with actually strawberries - absolutely AMAZING and totally sharable). Even with the chaotic nature of lunch hour and the fact that it was a holiday, service was superb. All in all, a wonderful visit and a tremendous experience. Fogo, you have ruined me for any other churrascaria and dare I say for most steakhouses, but I regret nothing! I hope everyone gets to come here at least once!
(5)Fra C.
Went today, for my man's birthday lunch. We have excitedly been anticipating coming to an all-you-can-eat Brazilian establishment and waited for a perfect day. The general price for AYCE lunch is $36, which does not include drinks or desserts. Even though I tend to be frugal-minded, I thought this was a deal, considering dinner is nearly double the price (I would probably never go during dinner). The salad bar was not the star of the show, but I love cheese so I got a shard of parmesan and a slice of some other type of firm cow's milk cheese--both were delicious. The Cesar salad was underwhelming, especially the stale croutons. I would also skip the prosciutto and salami. The smoked salmon was excellent though. The beans were alright. As a carboholic, I can admit that the little bread they provide is so wonderful. I ate far too many and wasted room that I should have saved for the meats, but alas, I was a happy camper. The mashed potatoes were nothing special. The plaintains were actually better than most Salvadoran restaurants, and Salvadorans are known for their plaintains; what set Fogo's apart was the fact that the plaintains were perfectly cooked, with care, so they seemed sweet and perfectly (lightly) fried. The polenta was interesting in a good way, but I did not eat much of it. THE MEAT The PICANHA was great and no description will do it justice. Let me just say that this signature is a wonderful meat to have represent the brand. I recommend you get it medium, even being the well-done meat eater that I am. I am not sure what type of meat it was (I asked the server, and I think he said Baracon), but it was some type of beef and it was murderously delicious. This and the picanha did not have any competition with the other meat; they were tender, well-seasoned, melt-in-yo mouth other-worldly divine. The sirloin was another delicious meat. The sausage was just okay, I am ambivalent as to whether or not I truly enjoyed the seasoning. I really enjoyed the chicken wrapped in bacon, as the chicken was lean (breast/white meat) and the bacon a decent flavor accent. I did not like the lamb (leg or chop). I've come to the conclusion, I will never be a lamb lover! THE SERVICE From the moment we walked in, I knew this place had it together. We were immediately greeted and seated. The place was rather empty at noon. We were sat near the salad bar and were asked about which drinks we wanted. We ordered Guarana, which I highly recommend. A carbonated beverage is perfect for washing down good and not-so-good meat. We literally had 5 people catering to us and 5 male servers carving meat tableside; it was friendly and frenetic. El FIN I highly recommend Fogo for any special occasion, they will make you feel like you made a smart, gluttonous decision. I plan on coming back with an appetite. Go during lunch to save your money. Like I treated my man, TREAT YO SELF!!
(4)Jerm B.
If you are a meat lover, this is heaven on Earth! There are like 10+ types of meat being brought to you on swords and daggers. They slice this perfectly cooked meat onto your plate and keep shaving until you say stop. I walked into the place about 180lbs and left at 200lbs. And as good as their food is, the bartenders and drinks are just as on point! A bit pricey but great for a date night or anniversary dinner.
(4)Calvin C.
Quick Tips! 1. There is a small parking lot in front of Fogo De Chao. You can self-park in this lot when there are not a lot of people around, but you will still have to pay a $6.50 service fee. Otherwise, during busy times, this is a valet lot! 2. There is street parking along the way, but it may be a lot easier to go with the valet. 3. Lunch during the weekday is $34.95. 4. Prices include access to their wonderful salad bars as well as fifteen of their selections of beef, lamb, and chicken. There is not a lot that I will have to say about Fogo de Chao that hasn't already been said by glowing reviews other yelpers have left. I believe Fogo has become synonymous with high quality when talking about Brazilian restaurants and certainly, my visit, did not disappoint. There is something to be said when you see delicious skewers upon skewers of barbecued meats parading to your table. I saw an endless possibility for the carnivore inside of me. Between the excellent house special picanha to the amazingly tender filet mignon to the very lamby lamb chops, every meat presented looked like it went through a rigorous cooking process. And yes, they tasted just as good as they looked. There is not much I have to complain about the meat, all of them were excellent and flavored differently. Among our favorites were the house special picanha, the pork ribs, the lamb chops, and the filet mignon. Try all of them if you can! As for the salad bar, they are stocked with various delights including asparagus, shittake mushrooms. and papaya. Throughout the spread, you will find various cheeses, italian meats, and salad. They also served to you loaded garlic mash potatoes, polenta, and caramelized grilled bananas. On top of all of this, they give you excellent cheesey bread. As if the food were not enough, we found that service at Fogo de Chao was excellent. The hostess was polite, the waiter that helped us was extremely friendly, and all of the servers were extremely, extremely helpful with suggestions on what to try and what to look forward to. They were always willing to bring out something that I liked OR suggest something that I might really enjoy. To top it off on a personal note, my mom is a sucker for the cheese bread at Brazilian steakhouses, as such we always take our leftover bread home from these places just for my mom. When I asked for a box for the three remaining pieces of the cheese bread, the waiter said that they didn't normally box up stuff for guests, but he would see what he could do and disappeared into the kitchen. He not only boxed up our three pieces of bread, but he also gave us a whole new batch! What amazing service! I really hope that those who are interested will look past the price tag and really treat themselves to one of the best Brazilian steakhouses in Los Angeles.
(5)Michaela U.
We just celebrated my husband's birthday here and had a wonderful and very special night. Particularly Luis, the chef who served us Filet Mignon, was amazing. He was very upbeat and the Filet was delicious. He, along with the other staff took great care of us and made us feel special. Not to forget: The food was delicious!
(5)Samantha C.
Amazing Brazilian food I haven't had food like this since after I left Brazil! Defiantly a must try when you come to la if you like a good Brazilian dine
(5)Mark David Y.
First, A churrascaria (Portuguese pronunciation: [uaskai.]) is a place where meat is cooked in Churrasco style, which translates roughly from the Portuguese for 'barbecue'. The restaurant is located in Beverly Hills just ion the middle of a very dynamic street close to world renowned famous hotels. It offers a great valet parking service. You are basically well pampered from the second you decide to visit the place. I usually come here with family on special occasion or to celebrate a special event with someone special. This restaurant is as impressive as it is expensive. I know it states $65 per person but I'd say prepare to pay $100 (or more) per head here, including drinks and dessert, tip not included. Drinks vary from $3 for bottle of 8oz coke to $12 or so for cocktails. So why come here? The experience is unique, the food are amazing. We always had great time here (and in Florida location), our recent visit was not any different. Salad bar are tops; I always enjoy their smoked salmon, Prosciutto, heart of Palm and the aged parmesan. However, I always TRY my best to save room for the main meats - every single cut are cooked and seasoned very well. Some might find it salty but I like bold flavors in my meat. My favorite is the cordeiro or lamb, next would be the beef ancho (rib eye) and the filet mignon (of course). I use to love picanha (rump) but for some reason, on my recent visit, it was not much to my liking. It tasted somewhat rough, overcooked and dry. The chicken and the sausage was the least of my favorite here. As always, I love the polenta and caramelized banana. They usually do not serve rice unless requested. PS. They have a wealthy choice of more than 16 varieties of Lamp, Cow, Chicken and Pork cooked to the best tastes one can imagine. I have visited world renowned steak and meat restaurants from Dubai to Singapore and New York and I have never tasted something as juicy and mind blowing as the variety which is offered at Fogo De Chao. It is a pure genuine Brazilian steak house, with the taste of Brazil in California. As for drinks, one must try caipirinha - sweet and refreshing; cleanse the pallet from all the heavy meat taste. As for desserts, one must try the papaya cream, crème Brulee and molten cake. I have yet to try their Brazilian flan. TIP: If you are celebrating a special occasion, do call for reservation and let them know, they surprised us with a complimentary molten cake for the occasion (with special greetings on the cake). The restaurant theme is a standard fee for all you can eat. Don't get turned off by that as you are surrounded in a 5 star atmosphere clearly visible and experienced through the welcoming staff and the quality of attention they surround you with. Make sure you take your time in opening up with the salad bar. It is a huge selection of the finest ingredients which prepares you to the main course. Take your time in savoring the varieties offered at the restaurant. A word of advice go there early at around 8 PM as I am sure you will not get out before 10. Once the meat starts rolling you just want to taste everything . I even bet you that you can't stop. Each seat has a red and green card. As long as your card is on the green the meat will keep on getting offered. You can always turn it to red and stop but I somehow doubt that anyone will do that knowing how tasty the menu is. Make sure to order some of the fine red wines they have in store. They have a gorgeous variety to suit every taste. Whether it is a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir or Shiraz, they got it all. My recommendation goes to the Californian Pinot Noir, a somewhat dry red wine but sure makes the best companion to the variety being offered. Service is consistently awesome - friendly, fast and efficient. They also do not rush you. It doesn't matter if it's a full night. So yea, eat as much as you can yet take your time and enjoy your company!!
(4)Victor O.
I loved the service. i went with my wife and all waiters are very friendly and helpful.
(5)Pamela G.
Great meat! Great sides. So much food and for my 27th bday it was perfect! Really excited for the downtown Los Angeles location to open. Wasn't too happy about the seating all the tables were super close felt like they squeezed way more people than they could in this place. Highly rec making a reservation :)
(4)David K.
Good meats and the salad bar but wayyyyyy too expensive. I mean the price is not justified. For a meal for two people with 1 drink its $200+ Just go down the street to the Cut and get your self a life changing steak for that kind of price. Total not worth the price. There are so many Brazilian bbq restaurants for half that price and just as good or even better food.
(3)Luis R.
Lunch at Fogo! OMG!! Half the price All the meat of dinner!! Great quality of meat Awesome salad bar Worth the money
(5)Christine M.
The good news: I always try to eat my money's worth for Brazilian BBQ, but I always just end up eating my money's worth of the damn cheese bread. Who am I to say no when they keep refilling the basket with fresh, hot cheese bread?! The side bar has your usual salad and veggies to even out all the meat you're about to consume. For the meats, my top picks would have to be the Filet Mignon, Picanha, Beef Ancho (Rib eye), Garlic Beef and the sausage. Service was great (esp with the meat) and they were pretty attentive, refilling our side dishes and making sure everything was good to go, but then again it was a Sunday evening. The bad news: This was my second time here, and unfortunately, I feel like the quality went down in terms of the meat even though the price went up (~$62 per person). The Alcatra (Top sirloin), Fraldinha (Bottom sirloin), Lamb, Chicken, and anything wrapped in bacon was all pretty dry and I didn't even end up finishing the piece I tonged off. I was especially disappointed with the Parmesan-crusted pork because I was looking forward to it, but the layer of Parmesan was super dense and overpowering, and the pork was dry of course. Overall, I had a great time, but I don't think I'll come back because I would rather spend that money elsewhere, but it's definitely a good experience for first timers or come during DineLA's Restaurant Week. A dinner for two (with wine) will easily come out to around $200. Also, valet is mandatory and it's $6.50!
(3)Lia A.
Amazing experience lastnight at this Brazilian spot (Churrascaria) in Beverly Hills... Definitely step over to the bar while waiting to be seated and see the bartender from Lithuania.. Sorry forgot his name... But ask him to make you a Mojito... Guarantee you have never had better... The lighting is a bit too dark for my taste... But the food makes up for it.... Their starting area... Is delicious enough to fill you up... But don't because the parade of mouth watering meats are on there way... My favs...at salad bar.. Are Smoked salmon w/capers ,prosciutto, 24 mo aged Parmesan, fresh mozzarella, jumbo asparagus , Italian Salami... Black beans with rice and grilled onions... Meats......filet mignon wrapped with bacon,Picanha, pork ribs, chicken, rib eye, and lamb, with mashed potatoes and fried polenta... Don't forget to save room for the Flan!! It's so delicious ... If not a fan of flan go for the chocolate cake .... We will definitely be back .... But I think once a year for this place is just right...
(4)Caley M.
So good!!! We went here for my aunts birthday and it was delicious! There was a group of about 16 of us and my uncle brought all of our wine but the service was still awesome, they took really good care of us and I would go back again.
(5)Ambar C.
3.5 stars. It was ridiculously busy, and I'm not sure if it was because of dineLA or because it was a holiday (or if it's always like that). We had a reservation for 5 at 2:30pm, but they were not turning tables very well, so they made us wait at the bar for almost 40 minutes! We decided to order a pitcher of sangria ($18), which was more than enough for our group because it was extremely sweet. I was shocked at the amount of sugar the bartender put into the drinks. Next time I will order my go-to limeade. The atmosphere was interesting. It looked like a fancy Beverly Hills restaurant with white tablecloths, but then there were the gauchos (the men holding meat on a large metal stick). They try to encourage people to visit their vast salad bar first, but I sat down and flipped my coaster to green. I'd really rather get my money's worth of meat; there are 15 choices! They sat us at a really nice table in the corner by the meat pit in the window that faces La Cienega. Unfortunately, because we were in the back corner, we got jipped a little bit on service. Service was not fantastic. Our main waiter seemed annoyed that I skipped the salad bar, and he rarely checked up on us. The gauchos were not coming to our table at all in the beginning, and when they did, they only had one or two pieces left of that particular meat (and it often wasn't hot off the spit). I ended up getting the attention of the floor manager to let her know we felt left out, and she sent over some gauchos who started with our table. After that, we didn't have as much of a problem getting meat. The food was mostly great. The pao de queijo (cheesy bread) was fantastic and so were the mashed potatoes with paprika and cheese. Of the meats, I tried the sausage, sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon, garlic beef, picanha, parmesan pork, lamb chop, leg of lamb, and possibly more. The best meat of the night was definitely the garlic beef, but it is not for the faint of heart. It is super garlicky! I love to take it and rub it all over my plate so the garlic flavor gets all over the rest of the meat. It was also the most medium-rare meat I got, so it was tender and juicy and flavorful. The house special picanha was delicious, as well, though some pieces were very salty. The parmesan pork was dry and overcooked. The sirloin was very tough. The filet mignon was nicely cooked, and the lamb was incredible. Parking is a little bit of a nightmare. They have their own lot where you can valet for $5.50, but if there's traffic on La Cienega, you are going to wait a long time to get into the lot (especially if you are trying to turn left). If you can find street parking, that would be the way to go, but if you're looking for street parking, come early. The prices for dineLA are $25 for lunch and $45 for dinner. I think it's a $10 discount. Why not pay less for more meat?!
(3)Chris Y.
To my beloved Fogo de Chao, It was such a pleasure to have finally met you. I have always heard wonderful things about you, but for whatever reason we have never met until this point. First I'd like to thank OpenTable for arranging our meeting. I have to admit that when I first met you I was a little nervous. I knew most people come to a churrascaria to fill up on meat and not other things. But little did I know, your salad bar was fantastic! I tried to not over-indulge myself with the first course knowing what was coming up in the main course, but once I saw your beautiful sun-dried tomatoes, I just couldn't resist. While filling up a little on some salad and cold meat, we got some wonderful sides brought to our table. The sides included cheese bread, plantains, and mashed potatoes. Your cheese bread was tasty, but I had to keep telling myself again not to over indulge. After nearly finishing up on the first course, our delightful waiter brought us clean plates for the main course; and that was where our experience really took off. We swapped plates, flipped the little cards over to Green, and your gaucho chefs brought us an endless supply of meat. I think I have tried every type of meat you had on the menu, with the only exception being the Lombo (Pork filet encrusted with Parmesan cheese). For whatever reason, your gaucho chefs with the Lombo never made it to our side of the room. But its okay; it was just a minor miscommunication between us. Every cut of meat I've tried was delectable. They were all very tender, juicy, and flavorful. I would gladly order any cut alone as a main course. My favorite was surprisingly the Costela de Porco (pork ribs). Simply put, it tasted so good... My second favorite was the Garlic Picanha. I was afraid your chicken (the Frango) might be overcooked and dry like most places, but it was moist and delicious. Although I liked it too, my least favorite out of all the cuts was the leg of lamb (the Cordeiro). Ironically I really enjoyed the lamb chops. Lastly, I want to thank you for giving me my favorite dining experience of 2012; on New Years Eve nonetheless. Needless to say, I can't wait for our second meeting as I look forward to seeing you again. Sincerely, Chris Y. P.S. I opted for the $5.50 valet since finding parking is a pain in the area. And since I came on a Holiday (or in my case, the day before one), I didn't expect it to cost $42 a head for lunch instead of the regular price of $35.50
(5)Jan R.
I just got home after having a small bday dinner for my friend tonight. I just want to say how unpleased I am with my experience at your restaurant. Complaints #1 Vallet: I pulled up my car and stopped at the section where it tells me to stop to be parked by a valet. I was never approached by anyone and was sitting in idle for a good 5 mins. It seems that there were several people that could have possibly helped me or even acknowledge me to wait for a moment. I had to step down out of my car and hand my key to the people on the valet station. - although annoying, i let it be and didn;t want to ruin my night. 2. Dining: I'm quite familiar with the setup of a churrascaria, having eaten at Espetus, Mgrill, Cleo's etc. So I understand how the flip your cards if you want more food flip it again to stop. I was on the lookout of a great restaurant experience, coming from San Francisco. I yelped out good places to eat and found this restaurant and decided to go here. For being on the higher price of a restaurant, i expect a great customer service experience - but that's not what I received. In a matter of a couple of minutes, a barrage of servers with their grilled meat approached us and gave us food. I was ok with that but it seemed to be rushed and pilled up. I had to flip my card to stop it for a moment. But I guess that doesn't matter because they were still a constant flux of food coming in and we just have to say no because our plates were full. The night continued and after finishing the plate we have, we were ready for more meat. But we noticed that nobody was coming - so we decided to call on a waiter. a waiter came and asked if we wanted dessert. My friend, who was the bday celebrant told the waiter that he actually wanted more sirloin. The server seemed baffled. He said that he can get more meet cooked. Me and my friends just decided to ask for the bill because it seemed that at 10, the restaurant closes - even the buffet line was closed, exactly at 10. I just find this experience rushed. Im upset that I picked this restaurant, coming from san francisco to just not have a great time. I mean why would you stop serving the food, or close the buffet line when there are still a lot of people in the restaurant? I find that to be a de-service. I understand that the restaurant is closed for walk ins but the line or the service should still be ongoing. At least tell the customers that the buffet line is going to be closed in the next 15 mins?! Last order?! or just say something that won't catch anyone off guard. Food: Good Service: Mediocre Experience: Horrible I'll also be posting this on Yelp so Hopefully this can help you, even if your food is "okay", a foodie like me won't ever come back. First impressions lasts, and unfortunately, tonight was a failure.
(1)Eleanor G.
Best service! Best cuts! Should add some hot foods w the salad bar, BUT the complimentary meal for spending our Valentines lunch w them gives them 10 stars! I love all AYCE and FREE! Went on Friday after Valentines to take the BF for a lunch I know he'd love just as much as I. I live in SD and have done Rei Do Gado a few times, but this is a whole other level of service and quality of food! Filet Mignon was the best with everything else being delicious and lamb being least favored and unfinished. The cheese bread is good but mashed potatoes shoul have been left off the table. Wish they had a hot buffet like Rei Do Gado but the meat is what we were there for so it wins nonetheless.
(5)Irvin L.
Coming down from La Cienega Blvd, the first thing you notice is the smell of grilled meat. There are other restaurants around, but who can even pay attention when your olfactory senses take over? The doors are about three times my height and I expected to enter King Arthur's court. On the right, there is a pleasantly-sized bar whereas on the left, the true magic happens. Beef, Pork, Chicken, Lamb - these are the four main elements of the meat dishes. Chopped up in skewers, perfectly cooked pieces come through when you flip your coasters to the green side - which remind me of the green lights on Santa Monica Blvd: Maybe I should slow down, but I'm already here so I might as well go all out. That's exactly how a Churrascaria should be. Question my authority? I'll give you my 11 years of experience living in Sao Paulo, Brazil to vouch for it. The sides are delicious too. But when you're making that huge dent in your wallet, why bother with rice, beans, and bread? Go for the meat and meat only. The staff is also very professional and has accommodated all of our needs. I've gone here plenty of times and they are always amicable. One thing that I have to wonder about are the huge wine bottles that serve as decorations. Inquisitive, I grabbed one to see if there was something in it and behold, t'was full. What kind of wine could be inside these bottles? Can we order these and have merry festivities with them? As I chow down a perfectly sizzled picanha, I know I have to come back some other time and head down to the bar when parentals and relatives won't be there to judge my drunken debaucheries. This would be a place that I would take my friends, foes, and executive bosses to show them what it feels like to eat in Brazil. To beat a dead horse, trust me, I'm Brazilian.
(5)Chris J.
I came here with three other friends during a spring restaurant week. I consider myself a true carnivore, and having heard about brazilian steakhouse, I was excited to try it. I was certainly not disappointed. The setting was that of a cavernous dining area, almost like a large ballroom with massively high ceilings and lots of natural light. The place was also packed, but that did not slow down the meat, which the waiters were soon bringing to us in piles almost as soon as we sat down. I remember almost every cut of meat tasting excellent. It seemed as if the meat was marinated and/or tenderized with salt and herbs for a very long period of time before being grilled. The Pao de Queijo, cheese infused mini soft breads served at the table, was also to die for. Additionally, the pineapple with caramelized brown sugar coating was a nice addition to the meal. There was also a massive buffet of supplementary food. However except for grabbing a bit of salad to provide roughage, I focused exclusively on the meat. After gorging on who knows how many pounds of beef (along with a little pork and chicken), we made our way out of the restaurant. Given the normal price of food here, the lunch restaurant week special certainly was a big plus for our group of (at the time) poor college students. All in all, this was certainly one of the most most memorable meals I had in LA.
(5)Mitch G.
Great food and even greater service. Always treat us like royalty here. Everyone from the hostess, to each server, to the people walking around with the food. They do an A+ job taking care of people. The salad bar is great, the meat is delicious, and my favorite... The lamb chops w mint jelly, makes me Bahhhhh.
(5)Cel S.
Customer service: was amazing, very attentive, they always make sure have everything you need/want Food: if you are a meat lover this is the place to be, be sure to try the beef ribs..... Parking: HORRIBLE is took and I am not joking 25 minutes to get my car, not a good thing
(5)Nasir R.
Great salad bar. Above average meat and good variety. Only thing that was a let down was the compulsory valet parking, which for a car park that was so small was completely unnecessary. If you want meat their are better places.
(2)Christina T.
I was really excited to try Fogo de Chao but I don't need to try it again :( if you're thinking about trying Fogo de Chao I recommend trying it during restaurant week. Making reservations was nice and easy. I was on the phone for less than 5 minutes. Upon arrival, we were sat immediately. The hosts are excellent. Friendly and very helpful and continued to be helpful during the meal. We were asked during our meal when a lot of meat wasn't on the floor if we would like any specific meats sent over to our table. Our waitress unfortunately was not as friendly and helpful. I think she checked up on us once, and looked unpleasant taking away our plates. When asked for our check, we waited for about 15 minutes. We saw her walk back and forth and looked at our table, I think realizing she forgot the check, and finally came back with it. Noted it may have been a team effort and "anyone could assist [us]", no other waitress/waiter checked on us. For all you can eat meat, I felt like the meat was subpar. When asked for medium rare for some meats, we were given meat that was done/well done. Some meats were overly seasoned and some had no flavor at all. None of the meats were hot hot in terms of temperature. Top Sirloin: good, tough (possibly cooked well done/overcooked), not memorable Filet mignon: definitely the best! If you could request it early on, I would definitely recommend it. That way you can get the most bang for your buck and continue getting it. Rib Eye: not memorable Lamb: Meat was cooked most accurately. Medium rare was medium rare. Not hot in terms of temperature. Chicken: good. Skin was crispy. Slightly on the drier side (kind of expected with chicken). Pork Loin: very good! Juicy, favorable. On the saltier side because of the seasoning on the outside. But I definitely would get seconds. Sausage: believe it or not, Very good! Seems weird and questionable for the price you're paying, but it was fresh, hot and very tasty. Pretty full we opted out of dessert, but I went for my sister's birthday and thought we would get some sort of acknowledgment for it, but nothing not even a "happy birthday".
(3)Sonia J.
We had quite a wait but we also didn't make a reservation and it's xmas party season. Don't know what all the negative reviews are about because as usual it was excellent! My favorites are always the beef ribs which your Waitress brings from the kitchen. A few things were too well done but the gauchos would bring a rarer one next trip. Lamb and bacon wrapped chicken also excellent! Will be back! Also, ask for sauces-- we had chimichurri, horseradish and mint
(5)Will L.
All meat lovers should try Brazilian BBQ. It's one of the greatest things ever created and we can only thank our South American friends for blessing us with it. To top if off, we have a lot of Brazilian BBQ options in LA and a couple of them even offer cheaper prices during dineLA. One of the better ones is Fogo de Chao. The wait gets a little crazy sometimes, especially during dineLA, but the meat here can be amazing. I still dream about this cut of Ribeye that I had here about 2 years ago. It was perfection in meat form. Anyways, make sure you have a reservation, especially for dineLA, cause this place gets packed. The seating here can also use some work. If you're unfortunate and get seated towards the back side of the restaurant, chances are you're going to be uncomfortably close with the other parties next to you. Aside from that, I really enjoy all the food aspects here. The salad bar is really fancy and they constantly keep everything looking fresh and tidy. I absolutely love the sides here, especially the caramelized banana and garlic mashed potatoes. They both go superbly with the steaks and they are probably the only clear cut things I like about Fogo over M Grill. On the good days, everything about the meat is top notch. I really love the Ribeye, Picanha (Top Sirloin), and the Filet Mignon. Also, if it's your first time, you're going to really dig the whole AYCE Brazilian BBQ experience. To be honest, the best experience I had at Fogo was during regular hours and not dineLA week. It was way more spacious and the quality was supreme. A couple of the times I've come for dineLA, there was a clear drop in quality. One time the meat was too dry and another time the meat was way too salty. With that being said, I've also had a couple really good meals during dineLA as well, so I guess you're just going to have to try your luck if you're doing it.
(5)Steph S.
Been here twice and unfortunately I wasn't impressed. First of all, both were during dineLA so I'm not sure if it was the massive crowds that affected the food, but I have to say that for a place that specializes in meat ... the meat was NOT its strong point. It's AYCE style and they come around with large slabs of meat (12 different types I believe) and you either say you want it or not. They give you a little piece of cardboard with two sides" green for YES and red for NOPE, I'M DONE. But honestly, they don't even look at it and most of the time it becomes buried in your plate/napkins/cups. The meat was SO DRY. The only good meat that I had was the filet mignon. Only one that was moist and delicious. Everything else ... you could really skip to be honest. The ribs were SO TOUGH that most of our table just gave up trying to eat it. Other times they wouldn't even ask how you wanted your meat. They just cut, dropped it on your plate, and left. The only upside to this place is that it's AYCE and the salad bar is pretty fancy. Lots of veggies to pick from so you're not just eating pounds of meat. But then again, I'm a salad lover so I might be biased here. (Plus they have sun dried tomatoes and I LOVE SUNDRIED TOMATOES). I'm going to reiterate here - I went during dineLA. $45 per person. I'm really not sure if the fact that it was PACKED really did make that difference in meat quality, but regardless I'm going to have to say to pick another brazilian meat place or maybe try this place when it's not dineLA. Though I understand that the dineLA pricing is quite attractive. All in all, I'm going to give this 3 stars. Eh on the meat, a plus for the salad, and a tiny plus for the price.
(3)Jamie Y.
This is my second time experience at Brazilian steakhouse, with Espetus being my first. Just thinking about the different types of succulent skewered meats makes me giddy and excited for my next experience. From my experience, the main difference between Espetus and Fogo de Chao is the customer service. Fogo de Chau really sets itself apart with superb customer service even at an extremely busy night (Valentine's Day)! I was pretty impressed. The salad bar was just OK to me, but what really reigned from the copious amounts of appetizers was the signature cheese bread! I had the hardest time refraining myself from eating too much. The texture is cheesy and chewy, almost mochi-like. Also loved the mashed potatoes - not chunky and very smooth in texture. My favorite meats were the picanha, filet mignon and alcatra with picanha being my favorite. So juicy, so succulent...drool. The seasoning was on point - I love biting into the tiny grains of salt that gives the meat a complimentary crunch and flavor. The servers were also very attentive - when you want a certain type of meat, let them know and they will bring it out to you asap. I literally stuffed almost 2 lbs of meat in my mouth... I have never been so full even before dessert, so unfortunately I can't review the desserts - but I'm sure they are all delicious. I must admit though, the first few pieces that came out were on the dry side, maybe because they were the end pieces or maybe the quality diminished due to the endless amount of people, but they quickly made up for those inconsistencies after a few skewers that passed by me. Tips: Make a reservation Valet parking available for a small price Refrain from eating too much of the appetizers! Flip the card to green for more food, red for stop Definitely ask the gaucho chefs (servers) for the type of meat you want If wait is long, go to the bar Make a reservation the day BEFORE Valentine's Day ;-)
(5)Brynna B.
I went with my boyfriend when we were too late for a reservation at The Bazaar. If the bill had been lower it would be a four-star spot in my opinion. The food was mainly very good and fresh. I can't fault it in anyway. But it's a buffet. With very loud families and what looked like people using coupons. Now I'm from the 909 and not going to look down my nose at a good buffet. But...for the price you should be having a nice meal. Not suffering through bad cocktails and strangely dressed people presenting skewers of meat every 5 seconds. Maybe I'm being unfair but what is Yelp for but unfair opinions?
(2)Andrea M.
ALL YOU CAN EAT MEAT! enough said If anyone complains about the quality of this place they are just complaining to be negative. I've lived in Brazil and this is as good as it gets.
(5)Magic H.
BIG TOPIC POINT: (The place is basically a meat buffet in Beverly Hills, you can wear what you want, but I'm sure they encourage you to dress well... but don't kill yourself to go fancy here, because you might just spill meet on your fanciness) I actually like Texas De Brazil better... But there's none of those around here (until I hit the Mega Millions...) So... Here's to Fogo De Chao. It was DINE L.A., So I took advantage of a discounted night @ Fogo De Chao. Grabbed a nice bottle of wine, and hit the amazing salad bar. Lots of fancy stuff that I did not recognize there. So I grabbed some Salami and Salad and sat down... Knowing that this was a mere distraction to the epic night of meat I was ready to embrace. Tonight was Meatocalypse, metasauraus rex's resurrection, it was meatfest 2013, it was... A lotta meat. To give me, an a.d.d. and hungry professional pain in the ass a button that has GREEN FOR GO FOR MEAT and RED FOR NO I'M GOOD ON DAT MEAT Is a dangerous thing. Because the guys see green, and they come over and GO GO GO, trying to get all that meat off their plates. (Be warned: PLATES LEAVING YOUR TABLE CAN STEAL YOUR MEAT GO STOP BUTTON!!!) It happens more than you think, then you get yourself into a little situation, because the meat men don't know what to do when you have no button. You can totally get a kidney stone from this joint. If you dehydrate and just eat meat, that's what happens for folks who develop stones I hear... So be careful on that. I've considered becoming a meatatarian after visiting this place. It was good, but it was expensive. And that's okay, if you want a night of meat! (On an off note, we got sat next to a great couple who we talked to for HOURS while eating more meat and drinking, which is very cool. Just reminds me of this point here: When you spend some money on a nice night out, you're going to meet potentially better guests and folks than you would at say..... Big Wangs.)
(4)Ki F.
Wow !!! It's so good Good service , meat ! Meat ! Good food Very clean ! I cannot talk Let eat !! Bar salad it's very good Good selection of meet! The best ever !! You always have someone close to your table to serve you !! One of the best in Los Angeles
(5)Chris D.
One of the Yummiest places ever... Keep it green & the food never stops coming ...Also their wine selection is rad
(5)Mikheyla C.
It was my first time here. We came yesterday, February 16. Our reservation was at 7:30pm but we still had to wait 30 mins to get seated.. It was off to a bad start already.. The line around 7:45PM was out the door and they were telling everyone that were already waiting to go to the bar and wait there.. but the bar was also packed with people waiting to get seated. There was no where to wait after checking-in. It was just a crowded mess out there and I really just wanted to get seated because people kept bumping into to me. I would have waited outside but it was too cold and the seats were also already taken. So when we got called in to get seated, we were sat next to the wall. Our hostess explained how the stop-go card worked and where the salad bar was then our waitress came over to ask what we wanted to drink. It went pretty smooth.. in the beginning. My boyfriend also ordered Sprite but it never came so he had to ask for our server again. She was really nice but it was just way too busy that night. For the price we paid, I wish mistakes like this didn't happen as often as it did that night but it did. I tried to be understanding but we are customers too. I guess the line outside for reservations was becoming unbearable because I noticed that they put another table behind me which I was a little annoyed with because it made it hard to go to the salad bar and whenever the server served them something, I always felt like it was so close to my head.. my boyfriend would even tell me to duck down so the tray doesn't hit me. Thank goodness nothing hit me or spilled on me but that's how inconvenient putting another table in back of our table was. Another thing that was annoying was our table. One of the legs on our table was shorter than the rest and kept tipping down. It was so uncomfortable eating because I was always worried my drink would spill from the unbalanced table especially when my drink was full. Last thing that I didn't quite like, we asked for the check because we wanted to catch a movie after dinner but the check didn't arrive until after 15-20 minutes. The service that night was just awfully slow. In no way am I mad because my boyfriend is such a great company. He made the waiting bearable. The food was amazing but since service was a little slow, we didn't have the patience to try everything. I understand that everyone starts off with a cheese bread but our server didn't give us any. When we saw the server that was serving the table next to us start them off with cheese bread, I was surprised because we didn't get the same thing. We asked for it but we never got it.. I wish I could have tried some because I heard it was pretty good. My favorites were the filet mignon and beef tenderloin. Yum! Their aged manchego cheese was also very delicious and fresh so make sure you try it from the salad bar if you're a cheese fan! Oh and just a tip: dessert doesn't come with the fixed price of dinner or lunch. The papaya cream is $11.50 and the turtle cheesecake is $11.00. Both of these desserts are worth a try! The cheesecake is very rich and decadent and the papaya cream is different but very fruity and good. It has a soft sorbet texture and the liquor they put on top compliments it very well. Dinner for one person is $58.50. I'm not sure if I would go back. It was a good experience but I was turned off by the service.
(3)Parker H.
Have you ever just wanted to punch a hostess in the vagina?! Well this place will make you think that! But after you actually get seated you instantly start getting a bunch of meat and it's sooooo good! ^__^
(4)Johnny R.
Well, it's my wife's birthday so the plan is an afternoon of shopping followed by an early dinner. I was in the mood for meat so thought I would search Yelp for a nice steakhouse. Fogo de Chao popped up with great reviews, so off we go. The salad bar was great, with a fresh assortment of steak tomatoes, asparagus, green beans, shitake mushrooms, beets and so on. We especially enjoyed the artichoke hearts. At the table, there was an endless supply of cheese bread rolls, quite tasty. After finishing the salads, one flips over the round stop go casters, signaling the waiter to begin the onslaught of meats. The first serving was a top serloin that was carved on the well done side even though we asked for medium rare. The second to pass by was the garlic tenderloin, nice but again too well done, and on the tough side. Next came the lamb chops, which I was especially looking forward to. I was sorely disappointed as its was way overcooked and inedibly seasoned - way too salty. Despite my first impression, I still held out hope for the ribeye cut. Unfortunately, no salvation can be found here. Although the cut was at best medium, not medium rare, the meat was tasteless and grainy, not like rib meat should taste like. We had enough by this time and was anxious to get to dessert. I ordered the creme brulee and thought they would come out singing with the dessert, since I let them know ahead it was my wifes birthday. Instead, it was a dud. No fanfare, no singing, no free dessert, nada. Not a very good opening for a Chanel bag - I was disappointed. In all, its a Brazilian steakhouse with a good salad bar. Sorry to say the meats are not worth the effort or calories. Its not cheap by any standard, so I would highly suggest considering Mastros or even Ruth Chris in this price range. The waiters do make an effort to provide good service, but the product just is not deserving. Judging from the ratings for this place, Im saddened to see how quantity can obscure quality when reviewing. I must be more careful when trusting reviews on Yelp. Most of the time I come out ahead.
(2)Frank B.
Solid 4 star...nice little bar...excellent salad bar, great selection of Meats...an experience you must have...I would recommend this place...
(4)Stephanie-Ann Y.
Great service. Good wine selection. Quality food. Mouthwatering meats. Fresh vegetables. Yummy caramelized bananas. I really enjoyed the salad bar because the ingredients were simple, fresh, and different from other salad bars. My favorite item from the salad bar, fresh mozzarella. The meats were all tasty and nicely cooked....probably one of the best rib eye steak I've had in a while. The only downfall was the fried mozzarella, which made the cheese extremely rubbery and the outside taste like recycled oil from china.
(4)Kathy C.
What can I say about Fogo de Chao that hasn't already been said before... The fattier cuts of meat like the rib eye were definitely more tender than some of the other cuts. The sirloin prepared that day was quite dry and not pleasing to the palate. You should try a little bit of everything to figure out what tickles your fancy. The salad bar offerings were great and accompanied the meat offerings well. It's good to mix it up so you don't overdose on a meat coma.
(4)Mary Jo T.
My birthday is Christmas Eve. Several years back friends too me to Fogo de Chao for dinner and I remember it as extraordinary. This year we decided to do it again. Party of 5 wanted to eat early so we arrived at 6pm. The place was jammed and we were in the very back room, smack in the middle. NOISY! But we went with it. However, the waiter rushed us to start, our drinks did not come for a very long time. I was disappointed in the meat. Three things came, asked for rare lamb chops but got well done, lamb chops were well done (ordered medium rare), chicken was ok. Then nothing. Finally steak, it was good but only offered one kind. No offer of additional drinks or a refill of tea, or an offer of coffee or dessert. Finally my dinner mates tired of waiting, asked for check, long wait, check came, they overcharged us, another wait. Then the parking lot, must have been 50 people (not kidding) waiting for valet. We stood for half an hour. Really disappointing. Don't think I'll be going back.
(2)Herve D.
My only real complaint with this place is that I'm spending over $60 a person to have to pay $5.50 for a valet service on my way out. For that much money they should have complimentary parking. But I'm not one of those people who will take out a star for something like that when the dining experience is as great as it is at Fogo de Chao. I made the mistake of coming here as my first steakhouse experience in Los Angeles. The good part? I found a spot that I can continuously return to whenever I want top quality, delicious cuts of meat. The bad part? Every other churrascaria I have tried in Los Angeles has disgusted me, because it didn't live up to the standard set by Fogo de Chao. The service is always impeccable, as all of the waiters are on call for all of the tables. Need something? Ask any of the waiters walking around, and they will do their best to accommodate you as quickly as possible. Every once in a while, the place gets so packed that the service can be a bit slower than usual, but they immediately fix it as soon as they become aware of it. The manager is also very nice, and walks around to every table to make sure that you are having a pleasant dining experience. The salad bar is pretty good, and the cheese breads that they start you out with are great too (make sure that they are warm, and if not, ask for a fresh batch). They will bring out mashed potatoes, polenta, and sweet plantains (deliciously done up), without you having to ask. But I learned from dining their many times that you can ask for rice and beans as well (they don't bring it out unless you ask for it). Lamb chops are my favorite. I also love the leg of lamb (but it depends on which gaucho chef is cooking it). I love Vaomir's (spelling?) rendition the best, and he is my favorite chef -- if you go there often you will get to know the chefs, and they will make a special effort to keep coming to you first before anyone else, and will bring out special cuts for you. The place is really awesome in this way, and they will keep getting my business because of efforts like this. Picanha is delicious also, but it has to be cut thin. Every once in a while a chef will cut it a little too thick and its not as good (but luckily you can just request it whatever way you like, and leave whatever you don't like on the plate for the waiter to take away). I love the garlic beef also (very garlicky flavor), chicken leg marinated in beer (delicious!), and oh my god, the PARMESAN PORK is amazing (sometimes the parmesan cheese is dry and hard....you want to get it when the cheese is bubbly and soft -- the first time I dined here a friend told me I had to try the Parmesan Pork and I had it where the cheese was dry, and I didn't care for it much. My experience definitely changed next time when I realized how amazing it was when it was soft and melting in your mouth). If you come here for lunch, you get the EXACT same menu as dinner, for about half the price, BUT, the three times I've come for lunch, I've found that something just isn't the same about the meat. It's not as good as dinner. So I never do lunch anymore because of that. Overall, I have to give this place 5 stars, because it never disappoints for the most part, and every person I have introduced to this place has become addicted to it and introduces it to their friends and family who in turn become addicted as well. If you haven't been to Fogo de Chao yet, and think you have tried good churrascarias in Los Angeles, then you need to come here to see what the real deal is and dismiss all the other mediocre to horrible places in LA that just don't stand up to the level of Fogo de Chao.
(5)Tess R.
I fully intended to love this place, but... I should title this review, "Water water everywhere but none for me...." It's our 5th wedding anniversary, and since we spent our honeymoon in South America, we thought it would be fun to go to Fogo de Chao - for the memories. We've got kids now, so we don't get out as much anymore (dropping $100 on a babysitter before you even get out of the house certainly changes your outlook on date night). I made the reservations and asked if they could surprise my husband with a special dessert - they were enthusiastic and offered a decorated plate with a complimentary dessert. Cool! We get all dressed up (no yoga pants tonight - I pulled out the heels, push up bra, and make up!!!). We show up for our 7:30 PM reservation, and... there's a 15 minute wait. Okaaayy... gave me a chance to sit and people watch. And by people watch, I mean I watched people in shorts, jeans, t-shirts - not quite what I expected for BH for a $$$$ place on a Saturday night. But, to each their own, I guess. We finally get in, and the decor is gorgeous. We order a bottle of wine, head to the salad bar, start sampling the yummy rolls. Food is fantastic for the volume that they must prepare and serve. We didn't do Dine LA because we wanted the best cuts of meat - that was a good decision. Filet for the win! Where things went south was with the service. When we sat down, I jokingly told our server that I was part camel, and would be going through a lot of water. She laughed but apparently didn't believe me. (I'm breastfeeding - I drink water like it's going out of style!) We had no problem getting food... lots of meat, refills on the bread, chimichurri sauce. But as the evening went on, we saw less and less of our server. And that meant, less and less water for moi. I don't know what happened but by the time dessert rolled around, she had filled my water glass twice, and I drank all of my husband's water too. She either wasn't told about our special occasion or decided not to honor it, and honestly, by that time, I was tired of waiting, tired of constantly having to ask for water and not get it, and tired of being there. We just asked for our check (and more water) - 20 minutes later we got the check and no water and we were out of there. (Well, once we got our car from valet - another 20 minutes) It was a disappointing end to what started as a great night.
(2)Jesse V.
What can I say!?? If you love meat this is the place to go. The quality is spectacular and well worth the money spent.
(5)Keya S.
We love this restaurant. The food is amazing, the service is excellent and the prices are good for the quality of food given. I just wish they had more space as it can get very busy and even with a reservation one had to wait a while at times. I would definitely recommend this restaurant!!!! Parking should be free too ;-)
(5)Brian A.
I feel like I am cheating on M Grill but this is a legit Brazilian steak house. Their picanha, garlic beef and rib eye was very delicious! You can try... But you will for sure fail at not trying to fill up on their cheese balls. All in all a great place. I would prefer m-grill over this place because Fogo does NOT I REPEAT DOES NOT have the grilled pineapple or corn cheese!
(4)Lisa H.
We were recently here for a Yelp event, and, of course, the service was spectacular! The staff here is very friendly and ready to help with any questions or requests. We were first served some cheesy bread, and they were really good. Then came the polenta fries, and they were OK, nothing I would waste precious stomach space on though. The fried bananas, now, that's my favorite! The garlic mashed potato was very good also. As far as the salad bar goes, there's a lot of items there from cheese to veggies to salads to rice and beans. Overall it was pretty standard, nothing too special. I got the potato salad and I've definitely had better elsewhere. The chicken salad was good, but Copacabana down in Hermosa Beach has hands down the best chicken salad I've ever had. The scalloped potatoes were great. Now onto the meats: Picanha - their house special, very tender, but lacked a bit of flavor. My boyfriend and I both agreed that the picanha at Copacabana was better seasoned Top Sirloin - better and richer flavor, but the meat was too tough and hard to chew Bottom Sirloin - good seasoning like the top sirloin, except it's more tender and tasted better than the top sirloin Filet Mignon - great quality meat and oh so yummy! I had to get 2 servings of this one =) Garlic Beef - I love garlic, so I liked this one, except because it's "special" flavoring, the meat quality is not as good but it was still very tasty. Rib Eye - I think I had this when I was being overwhelmed by everything. I remembered it was tender and flavorful, but I definitely prefer the filet over the rib eye. Lamb slice - I had this before the lamb chops and it was soooooo good. The flavoring was amazing, so delicious, and it was perfect with the recommended medium cooking. Lamb chops - this is by far my favorite. The chops were so juicy and tender, it was so good and I wish I could've had more but it was at the end of the meal and I was already stuffed as it is. Pork ribs - surprisingly very tender and juicy though it didn't look like it on the skewers. Bacon wrapped steak - nothing special here, save your stomach for the better meats previously mentioned. Bacon wrapped chicken - yes, it's bacon wrapped and it was juicy and tasty (better than the bacon wrapped steak), but just take a small bit and go for the better quality beef. So after just an hour of stuffing ourselves with protein and we were sooooo happy to turn the serving card from green to red, the servers started explaining the desserts...I can't skip dessert ;) We shared the flan, which was very creamy and very rich, and I liked it more than other flans because of how dense it is. We also had the papaya cream and oh my that was delicious! It was like a papaya shake smoothie and soooo rich in flavor and I love papaya! The server came by with some special blackberry liqueur to pour on top to add in some flavor, but everyone at our table agreed that it was better without the liqueur, and it kind of took away some of the good papaya flavors that was there. Overall it was a great experience. Would I ever go again if I have to pay for myself, probably not. I remembered back 10 years ago Fogo was like $45/person and now it's $62! I just can't eat enough to make it worth it, but what a great restaurant and super wonderful staff!
(4)Faustino R.
came at around 5:30 on a sunday,wasnt too crowded until around 7.I recommend coming on an empty stomach!you are served over 10 different meats in a row. The Brazilian house special is a must try! There were so many meats to try,I got tired of chewing and had to stop.this place is for meat lovers only! nice staff,wide variety of meat, and tasty food! #Five stars.
(5)Luke L.
Came here for DineLA and it was a very pleasant experience. Fogo de Chão is probably the MOST popular AYCE Brazilian BBQ restaurant in Los Angeles and a well-known destination for UCLA students. It is so popular that Fogo just recently opened up a branch in downtown LA (located at the intersection of Figueroa St and 8th St). This is also one of the top five DineLA options because you only pay $50.00 for $61.50 (regular dinner price - not including dessert) worth of dinner, Beverly Hill has a pretty bad street parking situation and valet parking might be your best bet ($6.5). Even if you come here close to your reservation time, there's still a good chance of waiting additional 15 ~ 30 minutes. *Side dishes* #Pão de queijo (warm cheese bread) - Airy and fluffy, amazingly good. Way better than M Grill's cold and non-airy cheese bread. (5/5) #Crispy hot polenta - Tasted like French fries (3/5) #Garlic mashed potatoes - Very fine and smooth texture, definitely one of the best mashed potatoes I've had. (5/5) #Caramelized bananas. - Slightly too sweet, not my cup of tea. (3.5/5) Salad bar - Get jumbo asparagus and mushroom. Both were my favorites. *1st Plate* #Chicken with Bacon (Frango) - Tasted pretty boring and dry. #Garlic Beef - Garlic flavor wasn't very strong. #Sausage (Linguica) - A bit dry with a hint spiciness. #Picanha (Top Sirloin, House Special) - Juicy and tender, tasted better than M Grill's picanha. *2nd Plate* #Bottom Sirloin (Fraldinha) - Flavor was somewhat plain, but more tender and juicier than M Grill's fraldinha. #Rib Eye (Beef Ancho) - My least favorite meat. *3rd Plate* #Pork Rib (Costela de Porco) - One giant slab of pork rib. Very good, highly recommended. *4th Plate and 5th Plate* #Top Sirloin (Alcatra) - Dry, a bit too well done #Lamb (Cordeiro) - Not as good as lamb from M Grill. Flan (Vanilla and caramel flavored custard served chilled with caramel sauce on top, $9.5)- Tasted pretty dense ... a bit too sweet with too much caramel sauce. Personally, I think Fogo is slightly better than M Grill. M Grill has better flan, kale salad, and lamb. However, Fogo has better beef, pork, and side dishes. You will find higher quality of meat at Fogo. P.S. - Always tell gaucho chefs on your preference (rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well done). I typically just get medium rare (with the exception of lamb, which I would get medium).
(5)Dana K.
Meat, meat and some more meat. Wait I don't eat steak so how did I end up here? In fact I don't eat red meat, pork, or lamb, just chicken, but even the chicken they serve is wrapped in bacon! The truth is I came for the yummy side dishes. They looked so yummy! This restaurant was participating in Dine LA where you receive an endless variety of different kind of meats, the salad bar and unlimited Brazilian side dishes for $50. The side dishes included warm cheese bread, garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas with your meal, and crispy hot polenta. I'm a sucker for some good polenta. My friend and I came here on a Friday night. We had reservations for 8:30, but when we arrived, they told us the wait was going to be 30-45 minutes long. There were herds of people everywhere and we were packed in the lobby like sardines. Cows in a cattle car...And since I'm not overly fond of veal and have no desire go Moo, it was hard not to be annoyed. We later found out that they had over 900 reservations that night and a huge group had remained longer than they were supposed to stay. That now made all the reservations behind. It was the last weekend of Dine LA so everyone was trying to come in. I ended up eating the salad bar for $32.99 instead of doing the Dine LA for $50. Since I'm not a meat eater, it seemed like a better deal, since you get the side dishes either way. The salad bar was good but because there was were a lot of people they continuously ran out of things ;the good stuff...Umm, JR, we seem to be out of the scallop potatoes again. The poor guy was working so hard to keep things refilled. After dinner we tried to order dessert. They were out of their 3 most popular desserts, which are the Flan, the Crème Brule, and the Key Lime Pie. Since those were the 3 we really wanted but weren't available, we ordered the cheesecake and some kind of banana custard. I'm not a huge fan of cheesecake but my friend loved the banana dessert. This place has exceptional customer service. From the hostess, to the waiters, to the general manager Vitor, we thought the service was flawless. Once I spoke to Vitor about the disappearance of some of our dessert favorites from the dessert tray, he made our visit 100% better by comping our desserts. Also I think if we came on another night our experience would have been much improved, so I'm going to give them another shot.
(4)Pearl J.
I think I built up my excitement so much that when I finally got to try it, I wasn't as excited anymore. Took advantage of DineLA and the $50 dinner price. It included everything except for the leg of lamb and the filet mignon. Must try meats - picanha and alcatra, both top sirloin cuts Must try at the salad bar - shiitake mushrooms, spicy and sweet bacon, kale salad, and the charcuterie board They bring the cheese bread, the garlic mashed potatoes, and the polenta to the table. Didn't really care for the garlic mash, nor the polenta...they are just fillers, not worth the extra calories. The cheese bread was good, but cheese bread is always good. They also bring plantains, which is a nice sweetness to offset the flavors between meat servings. Service is impeccable...for this I give them 4 stars. They are very attentive and accommodating. The food was delicious, but at $50 for DineLA and $61.50 any other time at dinner, it seems a bit over priced in comparison to other Brazilian steakhouses that tastes just as good.
(3)Amy M.
Came here during DineLA. I decided to come here cause I heard that you get your money's worth since its AYCE. It was my first time coming here & I was really looking forward to it because I've heard SOO many people rave about it. Upon arriving, we got seated right away because I had a couple of friends get there first & checked in our group. We arrived like 15 mins later than them after they gave them our table but at least they were nice enough to let us keep our table instead of saying the whole party had to be there. Once we arrived, oh my goodness there was A LOT of people waiting & all the tables inside seemed really close together. Anyways, onto the food. They had a really yummy salad bar, it's a little different than any other salad bar. There was grilled veggies, kale salads, smoked salmon, salami, pickled jalapeños, and a few other goodies. I really enjoyed it. So onto the meat & everything else, I'm not sure if it was because it was DineLA & it was insanely packed that the service and meat was not up to par. Service was lacking & it kinda seemed like the servers were a bit rude. It's also took long for us to even begin getting our meat & it took a while for them to come around w/ meat once we started. The meat was also really dry. I disappointed because it was my first time trying Brazilian BBQ & I heard about great & juicy the meat was here. HOWEVER, the cheese ball & crispy polenta was AMAZING. And we got a complimentary strawberry cheesecake for my friend for his bday. Also, there as a waiter that was rude to my friend & her guy went to talk to the manager & they gave us 2 free drinks on the house & also a $25 gift card to everyone at our table. I wasn't planning on coming back since its expensive but since we got the gift card I'll give this restaurant another shot & hopefully next time it'll be better. I'm just hoping that next time the meat will not be dry. I honestly do not feel like I got my money's worth. I would give this place 3 stars instead of 4 but the fact that they gave us 2 free drinks on the house and $25 gift card each person, that gave them the 4th star.
(4)Jon T.
The best piece of advice I can give to you is to not go here during dineLA, i've been here at least 4-5 times prior to my trip there last night for dine LA.. my previous experiences here have been great, good service, good quality meat, everything was great! really a 5 star experience.. last night was a 1(maybe 2star) experience... we were sat promptly which was great (the line outside looked insane), we had a party of 7 and none of the servers were stopping to give us meat which puzzled us a bit.. i flagged down a waiter to ask him what was going on and he told me that they were supposed to give us a dinner plate to signal the servers to start serving us.. as to why we never got the plates in the first place? i'll never know! this delayed our start time by around 25 minutes already which was obviously not great..as the night went on the meat quality got worse and worse, dry, rough, way too salty.. just not what you expect from this place, i have no idea if it's because of the large amounts of people that were there due to dineLA or what but that's no excuse for such an extreme drop in quality in food AND service which was pretty damn bad as well and to top it off there was a guy going around introducing some new drink and he came to our table to speak about his drink.. after his speech he asked if we wanted to try some.. my girlfriend asked if it was free (since he never made it very clear if it was a sample size or a full size drink) he looks at her and says "nothing is free here" then he points to the drink she already ordered and says "just incase you didn't know that's not free either" WHAT THE HELL?! r u serious? needless to say i spoke to a manger immediately and he was kind enough to apologize and give us 2 of the drinks on the house and gave our whole table 25 dollar gift cards, which is the reason this is still a 4 star review or else i would be slamming this place to shreds... with that said, i did have very good experiences with this place in the past and i will give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they were hit with a large crowd due to dineLA and still give them 4 stars
(4)Mo J.
I was very excited to go to Fogo since it had such great reviews. We had reservations for 8 pm and when we showed they still made us wait 30 mins. What is the point of having reservations when you still have to wait for half an hour? The food was not worth the price. The salad bar was sad. It had very little selection. Water that they served was warm. The meats are either under seasoned or over seasoned. With all this said I got food poisoning. Staff also need to work on their attitude. Specially with prices like this.
(1)Melissa D.
Delicious! Great cuts and tasty flavors! I went here for dinela since my usual Brazilian bbq gave closes down ( rip libra). This place is expensive but for the quality, service, and location..I makes sense. The place was packed by 7 but they were able to somehow accommodate everyone. (Oh the hectic-mess that friday dine la night brings!) I would definitely come again to treat a friend or for a celebration Oh yeah. Parking is valet for 6.50 and a really long wait. But hey that's a small price to pay for avoiding the stress of finding Parking!
(4)James T.
Short Sum: Wide variety of delicious meats, upscale atmosphere, attentive staff, potential difficulties if attended during DineLA On the last day of DineLA, my friends and I decided to head out to Fogo de Chao for (most of us) our first Brazilian barbecue. We anticipated long lines and large crowds due to the DineLA promotion - so we were surprised when the 20 minute wait turned out to be 8 minutes. We were seated promptly, but then soon realized our corner table was one of the most ill-located spots in the restaurant. Fogo de Chao's dining experience is a full service barbecue, meaning waiters scurry around with large slabs of meat and literally cut off slices and allow customers to pluck them off with small tweezers. However, they can only carry so much meat. Since it was DineLA, the restaurant was pack-crammed to the walls with tables and hungry groups (many college students like my friends and I). For us, it meant that the waiters often times ran out of meat before reaching our end of the restaurant, or forgot our corner entirely. Frustrating this was to our screaming stomachs at initial onset, but we were satisfied when an army of waiters came to us one by one in succession and proceeded to populate our plates with different types of beef. That day, Fogo de Chao boasted 15 different meats, with a salad bar and other side dishes (garlic mashed potatos, cheese bread, fried plantains, etc.). We manged to try around 7-8 of the meats (my personal highlight being the bacon-wrapped filet mignon). Along with the pipin hot fresh-out-the-oven cheese bread, all of our party was stuffed after an hour. The DineLA promotion was what initially attracted and drew us out. Our bill totaled to around $30 per person (including the tip). For me, it was hard not to draw comparisons to Korean BBQ: personally I'd rather have the latter. The meat was excellent and the meal satisfying, but I don't think I'll be taking a trip back to Fogo de Chao anytime soon. If you have an intense craving for meat (beef in particular) Fogo might just hit the spot, but I'd rather spend the money (less money too) elsewhere. Recommend trying once, return tripfirst there depend on how much you enjoyed that first time. Thanks for reading!
(3)Brianna B.
We've been coming here a lot over the years and it has always been one of our favorite restaurants. One of the most delicious on Beverly Hills' "Restaurant Row," this place is very delicious, unique, and the service is GREAT. If you're a meat lover, you will love this restaurant. If you don't know what this restaurant does, I'll explain it to you, as it's unique and I've never seen it done by any other restaurant. At your table, you have little paper circles that almost look like coasters and that have a red side and a green side. If your circle is flipped to the green side, the many guys carrying around huge pieces of meat stuck through a giant skewer will come to your table, ask you if you would like whatever meat they have (which there are large varieties of), and then proceed to cut you several pieces cooked to your liking. If your card is flipped to the red side, no one SHOULD come up to you, but when my family and I went last night people still came up to us asking if we wanted the meat that they were carrying. Another nice little touch of this restaurant is the side dishes that they bring to your table: fried plantain, mashed potatoes, and some other sort of fried dish. They also bring DELICIOUS gooey cheese rolls and they keep them coming, constantly replacing them with fresh, warm ones. There is also a giant salad bar that offers a wide variety of delicious vegetables, cheeses, and deli meats. The people here are VERY nice and attentive. Last night when we went, the place was PACKED: there were a to of people outside, there were a ton in the bar and lobby, and there were even more in the main part of the restaurant. However, despite the hustle and bustle and cramped space, the servers were constantly checking in with us, constantly brining us new drinks or a meat that we requested. Some tips: make a reservation. This place is popular, and growing even more popular. Be prepared to eat a lot! Eating a light lunch and rarely throughout the day will allow you to get the most of your money, because this place has a TON of food. Overall, I really like this restaurant and definitely recommend it.
(5)Hills B.
The food was DELICIOUS! And the waiting staff was polite and always kept the food coming.
(5)Roy I.
Save your money! Went today for an office luncheon. DISAPPOINTED! The "market table" ( Buffett) was just sad. They had everything for lochs and bagels except bagels. All of the other salads would have been descent had they seasoned anything. But it was apparent they saved all of the seasoning for the meat. Some even a little to heavy handed. The staff though were great! If you want a private room, make sure they understand. My company had to walk through another company's event to get to our area. That also lead to a long line for the "market table". so save your money and LA driving headache and pick something else. Lawry's steakhouse is across the street.
(2)Kira T.
This is a late review, but a review is still a review. I went to Fogo de Chao on Father's day 2014. It was packed, as to be expected on a "holiday". I heard about this place because I went to the one in Portland, Oregon, and thought my dad would really appreciate the excellence of food here. He is always complaining about a restaurant not having good meat. So, I thought this would give him something to talk about. Anyway... back to L.A.. Parking is valet so be prepared by bringing cash so you can tip them for it. Do not try to find parking because I did that and not only did we waste gas because there is none, but any parking that would have been available is metered. Once you go inside you can feel yourself becoming confident because of how classy the establishment is. They have the largest wine collection I have ever seen. The food was just as amazing as it was in Portland. The meat is cooked perfect. You will not get burnt pieces and if you order Medium- Well, it comes to you that way, unlike other steak houses. The appetizers are unique and delicious. They are continuously bringing these appetizers throughout your meal. The only disappointment I had was the salad bar...I realized that these stores are different from their other locations. The one in Portland had an amazing salad bar included with a large are for hot side foods, a variety of unusual vegetables and cheeses is what I remember. Also, the desserts are different...sad day. The Beverly location is not like this. The salad bar is very small, but it is also good. Just wish the structure of the salad bar was the same as the one in Portland. Needless to say, this place is pricey but oh so worth it when the meat melts in your mouth (get your mind out of the gutter :p) For 4 people I spent about ~$260. Totally worth it. TIP: Good place to take a date out to eat, or an anniversary. Enjoy!
(4)Kelly Y.
The first time I decided to do Dine L.A.... and I was disappointed. Maybe I'm being too critical and expecting too much, but if you're going to pay $45 per person you should expect some pretty good customer service. To me the whole experience seemed very unorganized. I checked in with the hostess she marked my name. Then she started herding people in groups. To be honest, I don't think you really even need a reservation just come by when they start herding people by the amount of people in your group. The hostess told us to follow the crowd into the room. We weren't seated by any of the waiters. So my friend and I just seated ourselves. We sat there for a good 10 minutes waiting for someone to explain how the whole buffet thing worked. Everyone seemed to be getting plates and served water, and we were confused on why we weren't being paid attention to. It might have been the manager or one of the other workers who gave us plates, but no explanation or directions telling us to go to the salad bar. Luckily one of the waitresses came by and asked us if everything was okay. We asked her if we could have some bread and water to our table. She then explained how the whole buffet works and what to do when we want the meat-cutters to come to our table. The salad bar was your typical salad bar. Good selection of vegetables, dressings and toppings. When I got back to the table and the meat started coming by, that's when my vibe for the restaurant wasn't too bad. All the meat was tender, juicy and mostly medium-rare. The only complaint I have was most of the meats had too much salt. You definitely need to down that with their creamy mashed potatoes. The filet mignon wrapped in bacon was probably my favorite. I guess it's normal for all-you-can eat to all taste the same after a while. We finished our mashed potatoes and noticed other tables were being brought rice. No one brought us rice. We had to ask one of the waiters to bring us rice. The fried bananas were delicious. The only good thing about the service was probably our waitress, she seemed attentive at making sure we had water. We wanted to try the brisket, but the guy cutting kept bouncing to different tables (mainly the larger parties) and by the time we were going to ask him, he ran out. When we finished with our meal, we asked one of the waiters to bring the check. They cleaned our tables fast, yet forgot about our check. We waited a good 15-20 minutes and finally had to ask the guy who looked like he was charge of the area. He could tell we were not pleased. At least he brought the check immediately. For $45 a person, I've had better customer service at a $20 All-You-Can Eat BBQ place. I know it was busy and hectic week, but this was not my idea of a Dine L.A experience.
(2)JJ V.
WOW...where do I start....we had dinner here and the food was and endless supply of quality meats and a complete salad bar (bottles of quality Olive Oil, including Sicilian) with everything, including a huge parmigiano reggiano wheel of cheese, just dig in. Service was Great!!! Lots and lots of food. We arrived at 5pm, when we left after dinner, the place was packed. I tried everything (and I mean everything) ... it was like an endless supply of the best. Only negative.....I ate toooooooo much !!! Yes, I would go back. I highly recommend this restaurant, just make sure you're prepared to eat and eat, non-stop.
(5)Mike C.
Gotta say, quite disappointed in Fogo! First time here and will probably be my last. Not sure what happened, but I came here on valentines day to celebrate and it was not good. I do realize that there were tons of people that had reservations and they probably overbooked understandably to make more money, but this was not a good experience. I did arrive slightly late due to the massive traffic on la cienega, but they were still prompt in seating us. Waited maybe 30 minutes around a huge crowd of people waiting around. I didnt mind the wait too much. What bothered me was where we were seated. They pretty much squished us against the edge, with zero breathing room. It was hard for me and my date just to get out of our seats and navigate our way to the buffet area because people were so tightly packed next to our table. Couldn't have a quiet conversation in there because it seemed like the table next to us was dining with us. It was more like a 3 way triple date! I tried to disregard our seating position and focus more on the food that we were about to have. One by one the meats started rolling in and I was excited. That excitement quickly died down as meat after meat was full of disappointment. Mostly every single piece of meat i was served was over cooked. On top of that, very salty. The meat piled so high on my plate that my server asked if I needed a new plate. I was a little embarrassed because it seemed like I asked for more meat than I could handle, but that definitely was not the case. For around 70$ a person after tax and tip, I'm expecting really good quality meat. I don't mind shelling out the money, but it better be worth it. Honestly, I've had better Brazilian BBQ for just $15-20 a person. The lone bright spot in our meal was probably the cheese bread. Warm, fluffy, and cheesy. Very delicious. Worth $70? I think not. Oh and the buffet portion isn't good either, just a stomach stuffer, but not going worth eating. Will I be back? Doubt it. Also, only valet available and expensive. Around $15 I believe.
(1)Gretchen R.
Dine LA, Friday for lunch. 1130am reservation for 6. already crazy packed, but we were seated right away. So loud that you couldn't talk to your table. More time for chewing, I guess. This time for Dine LA they decided to offer a limited menu of meats at the discount price. All the meats that I never eat when I go to Brazilian BBQ. sa face. This was unfortunate as the whole point of Dine LA is to get you in there so you enjoy it and return. If you only give me the crappy meat, why would I come back? Anyway, they did have the option of paying regular price for all the regular meat options, but then I'd just come back on a regular non-super-crowded day for that. We got like 4 types of sirlon, house special, bottom sirloin, top sirlon, etc. I realize that sirloin is a cut of meat I don't really care for. I prefer ribeye or skirt steak. I won't be returning to Fogo. I'll save my Brazilian BBQ eating for Vegas, where there's a Texas de Brazil which is fantastic. The salad bar is much better than Fogo's. If you go to TdB, make sure you try to sliced rib, you may have to request it but you can die happy after you eat this. Bottom line: maybe if I'd eaten the good meats like the sliced rib, ribeye, or filet I would have like Fogo de Chao.
(3)Danny H.
You got me so wild How can I ever deny? You got me so high So high I cannot feel the fire at...FOGO DE CHAO! - Skrillex (promises) I was hoping for the Fogo de Chao experience (clearly the forefront of Brazilian steakhouses in the US with many locations scattered about) to be pioneering, but it really wasn't and I was a tad disappointed when all was said and done. We went during restaurant week on a weekday night and it was nuts. I imagine this is how it is on normal weekends and I couldn't believe how many people there were. The moment you pull into the valet, it's pure madness as there's probably more attendants than you can count with cars just lining up. Upon entering the restaurant, I checked in with the hostess and surprisingly, the reservations were prompt and despite the amount of people there, we were able to get our table in a timely fashion. I wouldn't even try to come here on a weekend night without reservations. FYI this place can get very loud since the tables are quite close to each other. It's fun with a bigger group of people but not ideal to take your significant other for a romantic dinner. Salad bar...where's the fruit? I was so sad - this was the worst selection of a salad bar that I've seen at a Brazilian steakhouse. I'd be surprised if anyone took a second trip because there wasn't much to want to try on your first trip lol I guess you're here for the meat anyways...which was disappointing overall. Usually when they brought over the meat, they have the medium version and the rarer version of each cut. There were several occasions in which they didn't even know which was which and gave us the wrong one. Honestly, it seemed like half of the servers handing out the meat were in a rush or sad. You would think that it would be nice if you put on a better game face for everyone hoping for a 'FOGO experience'! Our main waitress was really nice though, she helped us to start and getting drinks and dessert. Oh the dessert was good, I'd definitely give them thumbs up for that. If this was my first Brazilian steakhouse experience, I'd probably wouldn't be hyped in the future, especially when you think of FOGO as THE leader of the pack. Maybe it was restaurant week or maybe its just the Beverly Hills location, but something real is missing here and if this is a proper representation of the FOGO franchise, I'm done!
(3)Ken N.
Meat eaters paradise ! If you love to eat meat you will love this place ! What a scene on New Year's Eve ! The place was packed , one of the bar tenders said to me that they booked 1300 reservations for New Years & at least 70% for large parties wow ! Well I have to say it was quite the experience there salad bar had everything you could imagine & they consistently were restocking to keep things fresh ! I like that ; ) ! But we really came here for the meat experience & we were not let down . They were serving close to 16 different meats & we could only try about half of them ! We both were blown away by the Picanha cut its the prime cut of the sirloin & seasoned & cooked to perfection ! Overall a great New Years experience our servers were top notch ! The only reason 4 stars is because it is very commercial & a bit overwhelming ! But I think most people would enjoy !
(4)Itay D.
I use to eat meat and this was the best place. Their filet is great. I'm vegetarian now and I still go for the amazing salad bar . Wonderful service
(5)Kat T.
DineLA Friday was the day I came. I believe it was the 2nd to the last day for DineLA. I had to try it out for the first time. DineLA and Fogo. I had to pop that cherry that needed to be popped!! I arrived to a crowded valet and a very crowded lunch time. Luckily we made reservations a week ago or it would have been a long wait. So here goes the WOW word! Front of Fogo entrance was a mass amount of Asian. I mean hello is this KBBQ or Fogo? But anyways I was home with my fellow Asians. So I went in and WOW more Asians. I am HOME!! I guess we Asians know when there is a good deal or what! So it took the hostess to sit us maybe 10 Min's. She really looked flustered. Hey I would also. So they took us to the back which was another room. And when I went in I was like WOW more Asians. My friend and I was super excited for our first time here. They started with "fried polenta, plantines, and mashed potato or well watered down boxed mash potato. ON the green card..... So the men come with beautiful meat & poultry. Wow!!! Cooked to perfection... but if you would like it cooked well they will do that for you. There was two times when 3 men came by and had wonderful meat. And then there was a time or a long period of time when all you can hear was my stomach from waiting on for the meat. It was like are you trying to make us full. Not this woman!! I'm here to eat what I can!! Lol! When you don't see what you want you just ask the waiter if they can bring out what you like. Which I did a couple of times. I loved the house special Picanha top sirloin oh so good. Then there is my 2nd 3rd & so on which are Beef Ancho, Alcatra, Filet Mignon, garlic beef ancho & lamb which was good but I'm not a baaaaa kinda person. Me Moo moo kinda girl. I saw the chicken and Parmesan cheese beef ancho. But they never got to our table. (Insert sad face) The salad bar wasn't WOW'd it looked good I didn't get much of the salad & cheese cause I wanted to fuel up on meat, fried polenta and cheese bread which is good. OFF red card (flip it)! I'm so full! I'm a happy camper... I will return here again! Meat cooked to perfection is just super duper YUM!! They know how to cook the meat, make you a happy camper and service is unbelievable awesome!! Make sure you make reservation!!
(5)Javier O.
EXCELLENT FOOD AND SERVICE! We dined at Fogo de Chao twice, during Dine in L.A. week. My wife and I enjoyed the AYCE meat and a bottle of Alamos wine. We were so full at the end, it was hard to turn away the meat. I didn't enjoy each one, but there were so many I can't recall the ones I didn't like. You will just have to try it for yourself. The bacon-wrapped filet mignon was delicious. Come hungry!
(4)Doki N.
Thsi place is amazing!!!! there are just no words to describe the great service,meat, and drink.... I die with Cheesebread!! This has been the best way to spend my hard earn money. You know that Saying "You get what you pay for" this is a great example, the prcy is high but the service and quality you cannot buy that.. Great place, if you love meat what are you waitign for drive over for a good meaty meal.
(5)Erica G.
Underwhelmed for the money we spent. At first, food came at a regular pace but slowed down and then we found ourselves asking the waitress several times to get the gaucho to come to our table. Even then, it was tiny portions of meat. We got full because we filled up on polenta and rolls. Some of the meat was really good (the Picanha) and some was funky tasting (the chicken). The center bar area was packed nicely as well. Valet parking is disorganized and understaffed. we stood outside in a cloud of cigarette smoke for just over half an hour (not kidding) until our car came up. There was literally no other option for parking, all the streets were packed. My husband and I left not feeling well, and even felt ill on Sunday. One big plus was that a member of our party had a baby that just turned 1, and the lovely server brought us a lava cake for him. It was definitely the highlight of our night. I don't know if this was an 'off' night for Fogo, our friends rave about this place but we were not content.
(2)Maria T.
Who wouldn't love slabs of meat being brought to your table over and over and over again? I sure did. The actual servers were on point, very polite, attentive and very informative. The salad bar was constantly being restocked with fresh items and I must say the meat selection and taste was superb. My only reason for not giving this establishment a full five stars is because the we kept on getting the same type of meat brought to our table over and over again. Not that it wasn't tasty, but when you give a girl options, don't expect that shes not going to want to try all of them. I would definitely give this place another try.
(4)Diane T.
Meat..meat...meat..and oh, more meat. Finally got to try Fogo de Chao for DineLA! Came here for dinner $45 which is around $15 less than the normal dinner price. As expected, it was super busy, parking sucked, they did uphold our reservation, so not too shabby. Beautiful ambiance, closely packed tables...so not the best for private conversations, but not too bad. So... i've had this place bookmarked for the longest time and man was i excited to finally try this place. Let me just say a few things: 1.) If you love meat..upon meat..upon chunks and pieces of grilled meat.. then hallelujah, fogo de chao is the place for you. Let me elaborate... Fogo is a place for genuine meat loving carnivores that enjoy the natural juiciness and essence of meat. If you're not a super big meat person...then yea, maybe fogo really isn't the place for you. You're wasting your money to be honest. Unlike Korean ayce the meat here is simple.. maybe seasoned with a rub..but no deep marinade..it's just a whole lotta meat. 2.) If your card is on green..man be warned that they will keep piling that meat onto your plate until you beg them to stop or remember to turn the card over. Remember, red = stop! 3) A tad bit a of a disappointment, but the salad bar was sooo dinky. I was expecting a pretty legit salad bar but found that nothing there was that appetizing nor worthwhile.. save your stomach for more meat.. don't waste it on the mediocre veggies.. 4) If you do go for DineLA expect that if it's your first time..you should probably go with a friend that has been to a Brazilian bbq place before.. or else you would be very lost. For example..they have little tongs for you to use to pick off the meat as they're shaving it off the spits.. well me over here...had no idea..and was completely lost. Also... don't expect them to be patient with explaining the different cuts here.. During dineLA their main objective is just to serve and to move on. end of story. So enough of that, what are the cuts that you should try if you decide to do so? -filet mignon -ribeye steak -top sirloin -the one with the bacon wrapped around it -ribs! -if you like lamb, the lamb chops were pretty good..however if you dont, then their lamb is super gamey! Personally, the other items weren't really memorable in my opinion and to be honest after a while, everything started tasting the same to me.. the chicken was bleh, the sausage not worth the space, and the sides that comes along with the meal was just okay, So.. overall would I suggest y'all giving Fogo de Chao a chance? Yes..if you love quality meat I definitely would. Its once of those must try at least once kinda experiences that you simply can't skimp on. However, do know that if you're not fond of just pure simple meat..then you won't enjoy the experience too much. Also, as a tip.. make sure you avoid the surface piece of the meat..meaning the piece of meat that is slathered with all the spices/dressing/etc.. if you eat that, it will be salt overload and not too pleasant. Try to make sure that you get the inner cuts and you shall be fine. Also..if you're up for it, order the pitcher of sangria :)
(4)Bradley L.
DineLA lunch? Best deal. Ever. We went on a Friday for lunch (the last day of DineLA actually), and if it wasn't for a reservation we definitely would not be eating there. The restaurant was packed and every seat was occupied. Even then, there was no moment when the salad bar had empty dishes, and the food was promptly refilled. There was a wide variety of selections from the salad bar, from smoked salmon to parma ham to salad, but who goes to a brazilian steakhouse for salad? (just kidding) There was a lot of variety of meat and there were some very outstanding cuts. The fillet mignon was very nice, as was one of the cuts of strip sirloin. Unfortunately it was pretty inconsistent as only the cuts which were closer to the center were better because they were less cooked and juicier, while the outside cuts were tougher. There were some disappointing cuts though. The top sirloin was chewy with no flavor and the garlic beef was (unfortunately) overcooked. The chicken was really average and the lamb rack fared barely any better. But if I had so many things to complain about, then why the 5 stars? Apart from the (mostly) high quality beef, one of the biggest highlights of the meal were the cheese bread. No joke, it's probably one of the best breads that I've ever had. It tasted like cheese but you couldn't physically see cheese, but it was so fragrant and chewy it was hard to imagine how they made it. With as many refills as you want, and I might sound crazy, but this was one of my favorite parts. As soon as I got sick of eating the meat, or got a bad cut, I took a break with one of these bad boys. The plantains also served as very nice palate cleansers, refreshing the mouth for another cut of beef or meat, and providing a much-welcomed change to bite after bite of meat. $25 for all you can eat with that kind of quality is seriously a steal, and I would make sure to come back to DineLA at Fogo in the future if they offer the same deal. Unless you're a vegetarian, or don't like beef, this is probably one of the best places you can go to just be happy. Forget about diet and just eat.
(5)CK W.
I took a group of 12 friends here to celebrate my husband's birthday and we had a very merry time. It's perfect for large groups because everyone can eat what they want when they want. The group included non meat eaters who happily enjoyed the large spread at the salad bar. The service was solid. Good enough. They were very accommodating with the cake we brought. Honestly, the only bummer was the dated decor. I realize that it takes millions to renovate a space this large but it felt old and predictable.
(4)Victor L.
We came here for dine la.... and so did a sea of other Asians/yelpers. Priced at $25 we all saved $10, which is a good thing because if we paid full price our haterade levels would be off the charts. I feel bad for the people who would come on a normal day and pay $28.50 for the all you can eat salad bar. It really is not that impressive. Other than the smoked salmon and maybe the sundried tomatoes nothing else was really all the memorable. I tried to go back to the salad back and I ended up going to my table with nothing on my plate. I went around and there was nothing amazing I would want more than once. Now for the meat. I had the same problem here that I had at Libra. I would advise you to finish whatever you have on your plate before you get more. Use your button wisely. Sure all the meat is cooked perfectly with a nice pink center, but put all together on one plate you can't really tell which is which. They all more or less taste the same and are very similar textually. The meats most memorable for me were the lamb and the filet mignon. The lamb because the gamey flavor made it unique from all the other meats. The filet mignon was amazing. It was thick cut and cooked medium rare. The meat was so soft and flavorful. If only I could have nothing but that I would be so happy. Don't think that can happen though. The meats I would avoid are the parmesan crusted pork and bacon rapped filet mignon. Really not that good. The bacon takes away from the filet mignon and the small pieces end up being cooked inconsistently. My friend had a piece that was rare. One notable good side dish is the cheese bread. Very fluffy and soft. Couldn't stop eating them. The service was very bad probably because of the dine la rush. We wanted to try the pork ribs, but they passed by us 3 times. We never got it. When it came to the bill it took more than 30 minutes and 3 waiters until we could pay. The only way I would come back is if I could get all you can eat filet mignon. I don't want anything else.
(3)Adden K.
Service sucked! We barely got any meat. We were placed in a corner and it seems the servers were serving everyone but our section. We got maybe one person to come by every 10-15 minutes. I've been to other brazilian bbq and they would come by every 1-2 mins with different kinds of meat. Wife couldn't wait and just filled up with the salad bar since she was starving. There was a couple next to us and they didn't eat beef. They ate maybe 3-4 pieces of nonbeef items and left pissed due to the lack of service. They even complained and complained to the wait staff. Overall very disappointed with this place.
(1)Debbie O.
NO grilled pineapple?!? This is an outrage!!! Blasphemy! Upon seating, my date and I were literally giggling like little school girls waiting for the onslaught of meat to arrive at our table. We were both SO excited to try this place, and we were ready. I suppose I could have prepared myself even better by starving for a day, but that just doesn't sound like me. This place is one of the nicest, classiest Brazilian Churrascarias out there. From the huge doors to the floor-to-ceiling wine displays, the decor itself is just very elegantly chic, and you can't help but feel like your at a high class restaurant here. I mean, you are paying a hefty load for food, but it's nice that the environment makes you feel special, too. For $45 during dineLA, you're definitely getting a deal when you eat here during restaurant week. First off, there were NOT 15 types of meat served last Sunday night. They gave us the menu to look at I swear there were only 11 types of meat on the menu itself. Huh? I realized they didn't serve the bacon wrapped chicken breasts, BEEF ribs, or the garlic seasoning of the top sirloin. What's more of an outrage is they don't serve grilled pineapple. What respectable Brazilian Churrascaria doesn't serve grilled pineapple?!? There's my reason for taking a star off. There's just no way I can allow myself to give a proper 5-star review for a place that's known for but doesn't serve my favorite dish in Brazilian BBQ. They do, however, have pretty legit cheese breads and a admirable salad bar. BTW I did find some pineapple in the raisin coleslaw, so it wasn't a completely letdown. The meats were overall quite tender and juicy. I don't consider myself a huge meat eater (although I could never be a vegetarian), but I do enjoy an orgy of meat every now and then. The only problem with that is all the meat start to taste the same after a while. Then you realize what a horrible mistake you've made and you'll have to pay for it with constipation the next day. At least that's what my doctor always tells me when I stop eating my veggies. Nevertheless, my favorite meats here were the Lombo (parmesean crusted pork loin), lamb chops with bone-in, beef ancho (rib eye), and the chicken leg was pretty juicy. The rest started tasting similar very early on. They have amazing thick cuts of smoked salmon at the salad bar, so I couldn't help but fill up on that in the beginning. Another thing they're missing, besides the all important grilled pineapple, is a fruit bar. It makes sense they wouldn't serve dessert at the salad bar, but I was really hoping for a few selections of fruit to eat after your meal. Overall, I'd say this is still one of the best Brazilian Churrascarias in Los Angeles, but Libra in Culver City has grilled pineapple AND creamed corn, which makes it one star better.
(4)Tiffany C.
Came here for Dine LA. SO GOOD. I can't believe the meat is unlimited. Someone pinch me. Okay so not all the pieces were cooked to perfection, but over all I thought it was still very good. I got some salad, but realized that it would make me full so I put that aside. I liked how they keep replacing your mashed potatoes, plantains, and polenta strips. I ordered the limeade which was good. But their cheesy bread.. Omg. I should've snuck some out. They're unbelievable. And I say just pay the $5 and go to valet parking. Fogo de Chao is always packed, so make a reservation. Even with a reservation, you'll still have to wait about 15 or 20 minutes. Definitely coming back, but not anytime soon this place will make me fat.
(5)Joe P.
Fogo de Chao (Fire on the Ground) is an upscale Brazilian churrascaria chain w/ several locations in the US. In addition to the traditional pao de quejo (cheese bread) and banana frita that most churrascarias serve, FdC also serves hot polenta and garlic mashed potatoes on the side. The bread was awesome!!! The pieces were larger than most places and pillowy soft: 5 Stars. On the other hand, the remainder of the sides were just OK: 3 Stars. I tried every type of meat except the lombo (pork loin), costelo (ribs) and frango (chicken). I had the signature picanha (top siroin), beef ancho (ribeye) alcatra (top sirloin prepared a different way), cordeiro (lamb t-bone, lamb chops and leg of lamb) and linguica (sausage). All of the meats were excellent quality and nicely seasoned. I had seconds on every one of the meats: 5 Stars. As my yf Al S. says, the sides were sorely lacking. You have to ask for feijoda and you don't receive any rice with it: WTF?!?!?! In addition, there was no sausage in the feijoda. There were no hot dishes like fish, clams et al, and no cold dishes like shrimp, and a wider array of vegetables, et al. In comparison, Greenfield (LBC and West Covina) has a huge salad bar spread in relation to FdC. Although Agora (Irvine) has a smaller salad bar compared to Greenfield, it has an excellent selection of cold and hot dishes in their "salad bar" compared to FdC. The four of us had different flavored caipirinhas. I had the coconut flavor and it was OK, nothing special: 3 Stars. Only two of us shared a dessert. We ordered the South American flan and it was pretty damn good!!! I am used to the Filipino homemade style of flan that uses a lot of condensed milk. The Filipino homemade flan is firm and heavy. FdC's version is very similar to what I am accustomed to and prefer: 4 Stars. The service was very good. We constantly had people attending to us, although it took a while to get the meat flowing. The ambiance is nice as well: 4 Stars. The two main reasons why I don't rate this place a 4 is because of the weak salad bar and the price ($60/head before drinks and dessert!!!). The other churrascarias I go to don't charge more than $45 for dinner. In addition, back in Brazil, churrascarias are very casual places and the pricepoint is more family oriented vs a splurge type of meal. Yes, this FdC is located in Beverly Hills, but I think there are better places for the price. I would be hard pressed to come here unless someone else was buying (as in this case), or if my imaginary gf (ala Manti Te'o) asked me to take her here - LOL!!!
(3)Robert F.
Love this place. Great food, great service. Good quality meat and even the salad bar is fresh and tasty. Highly recommend it!
(5)Matthew B.
I love Fogo de Chão so much, my wife and I got married there. Tired of mediocre food at weddings, we wanted our guests to experience an excellent meal, and Fogo de Chão immediately came to mind as the ideal solution. Dealing with the restaurant in planning the wedding went so smoothly that they made us feel like part of their family. Everything on the night of the wedding went off better than my high standards could have demanded. In addition to the food, this is what sets Fogo apart from other churrascarias: the top-notch service. I have dined at Fogo on numerous occasions, and at multiple locations, and my experience is always wonderful. From the service to the food to the ambience, it is one of my absolute favorite restaurants. Fogo is a standard rodizio-style churrascaria, so I don't need to elaborate on the setup. Their salad bar is large and high quality, but I go to fill up on the hot items, so I don't always walk up to the salad bar. Hot sides are brought to the table, and the standard sides are: pão de queijo (cheese bread), mashed potatoes, aipim frito (yucca fries), and fried plantains. While the pão de quiejo and aipim frito are exceptional, it is the black beans, rice, and farofa (seasoned yucca flour) that I load up on. These items must be requested. You will never run out of side dishes, as they are almost always replaced with fresh ones before you even finish the dishes. They serve a variety of meats, including the traditional picanha, pork ribs, chicken legs, lamb, and filet mignon. All are high quality, especially for an all-you-can-eat place. Unlike many other churrascarias, the meats at Fogo are always well seasoned. Churrasco is not synonymous with Brazilian food. Indeed, Brazilian cuisine is so much more than churrasco. I love eating other types of Brazilian food, but when I am craving churrasco, Fogo de Chão is where I want to go.
(5)Angeline W.
I wasnt too crazy about this place. It's definitely for meat lovers, which is not me. You get cheese biscuits or rolls or whatever they are. They are so good! Ugh!! Not gooey cheese that looks fattening, but cheese that was baked into the texture. Its hard to explain. The service is always there. Like... None stop. Always polite of course since this is an expensive restaurant. The meat comes on swords! (in my perspective). And they slice off a piece for you if your green coaster side is up. I dont know. The meat seemed really tough and salty. I kept my red coaster side showing most of the time because i didnt want to eat the meat/sausage/chicken. I think there's 16 different kinds, in which the servers provide often as the circulate around the restaurant. The side dishes were caramelized bananas, mashed potatoes, and cassava? They looked like really thick french fries. Those were all pretty good. The salad bar had good variety... Smoked salmon, salami, pasta salad, and some brazilian items. The chocolate lava cake dessert is amazing!!
(3)Vanessa F.
With skewers of varieties of mouth-watering game floating around its Beverly Hills grounds, this is the official Disneyland of Meat. Should be renamed Fogo De Chow Down!
(5)Katie D.
I think out of all the DineLA place, Fogo is the best deal. You're essentially getting the exact same menu as normally at $13 off per person. Can't say that for anywhere else... I was very impressed by the decor. Enormously tall ceiling. The huge wooden door with a glass cutout of Brazil in the middle - love it! Inspirations for my future home? Drink specials were Capirinha's - surprisingly strong given they were a special at $9. I only had 2 and felt pretty nice. BF finished his 2nd way before mine, so the waiter came up and offered a 3rd. He was hesitating and the waiter said "you can't let her drink alone!" Ok we'll have a 3rd. Strong sales skills. Now the food: I definitely see through the strategy here. A great salad bar, kinda weirdly textured but still good tasting bread, sides (all carbs) that keep on getting replenished... Taste them but don't fill up! You need to keep your stomach empty to get your money's worth on the meat! =) Finally the meats: there's always at least half a dozen guys walking around with skewers at all times, but not everyone stop by your table every time they pass by (even though the green card is up). Not sure if they have some kind of system or not... The better cuts certainly come less frequently and we had to request a second serving of filet mignon. So TIP: if you want a specific meat, just ask for it. Best to worst: filet mignon (medium rare of course), picanha, garlic beef, chicken, skirt steak and lastly lamb steak. I actually hated the lamb, it was way too overcooked and tough. But i'll overlook it, because the filet mignon was that good. Yumm... No more room for dessert so can't comment on that. NOTE: 1 thing I'll mention now that I didn't like about the place: I think in they go overboard in their strategy of always keeping the side replenished... We weren't even half done with ours when the waiter took them away and replaced with brand new dishes. That's a huge waste and was upsetting to see so much food simply go into the trash. I was going to give 4 stars, but deducting 1 star here just for this - can't jive with wastefulness!!!
(3)Jasmine S.
I came here on the first day of DINE LA ...gotta say i was more impressed by the crowd of people waiting to eat here than the actual meat on my plate...I lost count how many types of meat I tried, but overall, I didnt really enjoy the food much. There were a lot of fat and burnt parts, and I am a pretty picky eater, so I spent a lot of time cutting up my food before eating them. The only thing I liked was the lamb and sausages, but all the other steaks, they were okay.... We started off our meal with a plate of salad at the salad bar, I really enjoyed the mozzarella balls and the chicken salad, but I had to save my tummy for all the meat, so I end up only eating a little bit of each. While we waited for our table,(we made a reservation, but the place was a little chaotic since its the first day of Dine LA, so the hosts still made us wait for like 30 minutes before we were seated) we got a pitcher of sangria at the bar, and I think the bartender dumped half of a bottle of sugar into that pitcher...it was sooo sweet that I really didnt taste the wine or anything else. Hmm overall, I have to say it is not the best restaurant in Beverly hills, and I wouldnt come here to eat if its not for Dine LA...well, at least i get to checked this one off my LA food list :)
(3)Darrell L.
I'd say the food was 5 stars! This was my first time visit and we went for lunch taking advantage of the dineLA pricing $25 for lunch vs $58 during normal dinner pricing. But... the meats were beautifully seasoned and grilled to perfection. Most of the wait staff were wonderful, but we had one REALLY snooty staffer that was a bit of an ass... He was a condescending jerk... I'll skip the long story... But, all the other staff were great. Salad Bar: I thought the quality of the ingredients was outstanding but it was missing fresh fruit and anything sweet. But what was there was so good! Grill: Loved the meats... the leg of lamb and lamb chops were great and usually I'm not such a big lamb fan. The cuts of beef were all so good and full of flavor. The filet mignon two ways, chicken two ways, sausages, sirloin 2-3 different cuts, pork, oh so good... the ribeye... the meat was surprisingly lean and not quite as tender as I was expecting but it had such a wonderful burst of flavor in my mouth! The grill meats were simply seasoned allowing you to really enjoy the taste and the flavor of the meats. Brilliant! I've been on a kick the last couple of years of making various French sauces for my ribeye steaks and it was great today to get a reminder of how simply delicious I find excellent quality, flavorful cuts of meat can be. I can understand why the pricing is as expensive as it is, but they do a great job with bringing out the table with lots of side dishes, how labor intensive it is and because the way the meats are brought out to the diners by the meat carvers, the meat is hot off the grill and you can choose how well done or rare you want your meat cooked. Loved it! I did manage to try every meat option on the menu and every last one was delicious! A wonderful dining experience. Oh, they do have desserts a la carte which will cost you $10-15 but they are so delicious! So, if you are a dessert lover, save a little room for dessert!
(4)Tony T.
Alot of meat, I mean a lot of meat. This place looks great and have fast service. I love that they just non stop bring all the types of meat to your face. At the end of the night I was soo full I couldn't eat any more meat the next day!
(5)Cindy L.
I just went here for DineLA yesterday for lunch. Even though we had reservations, it still took them 30 minutes to seat us. I guess it was our fault though, since our entire party was not present at our reservation time. Once we were seated, the servers came with meat skewers very quickly. I loved the filet mignon and prime rib. My friends really loved the beef ribs. The meat was flavored very well and it was extremely juicy. The cheese bread that comes with the meal is always excellent. My suggestion for this place is if you can't deal with crowds, you should not be coming here for DineLA. For $25, the meal was a steal, but I know that some people in there were getting angry. It is less crowded when it's not DineLA (although this place is very popular). Remember to make reservations. This is, after all, a Beverly Hills restaurant.
(5)Natalie K.
When a restaurant has 1600 reviews, it seems kind of pointless to write any more but I just can't help it. I was so impressed that Fogo de Chao managed to get 4.5 stars with that many reviews. A restaurant like this surely has to be the best, right? Well, unfortunately I didn't get that 4.5 star experience. I made a reservation on OpenTable for dineLA at 2:30pm. Our table was not ready and we were asked to wait over 30 minutes. I noticed that they put my name on the list when I checked in and had us waiting behind other parties. What is the point of a reservation if you're going to have to wait anyway? We sat at the bar and ordered a pitcher of sangria. It was too sweet but I liked that they put a lot of small fruit pieces instead of big chunks. The sangria was quite delicious and would have been perfect if they didn't add as much sugar. I heard that their limeade is famous and I saw over 50 glasses went out from the bar area while we were waiting. If I return, I will definitely try it. The salad bar was just okay. They were running out of some items and there were quite a few empty plates. I would skip it next time except for the charcuterie piece. They had really great cheeses and prosciutto along with big thick pieces of smoked salmon. The table spread has sweet bananas, mashed potatoes, fried yucca, and cheese bread. Don't fill yourself up on it although I love the bananas so much I ate it all. There are 15 types of meat. The table's favorite was definitely the garlic beef. I preferred the picanha and the sirloin myself. The meat was cooked perfectly. Everything I got was medium rare except for one piece of overcooked beef. I skipped the chicken and pork. The sausage isn't that great. It was too dense and didn't have good flavors. The service was just alright. Our waiter introduced himself and then disappeared. I don't think we ever saw him again. We ended up just asking random people who came by for things we needed. Meat didn't come by very often or everything was gone by the time they came around since we sat in the corner. Things were drastically improved when one of my friend complained to the manager. They started coming by so often. We paid $25 per person for a late lunch for dineLA. It's a great deal since it was my only meal that day. I couldn't eat anymore after that meal even if I tried. Valet parking is $5.50. I would just suck it up and valet rather than try to find parking somewhere.
(3)Alison N.
I'm usually not that picky, I swear and I know everyone else LOVES and swears by this food, but my experience was not the best. Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE protein/carnivore, but even with the restaurant week discount, I didn't feel that this place was worth my $60+. I started out at the salad bar, and was really disappointed by the options. The website claimed to have brussel sprouts and lots of yummy veggies, but I didn't really see that many options besides salad. Also, uh, maybe it was b/c of restaurant week, but was super surprised that there weren't ANY fruit options? The hot salad bar sides were okay looking, but wasn't going to waste my appetite on them...so we went back to the table. At the table, the waiters would often skip me and some of my friends b/c they were in an awkward middle place and it was really crowded, but still. Also, it was hard to understand what meat was meat, so at one point most of us just had a huge plates full of some sort of beef. I tried the bacon wrapped chicken at the end and it was disappointed. Lamb came by once (luckily, I don't like lamb...so I wasn't too upset)..but I wanted to try all of the chicken options. The food was salty from the beginning and water was not refilled often. The only saving grace were the sides brought to the table, i.e. cheese bread, garlic mashed potatoes, and plaintains. We did have a large party (10 people?) but still, there were other parties that had the same amount of people who looked like they had a more attentive waitstaff. I think the LAST straw for me was the fact that AFTER they ignored one of my friends multiple times even after he made eye contact and flagged them done AND had his green card up (the whole time, I might add) - THEY TOOK AWAY HIS FREAKING PLATE AS HE WAS STILL EATING. WHAT THE HECK...,?!?! So long story short, DO NOT COME ON RESTAURANT WEEK but if you do - try to have smaller parties, and SCREAM AND SHOUT and let the waiters know what you want, cuz god knows the service sucks and can't deal with the crowds. I doubt I would fork out this much money again, but only time will tell.
(2)Ehren B.
Great food but we had a reservation for 730 and had to wait 40 minutes for a table. How does that work??
(3)William B.
Awful. If you make a reservation you will still wait a minimum of 30 min. Wtf?!?? It's a reservation people!
(1)Alex K.
Amazing. All you can eat perfection. Meats of every kind, incredible service. Solid drinks. This is a great place to bring your manly man for his birthday dinner! Prepare for extreme meat sweats -- you've been warned! I would come here for the salad bar alone. Definitely try the bacon wrapped chicken! I got to try one of every meat they offered, least favorite was the lamb but it wasn't terrible. Check this place out, I cannot wait for the one in San Jose to open. I'm totally sold!
(5)Maggie C.
Five stars for the cheese bread. I know people say it's stupid to fill up on bread at an expensive all you can eat Brazilian grill, but the cheese bread is the best thing I have had there. In fact, it's the best bread I have ever eaten. The quality of the meat is top-notch, but if I have to choose I prefer a ribeye at a steakhouse. The spices and seasoning of Brazilian barbeque kind of overpowers the meat in my opinion.
(4)Edouard S.
Meat Lovers Paradise! I've been here way too many times and have unfortunately overdosed on it..Yes it is possible..I haven't been to any other Brazilian places like this but it would be hard to find any that top it. The restaurant itself is HUGE, and it can get extremely busy. Where to begin..You walk through the giant two doors and greeted instantly by polite and helpful hostess. I recommend making reservations at peak dinner hours, especially on the weekend. The staff here will remember you and greet you every time and provide exceptional service..They have a nice bar and sitting area if you have to wait for a table which is always nice. Moving on, the moment you sit down, you stand right back up and take a stroll to the salad bar..I highly recommend getting some greens in you because you're about to overload on meat and its nice to balance out a little..But if you're trying to get the most bang for your buck, save the room. Their salad bar has pretty much everything when it comes to salads, already prepared or customize your own..They do not rush you and let you enjoy your salads..Once you are finished they clear your plates and bring you fresh ones and set a bunch of side dishes(the cheese bread puffs are amazing).. Flip it green and enjoy, I've had almost everything here except the lamb(not really a fan of lamb)..The house special and the chicken are my favorite, followed by the bottom. To each their own here, it's all good just comes down to personal preference. You can request anything and eat all you want. You can request the way you like you meat. Stuffed but not done.. No matter how stuffed I am, I always have room for the dessert..They have several delicious ones but what I stick to is one that makes me feel better after eating what I feel is an entire cow..The papaya cream, I like to mix it up with the strawberry papaya..It is not only refreshing but makes you feel a lot better after that overload of meat. I generally bring my office here to dine or friends, never on a date for obvious reasons. There is no option other than salad bar or meat/chicken. It's definitely the place to go in a hurry and wanting to eat right away but never rushed. It's not a cheap dining experience, expect to dish out roughly 100$ per person with drinks.
(5)Raz R.
Lunch. The place itself nice organized, we came with no reservation and were welcomed in very fast. One thing about the place which very annoying, it was very dark. If it was evening I'll get it, but it was 2 pm and it feels very weird. They have a big rich salad bar which is fresh and contains veggies, cheeses, bacon & bread. It was nice but nothing really unique or special. We were told they have 16 different kind of cuts and meats. I didn't get 16. Most of the cuts were over done or sliced to thin, when I got to eat them they were hard and cold. The best cuts I had: top sirloin & Bottom sirloin. We also got 3 sides to share: Mashed potatoes - didn't try. Deep fried polenta - over fried, served cold. Fried banana - banana?? For main course? I'm not a banana fan so... Wasn't for me. Nice ambience, rich salad bar & few tasty cuts but still Not 35$ worth (for lunch, 55$ for dinner) Drinks & desserts are not included.
(2)Gary C.
The best Brazilian restaurant in Beverly Hill , very pricey but you won't regret it! However, be aware of your coin or expensive stuffs in you car, those valet parking driver is not discipline, they steal my friend's coin at lease over $8 dollars and they still charge $5.50 for valet parking! Except valet parking issues, everything is perfect!
(5)Jonathan B.
First of all let me preface this by saying there are very few places I can take my wife without having her complain about something-fogo de chao is one of them. From the unbelievable service, to the delectable meats and quality salad bar, this place has won me over. It is, as a matter of fact, where I asked my wife to marry me. (I took a knee and everything!) Garbriella used to work there as general manager and she knew us both by first name. I think her twin sister has taken over charge (forgot her name) but she also recognizes us whenver we reserve a table and she does a stellar job as well. Favorites on the menu include: pichana, top sirloin, garlic beef, beef ribs and the piece de resistance a imported "tres leches" cake. Reserve a table here once, and you WILL become a regular!
(5)Karl K.
Classy holiday dinner, but hide your blazer from sloppy servers! ------------------------- I was fortunate to have been invited to celebrate a holiday dinner with our affiliate office. We reserved half the banquet area in the back. Had not been here in a while (since my Philly days), and I will say it was a mostly pleasant dining experience. For starters, our affiliate office team leader brought a case of Merlot from his family vineyard. Not gonna lie to you, that was pretty Ballin! Notes of earthy complexity and hints of oakiness... Oh forget the pretentious adjectives. It was really good wine! The salad bar was very well stocked with high-end ingredients, including smoked salmon with capers, Belgian endive, sun-dried tomatoes, and prosciutto. I had to remind myself not to fill up on this excellent (yet space-occupying) spread. Now, on to the meat of the discussion. The meats were well seasoned and cooked by the gaucho servers. Glad to see they still offer bacon-wrapped filet mignon, bottom round, top sirloin, and tender lamb chops. Had to keep the red card up for most of the dinner so that I could actually enjoy what I was stockpiling on my plate. BUT - in their haste, as the server sliced up a piece of bottom round for me, a few droplets of sizzling fat/blood spattered onto my shirt sleeve. Not the end of the world, I thought. I'll go to the bathroom to wash it with soap and water (and roll up my sleeves). But guess what I saw when I came back? You guessed it, another big fat oil droplet on the collar of my wool blazer. WTF?! Were you trying to serve my seatmate across the table or something? Sheesh... Off we go, for an unanticipated trip to the dry cleaners. Small piece of advice - see if they offer coat check. Or wear a washable jacket. Or ask for a dining poncho.
(3)Annabelle K.
I've been to many a Churrascaria, but almost none of them compare to the quality and diversity of the cuts here at Fogo de Chao. As far as the meats go, I believe their quality and the number of different cuts is almost second to none... another great being Texas de Brazil (closest location to Cali is Las Vegas). COLD/SALAD BAR - 3/5 I was a little disappointed with their cold salad bar. There isn't as much selection as other places I've been to and not all of the ingredients were of the highest quality. My favorite salad/buffet bar is Agora Churrascaria in Irvine. HOT SIDES - 3/5 Their hot side dishes were also mostly just okay for me. The CRISPY POLENTA STICKS I could have done without, they lacked in flavor and were just crunchy filler. The GARLIC MASHED POTATOES were actually pretty good and full of garlic cheesy flavor and were smooth and creamy. The PAO DE QUEJO (cheese bread) was very cheesy, but a little tough for my liking. Lastly, the FRIED PLANTAINS were actually really good. They roast/grill it so it is super tender and it has tons of cinnamon sweet goodness on it. YUM! a great counterpoint to all of the other savory salty dishes and meat. SERVICE - 5/5 The service here is impeccable. The staff work as a team, so although you may start with one server, whenever you need anything they all work together to get it done. The gauchos are all very fun to talk to and will joke around with you and be playful. It just makes the experience that much more enjoyable. Some of them are pretty easy on the eyes too :D The manager came by at least 2 to 3 times to make sure we were doing well and enjoying ourselves. The service here really is the best out of all the churrascaria places i've been to. MEAT - MY FAVORITE CUTS - 5/5 (all requested mid rare) BEEF ANCHO - cut from the prime part of the ribeye... full of flavor due to being well marbled, melt in your mouth tender, the meat really shines and the flavor is just wonderful PINCANHA - my all time favorite Brazilian cut prime top sirloin. it had an amazing fat cap around it and renders as it cooks and blankets the meat in fatty goodness. AMAZING! ALCATRA - special Brazilian cut of top sirloin similar in texture in flavor to Picanha FILET MIGNON - super tender and melts in your mouth, perfect seasoning They have 16 different cuts of meat and several cuts that are specifically Brazilian. They all have their own uniqueness and flavor. I generally avoid having any chicken, lamb or sausage because that just means i have less room in my tummy for my favorite cuts :) Do yourself a favor and definitely try the ANCHO and PICANHA when you go. You won't regret it! TIPS 1) try not to fill up too much on sides and salad bar. you'll have less room for the meat, which really is the star of the show. save room! 2) you can request any cut of meat you want from any of the gauchos or servers and let them know how you want it cooked and they will bring it to your table when it's ready. they all communicate with each other very well and make sure you get exactly what you want 3) get a little bit of meat at a time. if you're like me and you like your meat warm and tender then get a couple cuts to start and then turn your card over to red. this allows you to enjoy the meat you have and then once you're done turn the card over to green and in seconds you'll have gauchos all over you wanting to cut you more meat. my friend didn't listen to me and filled her plate with 7 or 8 different cuts and they all got cold, tough and yucky :( 4) Parking is pretty much valet only unless you want to park far away and walk. it is $5.50, not including tip, so make sure you bring some cash with you.
(4)Forby H.
love and love and love their food
(5)Bobby C.
Only 3 stars but I'll explain. Came here for the dine LA restaurant week. The food was damn good. The salad bar is exceptional with wheels of fresh Parmesan, mozzarella balls and totally top notch appetizers. The meat was very good but at the price I would only come on a deal like Dine LA or a Groupon. The place inside the Farmers Market at the grove is a tenth of the price as almost just as good. Pacanas in Burbank is also a way cheaper alternative.
(3)Stephanie H.
Upon arrival the valet guy didn't wait for us to stop our car before we got out (He tried to open our locked doors 3 times...WTF?!). There was a million people waiting out in the front...it was a mission to get inside. I made dinner reservations for two at 9:00pm...However, the host informed me that there would be a, "40 minute wait or less". The hostess was telling this to everyone at check in (loved seeing everyone's reaction). We were totally aware that its DineLA so, whateves we patiently waited. As I observed in the waiting area, there was a lot of screaming and commotion going on...hostesses were trying to find parties to seat them and people were impatiently pacing back and forth into the bar and back outside the restaurant. For a fine dining restaurant, I'm wondering if there's a more discrete way to alert people their table is ready...like maybe a pager? Anyways, 30ish minutes past and we finally get seated. Every server in the restaurant seemed to be in a rush (and for a good minute I thought I was sitting at a dinner buffet in Vegas lol). I could barley understand what our server was saying to us when we first got seated because he was speaking so fast...(I had to ask him to repeat everything a second time). Anyways, on to the food...I really enjoyed the smoked salmon at the salad bar. I didn't explore much of the salad bar because I wanted to leave room for the most important part. IMO, the meat was mediocre and inconsistent...some were yummie, some were salty, and some of them tasted the same? =/ A few of the meats listed on the menu apparently didn't make it to us? Cheese bread was cold...mash potatoes was not seasoned well. The table arrangements were so close to one another which made the dining experience very awkward because you can literally hear everyone's conversation from the side, front, and back of you. For the price tag of this restaurant, I was expecting a more quiet and intimate dining experience. It was total opposite...space invasion and chaos everywhere. Servers were running and weaving in and out to serve everyone their meat. Dinner for two came out to be about $100. I really don't think the price reflects the dining experience. To top this off, after dinner we picked up our car from valet (the valet dude drove our car out recklessly with the music blaring...just wow). We drove about a mile when we realized the radio was um not working? Apparently some shady person had stolen the antenna off our car. We called Fogo de Chao right away and calmly explained this situation and they immediately became defensive. They didn't express any type of remorse (no apology, nothing). Instead, the manager of Fogo De Chao specifically told me to to speak to the Valet manager and he made it clear that their restaurant has nothing to do with the valet service..So, I called the Valet manager and he did not believe that anyone would want to take my antenna...in his own words "Why would anyone want to take your antenna...they are working?!". He told me that there's no way to check the surveillance tapes at this time and the earliest would be Monday. After arguing back and forth...I finally decided to hang up because he wasn't going to help me handle this situation. DineLA or not...who would have thought that an upscale restaurant would be so rude to their customers and partner up with a such an unprofessional valet company to park people's cars. I wont be coming back!!!
(1)Elica Y.
Fogo de Chao is my all time favorite place to get some delicious Brazilian BBQ. PARKING: Valet. It is $6.50. The place gets packed and I really wonder where they keep all of the cars.... FOOD: Delicious. From the cheese balls, to the salad, bar, and finally the meat, all are phenomenal. The cheese balls (I know that's not the correct name) is served piping hot and is an excellent way to start your feast. They have a subtle cheese flavor but these things are absolutely addicting. What's so great about Fogo is that they constantly bring out new breads, mashed potatoes, plantains, etc. to your table to make sure you are consistently eating the freshest and warmest foods. Then, you go to the salad bar where there are the freshest and most delicious kinds of vegetables, cheeses, charcuteries, etc. It is so hard not to over indulge at the salad bar because everything is so good. I try to limit myself to just one plate but it is so hard.... If you are a vegetarian, you can only get the salad option as well and it is significantly cheaper. As for the meats, all are seasoned perfectly and they are all super juicy and tender. All of the servers explain what cut of meat they are holding and all you have to do is get out your tongs and get the meat to your plate. My favorite meats here are the garlic beef, bottom sirloin, and filet mignon. Fogo seriously has so many different kinds of meat from chicken, to lamb, to even sausage. I highly recommend you try a little bit of everything. DRINKS: They have a fine selection of wines too. Their wine menu is pages and pages long. I honestly get lost sometimes because there are one too many drinks but the servers are all very knowledgeable about their wines. SERVICE: Great! Although this place can get slammed pretty quickly, they have a huge staff who is able to talk great care of all of their guests.
(5)Jenny C.
Fogo de Chao is a meat-lover's heaven. As an authentic Brazilian Churrascarias, gaucho chefs expertly grill fifteen different cuts of meat. Along with the amazing food, the service style lends itself to being a unique, amusing and pleasurable dining experience. Once seated, our server went over the basics of table service. Each of us was given a round placard colored green on one side and red on the other. Similar to traffic signals, flipping to the green side signaled to servers that we were "go" for service. When we felt like taking a break, we needed only to flip the placard to the red side. Within seconds of turning over to the green side, the first of about a dozen servers hovering around the restaurant with oversized skewers of grilled meat arrived at our table. Next, the server carefully carved his offering, pausing at the correct moment to allow us to reach for the meat with our miniature tongs. I expected the pace to be slow and steady, finishing one offering before moving on to the next. Instead, for as long as our placard was flipped to green, it was more like a swarm of bees homing in on our table. One by one, servers made their way to our table, often before I even had a chance to try the last cut of meat. Before I knew it, my previously lone piece of Picanha was surrounded by Costela, Frango, Lombo, Linguica, and others. My boyfriend, a natural-born meat eater, was giddy with excitement. Each cut arrived sizzling hot and cooked to the perfect doneness. Each cut was melt-in-your-mouth tender and bursting with flavor. Among the dizzying assortment of meats, my favorites were the Picanha and Garlic Steak. As if fifteen types of meat wasn't enough, our meal came with fried polenta chips, carmelized bananas, mashed potatoes, and Fogo De Chao's legendary cheese bread. There was also a salad bar carrying an assortment of fine cheeses, cured meats, and vegetables. At $60 a person, the price may be a deterrent for some. I was somewhat anxious myself. However, after dining here, I feel the price was completely reasonable considering the unique dining experience, assortment of cuts of meat available, the expertise with which these cuts are prepared, and the wide array of impressive side dishes and salad bar items.
(5)Christina L.
It's hard going to a Brazilian restaurant after you've been to Brazil...but in comparison to other AYCE Brazilian steakhouse in Southern Cali, I've had better. Their service is definitely above par, but I walked out really disappointed in the food, therefore it's not worth throwing in the extra 1 star. I came here with the in-laws for my brother-in-law's bday. There coaster system is easy...green means "GO! More meat please" and red means "STOP! I need a momentary break." When you are on green, they won't disappoint...my plate was always filled. Here's the breakdown: In my opinion, the best cut of meat they offer is the Picanha (the house specialty). It's delightfully flavored and hits the spot. My second favorite would be the Cordeiro- leg of lamb version. The juices flowed through the piece of meat and was well seasoned. I didn't enjoy the Cordeiro- lamb chops version much (and I normally LOVE lamb chops). The chops had a lot of fat on it...which I am not use to. The other types of beef (Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon, Alcatra, Fraldinha and Beef Ancho) were nothing special. The Lombo pork loin never made its way around and I skipped on the Linguica pork sausage. The Costela de Porco pork ribs and Frango (bacon wrapped chicken breast version) were really dry, in my opinion. They did have beef ribs, which I didn't see on the menu, but the slice I had was really fatty. As for the salad bar...the high end options (such as fresh hearts of palm, sun dried tomatoes, smoked salmon, fresh buffalo mozzarella, sliced steak tomatoes, pickled bell peppers, green olives and tabbouleh) are nice, and the freshness is appreciated, however the number of items were disappointing. Out of the items that were placed on the table, which included fried polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas and cheese bread (pao de queijo), my favorite was the fried polenta and bananas. For the birthday boy, he ordered the molten chocolate cake. For 10 bucks, that's a rip off! It was barely enough for 1 person. Luckily they comped it since it was his birthday. On the same note, they don't sing happy birthday...just bring out the dessert with a candle. Note: if the birthday person doesn't order dessert, they will bring out their house flan with a candle, but if the birthday person does order dessert, whatever they order is comped. Overall, it's not worth coming back for $60 per person (not including dessert and drinks). Tip: If you only want the salad bar, it's $30 a person (but it's not worth the $30). If you are going for the first time...try all the meats first, then the salad bar. If you start with the salad bar, you will fill yourself up and won't have room to try the different meats (and the meat is why they are charging you $60 a person!)
(3)Darryl B.
very nice place but a bit over priced. great for business meeting where u get to write off the business expense but want to impress clients....
(4)harold b.
The Rolls Royce of Brazillian churascaria's! The lamb is my fav meat here and I don't even like lamb!! Yes it's that good! Don't fool around going to cheaper Brazillian restaurants. The side dishes could be improved upon. My advice is to skip a meal before dining here to get the most bang for your buck. Also, lunch is a better value than dinner. Always enjoyable.
(4)diana m.
lots and lots offff meattt!!!!!!!!!! there are about a variety of 7-8 different kinds that range from pork, chicken, beef the BEST IS THEIR HOUSE-SPECIAL!!! yummmmy! for the price you pay of about $80/person, it's worth it if you can eat up A LOTTT! and def for the ambience and also the experience of a brazilian steak restaurant!
(4)Tony Y. Jr. Y.
Fogo de Chao or "fire from the ground". Well, call it what you want but make sure you dine at this restaurant. I'm not sure where to begin, other than be ready for a feast of meats in this fine restaurant. As you arrive on the parking lot, simply allow the valet to park your car, at a low cost of $5.50, and proceed into this fine dining establishment. My friend and I planned to come here and, let's just say we didn't plan poorly, as this dining experience is memorable for all the right reasons. Chef de cuisine was certainly present at Fogo de Chao. After we were seated, a gentleman approached our table and gave us a quick rundown of how the restaurant operates. Basically, if you want to order the meats, simply turn the card, on your table, over to show green, which indicates to servers you want more meat. Simply turn the card to red if you don't want anymore meat. Also, you can take advantage of the salad bar, which boasts of vegetables in brilliant hues. My friend made a salad that looked so good, I almost wanted to make myself a salad, and I don't even like salads. As for the meats, Fogo de Chao provides the finest grades and cuts of meats. We devoured everything from picanha and filet mignon to frango and beef ancho. The servers simply sliced the hot and tender meat at the table and you can have as much as you want. In addition, we were brought some of the finest cheese bread, known as páo de queijo, which was served hot and consists of parmesan cheese. Also, we were brought side dishes of polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, and some carmelized bananas. The food at this place is unquestionably phenomenal! Not only is the food phenomenal, but the service is most unparalleled and unforgettable! It's been a long time since I've dined in a restaurant and received service of this magnitude. Though we paid $60 per person to dine here, it was truly a worthwhile dining experience. All of the workers in the dining room provided the utmost service to all diners. Repeatedly, there was someone at our table making sure we were pleased with our meal and the service. There's not much more I can say about Fogo de Chao, other than just go and experience it for yourself.
(5)Caro P.
Great service, great meats, great establishment only one thing, they don't serve pineapple on the skewer! Which is a must have at a Brazilian Bbq restaurant! At least in Brazil!
(5)E. G.
MEAT LOVERS HEAVEN - If you want to impress someone that is a MEAT lover, bring them here, a little pricey but so worth it. It is a meat eaters dream (YES I'M A MEAT LOVER) unlimited Meat, sides and salad bar. The salad bar have variety of options and they bring you 4-5 different sides. The meat is tender and the waiters where very polite and informative about the meats/food over all. NOTE- If you are taking some that doesn't eat much, waste of money!!!!
(4)Christine N.
All you can eat is not my favorite. It's pre-prepared food that goes around an entire room and then served to you. And on top of that, you don't know how long it's been since they actually cooked it. Or if they re-cooked it. Or if it's going to be cooked enough. 4.5. But I round you up, Fogo, and not because everyone else in the world loves you, but because my experience here was beyond fantastic. Scene: boyfriend has completed the MCATs. I am extremely proud. He is proud of me for being patient. Everyone is proud of everyone. And after all the proudness is shared, we realize that we have had an extreme lack of protein in our diets for the past few months. EXTREME. In comes Dinela. It's the one time that both our unemployed butts will go and dine like we've got money. And Fogo? Well, we both haven't been here. And we're both hungry. And it's $28?!?! Mother father. We got seated. Our waiter came and gave us water, explained the concept, and zoomed passed all the information. Literally zoomed. He talked so fast, I don't know if I got everything. He asked if we were celebrating anything, and I just shouted how he took his MCATs (it's the bragging girlfriend side of me, sorry). The salad bar. Holy eff. This is like Vegas buffet come to Beverly Hills. There's everything. Jalapeños, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, salad, cheese, olives, potato salad, fruit salad, green beans... I could literally eat from the salad buffet alone. I think that's their trick. Turn the card to green and the meat will come to you. We got champagne and got every piece of meat that came our way. The sirloin is absolutely the most memorable piece I had. It has a nice seasoning with a really juicy bite. I want to go back for it. The lamb was beautifully cooked and tasted really light and not gamey at all. The rest of the meats were good, but those two were worth mentioning separately. Instead of getting the courses here for Dinela, you just get the entire Brazilian steakhouse experience. Would I go back? Unfortunately, I'm a short asian girl that can't get $55 worth of meat down my throat at once. But for Dinela? Hell yes. This is what made our experience great. First, they will bring you wha you want to eat. You don't have to wait for it, people. Just ask! Everyone's really happy and nice. Then, we were about to leave when the hostess ( we were there around 1:30 and lunch closes at 2... I think most people had left by then) brought us a dessert that said "congratulations" around the plate. I was so so so shocked and impressed by our waiters generosity. I really did not expect him to do that for us. I was just being the annoying girlfriend who thinks her boyfriend is the best in the world! But he was gone. So hopefully, we can go back and thank him because that literally put everything to the next level. Oh and the dessert was flan. Holy frick can you say delicious? We're both not huge fans, but I think I am now. It's creamy, thick, and a perfect sweet to the end of a meat filled meal. Meat on!
(5)Amy N.
Came here for restuarant week. Best 68 dollars spent (on food)! The food here is immaculate. The salad bar was great, very fresh and lots of selection. The cheese filled bread rolls are amazing! I dream of them still till this day. Very prompt service as well. The minute I turned my card green, the waiters were already at my side and carving big, beautiful slices of meat onto my plate. The meat is cooked to perfection (medium rare) but you can request how you like them done. My favorite is hands down, the PICANHA. For the quality and cut of all the meats, the price is right on par.
(5)Al S.
I took clients to this Fogo not long after they opened. And being in an American-Brasilian family, and having a wife who's family is in the food business in Brasil, and who cooks and bakes traditional Brasilian at home, our perspective is a bit different. In a nutshell, I see Fogo as serving some of the best quality meats, but sorely lacking in their salad bar offerings. And even within our group of Brasilian friends and family, we argue as to whether a churrascaria should have a large salad bar. I say yes... but many of my friends say that when they go to a Brasilian BBQ, they are there for the meat. I agree with them, but have to remind them that for many, like me, "setting up my plate" is critical for taking in all that protein. My minimum is a thin bed of rice, some flavorful black beans (garlic and salt to taste), Brasilian salsa, called "vinegrette", and farofa de milho. From there... I can temper my larger intake of high quality meat. So, without re-writing my more recent Fogo, Las Vegas review, let me say that the salad bar at US based Fogo's is one of the more limited I've seen for a "high-end" restaurant of this type. And for me, the proper balance is high quality meat, (which Fogo does provide), coupled with a complete salad bar including warm entrees, (which Fogo doesn't have), and THE BASICS........ rice, black beans, vinegrette salsa, farofa and pao de queijo and banana frita... all at the buffet bar area, not "doled out by forgetful gauchos!" I actually had to ask the manager at the BH location for rice and black beans. Being a Brasilian, he apologized... and said, "We quit serving it because the Americans didn't eat it." That's why it should be at the buffet tables... duh. So...... Great meat, which is typical for Fogo, but only adequate salad bar. And as for the service? Each Fogo is different. I've never been highly impressed at any Fogo. Usually, the servers I've encountered were over-worked, and service was either "feast or famon." Great service is a medium tempo... not being bombarded, which happens when the kitchen can't provide a "steady supply" of meat. Only great churrascarias have consistent, and well timed servers. In my opinion, that's the challenge of all Brasilian BBQ's. Fogo is OK... but when you're in Brasil, Sao Paulo or Rio for most, visit the Fogo de Chao there. You'll definitely see some differences.
(3)Natalie K.
First off, Don't come here hungry. Don't come here if you are on a diet. Don't come here if you are vegetarian. Come here if you love meat. The meat is excellent. It's not the usual crappy buffet meat. This place serves steakhouse quality meats, all you can eat! With that in mind, this place is a bargain. First off, the cheesy bread is good (be careful not to fill up on this stuff) The garlic beef and the beef ribs are two of my favorites.
(5)Bill G.
A group of five of us ate there 12/19. We had reservations for 9pm, and when we arrived we were told we would have to wait 15-20 minutes. When we were told our table was ready, the hostess thought we were 2 people, so it took more time to get another table ready. Once seated the food came fast. The salad bar area was very plain, and the side vegetables were OK, but not a lot of options. The meat was good. Everyone at our table was done, but I wanted more chicken. After about 15 minutes and several waiters asking what I wanted, they brought more chicken wrapped in bacon. Around 10:30 they started to close the restaurant. We felt rushed to finish. We ask about desserts. The female waitress told us that they were out of three desserts. My wife ask for molten lava cake and the waitress said she thought they were out of that as well. She brought out the desserts and said that they were out of lava cake, but she gave my wife another chocolate dessert. When we received our bill, we were charged for 7 people, and the chocolate dessert we didn't order. I told the waiter that we were only 5 people. I didn't fight them on the dessert because we ate part of it. I am giving the restaurant a low rating because of making us wait, not being organized, rude female waitress, and messing up our bill. I would rather go to a place that has a better selection, and you don't feel rushed. If you want to close by 11pm, then have the last seating at 9pm.
(2)Imomushi H.
Food was good. Service was good. I want to give 4 stars to this restaurant. Unfortunately I have got stolen something left in a car while we were using valet parking. Be careful for not leaving anything valuable!!! Restaurants does not take responsibility the issue occurred in a parking. Manager of valet parking has never picked up my call. What a high cost lunch and sad experience we had.
(1)Nancy L.
We dined here last night to celebrate my Daughter and her boyfriends Mom's Birthday. The meat was great. Very flavorful. It was an experience. Service was top notch especially since we had a party of 9. Pricey but well worth it.
(4)Julie L.
My first impression was, "My favorite animal is steak." Wasn't the first time I've used that line, but Fogo de Chao is definitely the place to hit up when you're craving meat. I first encountered this haven of red meats during one of my outings for dineLA. We've always driven past it on La Cienega Blvd and it was our day to indulge. I first walk in, and I notice the seating was a bit cramped. But then I'm soon distracted by the lavish decor of the place. Seated, the friendly waiter describes the menu and we are on our way to the salad bar...the grand salad bar...gives me enough reason to come back. If you want variety and the most excellent choices of sides, this is it. I adored the fact they serve a unique salad bar with aged cheeses, prosciutto, and some of my favorites like artichoke bottoms, sun-dried tomatoes, smoked salmon, and jumbo asparagus. The sides are marinated to perfection. You can taste the freshness of the greens and the natural flavors of the cheeses. The most sophisticated salad bar I've ever experienced. Back at our table we are greeted with a pleasant surprise: our sides. So delicious: pão de queijo (cheese bread, I wish I had more room in my tummy for more), crispy hot polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, and my favorite, the caramelized bananas. Then comes the meat extravaganza...one server after another brought their skewer of meats to our table. My favorite was the filet mignon of course, and the cordeiro (lamb). The seasoning was simple and not overpowering at all which featured the natural flavors of the meat. Tender, medium-rare, and juicy describes all of their 15 cuts of fire-roasted meats. The filet mignon melts in your mouth, and I don't mind eating just the filet mignon for my choice of meat the next time I'm there. The service is friendly, accommodating, and they will happily bring you your requested choice of meat if the servers happen to miss your table. I understand the complaints of some of these following reviews, however, the luxury of a grand salad bar, delectable sides, and mouthwatering meats comes with an extravagant price. You can't expect to get a deal on a diamond, so if you really are complaining, you should just take initiative during the next round of dineLA or better yet, during their lunch prices. (+) Tip: Their lunch menu and dinner menu is the same! Yes, you heard me right, so it's a great time to take advantage of that. (+) Another Tip: Since there is a smaller crowd before dinner hours, you're also likely to get better service and the gaucho chefs will be stopping by your table more often than during dinner where you'll have to wait for your choice of meats. (+) Silly Tip: That card on your table that looks like a coaster? Wrong, turn it to the green side to signal the gaucho chefs, "I want more meat!" Turn it to red to signal, "I am stuffed and had enough." (+) Date Tip: This is probably not the place to go on your first date. It gets pretty rowdy and loud, and the crowded ambiance doesn't help. Your date to Fogo de Chao should either be your hungry man friend, your hungry girlfriend (who you've dated for awhile and is not afraid to REALLY eat in front of you), or your other friend that is a serious, certified carnivore. The lasting impression? "Fogo de Chao is on top of my list for Brazillian steakhouses in terms of overall exquisiteness. So much I might even have to date a gaucho chef so that I can afford going there all the time!"
(5)Ken C.
If you haven't had Brazilian BBQ, here's the deal: You go to the table and you take a seat. You can then go to the salad bar to load up on your first course. Once you're done with appetizers, you can get the meat at any time. Each person has a card with a red and green side. If you flip your card to the green side, you "green light" chefs to walk up to you with meat. Once you have enough meat, flip your card to the red side and the chefs will leave you alone. I went to a Brazilian BBQ place in West Covina and I wasn't impressed. This is simply a different level. Everything here is great quality. I loved everything here. Here's a snippet of what I enjoyed: Salad Bar: Definitely have a salad. Keep it simple, but don't forget to add their sundried tomatoes, their aged parmesan, and their roasted red bell peppers. Add them to your salad to make something truly amazing. Selection of meats and cheeses: At their salad bar, they have a nice selection of dried meats and cheeses. I really liked their Proscuitto, their fresh mozzarella, and their cured salami. Sangria: The red wine flavors are distinct, but the fruits in the drink made it awesomely sweet. A pitcher is enough for 2-3 people and will run you $36. Cheese Bread: This is so awesome. My friends and I took a bite into it when it was straight out of the oven. After my friends bit into the bread, they both literally went quiet, they closed their eyes, and they took a deep sigh of satisfaction. Feeling like Harry in "When Harry Met Sally", I, then, immediately looked to the waiter and asked, "excuse me, can we have some more?" The bread is shaped like a muffin, but it's deceptively light and airy and the cheese flavor is baked into the center of the bread to give it a flavor that's just right. It's so good. Eat it while its hot. Then get some more. Costela (Ribs). The ribs are tender, flavorful, and lightly seasoned. I love Texas style BBQ ribs, but it's nice to have perfectly cooked baby back ribs w/o sauces, for once. Linguica (Sausage). Casing has a really nice snap to it. The meat is extremely flavorful and warm. It's really, really good. If I were a cow and if I had four stomachs, then I would have had more of this. Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon. I think this dish is only available on Friday and Saturday. I really liked it. Eat it as soon as it hits your plate. When the meat and bacon are still warm, this is really awesome. Picanha (Top Sirloin): Must have item. Well seasoned. Juicy. Great meat quality. It's well-marbleized, which makes this so flavorful. After I was done with this, I sat up tall and I raised my hand like a schoolboy to flag down the chef serving this, so that I could get more. Caramelized Bananas: They're simply prepared, but they're good. Cost for lunch is $34.50. Dinner is $56.50. A pitcher of Sangria is $36. If you choose to have dessert (we didn't), it'll run you around $10. Valet parking is available and it's $5.50. This place definitely puts a dent into your wallet, but it's a great experience. The staff is extremely courteous, the meat is top quality, and all of the side dishes are amazing. It's not something I'd want to do with regularity, but I'm glad I was able to celebrate there with awesome company!
(5)Jasmine C.
Disclaimer: I wouldn't personally pay to eat here because I can't eat that much, and it's $$$$! hahaha First of all, CHEESE BREAD. You can't go wrong. I must have eaten 5 of these as they kept being replenished in front of me. They don't even taste really like there's cheese inside, but they're soft fluffy savory puffy rolls that almost just melt in your mouth when you bite into them. I wish I could have taken a dozen home...but my figure probably would hate me. BRAZILIAN LEMONADE: uhm, can I say AMAZING? Fresh and foamy with some kind of creamy sweet milk mixed in, this is probably the best lemonade I've ever had. SALAD BAR: I wasn't that impressed actually. Or maybe it was overhyped for me. The vegetables are definitely fresh and beautiful though! I should have realized that the point was to piece together everything to make a salad (bell peppers, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, cheese, etc.), but I got to the greens last and the lightbulb went off too late. haha. The salmon pieces are really salty, so be aware. The aspargus was really good and so was the bamboo with the green pesto sauce. MUST get the green pesto sauce. There's a fruit/mayo mix salad too and I actually went back for more of that. I thought it was potato salad the first time I saw it because the apple strips look like potato strips! There's pineapple buried in it too. The taboulleh (sp?) is good as is the other diced veggie mix next to it...maybe my experience would have been better had I started with the greens, but I didn't really have time to go back to try again =P MEAT: they come around with the meat on giant skewers and ask you if you want it. I liked the filet mignon, the house special (albeit a tad salty), garlic beef, top sirloin, and probably something else...there was so much meat on my plate that I was sharing with my friend that I got confused. The bacon wrapped chicken is okay...and the chicken legs tasted like they were marinated in some kind of wine. Pretty good, but not my favorite. The experience was pretty good though, but I really couldn't eat that much. =( Couldn't try everything haha DESSERT: Papaya creme: this is REALLY good if you LIKE PAPAYA. If not, then just forget about it. haha I liked it because I can tolerate papaya taste and it was very cold/refreshing/light. =) Flan: very dense and rich and drenched in caramel...decadently good. Chocolate mousse cake: too rich for me...only if you're a hugeee chocolate cake lover, I think you'd like this =) Again, I'd never personally pay to eat here, but if someone else is paying...heyyyyy why not? :) pretty restaurant too! PARKING: they have valet parking in the lot (but it's tiny)...a couple streets over there's street parking available, but you just have to walk about a block. Be careful though; make sure you're parking on a street that doesn't say "Parking by Permit" :]
(4)Thia G.
Okay seriously... this place doesn't impress me, especially considering the $$$$ price rating. The salad bar is very good, the meat is okay, but really, I wouldn't come here if I were paying. Of course, the few times I did come here, someone else was paying, in which case I might have given them 4 stars, but in all honesty, I much prefer a good steak dinner over this place which would cost either less than or about the same as this place. The only meat I like here is the rib eye and the sirloin... and I think I would prefer a huge slab to myself as opposed to small slices that dry out and get cold. Desserts are pretty good, very rich and thick flan, pretty good chocolate mousse cake, and personally, I would avoid the papaya dessert. Cheese bread is good. So is the lemonade. Will only be back if it's not on my tab...
(3)Normalyn N.
Came here for Father's Day with daughter, hubby and both of our dads. The men are all big meat eaters and Fogo de Chao did not disappoint. An upscale Brazilian BBQ restaurant with Beverly Hills prices to match ($50 per person for Father's Day brunch). They had every possible meat selection but my favorites were the picanha, rib eye and filet mignon. I did get a couple of cuts of meat that were VERY salty (end pieces). But for the most part, the meats were tender, juicy and flavorful. The chicken wrapped in bacon was disappointingly dry, however the sausage was very tasty. There was also pork tenderloin, ribs, lamb and more, but I got too full on the delicious beef cuts to really bother much with the rest. The side dishes were good but nothing spectacular, the true star of the meal of course was the BEEF. On the table there was a basket of cheese bread and plates of garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized plantains and crispy polenta (all unlimited refills). The salad bar items were fresh and veggies a good offset to the hoards of meat we consumed. Of the 3 desserts we ordered, the flan was my favorite. Perfectly sweet and SO silky smooth. The raspberry cheesecake was beautiful on the plate but taste was just OK (part was still frozen). My dad-in-law and daughter shared a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and practically licked the plate clean. Oh and I really enjoyed my literally HUGE glass of sangria, probably the best I've tasted at restaurant in awhile (next time getting a pitcher!). Overall not sure if I can say the food justifies the price, but I guess that depends on how much you eat. We paid Father's Day brunch prices but the regular dinner price here is $60 per person (drinks and dessert not included). So make sure you come to this place hungry! One great surprise, at the end of the meal all THREE "Dads" at our table were each given a complimentary gift card good for one free meal at Fogo! Very nice! Not sure if would come out of my way to eat here again as I'm not a huge fan of buffet, all-u-can-eat places (and the hefty price tag). I don't mind spending on a nice meal but would rather spend that kind of $$$$ at a Mastro's or Lawry's type restaurant. But the free gift cards are definitely an incentive to come back to Fogo for more meat (and sangria)!!
(4)J. D.
Hate to be the one person with the 1-star review, but... I came here for my 6-months with my gf. Food tasted great and all, left full and satisfied, but... My gf and I both got food poisoning from here. That night we were taking turns going to the bathroom, with major stomach problems. Puking and run-downs. It was terrible. I'm sure we're one of the very few that experienced something like this from fogo, we think it was something from the salad bar. We really wanted to like this place...oh well. Hope your experience is better than ours!
(1)Henry H.
When I'm in the mood for meat, I come to FOGO. It is by far the best Brazilian BBQ I have been to. I'll do a play by play of my last few visits. 1) I arrive. The valets are quick, each time they park my car and make sure I don't spent much time waiting. 2) The outside waiting area with the small fountain is nice, and their large, wooden main doors are classy and inviting. I have had to wait a few times, but with reservations never more than 15 minutes, I'm always very happy about this. 3) I go inside. Their decor is very nice, definitely a south American vibe, but very classy. They have plenty of space with easy access to the salad bar. 4) We order drinks. They server generous amount of alcohol. Drinks aren't why you come here, but it's good to know that they don't skimp in the liquor. 5) I go to the salad bar. The salad bar is no joke. I tend to not "waste my time" on the veggies, as the first few times I got too full on veggies, bread and cheese to thoroughly enjoy all of their meats. The salad bar is always fully stoked. They have quality deli meats and cheeses, fresh mushrooms (shitaki as well as button), sliced grilled bell pepper (my favorite) as well as all kinds of fruits and breads. Their prosciutto is particularly tasty and their salmon is very fresh. But again, you don't come here for the salad bar. 6) Sides arrive: They serve friend plantains, which are standard. Good, but maybe just a tad bit dry. The mash potatoes are very tasty, and the polenta was crispy, very tasty (I don't usually like polenta). 7) Bread arrives: I am never at my table when the bread arrives, and I've never tried it. I'm too preoccupied with the salad bar, sides and meat! 8) Main Course: MEAT!! The quality of meat here is top notch. My favorite by far is the filet migon. Juicy, medium rare, can't be beat! Also, all you can eat portions are simply wonderful!! I am also a huge fan of the different types of picanha (top sirloin), it's usually pretty dry at most Brazilian BBQ places, but it is always well cooked here. Their lombo (pork loin) is a little salty but I really like it. Their beef ancho (rib eye) is also VERY juicy. I order all of my meats medium rare (except pork which is only cooked well done). Their chicken and sausage are tasty, but I don't usually spend much time on these. Also, they wrap bacon around most anything, I can't say how much this make me happy. 9) Dessert: I have tried nearly every dessert here. The flan is particularly tasty, however, do the right thing and get the tres leches cake, you don't regret it!! 10) Bill: I usually go in a group, expect to spend $75-100 per person ($100 if you get a drink and dessert, $75-$80 without. It starts at $60 but tax and tip as well as valet gets you to $75 -$80). Overall an excellent place, I will definitely come back!
(5)Cheryl N.
Best Brazilian steakhouse! Food and service are excellent! Every time we took a short break from eating someone would come to our table and ask how we were doing and if we are enjoying our food. It was overwhelming but I appreciated the great customer service. I did feel somewhat self conscious to eat a lot but I eventually got over it. I like to think I got my money's worth. It is pricey but it is in Beverly Hills. My favorites were filet mignon, sausage and bacon wrapped chicken. All were very flavorful and the chicken surprisingly tender. I would definitely come here again for a dinner date or a family dinner. If you don't mind driving around, it is possible to find street parking or there's valet at the restaurant. I personally don't mind the walk to burn off all the yummy food I ate.
(5)Annika Jo L.
I was here with my husband and some close friends for a birthday celebration. I've been to many Brazilian churrascarias and this the best! The pao de queijo is delicious, as is the fried polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and fried plantains. People always say to skip the salad bar, but I cannot go to a churrascaria without getting hearts of palm, artichoke hearts and the delicious shaved parmesean out of the giant parm wheel. I ate the thinly sliced parm with the polenta and it was a perfect addition to the many different meats that came around. Now, I can't tell you exactly which meats we had because there were a lot. It was a Saturday night at 8p, so they definitely had all their meats out. I tried everything but the skewers that had lamb. I just don't like lamb. My favorites were probably the bacon wrapped filet, bacon wrapped chicken, rib eye, top sirloin (both alcatra and picanha), parmesean crusted pork, okay, so pretty much everything but the beef and pork ribs. Those were just okay. One of the managers came to our table to see how we were doing and she explained to us that each gaucho that came around with the skewers were the actual chefs and the meat that they carried around were their specialities. It was so interesting to know why they were so quick to come to each table and fill our plates with meat! They each cook the meat they bring out and serve, so they want the meat to be hot when it comes out; however, since meat continues to cook even after it's been removed from a heat source, the longer it takes them to carve and serve, the more the meat cooks, so they have to be aware of which tables like medium rare, medium, well, etc. and hurry to the rare and medium tables first. Everyone at our table likes our meat medium, medium rare, so they were coming by one right after another. At one point, there were three chefs at our table at once. They brought out a tres leches cake for our friend's birthday and that was also really good. The only things which other churrascarias have that I wish Fogo de Chao had are rice, beans and bread crumbs at the salad bar; but I can order that separately if I really want it next time.
(5)Kristina K.
We were invited to Fogo for a friends birthday on a Saturday night, and had no idea what the place was before hand. (With that came the sticker shock at the end!!!!!) The cuts of meat here are beyond amazing.(except the chicken, which I usually like; here, no so great.) So many different cuts of meat coming at you at a rapid rate! PACE YOURSELF! (Although I left my coaster on green the whole time so I could try a little of everything...) If you are a vegan or vegetarian, don't bother coming here! You start with the salad bar...what a crazy experience that was. It was like an eating contest; everyone races up and there is no distinct line formed or any direction...a little haphazard but the choices were awesome. Big chunks of Parmesan cheese, fresh salami....fruits and veggies, chicken salad...I would have been fine getting just the salad bar and would have if I'd seen the price tag before! I think it was around $30 for the salad bar alone and $60 for the salad bar and meats....granted it is unlimited but one can only eat so much. I think for $60 I should have had a full filet Mignon AND a lobster tail and side dishes!...I was VERY disappointed with how much it ended up being, especially since we were not warned at all by our friends... The atmosphere was a little cafeteria-esque and VERY loud! I couldn't truly enjoy much because it was so crazy and you have servers surrounding you or walking by you at all times. If I were to spend $60/person at a dinner I would likely not come back here...I am glad I got to experience Fogo De Chao but I've had better experiences. Maybe if I wa eating carbs I would have a higher rating as everyone was raving about the cheese bread.....? Hint: Get your salad bar stuff and ask for an extra plate for your meats. I shared a plate with the boyfriend but it made it easy for the servers to cut meat on that side plate!
(3)Nayri Y.
it was my first time,i was with my boyfriend..such a nice place and foods!!
(5)Mike H.
This is the second one of these I have been to. Once you turn on the green, there's no stopping the meat onslaught. You won't leave hungry, that's for sure. The variety of meats is impressive. Salad bar is above average. Overall, good, but pricey.
(4)Barbara W.
Go for lunch, you get more bang for your buck and the place is almost empty! :-) Dinner the price doubles and you get a choice of 3 or 4 extra meats. TRUST me you won't miss it. KEEP the money in your pocket. This place is ALL YOU CAN EAT. If you are a meat lover you have just met your heaven. EVERYTHING is cooked with such great flavor. You get a "stop" and "go" card. As long as your card is on green for "go" then you will keep getting meat. If it's red, they will pass you buy. DON'T fill up on any sides...just eat the meat! Lunch is almost half off by the way ;-)
(4)Luke S.
Fogo has the best food I have ever eaten! I went the other week with a few of my friends and this was hands down the best dining experience ive ever had. The salad bar is good, and use it as a warm-up because you will be eating meat non-stop. All of the meat is phenomenal and I couldn't stop eating until my body physically could not take it any more. You need to eat here, there is no better all you can eat food place than Fogo.
(5)Ed K.
Yes Fogo is chain churrascaria with multiple locations throught the US and Brazil, but it is good, and still one of the more popular Brazilian BBQ joints in Los Angeles. Given the posh La Cienega location, a mere hop skip away from restaurants like Lawry's Prime Rib, and Matsuhisa, one might expect a night out a Fogo to be a bit of an extravagant, overrated, experience. In some ways, that's not entirely far off the truth. Sure while the all-inclusive price of $70 is a bit steep, it is still all you can eat, so that's worth the price, right? In my younger years I would have given a bregrudging 'yes' but being a little older, a little wiser and perhaps a little less healthy, I am not so sure anymore. Given that, I don't really seek out places like Fogo on a regular basis, but I have eaten twice here during dineLA's restaurant week where they offer the same all-inclusive meat & salad bar access PLUS creme brulee dessert for the low price of $44. Of course during these weeks, the bargain seeking carnivores come out in droves, myself included. Enough of my soapbox rantings, the restaurant itself; Once you step inside diners are greeted with a dark, semi-casual ambiance encouraging a minimal dress-casual attire. While waiting for a table you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink at the bar in the ante-room. Once entering the main dining area, the hard-to-miss salad bar spread can be seen off to the right, which includes a nice array of cold/hot items, not just vegetables & greens, but many cold cut meats served almost charcuterie style. While some may consider the green bar as 'distracting filler' I still believe in a little balance to offset the abuse of stuffing 20 lbs of red meat into my system for the next hr. Appetizers at the table include their fantastic fresh baked cheese bread, friend plantains, grits and polenta. The dizzying array of grilled meats all come served on skewers and cut to your desire and hunger. With most of the meats being of a comfortably safe array of cow, lamb, pork and chicken, it's hard to find a cut of meat that won't meat your tastes. Some of my personal standouts include: Picanha (top sirloin) - go for the heavier garlic seasoned variety, perfect with this cut Filet mignon - which comes either bare or in bacon wrapped varieties, the cuts always came out juicy that lovely rare. Beef Ancho (ribeye) Lombo - parmasean coated pork loin. The combination of cheese crust and pork gives a taste that stands out from the cow entries and one of the fave. For those interested in an over-the-top carnivore fest, it's hard to go wrong with Fogo. While I wouldn't take a date there, it's still good for families or special occasions like birthdays if everyone wants to dispense with the fineries and just eat a lot of meat.
(4)Linda T.
The tyrannosaurs-rex from within came out to play! Wow, so much yummy meat. We went during dine-in-LA week, and it was about $10 cheaper than usual, which was nice. Still came out to about $126 for dinner for two and a bottle of malbec. We skipped the salad bar, come on thats not why we were there! The side dishes were good, but we also tried not to eat too many of those, my fiance didn't like the cheese bread balls, but I thought they were delish. But lets get to the star of the meal, the meat! OH THE GLORIOUS MEAT! So yummy, we tried it almost all but the beef was our fave, esp. the bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon. Ahh, my mouth waters just recalling it. There were other delicious cuts, but I don't remember the names. The service was good, not stellar, but very polite and would come pretty often. The people with the meat didn't always pass by us, which si why I took one star away. At first I was like, ugh where ARE THEY! I guess it was pretty busy since it was DLA week, but I was getting impatient, when the "men witht he meat" came by one, after another, after another. I had to flip to the red card, so they wouldn't keep coming. But once I tried most, I had anointed my favorites as the chosen ones, and I was planning to reject the rest. The problem was I'd see some go by, and walk straight past us to who knows where, and I never saw them come back ...breaking my fat-girl heart. Not to say we didn't have great choices come by, but I didn't get to have a second helping of the bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Dress is pretty casual, we were there on a Sunday night. I thought it was gonna be more fancy shmancy, but it wasn't. People were in jeans and a t-shirt. Nothing particularly upscale about it. Which is nice since it gives a relaxed unpretentious vibe. Valet takes forever to bring your car around, but oh well. All in all, great place, wish I had better seating where the meat people walked by more, or maybe just more of them looking around making eye contact. its pricey, but you get like 2 delicious steaks worth meat, or more if you are a glutton. You must have with wine, really makes it perfecto!
(4)Marie L.
I love this place! They have so many choices for meat and in the salad bar. The cheese bread is amazing! I eat so many even after I have filled up on meat. I try to limit what I get at the salad bar so I have more room for meat. The waldorf and chicken salads are my favorites. The chicken salad on endive or butter lettuce is great. My favorites on the meat side are the alcatra, filet mignon, and ribeye. Soooo juicy and flavorful! The fried bananas seem to be a hit or miss. Half the time they're delicious and I can't get enough and the other half, they taste bland. I dont know why, maybe depends on the sweetness of the banana itself. I don't care too much for their other sides but who cares, I am there for the meat!
(5)Andrew K.
So. much. meat. Truly a meatlover's paradise. The waiters and servers were all very nice and attentive as they paraded various types of meat across the table. The salad bar and sides were also good, especially the cheese bread. SO good. I did miss my favorite sides at steakhouses--creamed corn and creamed spinach--but then again, who really comes to Fogo for sides? I myself am not a huuuge fan of meat, and got a little tired of it after a white; still, it was a great experience and I could easily appreciate the fine cuts of meat and excellent preparation. Highly recommend the sausages as well! Overall, come if you love love love meat.
(4)Kathy V.
I finally got to try this place out the other day. My girlfriends and I (party of 5) had a reservation for 730 and was seated within 10 minutes upon arrival. We all have never been to the restaurant before so it was all new to us. The restaurant seemed very busy and loud. It was kind of hard to hear my friends sitting at the same table. Our server was Raffy and he was extra friendly and attentive! Each person gets a card that's double-sided, one side is red and the other is green. You flip it over to the green side if you want to be served any meat. There are servers going around the restaurant going table to table with the meat; they have different kinds varying from medium, medium rare, and rare. When we went there were about 10 different kinds of meat I believe. If the one you want isn't nearby, you can always ask the server any time. They also have a self-serve salad bar with a variety of cheeses, side dishes, and bologne/salami (be careful to not get crazy on this or else there is no room for the meat!). The cheese rolls are really good here! It's perfectly soft and light. As for the meats, some were a little too salty for my taste. Overall, I had a great first time here. I'd come here for the experience, but maybe just once in a blue moon.
(4)Rachel Q.
I will say that everything I ate was delicious! You start off at the salad bar, which had fresh items - asparagus, broccoli, salad, bacon to name a few. You also get delicious yorkshire style bread! Once you are ready, you flip over your red circle to green. The staff then brings you fried plantains (yum!), cheesy mashed potatoes and fried polenta - all yummy! The meats were delicious and melts in your mouth - some favorites are the lamb chops, rib eye, filet minion and the bottom sirloin! We were extremely stuffed by the end, too full for dessert. Overall I had a great experience, but the reason Fogo De Chao is not getting a full five stars is the stomach pains I experienced after. I don't know if it was this place that caused my stomachache but shortly after leaving, I was not a happy camper.
(3)Michael N.
So I've been to Fogo de Chao four or five times. I'm going to tell the story of the time before last. It's amusing... So at the time, I'd been dating my girlfriend for about 2 months, and we wanted to go somewhere nice. Fogo was offering a DineLA discount, and I am definitely a fan of Fogo. We make a reservation, get dressed up, and drive on down. We decide to leave the car with the valet. There's a slight hitch in that my girlfriend's car has a security system that requires a code to start the car. We let the valet know about this. So we get seated and order a couple glasses of wine. Fogo has a salad bar. So we go on over to the salad bar. Heart of palm salad, beats, artichokes, cheeses, and cold cuts. Yum! We get back to the table and start eating. So, if you don't know, Fogo is rodizio-style restaurant. This means that the waiters carry around giant skewers of grilled meat and use large knives to cut you slices of it at your table and you grab the slices with a pair of tongs. The meats include sirloin, fillet, ribeye, chicken, etc. There is a little sign in front of each diner that is red on one side and green on the other. They will keep bringing you meat as long as it is green. This is all you can eat awesomeness. Anyway back to the story. We start eating salad and then we decide to flip our signs and start on the meat. Delicious! After the second serving of meat my girlfriend drops her tongs. Oh well. She can get another pair. Another server comes by and starts slicing meat for my girlfriend. I try to point out that she needs new tongs. Unfortunately, at the same moment the server point his knife across the table. SLICE! Right into my finger. I am bleeding. A lot. The server says he'll be right back and disappears and within seconds the manager sweeps me into the backroom and applies first aid. We all decide that I have to go to the emergency room. The customer service manager, Danielle, will meet us there. We try to retrieve the car from the valet, but of course, the valet can't figure out the security code and comes back about 10 minutes later. Meanwhile, I'm standing with my hand held over my head to slow the bleeding. We eventually make our way to the hospital and Danielle is there waiting. We wait in the emergency room lobby for about 45 minutes and chit chat with Danielle before the doctor is finally able to see me. All in all, I needed three stitches, but the amazing part is that Danielle stayed with us at the hospital the whole time(about 3 hours). She was very nice and very attentive. Fogo gave us gift card for a free meal for our next time there and they paid my medical bills. Despite the harrowing experience, a few months later, we found our way back and I am glad to report no injuries and a very full belly!
(5)Steph C.
food, salad bar, services are all excellent, including wine list . it's great way of dining.
(4)Victor N.
Close your eyes and imagine a beautiful dining room with servers tending to your every whim who whisk by your table like knights, but instead of shield and armor, these knights carry hot, delicious, perfectly seasoned meats ready to carve onto your plate at any moment's notice. It's almost a little hard to believe that there's an AYCE type restaurant in Beverly Hills, and one that doesn't look like it serves Panda Express out of hot dishes. I've been to Fogo de Chao numerous times and each time it's been during dineLA Restaurant Week. I'm very lucky that dineLA comes twice a year and in fall it usually falls in the vicinity of my birthday. Fogo has to be among THE BEST Brazilian BBQ locations in Southern California... I wouldn't know if their competitors are even close to the quality, flavor and service that they offer because I'm afraid I'd be wasting my hard earned dollars at those wanna-be-Fogo's. Fogo offers over 10 types of mouthwatering meats worthy of inducing religious imagery and Jesus sightings. My favorites from their menu include the Picanha (Top Sirloin) & Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin). And if you really know me, you know that I LOVE sausages (no puns please)... so the Linguica (Brazilian-style, cured pork sausage) is also on my list of favorites here at Fogo de Chao. If you're into salads, they also include a beautifully laid out salad bar with premium ingredients including fresh veggies, blocks of cheeses, cold cuts, and a variety of dressings. I personally usually prepare a plate of salad before gorging myself with the delicious meats, just for a little change in texture, temperature, flavor (and just to remotely try to be healthy for a teensy moment while dining there). But that's not all! There's melty, gooey and perfect cheese rolls that keep on coming, there's a aromatic garlic mashed potato side dish, fried bananas and the super addicting crispy polenta. All this for the same price across the board... so that makes it pretty darn easy to split up the bill amongst a group. Unless you're ordering libations, fancy bottled water (and they have some good bottled water), or desserts... each person pays the same amount. Hrmm... when is dineLA coming back again? ;)
(5)Rajiv P.
This place is crazy expensive, but if you can eat alot it's probably worth it. I only come here during dine LA. The meat quality is good, but sometimes lacks flavor. This might be becuz of the dine LA crowd being served lesser quality than the normal crowd. They also stopped serving dessert this year w/ the dine LA meal. That was disappointing. bacon wrapped filet= awesome ribeye = depends based on the what you get, most of the time its good garlic beef = good, but kinda dry lamb chops = good but a little gamey lamb leg = good but gamey fried plantains = good ribs = okay sausage = worth getting one
(3)Ellen C.
I'm going to try my best in why I gave it 3 stars. So the first time I came here was my senior year in college. This was before Mastro's, the Dining Room, Providence...well you get the gist. Of course with the "buffet-style" type of restaurant, you really can't compare this restaurant to any of the types mentioned above...but for $60/person and with dessert at a striking $8.75+, including each refill of soda ($2), you really are better off not coming here and I would recommend you spend your money elsewhere. So my first time I was just amazed. I LOVED this place and was so happy that I came. At that time I remembered it to be a high class restaurant, and the meat was just so juicy and tender. But 2nd time around (for my 25th birthday), I was very disappointed. It has changed to a bustling, crowded, almost casual environment, and with the meat's temperature as lukewarm. You ask for a piece of medium rare meat, they give you medium rare on one side, and then well done on the other side. What they should do is cut off the side completely, and give you the next piece. I feel that my taste in food has changed because I've tried different restaurants since then. Service is fast paced, and you get your meats fast..but if you think about it..them walking around trying to serve the meat as fast as possible is not the same as you ordering an entree and it is only meant for you..therefore it comes out piping hot from the kitchen straight to your table. In this case, the meats have traveled around the dining room, with its temperature dropping every second! (Maybe I'm exaggerating but that's what it tasted like.) Salad bar was really nothing out of the ordinary, and had everything you could get at Souplantation. The only thing that was exactly the same as I remembered it was the cheesy bread. I think we got 3 orders of it! For dessert, you definitely have to order the tres leche. It was like..ice cream fused with the cake. So refreshing and tasty! In terms of service, if you don't want personable service, which is exactly expected and justified in this type of environment, this place is for you. If you're looking for a more memorable experience, I'd recommend you go elsewhere. The waiters/servers are nice and will take care of you in terms of getting you what you want, but they are there to fulfill a service, and does not go the extra mile (again, completely justified and reasonable). For a party of 5 or more, you get charged an 18% gratuity. I don't think I'd ever come back again for the price and quality of food.
(3)Tahnee B.
I love this place! It is pricey but so well worth every penny. Just dont go on Valentines Day cause its insanely overbooked. Let me start by saying that its wonderful Brazilian food! Oh and the bread rolls are amazing!! Cant wait to go back!!!
(5)Steve S.
My 300th review. Dine LA 2013 I was talking to my brother about Dine LA & my sister over heard us talking about Fogo de Chao. She had a gift card from there and a pre-birthday lunch date was arranged. Thanks sis. Valet parking is the way to go ($5.50) I check in with the hostess and we were seated within 5 minutes. The place was packed, I'm sure thanks to the Dine LA pricing. Lol. The waiter explained how things worked (red = no meat, green = let the meat feast begin). He also explained that the salad bar was included in the meal and sides of Brazilian Cheese Bread, Garlic Mash Potatoes, Crispy Polenta & Caramelized Bananas will be delivered to our table. All the sides were delicious, specially the bananas. The salad bar - it has everything you want in a salad bar & more. Aside from the salads (mixed greens & spinach) itself with a myriad of salad dressing. They had black beans, rice, coconut haddock (delicious), mortadella, prosciutto, chunks of Parmesan cheese (from a giant wheel), green beans, artichoke, etc etc etc. I was already getting full from all of it. The meats - were hit and miss. The first meat we were presented was a top sirloin. It was not edible, very chewy & hard to a point the I had to spit it out. Not a good start for the meat course. They redeemed themselves with the next few meats we received. Bacon wrapped filet mignon, garlic filet mignon (the best of what we tasted), sausage & pork ribs were all super good The chickens (bacon wrapped chicken & chicken wings) were just okay. The disappointment - we weren't able to taste the lamb. The guy with the lamb skewer passed our table, but said another lamb dish was on its way out. We were their over an hour and we never saw that lamb or any other lamb dish out of the kitchen. The service for the most part was good. But on two occasion and with two different meat servers, my sister requested some well done meat (she doesn't like bloody meat) and each time the meat server said they would come back with her (well done) meat. They both never came back. Not cool. My experience here was 3.5 stars worthy. Coming during Dine LA and getting a discounted price made this culinary excursion a definite plus. Having lunch with my sister (and she paid) made it a special meal. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Jonathan N.
This is based solely on my dine LA experience and let me tell you, it's so damn good! The pao de quiejo, that cheesy bread they give you, I destroyed that basket. It's so... perfect. A steakhouse that does more than just the meat right? Sign me up. That bread tastes like happiness, enough said. And now for the meat, a carnivore's paradise. I highly recommend the Picanha which is the garlic steak. That and the prime rib like cut. All you can eat until you get the meat sweats and are too full you food coma. It's that good and for that price, the trip from Orange County was definitely worth it. I love this place. My stomach loves this place. Take me here and I'll love you forever.
(5)Chelsea L.
Never has my stomach expanded quite like it did at lunch today at Fogo De Chao. Of course, we couldn't pass on the $25 dineLA special so my mom, brother, and I went on a short trek to Beverly Hills to see what all of the hubbub was about. When we got to Fogo at noon, there weren't many people. However, when we left an hour later, there was a HUGE crowd, so make sure to make a reservation! We were promptly seated and a waiter came up to us and explained to us the process and experience that we were to expect. I had been to a similar Brazilian steakhouse before but my brother and my mom had not, so it was very helpful how patient and thorough the waiter was at explaining everything to us. Afterwards, they brought out the appetizers. OH MY GOSH the appetizers were delicious! Of course everyone on here raves about the cheese bread and it definitely lived up to the hype (also, I'm pretty sure the waiter said that they are gluten-free, but I'm not 100% sure so don't take my word for it). I also really loved the caramelized bananas, oh my lanta. The salad bar was so extensive that I was afraid that I would fill up on just that before I got to the actual meat. There was salami, proscuitto, sun-dried tomatoes, portabello mushrooms, olives, zucchinni, asparagus, tabouli, and so much more! I think there was also a small section where there were potatoes and other starchy foods like rice, but I didn't get to try those. Long story short, everything at the salad bar was so fresh and it was definitely good to have as a break between the lbs of meat that I would later consume. And now to the meat mania! After flipping the card over to green, it didn't take long for waiters to come over and politely ask if we would like to have some of that particular cut/type of meat. I'm not even really sure what I ate half of the time because I gobbled it up the second it landed on my plate and I was not really paying attention to what the waiters were saying because all I was thinking was "YES I WANT WHATEVER THAT IS GIMME GIMME". There were a couple of meats that were a little off for me though. Sometimes it would be a little too salty for my taste, which is why I had to take the bacon off of the chicken and the filet. Sometimes there would also be chunks of fat in the meat, so be careful if you are wary about chewing on pure fatty solids. What helps though is if you eat the meat with one of the appetizers like the mashed potatoes;it definitely gives more of a balance. Little tip: Try eating the caramelized banana with either the pork ribs or the pork sausage. Like put it on the same fork and eat it in one bite. I was so addicted to that combination the bananas were gone in no time! The service was absolutely spotless. Everyone was so polite and friendly, and they didn't rush us at all. We even made small talk with one of the waiters, which is always nice. We left completely stuffed and ready to be rolled out of there like the little mozzarella balls at the salad bar. Because of the price, we will probably save this place for a special occasion the next time we go, but as a once-in-a-lifetime restaurant to experience: I definitely recommend it!
(4)Jennifer C.
DineLa review. I came here late for lunch, but still got a table within 10 minutes. Valet parking is roughly 6 dollars. They had a full salad bar without labels, so I had to guess on what some of the things are. As for the three dishes (mashed potatoes, banana, and something i forgot) was good. The main course was wonderful. The filet mignon and the top sirloin was amazing. The chicken are hit & miss. Some of them were dry like the bacon wrapped chicken and some were pretty yummy. The service was great, I would come back again.
(4)Sean B.
I went to Fogo with very high expectations. I discovered the Brazilian Steakhouse concept last year in San Francisco at Espetus Churrascaria and thought it was THE BOMB. So when my nephew raved to me about Fogo, I was saving it for a rainy day. Well, today it rained, it was my 36th birthday, and I was busy all day packing for my move tomorrow. That's the occasion I was waiting for. So we went tonight, and showed up at 5:30pm, before it got busy. It's a nice space, well-lit and great ambiance. The staff were friendly and we were seated straight away. Off to a good start. Hit the salad bar, and while everything was delicious and fresh, there weren't any of the unique offerings like I had experienced at my first Brazilian steakhouse, which was slightly disappointing. Shook it off though, not really a big deal, let's see how the grilled meats taste! Everything was good. I have to be honest, there wasn't a bad item in the group. But nothing blew me out of my seat. Again, comparing it to my previous experience, we were frantically insisting that each other try what was on our plates, insisting that each dish was better than the last. Tonight... not so much. Everything good, tasty, well-prepared. Nothing wowed. The bill came and it was about $20 more than our amazing place, which just added a touch of "Yeah, we'll probably not come back here for $125 for two people - not really worth it"... but still in a generally good mood. Then we stood under the awning outside, awaiting the valet to bring the car, and a cigar smoker stood, two feet from the front door (illegal), puffing away at the foulest cigar I've ever smelled (and lets be honest, they're all vile). Five minutes of waiting for the car, and we reeked of cigar smoke. So badly that the thought of going out for a nightcap was out the door... What was bothersome was that this was in plain sight of several hosts in the 'front of the house' as well as all of the valets, and nobody said anything. We see the car pull into the lot, and realize that there are two cars 'ahead' of it in line to pick up passengers in front of the doors. It's pouring rain at this time, so nobody wanted to get wet, I guess everyone valeted their cars. I'm thinking that it's actually worth the $5.50 to valet, and expressed this verbally to my dining companion... until my car stopped... third in line to the front door... parked... and the valet got out and held the door open... in the rain... twenty feet from the door. Really? Seriously? We couldn't believe it. We ran to the car and got in, soaking wet, thinking that THE WHOLE POINT OF VALET IS TO NOT GET WET IN THE RAIN! So now we smelled of cheap cigar and rude jerk, and we were soaking wet, after paying $8 to valet the car rather than street-park. Needle that broke the haystack. That should never happen at an expensive 'customer-service-oriented' restaurant. Done. First and last visit to Fogo de Chao.
(2)Julie Y.
To be honest, Fogo de Chao doesn't need another 5-star review raving about its awesome dineLA lunch deal for ayce Brazilian BBQ, but I thought another one won't hurt to serve as a reference of what I will want to do and order the next time I come here. Again, this is purely for my reference, but if anything I say holds some merit, feel free to read away! The dineLA deal for lunch is $25.00 for unlimited access to an amazing salad bar, a variety of roasted meats, and comfort food side dishes such as pão de queijo (cheese bread), crispy polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas. Now if you haven't been before, don't worry. There are a friendly set of directions available on Fogo's website of what to expect when you arrive. But if you don't want to go through the trouble of looking up the website via mobile, here's my nifty version: 1. Arrive and expect to pay $5.50 for valet parking later. 2. Despite your reservation, expect to wait ~30 minutes to be seated. 3. Once you've been led to your table, immediately get to the salad bar and stack up on all the goodies you'd like. But leave some wiggle room because that same plate will serve as a vessel for meaty morsels. 4. When seated, flip your little coaster thing to GREEN. That's the green light that you're ready to nom. 5. If you want a particular cut of meat at a specific meat doneness, just ask. But feel free to remind a staff member if it takes a while because sometimes you' will be forgotten. 6. ASK FOR THE CHEESE BREAD IF IT HASN'T ARRIVED ON ITS OWN! I loved that the salad had a variety of raw to simply prepared ingredients, most of which were flavorful and fresh. Big fan of the aged manchego cheese, the giant spears of asparagus, the lightly marinated shiitake mushrooms, the juicy slices of tomato, the seeping purple beets, the crunchy endive leaves, and the sweet roasted peppers. Not a fan of the mozzarella... it wasn't all that "fresh". My favorite meats of the night included the picanha (top sirloin), because it was tender and each cut was lined with a nice layer of beefy fat. I also loved the frango (chicken legs) because it was super juicy and I'm a sucker for dark meat. And the costela de porco (pork ribs) was superb; the meat melted in my mouth and I loved the play of salty, sweet and smoky flavors on my palate. The ones I tried that I didn't like as much include the alcatra (top sirloin), which was very flavorful but definitely required more chewing because it was more tough than the picanha. The bacon wrapped filet mignon just screamed of salty porky goodness so if you don't like pig, don't get it. And the Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin) was just meh to me. Overall, just expect to be super super full at the end of it. And do not skimp out on that cheese bread. Trust me--they're like golden puffs of sunshine. :) Extra Notes: -For a group of 6, our calculated total with tip and tax included was ~$32.00 per person. - Valet is a nightmare, especially when you're turning left into the lot while going up La Cienega. Expect mean drivers. - In terms of seasoning, the meat cuts can tend to be on the saltier side... but I think the salad sides and what not help balance that out.
(5)Emily T.
I had planned to come here for a while, and when Fogo De Chao popped up on the list of restaurants participating in dineLA, I immediately made a reservation. As expected with dineLA, the restaurant was extremely crowded and busy. Although this was my first time here, I was pretty sure that they squeezed in extra tables. Even the gauchos (meat servers) were having trouble navigating the restaurant. The servers were really nice and welcoming. As soon as we were seated, water, bread (which was amazingly chewy), and three side dishes appeared. He also took the time to explain to us how the service system worked and his personal recommendations. The salad bar had a wide variety of items to choose from. There was a giant bowl of bacon! The salad bar was good, but since you're paying for the meat, I wouldn't dedicate too much of your stomach space to this amenity. We were able to try most of their meats, but I felt like I saw a lot of repeat meats before seeing new ones. The meats that I thoroughly enjoyed (bacon wrapped filet mignon, costela de porco, etc) never came around again :'(. I think the more popular meats probably only get to a few tables .. which sucks for the tables towards the end of the service route. My table was most excited for the cordeiro (leg of lamb), and we waited about an hour. NEVER SAW IT. I thought they might have ran out of the meat, so I decided to ask a waitress about it. After 5-10 minutes, a server with the rack of lamb came to our table and delivered the meat. Our table got three pieces and the exterior for all three were charred black. When I cut into the meat and ate it, it was WAY TOO DRY AND TOUGH. I was extremely disappointed as leg of lamb is favorite type of meat .. In general, the meat quality was pretty good, but a lot of it was a bit too well done and tough for my taste. Overall, the service was spot on and the food was decent. I just felt like I wasn't getting my money's worth and that Fogo might have been forgoing its quality for dineLA. Seems like I could get the same quality Brazilian BBQ elsewhere for cheaper. Today just wasn't Fogo's day :(. Don't think I'll be back.
(3)Mark D.
Went here for my birthday dinner. Was pretty good, especially if you like entering yourself into a meat coma. Basically anything beef is good - forget the lamb, chicken, sausages or anything else. The beef rib, ribeye and the house special Pichanta (I think) are all excellent. However, the level of gluttony is what puts me off this place. Really its about quantity rather than quality. Honestly, at $60 a head for food, there are far better places to eat.
(3)Danny L.
Came here during dineLA week and definitely one of the best decisions I made! Had a 7:30pm reservation and came late around 8. Although the restaurant was very packed, we were seated within 20 minutes. This place is definitely for meat lovers (lamb, chicken, sausage, beef, pork) basically the finest cuts and high quality meats all cooked in Brazilian style. They also had delicious sides (cheese sticks, friend banana, garlic mash potatoes) at the table and a great salad/pasta bar. Service was very good and different waiters came up to our table to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. The meat was delicious. As long as you keep your green tab up, they will keep coming with meat and just turn your tab red when you don't want anymore. Dinner was $45, definitely pricey, but for the quality of food and atmosphere, I would definitely come back!
(5)Mimi H.
CALLING ALL MEAT LOVERS.. DineLA has got this place poppin' for only $25 for lunch and $45 for dinner. Definitely recommend getting a reservation because you can expect everyone trying to take advantage of the prices. Great huge salad bar but... AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT! Just kidding, from the things I did manage to pick, they were good and fresh. Cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, roasted eggplant, grilled cut up bell peppers, waldorf salad, broccoli, beets, asparagus, green beans, tabbouleh, smoked salmon, prosciutto, salami, cheese, bacon, etc.. all crisp and some flavored with simple lemon juice. Only complaint is, they didn't have much salad green options to pick from, only pre-arranged salad mix and ice berg lettuce. Lunch Meats: Picanha/Prime Part of Sirloin -- THE BEST and just about everyone's favorite! This is their house special meat and it is seriously amazing. Thin cut of meat that features a small section of marbled fat right above the perfectly medium rare sirloin seasoned in sea salt. The salt really brings out the flavor of the tender piece of meat. Alcatra/Top Sirloin -- Another tender piece of meat seasoned nicely and not as salty as the Picanha. Fraldinha/Bottom Sirloin -- Less tender than the other meats but still good and flavorful. Cordeiro/Leg of Lamb -- Gamey but still tender and boldly flavored with herbs and lemon. *Beef Ancho/Ribeye* -- I don't believe that this is on their lunch menu during DineLA but we somehow got something that looked very much like this. At first we thought it was filet mignon but the only filet mignon they served was wrapped in bacon. The meat was flavored nicely and all but was a little tough to chew and not as good as the other choices. I think that you should still try it but I probably wouldn't waste my energy getting too much of these. I didn't bother with any chicken or ribs because I could probably cook those at home. Complimentary Sides: Cheesy Bread -- Resembled cheese puffs but had more of an airy texture and look. When they come out fresh, crispy outside and soft moist texture inside. Pretty good and not too salty from the cheese. Caramelized Bananas -- Sweet little treat. Cooked with a slightly crunchy coating of sweet sauce. Didn't try but also offered: Crispy Polenta(fries) and Garlic Mashed Potatoes Valet parking only($6) or good luck with street. Servers are somewhat attentive but it's understandable when they are so busy. Beautiful restaurant with lots of space and dim lighting. Restroom is very clean with their own custom soft paper towels. Good thing DineLA only happens twice a year otherwise I'd have heart problems from all this red meat.
(5)Hanson H.
My first Brazilian BBQ experience, and I'm glad I came here. Fogo is a joy to eat at. Our reservation was made for noon. We came a bit early but we were seated within 10 minutes. I wanted to look around for parking but got lazy (and stomach was rumbling) so I used the valet service. Having never eaten Brazilian BBQ, let alone Fogo, I got one piece of everything that came my way. I am a lifelong spoiled foodie as well as a decent cook, so I am sure my mouth has not deceived me. Armed with veteran taste buds as well as numerous experiences with all-you-can-eat KBBQ, I felt confident enough to tackle every item. One look at the salad bar told me what I needed to know. As all KBBQ lovers know, you do not come into an AYCE restaurant to eat salad, let alone to a high-end BEVERLY HILLS AYCE restaurant to eat salad. The salad bar items seemed fresh but I did not partake. I did, however, walk around it a few times to settle the contents of my stomach a bit to force down a few more slices of meat. The waiters were very attentive despite the hungry hordes that endlessly clamored for their attention. Among the appetizers, I only had the cheesebread (one piece) and a few tiny scoops of mashed potato. I do not like bananas and my main goal was to consume expensive cuts of meat, although I was lenient this time and allowed myself to eat a piece of chicken and a sausage as well as two appetizer items. The cheesebread was surprisingly good and the potatoes were decent. Now, onto the meats (the ones I remember): Sausage: Quite flavorful and plump. They were seasoned well and were cooked in a way that allowed them to retain their juiciness without compromising texture. Pretty good sausage. Ribs: I was anticipating tender ribs with meat that could be easily eaten. I was deceived in this regard. I had a hard time simply taking the meat off the bone. It was dry, tough and overcooked so I did not eat much of it after the first bite. Lamb: Gamey and bold but I could imagine that it might be an acquired taste. It was cooked to my liking: Rare. I fucking love rare. I'd eat more of it. House special: A spiritual experience. The best item in this restaurant. The slices were rare to medium-rare, juicy, yet had a very savory crust outside. The crispy crust of fat made every bite a supremely sinful moment in carnivore heaven. The amount of salt used was perfect. I tried these with and without pepper and both were good, though I do recommend not adding any pepper at all so that you can fully appreciate the natural flavor of the meat with that perfect crust. Personal preference and whatnot, but that's how I feel. Before eating this, I was quite jaded about BBQ and meat, the crust on the cuts that I cook at home having been the best I've had. With this, the game has changed. Oh, house special. Praise the house special. Top sirloin: My second favorite after the house special. Served quite rare, just the way I like it. This cut also had a nice strip of thoroughly-cooked but still moist fat running along one side. It was incredibly juicy and served in thicker slices than the house special, its thickness enhancing the mouthfeel of biting through that crust and through the meat and fat. Wonderfully tender, gristle-free, flawlessly prepared. Very good. Bottom sirloin: My cut did not have as much fat as the top sirloin and was cooked more of a medium-well. As I consider anything above medium-rare to be a waste of perfectly good beef (might as well cremate the damn thing if you're not leaving it at least medium-rare), this cut could not hold a candle to the previous two, although it is, by no means, terrible. Try it out but it may not be for everyone. Maybe some other batches were less done. Chicken: Dry. The flavorful seasoning was there but....it was dry. I don't like dry chicken and do not know of anyone who truly does. Filet mignon with bacon: Although it was pleasing to the palate, it was a tad salty. I finished the piece I was given but I refused all later offerings of it. It was also cooked slightly too done for my tastes. Center cut Fogo steak: Pretty much the interior portion of the house special. The meat quality was excellent and the meat was perfectly cooked, but due to the cut being more on the inside of the block of meat, there was much less of that delectable fat crust that had me asking for more and more of the house special. Overall, a fine dining experience and an unforgettable first step into the world of Brazilian BBQ. My only regret was that I did not smoke out before coming here.
(4)Aris L.
Average brazilian restaurant..the staff was very friendly..... CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED!!
(3)Yi Y.
Oh man oh man oh man. This place is tops for DineLA and meat lovers all over the place. I went with a party of 7 during DineLA for lunch. We came hungry and we were not disappointed. First off, we hit the salad bar and got some "vegetables" and by vegetables I mean an assortment of cold cuts, salmon, and cheese. They also had many other varieties more expensive greens (bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and whatnot) After we went back to our tables, we flipped our dining cards over (they let the waiters know when to stop giving you meat). We got served very quickly (probably because our reservation was for 11:30, way before the majority of people came). Honestly the meat came so fast that I lost track of what I was eating. Although I do remember the best were the ribs and filet mignon. The sides were great too, the mashed potatoes, plantains, and cheesy rolls were delicious. To be honest, you should save room for the meat that I mentioned above. Meat there is not all created equal. Save your space for only the prime cuts! Never in an AYCE restaurant would I think that I would refuse top sirloin, but alas that place is fogo.... I will be coming here again...might just take a while after I finally digest everything.
(5)Edmond B.
Amazing meat and food. One star less because we had a reservation for 8:15 and weren't seated until about 9. It was a Saturday night and incredibly busy. Apparently there was a party taking up half of the restaurant so they were waiting for them to leave. Other than that, amazing.
(4)John A.
Meh, I've had better Brazilian. Upon arriving at the restaurant, you see by the Bentley's and RR's parked in valet that this is an upscale restaurant. At least that's what I thought. The meat hanging in skewers hanging in the front window is reminiscent of a hole in the wall chinese restaurant. Looks enticing but not what I would expect for a restaurant like this. For Sunday dinner, I was expecting a big crowd and there was but we had reservations so our wait was only about 5 min. The tables are cramped together, you add the meat servers making their rounds and diners walking to and from the salad bar and you end up brushing up against a lot of strangers on your way to the table. I didn't pay $50/$60 to have a waiter's balls brush up against my shoulders. Our server was very polite and he was willing to answer any q's we had regarding their menu. The salad bar was sub par, the only saving grace was the bucket of bacon, the prosciutto and cheese. The servers begin serving the meat but we were never offered clean plates so we were eating our main course on our salad plates, this to me is a bit strange/lazy. Beverage refills came without me having to ask, which to me, is the mark of good service. Now, on to the meats, I admit, I did not get a chance to try all the meats because I got pretty full very quickly. The top sirloin was excellent. I had a medium cut so it was juicy with a lot of flavor. The Filet mignon was bland and a bit dry. The rib eye was good, not great, could have used a little more seasoning. I can say the same about the beef ribs, you can get a better order of ribs at Lucille's or a lower end rib joint. The chicken and sausage was ok, not anything to rave about. The highlight of the meat parade for me was the top sirloin. Nice thick cut, juicy, and flavorful. For dessert, we had the molten chocolate lava cake. This was excellent. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this made my night. Now after all that , I would say it was a good dinner, until you get the bill. Now I have no problem spending a few bucks for a good meal, but to me, this dining experience was not up to par for what we paid. Its a $30-$35/person type restaurant that charges extra for ambiance and a Beverly Hills zip code. Sidenote: I did see Mel Gibson sit down at the table next to us. He caught me looking at him so he glared back at me. I looked away for a few seconds and when I looked back, he was still giving me a death stare. I promptly signed the bill and left.
(2)Esther M.
For a Brazilian place it was decent. Didn't blow me a way. Servers have to walk around and I found the place to be have really tight spaces so I had to lean over every time they wanted to put meat on the plate. Chicken and pork was dry and service was mediocre. Service was poor maybe it was an off day? For example my husband didn't get a clean plate but servers kept on trying to serve him meat. Salad bar was okay. Price is very over priced. I have been to places that were nicer with better meat and more variety that was less expensive. One thing though the cheese bread was good just not worth the extra 10-15 bucks! Won't be needing to come here again.
(3)Rho L.
Although my review from a few years back was on the high end of a four (if that makes sense) I was less than captivated during my visit last night to Fogo. It's Dine LA week so as expected, the restaurant would be relatively packed. Well packed might be an understatement. It was chaos. CHAOS. There was literally a mob hanging out in the waiting area, some with reservations, most without, who even knows, but it was ridiculously chaotic and I'm sure the staff was doing the best they could in calming down the hungry masses. We were seated within 10 minutes of our arrival (we made reservations) and our server was quick to bring us drinks and the three mainstay side dishes. The salad bar appeared lackluster compared to my last visit. The bucket of bacon that I wrote so proudly of wasn't there. Instead, it was just a little serving dish which had to be constantly refilled. They were also missing the hot buffet items which were available during my last few visits. I was looking forward to those too. We were able to try most of their meat selection, however midway towards our dinner, we almost had to chase down some of the skewer guys just to bring us any kind of meat. Again, i'll attribute that to how busy it gets during restaurant week but the service shouldn't suffer, moreso since they've been restaurant week for years. The meat quality was as usual, very good, but I was slightly put off by the ribeye. It was a lot tougher than what I remember. It also appeared as if some of the meat options weren't available, or maybe just didn' t make it to our table. I am almost certain the softdrink refills were unlimited, (correct me if I'm wrong) but this time, they charged per bottle. (teeny bottles too). I still enjoyed my visit, but this time around, i wouldn't be able to distinguish a visit to fogo compared to the lesser celebrated brazilian bbq's. Get your game right Fogo.
(3)Alton W.
Fogo has always been one of my favorite restaurants, and it never disappoints. Despite it's higher price tag, it's typically worth every cent. Usually I go only for very special occasions ($$$$), but with restaurant week, I went for lunch again. Everything was as great as I expected, despite taking a couple meats (including my favorite, the lamb chops) off the restaurant week menu. The meats are cooked to perfection, tender and well seasoned--never over or undercooked. The salad bar is frankly worth a trip to Fogo in and of itself--and I learned you can in fact only pay for the salad bar if you'd like! The service is pretty good, although you need to be a bit patient when it gets busy.
(5)Roxanne A.
Short and to the point - GO TO FOGO DE CHAO. Go....go.....GO I say! You will not be disappointed. The End.
(5)Joanne L.
Bf and I went here on valentines day of this year. It was the only place that didn't need reservations. Ooooh girl it was soooo packed! Parking was horrible so we just valet. Okay onto the good stuff. We got seated and helped ourselves to the buffet bar. OMG THE SMOKE SALMON WAS SOOO GOOD. Everything was fresh! They had cold pasta, cheese, salad, and I forgot what else but I definitely remember the salmon. The cheese balls were so soft and soooooo goood. It seriously melts in your mouth. We had probably 3-4 baskets. My bf loved it! I'm not really a meat person so I don't remember much. My bf loved the filet and the bacon wrapped chicken or something? Something with bacon. He still talks bout it til this day. I actually really liked the house special steak and the lamb. Oooh the lamb was so yums! For dessert I was debating between creme brulee and the tres leches cake. Bf wanted the brulee so we got it and it did not disappoint. It was a really nice touch to the end of the meal. The price came out to be around 200 with tip! It was sooo worth it. Everything was amazing that night. I will definitely return. I actually like it better than M Grill.
(5)Yanir R.
fogo de chao was an amazing experience. We came for my birthday and it was incredible how fast and efficient the service was even with a restaurant completely full. I thought for sure the food would take a while or would be cold by the time it got to us. Thank god I was wrong this place was incredible. I am coming back in 3 weeks for lunch.
(5)Priscilla C.
Sorry fellow Yelpers I have to disagree with the majority on this one.... One of the people who I follow on Yelp is Anthony N. and before coming here I checked to see what my friends had to say about this place. Well since I follow Anthony his review was the first to pop up when I pulled Fogo's profile. Sigh... I follow Anthony for two reasons, 1. I feel more intelligent/sophisticated & cultured when I read his reviews 2. I believe we have the same taste in food But I decided to also take all the amazing reviews of this place from my other fellow yelpers and tried this place out. Hrmm... I've experienced better. Where? In Pinky's backyard, in MY backyard, AYCE kbbq, Mastros (duh), Ruth Chris, list goes on and on. And you might think, "Wtfudge at an AYCE kbbq spot??" where meat quality can be considerably sacrificed in an effort to save money from all the nonstop eating piggies?? Ummm yea... Then again, I don't like beef and majority of the offerings are all beef so maybe you should take my review with a grain of salt. However, I still eat beef from time to time and when I do there is a certain standard I require to make a meal out of my beef. Seasoning, tenderness, medium/medium well and overall natural flavor of the meat. Honestly I felt that although some of the meat was tender, the flavor and seasoning were a miss. The bacon wrapped chicken was pretty salty and probably the best pick out of all the choices. However all the beef just became monotonous in flavor and the party in my mouth was dead. The salad bar was not as popping as I had expected even though I had seen the pictures of it on yelp, maybe it just looked better in pictures. I did enjoy the tabbouleh though as well as the mashed potatoes they served us. Pinky's favorite part of the entire meal was the bread, the tapioca cheese bread, served nice and warm, tasting lightly salty and chewy. Pinky enjoyed the bread so much he wouldn't let me have one until I asked for an extra basket of them from the waiter. Idk, for the price of one person Pinky and I could have gone to either hot pot or AYCE kbbq. Yea some people might say my review is complete heresy, but for all the hype, cost and location I was expecting to be converted into a diehard beef fan and I wasn't. So I'll stick to the kbbq that doesn't taste boring, Mastro's for special occasions or bone in ribeye grilled up at home with my own seasoning. Meeeh I've had better :/
(2)JR C.
Here's a tip: if you've been wanting to experience this place, the dinner menu is the same exact as lunch. The only difference is the price. So, a small adjustment of meal hour makes a difference of almost 50% off. Just sayin'. Fogo lives up to the hype. I was surprised to see that this Beverly Hills Fogo was one of a few around here, with the next nearest one being Las Vegas. Somehow I thought this place would be franchised like crazy, but it's somewhat unique. My review of this place is focused around the attentive service and the quality of the meats. Pretty unsurpassed in all the expected and unexpected. -=-MEAT-=- You can eat whatever you want, however much you want. So if you are like me, you are looking for flavorful, juicy, and fatty, and that pretty much means that filet mignon and chicken are out. No matter, since the star of my meal here was the Picanha, Fogo Steak, and Top Sirloin. Picanha and Fogo Steak is the same cut of meat, just that the Fogo Steak hasn't been folded over. While Picanha ends up being a sliver of a slice, Fogo Steak tend to be a thicker cut, hence juicier. Top sirlion cuts come out like nuggets, so indulge responsibly since they tend to be the fattier cuts. Rib eye is typically my all-star favorite, but the garlic-ness of the top sirlion actually edged it out. -=-Cheese Biscuits-=- OMG these are so gooey cheesy good. When they cool down though, the magic is lost. Do not fret, since with the impeccable service here, our waitress offered to replace our magic-less biscuits with fresh ones. And when it looked like we were slowing down, they asked us if we wanted to specifically request our favorite meats for the home stretch. My lunch hour did not incur the crowds that other's mentioned here, but I've also been here before for dinner and it wasn't at all bad. I cannot imagine that you would get blatantly ignored here.
(5)Carolyn S.
It's embarrassing to talk about the bread when reviewing a steakhouse, but I gotta. MAN! THE CHEESE BREAD! I dream about it sometimes. This place is perfect when my boyfriend and I go on our keto diets. The meat is cooked to perfection. Salad bar is amazing. Service is incredible. Love it!
(5)Annie H.
Took my sister and niece here for a belated bday dinner. This place is all hype. Almost all the meat were salty! The best cut was the picanha and cheese rolls as a side. Service was spotty with our server. It was a packed house but he didn't seem busy or flustered. The ones that are doing the work were the gauchos and runners. We asked our lazy server two times for more cheese rolls and he was giving us the run around and lame excuses. I guess they're back there churning the milk to make the cheese ugh Overall, this place is not worth the money. The price is ridiculous because of the famous zip code but you can get the same thing at Greenfield in LB for a more reasonable price. I can cross this place off my list now. Valet is $5.50 and some are jerks. Oooh, sorry I don't drive a Rolls. Just shut up and park my car, bitch! You park cars for a living so don't act so uppity!
(2)Spunky M.
Yummers. The salad bar is delightful and the meat, quite awesome. The service is prompt and the ambience, elegant. There are so many fly-by-night churrascarias around but, really, this one is the standard bearer...in the United States. I had such a great time that, even the tourists seemed quaintly eye-pleasing--all dressed up for their Beverly HIlls repast. In the words of Governor Schwarzenegger: "I'll be back."
(5)Sarina V.
Took my brother here for a graduation dinner after hearing so many good things about this place and the meat! It definitely disappointed me eating here and I feel bad having taken him here for a celebratory dinner. For the price, it is definitely not worth it in my opinion. I just don't think it's a very good concept, especially when the food doesn't match the price. This place has a pretty nice decor, but is not the least bit upscale or classy anymore, with people coming to eat in hats and basketball shorts to kids running around. When I walked in, I thought I was in the wrong place, or the people were at least for sure. They have a salad bar, but I didn't want to fill myself up there, so I chose a few options to try, some cold cut meats and cheese. They have a bunch of things, but didn't want to fill myself up for the meat! I tried all the following and only had 2 cuts of meat that really stuck out to me, but everything was over-salty anyways: Picanha (Top Sirloin)* Filet Mignon* Beef Ancho (Rib Eye) Alcatra (Top Sirloin) Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin) Costela (Beef Ribs) (least favorite, dry and inedible) Cordeiro (Lamb) (also inedible, overcooked and over-seasoned) Never made it to our table: Frango (Chicken) Costela de Porco (Pork Ribs) Linguica (Sausage) Also had the following sides: Pão de queijo (warm cheese bread) (5 stars):Oh man I could have taken a whole basket full of these warm airy pieces of heaven! Reviewers weren't wrong about this! Crispy hot polenta (1 stars): Took one bite, over salty and flavorless, yuck! Garlic mashed potatoes (3 stars): Pretty good potatoes, light and airy, the things they top it with make it look less fancy. Caramelized bananas (5 stars): Also amazing, how can you go wrong. Even when the side dishes weren't empty but were getting cold, they replaced them immediately, the service was very good here, they checked on us more than 5 times! Also valet for $5.50, not too bad.
(3)Roxanne H.
This place was awesome! I had to control myself and stop eating the stuff at the salad bar so I could enjoy the mounds of meat. Definitely the best Churrascaria I've ever been to.
(5)Rani N.
Great service and good-quality food do not justify the price of my Fogo de Chao experience. Maybe I went there with too many expectations (it is $59/person for dinner after all), but ultimately, both my girlfriend and I realized how disappointing this place is half-way through. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, nothing really wrong with it, but it just wasn't spectacular enough to warrant that much money. It does not matter if it is all-you-can-eat, you'll get full pretty quickly anyway and realize that it was a bad decision to go there. There are cheaper all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouses of similar quality. Agora down in Irvine is an example. And if you're looking for better (and cheaper) steakhouses, check out Carlitos Gardel (Argentinean steakhouse). Pros: Great salad bar, Cons: Price, poorly mixed cocktails (very uneven alcohol distribution).
(3)Charmian W.
Came here with two other friends for DineLA lunch - $28 per person, $35 with tax + tip. Not bad for deliciously cooked and tender meat! The cheese bread balls were GOOD! I loved how the cheese was inside the bread, and it's not too particularly noticeable either (i.e. it's not oozing out as I had expected it to do!). Be warned that those bread can fill you up FAST though. My favorites: lamb, filet mignon, and the beef ancho. I love how the flavors weren't too heavy that completely covered the natural meat aroma, but it wasn't too bland/light either. I thought the Picanha was alright, but perhaps it might have been because I had a piece towards the end of my meal, when all the meaty goodness kinda just blended in together, hahaha. But in general, I really enjoyed all of the beef cuts and the lamb. I can't comment on the pork/chicken/sausages stuff though since I didn't have room to try them. Everything was very tender and juicy, and unlike most places, medium-rare is actually, well, medium-rare and not medium-well/well-done! Beware though that if you ask for medium-rare, the center-most part of the meat can actually be quite rare. It's a sacrifice that you kinda have to trade off though, since obviously it's hardest to cook the inner-most areas of the meat. Salad bar has a decent amount of selection if you ever tire of meat, meat, and more meat. I liked their concept of serving the meat portions right at your table since I'm the type of person who dislike buffets because of the constant standing/walking/waiting in between plates. Here, they come right up to you and announce the type of meat and you just tell them how well done you want it, and they just cut it off the skewers for you. The only complaint that I had was that the servers seemed to skip our table... I guess it doesn't help that the surrounding tables were huge and all predominantly male, and that at my table, only my friend had his card flipped to the green "Yes please!" side whereas my other friend and I had ours flipped to the red "No thanks" side... Eh, it's ok. It wasn't a big deal to flag them down and serve my friend more meat since they would apologize for skipping our table and were quite nice about it. Service was also excellent - there were a ton of people there for DineLA, but they were all prompt and cheerful, so you definitely know that this establishment values their customers quite highly no matter how busy they are. As a poor college student and a small eater, I definitely can't afford Fogo's normal prices... But when DineLA rolls around again, I'll be sure to come back!
(5)Lauren S.
This was my 2nd Fogo's experience. I have been to the one in Las Vegas during lunch and was amazed at the attentive service and of course the delicious food. Fast forward to my dinner this past Sunday, where I was unaware that it was DineLA. I was treating a couple friends to their first dinner here. Good news, my dinner budget got a little break, so I got a bottle of wine. Bad news, seeing all the griping comments of how much of a zoo it was at the restaurant during DineLA. You figure, for a restaurant that serves its FULL menu sans dessert for almost $20 less than it's usual dinner rate, that's a treat in itself rather than a fixed menu like TravelZoo? I guess last year, dessert was included but the restaurant is still a business, so they opted out of free dessert this year. But who the hell can eat dessert after stuffing themselves here?! Eh, I guess me. I shared the Papaya Cream with my girlfriend. It was delicious. Despite our server's apologies in advance that service might be slower, the service was still impeccable. My group arrived earlier for our reservation, and we were seated within 10 minutes. So for the all the people that decided to bring their entire family to take advantage of the restaurant's DineLA special, that's why you have to wait longer. Valet was a little crazy afterwards, but again, DineLA. I get it. Perhaps an outside warmer would make waiting a little more pleasant for patrons. *hint hint* The cheesy bread balls are amazing. I'm convinced they are baked with rainbows, unicorns, and fairy dust. The polenta side dish was tasty, didn't touch the banana dish. Mashed potatoes seemed a tad tasteless before some salt & pepper, but I'm a mashed potato snob, so nothing against Fogo's. I was almost going to knock a star off since I was waiting for the bacon-wrapped filet mignon to come around for a while, but it made it before I started succumbing to food coma.
(5)Louis K.
What can I say about the world famous Fogo? Incredible in every way. The meat, the service, the drinks...You will leave this place feeling like you've not only eaten, but experienced Brasilian food. Highly recommended: Picanha (of course); filet, and I even broke my own rules and ate the bacon wrapped chicken. Warning: stay away from the salad bar, and try to avoid the delicious pao de quejo (cheese bread), as they are there for suckers only. Meat it up, and you won't regret it. 50 buck a person feels like a bargain for food of this quality.
(5)Wes S.
Review # 6-0-0! This had to be the place for number 600. Why? Here's a breakdown. Lent, the yearly ritual that Catholics give up something they love. Whether it's a vice, food, or anything you enjoy doing. So I gave up smoking, beef, and soda. After two days, I missed eating a piece of cow more than smoking a cigarette. Go figure. 46 days / nights later - I had to make up for lost time. Why not at this mecca for carnivores? I have been to other Brazilian Steakhouses before and Fogo de Chao is up there. Even with a hefty price tag for dinner, I would easily go again in a heartbeat. Just let me lose about 20 lbs. first, so I can happily gain it all back here. If you've never been to one, they basically have "gauchos" walking around with specific cuts of meat. If your "flag" (round coaster with a red side and green side) is on green, they ask if you would like a piece. If it's red, they move along. I wanted to keep it green, but they literally bombard you (not in an annoying way) when that thing is flipped on green. Fogo features 11 different cuts with a salad bar to compliment your meal. Out of the 11, here's a list of what I tried, please note, most of the meats were tender, moist, and seasoned just right (light salt) with additional descriptions Picanha (Top Sirloin) - their signature cut. This thing literally melted in my mouth. It had a nice salt crust. As soon as I put it in my mouth, it was euphoric. My favorite cut, bar none. Filet Mignon - basic Filet Mignon if I'm not mistaken, wrapped in bacon Beef Ancho (Rib Eye) - nice marbling of fat and meat Alcatra (Top Sirloin) - not as tender as the other meats, but still enjoyable Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin) - a bit more juicy than the other cuts, but wasn't "off the chain" Costela (Beef Ribs) - the surprise of the bunch. I normally get dry, tough beef ribs. This was so tender and moist, my friend Amy W's eyes LIT UP when she ate them. I'm guessing she was expecting the same thing. Frango (Chicken) - wrapped in bacon, was a little dry, not one of my favorites Costela de Porco (Pork Ribs) - really dry, and a little on the tough side. I got it once, and passed on it the rest of the meal Lombo (Pork Loin) - a little dry, Parmesan cheese crusted, tough. It wasn't one of my favorites Linguica (Sausage) - pretty good, snap. It was good, but I chose the other meats. Side dishes (included in the meal) - po de queijo (warm cheese bread), crispy hot polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas I didn't touch the bread or mashed potatoes as I know that would probably fill me (carbs). I did try some of the polenta, which was decent, but nothing to right home about. I also tried the bananas, which I ate as my dessert. I got the following from the salad bar which were good to compliment my meal, but nothing that I you MUST get if you're here: 24 Month, Aged Parmesan Aged Manchego Cheese Prosciutto Brazilian Hearts of Palm Artichoke Bottoms Italian Salami Jumbo Asparagus I also enjoyed their Brazilian Ginger Ale - Guaraná Brazilian soda It has the taste of Ginger Ale with a fruit twist. I'm currently looking for a case of this stuff! We also ordered a Sangria which was really good. I'm normally not a Sangria person, but I ended up drinking three glasses. Well worth ordering the large and sharing it with the rest of our group. The service was superb. Our waiter checked up on us just right. Drinks were hardly empty and the meat was always ready to be served to our individual plates. On a side note, on the way to the restaurant, the beauty salon right next to the parking lot was had paparazzi taking pictures of a blonde in the salon. Who it was? I don't know, or did I care. :X If you plan on going here, please take me with you! I'll pay for my own food, promise!
(5)Austin S.
Long story short: If you don't know what an orgy of meat is like, come to this place. Long story long: A good friend of mine just recently turned 30. In his hay day, he was known for being a big eater. He definitely appreciates food and just loves to eat. He is in fact, a Yelper, but shall remain unamed. Anywho, for his 30th birthday, he decided to go big. He originally wanted to go to some other Argentinian place for dinner, but they couldn't accommodate our party of almost 20, so we switched to this place. This restaurant is located on La Cienega Restaurant Row. Hiding in the shadow of the SLS Hotel, this place seems to get lost in plethora of restaurants. If you've read my Jar and Petrossian reviews, you should know what I'm talking about. The restaurant itself is beautiful. I mean, given the neighborhood, there's no doubt that this place is catering to the upper middle class and beyond. I mean, $60 for endless and copious amount of meat? Hey, if that floats your boat. I'm just saying.... We were set up in the back room and were given one long table. I guess the way the room was laid out, that was the best they could do. Of course, when you have as many people as we did, it only adds to the difficulty of it. I suppose looking back in retrospect, the key complaint among our group was the setup, not allowing everybody the ability to talk to everybody else. We were more or less restricted to talking to those only in our closest proximity. Each place setting had a little button, which actually more resembled that of a stock paper coaster, that was red on one side and green on the other. In case you're not familiar with this concept, it's the "keep the meat coming/I'm done" button. You put it green side up if you want the guys coming around with meat on a stick to you, red to let them know you're done. This is where I went into a bovinal, swinal, and poultric haze. I had tri-tip, sirloin, filet, chicken, pork ribs, lamb chops, garlic beef, garlic chicken, uh... probably one or two more things. I can't really quite remember. I told you it was a copious amount of meat. I originally had decided to not hit up the included salad bar, because well, salad would only take up space, but I probably should've gotten some leaves to help pass things through. Just saying.... I had some filet mignon and it was on the rare side of medium rare, but I liked it. It was glorious. I honestly had so much meat I can't remember what else I liked. The garlic beef had good flavor but was dry. As was the garlic chicken. Service was alright. They were quite attentive and helpful. One of our servers, who happened to be Asian, spoke in a low, Sulu kind of voice and was oddly polite. Like when I asked for the bill, he said, in his Sulu voice "Very well". WTF?!?!?! It was quite amusing in fact. I mean, this place has been here for a long time and if you're a big meatatarian like my friend or myself, then you would really enjoy this place, however I'm just not sure if it's worth the $60 price tag. I suppose if I was invited back not on my dollar, I'd come back. But I'd rather spend that amount of money on a variety of things at like Petrossian. Just saying....
(3)Andrew W.
Oh, Fogo. I've heard so much about you and I finally got to come for dineLA. We got seated in the very back corner which, as we anticipated, caused some slow service problems. When we alerted our waiter, though, three guys with skewers of meat simultaneously rushed over to our table almost immediately, so props for that. The meat is kind of hit or miss. I had two servings of the pork ribs from two different servers, and one was way oversalted while the other was just right and quite delicious. The filet mignon is not brought out as often as the other cuts, and they won't give each person more than one piece at a time (which our server told us rather rudely). They were nothing to obsess over, though, just small golf-ball sized cuts of filet mignon that were predictably overcooked - the piece I received was about medium-well, which more or less ruins the point of eating a filet mignon. My favorite cut is the picanha, the top sirloin, particularly the thick cut version. The garlic picanha is quite tasty but was also oversalted. The salad bar is pretty extensive with many varieties of vegetables and cheeses, but the smart choice is probably to save room for the meat. I sampled everything on the first trip but after that just stuck with some butter lettuce to chew on occasionally, so as to prevent my body from rebelling against me after it discovers that I am trying to devolve us back to carnivority. The side dishes are so good, though, that they almost outshine the meat. The fried bananas provide a nice sweet respite, while the cheesy bread is simply amazing. I think I ate two baskets of the cheesy bread myself. Needless to say I felt horrible afterward, but I think it was worth it. As others have said these past two weeks, it's worth the dineLA price, but is it worth the regular price? Probably not, and it's because of the inconsistency in the way these Brazilians barbecue their meat. You could have some of the best cuts of beef you've ever eaten, or leave with your plate full of half-eaten oversalted and overcooked rubbish. Most of the time you'll fall somewhere in between.
(4)Robert F.
Amazing steak, beautifully cooked. Great selection at the salad bar.
(5)Juan P.
Really good. Took my wife for Valentines dinner and i was more than what we expected. The bad thing is i get full fast, so really could not try every meat selection. But over all this place was well worth it. I even got a complimentary gift card to return for a free lunch. Since my office is in Beverly Hills i though it was a really good gesture on their part. Will be coming back soon...
(5)Marielee C.
I read somewhere that if you like the taste of meat, Fogo is the place to go. I must admit that Fogo de Chao did not disappoint. I like the fact that if you are the kind of person that likes their meat a bit on the burnt side, you can ask one of the servers that you like it well done and they will just do their round and come back to give you a well done portion. The salad bar has a good selection as well since they have salami's, prosciutto's and cheeses. All in all, it was a good experience and indeed the best place to go for meat lovers.
(4)Diana H.
WHAT HAPPENED HERE? Came here around two years ago and I would have given it four stars, but I came here this year and everything was just blegh. First off - the salad bar. WHAT HAPPENED? They used have such an orgasmic salad bar with different kinds of deli meat, cheese, all kinds of fancy schmancy great tasting stuff but this time when I came it was smaller and more generic. I can't taste the quality at all. Also - the meats. I can't even describe how disappointed I am that I spent over $70 here. Seriously. It's near impossible to get actual medium to medium rare cuts. When I ask for it, I would rather you be honest and tell me you don't have any than give me medium well and pretend I wouldn't notice. Also another problem - two years ago when I came and it was crowded, the waiters carrying the slabs of meat were competent and knew how to make rounds and get to every table and were observant of your green/red table card. This time it was like they couldn't wait to get off work or something (we came here well before closing). Not only can they not tell the difference between medium well and medium rare, they were pretty negligent and I had to FLAG THEM DOWN and wave my arms around like a madwoman - I even had to ask other waiters to send specific cuts over. Such a mission, and totally ruins the experience. Also - most of the meats and cuts just didn't taste as good. They were kind of bland and dry, and some of them weren't even hot - they were lukewarm bordering on cold. But the worst offense is still the lack of flavor. I came here in February of this year a day or two after V-day, so it wasn't even that busy. This used to my boyfriend's favorite restaurant (hence the late V-day dinner), but after that night both of us left feeling unfulfilled, hungry (HUNGRY!), and vowed to never come back again, or at least until things get better. We're both HUGE meat eaters, so you can imagine how disappointing this was to us. The two stars is for the service (our waiter was really nice) and the papaya cream. Thank god for the papaya cream, or else I would have just given one star. But I guess it's also worthwhile to mention that the small side dishes that come with the meal are still pretty good - especially the mashed potatoes and the sweet plantain.
(2)Irene C.
Made reservations for Mother's Day and was super excited to go into a meat coma with my mother-in-law-to-be-maybe. We got seated right at our reservation time which is always awesome. The meats were all burnt and dry except for the inside of the garlic picanha They're pretty quick to come by when you're ready for meat. Maybe too fast because it got a little overwhelming with men with big knives and tongs trying to cut you a piece of the daily catch. The salad bar has a bunch of stuff but its not that amazing. Their have huge cuts of asparagus. I'm talking freakish.. The size of a carrot? Is that how they do it in Brazil? Anyway, the service was okay but nothing too friendly. I wasn't too impressed with the food and probably won't be coming back unless I was being dragged here.
(2)Yesenia R.
Words can't express how I feel about this place . It's amazing, service it's amazing, people are amazing, atmosphere it's amazing, food it's amazing.. I can't say anything wrong! The perfect experience! One of my favorite restaurants..
(5)Abbys A.
I usually come here with family on special occasion or to celebrate a special event with someone special. This restaurant is as impressive as it is expensive. I know it states $65 per person but I'd say prepare to pay $100 (or more) per head here, including drinks and dessert, tip not included. Drinks vary from $3 for bottle of 8oz coke to $12 or so for cocktails. So why come here? The experience is unique, the food are amazing. We always had great time here (and in Florida location), our recent visit was not any different. Salad bar are tops; I always enjoy their smoke salmon, Prosciutto, heart of Palm and the aged parmesan. However, I always TRY to save room for the main meats - every single cut are cooked and seasoned very well. Some might find it salty but I like bold flavors in my meat. My favorite is the cordeiro or lamb, next would be the beef ancho (rib eye) and the filet mignon (of course). I use to love picanha (rump) but for some reason, on our recent visit, it was not much to my liking. It tasted somewhat rough and dry. The chicken and the sausage was the least of my favorite here. As always, I love the polenta and caramelized banana. They usually do not serve rice unless requested. As for drinks, one must try caipirinha - sweet and refreshing; cleanse the pallet from all the heavy meat taste. As for desserts, one must try the papaya cream, crème Brulee and molten cake. I have yet to try their Brazilian flan. TIP: If you are celebrating a special occasion, do call for reservation and let them know, they surprised us with a complimentary molten cake for the occasion (with special greetings on the cake). Service is consistently awesome - friendly, fast and efficient. They also do not rush you. It doesn't matter if it's a full night. So yea, eat as much as you can yet take your time and enjoy your company! I seriously have not tried any other Brazilian churrascaria than Fogo de Chao. If there's one out there that's worth trying, do let me know.
(5)Nancy A.
I came here for my graduation dinner and loved every minute of it. If you love meat, this is the place to be. I've been to several Brazilian BBQ places and this is by far my favorite. Their salad bar is excellent. They have a wide variety of cheeses, meats, salad and etc. Come hungry because there are so many items to try!
(4)Lidiya M.
My mom decided to be fancy for her birthday and asked me to make reservations here. I got on Yelp and made some quick reservations for the same night, at 7:30. I know the dress code says "casual," but we dressed nicely anyway. GLAD WE DID. Everyone was wearing suits and dresses! The only people in jeans were total tourists and stood our like sore thumbs. Either way, I digress. My reservation is for 7:30, but we're not seated until closer to 7:50. That's annoying, but okay. It's Saturday night. I get it. The table we get is a little bit crappy (right near a service desk and right under the AC), but we are surprisingly okay with this. Let the meal commence! We hit up the cold plates/salad bar, where I find a small selection of deli meats, a cheese, several salads, a make-your-own-salad station, and assorted marinated, cold vegetables (e.g. garlic, bell peppers, asparagus, etc.). My mind isn't blown, but we sample a bunch of the food and it's tasty. A waiter brings us cheesy bread, polenta, plantains, and garlic mashed potatoes; YUM. The servings were small, but replenished often. At this point I decide to order a bottle of champagne for the table and we flip our discs over to the green side. Bring on the meat! Right off the bat I could see we would have a small problem with the meat because two of us like rare meat and the rest like medium/well. Those particular cuts are rarely brought out together, so we often had moments where half of our table had food and the other didn't. But whatever, it was delicious. I stuffed my face full of rib-eye, sirloin, and of course, filet mignon. The bacon-wrapped chicken and meat was just okay; I stuck to steak after that. Nobody tried the lamb and we didn't get to try the grilled fish that was apparently being circulated, but the cuts of meat I received were tender and were definitely a reasonable size. I usually eat a primarily vegetarian diet but I definitely let my wild side out. The server even laughed at my voracious appetite! The champagne was phenomenal. It was the perfect complement to the meal. And at $45/bottle, it was more than worth the price--a glass of the same champagne is $15/person, and with that bottle we got two glasses each for five people. Win! Total bill came out to a little over $360 for five people plus drinks, and I left a nice tip on top of it. Service was top-notch and the food was good. Splurge!
(4)Ahat Serdar C.
Lamb, lamb, lamb and lamb! Just go there for the lamb and the lamb is great. I wish they give more selections and a volume of lamb tho. It's mainly beef and pork.
(5)Sam P.
Get ready for meat-ageddon. These fools have declared jihad against vegetarians and they are fully armed with skewers of meat. They'll bombarded from all sides with chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and sausage. The meat barrage won't stop until you yield under the pressure by turning over your card from green to red. You instantly feel emasculated to have to cry "Uncle" so you call it a break when you already know you've been defeated. Don't be a rookie and fill up at the salad bar. Seriously, don't be that guy. Go out under an avalanche of meat that leaves you in a food coma for days.
(4)Yana T.
This is one of the best restaurants!!! I just realized I should of made reservation here for Mother's Day!!! Salad bar is great and the meat --- it melts in your mouth!!
(5)George L.
Best Brazilian BBQ in LA!
(5)Phoenix W.
I absoultely love this place.. it's pricey to most, but I believe you get what you pay for.. the meats are cooked perfectly.. juicy, nicely seasoned.. Have I mentioned their bread? It's yummy! I LOVE GARLIC! Their signature mojito style beverage is quite fabulous (me- non alcoholic drinker) it sure made me feel awesome lol!
(5)Fahad A.
Excellent food but the service wasn't as expected from such a restaurant . I waited for a long time for the waiters to start serving me with meat. In fact, I talked to one of the floor managers (I assume) and since then, the show began
(4)Esther L.
I don't know what they put in the cheese bread here to make people give it such high ratings, but you know something's just not right when you gift your parents--that's just two people folks--a $150 gift cert to this place, which ended up barely covering their drinks on top of the food, and find the food is overcooked, salty and the salad bar underwhelming. I've been to a few other Brazilian steakhouses in my time and I was expecting the salad bar to at least rival the one at Rei do Gado in San Diego with Fogo's top location and steep pricing, but there was truly only salads and boring ones at that here. Ok, so Fogo's doesn't have crab legs and assorted seafood, meats and cheeses in their offerings at the salad bar like Rei do Gado: that's fine, we're not expecting it to be Vegas. But they also didn't deliver on their promise of nicely cooked and seasoned meats. Somewhere in Brazil a gaucho is crying.
(1)Tina C.
good meats and very good salad bar. they have just about everything you want to put in your mouth. Oh and good sangria too!
(5)Vicky L.
This review is totally on the receptionist who answered the phone at 430pm on February 1, 2013. RUDEST response ever. Gave me attitude for a simple question of if I can push back half an hour. Not what I'm expecting from fogo.
(1)Charlene H.
Great picanha! Great pao de queijo! Good service. Average salad bar.
(4)Danny C.
The Fogo De Chao in Baltimore was absolute amazingness. So while visiting my girlfriend in Orange County, I found out there was a Fogo De Chao in Beverly Hills! :O My girlfriend has never even heard about a Brazilian Steakhouse before. Soooooo I took advantage of the situation and introduced her to Fogo De Chao! This particular location was more upscale. Valet is $5.50 and its mandatory unless you wanna park a mile away and walk your butt there. The moment you walk in, you're surrounded by walls of wine bottles. Then taking a seat at a table; comfy seats, nice tables, very spacious, excellent servers. We went in right when it opened at 11:30am so it was only us and 1 other couple which really made our experience more special. All the attention was to us. We got up to get some food from the salad bar and wow... They had the same stuff from the Baltimore location but also had more variety. Fresh as can be. Quality smoked salmon. Different kinds of deli meats. Various types of different salads. Fruits & veggies. A 50+ pound wheel of cheese. Greatness. We sat down and flipped the cards to green... Not even 1 minute later the food started to pour in! But instead of them overwhelming us with so much food, they gave us time to eat some of the hot, fresh, and delicious meats before serving us more. The service here was PERFECT. Always refilled my glass of water and iced tea before it even got halfway through! And when they refilled my drinks, they always put them back down to its original place. Since it was my girlfriends first time going here, she wasn't used to using the tongs but those who served us were very patient and friendly. Some of the servers were humorous as well, making us laugh a few times. The manager? Stopped by a few times to make sure we were having a good time. Everybody that worked there were always smiling and outgoing. We ordered dessert. A chocolate ice cream and a molten lava cake. The chocolate ice cream tasted like, chocolate ice cream... But my gf loved it. My molten lava cake was delicious! Hot chocolate cake with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Sooooo good! We were already full before the dessert, but since it was my first time showing her this place, I had to finish the experience with a cherry on top. :) The service in Baltimore was almost perfect. The service here was perfect. (In my experience). But the food in baltimore was better because they actually had 3 choices each time the steaks came around. Medium Rare, Medium Well, and Well Done. As for this location, they never had it... Or they just never asked. Either way, as long as the steaks aren't too rare and not fully done, i'm happy.
(5)FRANCE B.
This place is just like any other churrascaria except with better choices and cuts of meat. The unlimited sides and salad bar is awesome and this place has a great ambiance. Its located on a very busy street, difficult to find parking so you probably have to valet. The restaurant is nice but seating is a little crowded as the tables are close together and there's a constant stream of servers walking in between tables serving the meats. I really liked eating her for my sister's birthday. We came for lunch during Dine-LA week so it was about $25/person which is a great deal. I recommend people who want to try out this place to come during the next Dine LA/Restaurant week because normal prices are $35/$56 per person.
(4)Jane R.
This restaurant is by far one of the best of LA. Even though I feel is a little touristic, the quality and the service is always great.from Monday to Saturday is great! Si days are usually very slow, you don't get to eat as much meats as the other days. It's pricey, but it definitely worth it. I would suggest to include pick up service at least for the paÅ de queijos, and some starters.
(5)Macky G.
Very good service and great setting. We went here this past Labor day. It was very busy. We had a reservation, and got seated right away. The server was very pleasant and professional. My 14 year old loved the different steak options as well as the chicken. The leat is well seasoned and not overcooked. The server will ask t ou what cut you like and how cooked you like it. When my 19 month old baby decided that she was not going to sit in the booster, the staff was very accommodating to my needs. This place is very kid friendly. That was a relief!. Thank you.
(5)Ben R.
Perfection. Meat was exquisite. A meat lovers paradise. Our servers were awesome and kept bring our select meat items to the table. I never felt like I had to settle with cuts I did not prefer. The produce in the market bar was delicious, fresh and a great accompaniment. As a matter of fact it was a meal in and of itself. The ambience was nice but loud. Long wait and lines if you don't have reservation or seat after 5.
(5)Josie C.
I wish I can give it a better review since this is my second time to this place. First time we came for our anniversary and the food and services were great. So we come back again for my friends birthday during lunch time today. This time, we all felt disappoint on the services. We got a table that is in the corner next to a door that were slightly open, and a fly were flying all over our food. We told our server to close the door, and he said he gonna see if he can close it but the door were open during the whole time when we where there. The worst part is they keep ignore our table when they bring the meat out. We have to ask our server 3 times and wait so long for meat to come to our table. We can see they keep bring those meat to those table around us but never made to our table. I will NOT recommend for big party.
(3)Bert V.
The food was ok. Sometimes the meat was overcooked, sometimes it was all cartilage, and sometimes when you find that piece with the little burned end the salt is over whelming. Sometimes I get mad when I spend $60. 5 stars for the water. One of the best I've drank. It wasn't even one of the expensive water options they offered. It was the free version.
(3)Silve G.
I loved it! The food was amazing, the service was great, the place is nice and clean and great selection at the salad bar!
(5)Lindsey M.
My boyfirned took me here for my birthday. We had a reservation, it was busy but we didn't wait long. Small bar with bright lighting. The dining room is much more dim. The salad bar was deliscious, however be careful not to load up too much because the meat is the best part. Wonderful tasting meat. Many different types and varieties. Very tender and juicy.
(4)Roberta A.
Beginning with the valet parking, all the way to the end of the service, Fogo de ChÄo is worth EVERY penny. The place itself is extremely elegant, the food has flavor like no other, and the background music made the environment cozier. The most important part was the treatment we got from our Chic Mario. He made the experience very very important and made the place very special to us. We made memories and met people we'll never forget.
(5)Liz B.
Loved every second of being at Fogo de Chão!! The Experience, the food, the service, the cleanliness...Everything was spectacular!! Brazilian food is delicious and desserts even more!! Everyone made us feel welcome and catered to, especially Mario!! Mario..You are awesome!!! Hope to come back soon!!
(5)Nicole B.
All you can eat meat during DINE LA for a price you can't beat?! I had to be there! I heard nothing but amazing things about this place, so I had to try it out. I went during the week of DINE LA for lunch because I couldn't make dinner times, but the menu was the exact same thing as it was for dinner. I made a reservation for about 1pm and got there 10 minutes late because I got stuck in traffic. However, once I got there with my boyfriend, the host attended to us immediately and we got into our sits right away. The server was very friendly and explained how ordering the meat works. They give you a small circular chip looking thing with red on one side and green on the other. Red means that you didn't need any meat at the moment, but once you flip that little card over, men with fresh, hot, and juicy meat would walk up to you and offer what they carried. The salad bar had a good variety. I personally LOVED the smoked salmon. It was delicious, and this is coming from a person who doesn't like fish. The cheese was good and the salad options were nice and fresh! I wanted to try as much meat as possible so I didn't have too much salad(which was an ingenious idea!) After the salad bar, the waiter brought us our side dishes. The cheese bread was delicious, I had to stop myself so I didn't get full off of just bread! The other sides were good too, I personally liked the mashed potatoes. On to the best part, the meat! There were so many different meats that they offered me, I can't really remember which one was my favorite. They had several options for lamb(which I'm not a fan of, so I can't really go into that but my boyfriend said that it was his favorite meat that he tried that day), chicken, sausage, and a variety of beef. I'm personally a chicken fan so I loved the chicken. It was succulent and the seasoning they used was amazing! Another meat that stood out to me was the filet mignon. It was tender, juicy, and delicious. I repeat, it was freaking delicious. I'm not much of a meat person, but man. It was seriously to DIE for! Overall, I had an amazing experience at this place, and I would go again! You can only have so much meat, but the quality here is impeccable. If you're on a college budget like I am and haven't tried this place, I'd recommend going during DINE LA to save some money, but still get a pretty good experience. It was pretty packed when I went, but I didn't have any problems with the service. Everyone was attentive, prompt, and I got all the meat my heart could ask for.
(5)Reza S.
Good food and good service . It is pricy though the lunch a d dinner menu are the same so try luncheon since it is 20-25 dollars Cheaper than dinner menu.
(5)Marianna K.
Awesome salad bar - I was full before they even started serving meat - and I knew it too since this is my 4th time here... And I tried all the meat - wait for the beef rib - it's THE best! they bring it out of a special cutting board!
(5)B R.
Hands down this is my favorite places to dine .. It's a great experience if you've never tried it I suggest you do.. Best Brazilian BBQ ever..
(5)BETH E.
This is my first time to this restaurant for dinner - and haven't yet decided if I would go back. The place was completely 100 % packed . Tables extremely close to each other, as well as chairs. Very loud. Customer service ? I don't really know if there was customer service?--They weren't overly polite or asking any questions-I know not a person asked me if I needed anything or if I enjoyed my meal - but this restaurant seems to be more about High speed- like you are at a Nascar race and waiting to see who can change the tire the fastest. The food was good- but friends on both sides of me had super undercooked under rare beef on their plates that they were unable to eat. They have a huge amount of employees that barely stop moving -all they do is offer meat. But did a large group eat fast - YES . The salad bar is very nice -and they don't rush you there. Great selection of antipasto type items and interesting vegetables. One waiter filled up my co workers glass of wine and poured it on the table and my cell phone and didn't even notice- and barely even cared because he was moving so fast. We had to call him back over - and ask for help . Steak was excellent but this high paced eat your meat as fast as you can atmosphere in a meat warehouse--- unless I am going to catch a plane or jump in a race car- - not for me . Samba is not as fancy , but the customer service excels.
(3)Alice Y.
This place blows me away! Having gone to Brazil twice, I occasionally crave brazilian bbq and pao de queijo. That said, this place rocks! I went during DineLA restaurant week with my boyfriend for an anniversary dinner. Having made a reservation and arriving 20 minutes late, we only had to wait 10 minutes to get seated around 7 pm. It was bustling in the foyer as soon as we got seated! Nevertheless, the servers are so kind. They came and checked on my table multiple times for drinks, new plates, and fresh side dishes. The cinnamon/sugar bananas, crispy polenta, and mashed potatoes were all pretty good. I love plantains, so I was a little sad not to see that on their menu (especially since lots of plantain dishes exist in Brazil), but still good. Also, you can't go to Fogo without ordering Guarana. It's the national soda of Brazil. Trust me, once you try it, you'll fall in love. The endless pao de queijo! AHH!!! Their cheese bread is scrumptious! I had to restrain myself from eating too many so that I could save room for the meat! The bread is crispy on the outside, warm and chewy on the inside. They brought them fresh from the oven to our table every 15 minutes or so. Really good. The meat was delicious. The filet mignon, beef ancho (rib eye), alcatra (top sirloin) fraldinha (bottom sirloin), and bacon-wrapped frango (chicken breast) were delicious! The meat just melts in your mouth and the way it's prepared (i asked for medium-rare) was spot on. It's cool how the gauchos are all in charge of grilling their own skewers of meat. It really gives them control (and improves quality of service) when they know exactly what part of the meat is a specific heat (rare vs. well-done) and they can give you details on how exactly it's grilled. I'd have to pass on the linguica pork sausage (a bit dry), cordeiro rack of lamb (dry and smelled like lamb), and picanha (top sirloin). They weren't as good as the others, but since I'm not the biggest meat person, you can judge for yourself. We finished off with dessert with coffee. I had the tres leches cake and my boyfriend had the flan. They were okay. Both were really rich and sweet, so the coffee was a must. Just a warning: brazilian coffee is really strong (which goes perfect with the super sweet desserts). Just letting you know... Overall, a great experience. I would totally come again.
(5)Elijah K.
My girlfriend and I decided to celebrate her new job here on July 14, the first night of DineLA. And as a former, I can attest first-hand to knowing how much busier the restaurant can get - especially from poor college students like myself who normally couldn't afford such restaurants. The restaurant was filled, and even though we were dressed for the part, I'm sure that we didn't come across as the most desirable table for a server... "Just tap water, please". That being said, Fogo de Chão provided us with the best restaurant service that we have ever received. Seriously. I could write an entirely separate post about the quality and variety of their food (also 5 stars), but I'm sure that enough people have done that. What surprised me most was how on top of it their entire staff was. It felt like we had an army of servers and bussers who were eager to offer us new meat selections, bring us more bread, and refill our cups before we even had to ask. I never reached the bottom of my glass. However, an attentive staff is nice, but not exemplary of a 5-star rating by itself. Then came along Assistant Manager Moises. This man was one of the best floor managers that I have ever seen. He was cordial, polite, and extremely attentive. He noticed that my date had a nice dress on, so proceeded to bring a spare tablecloth and drape it behind her chair to make sure that none of the juice from the meat would splash on her clothes. He came by at least 3 times to check on us throughout the meal, and when I had asked what his favorite meat was, he personally escorted one of the meat cutters to our table and made sure that we were satisfied with his recommendation. When he offered dessert and we had said that we were too full (or poor), he brought over a delicious dessert On the House to make sure that we were satisfied. The entire staff was professional from beginning to end, and the food was great, but Moises really stole the show.
(5)Kyle M.
I visited Fogo de Chao during DineLA, and I was not disappointed. The meats were very tasty despite what I read from many reviews saying it was overcooked, flavorless, etc. The trick is that you have to try and get the meat from a fresh piece if possible; this way, it hasn't been continuing to cook as the servers walk around from table to table. I didn't spend much time at the salad bar, but what I did grab was very fresh. The table service was fantastic--every server was extremely polite and friendly, and they were very quick moving around the dining room. We never had to ask for more drinks or more meat. Overall, a great experience and I would probably even come back for the full-price menu!
(5)Leo C.
Fogo de Chao is one of my favorite churrascaria place for great Brazilian bbq. I've been here several times and each time the experience gets better. It's not just about the quantity of meats, but the quality and variety that you are served which makes it one of the best churrascaria places in LA. It's simply a meat paradise. If this is your first visit, I suggest checking out the glass window from front of La Cienega Blvd. next to parking lot. Inside the glass window you can see the meats being cooked on the fire pit. Each slab is speared into racked skewers and turned in circular motion for even cooking. You can see the juices and fat drip on to itself as it self baste, keeping the meat juicy and moist. It's great way to see your meats being cooked. Both lunch and dinner are identical. Same food and cuts of meat are served. Only difference lunch is $20 cheaper. Once you walk inside and have been seated, you're served with a side dish of cheese bread, mash potatoes, polenta cakes and sweet cooked plantains which comes with your meal. There's also complimentary salad bar - salad, cold cuts, cheese and vegetable. Tip - I would ease up on salad bar, plantains and bread if I were you. Last thing you want is to get full before the meat even arrives. The reason you came here is to taste the great cuts of cooked meats. Not for sides or salads. Now for the good part. There's a large two sided colored button on the table. Red color means "Stop" and green "Go." If you're ready to release the flood gates of meat goodness, then turn the button over to green. Immediately you're served by guys carrying slabs of meat on large skewers, coming by your table and slicing pieces of meat on your plate. Each person carries different cuts of meat . The meat selection include: bacon wrap filet mignon, lamb chops, sirloin, ribeye, chicken, beef ribs, pork sausage. My favorite was garlic sirloin, ribeye and filet mignon so juicy and flavorful. The lamb chops were also good, but a little gamey which I didn't mind cause I like lamb. Overall - the experience is incredible. The staff and waiters provide attentive service. If it wasn't for the location (Beverly Hill) and traffic, I would be here more often. The price of the meal is definitely worth it and earns a 5 star. Parking: valet or park on street.
(5)Evelyn L.
For a place that specializes in meat I was very surprised at how good their flan was. I would love to come back to Fogo De Chao but just for the flan. Why you ask when everyone says the meats are so amazing? Well I feel that the price is pretty steep and you are just paying for the location/service when there are comparable places at lower prices just a hop, skip, and jump (through traffic) away. Parking: Valet for $5.50 but if you are VERY lucky you can get free street parking after 4pm. Service: We had a party of about 25 people, they get auto gratuity 18% but they deserve it. They are attentive with water, requests, and providing clean plates. The meats: Its a hit or miss, some are over cooked or bland while others are moist, tender, and delicious. I really liked the lamb chop, but the 2nd piece I got was very tough. The ribeye was great and so was the beef rib. Seriously, get the beef rib NOT the pork rib which was dry. Salad bar: Pretty standard: cold cuts, cheeses, salads, cold veggies etc. I'd rather go to a Brazilian place in Pasadena or Glendale. For the price, unless like this time its a special occasion or DineLA, I won't be back.
(3)Linda D.
Must go to Fogo! This is the best Brazilian BBQ that I have had to date! It is meat- heaven! Even the salad bar was good!
(4)Jamie B.
Went there for our anniversary and the staff and manager greeted us and have us a free dessert. It was truly a surprise!!
(4)Francis M.
Take all those DineLA reviews with a grain of salt. It's like people complaining that a department store is messy on black friday. People complaining about price, you should know what your getting yourself into (you can check the website for $). I've gone to restaurants where 1 steak ended up costing $60-$80. So All You Can Eat isn't that bad for $60. If you like Korean BBQ go eat that. I reserved a table for 2 @ 500pm on a Sunday. I was expecting a wait after reading all the recent reviews. We got there around 4:50pm and checked in and we were immediately seated. There is only valet parking ($6.25), you could try finding metered parking on the street as an alternative. Servers were attentive and could be found everywhere. Even managers came out to say hello to all the diners. From the previous post I was expecting service to lag. But to my surprise we were getting served really quickly. At one point I had to turn my green card upside down to red because of all the food I was getting. The chicken was dry but all the meats were juicy. The bread of course was still good. For the people saying they could cook better at home, just stay home and cook or open your own restaurant.
(4)Jen H.
The salad bar along with the wide variety of meats is impresive. Be sure to save room for the picanha! It's the most expensive meat they have and they always bring it out last so you don't eat as much of it. Beware that valet takes a really long time to retrieve your car.
(4)Lauren G.
This place is a total zoo. People are running around like their hair is on fire. It's noisy with weirdly bright lighting. The ambiance is absolutely horrible. I got the salad bar and it was exorbitantly priced for an incredibly limited selection and mediocore food. On top of that there was an actual line for the salad bar 20 people deep. The only thing I can say is that their version of a moscow mule was good and the service was decent. This place reminded me of my college cafeteria except more expensive and filled with tourists. The worst dining atmosphere I have been in counting Taco Bell. Never again.
(2)Ryu C.
Food *** 4.5 ***. Meat lover must go ! Service *** 3.5 ****. So so Clean *** 4.5 *** Price *** over $$$ *** I enjoyed their Brazilian Style BBQ even though I'm not a big meat fun. However, I wouldn't go back there anymore since I don't want to eat too much meat, I would rather go better steak place for better Quarity meat with cheaper price. This place is $60 per person, whatever you eat, you pay $60. If you can eat a big portion, it's worth going there.
(4)Jackson Y.
Usually, I wait til I've been to a certain location at least 2 times before I give them a yelp review. But I don't think I will have another chance to come back here. Everyone who has ever mentioned Brazilian BBQ, FOGO DE CHAO always comes up. And for good reason. Not gonna lie, service here was spot on. Didn't wait very long til my table was ready, especially with the crowd of people that is already waiting in line to be seated. They don't rape you on the valet parking fees only $5.50! It is a definitely cheap parking when it comes to Beverly Hills. Besides the excellent service, I very much enjoyed the aesthetically pleasing salad bar. Everything was so organized and well presented. As a visual eater, its a must for me. If I can fill my plate with food in less than a minute, then you've done your job. I always enjoyed the sides they gave you. The puffy bread was so good, I would eat a million of these if I could. Same goes for the corn meal thingy. Enough about the not so important stuff. Lets get down to business! The meat! Let me start with the good, the 2 lamb meat were really. The lamb shank and the lamb chop were both juicy. Full of flavor. No complaints Next would probably be the pork ribs, the middle pieces were good, but I ended up with a bottom piece, it was dry and salty. The house special and the top sirloin steak where both good. Perfectly cooked, however, I found it to be a little bit under seasoned. For the rest of the meats they were either too salty, or too bland. It was quite disappointing. Not what I expected from a place like this. How could a fancy place like this serve anything that is over or under seasoned? I am not saying that the food isn't good, it's just not worth the money. I'd probably come back, if I didn't have to fork out a pretty penny or TWO just to eat some mediocre cooking. Honestly, I'd probably take my money and get some good old American BBQ or Korean BBQ for a fix of delicious protein for significantly less.
(3)Mariyam M.
I've been looking forward to dining here since forever!! I love me a good brazillian steakhouse and the reviews sounded amazing. Made reservation for BF's birthday lunch, then found out our reservation landed on the week of DineLA. I was ecstatic! We came for lunch and it was already a pretty full house. Ordered our Caipirinhas and took a walk to the salad bar and wasn't too impressed. Yes, the smoked salmon and prosciutto was a nice touch but where were the soups? The rice? The hot foods? Oh well, I guess I prefer the salad bar at Greenfields. Back to our tables and we were set on Green and good to go! Tried various cuts of meat, the sides arrived at our table but we were already getting full. I really liked how they ask how well you wanted the cut of meat to be, I've never had that at a Churrascaria before...I should have stuck to medium but at the end I went ahead and tried a rare picanha cut and I feel like that was what did it. Because that night I was locked in the bathroom suffering from the worst food poisoning of my life!!! Oh god the terror!!! chills, cramps, explosive diarrhea...it was hell. Unfortunately I won't be able to eat here again.
(2)Erika M.
Get ready for a MEAT FEST! Fogo doesn't play around! So be prepared to eat a small farm of sorts. Sorry Old MacDonald! Some basic steps you should take into account: Step 1: First things first, DO NOT eat that day. You'll regret it if you do. Step 2: Get yourself a drank while you wait for a table. I highly recommend their Caipirinha. Sooo delicious! They have a fruity version as well, which looked equally delicious, although I didn't get to try it. Sad face. Step 3: Once you get a table, walk on over to the salad bar. They have a good mix of appetizer-like food & salads. These make good side dishes too (better than the mashed-potatoes-out-of-a-box you get at your table), so no need to finish it all up before the meat starts to come around; unless you're a carnivore and take your meat straight up! If that's the case, then more power to you...and your heart! Step 4: Prepare for the barrage of meat that's about to come your way. Once you flip that little circle from red to green, it's non-stop! Staff is very good about coming your way with every single meat you can think of! But if you happen to miss the one meat you had your masochistic heart set on, you can simply ask for it and the Gauchos are more than happy to bring it your way. Cooked just the way you like it too! Step 5: Eat to your hearts delight! Step 6: Don't forget dessert! Their flan & chocolate lava cake are to die for! I have to admit, I'm not as big of a carnivore as I thought. I actually felt really bad afterwards seeing those poor little creatures on a stake like that. So did I get my money's worth? Probably not. Not even at the $45 Dine LA price tag. & I'm not even sure how much more it is regularly, but I heard it's pricey! Sigh. I tried. The meat is delicious. It's one of those places you just hafta try. The customer service is amazing! Major props to Victor and his assistant manager (sorry, but I forgot your name) who helped me straighten out the mistake on my bill! They even went out of his way to contact my bank to ensure the mistake was taken off immediately. I really appreciated that. That's an automatic five stars in my book.
(5)Bob V.
I have been to San Diego and Las Vegas locations and this one is by far the best. Service and quality of meat is always on point. Best tres Leches cake you can only get at this location
(5)C C.
I have an acquaintance who just moved here from Brazil and she gave me the approval for this place. She said it's up to par with the native Brazillian steaks so that's good enough for me! All the cuts were tender and well-prepared. They have a great selection of other items at the salad bar, etc. But we figure we'd enjoy the meats for tonight. The LEMONADE is a MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is absolutely out-of-this-world-DELICIOUS! Very pricey but I've been to other brazillian steakhouses throughout the US just as good. It's a nice splurge once in a while. I'd come here just for the lemonade though.
(5)Christine H.
2.5 stars. I brought my boyfriend here for a surprise date during DineLA. First thing we thought was hooooly crap, they filled this place with as many tables as they could. It was so cramped and hard to navigate between the tables without your butt being on other people's tables.. Awkward... Service was slow and I had to flag a person down for everything, and with the ocean of people there that night, it was very difficult for someone to notice me :/ Anyways, we tried every piece of meat, the salad bar, the cheese rolls, mashed potatoes, plantains, polenta, & we even got dessert. The salad bar was okay. Lots of deli meat, assorted veggies, very few cheeses, few lettuce mixes, some dried fruits, and a few choices of dressing. They had shittake mushroom, bamboo, & smoked salmon. The cheese rolls tasted very similar to the popovers at BLT steak. Texture was not as good as the popovers at BLT though. Fried polenta was kind of strange. SUUUPER crazy thin. It was almost like a thin little polenta cracker of sorts, nothing amazing. Mashed potatoes were very subpar, but I love potatoes, so I ate almost all of it. Hahaha. MEATS: Picanha: The house special. Bleh, so BLAND. All we could taste was charcoal and fat :/ Very disappointing.. Filet Mignon/Rib eye: I could not tell the two apart. Seasoning was very weird.. I would cut into my meat and it'd be seasoned right, then the next piece would have a thick salt crust, and the next piece would have no salt at all.. :/ Alcatra (top sirlon): Tasted burnt. Fraldinha (carne): It's weird how half of it could be suuuper rare to the point of being raw and the other half is beyond well done.. Lombo (parmesan crusted pork): WAAAY too salty. It was inedible. Costela/Costela de Porco (beef&pork ribs): I didn't have this, but my boyfriend said it was good and he seemed to enjoy it. Cordeiro: He liked it very much, hahaha. Can't say much because I don't eat lamb.. Bacon wrapped chicken: SO MOIST, SO TENDER, SO GOOD :) I got this one twice ! Bacon wrapped filet mignon: Mmmm, so yummy. Cooked just right and the bacon had just enough saltiness to over the seasoning :) Linguica (sausage): Very smokey and packed with flavor ! Delish ! Finaaalllyy, we had creme brule because I can NEVER say no to my favorite dessert of all time :) It was pretty dense, but flavorful and suuuper creamy. Yummy. Not the best creme brule I've ever had, but it was pretty simple and good. Honestly, I would not come back. The meats were supposed to be the main part of the meal and I only enjoyed three things -__- It was really disappointing. Save your money and go to a nice steak house. You'll enjoy it a lot better, believe me. P.S. Valet is 5.50, but they don't give you 50 cents back in change, so it's really six dollars. LOL.
(2)Leena B.
I went here for a birthday week celebration and we had an LA restaurant week coupon! If we didn't have the half-off price, I would not pay that much. The meat was cooked very well and if I wanted it rare, the waiters would come back with more and more rare pieces. I was forced to turn my car from red to green just because I felt that the waiters came back just for me. The salad bar was also delicious. But I feel like the smoked salmon doesn't go with the meat and I LOVE salmon... The drinks were not good. Maybe if I were one of the girls that liked drinks where you couldn't taste the alcohol, it would be nice. It was filled with fruit and ice. So after two fruity caipirinhas, I went for the bottle of wine but by then, my tab was waaaaaaay past it's budget...
(3)Sam L.
Great selection of meats and large variety at the salad bar. Make sure you come starving because its an insane amount of food! The meats are a hit and miss. The chicken and pork were very dry. I didn't particularly enjoy the sausage either. But the lamb, filet mignon, and garlic picanha were outstandingly juicy and flavorful. However, they went overboard on the salt for few of the cuts. [One note: the way the meats are cooked is very inconsistent. I had a perfectly tasty medium cooked filet mignon piece and when I asked for the same cut a while later, the piece they gave me was extremely dry and way overcooked. Make sure to ask the carver how the meat is cooked on that particular spit.] Plates of fried polenta (fried and tasteless), bananas (yummy), mashed potatoes (a bit watery and tasteless), and a basket of warm cheesy bread are brought to every table. At the salad bar, I'd recommend the smoked salmon Also the cut apple salad with pineapples and raisins-very refreshing in between bites of salty meat. For drinks, the sangria is excellent! Dessert-wise we ordered the papaya cream and tres leches -which weren't anything too life shattering. Service was okay, it was crowded during dinnertime and frequently the servers would miss our table. Ambience- nice but not pretentiously upscale. Overall, its a great place for a rare treat...definitely not a restaurant anyone would want to frequent weekly or even monthly- unless you want to have serious weight/health issues. Valet is $5.50 and for dine la, our bill came out to approx. $75pp including dessert, drinks, tax, and tip.
(4)Guillermo C.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't been said before. This place is definitely worth the coin! Thank you DineLA for making it a little more affordable ;) So far the BEST Brazillian BBQ I have tasted in SoCal! The meats are GRRRREAT! 'Nuff said! ;)
(5)Alana M.
Went for DineLA and was thoroughly impressed. The service was great, food hot, and my caipirinha strong. I had never been to a Brazilian steakhouse before so I wasn't sure what to expect except a lot of meat. Favorite cuts were the picanha and bacon wrapped filet mignon. The other meats are flavorful but not super special. Only minor complaints were that the regular filet mignon was overcooked and the sides were not good. Mashed potatoes from a box? Yuck. But that's not why you go. Salad bar was pretty good. For $25 restaurant week it cannot be beat. During lunch, there's no problem finding street parking either. 2 bucks per hour. Whatever you do, do not eat before coming here. After this dinner you will not want to eat red meat for a week.
(5)Ryan W.
I finally went and tried Fogo De Chao after waiting a very long time! All I can say is wow! If you have your card on green, which means you want meat, be prepared to get bombarded with sticks of meat in your face. I swear I just got a piece of meat and before I can cut it, another waiter brings another cut of meat to me. Pretty much this is every persons "meat paradise". From beef to chicken to pork, they have it all covered! Parking: Valet $5.50 or park on a side street for free Service: The service was excellent! the staff was non-stop. Not only the people that brought the meat, but the staff that refilled the drinks, the staff that helped clear the plates, the lady who walked around asking if we needed anything else and the gentleman who brought us more of the sides. I'm a big person a service and I was extremely happy with the service that I received! Food: Salad bar: It can be sort of overwhelming at first with all of the different kinds of cheeses, meats (prosciutto, smoked salmon, salami), salad, artichoke hearts, vegetables and so on. Don't be fooled though...these are meant to fill you up before the meat arrives so I just got a little of everything just to try it out, but saved the majority of room for the meats! Sides: Palenta, mashed potatoes, cheese bread (yummm) and fried plantains (add sweetness to an otherwise salty meal). Meats: I could go into detail about every single meat that I tried, but I'm just going to say my top 3. Filet mignon- Cooked perfectly to a medium rare. It was so tender and flavorful! Absolutely excellent! The best part is AYCE! I seriously ate about 30 oz. of filet mignon. Beef ancho (rib-eye): This cut has such good marbling on it. Provided just the right amount of fat so it's nice and juicy! The piece is so tender, juicy and flavorful. Picanha (prime part of sirloin): I had mine flavored with a garlic sauce. The meat was a little less tender, but the garlic sauce tasted like heaven. I absolutely love garlic and this piece of meat definitely had enough garlic on it. Like I said the meat was a little less tender and more dry, but I was in love with the sauce. Overall I thought the service and food was great! I'd definitely come back soon.
(4)Su L.
It is by far the best Brazilian BBQ I have ever had. The flavor is good, the meat is tender (except the pork selections), the cocktail drinks are awesome, etc. But considering how expensive it is, I just can't bring myself to say it's amazing or I'll go back often. The salad bar can be better. If you like red meat and really love BBQ (especially Brazilian BBQ), you should at least go check it out!
(3)H. A.
Tried this place during dine LA and I fell in love. If you're meat lover you would definitely enjoy dining here. The meat was amazing, my favorites were the Picanha and Alcatra. Their bread rolls and plantains are heavenly. The service is great, everyone is so attentive and I really felt welcomed. I highly recommend trying this place out and will be dining here again.
(5)Faraz T.
This place used to be my favorite Brazilian restaurant. Last time I went there, I was very disappointed with the quality of meat. The meat was very dry. To my opinion, this place is not worth the price any more. They either have to lower the price or higher the quality.
(3)Robert B.
So much meat---- a meat lovers paradise--served with one of the best salads bars I had the pleasure of enjoying.. Kind of pricey but a real unique dinning experience.....
(4)Mike Q.
For my birthday dinner I chose Fogo de Chao because 500 yelpers and a 4.5 star rating of a meatstravaganza sounded like a perfect way to celebrate. I knew it'd be on the higher end of the price spectrum for churrascaria, so I was really expecting a Fogo de Wow experience, but it ended up being more Fogo de Pretty Good, I Guess. First off, I thought the salad bar was rather average - yes, the items were all pretty fresh, but the selection didn't blow me away. However, the main reason why this dinner didn't meet my admittedly high expectations is due to the hit-and-miss service that our dinner party received. Our primary server informed us that Fogo employs a team serving approach, at which I thought, Great! There's no way service could be lacking, as there were swarms of servers, busboys, and gauchos. In fact, as soon as you flip your coaster-indicator to green, the gauchos will buzz around your table like a swarm of bees, waiting to unload some meat your way. You better be prepared for this carnivorous onslaught, so wield that red-green coaster judiciously. I felt a little rushed at first; since I didn't want to feel like I was missing out on any of the meat, I didn't turn any of them down and inadvertently let the meats pile up. I wish the gauchos would slow their proverbial roll - it would make for a classier, less frenetic atmosphere. So future Fogo diners take heed: Don't be afraid to take a break! Savor the different cuts of meat, and take your time. Our table ended up eating, drinking wine, laughing and enjoying ourselves for a good two hours, and we figured out that we could just request whatever cut of meat, and how done we wanted it, instead of being pressured into shoving mounds of meat on the plate and into our gullets. One additional note of complaint is that our primary server, the captain of our serving team, let's say, disappeared for stretches at a time. Well, disappeared isn't the right word, since we could see her serving the tables around us. Although we could (and did) flag other servers, we felt we could've been more attentively served. We had to wait for our after-dinner coffees, and we had to prompt our server to explain what the desserts were (I highly recommend the papaya cream, btw, esp. for its purported digestive properties). Even though service was an issue, the quality of the meats was definitely outstanding, and almost compensated for all the other little issues. (The stars of the night: lamb chops, filet, and ribeye.) It's just, at this price, I would expect a relaxed, upscale atmosphere with little to no hitches in service.
(4)Lauren P.
This place is so shitty omg. 1. Bad service 2. Meat is horrible (too burnt or hard ). Came here for the first time for Valentine's Day and I've heard that it's really good in fact, better than M Grill. But no. We saw our waitress ONCE when she seated us and after that she never came to our table to check up on us. We didn't get refills for our water, didn't take away our dirty plates so we had to stack it on top of each other, the service was just shit. And the food definitely wasn't worth the price. The environment isn't great either and it's crowded but it is Valentine's Day today but still, still isn't worth coming. I don't recommend it at all. Never coming back here. If you want some bomb Brazilian BBQ with good service go to M Grill!!!
(1)Edgar M.
My 2nd time going there (yes, I'm a bit selfish, but sometimes the first experience is so delectable, that you just HAVE to go one more time!) You're already getting a nice feeling when you walk in front those giant wings they call "doors". The decor is dark and velvety, and since I made a reservation for three, I was seated within five minutes. I'm sure people know the deal when you're seated: You're allowed to go to their salad bar, and once you're satisfied with your greens, the waiters can serve you your cuts of meat. I said "screw it" to the salad bar, I came for the artery-clogging goodness! While waiters pass by with their cuts of meat, you're offered 4 different appetizers. My 2 favorites are the plantains and garlic mashed potatoes. (Sometimes, simplicity can be best.) And now, the meats. They have around 15 different cuts and varieties, but since I lost track, I only remember trying half of them (for a reason). My personal favorite cut when I went there, also being my recommendation to everyone, is getting a cut of filet mignon cooked at Medium. MAN! The first and third time was done perfectly. I recall the second time being a little dry, but hey, it's all you can eat, just move on to another cut, and try again later. That said, you MAY come across a moment where you have a cut that's does not meet your preferences, but you're going to be there for a good hour or two to eat your money's worth, so try as much as you can. Oddly enough, the bacon-wrapped filets were incredible (now doesn't THAT sound healthy), while their sausages had TOO much "snap" to it. That was my opinion, but the experience on that one was just enough to make me try it once. Enjoy an excellent nice there. Get a table that's NOT at the edge of the restaurant, enjoy some beverages native to Brazil (anyone know where I can buy Guarana Autenticas in Los Angeles They're delicious!), and, if you're a carnivore like me, EAT TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT. Well, that comment might be a little awkward to shout at the face of red meat, but I hope you know where I'm going with this.
(5)Justin L.
Delicious. You definitely get your money's worth. I suggest going at lunch since it's a lot cheaper and you don't really miss out on that much meat. My favorites: house special and garlic beef. What's great about this place is that you can pay the same price you would at a high end steak house and get unlimited amounts of meat. Also, each piece of meat is fresh, unlike a steak that gets cold over the course of a meal. It's like biting into a new steak every bite. Go hungry leave full. Definitely a great lunch,.
(5)Robin B.
This is the carnivores heaven!! I've been here a few times and will definitely be back. When you get there they give you a coaster on your table with red on one side and green on the other. If you have your coaster on green the meat will keep coming around. They have over 15 different kinds of meats to try and the servers keep bringing around all these delicious tasty pieces to eat. They also have a huge salad bar for those vegetarians out there or people that want a something healthy.
(5)Phoenix A.
("Let's try Gyu Kaku) + ("No reservations and nasty scowl from the hostess) = ("I've always wanted to try the place next door") Who knew that hunger could be solved algebraically!?! Poor planning on New Year's day helps, too. So Nekked Sexxy & I decided to ring in the new year with dinner on the day and ended up here. Funny thing is we just talked about Brazilian restaurants a few days prior and my contribution to the conversation was that I had never been to one. What a deprived Phoenix I am no more! I feasted on tender bottom sirloin, juicy bacon-wrapped filet, succulent lamb chops while taking bites of the wonderful goodies I grabbed from the salad bar...artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, buffalo mozzarella, tomato slices, and some prosciutto-ish cured ham. Had my first capirnah (sp?). That was me. Nekked Sexxy was sitting next to me repeatedly dying, going to heaven, and resurrecting with each kind of meat he ate. I'm sure there was a trip to hell in there, too. On top of our great service, the manager came to our table and spent a few minutes chatting with us, making sure we were enjoying our meal and talking about Brazilian-style restaurants in general. NS & I both loved our experience here. Words like epic and un-fucking-believable came to mind. So did "I'm going to live in the kitchen". But who knew about a "mathematically sound" meal....
(5)J K.
This place was awesome. We went here for a birthday dinner and the food was amazing!!! The salad bar is a veggie lovers paradise and a meat/cheese lovers paradise. It was a really fun and interesting dining experience. GO HUNGRY!
(4)Noland J.
This place is awesome. I took my girlfriend here for her birthday this year and we had a great time. All of the meats were good and some were very good. The service was out of this world. We had a primary server, but they all worked together to make sure that we were taken care of. Our glasses were never empty and our plates were always full. The wine recommendation was on point as well. We didn't really touch the salad bar, but the side dishes and bread that they served at our table were good. I can't wait to go back here.
(5)Vince W.
You pple write WAY too much. 1. This is buffet meat. 2. This is the Costco of cooked meat. 3. This is cooked meat done dim sum style without the grumpy old Asian ladies. 4. This is not exactly quality meat. Edible yes. Quality no. 5. Otherwise service is good and decent place for hanging out with friends.
(3)Peter N.
Only if there was a 3 3/4 star rating. Cause that's what this place gets. I don't exactly remember how many cuts there was, but after awhile they all taste the same. The meat was high quality and very good. Some cuts were a lot better than others. The meat is overly salted though. Service was very good, and we got free dessert for my girlfriends birthday also. The salad bar was just okay, Irvine Agora Churrascaria had a better salad bar, but than again who goes for the salad bar? The pricing was about $56 a person and parking was $5. Overall Good place if your a meat lover
(4)Wei C.
The place has a wide variety of high quality meat. Service was good. A bit on the pricey side. Perhaps the best meat buffet I ever had? But it's still a buffet.
(3)Waelm M.
This Place is Forever Amazing. I love this place. Unlimted all you can eat good quality brazilian steak house. I love it. The bread, the salad bar, The meat choices, it just don't stop. It keeps coming. This is the best place i have ever been too. One thing tho, it's a bit pricey about 60.00 per person. It's one of those places where you go for special occasions. By Far the best place i have been to in LA..
(5)Susan H.
Fogo de WOW! Two words: MEAT COMA! We just had our office holiday lunch here on Friday and OMG it was so good! I've been to Brazilian in Burbank and Glendale and those do not stack up to Fogo. Hell naw. Fogo's salad bar is the best and freshest selection I've seen. Ever. From the cured meats and cheeses to the hearts of palm, huge asparagus stalks, artichoke hearts, giant mushrooms, fresh beets, roasted red peppers, garlic green beans and various salads. So, so good! What is different about Fogo is that they bring you your side dishes to the table: fried polenta (so so), garlic mash potatoes (can't ever go wrong with mashies) and plantains (wow!). Like most others have said, don't fill up on the salad bar or the bread. Total rookie move. Also, do yourself a favor and pass on the sausages, ribs and chicken thighs. Yeah, pass on those. Serious. The key is to be patient and wait for the good stuff. Here were my absolute favs: -Rib eye (what's good is they have varying temperatures...AWESOME!) -Garlic beef -House special beef -Filet Mignon -Lamb chops (super wow, so so tender and very flavorful) Our table had a variety desserts served: Tres Leches, Creme Brulee, Papaya something-or-other, chocolate martini and Fragile Baby (coffee with Bailey's and Kahlua...i think. It was damn good!) Since this was on the boss' dime, we got to thoroughly enjoy the entire experience from the food to the valet. It is best to come at lunch since the prices are so steep but as long as you follow the rules...you should get your money's worth. Mos def. Thanks Boss.
(5)Kari R.
The food was wonderful. The salad bar was plentiful and the meat even more so. Cooked just right and with amazing flavors.
(4)Rachel R.
My husband and I went to Fogo de Chao for the first time last night. We will definitely be returning. If you are a carnivore this is the place for you. The service was amazing from the moment we walked in. We were taken directly to our table where one of the servers explained how it all works. You use your coaster to signal when you want meat, green = more, red = stop. The entire staff works as a team so we never had to wait for anything. We decided to try the "salad" bar just because it was our first time there. It is not your average salad bar, it's more of an antipasto bar. Cured meats, cheeses, marinated vegatables, everything we tried was great. You are also served mashed potatoes, polenta, plantains and the most delicous cheese bread ever (kind of a yorkshire pudding textured roll with cheese in it). But we were really there for the meat so we flipped our coasters to green. This is when the "meat parade" started. As soon as we turned our coasters the servers began bringing all of the different meats to our table. Each gaucho would step up to the table and tell you what he had to offer. Once we had enough on our plates we flipped our coasters back to red. Each cut that we tried was delicious. We had lamb chops, bacon wrapped filet mignon, picanha, fraldinha, pork ribs and linguica. Everything was seasoned perfectly. We also asked our server for the different sauces they had and she brought us a selection of all of them. The meat was perfect without them, but if you like sauces, just ask. The chimichurri sauce and the ancho sauces were my favorites. Yes, it is expensive, but well worth the splurge.
(5)Hazel Q.
So...yes, I'm a fan. Any time I'm consuming several pounds of meat in one sitting, I'm generally a fan. But, I've got a few things to get off of my artery-clogged chest first. Uh...have the 500 of you that have reviewed this spot never been to Brazilian BBQ before? Because let me tell you this, it comes just about as good and for about a Jackson less. Also, what's up with the meat bombardment as soon as I turn my li'l thing to green? Whoa...slow it down there fellas. I feel like I'm the middle of a "Night at the Roxbury" sketch. I like my meat at a nice an steady pace, not all wham bam thank you ma'am. And you can quote me on that. ;) But, with that said, there was some pretty great meat here. And no shortage of it either. The gaucho dudes were on it with the meat as soon as you turn your sign to green...the waiters on the other hand? Hello? How many times can you pass us by? Coffee please? Please? Pretty please? This is blasphemy coming from a carnivore like me, but the tres leches dessert was one of my favorite parts of the meal...okay, and the ribeye. Mmmmmm.... I guess what I'm trying to say is....yeah, it was delicious, but knowing I can get a similar experience with quality meats at Agora in Irvine for $20 less...well, I probably won't be back to Fogo.
(4)Ticha B.
Beverly Hills, tons of meat, good service, FREE parking (NO VALET CHARGES) for my Ducati, and yummy AYCE Brazilian BBQ! That pretty much sums up my lunch. Lunch is about $20 cheaper than dinner, but I think there's more from the non-meat selections for dinner. Lunch meat still included: rib eye, filet mignon, lamb, beef ribs, Brazilian style beef, more meat, chicken, pork, sausages, etc. The non-meat selection was also pretty good (salad, cold cuts, cheeses, veggies) and you have to eat Fogo's freshly baked bread! Full bar also. I think kids under 6 eat free too. I'd kind of dress up for Fogo's just because this location is in Beverly Hills. Vegetarians please do not enter. My friends and I threw down. Thanks!!!
(5)Josephine H.
This is by far my meat lover's dream come true. I'm so glad I convinced my friends to come here on the last day of DineLA. It's possibly one of the best dining experiences I've had. From experience, if I ever had a deal or discount from a place, I would be treated like the $5 discount. But for DineLA at $25 a person for lunch, I could not be happier! Parking: you can definitely park on the side streets. Don't be fat and just walk. You'll definitely need that walk and more after you're done stuffing yourself at this place. Salad bar: okay not the best options at the salad bar but I can work with it. Many people have said that there's no point in a salad bar when the focus should be on meat. Wrong! You're going to need some veggies to lighten up that meat sweat you'll have coming on after a while. Ready to go? Green it is! And almost immediately you are flooded with guys holding up racks of meat! You have the picanha which is a top sirloin and possibly my favorite meat on their menu, as it should be being their house special! The next thing you must try is their filet mignon. Not just plain old filet mignon, bacon wrapped filet mignon. Yep, you might want to grab another piece while the meat man is still there. My least favorite would have to be the pork loin and lamb. The gaminess of the lamb lingered in my mouth as I was trying to swallow and the pork was just tough as rubber. I'll admit, I didn't get to experience the ribs because I never saw that guy come around and even if he did, I probably would have had turned him away. Side dishes: With your meal, you get a crispy hot polenta cake, mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas and the best of yet, yes, the cheesy bread. It is by far the best bread I have ever eaten at any restaurant. Any! The outside texture is light and crispy and once you take a bite, you're surrounded by the soft doughy texture on the inside with a hint of cheese mixed into the dough. Don't worry it's not like they stuck a block of cheese on the inside. It's an amazing blend and I would pay to just eat their side dishes. On a regular basis, I'd come here for special occasions. An unemployed recent grad like me can't afford an amazing meal like this often. But mark my words, my first paycheck is going towards Fogo de Chao!
(5)Zsuzsanna O.
This restaurant is always a very nice experience. The service is top notch and all the meat is just so nice. I always leave here satisfied. The cold buffet bar is always fresh and a nice addtion to the yummy fried plantains at the table. A huge recommend for any special occasion.
(4)Thithien N.
Meat, meat and more meat! Was here for Dine LA, and gotta say the food was great. I would come back if I could afford it, but on nights that are not Dine LA, I would recommend against going because it could set you back a lot. Especially during the dinner hours which could run you about 100 bucks a person while for lunch it can be half that. However, if you are a lover of chuhasco, or brazilian bbq, then this place is for you.
(4)Renee H.
Hmmm. Welp. I came. I saw. I ate. I left a bit disappointed. I ordered the leg of lamb medium rare and was expecting a juicy piece of meat, but what I received was an overcooked Bambi. I can't really review anything else because I can't believe a restaurant of this caliber can't get the temp on lamb correct? *shakes head*. I just can't wrap my head around that.
(2)Michael C.
Yeah, the whole "dudes running around with meat skewered on giant swords" thing is pretty awesome. It's dizzying how many choices you have here. Sirloin, filet mignon, and lamb, are just a few of the many players here, and all you need to do is grab the cut you want with your tongs. This is a concept that I'm on board with. I filled up real quick here, though - I'm just a sucker for the salad bar and side dishes. Eating all that steak can get real salty, so you'll be glad those amazing plantains are there to keep you going. Also, the cheese bread/muffin/whatever might be the best pastry I've ever eaten. I know this is a Brazilian Steakhouse, but I may have gotten more enjoyment eating carbohydrates than protein here. My main problem with Fogo is that while the quality of the meat is fine (but salty), I don't know that you can justify the normal price of admission here. $28 for a DineLA lunch is reasonable, but I'm not convinced that this is worth $50 a head on a normal given day. I enjoyed Fogo, but I really don't feel the need to come back. If anything, it just made me curious about Agora Churrascaria in Irvine. It's $25 for lunch there and from what I can see the offerings are comparable if not superior.
(3)Jackie M.
I've been to other Brazilian places before and this place far exceeded the others in terms of experience and selection of quality meats. Staff was attentive and accommodating. Taste of the meats that I actually had was just so-so, however. Maybe it was just my own selection but I really wasn't too impressed in that aspect. Don't know if I would necessarily come back here again.
(3)Christina G.
Came here during dineLA ... wow I heart FOGO forever. Cheese bread was delightful and puffy and cheesy and so perfect. All the steaks were good... love it rare... sigh I miss all the steaks. Valet parking is $5.50 ... I'd recommend doing that, because street parking is about the same price... I don't know what else to say about Fogo except everyone needs to try it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Camila Q.
I've been to many Argentinian restaurants and quite honestly this place was nothing out of the ordinary. Some of the meat were stale and cold and others had no flavor. The decor was bleh and the atmosphere was loud. The service was pretty good but I felt as if our waiter was trying to push extra food we didn't want to purchase. All in all, I don't really care to come back here.
(3)Jack M.
Good food and great service. These make it worth the money. At least once a month we drive from OC to BH to come here. Good place to celebrate birthdays too. Everyone is friendly and u can tell their goal is for you to have the best dining experience.
(5)Knar N.
We had dinner with the girls here one time. Everyone had bragged soooo much about this place, I was expecting phenomenal food! Well, it was definitely overrated!
(3)Grace B.
This Brazilian steakhouse was delicious. With over 10 cuts of meats that will leave your tastebuds in heaven. The salad bar is also amazing with over 20 items to choose from, and included are traditional sides. Overall a phenomenal Gaucho experience was had.
(4)Sabrina M.
Best Brazilian steak house by far. All the meats are superb! The salad bar is diverse and clean. The staff is polite and attentive. No matter which location you go to it will not disappoint. I have been to the one in NY, LA, San Diego and Puerto Rico. They are all great, especially being that they are a chain restaurant.
(5)Pascale B.
So good! I had an amazing evening! Awesome food, great service, I like the concept. Try the bacon in the salad bar...omg....unbelievable! The only negative point.....it's a little bit pricey. 165$ for two. Only had one drink each.
(4)Shari M.
Wonderful experience great food and awesome service. Very special thanks to Margarita and Ramon. Will definitely come back with the rest of family.
(5)Patrick B.
We just had the best experience at Fogo De Chao! Great food, great service especially with Margarita & Ramon they are wonderful!
(5)Bruce N.
What a fun place for friends to get together.The salad bar..really an antipasto bar is fantastic,cold cuts,lox,salads,the largest asparagus ive ever seen..the cheese ball,bread is awesome we had several baskets,and the meats each one selectively seasoned..and excellents of beef lamb pork and chicken..this is a destination event place,a bit noisy but fun..prices were about 80 per person with tip..no alchohol
(4)Thiago A.
Everything was so great on our visit to FOGO. This is the best in the Valley. Service was excellent, the food is delicious - I don't remember having such a great steak in my life. There were dozens of different cuts perfectly served. This is 5 star, must go steakehouse in town !
(5)Jessica K.
Fogo de "Chow" more like... Excuse my silly joke, but this place offers some serious eats. This review is belated because I'm reminiscing upon this past DineLA week, but I am positive nothing has changed at this place. Fogo de Chao is a humungous dining space, and they serve some of the best traditional Brazilian churrascaria meats I've tasted. I really do mean some of the best. My absolute favorite was their picanha, a sirloin steak. It was very well seasoned and cooked. Another favorite of mine was the lamb leg. I don't eat a lot of lamb, so I really indulged that day. Their salad bar was just OK. They did have really good items, but I was expecting it to be more varied. The sides served was just alright too. Compared to the meat options, the sides and salad bar are easily forgettable. The service was amazing. Drinks were refilled constantly, the gauchos came by seemingly after every bite of food, and everyone was honestly so very gracious. Personally, I can't imagine coming here without the amazing DineLA discount, but I would highly recommend Fogo de Chao to anyone for a special occasion meal or if you're seriously just that loaded.
(4)Sherry J.
After my friend talked my ears off about this place, I finally decided to go and try it. Fogo de Chao is $35 for lunch and $50 for dinner (we opted for lunch because it's way cheaper) and totally worth your money if you are a meat lover. It was a unique dining experience - what more could a person ask for than endless gourmet steaks cut in front of you by gaucho chefs? The filler items were very delicious as well. Be sure to try the Brazilian cheese bread - it is so soft, warm, puffy and gooey at the same time. Of the 3 plates they give you in the beginning, I probably enjoyed the polenta the most. Plantains are a little too sweet for me and the mashed potatoes tasted like typical mashed potatoes you could probably make at home. The salad bar was truly extraordinary. Being someone who can't just eat meat after meat without some sort of break, I really enjoyed cleansing my palette with some lettuce, artichoke hearts or cheese. The hard cheese were so tasty, as with the smoked salmon. The chicken salad and pasta salad were both very flavorful and yummy. My favorite would have to be the artichoke hearts- I literally ate like 5 of them. Soooooo good and the presentation was gorgeous. Now the main act - the meats. My favorites would be the garlic steak, top sirloin, and the house special. The rest were decent but not to die for. The filet mignon was very tender but could've been flavored a little more strongly. I did like the sausages but some bites were a little saltier than others and could use some consistency. I suggest if it's your first time, try a little bite of everything. Everyone has their different favorite meats. Fogo is a great experience - I strongly recommend it with friends or a nice date. Make sure your friends are down I gorge a little bit on gourmet.
(4)Alex Y.
Great restaurant! Salad is delicious. Great selections of meats. Service is awesome. Must try caiprinha and picanha!
(5)Dimple- LudMilla B. F.
Carnivores unite! True, authentic Churrascaria from the heart of Southern Brazil hidden in Beverly Hills. You can spot this place with it's cool, blue, giant sized chimenea inviting you to come inside where the food overflows and the service keeps on comin! Everything is served to perfection, my personal favorites being the Costela de porco (pork ribs) that are juicy tender inside/ crispy outside & the Filet Mignon and Top Sirloin made perfectly the gaucho way with the cheese bread & fried plantains that fill you up like good old comfort food should I hosted my husband's surprise 40th birthday dinner for 20 people here in 2010 and it was more than he ever expected, overwhelmed with a feast fit for a king! A truly memorable place perfect for group parties or dinner for two. Make sure you eat very light meals early in the day & bring your dinner appetite in full swing! This Brazilian Steakhouse is as genuine as it gets!
(5)Kevin H.
Food: 4 stars. As other reviewers noted, cheese breads were indeed awesome. Crunch on the outside, chewy, almost mochi like textures, inside. The corn meal french fries thing was pretty good, too. Mashed potato was ok, bland. The meat were more hit or miss. Lambs were great, tender, and flavourful, although the crust on leg of lamb was a bit too salty. All the beef were good. Chicken legs were wonderful, juicy with cruchy skin. Pork ribs were alright. I didn't like the pork sausages, a little bit too salty for my taste. Salad bar was ok. Cheese and cold cut were good. We all ordered the Premium Fogo caipirnha cocktail. It tasted like stronger mojito. I like it. Service: 4 stars. Maybe I was tired and cranky (I drove almost two hr in rush hour traffic from Riverside county), but I disliked the Asian waiter we encountered. He was polite, but came off "sincere insincere". The manager (or was she hostess? she lead us to our seat, but she also overseen some customer services and I saw other girl manned the hostess stand) was one of the greatest, sweetest person EVER. She bent over backward in helping us. She alone definitely earned 5 stars. Other servers were good, too. Polite and efficient. Overall: 4 stars. Great food, good service, nice environment. Price tag of $58 per person may seen steep at first, but the never ending meat orgy definitely worth it.
(4)Abbi H.
Omg! I went here for my Boyfriend and I, for our two year anniversary. The service was AMAZING. Have not had good service like that in a long while. They were very imformative and happy to answer any questions. Gave us tips on how to enjoy our experience. The meat kept on coming! All the meat was amazing as well. The atmosphere was good as well! We wanted to go to the saled bar, but the meat kept on coming and I was alrerady full. I do recommend this place. Wish I can come more often but it is very much expensive. I am happy to have spend my 2 year anniversary with my boyfriend here. Great everything!
(5)Emma N.
Been here several times for Dine LA and I gotta say... $45 + tax & tip for classy AYCE Brazilian BBQ? Definitely worth it. You should try this at least once! The salad bar is just decent, but the experience and meat is exquisite. Guys, definitely take your girls here for a romantic dinner :) that is.. when you're comfortable enough to pig out together. Quick tip: start slow & sample the meats in small portions before telling the waiters you want a chunk of it! Let's not waste food now.
(5)Rebecca T.
Fogo de Chao is pure meat heaven; do not expect to be able to move for the next 24 hours after injesting all of what this place has to offer. The inner carnivore in me is awakened whenever I enter this cavern of picanha, cordeiro, and fraldinha. Upon entering Fogo, either: 1) wait for the meat to be distributed, or 2) take a look at the salad bar. Be careful with the latter, though: be sure to save room for the barbecue (the star of the restaurant!). I really enjoy the mozzarella balls and crisp asparagus. At the table, I simply cannot take my hands off of the bread basket- the pao de queijo (cheese bread) is warm, crisp, and the inside melts into your mouth. Know how to distinguish between the red and green sides of the cards. Know when you feel good enough for another serving and when you're satiated. Personally, I do not find the chicken interesting. I go for beef and lamb. The picanha and fraldinha are amazing: caramelized and crispy on the outside for an extra bite, and a juicy, moist taste inside. I love the taste of lamb, and so the cordeiro satisfied my intense lamb cravings. Seriously, my umami senses were working overtime! Service was professional and friendly; the waiters appeared to be Brazilian (or, at least, from South America), to give an authentic touch to the establishment. I am definitely coming back in the near future (once I recover from my last visit).
(5)Delan B.
Wow wow wow. What overpriced crap. The only thing I really enjoyed all night was the Portuguese sausage and I think the pepper steak. Maybe the fillet was good. Everything else was average at best. I'd rather go to Greenfields in Long Beach and pay half the price and enjoy the food twice as much. Boo, Fogo! Even the caipirinhas sucked. Oh yeah, and I'll downgrade this to one star for the terrible parking situation.
(1)Gabby Y.
Loved this place! I unique experience and I would definitely go back (especially for their wine and salad bar)!
(5)Seb C.
I used to love Fogo de Chao, now I just like it. the main reasons for my updated review are: 1- We expect the service to be TOP NOTCH! Unfortunately, the waiters who bring the meat are sometimes invisible and even requesting the meat, it is not coming. 2- Even if we had made a reservation, we ended-up waiting to get our table. We have experienced a 1h wait with starving kids. The front hostess was rude and not willing to help. 3- The valet parking is just okay - they could be nicer as they are the first contact the customer has with the restaurant. I have been in many Fogo de chao and I have always been positively surprised. In Beverly Hills, it used to be that way, but not anymore. Management team: please make sure you go back the way it was 2 years ago or your customers will move to there options.
(3)Karina M.
Great restaurant for a special occasion or date night. The meat is amazing, especially the filet mignon. The salad bar is one of the best, offering prosciutto, mozzarella, and zucchini. The table bread and the plantains are so good. Tips: - show up with an empty stomach - you don't need to order appetizers because you'll get more than enough food - you should order a guarana (Brazilian soda)
(5)Jennifer H.
OMG SO MUCH MEAT (: I'm not a huge fan of meat, but this place is definitely somewhere i would go to satisfy my craving for meat. It is delicious! I went here for dine LA which was perfect. This place is pretty pricey so getting the full experience for about 40 bucks is definitely worth it. The place is pretty big, and the restaurant has a nice ambiance to it. It's located in Beverly Hills, so I would expect it to be pretty fancy. Parking kinda sucked though, if you didn't pay for valet, i really don't know where else you would park. FOOD: to start off, they have a huge salad bar and an assortment of cheeses. They have a lot of stuff for just a salad, but it's not worth going for since you're in a place dedicated to meat. I would save room for the entrees not the salad. There sides were okay. I really liked the mashed potatoes and their warm cheese bread, but that's it. Their meat selection is just awesome. They have a whole list of them but my favorites were the: Picanha (top sirloin): this is their specialty, and its worth getting. they grill it to perfection! Filet Mignon: so tender and seasoned beautifully Linguica: i love the seasoning for this, soooo good! Cordeiro( Lamb ): tender and savory, best combination ever. Their other meats were good as well but these are the ones that i remember most! Their service was great! the waiters were super attentive and the servers were awesome. The best part is they come to you and slice the meat right in front of you! After you sit down for a bit, they remember your meat preferences and they constantly check back on you to make sure your plate is never empty, it can't get any better. If you're craving delicious meat, you have to go here, but be prepared to pay for it!
(4)Fatima S.
Please read my review before going First of all my first visit 2 years ago was amazing. My family and I loved it. After talking about it for two continuous years my family and I decided to go again. We went and it was the worst experience ever. The food and service was definitely NOT worth 42 dollars a person. (We went for lunch). It seems as though they pay more attention to groups then just a few people at a table. Hardly any waiters or the meat servers paid attention to us plus they had an attitude problem. Barely anything at the salad bar. We ended up leaving 45 min after arriving. Just wasn't the same experience we had the first time we went. NOW FOR THE REASON I HOPE THIS RESTAURANT NEVER HAS ANOTHER CUSTOMER. When we got our car back we paid the valet and as we were exiting we noticed one side mirror completely out of its socket and hanging. We drove back and made a huge scene to which the valet responded by being sarcastic and trying to be "smart" with us and started pointing out other scratches on the car saying "oh look at these it's obvious you've had a few scratches and that's one of them" his name is Ramone and has the worst customer service skills ever and we got a claim form and are definitely going to call the company. Also, when we went inside the restaurant to speak to a Genreal manager (Victor) came out and started defending the valets and accusing us saying its an old damage, WHEN ITS STILL A BRAND NEW CAR!!!! Honestly, I'm writing this on the car ride home and after seeing my mom in tears because of how they blatantly accused us of lying, I seriously despise this place. I always hear horror stories of bad valet experience but you never think it can happen to you. My family and I wanted to ring in the new year and my moms birthday with a good time together and left with a headache. I know these experiences aren't happening all the time but its evident that it happens and we regret going and I hope they lose business because I couldn't care less due to how they treated us. Save your money. There are actual quality restaurants on that same street.
(1)Gene X.
Ate here with my parents on New Years Eve and all three of us got sick immediately following the meal with bad stomach pains that lasted well into the morning. As all of us became ill, it must have been something funky this restaurant served us. Because of this, I won't ever go to this restaurant again. (Irrespective of the food poisoning, the meat was just so-so as it was fairly low quality.)
(1)Tiffany C.
So my second Brazilian Barbecue meal of the week took me to Fogo de Chao. My boyfriend decided to surprise me for my birthday by taking me here to eat, not knowing that we were going to eat at Porto Alegre only two nights before! Although we had made reservations on a Sunday evening for 7:30, we were running late and called to ask if we could move it back by half an hour. The hostess said, "sure, not a problem!" starting the night off on a good note. When we arrived, we realized that the parking lot was quite big. Not sure if there is any parking if you don't valet, but you might as well if you're going to spend $$$$ on a meal. There were a lot of people waiting for tables, but because we had made a reservation (and because we were only a party of 2), we were able to get seated faster. The only thing my boyfriend and disliked was our table. We were seated near the salad bar, but right at the entrance to the kitchen in the middle of the dining area. There were tables on either side of us, which made it feel less private. Next time, should probably request a table by the wall or something! I felt like the tables next to us kept looking at us, but at the same time, I kept looking at them because the people who were seated around us were so fascinating to watch! The man who sat us down was incredibly nice as he explained how things worked at Fogo. He told us to go for the salad bar, but at the same time we would be getting the side dishes of the cheese bread, mashed potatoes, polenta and caramelized bananas. The plates are taken away quickly and replaced with new ones so fast, that I had to tell them to stop. I only really liked the mashed potatoes. Drinks were also served, so all these things on our table really made it feel cluttered. There was nowhere for the waiter to put down the slab of meat! Anyway, the salad bar at Fogo really outshines Libra and Porto Alegre. My friend said that at Fogo, they have this really good kind of lettuce, and they also have really soft bread. Lots of other stuff, but I stuck to the basics. Then the meat came around. You are given a little card that indicates whether you are up for more meat or you are done and need to rest. I tried a lot of different kinds of meat, and I really tried to slow down eating by taking breaks. My favorite out of all of them was the garlic beef. The chicken was also pretty good. The other choices were okay, but nothing out of the ordinary. I have to say that the service of Fogo really outshines the other Brazilian bbq joints. I felt very welcomed and the waiter even took the time to notice what we were doing. My boyfriend was taking pictures of me and the waiter voluntarily asked if we wanted a picture. Later, my boyfriend was scrolling through Fogo's page on Yelp looking at the pictures for a better look at the desserts, and the same waiter brought him a menu and told him that that would be much easier for him! So after all the meat, we decided to order a Papaya Cream, which is their signature dessert. It came out on a pretty little platter with an orchid (I think) next to it. They also poured some dessert wine or something into the papaya cream, asking us to tell them when to stop. I am not a fan of papaya at all, but that papaya cream was really good! Incredibly refreshing after all that meat! My friend actually told me that she really liked the strawberry cream, so that one must be pretty out of the world, too! Overall, it is a great experience to dine here at least once. Because there are so many tables and other tables are so close to you, it's not as romantic as I thought it was going to be. I could barely talk to my boyfriend, let alone hear what he was saying! For the price of the meal, I think the meat could be a little better, the cheese bread a little tastier, and there really needs to be the roasted pineapple with cinnamon here! If they have Fogo for Dine LA, I definitely recommend people to take advantage of that because you pay less for about the same overall experience. Valet is $5.50 and they have little packets of dark Belgium chocolates and matches that you can take by the door. Everybody is quite friendly. We were given the check before we asked for it, but I think that was because they were in need of tables as the restaurant was very busy that night. Will probably be back one day for a special occasion! I was curious if they did anything for birthdays (as it was mine), but I didn't see anybody write anything about that on Yelp, so I decided not to ask aha. In comparison to Porto and Libra, I definitely think the cheese bread at Libra is the best, the salad bar at Fogo is the best and the meat is good at both Libra and Fogo (with Libra being a little bit higher because of the pineapple). But the service at Fogo surpasses the other two. I even saw people ask for boxes here to take home some of their leftovers.
(4)jase a.
Greaaaaat!!!!!!best lamb I've had better than the boxwood grill(chef Ramses place)this is a must go for meat lovers!
(5)Cate W.
Fogo de Chao is the best. The price is high, but you'll get your money's worth if you have a big appetite. You'll start out with fresh, warm cheesey popover type things. They are to die for. Even though you should save room for other things, you can ask for as many refills as you want and the wait staff won't give you wierd looks. You will then be brought out fried polenta (amazing), mashed potatoes (amazing according to my friends who like mashed potatoes), and caramelized plantains (amazing). You can also request rice and beans. You can take a trip to the salad bar at any time. It is the most bomb salad bar - from hearts of palm to artichoke hearts to aged cheese, this salad bar has all things grand. If you're feeling on the lighter side, you can opt to just do the salad bar. Next comes the main course: Men (I think only men) walk around with hunks of meat on metal skewers. The meat is so well seasoned and so tender. And you can have as much as you want. I've never been able to make it to dessert, but if the previous two courses are any indication I'm sure they are divine. Fogo is definitely not a restaurant I could go to more than once a year, but when I do, the experience is always superb.
(5)Chris H.
Craving for meat? Fogo it is. $5 valet parking. Off to the front for our reservation. We were seated after a 5 minute wait. That is enough time to appreciate the decor and ambiance of the place. The waiter was nice enough to explain to us how things work in their restaurant. They have those coaster-like things colored red one side and green on the other. Green if you want more meat, red means stop. I was impressed by their salad bar. They have cheeses and deli meat and veggies and salads... So much stuff to chose from. What I forgot was that of course the veggies would be cold after sitting there for a while. I was pretty disappointed when I took the first bite off of the asparagus. Oh, well. Pão de Queijo - In English, Cheese Bread. Amazing. Yes, it tasted fried and absolutely not healthy but who cares. The texture reminds me of those chinese sticky rice balls except there is a tiny hint of cheese each time you chew. It was really good. Caramelized banana - Came out too mushy but the taste was perfect if eaten with ... Linguica (sausage) - Too salty for my taste that's why it was perfect when paired with something sweet. Picanha - Top Sirloin. Pretty good, nicely flavored on top. Ancho - Rib Eye. As stated in their menu, this meat IS lightly seasoned and tender. Lombo - Pork Loin covered in cheese. One of my faves. The cheese does not overpower the meat. Everything else sort of blended together for me. The lamb was good if you get it medium. I tried it rare, too, but was too gamey for my taste. Caipirinha - came out too strong for me but that could be because I don't really drink and I was on a cleanse for 4 days prior to dining here. I was sleepy after drinking 1/4 of the glass. Overall: Ambiance - 4 stars if you go with friends and family, 3 if its a date; the place is too noisy for a romantic date. Decor - 4 stars Food - 4 stars Service - 5 stars
(4)David F.
When entering the restaurant, I had a feeling it was going to be a good experience. Greeting you when entering is the tall wine rack, high ceilings, an appealing decor, and the smell of the delicious meat you'll be enjoying. They have a menu with the meat selection, but after the first bite you'll forget which one you want, go "f&*! it', and eat all of it. If you want a particular meat, let them know and they'll send that server to you (why can't dim sum places do that?!). Fogo is a restaurant that's worth trying. Though pricey, you are paying for a wonderful experience and delicious meal.
(4)Re D.
This is by far the worst Fogo de Chão I have even been to, and I am unsure if it was a once time issue of if they consistently offer terrible steaks. Either way, it is not worth a second try. The waiters were great and attentive, the salad bar was decent, but the steaks, the reason why people visit a Brazilian barbecue restaurant, were terrible! The filet mignon was certainly not what was advertised and despite believing that the first piece that I got was the one bad piece, I tried at least 5 more pieces and they were all inedible, not even the knife could cut a few of the "filet mignon" steaks. I insisted trying different steaks, all less than fair, unlikely all my previous experiences at other Fogo locations, which were amazing. Waiters: 4 stars Salad bar: 3.5 Steaks: 0
(2)Tim C.
The meat is not bad, but I'd have to say that this place is a bit overrated. It's pretty fancy and the service is good (plus they've got those chocolate mints by the entrance for when you're leaving....I grabbed a couple of those...), but it's pretty much just salad and many meats, no desert or anything. The Fogo Caipirinha was pretty good too. It's easy to get carried away and want all the meat, but I found it best to get one at a time since it's easy to have five different meats on your plate by the time you finish eating just one piece.
(4)Mike L.
Went to fogo de chao last night. Very busy atmosphere but excellent meat quality. In my opinion, the chicken was the best. They also have one of the best pao de queijo. Took off one star because when we were paying we told our waiter its 2 meat and 1 salad bar salad only, cause my mom doesn't eat meat. Then he jokingly said, "are you sure?" Yeah I'm sure, she's vegetarian... The dry humor was awkward.
(4)John K.
I think one of the previous comments mentioned that this place rates themselves and I'm beginning to believe it. This place is more gimmicks than good food. I would probably not come back.
(2)Julie K.
Great salad bar. Great meat... I come once a year for a xmas party and really enjoy it. The same staff.. Happy people who know to take care of people. (Just don't eat the day before, or the day after lol)
(4)Hillery G.
Excellent - there are a lot of meat choices - I think more than any other Brazilian BBQ. My favorite was the skirt steak. The salad bar was also phenomenal.
(5)Paige A.
Eh. The meats were pretty mediocre. I'm used to Argentine Steakhouses, where the meat is medium rare, juicy, and has great sauces. Here, the steak was well done, and wasn't seasoned. The sides weren't phenomenal either, although i did enjoy the fried bananas. All in all, its the type of place you go once, just for the experience (of never-ending meat on skewers!)
(2)Mia F.
Eww. So overrated. Last time I went the food was absolutely horrible and the service was even worse. Can't believe people still go there. Definitely a "tourist destination."
(1)Candy C.
I have been here several times ,amazing salad bar. meat quality are downgrading, but still a decent place for celebration/gathering.
(3)Benson T.
DO NOT COME FOR DINE LA. It was definitely not worth the price. Overall, the meat was too salty, too dry, or both. You lose out on most of the menu for Dine LA. They give you the shitty meats. Not worth it for $45. Picanha was the best cut by far. It was fatty, juicy, and flavorful but we rarely got to see it. It ended up being the last meat we tried. By the end, we were too full to eat anymore of it. Alcatra was just dry and salty. Fraldinha was by far the saltiest. Cordeiro was the lamb leg. Kinda tough for medium rare. Rest was just crap. The sausage was just sausage. The bacon wrapped chicken breast was dry as hell. I would have much rather spent the $45 on Ruth Chris TBO.
(2)Wilson L.
Fogo is definitely a great restaurant, the ambiance and waiters here are top notch. It's located on the edge of Beverly Hills and if you don't make a reservation be prepared to wait a while. The lines get pretty long here. I did the dineLA so we got the free salad bar which was great because you're eating so much meat you need the salad to off-set all the delicious red meat you'll be eating. You get a little circle card that is either green or red which basically means if you want more meat you turn it over to green and vice versa. There's about 5-7 different type of meats but I only got about 3-4 this night. My favorite was without a doubt the Picanha, it was so soft and flavorable that it melted in my mouth. After eating that, all the other meats were a pale in comparison. Also, the cheese bread is really good, they gave us caramelized bananas also but it wasn't that good.
(4)Grace C.
I've heard good things from others about Fogo, so when DineLA came around this time of the year, the first place I booked with Fogo on a Friday night at 7 pm. Due to traffic, we ended up arriving close to 7:30 pm, but they were still able to seat us with a slight 10 minute wait. Awesome! The ambiance of this place is pretty nice, very date-like but also sorta noisy. What's impressive is the high ceilings with wine bottles stacked up to the top. Tables are really close to each other (likely to maximize seating) so there were times when people would be using our table for balance when passing by. The salad bar is stocked with your cold cuts and cheeses, salads, grilled vegetables, and bread. The chilled mushrooms and priscutto were my favorites. The meat was so good--the Parmesan pork loin (lombo), the pork sausage (linguica), the pork ribs, and the bacon wrapped chicken. I ended up not really liking the Picanha since I got super chewy pieces, making it hard to cut and eat. The super standout of this meal, and usually of any meal I have at a Brazilian steakhouse, is the pão de queijo (warm cheese bread). I wished I could've consumed at least 5 baskets full if I wasn't so full with everything else. They also provide crispy polenta, garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas for refillable sides. They were good distractions, but I did miss having the grilled pineapple that every other place had! The caramelized bananas are not a substitute for grilled pineapple! =( The lot next to the entrance is valet only ($5.50). Very limited street parking if you are adventurous. Didn't realize how close Fogo is to the Stinking Rose either. Considering coming back, but I really want my pineapple. =/
(4)Marie N.
Overrated and expensive! Save your money and head over to MGrill. For just a few bucks less, you get better quality food, amazing salad bar and much more meat options! The service was average. It seemed like they kept on coming around w/ the garlic pork chops and none of their more expensive cuts of meats. I was looking forward to having chicken hearts, as that is what's popular at most Brazilian places, and to my disappointment, they don't serve it at Fogo. The salad bar was subpar. I like to balance my protein w/ greens, but there was nothing appetizing there whatsoever. I ate less meat than I would have liked, and I hated that there wasn't much to choose from...Hmph!!!! The only positive thing was I liked the lively ambience and the drinks were good and strong! I was buzzed off just one drink surprisingly. My favorite was the capriniha and the mango refresher.
(3)Jay C.
Wow. It's truly expensive but if I ever have a meat craving I would come back here. Screw ordering a $50+ cut of meat when you can have it all? That's what I love about Fogo de Chao...you have an opportunity to get everything you want! And if you aren't satisfied with the temperature of the food, just say no and wait for a better cooked option to come by! I loved the calf...
(5)Elly C.
You cannot go wrong with Fogo de Chao. If you can't roll with AYCE Brazilian BBQ, we can't be friends. The restaurant is located on Restaurant Row on La Cienega (where there's ample street parking btw). It is located on a busy street, but there's a nice valet parking lot where you can leave you car. When you walk in, there's almost no wait time and the hostess gets straight to business. Seats us with the menus and leaves. Waiter comes immediately and asks if we know how "it" works. So, here's how "it" works. At most AYCE Brazilian BBQ restaurants, you are given a magic stop and go sign. Green light (go) means more meat. Red light (stop) means I need to take a break. It's pretty clear; a 5 year old could understand how it works. After you get past this, immediately the waiters come rushing at you with large trophy sized deliciously prepared meat. Here's a tip: take it slow, and don't over-eatbecause its ayce. If it's your first time, try a little bit of everything and find your favorite choices of meat. They also have a great salad bar in the middle of the room and bowls of bread and plates of plantain at your table (amazing btw). I would say lunch is a better deal than dinner, it's cheaper and it's pretty much the same selection. Food is amazing and worth a visit.
(4)Tiffany V.
Fogo de Chao is well know for their ayce (all you can eat Brazilian meat). Wow service was awesome. They were attentive and always would ask if you wanted refills. This is what I call great customer service!Valet parking is $5 which is cheap! When I walk in i notice the beautiful waterfall near the front entrance. Once I was inside it was dark but one thing that caught my eye was the wine cellar that was so tall. When I got to my table I notice on table the servers quickly place some Yucca- It looks like french toast but taste like french fries Mash potatoes- Didn't taste good and was plain Cheese bread- GAWWH HOT AND CRISPY. When I bite in I could taste the gooey cheese goodness! Caramelized Banana- This was delicious! My table keep asking the server for more of this. I probably ate like 4 banana because it made me banana crazy! I also order a Guaraná Antarctica which is a Brazilian soda that was amazing!!! This drink is a must if you decide to come here! I came here for the $45 dinela special. Just to let you know that this deal have a limited amount of meat in the package and the full access of the salad bar.The salad bar is not all that here are some things I tried from the salad bar Smoked Salmon-It didn't have any flavor. The texture was chewy and not tasty at all Cesar salad- Taste like a regular Cesar salad nothing special Cheese- Yumm it was smooth in my mouth. My palette were in heaven Prosciutto- I'm not sure if it's is suppose to be salty but it was like someone throw a tablespoon of salt on my tongue. The meat that is included in 8 types of meats which are Picanha-is a prime cut of top sirloin. The picanha cut is very popular here and severd flavor in garlic This was my favorite kind of cut. The flavors melt in your mouth and the garlic give this meat a kick Cordeiro- is lamb leg slice from the bone Eww Eww Eww this meat was horrible sorry but I did't it to taste so rubber. When I bite into it it had a funky smell. I have eaten lamb before but the one from fogo wasn't something I would try again. Frango- Tender Chicken breast wrap in bacon Uhhh this chicken wasn't tender at all! It super dry and the bacon didn't have flavor. Linguica- Robust pork sausage- This was pretty good the pork was tender. Costela de Porco (Pork Ribs)- dry dry dry! Idk if it was suppose to be cook like that but all I tasted was charcoal. I believe they put it in the cooker for too long Lombo (Pork Loin) with Parmesan cheese I didn't try it because it look gross. Alcatra (Top Sirloin)- It was okay but I won't get it again Fraldinha (Bottom Sirloin)- Tasty but they overdid the salt Overall experience- I like it because it was something different I never tried. Service was wonderful and the food was just okay. Personally I won't go here again I don't think it worth it and the meat wasn't what I expected but hey if you want to go try it go ahead everyone have different taste so I encourage newbies who never ate here before to give it a shot!
(3)Bita N.
Do not go during LA dine in week. They have horrible service and the food selection isn't that good. Most of the options is pork.
(2)Liana L.
I wanted to try this restaurant for the first time because of DineLa and because a lot of people say great things about the restaurant. We arrived 15 minutes early and they were kind of enough accommodate us. Were we sat was very cramped. My chair was constantly getting hit throughout the night. They started us off with Brazilian cheese bread, caramelized bananas, garlic mash potatoes, and crispy polenta. This was replenished throughout the night, which was nice. I really liked the cheese bread because it was light a fluffy. The caramelized bananas were pretty good compared to other places I've tried. Garlic mash was not that great. It lacked a lot of flavor and kind of tasted like grits. Crispy polenta was pretty good. Salad Bar - Wide variety of foods and cheeses. Roasted garlic and Jalapeno mixed with vegetables were amazing. Big slices of smoked salmon. Here's a quick breakdown of how I felt about the menu: Picanha - BEST meat of the night! Very juicy and very tender. Alcatra - Dry and lacked flavor. I do not recommend. Fraldinha - Dry and lacked flavor. I do not recommend. Cordeiro - I'm not usually a fan of lamb because of the after taste but this was pretty good! Linguica - Waited all night for this to come around. Had to ask the waiter to bring it by but it wasn't as good as expected. It was WAY too salty. Costela de Porco - I was really excited to try this because c'mon it's pork covered in Parmesan cheese. Overall, it was very dry and didn't taste very good either. Lombo - Very dry! Frango - Dry and chicken lacked flavor Overall, I think this restaurant is hyped up. All the food was either dry or lacking flavor. I think Porto Alegre Churrascaria in Pasadena might be better. I wouldn't that I wouldn't recommend this restaurant because I honestly think that the reason why the food was mediocre was because of DineLA. I may consider trying it again in the future.
(2)John M.
I've decided to go to a few restaurants for DineLA and write a review for each of them. Fogo de Chao's up first! It's DineLA so reservations are absolutely necessary and you will still have to wait. The service was not so great. I'm guessing because they were so crowded. But still at $45 for my meal, I was hoping for better service (why I'm only giving four stars). The food was delicious. The buffet style salad bar and cheese bread were tasty, and I loved being able to try all of the meats. Overall this was a great experience. I'd like to come back after DineLA to give the service another chance.
(4)Alice L.
**This review is specifically for DineLA** What a disappointment! I've become increasingly disappointed with each Fogo DineLA experience. What's changed? First, their reservation system is pretty useless. I waited over an hour even with a reservation last time. I was pleasantly surprised that I only had to wait 20 minutes this time (I expected much worse). Second, the food options have changed. DineLA no longer comes with dessert and the meat selection is more limited (8 choices instead of the regular 11). I could've sworn they offered all meats in the past, but I could be wrong. Third, the overall experience has gone downhill. It was at least 20 minutes before the first meat server even came to our table after our salad plates were cleared! I felt like I had to flag them down each time! Now I understand there's high demand for Fogo during DineLA (at $45/person, you save about $15/person), but honestly, don't bite off more than you can chew. It was completely overbooked! Another complaint - if there are differences between the DineLA menu and the regular menu, don't have both options! Make these 2 weeks of DineLA just DineLA! We actually had a meat server tell us that the meat he was serving was for the regular menu only! I don't think I will ever go to Fogo again; definitely not for DineLA. Churrascaria is supposed to be a dining experience, but sadly, there was no experience to be had this time. When it's overly crowded and you have to work for your food, it's just not worth it. Fogo's only saving graces this time was the salad bar and the cheese bread, which were both awesome. Sad huh? I go to an AYCE churrascaria only to be impressed by veggies and bread. Don't get me wrong. Some of the meat was pretty good (esp. the picanha and the lamb), but not $45/person good. Parking is valet only for $5.50.
(2)Toa B.
We came by last night after having made reservations at 9pm but don't be fooled. During dineLA, reservations don't mean anything and expect a short wait (15-30mins) regardless, as was the case for us. But having read that in one of the reviews, we were expecting it. No surprises. However, a few people were taken aback after being told there would be a wait with the most common reaction being 'What is the point of making reservations if I still have to wait'. Once we were seated, the waiter explained to us how the processed work since it was our first time there. There is a self-service buffet type salad bar and 4 dishes (cheese bread, breaded polenta, mash potato, caramelized bananas) served table side, and meat carving waiters making their rounds. Salad Bar 5 stars for the smoked salmon that was so damn good. Seriously, I would have been just as happy and satisfied if that was all they served here. Smoked Salmon + Stuffed Olives + Bread. The 4 Dishes Brazilian Cheese Bread - The lady was in love with the bread. She ended up eating the entire basket. Breaded Polenta - Very interesting and pretty good. Looks and taste like thick fries. Mashed Potato - Very good as well. Silky smooth, no lumps at all. What else can you say. Caramelized Bananas - Not overly sweet and the banana was cooked perfectly. It was nice and firm. Good Stuff The Meats I'm not sure how many meat options are served here during the non DineLA weeks but as such, we got a chance to try out 8 meat types on this night. I must say, everything was exceptional minus the ribs. It did have a nice dry rub on it and full of flavor, unfortunately, it was quite dry. I didn't try the parmesan crusted pork loins since I'm adversed to any cheese other than mozzarella, but the GF said it was really good. The Service. Definitely a miss. Having been seated in the far corner of the restaurant, it took the meat carvers a while before they made it to our table. And there were times, the meat was already gone by the time they got to us. Secondly, we had to wait a good 20 minutes to have some refill our water. We had to get their attention a second time after the first waiter forgot about our water. All in all, it was a good meal and I thought it was worth the $45/per person DineLA price.
(4)AC S.
Lamb chops---yummy!!! So worth the price you paid for. Just make sure you are seated around the salad station, you get served meats more frequently than if you were further away.
(5)Adri R.
I have no complaints about a buffet style restaurant when they give you a stop/go sign to indicate to the servers that you want more meat! Fantastic salad bar with everything you can imagine. Can be very crowded so be sure you make your reservation!
(4)Jenny C.
A great restaurant deserves a great review and Fogo is definitely the best Brazilian steak house in LA. It's a gorgeous restaurant down the street from the Beverly Center. You have to make reservations. There's no way around it. It's a must or you'll be waiting hours. Here are some of my favorite items. Meat- this is Carnivore heaven. Please don't spend your money here if your vegetarian. You can't really enjoy it if you cant savor these delicious meats. There's a huge selection. You can have lamb, filet Mignon, ribs, sirlion, pork, heart, sausages, chicken and its all quality meat. My two favorites are the filet Mignon, it's so tender and juicy, you can't just have one cut. The pork loin (lombo) with the encrusted Parmesan cheese is so delicious. I could eat that entire loin by myself. All the meats are delicious, but that loin is just perfect. The bacon wrapped chicken breast are also fantastic. Everything taste good with bacon! And the top sirloin, it's so juicy, tender, and flavorful another great meat choice. Salad bar- everything is fresh here. They have a large variety of salads, fruits, and deli meats like Salami. My husband loved the salami. It was fresh and had great quality. The salad bar was so neat and organized. I appreciated their attention to detail. Plantains- the plantains, mashed potatoes, and the fried polenta is brought to the table at the beginning of the meal. The plantains were my favorite of the three. They were Caramelized so nicely, they were very appetizing. Rolls- they come out in a basket and i believe their french bread rolls that are warm with cheese inside. I can't pinpoint the exact cheese, but they're so tasty. They actually gave us a basket of these while we waited to seated which I thought was a nice gesture. Dessert- skip the chocolate molten cake. Chills is better lol. It was dry. I should have ordered the flan. Make this a dress up night too. Ladies, wear stretchy pants or a loose dress, your going to need the room! Enjoy! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Desiree Michelle M.
My all time favorite place for steak! Actually for Brazilian or Argentinian flavor. They have the best Argentinian sausage I have ever had. Basically anybody will find something that they want. They have more then just steaks and yes a bit on the pricey side but you get what you pay for and it's all worth it! Great quality and quantity. Can't wait to go back already. Also going for lunch is a good id you don't want to spend too much money.
(5)Kearan M.
We went to Fogo last night for Dine LA week. We decided to invite a group of our friends, as they have never been there before. The service started good, but as the night went on the service suffered. We honestly waited over 30-minutes for meats to come out. We called the manager twice to see why it was taking so long. She said it was coming out shortly (30 minutes later and still NO meat). It just became comical, as we all waited for the meats to come out. Finally, when the meats came out - we were done and just wanted to go. It took another 20 minutes to get the check and 15 minutes more to have them charge the credit card. The service was HORRIBLE. All in all - $400 later and it was a horrible experience. We have been there in the past and always had a good dining experience. Unfortunately, they could not handle the demand of Dine LA. And, honestly did not seem to concerned as we inquired about the slow service but management seemed unconcerned.
(1)Betty L.
Food was great, service was great, everything was great!!! Would def come again!!!
(5)Rob P.
I came here for my buddy's wife's birthday. I was both looking forward to going (as I have wanted to go for a long time) and mildly terrified (because I knew I was going to consume way more meat that I probably should have). The final verdict...Fogo de Chao was mostly what I was expecting. The meat was flowing out like wine and it was well above average in taste and quality. The specialty drink were terrific and very strong and the service was very good. I wish I could recount every cut of meat that I had, but Ill just hit some highlights and lowlights. As with every Brazilian meat place you are going to get a range of meats (at a range of quality, unfortunatly). Some will be amazing and some will just be ok. For the most part, the meats here ranged from ok-pretty good to damn that was tasty. The ribs were great, as was the ribeye and bacon wrapped filet. The thing that I found the most disappointing was the differing quality between some of the same cuts that were circulating. For example, I skipped on the first pass of the ribeye and my buddy thought it was a touch dry. I got the second passing of it and thought it blew my mind. I couldn't convince my friend that it was good until I gave him a chunk of mine. This happened more than it should have here... and at the price we were paying per head, that shouldn't happen that often on a Saturday night. Other than that, it was a very pleasant experience.
(4)Gary K.
Don't bother looking for parking, just valet and get your grub on. A bit pricey but well worth it, ~$65/pp for dinner. Excellent salad bar but save it for last. Everything is fresh! When you're ready to eat some meat, flip your card to the green side, and when you want to stop and savor, just turn the card back over. The men walk the floor with different cuts of meat on a stake and you tell them how well-done of a cut you want and they'll cut it for you at your table. My top 3 meats, in order: beef rib, rib eye, filet mignon. The beef rib is pretty fatty, you can just feel everything just melt in your mouth, it's heavenly. The rib eye is actually better than the filet mignon, not as tough and has more flavor. You get 3 side dishes that are unlimited also: fried polenta, cheese bread, and fried plantains. The cheese bread is awesome, i've never had anything like it, so soft and fluffy, they're addicting. The polenta is also great, the plantains are so-so when compared to the other two. Excellent service, they'll clear your plates quickly and refill your water before it gets too low. Excellent food. Given the price and distance from my home, I like to try to pay a visit once a year. If i lived closer you'd find me here at least once a month!
(5)Kyle T.
My fiance and I went to dinner at Fogo De Chao on a Friday night in early 2013. Overall Fogo de Chao is good, but is overrated and over priced in comparison to other Brazilian BBQ places such as Porto Alegre in Pasadena and Gaucho's Village in Glendale. The place was pretty crowded with a diverse crowd. The salad bar area at Fogo De Chao is small and had long lines at it. Porto Alegre has a larger salad bar selection and I've never seen a line at Porto Alegre, Gaucho's Village, or Greenfield. I also did not enjoy the dessert bananas as much as those offered at Porto Alegre and Gaucho's Village. I was pretty happy with the meat selection and the quality of the meat. Our waiter abandoned us for a good 30 minutes, which we didn't mind too much since we were in a good mood. When I flagged down a different waiter, he brought a free dessert, which he misidentified as being tiramisu when it was actually a flan. The valet also helped him to a piece of gum from my car and left part of the empty box foil on my car seat. Although it's just a piece of gum, this is not a good sign when a valet feels entitled to take something from your car like that and doesn't even dispose of the evidence properly. In summation, if you can get someone else to pay for the meal, like for instance expensing the meal on a business trip, then Fogo de Chao is a good place to go. In the scheme of Brazilian BBQ restaurants, however, Fogo de Chao is pricier than what it should be.
(3)Elsa T.
It was ok, the food was good, service was fast, salad bar awesome. Place is busy I would recommend you make reservations.
(3)Tiffany D.
If you're looking to try great meats this is the place for you! Instead of having to pay $40 something for a small piece of meat somewhere you're paying to really get the experience and get to try different cuts! The service overall is great, everyone is super attentive and seem to genuinely want you to have a great experience! If you're a salad person which I am, this resturaunt has such a great variety of choices at the salad bar! Now to the desserts... Where to start! Oh yah the FLAN oh my it is heavenly! one of the best I've ever tried! You also can't go wrong with the molten chocolate cake! If you have a chance to dine here I'd take it! Not to mention what pretty hostesses they have haha
(5)Joseph D.
Went to Fogo to celebrate my wife's bday. We opted for lunch so I'm not sure if the salad selections change. Anyways if you're coming from the east side of SoCal, I would recommend taking the 10 and making your way up La Cienega versus coming from the 101 - yes, I know I just went all "The Californians" by giving you directions. Anyways if it's lunch time, opt for the street parking. There's a 2 hour max at a rate of $1 an hour, but there's enough out there you can just bounce around different spots. To really enjoy the experience, we took about 2 1/2 hours. The food is great, unlimited sides of polenta sticks, mashed potatoes (more broth than milk or cream, still very good) and caramelized bananas. My wife enjoyed their small rolls too, guessing there was a hint of cheese inside. The meats were amazing. The chicken wrapped in bacon were a little bit dry, but hey it's white meat so it's an A for effort. The picanha was the best, especially the end pieces which had the most flavor. To wash the food down we shared a large pitcher of the sangria. Not too bad, but a large costs you $36, which is a bit expensive for what you get. The complimentary bday dessert was good, you can't really mess up a chocolate lava cake. The ice cream had vanilla bean in it too, so that was a treat too. And thankfully they didn't sing or clap while hovering around our table. All in all it was a great experience. Use the reservation tool in Yelp, it's much easier than using the one on Fogo's official site. The Yelp tool also allows you to submit any comments or special requests. Also just grit your teeth and dress up a little. The only people there that wear jeans were guys who've never been laid.
(5)Kimmy C.
My baby sister turned 30 (gags.. GOD I'M OLD).. and I decided to host the event here since she's paleo-centric, and it's a decade milemarker birthday celebration. I made reservations well in advance, and they were very good at updating our reservation numbers and ensuring that we had a semi-private location to host the event (I actually think we ended up in a private room!). Despite a group of nearly 25 attendees and being in a room that was away from the main dining room floor, the service and staff of Fogo de Chao made for an excellent dinner party. **Special kudos to our head waiter: Mr. Luis, and his brother - Kappa.** I am familiar with this chain of restaurants and this particular location, so there weren't too many surprises. Generally, my experience turns on the service received and the quality of the meats rotating on the floor. Our head waiter, Luis, was fantastic. He ensured that everyone had as much water, cheese bread, plantains and mashed potatoes we could ever want. He also directed the men with spears of meat to our room in the back to ensure we had a continuous flow of meat. He also helped to ensure that we had plenty of drinks, and he helped to coordinate the cake we brought. Overall, dining at Fogo for dinner is a treat. It is a very expensive experience, but you are notice prior to arrival - especially for dinner- so it's hard to complain about the price despite being exorbitant. I recommend not eating lunch, wearing stretchy clothing, and prepare for the meat sweats. Call in advance for large parties and expect to pay at least $80 a head for dinner. If you are seeking to experience Fogo de Chao for the first time, come for lunch. You get the same foods but at half the cost. Thank you to Luis and Kappa for making the birthday celebration a success. Recommend this establishment.
(5)Courtney H.
OMGOMGOMGSOGOOD Salad bar is amazing, the meat is amazing. Try the house special. The servers are cool too!
(5)Carla M.
Loved it ! I went for my bday last year and have to say they have great steak . The food was delicious , unfortunately i did not give them 5 stars because although I had reservations , they took forever to take us to our table , plus when they did waiters were breaking dishes in the back , let's say they need more training for being in Beverly Hills
(4)Kevin B.
Fogo is awesome. I've been to this one and one in Chicago. I've been to this one in Beverly Hills a dozen times with family, friends and clients. I just took clients last earlier this week - and as always this place is as good as ever. The service is top notch, the salad bar is amazing, and the meats are excellent. I wish I could eat more. I really cannot think of a negative other than there isn't one right down the street from my house. Probably a good thing because I'd be there 5 times a week and weigh 400 pounds! lol
(5)Jennifer N.
Came here on the Saturday during valentines weekend. It was super packed! Luckily we made reservations ahead of time. We had reservations at 730pm but we somehow arrived 30 mins early. I alerted the hostess that we were there and they had us seated fifteen mins later! Everything was fresh at the salad buffet bar. It had kale, asparagus, chicken salad, smoked salmon, etc. So I am a really picky eater and I prefer my food well-done. I felt bad having to ask the servers for well done because they took my piece back and had it cooked for longer. My favorite was the filet mignon! The servers constantly came back to offer more meat. They also have a pamphlet at the table to describe each cut of meat as well as the servers were willing to spend a little time to describe it. It was definitely a treat to come here. On the bummer side, they serve you little glass bottles of soda, so there are no refills! Not that you should waste your stomach space on drinks. Also, since we came on valentines weekend, they gave us a complimentary meal card for next time. How nice!
(4)Mindy Y.
Experienced Fogo de Chao for the first time last night, and oh man where have I been? Endless servings of premium meat served hot and right onto your plate. The entire meal was heavenly. They already got me fantasizing about their house special, Picanha. So tender and flavorful..that was definitely the winner of the night. This place gets pretty hectic with staff members running around all over the place. The service was actually far more attentive than expected especially for a Saturday night's full house. A little on the pushy side I might even add. But all in all, I felt the experience was phenomenal and this place deserves to be on everyone's bucket list.
(5)Shane H.
Fogo de Chao is a must try restaurant! They bring you a dozen or so type of meats everything from some very delicious lamb to bacon wrapped filet migon! The cheese rolls they bring out are out of this world. Awesome place to take your date but being a meat lover wouldn't hurt :)
(5)Abraham G.
This place is great just read all reviews. Been here over half dozen times and its still great worth the drive.
(5)Bill C.
Enjoyed my self at San Diego location ... Very friendly stuff food is better the Beverly Hill location.
(4)Tia L.
Fogo wins! I love this place. I have been to several Brazilian steakhouses and Fogo is the leader. The service from the bar to the dining room was impeccable. I don't really know where to start with the food, it was all so damn good. Thier cheese bread is the best, so hot and chewy. Anyways, what can I say that has not already been said about this place...? It is a little pricey, but not unexpected for what you are getting.
(5)Nathan R.
I hope that the food would be better for how much you have to pay. The meats are great, but for the price it just doesnt seem worth it.
(3)Sam L.
Came here with a friend for lunch during dineLA week, which was $25/person! One of the best dineLA deals in my opinion :) (+): - All meals come with pao de queijo (cheese bread) (SO.DELICIOUS.), garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas, and polenta. You are also granted entrance to the salad bar of supreme awesomeness, which includes a GIANT wheel of parmesan, a variety of cured meats, random veggies (squash, hearts of palm, asparagus, etc.), fresh mozzarella balls, and oh yes, giant pieces of crispy BACON. - Picanha (top sirloin): crispy, perfectly salted/seasoned, juicy (I'm salivating right now as I type it) - Filet Mignon: Perfectly tender and very flavorful, and get this.. it's BACON-wrapped!! awesome. Only thing that would make it even better would be if it was dipped in chocolate! jk. (yeah, that sounds pretty gross) - Cordeiro (lamb): the lamb leg was alright. BUT, they had perfectly grilled & seasoned lamb chops! Because the chops are relatively small, you maximize surface area of seasoning to volume of meat, which equals maximum flaVOR. I had to employ much self-control to avoid consuming too much of this meat! (-): - Crispy polenta cakes were too dry for me. They look really delicious, but weren't that impressive when I tasted them. No matter, for what do I see beside the polenta ? Oh yeah, my buddy Mr. CHEESE BREAD. - Bottom sirloin: wasn't bad, just satisfactory - not as well seasoned or cooked as the other cuts - No dessert included in the dineLA deal (it was included last yr) - then again, I probably couldn't have eaten any more food beyond that point - Valet Parking - $5.50 - Okay, I know this is probably not that much for parking, especially in Beverly Hills, but still... Suggestions: - Omnivores and carnivores only! Not for the herbivorous species :P - You may be tempted to fill your stomach with the delicious side dishes, but you must resist! Save that stomach space for the tantalizing meat!! - If for some reason the waiters keep ignoring you, your card is probably flipped over to the red side (instead of green) :D
(5)Robert A.
So much meat, so little time. Is the meat good? Hell yeah; don't get it twisted. Most of what I ate was delicious -- particularly the filet mignon wrapped in bacon and the picanha (I think that's what it was called). I wasn't a fan however of the chicken (too salty) and one of my choices was very fatty. The salad bar was surprisingly small -- but I guess that's not a bad thing; they are distractions after all (you wanna keep your eyes on the meat and not fill up on sides). The service, though, was spot on. The waiters were ON IT the entire night, even though they were well aware we weren't paying full price. Let's just clear the air on Fogo de Chao: you're paying a LOT more here than at most other churrascarias because of the name and location. I mean, Beverly Hills isn't gonna offer you good food at an affordable price -- that would be unheard of! Is it worth it? Eh, I'm still on the fence on that one. As part of dineLA, it was deeply discounted (if you consider $45 a bargain) so I guess I shouldn't complain since the regular price is much higher. However, I don't see myself coming back unless I've got a coupon. I guess you could consider this a spot that all Angelenos should have on their bucket list of LA eateries. This way you can say, "You've never eaten at Fogo de Chao?" in a condescending, Beverly Hills-esque manner to your working class friends. Just make sure you save up your pennies and starve yourself ahead of time to make this visit worthwhile. PS: Did you know cowboys from Argentina and Brazil are both called Gauchos?...well, now you do.
(4)Jim S.
Yikes, I have to ding Fogo down to three stars after our visit today. The food was still very good, no problems there. However, I think coming during restaurant week was a mistake. The place was absolutely BONKERS with customers, and I don't think the grill could keep up. So, we'd get a few pieces of meat, then wait like 15 minutes for something else to come around. No fun. We also had to wait about 20 minutes for our 1 pm reservation. Our main waiter was also kind of a jerk - the table next to us spoke Portuguese to him, and received excellent service (new plates after each course, constant refills, etc.). We were never even asked if we wanted more water or rolls when our basket was empty, and had to flag down another waiter. Boo. Anyway, here's my opinion after two visits: 1. If you want high volume, pretty good food, come to Fogo. Favorite meats are the pichana, flank steak, and fiilet. 2. If you want high volume and saving $10 per person means you're willing to put up with crappy service, come to Fogo during restaurant week. (Personally I'd rather pay full price without the insanity). 3. If you want great steak and good service (and are willing to pay a small premium), go to a steakhouse. This will likely be my choice next time we crave beef. Oh, and restaurant week no longer includes dessert.
(3)Janice F.
Came here for DineLA last night and it was totally worth $45. This place is THE place to go to get your dinner's mula worth! You can smell the meat from the outside. I was practically drooling when I pulled into the valet lot. The meats and sides came out right as we got seated. All the meats were tender and delicious. My favorites in order were: 1. Pichana 2. Garlic Beef 3. Lamb 4. Rib Eye 5. Chicken Some of the other meats that I not bother for a second round: 1. Bacon wrapped chicken 2. Filet Mignon which was also bacon wrapped. I wish this was on the medium or medium rare side, but it's cooked to well done because of the bacon. 3. Sausage I wanted to try the beef and the pork ribs but just couldn't fit it in anymore :( Dinner also came with 4 sides: 1. Cheesy bread- so gooey and melts in your mouth! Try not to eat too many of these because they will fill you up. 2. Fried polenta- didn't care much for. 3. Garlic mashed potatoes- was alright 4. Plantains- pretty good The salad bar was delicious as well. The smoked salmon and cheeses were very fresh so were all the veggies- asparagus, spinach, artichoke hearts, potato salad, tomatoes, mozzarella. The proschuitto and salami were also really good. The sangria was also delicious. We split a pitcher among 5 girls and we each got a nice full glass. It was sweet and the fruit was filled with alkie. Totally refreshing while chowing down on your meats. There is valet parking for $5 but I do suggest getting there 10 minutes before your reservation because this place is so busy, you may have to wait 15-20 minutes with reservations. I'll definitely be coming back for the next DineLA event :)
(5)AnnMarie T.
Went here for Dine-LA week and was a bit dissapointed overall. Had a 6:30 reservation and was seated very quickly. However, when I left at 8:30, the line/wait was out the door. So it appears that the later the reservation is, expect to wait a bit. The meat was delicious, the sides good, and the salad bar provided a good variety to compliment the meat. I felt like even during the Dine-LA week special price, it was still a bit overpriced for what I got. Only one person came to our table to give us meat. Any time there was anyone else giving out meat in the vicinity, we had to literally wave them down to get them to come to our table. A bit discouraging to have to beg for your food all night long. Got full off of sides and salad bar.
(3)Wes W.
DineLA opportunity. Brazlian BBQ for $25 bucks? That sounds pretty awesome for something that is normally on the expensive side. Perhaps it was hyped justttt a little bit. Fogo is definitely upscale, but honestly, most brazilian bbq's are so its a matter of how much you can shine. Theres crazier peacocks out there people. Salad bar: Nice, but like I mentioned above, theres more extravagant ones out there. Top 3 Meats given that day: RIb Eye, Fillet, Garlic steak - its good, but don't expect the quality like you'd get from a chophouse. I've had better cuts of meat at other B-BBQs. Cheesebread: I tend to eye these like a christmas turkey at any brazilian bbq place that has them. It was a little on the salty side =(. I tried four batches so we can account for a mysterious salt monkey in the kitchen. Environment: dim and clean. BUT, it smelled like a wet rag today. Service: DineLA created such an uproar that I think they weren't able to tend to everyone. I think I've been spoiled by other B-BBQs because they refilled (ie new plate) my sides after I've dug into it ONCE. Ridiculous huh? DOESN'T beat Chauma Gaucha in IL. But I guess Fogo's the best you can get here.
(3)Diana A.
came here for dine in LA lunch :) They have 16 kind of meats and salad bar. The servers are really helpful and I LOVE their CHEESE BUN!! YUMM so good!! their polenta is also really nice. It tastes like fried tofu for me haha.. The salad bar is not big and there is no fruit there :(. I would love to eat some fruit after all the meat to refresh my mouth but well ohh well minus 1star for that haha.. Overall it is a really nice place :)
(4)Justin A.
I first heard of Fogo De Chao a few years ago and it was immediately added to my restaurant bucket list. I decided to finally check it out for my recent Birthday dinner after years of hearing people rave about it, and I must tell you, the reputation of this place was spot on! This wasn't just my first time to Fogo but this was also my first time to a churrascaria, and I was completely blown away by the superb quality of all of the delicious meats that were perfectly executed! From various cuts of USDA Prime beef, to various lamb cuts, chicken, and Brazilian sausage. The salad bar isn't the biggest salad bar that you'll see, but the quality of the items on the salad bar was outstanding! You must pace yourself while eating, or as a few of my friends found out, you'll be full in a matter of minutes. The Passadores (meat waiters) will continually stop by your table and ask you if you'd like some more. Trust me people, this is a time where saying "no" every once in a while is a good thing. You have as long as you'd like to slowly enjoy all of the delicious items and I strongly suggest that you take your time and savor the flavors. And if you like to have a delicious alcoholic beverage you MUST try a Brazilian Caipirinha while you're there... It's amazing! I didn't just try one... I had 3! The service of the staff was amazing and extremely friendly. They'd stop and answer any question, and help assist you in selecting meats, alcoholic drinks, and helping make the experience of dining there as pleasurable as possible. I strongly recommend you try this place out. A few of my friends have been to other churrascaria's and they said that this one takes the cake.
(4)Brittany B.
I made a very big mistake of coming here hung over & not so hungry. Biggest mistake ever. I tried with all of my might to eat as much as I could, & to try a little bit of everything. I don't get the excitement over the bread they serve, I didn't think it was that great, I actually felt like it was a waste of stomach space when I can be eating juicy filet mignon. I tried a bite of all the meats, except the lamb & pork (not my thing). Absolutely amazing! Juicy & seasoned to perfection. The salad bar is pretty good. My boyfriend was very instrutional on what was okay to eat from the salad bar & what was not...so I only tried a limited amount of things, but everything I tried was good. The drinks were strong, which is exactly what I needed to help rid me of my terrible hang over...obviously the only way to cure a hang over is to get drunk again. I did have a first time experience here though; Creme Brule! AMAZING!! I don't really love sweets so much, but this little vanilla sugar surprise is my new favorite. The service here is also absolutely fantastic. Everybody is very attentive & very sweet. I can't wait to come back here, starving, & not feeling like a train wreck so I can experience this the way it should be experienced.
(4)maggie e.
We went on a Friday afternoon during Dine LA week and this place was packed! I heard the hostess say they had like 560 reservations for lunch that day. Overall, I think this is the best churrascaria I've been to. If you're a meat lover, this is a must try. The sides and salad bar were excellent. The wine was not expensive either. And for dessert, order the Tres Leches, it was heavenly! I would have given it 5 stars but Im giving it 4 only because I never like eating at churrascarias, I always feel disgustingly full after!
(4)Caye B.
The Price For DineLA, Fogo de Chao is a very safe bet - you know exactly what you'll get, and ou know it's a good bargain. For regular lunch, $35.50/regular dinner, $58.50. For dineLA lunch, $25/dineLA dinner, $45. That's $13.50 off for the same lunch and $13.50 off for the exact same dinner menu! A very smart pick if you're just looking for a dinner experience that stays true to the restaurant's usual dining experience, unlike some places that offer menu items that aren't even on the regular menu. And also, it's a better deal than crosstown Brazilian BBQ competitor MGrill, which is also delicious, but offers a regular-priced $45.50 at the same $45 dineLA price as Fogo. The Experience Had dinner reservations for 2 for 8PM Sunday night. Following advice from fellow Yelpers, checked out the residential area behind Fogo/Gyu-kaku and found street parking and saved ourselves the $5.50+tip valet. Arrived there 25 mins early, and we were warned it might take the full 25mins to be seated, but we got our seats like 10 mins later. The waitress/waiters were all prompt, helpful and friendly. The Meat Didn't come around overwhelmingly quickly, which was nice. The meat overall was good - definitely preferred some cuts over others. My favorites were the pincanha (house speciality), beef ancho (ribeye) and bacon wrapped filet mignon (!). Other ones I enjoyed were the cordeiro (lamb - be careful though, it has lots of fat chunks) and lombo (parmesan crusted pork). Missed out on the pork ribs - wish I had a chance to try that one. Compared to MGrill, I'd say the meat quality and taste is actually very similar. The Salad Bar Disappointing. I'd heard really great things about, so I was super excited - there wasn't much variety. I usually can't get enough of the salad bar and have to hold myself back - the only things I tried here were the mozzarella, prosciutto, smoked salmon and salami. All were OK, nothing special. Did I miss a whole other section or something? The Sides Cheese balls were phenomenal and addictive. Fried polenta was interesting, really enjoyed them! Mashed potatoes were whatevers, and the fried plantain was pretty good, but I only had a nibble. The Drinks We ordered a caipirinha ($8) and tropical caipirinha ($9.50), which were both $4 off their original prices for dineLA. Both were very stiff. I enjoyed the caipirinha, but if you're going go order it, make sure you like lime. This national drink of brazil is basically rum, sugarcane and lime. The tropical one was the same thing but with more fruits and allegedly more alcohol. All in all, I enjoyed my drink and thought it was worth the price for the punch it packed. The Dessert Somehow, we did it.. we went in for the signature full Papaya Cream (not on dineLA menu - $13). Served in a large cocktail glass, it was like papaya syrup mixed with slightly melting ice cream. The waitress poured a tasty raspberry liquor over it at our table. This was a win for me - I really recommend it if you have room left!! Overall, it was a good experience but I think I'd only come back here for a dineLA lunch. It was a nice experience, but if I want Brazilian BBQ, I think I might actually prefer MGrill in general. The meat was very similar, the salad bar had way more choices and the ambiance was more intimate and romantic over there. But yes, between the two this is def the better dineLA bargain!
(4)Rachel K.
This place is amazing! Extremely fast service and with a smile on their faces! Large variety of meats, poultry, and plenty of options at the salad bar. Best brazilian restaurant I've been to thus far!
(5)Jackie C.
I'd say its a solid 4.5 We came for dine LA so it was an amazing deal. Despite the deep discount all the servers were more than welcoming (I know they cant be ecstatic at the lower bills etc). The salad bar was very fresh and a nice start to the massive amounts of meat you consume later. My favorite meats were the picancha (?) mmm delicious! And the filet mignon. I thought everything else was GOOD except for the garlic beef, a bit too garlicky for my taste. As far as the side dishes go I didn't try the bananas but the mashed potatoes were a bit thin. The polenta however was AMAZING. I don't normally like polenta but I really liked this. I really like the IDEA of this place. its so fun and interactive while still seeming very luxurious. Between you building your own salad, interacting with the servers, holding the meat with your tongs while they cut or flipping your card- its a great place for fun memories and good conversation. It's a place I could see you going every few years to impress out of towners or a business partner, but not one of those places i would go for a yearly anniversary.
(5)Claudia B.
Fogo de Chao + DineLA = great opportunity to experience this Brazilian steakhouse. I've been hearing about this for years, so on my birthday, we went for lunch on the DineLA special rate. Even though we went at lunch time, we had a feast...and at a reduced fee. Even though we paid less, I'm sad to say, I didn't love it. Yes, that made it easier to leave without being pissed off. This place is incredibly expensive, so I would have been really irate if I had come for dinner and at full price. I didn't, so okay, it's just one of those things. I really wanted to love it, but I just didn't. The idea is great, men dressed in gaucho clothing walk around with huge skewers of beef, pork, lamb and chicken. They have different kinds of each, it all looked great, but looks can be deceiving. I found the beef to be a little overcooked for my liking, and the worst part, it wasn't all that well seasoned, and THAT is what South American beef is known for.... Argentinian, Brazilian, take your pick..... they are known for OUTSTANDING kick-ass flavor and tenderness. I've had a few dining experiences with this, and I've come to expect this outstanding flavor and texture. Fogo let me down in a big way, and I wasn't prepared for that since everyone else seems to rave about it. Second disappointment is that I PURPOSELY took very little at the salad bar, so that I wouldn't fill up too much on that in anticipation of the parade of meat and poultry, along with several side dishes. Although we sampled some of each protein on a skewer, after one bite, I didn't eat anymore because it either had no flavor, or it was too dry. As for the side dishes, the mashed potatoes tasted like they were made from a box of Idahoan dried potato flakes, and the crispy polenta was dry. As for the plantains, they were mushy and too sweet for my liking. I prefer the more firm, less sweet version of plantains. These tasted like warm, overcooked bananas. Ironically, it's the salad bar that I truly loved and would have eaten gluttonous portions of especially the chicken salad, asparagus, mozzarella, and my personal favorite, the smoked salmon. That alone would have been worth the $28.50 they normally charge for a salad bar only. The salad bar was divine. It looked beautiful, and it tasted even better. I simply regret my choices. Here, I was playing it smart and really watching how much I ate of the salad bar, and I ended up not eating that much of the main entrees and side dishes. Let's just say, at least I didn't leave there feeling like I needed to be rolled out. I suppose that's good. They're getting 3 stars outta me because I loved the salad bar.....but they would have gotten much less because of the entree/side dish issues. So, the question I always ask myself when I leave a place after visiting for the first time, is whether I will return. With Fogo de Chao, I don't really know. It's terribly expensive, and if I just eat their salad bar, okay, I would get full and be really happy......but $28.50 is a lot to spend on a salad bar, although a great one. I guess it'll depend. If we're dining with others, and they want to go to Fogo, okay, I'd go.....but on my own? Just not sure. So many other dining opportunities out there. I'm really glad I finally got to eat here and with the DineLA deal, but the disappointment lingers in me.
(3)kim p.
Coming back again and again!!
(4)William S.
I LOVE Brazilian churrascarias.......but not here, not in the U.S. Sorry to disappoint, but after visiting this chain 4 times (1 in Rio de Janeiro and 3 in the States), this churrascaria in the states is straight up NOT authentic. So why did I go so many times? I went to the other 3 FDCs in the U.S. on business meals. Each time I went, I always wondered why the beef tasted bland (sometimes oversalted, maybe to compensate for the blandness), why the meal just was not the same as I remember in Rio. If you have been to Rio or any other city in Brazil and tried a proper churrascaria there, you know that Brazilian beef is distinctly flavorful and delicious. Our beef just does not measure up unfortunately. American beef cooked this way dries up very quickly and is flavorless by comparison on top of that. In Brazil, the temperature of the meat matters because certain cuts develop umami flavors, textures and juices that are well coveted when served at a diner's desired temperature. And the FDC in Rio does serve up 9++++ churrascarian fare. Not the FDC's I've tried here, not in the States, unfortunately. My perception of this restaurant? FDC in the U. S. serves up inauthentic tasteless beef. It's no wonder there are enough Yelpers who focus their reviews on the salad bar, the bread, the cheese balls and other aspects of the meal and not the star of the show: beef. IMO, the other meats are good tho', the lamb, chicken..... the pork at the BH location was dry the one time I dined there. Fogo BH gets two stars for superb service. I enjoy the attention and service in all FDCs I have visited. The BH location is typical of the chain. Service is a large part of a good churrascarian experience. The uniqueness of this tradition and service protocols are genius. However, not serving Brazilian beef ruins the experience of this great cooking tradition for me. Fogo and other Brazilian restaurants/businesses in the U.S. , and we as a nation, should lobby in Washington to allow Brazilian beef into the US. This may take some time for us to realize this though...... So... buy a ticket to Rio and have a real churrascarian experience. If you paid $500 at FDC, you're already halfway there. True, it's not cheap to fly there but if Fogo can't replicate the exact Brazilian dining experience in the US, why bother? A superb churrascaria in Rio will set you back about $30 sans vin. An out of this world, fine, amazing, kick ass churrascarian meal in Rio will cost about $100 or so (sans vin). You will go to heaven and back.... guaranteed! Plus superb Argentine and Chilean wines are super cheap in Brazil. You'll thank me for this. Trust. Visits: 4 (Rio, San Antonio, Chicago & BH)
(2)Khoa T.
So many meats, so little stomach space :( This place really makes me appreciate the noble sacrifice that so many cows, chickens, and pigs made to satisfy us humans. Even during DineLA it's pretty pricey but this is one of the few restaurants that's worth every penny. Came here for the DineLA deal and the place was packed within 30 minutes of opening (around 12pm), and for good reason too, because everything was delicious. From the salad bar (smoked salmon and onion vinaigrette are my favorites) to the wide variety of meats, I was propelled into a continuous state of ecstasy the moment my butt hit the seat. All of the staff are incredibly attentive and super friendly (I swear the guys who bring the meat around on swords can see green and red better than the average human). Roasted, charred, slow-cooked, grilled, or flambed, every meat was made to perfection--not too dry and not too rare. The only negative about this place would be that some of their meats are a TINY bit too salty, but the majority of their dishes are flawless. Side dishes and salad bar complement the meats well but are clearly overshadowed by the greatness of barbecue.
(5)Nairi P.
WOW. Just Wow. The best steakhouse I have ever been to hands down. My boyfriend took me here to celebrate our anniversary together, he had been here before back home at the DC location and loved it so he surprised me to his favorite place. If you want endless rare steaks of the absolute highest quality with the most amazing taste... this is the place to be. It is endless, they literally won't stop bringing you cuts until you say so. Every minute they would bring different meats and ALL AMAZING LIKE WHAT THE FARK. I am not the craziest steak lover because my body can't take heavy amounts of protein at one time (I go into hibernation mode like a bear) but I walked out of this place feeling healthy, light, yet utterly satisfied. The quality of their food is without a doubt 10/10. If I absolutely had anything to complain about, I would have wanted more privacy and space between seating areas (there are no covers or physical separators) and would have liked more selection from their salad/deli bar. Our waiter knew it was our anniversary so we got a surprise cake that read "Happy Anniversary" with a heart on it, really sweet. They even have a bar if you ever want to come in just for drinks. The initial price tag of the dinner buffet may seam offbeat, but it is a VALUE when considering you get limitless top quality imported meats with a really nice salad bar. I would love to come here again anytime, occasion or not.
(5)Atila L.
Seriously I wish these gentlemen with their deliciousness stick of yummy Brazillian steak would just serve me food all day every day!! Every cut was great, the salad bar had many varieties. The service was wonderful, and steak and wine what's better than that?
(5)Cristina G.
The Good: Picanha, Sirloin, Cheese Rolls The Bad: The wait staff were very attentive at first. For some reason, they were unavailable during the course of our meal. Had to ask for hot water twice because the chica forgot. I like my meat medium rare so they had to go and source one out which took a long time. The filet mignon was a little dry though. The experience overall was great, because the food was good and company was awesome.
(5)Andrew G.
I REPEAT COME HUNGRY. The atmosphere here is great and every bit what you would expect from a restaurant in Beverly Hills from the decor to the people. You will be tempted by the buffet at first. DONT BE TOO TEMPTED BY THE BUFFET. Flip your coaster to green and be prepared to not put your fork down for at least 10-15 minutes dining on 7 different kinds of fresh off the rotisserie meats cut straight off the slab onto your plate. Of course there is always room for desert even when you feel like you are going to completely pop. The papaya ice cream is terrific. It's funny spotting the girls coming here for the first time in prissy outfits expecting a typical Beverly Hills restaurant but little do they know they about to eat probably 2+ pounds of meat.
(5)Alex H.
This is the happiest damn festival of meat in the universe. If Disneyland made a steakhouse, I would rather go to Fogo de Chao.
(5)Elisa C.
Oh myyyyy this place is delicious!!! I came here on my birthday last week it's A+++++ in my book! Service is GREAT; the servers are so attentive, and are quick to help you out if you have any questions, and are even quicker to serve you meat!! Food is SOO good; all the meat they have there is so tender, juicy, and sizzling hot! Please try everything! Its all you can eat salad bar and meat for about $56. Not bad cause the meat is unbelievably good. They season it perfectly and sometimes the skin is just a little crunchy and the texture is just perfect. Party in my mouth! I am coming back here on...Valentine's Day? The fastest upcoming holiday for an excuse to treat myself ;)
(5)Myra R.
My fiance saw this place on the list of restaurants participating in Dine LA and of course like any good Midwesterner he could not pass up endless of amounts of meat. So off we go. For Dine LA they offered unlimited salad bar and meat and a choice of dessert for $44.00. The salad bar was ok nothing really spectacular about it. So I will move onto the meat of the review. I know. What a lame joke. Whatever. Hahaha! They have a red light green light coaster procedure for the menu. When you want meat you would need to have the green coaster facing up and a gaucho would come around with a skewer. All the various meats were beyond good. I didn't have one bad thing. Fogo offers mashed potatoes, polenta, and platanos to pair with your meat choices. After I was done feeding my face full of meat and potatoes, we ordered up dessert. I had the tres leches cake and it was one of the best I have ever had. My fiance had the flan and that was pretty damn good. And for some odd reason I feel the need to review the complimentary bread. They were like little puff pastries. You can't just stop at one but you have to since you are there to partake the numerous meats offered.
(4)Robert B.
Had a very disappointing visit to Fogo de Chao with my wife and parents. We were seated right by the meat spits that face out to La Cienega, which seemed nice until we were seated and saw how filthy the wall was next to the table. Lots of food and grease from previous diners. Floor was also filthy. Server greeted us quickly and was very professional. We went to get salads, and as soon as we were seated, the meat started to come over, even though all our discs were on red. Seemed like they were gearing up for a big night and trying to rush us out, because it happened twice more before any of us signaled. Once we signaled for meats, it was as if they had forgotten all bout us in the corner. My wife literally asked three different servers for her favorite cut of meat, and all three said "no problem." It never came out. All four of us had empty glasses while waiting to order a second round of caiparhinas. We never got a chance to order more drinks. Check came to $300 for the four of us. We tipped 20% so as not to make a fuss, but we all left very disappointed. This was our 5th visit to Fogo de Chao in Beverly Hills, and until this visit we have always had a great time. But I'm not sure we would return for the price after this most recent disappointment.
(2)S D.
Come Hungry!! If you really want to get your moneys worth! Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian churrascaria and its the best one out there. First of all the waiters/waitress are very attentive. Its pretty much an all you can eat buffett, there is a salad bar but thats not what youre there for...you want the different types of exquisite meats. You are given a coaster one side red other side green, green means "offer me food" red means stop....Im eating. The waiters walk around the restaurant offering guest different kinds of meat, you cant go wrong. Dont eat anything before coming here. Enjoy!!
(5)Cindy U.
Hmmm... It was ok. The receptionist was not the best. Like she was doing us a favor for sitting us in an area that would be appropriate when I made the reservation! Listen, I'm paying! You're not doing ME a favor! Somehow I expected, for the price you pay, more choices? Same meat selections came out to our table. Meats had good flavor except the lamb which I thought was downright leather! I would consider going back if I had a hankering for different cuts of meat on spick specifically and right now that I'm hungry, it's all I could think about... I would definitely recommend the tres leches for dessert! That was yum!
(3)Nancy T.
I took my father and our party guest here for his birthday dinner. When I made reservations I emphasizes the fact that we were celebrating a birthday. Upon arrival, the server was informed that it was many of the party guests first time however... -NO instructions were given to my guest on what to expect or what to do. -Servers bombarded my guest, once they were instructed by me to turn over their card to green when in need of food. -We had to ask several times for our plates to be changed. - On occasion, the meat pieces were very dry. After a $800 dollar dinner, everyone left disappointed. I am shocked at how terrible the service was. I hope no one has to experience what we went through. I would advise those who plan on coming here with a large party to go ELSE WHERE.
(1)Monica P.
Fogo de Chao is a wonderful place to eat! The service is fantastic and they had so many high quality items. Their salad bar was great! They kept it filled with high end items such as fresh vegetables, kale salad, fresh cheese and so forth. My favorite was the bread! I think I gobbled down three at the beginning. They are soft and slightly chewy and heavenly! The proteins they served were very high end. I had the ribeye (very tender) as well as a filet mignon wrapped in bacon (yum!). I personally prefer well done (for hygienic reasons) and the waiters were very quick to come back with items that were perfectly well done. Everything was moist and flavorful (even though it was well done!!! Can you tell that I'm excited?!?). Definitely a great place to try. Like other reviewers said, it's kind of pricey... but the food is great! Valet parking is $6.50 (yes you read that right!). Wonderful place to go!
(4)Melissa W.
We have eaten at the this location for dinner a few times, and love it! The food deserves 5 stars. The reason for 4 is on busy nights (haven't been at night when it's not) it is so loud and crowded you can not hear people at your own table! And it takes some maneuvering to get thru the salad bar. But the meat selection is honestly some of the best cut and seasoned I have ever had! If the price wasn't so high I would eat here regularly (I do think it's worth the price just hard to justify regularly)
(4)Mike D.
Good food, nice ambience, a bit pricey.
(4)kent c.
This is how mad cow started... You eat and eat until that dizzy gut tighten sensation starts to overwhelm oneself, and your tipsily balancing yourself out of there ... I came to this place during restaurant week for DineLA - 2/5. It is a little pricey at $65 normally, but during that week it was $49. The decor is very nice, but come on all the restaurants on this street is OVER the TOP it is Beverly Hills. It is a upscale and fancy place. The place is a lot bigger on the inside than outside. The GREEN light and RED light service (ALL YOU CAN EAT) is quite an experience. It was a GO,Go, GO for me, after almost 2 hrs of green light i hit MEAT COMA land. If you like meat, then this heaven. Nicely prepared good cuts of meat along with quick and friendly staff that just want to keep feeding you is a A+ in my books. They have a good sized vegetarian buffet bar with a good selection of salads, cheeses, and smoked salmon. (so don't be worried you non-carnivores) The filet mignon was by far the best cut and flavor. I listed them by my favorite. Note i went through 4 rounds of 8 cuts they offer. I didn't want to try their sausages because I felt like there should be better cuts of meat going in my belly.. All the cut they offer: 1. filet mignon - --- [Left me speechless] 2. beer ancho (rib eye) --- [Perfect with every bite] 3. frango (chicken) --- [Rich in flavor and spices] 4. picanha (top sirloin) - [Hands down Awesome!!] alcatra (top sirloin) fraldinha (bottom sirloin) 5. cordeiro (lamb) -- [Juicy lil thang] 6. costela (beef ribs) -- [if this is at another place it'd be #1 on my list] 7. costela de proco (pork ribs) -- [They gave me too much of this RIB] 8. lombo (pork loin) --- [killer] linguica (sausage) The desert - Papaya Cream desert.- it was good and much lighter than the week's worth of protein in one sitting.. . The best item they have is their incredible smelt in your mouth cheese bread puffs. It is the best free "FILLER" before the main course ever!!!
(5)Jacob C.
Atmosphere - A+ Service - B The meat waiters check to see if your on green/red 85% of the time. I had to flag one down to get my meat. Salad Bar - A- great variety and quality, but who likes cold asparagus? Meat - B+ some meats seemed a bit too salty... for the price they charge, hot asparagus would be nice...and less salt please...more flavors.
(4)Beini S.
I love this place. Yes it's pricey, yes I think it's worth it if you bring your stretchy pants. Valet parking is $5.50. There's a pretty big bar area where you can wait. I had a Rio Daiquiri this past time, it was strong, somewhat delicious, and $15 without tip. Even if you have a reservation, sometimes you have to wait a little past your res time. However, it's not one of those situations where you wonder why they're making you wait, every time I've been there, they've been slammed. The people who bring the meats around are incredibly nice. The rest of the staff is hit or miss. Some of the hostesses give you the "Don't ask me for anything, I'm busy" vibe and take a long time to bring you what you ask for, but some are fantastic. Cheesy bread rocks my world. Mashed potatoes are garlicky. I have no opinion of the salad bar, I've gone once a few years ago and didn't understand why people go there. My friends often do, and tell me I'm missing out. I was here for the last night of DineLA this past week, and was impressed that everything was fresh and delicious despite how crazy packed it was. Can't come back all the time, but already excited for the next time.
(5)Terence N.
Definitely expected better quality meats from this place, especially for the price! The only meats that stood out was the filet mignon wrapped bacon, the filet mignon with fat, and the beef ribs. All the other meats were dry and had no taste. All the meats just tasted salty to me, and everything tasted the same, there wasnt a great flavor distinction between the various meats. The salad bar was a dissapointment, I expected a larger bar, but it was actually quite small. The apple salad was decent and some of the roasted peppers were good..but then again, we didnt come here to eat salad did we?!?! Surprisingly the plantains and bread, which they serve as unlimited appetizers, were good! My friends went through 8 dishes of plantains, because the sweetness balances out the over-salty meats! It's sad to say the highlight of the meal was the bananas! But they were cooked pretty well, and came out hot! The service here was excellent, all the servers refilled our drinks and appetizer frequently, and always checked to make sure we were satisfied. They also served meats frequently, so you will never go hungry! The price for dinner was $57 + tax + tip, which comes out to be well over $65! At this price, it was definitely not worth it, the food quality was only mediocre at best, and they dont even include dessert with that price! You have to order dessert off a seperate menu, which is around $10-15! All-in-all, how much meat can you really eat? If your just the average eater, you wont eat $60 worth of mediocre meats, so stick to a steakhouse! I really dont know what the hype is about this place, why do people give this place 4-5 stars?
(3)Rey L.
for a 4 Star Yelp average and a $$$$ price range, i expect a lot of an establishment. alas, on this night, Fogo let me down. made an 830p reservation for mama to take me out for an early Daddy Day dinner. arrived to a PACKED valet area and front lobby area full of Dads and Grads. lots of already unhappy people waiting, standing, scowling. not sure why there were so many people not being seated, other than Fogo taking an exhorbitant amount of walk-ins or a cow shortage due to the World Cup??? maybe it was another issue. i don't know. all i know is by the time i got to the front at 835p to check in for our 830p Reservation, i was given a beeper and told of a 1 hour wait. 1 hour wait post reservation time. seriously, wtf? on a saturday night, with a reservation, an hour wait. too late to go anywhere else in the area now without a reservation, so wait it is. luckily, mama is great company and the bar was open so we made the best of it. also, lucky that our babysitting was covered for our extended delay. when we finally got seated, around 45mins later, the rest of the evening went without any further incident. the managers were very pleasant and the dudes with the meat were relatively quick on delivery. oh, and food was still top notch. i've been told i had to wait to be seated at other restaurants even with reservations, but, not for an hour. still a fan, but, gotta knock them down.
(3)Matthew M.
Sadly we had didn't have a good experience. We arrived on Saturday evening with an 8:30pm reservation - we were on time. Sunday was father's day, so this was my night out - well, apparently Fogo de Chao didn't think things might be a bit more popular that evening. Really...an all you can eat meat place the evening before father's day...didn't see that one coming..really?! They told us on arrival it would be an hour waiting. We decided to hang-on, we had a babysitter in, and didn't fancy our chances turning up somewhere else without a reservation after 8:30pm on a Saturday night. We were eventually seated at 9:15pm (so only 45minutes late in the end). The food was very good...at first. But on my 3rd small piece of beef, I got a big piece of burnt fat, and it just turned my stomach. I'm a 'love my meat' kinda guy, but I really struggled to deal with the effect it had on me. I took two walks outside to try and get some air, but I just couldn't eat any more meat after that, and it was really a wasted meal for me. Also, we realized that the drink we'd purchased at the bar cost more then the exact same drink in the restaurant, and just felt a bit cheated, especially as we were only drinking in the bar because they had mis-managed their bookings. We spent $155 for two meals and 1 drink (at the bar), and for me, things really need to be near perfect to recommend anyone spend that kind of money on a meal for two. And it just wasn't near perfect - I actually still had a fragile stomach all of Sunday as well. It was a real shame all in all as I normally love Brazilian BBQ.
(2)Peggy Y.
Came here with my husband and 2year old son for Father's Day because my hubby loves churrasco! We had a 5:30 reservation but arrived at 6pm. They seated us within 5 mins. This place is definitely lacking in elbow room. We were seated in a corner room. Granted, I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant (could pop any day) so it was really hard to maneuver through the tight quarters to and from the salad bar. Now for the food. I loved everything except for the beef ribs. My hubby loves them the most, so it was unfortunate that they were EXTREMELY salty. He requested them, and they brought over a small plate of it. We were really happy until we took the first bite; it was like eating salt with a dash of beef ribs. Disappointed to say the least. On to dessert. We ordered the Creme brûlée. It was pretty fantastic! In short, the price was too much for the overall experience. One bonus is we got a free meal for the next time (if we go again). I'd rather go to Gaucho's Village in Glendale.
(3)Ashley L.
This place is MINDBOGGLING!!! All their meat is so tender and flavorful and seasoned to perfection, whereas some other steakhouses who only give you one steak can't even get that one steak right. The servers are polite and courteous, and even if you have your card flipped on the green side, they will ask you if you actually wanted the meat or you just forgot to flip it over. [HOW TO USE THE CARDS: The ride side is used when you don't want meat and the green side is used if you do. If you don't know what something is, leave the card on the green side and just ask! They won't mind if it turns out you actually didn't want that particular cut of meat.] My personal favorites of the meal were the bacon wrapped filet mignon, the bottom sirloin, and the prime rib. All the sides, such as the cheese bread and mashed potatoes, etc, and the salad bar were amazing and way beyond my expectations!!!
(5)Sona M.
If you are a vegetarian or a seafood person this is not your best choice. If you love meat then you are the right place!! I eat seafood and chicken but I ended up getting the Seabass as it's the only choice of fish if you want seafood. If you want chicken you still have only 2 options, which one was plain chicken and the other was a chicken on a skewer wrapped with bacon( not a fan of that idea). My husband loved it because it was a meat eaters heaven. I see this more of a place for a bunch of guys to come in and enjoy the all you can eat meat. Girls typically don't eat that much meat and it would be a waste to pay $61 per person. The seafood option which only includes the sea bass plus the all you can eat salad buffet is almost $46. It's great to come here for experience but I wouldn't come here the second time. If your looking for a good place with drinks.. This is not the place either.
(4)Tugbek O.
Very friendly staff and excellent meat. Especially fillet de mignon was super. It's all you can eat, and you'll die to try each one of 16 different bbq, make sure you go there really hungry. Ohh... I should compliment salad bar too.
(5)Carolina G.
Food is ok, not the best or worse brazillian I've had. The place is nice, clean, meats keep coming, choices of buffet options are pretty good.
(3)Lucy T.
Everyone should eat here. Mel Gibson and his family sat behind my fiance and I.
(5)Ana F.
I enjoyed my experience at Fogo de Chão. Meat was good, especially Picanha. You can really eat a lot, so go very hungry. Service was good too, they were nice and helpful. Fancy, nice atmosphere, but it could have a bigger selection for the price. They don't have chicken heart. For desert, take Pudim de Leite if you can - it was amazing!! I'm from Brazil, so it's nice to have a restaurant like this here. It is normally not cheap, even there, you only go once in a while. It was good overall, but the price was indeed a bit too high. If you want to try Brazilian barbecue, I definitely recommend. Go in weekdays if you can, for lunch, it's way cheaper.
(4)Tiffany T.
This place is AMAZEBALLSSS. Oh yes. I went there. Their food and service are literally perfection. Make sure you make a reservation (you can do it through yelp) so you don't have to wait so long. My boyfriend and I came here tonight to celebrate my late birthday and I am truly impressed. I've never been to a Brazilian BBQ place before and I'm glad that this was my first. Finding this place wasn't hard. Just had to deal with some traffic on the way over. If you're lucky, you'll find street parking (remember to pay the meter!) If not then there is valet for $5.50. (We accidentally gave our car to the sushi valet next door LOL) after handing your car over you will walk through two huge doors and are greeted by a very friendly hostess. Our hostess was named Tiffany (what a coinkidink! (; ) and although we were about 15 minutes late for our reservation it didn't take long to get seated. Not only that but we also got to choose what kinda table we would be able to sit at (just for two or for two and a little more room; we chose the second.) If its your first time the waiter will describe how everything works. Listen carefully if you can't understand accents! Service is so amazing that when I was taking off my jacket, a waiter actually came from behind and helped to take off my jacket and put it on the spare chair. He also put a tablecloth over it to keep oil from dripping over my things. Sooo awesome we. Definitely not used to VIP service since I'm so used to awesome 626 service /end sarcasm. The meat choices are AMAZING. My personal favorite was the garlic beef. Its a sirloin marinated in garlic sauce. I'm all about that garlic yumminess! My boyfriend really loved the lamb chops. Their salad bar is pretty amazing too! They also have smoked salmon, porscuitto and salami at the salad bar along with some fresh parmesan for you to pick. All in all I LOVE this place. For two people, it came out to be about $137. The service is amazing. Food is definitely on point. What else could make this better? NOTHING.
(5)Susan Z.
Loved it! Super delicious meats, my favorite was the lamb chops... And it's all you can eat! Really fun experience. Our waiter was super sweet yet professional--have us a papaya cream dessert with blueberry liqueur that was on him because I was celebrating my anniversary there that day! :)
(5)Benjamin B.
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 :)...
(4)Selvin T.
EXPENSIVE & TRENDY Visited this place about four months ago and it looks like not much has changed. Not impressed. I will have to say that if liked one thing, it would have to be the Bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon-keep it coming! All other meats were generally overcooked. I will have to say for you to save your money and head to the south-bay for some better tasting food-By Brazil
(2)Taylor B.
All the cuts of meats I tried were exceptional, and was soo happy to be treated with the sides of carmelized plantains!
(5)Carolin M.
Amazing place to have an all you can eat buffet. Yes it expensive but worth it. Since t there food is sooooo good. Your mouth is drooling. It was my first time and I can say I will for sure come back. It's funny they put a card on your table where it lets the waiters know if you want more food or you want to stop. So each time you want the waiter to come back you just need to flip the card. Amazing experience.
(5)Mister R.
I really didn't want to love this place. I was really hoping it would just be mediocre, so I could say, "meh, it was okay", and not buy into the over-hyped build up I had heard prior to coming in. Sort of like the feeling of getting to look down your nose at a beautiful woman who has a terrible personality. Well, about 20 minutes, a stiff cocktail and a few bites of a nice meat selection later, I was softening up. Something inside of me began to quell the resistance to my disdain for all things over-hyped, and over-priced. Fogo de Chao is a sort of novelty to the dining experience. You don't order, wait for your food, hope you ordered the right thing, and then anxiously take your first bite with to see if you chose "wisely" or "poorly". They bring you selections of meat, piping hot, bursting with flavor. They do this over, and over, and over again until you can't take it anymore. Then they serve you coffee, maybe desert, and hell, if you want, more delicious meat! As a die hard carnivore, I love the concept, meat selection, fresh off the grill goodness that this place serves up. And if you are one of those people that enjoy eating what MY food eats (namely vegetables), then they have a salad bar with everything from you could desire, cheeses and breads too. Yes, it may be pricey (I didn't pay, so I wouldn't know, and truth be told, that may skew this raters review a touch), but from what I experienced tonight, I would have a hard time imagining me not recommending everyone try this place at least once. It's not the easiest place to get to in rush-hour traffic, and meat may not be your thing, but if you have an ounce of patience and a hankering for meat, you will not go wrong.
(4)Joanne L.
fogo de chao... more like fogo de wow! keep the bacon wrapped filet mignon coming.
(5)Sabrina A.
"ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS" This was my first experience at Fogo De Chao. I had heard a lot about it from my boyfriend who had been to the Dallas/Addison location once before and he was dying to go to the Beverly Hills location. My boyfriend had hyped it up and even with the huge expectations I had, I was very pleased with EVERYTHING. We started off at the salad bar, and we knew that we would have to be careful and save room for the meat that was coming. We saw many people piling their plates high with salad bar food, and thought that they probably had not been to Fogo before. A WORD OF ADVICE : Be careful not to fill up on salad bar/bread/etc. Taste things there but save room for the meat and you will be glad you did. The Salad bar is AWESOME! Delicious cheeses, gorgeous vegetables (huge asparagus was cooked al dente .PERFECT), a pineapple infused apple waldorf salad. smoked salmon with a pesto sauce you can put on it. Proscutto, gigantic hearts of palm and much more... I tried 14 of the 15 different cuts of meat. My favorites were: ~Beef House special Picanha (Half Moon shape) they also have it with a garlic marinade which was AMAZING! ~Filet Mignon ~Cordeiro (Leg of Lamb) ~Lombo (parmesan crusted pork loin) ~Chicken Leg ( I believe it was kosher chicken, which has a distinct, richer flavor than non-kosher chicken) I'm not a huge fan of bacon, but they do offer quite a few of the meats bacon-wrapped. The Bread/muffin that is served is like a soft pastry, very addicting so be careful not to fill up on those. The plantains are still on my brain. Fogo De Chao is definitely worth the money, great value. Where else can you get to try so many high quality meats and have as much as you like? I would save it for special occasions, to save your waistline as well as your wallet. You'll most likely want to go back. You should probably like meat though, and love food and love to eat.
(5)Denis S.
Came here for Restaurant Week (I know, a while ago). The deal here for restaurant week is much better than most since it offers the exact same thing as their regular menu, but for less money. Unfortunately, it's still a lot of money. This place is weird. It's the only way to describe it. They treat you like a fancy restaurant, they make you pay like it's a fancy restaurant, but at the end of the day, it's a buffet. No matter how fancy a buffet is, it's still a buffet. For starters, the salad bar is a ripoff. Sure, it's fresher than Fresh Choice or Hometown Buffet, but it's also about ten times more expensive. Unless they have some extinct foliage from the Dinosaur age, it shouldn't even count. Some of the meat is good, some of it is too fatty. Overall, quality meat and plenty of it. Like I said, the service is top notch, so you're not sitting around waiting. You want meat, it comes. The sides are also delicious, but fairly standard. The mashed potatoes are creamy, the fries banana things are great (and filling), the triangle thing is a bit weird. Weirdly enough, I would probably have less complaints if they just gave me a larger chunk of one of those pieces of meat and those same sides on a single plate. However, there's something about the idea of a buffet that doesn't mesh with the idea of fancy and high-priced. Oh, and tres leches cake was pretty disappointing....
(3)Andrew G.
If you love meat, you'll be in heaven at Fogo. Though the cost is high, it's worth every penny. Surrounded by walls of wine and friendly servers, the experience is as good as the food itself, and you're guaranteed to leave with a full stomach. The salad bar is laden with a delectable variety of salads, cheeses, and other hors d'oeuvres. My favorites are the lox and mozzarella, and I'd be more than happy making a meal out of it all (which is an option). This is all well and good, but the main course is where it's at. Flip over your card, and get ready for the swarm of meat and skewers. For as long as you desire, you'll be presented with whatever delicious items happen to be in your area. It's basically a full service meat buffet, and it's all cooked to perfection. Take my advice, and finish it off with some crème brûlée or tiramisu. Fast for 12 hours beforehand, and plan to be out of commission for 12 hours after. Remember, the faster you eat, the more you can get in before feeling full.
(5)John C.
I've been to a number of churrascarias across the country and Fogo de Chao always seems to come up when the topic comes up. I've been to the one in Chicago and it was an okay experience. Can't say the BH location is any better or worse than the one in the 312. First off, the wine list. There is no sommelier as far as I noticed. Our waiter couldn't / didn't make any recommendations. Ding here. Chose the 2005 Chateau St. Michelle cab. Price wise, it's about 2.5x what you'd pay for the wine retail. Typical I suppose. The California red selection was decent but definitely not as diverse as I would prefer. The salad bar. I'm not one for partaking the salad bar as it distracts you from the main event - the meat. With that said, Fogo's salad bar seemed a little lacking for one reason or another. The main event. The meat. Lamp chops were pretty much perfect and so was the leg of lamb. Much of the beef was oversalted for my tastes, the sodium taking center stage rather than the meat itself. Overall, a slightly better than average experience. The sides... the cheese bread is always good. The mash is nice. The golden brown square thingamajigs... whatever they are... were bland and not even worth eating. The wait staff were quick to replenish all sides. Whether it's to make you happy or to fill you up on them instead of meat, I have no clue. Bottom line... if you've never been to Fogo, try it out, but I believe there are cheaper alternatives that deliver the same experience. Sure, you won't find the "upper scale" ambience, but at the end of the day, ambience isn't worth paying for unless it's a minimum Michelin one star restaurant.
(3)kat c.
The best Brazilian BBQ joint I've ever been to. Service was impeccable, nice ambiance/decor, and the appetizers (cheese bread) mmm... Some of their meats are a bit on the salty side, but if you have a glass of Guarana~ (Brazilian soda) it washes down real nice. This is one of the first Brazilian BBQ places that have a good salad bar and they don't use cheapy cheeses or wilted lettuce. Their produce was fresh and their fresh mozzarella, to die for.. We came here for DineLA's Restaurant week, probably the best deals, since they offered their full menu at a discounted rate. ::joke time:: Brunette: "I slept with a Brazilian man last night" Blonde: " YOU SLUT" Brunette: "Huh?" Blonde: "Wait, how many is a Brazilian?"
(5)Jenn S.
The idea of all-you-can-eat meat on a stick is perhaps the closest I'll ever get to Nirvana. The ambiance is relaxing, the service is great, and the food is beyond tasty! There is one drawback - it's so good and so popular that it gets pretty crowded. I am not willing to deduct a star for their success, so 5 stars it is. The salad bar has the most interesting items: hearts of palm, exotic cheeses and cured meats, baby ears of corn, along with the usual favorites of fresh greens, tomatoes, etc. The servers come around and serve you various cuts of beef, lamb, sausage from giant skewers that more closely resemble swords. If you want more of a specific item, just flag any of these servers down and they'll make sure you get it. You also are served bottomless hot side dishes at your table. We had fried plantains and polenta. Very tasty and an excellent complement to the spicy meats. This place is great for romantic dinners ( request the wine cellar room in the back - filled with more 2 and 4 top tables and very cozy). It's perfect for large groups - there was a group of 40 that all sat at one table! What a great infusion into the LA dining scene - with Brazilian flare! Don't miss it!
(5)T M.
I'm not sure why this place is rated so highly. I was not impressed. The decor is nice, in line with a Beverly Hills establishment. The puffy cheese rolls were ok. They tasted exactly the like puffy cheese rolls served at Bossa Nova. Perhaps they buy from the same supplier. The salad bar has a very wide selection and was impressive but why fill up on salad, you come here for the outrageous amounts of meat right? Anyways, I had about 8 different selections of meat. The ribeye was good, the fillet tasted like a fillet. Nothing was exceptional. The desserts tasted like box mix. Overall, I think it's all about quantity here and not quality.
(3)Kevin F.
I can only see this place as being great for a group outing, where with 5 or so friends, you revel in the bombardment of meat--- garlic beef, bacon covered steak, chicken, sirloin, filet mignon, rib eye... it almost feels like a beef tasting, where you are allowed to experience a little of each, and taste and compare right away what type of meats you like. I understood a little bit what is top cut and stuff, but here, you could actually prove to yourself, yeah, I do like sirloin over mignon. And I like the group dynamic because only through that trash talking and peer pressure could I push myself to the very limit of my stomach in eating all that meat. I think I was better for it, as I tried everything, and was very satisfied. Oh, there was some cheese bread and a GIANT salad bar, but I'm not sure how much I ate of that. But yeah, for $50/person, I don't recommend as a date place since you're not going to get your money's worth with your sweetie. Well, I could be stereotypical, but yeah, go with a group and eat essentially a baby cow.
(4)Berk U.
What do Los Angeles, Philadelphia and the District of Columbia have in common? All three cities can are home to Fogo de Chao. And you can best believe that I will be sure to stop by this incredible restaurant whenever I visit any of them. Fogo de Chao was the first Churrascaria that I ever ate at... and after 4 years of trying to find another one in New York and the San Francisco, I must admit that it remains the best. Other establishments simply do not offer the same kind of overall quality as this place. Fogo de Chao has an incredible selection of cuts and harmoniously accompanies these meats with a solid array of side dishes and salad bar - all of which are *included* in the 'prix fixe' dinner. While some people might consider the salad bar and the sides a distraction from the meat, I would argue that these dishes are an integral part of the entire Brazilian Barbecue experience. You just can't eat plate after plate of Filet Mignon or Picanha (the house special top sirloin) without having something else in between... It all just makes for a far less pleasurable experience. In this regard, the cheesy bread and the caramelized bananas at Fogo de Chao are the perfect dish to accompany the type of salty meats that you will be gorging down. The atmosphere at the Beverly Hills location is best described as classical. Gently dimmed lighting, tables, white sheets... this place does not exactly pull fancy tricks to set the mood or the ambience - and in all honesty, it's fine because you should be here to focus enjoying the food anyways. Service-wise, don't be surprised if the waiters seem a little pushy in offering the meats - it's simply part of the Brazilian tradition. Just remember that you can avoid them by flipping over your card. Those of you with 'deeper' pockets would also appreciate the extensive wine selection that is offered at the Beverly Hills franchise...In contrast, if you feel like $55 is a little too rich for your blood, I would advise you to stop here for lunch, where you have the exact same experience for about $35. There is also a 'Salad Bar Only' option for $27 - that is, just in case someone in your party is not feeling up to the task of eating their weight in quality meat.
(5)T H.
Carnivores dream. This is my benchmark for Brazilian churrascaria steakhouses. Great meats, the worlds best salad bar, and a fabulous wine selection. Just awesome, and reasonably priced for a steakhouse on Beverly Hills Restaurant Row. Minus one star for their desserts. We had the molten chocolate cake and it was pretty average, not terrible, but not great.
(4)Luisa P.
The salad bar alone is a great meal in itself. Then they bring you meat - lots of it. My favorite is the lamb - so tender and really flavorful. It's way too decadent to eat this much red meat that often but once in a while - it's perfect.
(5)Kali M.
I love Fogo de Chao. My only issues are these: - Tables with less than a foot of space around them... it is PACKED TIGHT in there! - ...interesting... clientele. It certainly attracts a very specific set of people. I was surprised, actually, as the other couple of times I'd been to this joint (at least 3 years ago... it's been awhile). They're the same people you'll run in to at Fleming's on a Saturday night, and that's about the only other place I've ever been surrounded by them. They're not a fun bunch. - This last visit they did not offer us the cheese bread!!! Okay, no, I'm not holding that against them in the review, but since the "salad bar" had changed so much since our last visit we figured that they may have done away with the cheese bread, as well. We should've known that was crazy talk... what were we thinking? - Our "reservation" apparently meant squat. We checked in 10 minutes prior (a lot for us), and the hostess quoted us for a 45 minute wait. I'm sorry, 35 minutes wait past our reservation time? Really?? I remember the same deal many years ago when we first visited, so it wasn't just due to unexpected volume of customers. They did comp us two of our four drinks, for no apparent reason. That was a nice surprise. And, of course, the meat is delicious. I'm not a big meat girl so this is a special occasion kinda place for me, and it gives me my meat fix for at least the next 3 months or so. The papaya creme dessert is a must.
(4)Nikki S.
Ahhhhhh thank you Dine LA for giving me the opportunity to try this well known Brazilian restaurant. First and foremost it is a typical Brazilian meat house where it's all you can eat meat and sides from the salad bar. The salad bar was delicious- asparagus, green salad and numerous toppings, artichoke, potato salad (delicious), jicama salad with shredded chicken mixed (good also), cheeses, cold cut smoked meats, and more. Warm sides- cheese bread (favorite), mashed potato (eww), sugared plantains (yummm), and fried yucca (i think) meats- ohhhh lordy! I was bought with the house special. Effing melt in your mouth with the perfect salting that made my mouth water for more. The rest of the meats were good mostly I cared for was beef but the lamb chops were decent, bacon wrapped chicken and beef were ok, and so much more. Dessert was tres leche (too sweet for me and I really never care for tres leche) and papaya smoothie thingy (ehhhh). I love youfogo. I will come back, especially for your house speacial meat and cheese bread.
(5)Sue Z.
There are certain types of abuse I unleash on my body. 1. 6-8 hours of practice, well.. because I have to. 2. Running everyday for at least 2 miles... Or I will go apeshit at a postal office. 3. Sit ups, crunches, leg lifts. Because I'm too cheap to buy new pants. 4. (no longer viable at my age) overeating and overdrinking It's been fun friends, but I'm so tired of hanging my head out the window, unleashing some unheard of projectile vomit. Coming here for Mike K's birthday, I had no idea this was an all you can eat till you die buffet. Though I must commend the restaurant on it's quality of meats. Filet mignon, lamb ribs, and bacon wrapped chicken were my favorite. The help is extremely efficient, and they will even help you track down a specific meat for you. Make sure to flip the card over to green if you want more meat! As mentioned by other yelpers, this is a vegetarian friendly place. The salad bar alone can feed an army. A vast array of radishes, beets, lettuce, prosciutto, artichoke hearts, everything! If I were to come again, I might just have the salad bar only. We were lucky to be in time for the dine la promotion, which was 44 a person (which included dessert- 10$ value). There were three desserts to choose from. The flan was divine, rich and thick. We ordered the chocolate lava cake for the birthday boy, and we were not disappointed. The tres leches cake was drenched in something too fatty to mention, but we were lovin it. Another reason why I'll try to avoid the place- their CRACK cheese bread. I have no idea how they baked the cheese in the bread?! WTF! I bet they save millions in meat just becase of that little piece of cheesy cheese. Ugh. We ate 9 baskets I think. I know. I'm disgusted just writing it. And though I promised to never abuse my body like this ever again.... You know. Life's short blah blah. Im sure I'll be back..
(5)Julie S.
You don't come here on a whim. You don't come here because you want to "try something new today." You don't come here thinking you just want to sample a few different cuts of meat. No, no, no, that's just silly. To decide to eat a place as glorious as this is a commitment. You are saying to yourself, "Yes, this week I WILL exercise the band of my stomach and will make every effort to stretch it out before the big day." You also need not to eat at all that day that you come. Stumbling out of your car, famished, when you first arrive is regarded by the Valet drivers as a sign of respect for the Fogo. For, nothing is as disappointing as becoming full too early at a buffet. When you eat at Fogo for the first time, make sure that you go with people who have been there before. They can guide you through the evening dance of the meat skewers and spare you from the temptation of committing too early to less worthy meat choices. It's like a dating game. Girl goes to a bar w/ her girlfriends and strategically shuts down the advances of douchebags, until finally, Mr. Cutie w/ the plaid shirt, fresh kicks, and Jack-n-Coke-in-hand swoops in. The night is young again, and the girl is reminded that not all guys in the world are idiots, just as not all cuts of meat are as unfulfilling as the mere peppered steak. My personal favorite is the Picanha. It's the cut of meat that comes with an accompanying layer of fat around it. As if the already tender sirloin needed a wingman to win you over. Add a touch of garlic and cracked sea salt, and you got me at hello, Mr. Cutie. Here's my number. Let's grab some drinks later. Caipirinha, maybe? After all, this is Brazillian dining... -- Expect your stay to be at least an hour, enough time to savor, digest, rest, and repeat. Salad bar is fresh and crisp. Popovers and polenta are the perfect starchy sides to please the palette.
(5)Kris S.
Came here with my fiancee for her birthday last year. One of the best meals of my life! So many choices of delicious meat, a great salad bar, excellent service and its all you can eat; whats not to like? A little expensive but well worth the price.
(5)Adrian L.
Came here with my wife. Food is delicious. Dont fill up on the side dishes at the salad bar. They bring endless meat so you want to get your moneys worth. The sausage is one of the best. Price is a little steep but overall a great place to dine.
(4)Tara T.
I had the pleasure of dining at Fogo De Chao with some coworkers recently. What an experience! From beginning to end, the food was scrumptious. We started with the gourmet salad bar which had the most delicious selections. My favorites were the array of cheeses and smoked salmon. Then came time to truly feast. The tableside service was excellent. We all had different appetites, so fresh selections of roasted meats were coming to us at every turn. My absolute favorite was the lamb chops - they were simply divine! I wanted to eat a whole plate-full, but had to consider the fact that I was with coworkers and had to remain polite. But oh my goodness, the meat selections were choice. The sides were also good, but I didn't want to take too many bites of the sides, as I really wanted to focus on what the restaurant is known for, it's delicious roasted meats! If you've never been, you should add this restaurant to your list of places to dine. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Francis R.
Meat and more meat baby! So much meat your crying protein tears and your colon is backed up for a month. Drinks are on spot, everything tasted great except for the pork, which was dry. Don't come to this place expecting Mastro's or other high end steak place, this is not that type of place. But if you want to jam a high quantity of high quality beef down your gullet in a classy place, do it here baby! Sumo people, I cry out to you, Fogo de Chao!
(4)Mike N.
The food was AMAZING!!! The meat had soooo much flavor that it would blow your mind. If you wanna try Brazilian food this is the place to go. Don't even bother going to another joint. The servers here work as a team and it works out great. I can turn and ask any waiter want I want and WALLA!
(5)Chow-time W.
Great quality of meat. Great selection of wine. Great salad bar. Great Friendly staff. I guess the only compliant from me is too much meat!!! but then that's what they are great for. Take ur time and enjoy each piece, pace urself, Get a piece at a time, eat when they are hot. Don't worry they will not run out of meat. Trust me!!! If you are a beef lover like me, you have to be here at least once. (Just make sure you eat salad a week before and after LOL)
(5)Rad T.
Overrated! to expensive . Reservation at 22:00 (10 PM) got seated at 22:23 (10:23 PM) with a reservation. Giving 1 STAR because. . meat serve was uncooked or overcooked 1) especially the meat (lamb) weren't cook not sure if they were rushing or what. but I was able to taste was the salt/pepper/lime/lemon. 2nd) waiter keep asking us at approximately 2315 (11:15 PM) asking if we were done. That's was rude!! Will not recommend. .
(1)Rose P.
Came here for a celebration dinner. Their wine list is fantastic! My experience with the food was great. The salad bar is truly a masterpiece in itself! I loved the seafood salad as well as their cheese selection. I found out that the parmesan cheese they have at the salad bar as well as the cheese they use in their traditional cheese bread is very pricey, at about $1000. I don't know how that was calculated but the waiter let me know that it's the highest quality to be found. The cheese bread is to die for and I cannot wait to make my own batch at home and see how it measures up! As for the meats, I feel I may not be the best person to ask. I am not a meet lover. I also was surprised at how chewy some of the medium-well cuts I'd request would be. I since switched over to requesting well done meats. My favorite were the pork ribs as well as the picanha (sp?). Overall the service was superb and the ambiance was open and friendly with a touch of class. I'd recommend anyone to go! My friend who turned me onto Fogo let me know that they even have a separate pricing for patrons looking to only enjoy the salad bar. On my next visit I will be sure to opt for that option instead!
(4)Tom S.
Very good Brazilian BBQ. Five of us just had dinner there tonight for their DineLA special of $45/ person and it was well worth it. Abundant salad bar, many varieties of beef, chicken, and pork including generous portions of filet tenderloin. The meal also included side dishes of rice, beans, and fried bananas. Everything but drinks and desert was included. All very well prepared and tasty! We had a lot to eat.
(4)Nicole B.
Planned a romantical date with my best friend Sayuri during DineLA week, and didn't really know where to go. Seeing as my nickname as a little girl was "T-Bone" due to my affinity for red meat, Fogo de Chao seemed like a match made in heaven. Not much else to say that hasn't already been said except starve yourself beforehand, layoff the salad bar, eat at least 2 of the cheesy bread rolls (because they are awesome), and be careful when you drive home if you tend to suffer from food coma, as I had a hardtime staying up midway through the meal. :)
(5)Maggie C.
**Dine LA Restaurant Week Part I** Go to the lobby and you can see hungry people eating from the open window. Go to your right and the bar is there right next to the restroom. The place is loud and most people come with family and kids. The four of us went here and ate meat like we never saw meat before. I love Brazilian cheese bread aka pao de queijo. At one time I ate 15 of those pao plus tons of meat. That was 10 lbs ago =P Picanha, lombo, linguica, cordeiro...I was so full that I had to stop myself and save room for dessert. The best part of my meal was the dessert. We got papaya cream, tres leches and flan. That was the first tres leches I liked. Flan was pretty good. The best one was papaya cream. Papaya cream: fresh cut papaya blended with vanilla ice cream and topped with Creme de Cassis. You could say no to the alcohol but that's the best part. No, I am not an alcoholic but I didn't say stop when the waiter poured the alcohol. It was sweet, creamy and addicting. I would go there just to get this. This place is a little pricey compared to the other Brazilian Churrascaria places but the meat quality is better. I did like Roda Viva in Puente Hills mall but that place closed down. 3.5 stars!! Fogo de Chao's papaya cream is yummylicious!!
(3)Nancy H.
3.5 stars. Please come here with one thing in mind...MEAT and lots of it! We came here for dineLA and I must say, I left wishing I came home to a stairmaster. That night, there were 15 variety of meats being hauled around the dining room. I swear waiters holding thick slabs of meet never stopped coming to our table (maybe it was the fact that we forgot to turn or little coaster from green to red because we were overwhelmed with the men and their meat sticks) I lost count after 7 types when everything started to taste about the same. The picanha, top sirloin, and cordeiro were some of my faves. The costela de porco and chicken were dry and the brisket was salty. The salad bar was my savior. After awhile, I needed something green and refreshing to cleanse my palate. The sides never stopped coming. The plantains were a little dry, the mash was pretty good, and the cheese balls were doughy on the inside. Everyone raves about the cheese balls, I still don't know if I like the taste of it. The dessert was fabulous! Papaya is an acquire taste. Some of my friends did not like the papaya cream but I actually thought it was pretty damn awesome. It's basically papaya/vanilla ice cream. If you don't like papaya, I suggest you do not get this. The flan was equally awesome. It wasn't 'eggy' and it was thick and perfectly favored. The service was definitely awesome. The staff catered to our every request and kept everything re-filled. Our server, Erin totally rock!
(3)Nick H.
Meat on top of meat and then more meat and...saved money, too. YAY FOR DINING IN LA Got my grub on and saved a buck. This place was packed. So many people. I even thought I saw someone I knew there. So, they don't run out of meat and you don't even have to stand on your feet. Just eat, eat and eat. The salad bar was lacking compared to other places I have been. The guys bringing the meat around were hella slow! There is a full bar. Beautiful place to pose for a photo. One of the meats reminded me of this Chinese meat wrapped in bacon, delicious, oozing with taste and dripping with deliciousness. I think the waiter said it was fillet mignon. Doesn't matter. I will eat this meat every day for the rest of my life if I was given the chance. Oh ho ho..dessert! Yup, it is included! Tres Leches was the best I have had. Papaya Creme..Yummylicious. I have to say that I actually prefer Greenfield in Long Beach. Faster service and more variety. This place is right on the money. Dine LA sealed the deal with the discount given. This discount allowed for nice servings of merlot. Fogo de Chao is yummylicious.
(4)Jesstine G.
Fogo de Chao is a meat lover's paradise! Probably my favorite restaurant. Before each visit, I get super excited... giddy... like a kid on her way to Disneyland. But man it's pricey! esp if you drink copious amounts of good wine. If you've never been to a churrascaria before, you're in for a treat. Each person has a coaster-like disc - one side is green, the other is red. When you turn it green-side up, men with scrumptious sticks of meat magically appear. Although you'll be tempted to say "yes please" to everything they offer, you should exercise restraint (ha! like that's possible) so that there's room for seconds of your favorites. I adore the PICANHA (house favorite), the GARLIC BEEF (a specialty dish but they always seem to have it, or maybe they make it once I ask for it?) and the LAMB CHOPS! And I definitely get my money's worth... I end up eating like two racks of lamb! Keep it coming boys, keep it coming. If there's something in particular that you want, just ask and they'll get it. If you want your meat more rare/cooked, tell the gaucho and he'll come back with it. The service here is amazing! Three side dishes are automatically brought to the table - mashed potatoes, fried polenta and plantains. Plus, black beans and rice are also available upon request (free of charge). And if you like chiles, they'll even make jalapenos torreados for you. One time, the kitchen sent out the jalapenos, some brazilian chiles, and a freshly made salsa for us. Like I said, excellent service. And although it's difficult to save room for the salad bar, you at least should check it out. It has a great selection of fresh veggies, cured meats, and cheeses... including fresh parmigiano reggiano that you scrape from the wheel! and moist buffalo mozzarella, manchego cheese, proscuitto, asparagus, hearts of palm, artichokes, etc. Since dinner costs almost $60 p/person, it can get expensive quick! I have a penchant for starting off great meals with a glass of champagne (it makes me happy!), and I love a good Cabernet with dinner. Since the corking fee is $25, it's usually a better bargain to bring your own bottle(s). But if you order a bottle, make sure it's the year listed... we went on New Year's Eve and ordered the 2005 Joseph Phelps. We were served the 2006 bottle and when we commented on it, the server said: oh it's the same thing. uhh, no actually it's not! *** Lunch price is $20 less p/person (like $36 p/person) and it's the exact same menu as dinner! But it's only Mon-Fri, from like 11:30 - 2:00 (so long as you're seated by 2:00, they'll keep serving you :)
(5)Raj V.
Probably the best Brazilian steakhouse I've been to in LA! It easily beats out others like Picanha in Burbank.. I came here over New Years day with a friend from Canada. To be honest we went to the SLS first but they were full so this was sort of a second choice. And I'm so friggin' glad we came. I'm a steak fiend so I was in heaven, and as for my friend.. Let's just say it was the most meat I've seen eaten by a 110lb Canadian girl in one sitting.. she loved it! We had 7 different cuts of steak (yes I was counting), chicken and lamb. My favorite was probably the filet. It was seasoned to perfection. And best of all the meat chunks were grilled from rare to medium to well in sections so you could try different textures of the same cut in one sitting. The rib eye, top and bottom sirloins were great too. The lamb was a slight disappointment, they should've tried a sweeter marinade. The chicken was deelish! There was a good variety of sides too. I loved the mashed potatoes. Not a big fan of plantains though so didn't try that but according to my friend it was good. I asked for A1 sauce and got to work on the meats and boy was there a lott...! The servers come by in quick succession when you have your little card showing green. They weren't as attentive replenishing sides but as soon as we pointed that out they brought out more in a flash. Nice service! As for the price it was $57/person but I think that's well worth it, specially when you realize that a single cut at Lawrys costs $40. And the crowd is not pretentious at all, which is cool considering that its in Beverly Hills. Everyone there were dressed in t shirts and jeans and busy pigging out.. Ha! We felt pretty barbaric at the end of the meal having consumed so much meat. But we were happily shtuffed :)
(4)Afrojen S.
downright smackin DELICIOUSSS $30 Lunch, $60 Dinner, for an all-you-can-eat Brazilian Churrascaria.... please, consider yourself LUCKY!! Try out the Picanha and Ancho. This restaurant is a guilt-free environment so get as many high class meat as you want!! Be a fat dinosaur for once! Every meal includes an endless salad bar and lots of side dishes! The cheese breads are wonderful! It has that mochi mochi texture. Get those as many as you can as well! GO CRAZYY! Fogo de Chao is a fabulous place with fabulous service. All staffs are super polite. Totally totally totally worth it.
(5)Jen S.
don't get me wrong. i love my red meat. and i love my steak. here you get all the meat you want!! however, being that it is a buffet, i get so wrapped up in getting my money's worth that i don't feel like i enjoy the meat as much. this place is quite pricey too! almost $60 (the one in denver is almost $40- sigh premium for being in la) plus it gets more pricey since i like to have a red wine with my meat. however it is a must try if you havent been i tried this place in brazil the first time i ate at a fogo and stuff myself by trying every piece of meat available. this second time around i was a bit smarter. one person on our table was from brazil so he recommended the best slices of meat. they usually have a picture of a cow which depicts where each part of the meat comes from and which are the best pieces, however i didn't see it at this location. this might help those who can't eat as much or is more selective about their slices now i stick to: - picanha - medium rare - the meat and the flavor AMAZING - top sirloin / bottom sirloin - both good - garlic beef - who can say no to garlic?? salad bar- i cant ALL meat the whole night so i like to balance it out with some veggies. they have all sorts. salads, asparagus, mushrooms, cheese, etc side orders - cheesy rolls - my table loved these. but a bit too filling for me. have to save room for the meat! but i allow myself to eat one or two - fried polenta - YUMMM must eat; this was probably the dish that got replaced the most - fried bananas cant get better - mashed potatoes - nothing too special so i usually skip it - plantains - maybe because by the time i tried it, the dish was cold but i didn't like it dessert - signature PAPAYA CREAM - usually i don't like papaya but i got it because 1. its their signature dish 2. the waiter said it helps you digest your food (totally true) 3. its mixed with ice cream, even more yum; must must must get!!! super refreshing after the meal - South American FLAN - second signature dish. BEST FLAN EVER. if you love flan, you will love this dish. fogo is the only brazilian steakhouse i will go to. there are cheaper priced ones but their service and their steak is not as good. you might as well spend the extra bucks on a better meal. plus you dont eat like this everyday, so you can splurge once in a while. also i dont think you can find another restaurant where almost all the waiters speak portuguese...
(4)Renuka V.
2 of us had lunch here just now while watching my favourite Brazil vs Cameroon game. Had the meats as recommended by our server, everything was ok but nothing stood out as exceptional. Also the salads were good but once again, nothing stood out. My comparison is lunch at GauchosVillage where the one or two meats we had were superior as well as a few of the appetizers/salads. Also, was disappointed that there were no desserts as part of the buffet other than the sweet plantain which was good. Total bill incl tax and tip was $90.
(3)Jennifer R.
I took my brothers here for one of their birthdays and I had the salad bar...it was SALTYYYY. my brothers LOVED the meats though and the service was friendly. It's valet parking so bring some cash! I'll have to come back to try to meats..i just went for the salad bar because I had already eaten right before.... haha i know im a fatass.
(3)Angelica D.
Oh, dineLA, thank you for the opportunity to experience expensive, over-priced food at an affordable price. Paleo people, this would be a place for you. Maybe. Do you eat burned, charred food? Does it add calories? Okay, maybe this isn't for you. Eat the salad only. A 1PM reservation became a 2PM reservation. For a moment, our friends and I thought we were in Chinatown. This is quite a unique experience where you can go to a salad bar first and grab some veggies to eat with the meats on the swords. When you are ready to eat meat, you flip over some red coaster to the green side and you are ready to dine on some meat the servers will slice off the skewer sword, thingies. I was expecting something like "Bridesmaids," hella good meat and then experiencing the aftermath. Luckily, that did not happen. I guess the only things for me that stood out was the soft cheesy bread, fried french fry looking thing, filet mignon, chicken sausage, and the salad bar. After a while all the meats started to taste the same - salty and burned. It took a while to get certain meats. There was filet mignon wrapped with bacon which was more like raw filet mignon wrapped with raw bacon. It took three different waiters to get us our check. Even the waiters started looking the same. I don't know why people like eating burned or raw meat. I don't know why people like eating here in general. I will not come back. Nothing was orgasmic to me.
(2)Pete C.
I could not believe how bad the service was for our table. Many of the servers went around our table so we didn't get to try a few of the meats. When I asked for the check, the waiter responded with "I guess". We waited almost 20 to 25 minutes to get the check. We asked for the check 4 times. The waiters were sarcastic and rude. It didn't feel like they wanted us there. But we couldn't leave because they wouldn't give us the check. I want to say that the waiters are not too happy about the DineLA rush. As for the food, the only good meat was the filet mignon. All the other meats were alright. The cheese bread was also really good.
(1)Kent H.
The warning I would say is when that little card board is facing green, boy does the meat come fast. The servers come by very quickly before I even had a chance to cut my first meat. I would say my best cut was the house special. I usually enjoy rare, but the garlic beef was very moist and juicy considering it was well done. The lamb was very gamey. The plantain was very mild and not too sweet which was great. Mashed potatoes came by and was refilled rather quickly. The salad bar was pretty good as well. I wouldn't say it had a wide select, but a good selection none the less. Heart of palm, artichoke heart, cured meats and other vegetables. I would not go as far as what they say in the the placard of exotic meats. The red sangria was subpar with floating apple and pair bits. The service was good overall as it was a team effort.
(4)Christine C.
Fine dining at its finest!! Excellent service, glasses were never left half full. The salad bar was filled with the freshest vegetables.The meat was perfectly seasoned and at the right temperature, except for the pork. The pork was a little over cooked. Definitely get the Picanya during your visit. It was the best meat on the menu. Overall, great experience! Great food and great service.
(4)Nick F.
Come on an empty stomach and do your very best to resist the Pao de queijo cuz it will fill you up really fast. It's not cheap, but it's not overly pricey either. If you drink though it will add up relatively fast. Can't wait to give it another go next month in Brazil... Ate prontinho...
(4)Kat L.
I am a huge fan of the chain and was really excited to try this location. I have been to the DC location several times and the experience and the food were always wonderful so I expected nothing less for this one. Unfortunately, the food here seemed a bit off and the meat was not as good as the ones I had in DC. Maybe they were having an off day but I don't think I will be going back to this location.
(3)Sandy C.
Came here with my family for Dine LA lunch, great price and great food. The little cheese rolls were so good, I think I ate like 6 of them. I didn't get to try all the meats but pretty much everything I tried was good. Meat was a good quality, nothing was too salty. I would only come here on Dine LA.
(5)Laila P.
This is a place to go to for any meat lover! Planning my next trip there as i can't stop thinking about this place :)
(5)Cindy T.
This is my first time ever trying Brazilian steakhouse and I have to say I am not that impressed. Most of the meat were dried/over cooked and maybe out of the nine or ten meat options, I only enjoyed one of them. For the price this place is charging, I have top expectations. I won't be coming back for sure.
(2)Ella C.
pronounced fo go dèe shoun....best brazilian steak house hands down! Their salad bar is amazing, they carry hearts of palms so very gourmet! This is truly a dining experience, they have card on table; green will let them know you're ready to experience several delicious meats all types of cuts ranging from lamb to filet mignon. When you've had a enough you flip your card to red. One of the best things was their huge selection of wines all over the world and hard to find bottles. Cant wait to go back, maybe ill leave room for dessert.
(4)Wendy G.
I have never felt so stuffed in my life until after I ate at Fogo de Chao. Aside from being stuffed with a million delicious meats they have a million delicious appetizers too. The salad bar includes:gourmet salads, fresh vegetables, imported cheeses, artisan breads, cured meats and more. I actually highly recommend going to the Fogo de chao website they state exactly what appetizers there are including 24 Month, Aged Parmesan Aged Manchego Cheese Prosciutto Brazilian Hearts of Palm Artichoke Bottoms Sun-Dried Tomatoes Fresh Mozzarella Smoked Salmon Italian Salami Jumbo Asparagus Tabbouleh Shitake Mushrooms One notable thing about the salad bar was the huge wheel of parmasean cheese. It was massive and very memorable. That's how they get you because with so much cheese and meat your def going to want to order wine with that. As if the salad bar hadn't stuffed me enough you aslo get side dishes including this warm cheese bread which was really delicious and fluffy. Polenta, mashed potatoes, and sweet carmelized bananas. Now down to the meats. There is an assortment of different steaks (top sirloin bottom sirloin) , porks, as well as chicken, lamb, and sausages. The waiters just keep coming and coming asking if you want more and more things. They are really attentive with the service. You actually get a little red card which is a stop and go signal if you want them to keep coming. The decor was also very nice. Everything is classy and the wine display is really gorgeous. Overall really good service and food, just don't go crazy on the salad bar otherwise you'll miss the main course which is worth more of your money.
(5)Cesar A.
This place was great.courteous,freindly,great customer service.Oh and the carne was great.Thank you fdc.great iverall experience
(5)Andrew S.
This place is the best buffet style restaurant I've been to. The meat is absolutely delicious. The service is unorthodox but it worked, our waitress was very very nice. We had a delicious Malbec called "Luca" from Argentina. When better to drink South American wine than in a Brazilian steakhouse?? There wasn't a meat I didn't love and the salad bar was pretty good too. High quality cured meat, cheese, and vegetables were at the salad bar. The decor of the restaurant is really the only place I would take substantial points off. It was cool, but I just think that the quality of the food was not matched by the quality of the decor. Obviously that isn't a huge concern.. I care much more about the food and service. Make sure you go on an empty stomach!
(4)Boneyard Y.
At the invitation of my brother in law, I ate here with my extended family a few months ago and it was amazing. The food was excellent and the wait staff was amazing. Based on that experience I recently went with a bunch (23 total) of friends for a guys night out. I was stunned at the difference on my second visit. The salad bar was equally good and the meats - WHEN THEY ARRIVED - were outstanding. The problem is that the meats seldom showed up and the wait staff was totally inattentive. Our cards showed green all night but the gauchos didn't seem interest in serving us. Twice I mentioned to the head waiter and he said, "I apologize, I'll take care of it" but the expression on his face was "get lost bozo". He did NOT take care of it and it was frustrating. The bill for the evening was several thousand dollars and the attitude was that we were doing them a favor by being there. We weren't loud, drunken fools, we all behaved ourselves, in retrospect maybe we should have made a scene. I mentioned the experience to my sister and she said, "Bummer. Yeah, a couple people have told us that. We always get good service there, probably because Mike holds a lot of business meetings there. Plus he had his company part there and it was about $60 thousand." Holy smoke, 60 grand??! So if you have a truckload of money you'll probably get served well. If not, you're probably screwed.
(1)Sam K.
If you LOVE meat, this is the place to get your fill and then some! Don't get me wrong, its pricey! Like 60 bucks a person pricey. BUT the service is impeccable and the choices that you get are just AWESOME. From the moment you flip that card green, the "guachos" as they call them, start the bombardment of meats to your table. Not just one or two meat carvers, but we got a total of 5 at once handling our table! Top sirloin? Ok....Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon? SURE....Chicken drumstick and Sausage? ALRIGHT....pork ribs? Bring it ON! Along with the meats, come the ENDLESS sides that come with the dinner. Grilled bananas ( its infused in crack i tell you!!!!), fried polenta, mashed potatoes, and their cheeeeeeeese Rolls!!!!!! (does anyone know how to make these, cuz i would kill for the recipe!) They also serve these drinks called Guarana....TASTY DRINKS! But surely and slowly, you start getting full but the waiters keep coming! WHY??? DO THEY LIKE TO HEAR MY REJECTIONS? why do they tempt me with all this yummy meat? OH RIGHT! MY STUPID GREEN CARD!!! they really don't stop coming to your table until all the cards are on red. Nothing like this other brazillian bbq place in anaheim where they just stop coming to your table period even if you have the card on green. They also have a great salad bar but i didn't check it out in person because i was just there for the MEAT. I am not gonna fill my stomach with silly vegetables at a bbq place! If you're looking to eat meat, this is definitely worth checking out. But if you're on a budget don't come here! ahhahhah especially if you're taking a date since you'll be leaving with 150 dollars less than what you came in with!
(4)Joe L.
Hands down the best Brazilian restaurant ever!! Service is quick and you will be surprised how much meat the human stomach can consume in 1 sitting!
(5)Lourdes R.
Love, love, love. I can't say enough how much I love this place! When I'm feeling carnivorous, this is the place to be! Lunch is a much better deal and is not as busy in my opinion. The quality of their meat is top notch and their service is even better. All the gauchos are attentive and will even ask you if there is a cut of meat that you particularly want. My favorite hands down is the house sirloin followed by the beef rib just because of the salt crust. Yummy! Their sides are fantastic as well! I am careful not to fill up on the warm cheese bread because they are just so easy to eat especially when they are just right out of the oven! The only thing that you need to worry about is pacing yourself when you come here because you could get full really fast. As soon as you get seated, the gauchos come around and offer you their cuts of meat. I usually have two plates, one for the salad and the other for the meats. This way, your food doesn't get all mixed up and you get to enjoy what you're eating. Parking is a bit crazy, but their valet service is cheap compared to other places in this area. It's just more convenient to valet so you might as well just do it and not worry about having to park your car and getting a massive ticket. Avoid this place during Dine LA or most occasions because it will get packed. LOL! Everyone wants to be a carnivore and experience the Brazilian hospitality! Victor, the manager is amazing and he and his team will make sure that your dining experience here is fantastic!
(5)Elina A.
Amazing Amazing Amazing! Best service! Best food. I just wish I wouldn't get full so fast. If you are looking for great Brazilian food this is the spot. About $60 per person. But worth it!
(5)Luba A.
Meat, meat and more meat!! This restaurant is a must for true Carnivores. My boyfriend and I tried this place during dine LA week so we saved a few bucks on the dinner menu however it is worth every penny. There is a total of 16 types of meat. Strategically we managed to try 14 out of 16. The favorites were filet mignon, chicken wrapped in bacon, lamb chops, rib eye and picanha. All the meat is brought to the table sizzling hot and the sides are just as amazing. Our reservations were for 6 o'clock and by 5:59 we were already seated. The level of service was superb. If definitely recommend this restaurant to any foodie who's looking to fill up on some delicious protein.
(5)Mignon B.
So don't go for DineLA just go for lunch same menu as dinner. Almost $20 less. Simply AMAZING!
(5)Courtney T.
Came here for DineLa. It was very busy but the service staff was spot-on. One of the best service experiences my boyfriend and I have had at a restaurant. Great selection of meats, endless. My favorite was the Picanha as well as the filet wrapped with bacon. The passionate caipirinha was absolutely delicious. As well, they have an extensive wine list, some a bit marked up though. We ended up bringing our own wine, corkage was pretty expensive $25. Had a great experience, ate enough meat to last me a month. Would definitely go back again.
(4)Crystal W.
I've always wanted to try this place & finally got to do it during dineLA. It was extremely disappointing. All the meats definitely do start tasting the same after a while & I would not want to eat any of them as an actual entree. Everyone raves about the salad bar, but all I saw were fillers mainly. To make it worse, I'm 100% sure I got food poisoning from here! I can safely say this because this is the only meal I had all day!!! I had this for lunch yesterday & am still suffering from it. My immune system is really good & I've never had any problems like this before. WORST. MEAL. EVER.
(1)Kai W.
It's almost impossible to find parking so you pretty much have to do Valet. This place is huge. It's a lot bigger than what I initially imagined. First, the cheesy bread ball thing is awesome. What's better is using the meat to make small sliders out of them. If you like pure meat, this place is for you! Out of all the meat I tried, the Filet Mignon is the BEST. It's amazingly tender that tears off so easily. The meat comes around often so you don't have to wait around for food to come. Service is friendly. It's a little bit on the pricey side but you definitely get what you pay for. Definitely recommended!
(5)Michael M.
This is the best Brazilian buffet in town. Came here Friday night for the last day of dinela. $45 for dinner normally $58 ($28 just for salad bar). Crowded and packed, but well worth the wait. Make sure to make reservations before. The filet mignon and top sirloin are the highlights here. Oh and the cheese rolls were the bomb. Only downside was the $6 for valet.
(5)Garry G.
In the ages old battle of man versus beast, this place is the hero's homecoming parade. And the victor is man. And to him go the lavish spoils. A Las Vegas-sized dining room is permeated with waiters in Gaucho garb galavanting with grilled meats on gigantic swords. Lamb, various cuts of beef, pork, chicken, sausage, and, perhaps the truest testament to the parade, meats wrapped in other meats, are sliced onto your plate until you run out of Lipitor. The salad and appetizer bar, while abundant, has everything in such gigantic, steak-house proportions, that even this is not for the faint of heart and certainly not for the faint of diet. The service is quick, attentive and friendly, especially given the size of the operation. Finally, I recommend going at lunch, where the exact same meal (there is no menu, it's all you can eat of everything except dessert) will cost you 30% less. Translate that into tax and tip savings, too, and it's a deal. Great for large parties, too. Viva la carnival!
(5)Andrew H.
By far the best Brazilian BBQ ever. Wonderful service by the entire staff. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it. I STRONGLY suggest the flan. It's very rich, made with condensed milk. If you won't be drinking any wine, I also recommend GUARANA Brazilian soda. ENJOY!
(5)Penn T.
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.
(4)Leona L.
AYCE :) so yummy! The meat was extemely delicious, although some of them were a bit salty! I still loved it!! I forgot what drink I ordered, but it was the first drink on the menu that starts with a "C" and boy was that strong!! The sugar cane rum was soooo strong! The PAPAYA CREAM for desset is to die for!
(4)Diana T.
I just have to say that I came here on a DineLa dinner evening and was less than wowed. It's what I would expect from a Brazilian restaurant however what kind of salad bar was that? I couldn't even construct a decent plate of salad. My husband likes to argue that when you go to a Brazilian restaurant all you should be going for is the meat which I can appreciate however even the meat wasn't spectacular. The place was PACKED! The meat was super salty. The only decent thing I overindulged in was the rolls. which are irresistible. So irresistible that I've managed to replicate my own recipe at home and have been having them nightly with dinner. Yum! Overall I'd find another Brazilian restaurant to go to and stay way from the BH hype.
(3)Maral J.
I've been to this Brazilian meat fest for dinner multiple times and never disappointed. It's a little pricey, but for those of us with big appetites I think it's worth the loot. Open salad bar and endless meats are def my calling.
(5)Steven G.
Fogo continues to be the best! Went to Fogo in Addison, TX, Scottsdale AZ and LA and all just perfect!
(5)Sarah K.
I just went for the first time to this place for dineLA and it was probably the worst experience I ever had. My friends and I had a reservation at 9:30 and didnt get seated until an hour and a half later. There was a hostess that was giving out bread to the people who were waiting, but it seemed like she was going to the same people, cause i know my little starving tummy did not get any! the place was super crowded and it was a mission just to get to the salad bar, we finally got our check and they charged my whole table twice. If i wouldve known that it was only going to save just 10 dollars for the buffet i would have gone on a regular night.
(2)Nicole K.
I love this place. It's a chain and both of the ones I have been to have been great. You pay one price then it's on. All you can eat baby. You have a card and you turn it red or green based on if you want them to stop with meat. They put a ton of sides on the table and there is a salad bar by save room for main stuff, the meat! Don't miss this place, it is delicious and authentic tasting!
(5)Fonzelle A.
Came here for our anniversary on a Saturday night. We had a wonderful experience at a Fogo de Chao in another state and this experience did not live up to our expectations. I felt that it was overpriced for the value of the food and the ambience. On the other hand, the meats are delicious and well prepared but I feel you can get a better meal and service at a nice steak house for the price we paid.
(3)Forrest D.
La Cienega is a street full of high concept restaurants played out in very large and mostly faux luxurious dining rooms. Some of them are fabulous, some are better to look at, but they all have one common thread in that they are each wildly overpriced. Fogo de Chao fits right in here, there's probably not a better location in the city for it. As expected, it's manly almost to a fault. Dark woods, tall ceilings, vaguely stiff but not offputting, it's a shrine to meat in all it's glory and though they have a salad bar that quite good, it's really all about the meat. It's also rather impressive, a constant flow of servers who also cook their own meats before they serve it to you. There's a little bit of everything and had I been on a more leisurely pace I would have taken more notes on the qualities of each type of offering, but the quality of meat is quite good overall. When you want meat, you flip you drink platter to green and when you've had enough you flip it back over to red. It's actually impressive how quickly the meat piles up when you turn it to green. The servers come in droves and if you forget to flip you'll be buried under piles of ribs and steak and lamb. Quality of meat here is fairly high considering it's all you can eat. Certainly some cuts are better than others, and some of the flavoringss are hit or miss depending on your predilections for certain spices but, especially at lunch time this is quite a bargain.....if you are a big eater. Mostly, all you can eat is lost on me as I prefer quality over quantity but there's a good balance here. The sides are pretty good, a decent mashed potato and a good plantain among other choices, and of course as much as you desire. Each meal I've had here has been for a company party so I'm likely to be more positive than if I had payed the bill. This is an excellent place for a party, even with large groups the service is impeccable but not overbearing. It's not cheap, at $36 for lunch and $56 for dinner there are lot's of other choices in the city where you can get better for less, but for a churascarria they do it right here. Drinks are expensive, and the house wines were terrible. The merlot and shiraz were almost undrinkable, and believe me I can drink anything. One of my coworkers said she'd ordered a really good bottle on a previous visit, so it's possible the wine list is better but it's also way overpriced for the offerings they have. This is the fourth time we've come, and it's been pretty consistent each visit. A little of the novelty has worn off by now, but it's a good solid choice for carnivores with cash. I'm having trouble with the star rating here, for me it's about three stars but for a Brazilian restaurant and the presentation I'm going with four stars. Best Plates: All You Can Eat Lunch Food - B+ Ambience - A- Service - A+ Value - B+
(3)Cathy K.
Hat's off to the staff at Fogo! If I could wear all the hats I own and take them off one by one, all in reverence to their fantabulousness. When I called in advance to set up a particular arrangement, they were helpful as can be. When i drove my car into the lot, I asked the valet guys not to bother parking my car - I was planning to come right back out. As I struggled with my two packages against the whipping winds, one of the valet guys held open the door for me. As soon as the host and hostess saw me coming through the door saddled with my things, they rushed forward to relieve me. When I went back outside to leave, the valet guys had parked my car anyway, but right alongside the entrance so that I could leave easier. Awesome! Later, when S and I arrived for our proper reservation, the valet guys and the hostess threw me a little wink. Everything was in place and ready to go. Just as I requested, we had an unobtrusive corner table with everything set up just as requested. Our server, Anna, was fabulous. She was super adorable in her own quirky way, and though she wasn't exactly subtle, her profuse attempts to cunningly communicate with me were awesome. The food was perfect and delicious, and our water glasses were never left empty. As soon as they got half-empty, Anna was right back, filling them up to the brim. Awesome! When it was time for our "dessert," Anna was soooo on top of it, always making sure to communicate with me to make sure everything was perfect. A million kudos to Anna and the rest of the awesome staff at Fogo!
(5)yelper b.
For me, it's not even about the meat. Don't get me wrong, I love a good piece of meat, but every time I come here, I end up stuffing myself silly with practically everything else but the meat. That's how good their salad bar is. Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, cheeses, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, asparagus, and more. Plus the endless sides of creamy polenta, cheese puffs, and mashed potatoes. Sooo good, soo good!
(4)Cathrine Z.
WOOOOAAAAAHH! Meat lovers and food snobs read on! I walked into this blind. I didn't know what kind of food they served, what style of service I might experience or what sort of smells might cross my baited nostrels. All I knew was that I needed to check out the space to host my firms company holiday party. So a couple colleagues and I make our way to the restaurant and meet up with Vitor, a lovely man who helps set up the private parties held there. We take a look at the space.... CHECK, discuss set-up,,,,,CHECK... go over times and any sort of extras we need....DONE. So then, in the back of our heads we were contemplating someplace to go nearby to grab lunch. That mystery was soon resolved. Vitor escorted us to a table and explained the way shit went down during one's experience........................................Â....little did we know, his words would be greatly exceeded by a package unexpected. I felt like I was a princess being waited on hand and foot, I didn't have the opportunity to even ask for anything I may have wanted, it was brought to me as if each employee was a mind reader. I started out with the buffet, a variety of salads, meats, veggies, cheeses and breads lay before me. I was given a tip to not stalk up on this round, but I didn't listen (I never do). That was soon a regret and a delight. Once I was halfway through my colorfully loaded plate, the rest of my group flipped over these cards that were at each place setting.... tippin off the world that we were ready for heaven, which is what we got. It was brought to us on silver spheres... with unicorns dancing and leprechauns singing in the background. The experience was so unreal and fun that it seemed like a dream. The meats, each different and cooked with such love and care, I felt like the flavor explosion had to dissipate at some point, or I would get use to it, or I would come across a bad bite...... something had to lesson... but no. No. Dessert is designed to help your digestion and when paired with a rare coffee bean cup of Joe, it simply topped off our afternoon journey giving it a 5 star review. Go.. Just GO!
(5)Eric R.
My goodness. The meat orgy going on here is ridiculous. Came with 3 other homies and we went crazy with the meats there. It does kind of taste the same at the end but come on, it's the same animal, you can only change a cow so much. Salad bar is pretty amazing too. Lots of options. Tons of cheese. And bacon. Just keep asking for those cheese rolls and keep your shit on green and life will be good. #meatgaSm
(5)David B.
Just another one of these places. Not my think but OK and expensive.
(3)Taya V.
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!
(5)D S.
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.
(4)Jerry K.
Lots of good food and very good service.
(5)Harry P.
I have successfully been initiated into the Fogo culture. I LOVE this place. All you can eat meat, need I say more?
(5)bebe c.
Good service. Really good place for people who like meat. Salad bar was fresh.
(4)Alvin N.
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.
(3)Jenn L.
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.
(5)Robin S.
Love this place but I can't eat that much meat! The salad bar and fried polenta are amazing! Price went up though...
(5)serina c.
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
(5)Demanding T.
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:)
(4)Daniel B.
If you love meat, you'll be in heaven at Fogo. Though the cost is high, it's worth every penny. Surrounded by walls of wine and friendly servers, the experience is as good as the food itself, and you're guaranteed to leave with a full stomach. The salad bar is laden with a delectable variety of salads, cheeses, and other hors d'oeuvres. My favorites are the lox and mozzarella, and I'd be more than happy making a meal out of it all (which is an option). This is all well and good, but the main course is where it's at. Flip over your card, and get ready for the swarm of meat and skewers. For as long as you desire, you'll be presented with whatever delicious items happen to be in your area. It's basically a full service meat buffet, and it's all cooked to perfection. Take my advice, and finish it off with some crème brûlée.
(4)Shelly A.
I have been to this restaurant at least 8 times and every time I go I enjoy it more... they have the best Pecania ever! And the service is so fast all the people that work there are so nice....They will definitely see me there again soon....
(5)Nick B.
I've eaten at a lot of restaurants, especially steakhouses, and this Fogo de Chao is right up there with the best of them. From the amazing salad bar, to the great selection of drinks and wines, to finally the amazing variety of meats, this place delivers. The shear volume of fantastically prepared meats are enough to entertain, but this shop doesn't rest on just that. As I understand it, the chefs bringing the meats around to the tables prepare that individual cut, so there is definitely pride taken in the preparations. While the format of chefs walking the restaurant shilling food would normally not be a concept that sounded appealing to me, Fogo de Chao is so good that it does not seem forced or cheesy. If you like meat, this is one of the better options that you can entertain.
(5)Serina T.
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.
(5)Greg S.
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.
(3)Nicole S.
I've been here a few times and the service has always been excellent, and they are very accommodating with my children. The salad bar is wonderful in its own right, and even better paired with the many, many varieties of meat. You will be full before you can try them all!
(5)Arta W.
My favorite restaurant, hands down. have been coming here for years and could not be more pleased with the food and the staff. Fogo is not cheap, but you will not feel ripped off at all. Most of these Brazilian steak houses are notorious for initially bringing you inferior cuts to fill up on, but this place is not like that. If you only want filet mignon they'll only bring you filet, they are not here to nickel and dime you and will bring anything you request almost immediately in any manner you'd like it cooked. If it's your first time it can be very overwhelming because they just keep coming at you with the meats. There is an unspoken competition between the waiters, who are also the cooks, to see who can go through the most skewers as a badge of honor for their cooking skills. Do not be afraid to say no or ask them to come back, they won't take it personally. Pick your favorite meats that you'd like to try, usually filet and picanha for most newbies, and stick to them until you are satisfied and then try a few other things. Def check out the salad bar, but don't be a short bus rider and fill up unnecessarily. the steak quality is about 90% of what you'll find at Maestros, but unlike Maestros you can try an array of cuts of different meats without the pressure of having one steak being either great or mediocre depending on the night. If you don't like a particular cut you just wait until they come around again with either the same cut cooked differently or another equally good, but different cut of meat. Meats in order of deliciousness. 1. Picanha - there's a couple different types of picanha but ask them for thin slices from the traditional rounded ribeye cap, makes a big difference. It's the flavor of ribeye with the tenderness of filet. 2. Filet - excellent, very juicy and flavorful, even for a traditionally low fat cut 3. All lamb cuts. possibly more gamey than some lamb i've had, but lamb lovers that i've gone with all rave about the lamb chops. the record apparently is 42 in a sitting so good luck. 4. Ribeye 5. Bacon-wrapped chicken - seasoned with lemon pepper. DO NOT SLEEP on this one. 6. Beef and Pork Ribs. juicy and delicious. try the pork with just a squirt of lime on them like they recommend and you'll be shocked. beef ribs are incredibly tender and if you are so inclined they have a great traditional American bbq sauce to pair it with. 7. Top and Bottom Sirloin - overlooked, but great 8. Chicken wings and sausage - worth trying if you're not already full *Note on the bacon wrapped filet. Usually restaurants use some of their leftover filet for the bacon wrapped, as the bacon adds more flavor from fat. not sure if that's the case here, but if you wanna be a fat genius you get a piece of the bacon wrapped, take the bacon off and then get a piece of the non-bacon wrapped filet and combine it with the bacon. Salad bar itself it worth $40 with awesome parmesan that you can carve out a giant cheese wheel yourself, as well as great smoked meats. And they have a freaking bowl of bacon; it was as if God himself stocked the salad bar. All the sides and sauces are also AYCE and excellent. Chimichurri so good you may be tempted to inject it directly into your veins - try it with the cheese bread. Desserts are spectacular. Particular mention goes to the passion fruit sorbet, but literally everything on the dessert menu is excellent if you can lift your fork after all that food. Pizzi and Victor, the managers, are two of the greatest guys one could hope to meet. they care deeply about their customers and it permeates the attitude of the entire staff down to the bussers. I have been coming here for years and in LA terms, am a complete nobody, but every time I dine here I'm treated like I can give them a part in my upcoming movie. Lunch or dinner are equally great, but DineLA can be hectic and you will not get the same experience because they are stretched to the limit. The busier the better usually, so shoot for a friday or saturday because the meat turnover is higher and you'll get fresher cuts. Fogo is great for groups because with the flat rate you don't run into a situation where you have that one a-hole friend who orders the most expensive things on the menu and expects you to split the check with them. wine selection is varied and excellent. they also have traditional brazilian cocktails and sodas. I have no affiliation with this place, I just love it. insanely good. eat here before you die if you love steak. Don't plan on any physical activity for at least 12 hours afterwards
(5)Tyler M.
This place is AMAZING. I was taken there by some of the in-laws, it was truly a great experience. I didn't go for the salad bar (though I did partake in it), I wanted the meat. I have heard so much about the meat at this place - the 16 different cuts that just dissolve in your mouth etc. Let me tell you, I was not at all let down. Not only do they just keep the meat coming, but the garlic mashed potatos, the rolls with the cheese inside of them, and the fried bananas keep coming as well. But I will warn you, if you over indulge in the rest of the stuff you will NOT get the entire fulfillment of the meat. So take it easy there with the other goodies. Everything from the wine racks, to the napkins are extravegant. The best part is, you can come in with shorts and a t-shirt on and still fit right in. Go eat, eat, eat, and enjoy the evening. Splurge on the significant other, but just remember what happens to you the morning after you eat to much red meat. Enjoy - now get out there and splurge a little would ya? The economy could use a little help.
(4)Abraham C.
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.
(4)Michael S.
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.
(4)Angelica P.
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.
(5)Diana H.
i love this place.. meats are so fresh and it melts in your mouth.. i love the fact that they serve different cuts. very tasty.. the salad bar is "okay". . but of course you go here for the meat not the veggies! lol remember to make reservations.
(5)Jane D.
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!!!
(5)Paula D.
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!
(5)woojin k.
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.
(5)Chang Y.
Green really means green for they will not let your plate go empty. Usually when a server turns his back, I'm ready for another one! But ah, there is another server right behind him almost offended that my plate was empty for a split second. Would you like another one? Oh yes! This other-worldly tag-team service is what stands out even more than their already outstanding steaks, salad bar, and wine list.
(5)Brooke S.
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.
(5)Cat T.
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.
(5)Connie C.
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.
(4)Ruth V.
I liked the way they cook their meats, jus perfect. The picanha, the favorites, filet mignon, garlic beef, the lamb. The food are so tasty. Their salad bar, not so much choices compare to other Brazilian restaurants. Loved their wine list, reds r my favorite, we choose 5555 from chile, can't remember the name, but it's good for the meats. Desserts great selections. The flan, Choco melting cake, creme brûlée , turtle cheesecake, wow we jus tasted almost everything. Best of all the service, they always come n check n make sure we have everything.
(4)Maria Y.
I loved this place. Excellent service, amazing food, variety of meats (and vegetables which was unexpected). There is a valet parking, which is also great. The cheese bread is an absolute must. The only tip I have is for the girls - they keep the temperature rather low, so a little black dress might not be a good option. It was colder inside than outside - that was 10 PM the end of October. Expect the check to be around $100 if you don't drink too much.
(5)Rod T.
I've been here a few times and the food never disappoints. Never.
(5)Ingrid L.
I hadn't had many experiences with brazilian steakhouses because my BF and I always went to Samba with their livingsocial deals. It wasn't until my dad treated the family to the new fogo in vegas that we were amazed and hooked. After one of the best dining experiences I've ever had in vegas, I came and wanted to take my boyfriend to Fogo to show him how much we were missing out on by going to the cheaper Samba. However, this location ended up being pretty disappointing. We were seated at this awkward table in the middle of a bunch of other tables. Some of the other tables around us had extra people extending out of their table making it pretty much impossible to get to our table. You would've thought that the waiters would've done or said something but they didn't. My BF and I ended up having to order what we wanted from whichever waiter we could flag down because nobody was coming to our table. It was just a really big pain in the butt and quite disappointing. I ended up getting full off the salad bar because they kept bringing me overcooked meat. I guess I'll have to just avoid this location and just make sure to go to Fogo next time I go to Vegas.
(2)Wendy H.
This review is long overdue. I came here for dineLA and was so glad my friends suggested this place! Meat lovers, reunite! We had a reservation but still had to wait about 5 minutes once we've arrived. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to make a reservation and to also NOT park in the valet area right in front. We parked at the valet area right next to this restaurant for the same price and avoided having to wait a while once we were done eating. It was a complete mess. So once you're inside there is an open salad bar that has anything & everything you can imagine! You can definitely get full just by eating from the salad bar so refrain yourselves, people!! Once you're seated you have circle indicators at your table that you can turn for green or red. Make sure you remember to flip your indicator to red once you don't want any more meat because these folks come at ya FAST and you will be overwhelm. I was sooo surprised at how fast these guys show up to offer you different kinds of meat. The only gripe I had was sometimes it gets repetitive and the ones that you actually DO want to try tend to be wandering off somewhere else. But overall, I liked all the meat that I tasted and it was good quality! Also, because it was dineLA the restaurant tried to squeeze in as much table as possible so it was sometimes hard for the meat servers to move around so it felt cramped. The best part for me was dessert though. We got the flan and the tres leche cake. OHH LAWWWD, I just died and went to desserts heaven. Both were delicious but the tres leche cake just meeeeeeeelts in your mouth. Overall, I'd definitely come back here!
(4)Chrissy K.
MEAT MEAT MEAT!! For all your carnivores out there, this is the place to go to get your fill!! Delicious meats cooked so exquisitely! and for the herbivores, theres an awesome Salad Bar! I've been here several times and will make sure to come back often!
(5)Sean P.
lunch cost same as dinner so go there for lunch eat the same thing pay 50% less. order capriniha really good.
(5)Kimberly M.
Love their food. I really recommend their salad bar. They are known for their meat, but a vegetarian can enjoy a meal there too.
(5)Jette S.
I've only gone here 4-5 times now and they have never failed me. I'm not a big meat eater but when I do, we come here. Most of the time we come for my husband's bday cuz he's loves their lamb. I come for their cheese bread. Their service here is great when they're not too busy. We come during lunch cuz it's not crowded. They waiters are always great. Always ask if we have special request on any meat selections that we haven't been served or want again. They need more rooms between tables but other than that, great place to dine. They're pricey but what do you expect in Beverly Hills?
(5)MaryAnne D.
Tried Fogo de Chao after salivating over pics and reviews on Yelp. Sounds expensive but 1200+ reviewers can't be wrong, right? Dragged a friend and hubby during DineLa for dinner. Cost was about $55 with tax and tip. The waiter gave us the run down since we were first timers. We started with the salad bar. There wasn't much on the selection unlike one of the pics on Yelp. Maybe they limit it during DineLA. The salmon was a standout. The cheese bread was just okay. The service is impeccable. The moment we turn our card green, a throng of servers were around us to over different cuts of meat. Even when we have it in red and they see that you have little meat, they will ask if you want to try. They constantly refill the bread basket. The fried plantain did not taste like the normal plantain to me. The filet mignon was great. The food was just 3 stars to me. Nothing extraordinary. The service is 5 stars. The price is 2 stars. I think even for the DineLa deal, it was still a very expensive dinner. There's really only so much that one can eat. I think for DineLa lunch price of $28, it will be worth it. Go hungry if you want to get your money's worth or want to try all their cuts. Quick tips: 1. Take you time and enjoy each cut. 2. Turn the card to red after each serving if you can't eat fast. Otherwise, the meat will get cold in your plate. 3. Go hungry.
(3)Priscilla Z.
Meat came to table too fast, got full easily. But meat is high quality, though i think the beef was a little bit over cooked. but the lamb chops are really really good. Just about right. And the cheese bread was sooooooo delicious. When they are warm:) As the salad bar, not as fancy as the one at Libra I think.. But they are all of good quality. The dessert has no presentation, and the chocolate mousse cake was too sweet, cheesecake lacks flavor and was too heavy. Don't give them a chance to ruin your whole meal.
(4)Niva S.
I came here with co-workers for a holiday party and I had a lot of fun! I do think it was over priced for the serviced we received. I had to raise my hand to get service and also had to call a waiter to twice to just to food when they walk round and slice food on your plate! if you are vegetarian then don't come here! the food was great when I did get served. I would go back just see if the service has changed. valet is under staffed so be prepared to wait.
(3)Angela H.
This is my second time at a Churrascaria, the first being Agorra in Irvine. Came here for an anniversary dinner with the S.O. and for the price, I was expecting to be blown out of the water, either by the decor, or the 15 cuts of meat they had in their selection. - First thing we noticed that it was a casual restaurant, but could easily do for a nice night out like birthdays and private events. Most of the people we saw were dressed in jeans. - Second thing I noticed was the Appetizer/Salad bar. I love that they had an extensive deli meats and cheese selection which included prosciutto and smoked salmon. - The staff was very accommodating and friendly. Service was great! A few seconds after I turned my card over to green, 5 servers showed up with stacks of meat for me to choose from. Overwhelming, but in a very good way. I got one (or two) of everything. It made my little carnivorous tummy very happy. - The quality and taste of the meats..was decent and good, but not great. For $68, I was expecting the seasonings and rubs to rock my world, but it tasted more like something the S.O.'s family puts together on a weekly basis. The bacon-wrapped choices were my favorite for the night. I love bacon!! Maybe because this was my second time, I knew what to expect and it wasn't as much of an eye-opening experience as I thought it would be. S.O. said the food was on the decent side too, but nothing awe-inspiring. All in all, it's a little pricey, but it is in Beverly Hills, and it's a smorgasbord of good all-you-can-eat food that would cost about the same elsewhere, but for a much smaller portion. NOTE: One thing that sets this place apart was the service and hosts. Amazingly friendly, quick, accommodating, and made our anniversary much more enjoyable. All I did was mention that it was our anniversary on the reservations, and they brought a nice little sorbet dessert plate complete with flower and a little message saying 'Happy Anniversary.' That made my night. :) I will definitely post pictures. 5 stars for staff, 3.5 stars for food = 4 stars
(4)Michael K.
Go for lunch, the price is much more affordable. Just a note for those going for the first time, take your time. We made the mistake of trying to keep up with the meat offerings and ending up getting way too stuffed, too fast. The meat is OK, nothing amazing. For me this was definitely a try it once and move on sort of place. The only item that stood out for me was the bacon wrapped chicken. Everyone working here was super friendly and willing to bring out any item that seemed to have missed our table.
(4)Will K.
What more is there to say... its Fogo! Great meat, great place to bring friends, great service, and good wine, and great appetizers / salads Making me hungry right now. ... I guess I'll be checking in tomorrow! Come! you won't regret it
(5)Tanya G.
Came here for DineLA about a year ago so the prices were much more reasonable, but it was also very crowded. The ambience was fantastic, as was the service. The salad/veggie bar was pretty good and a good compliment to all the meat. From their website, I see that they offer a salad bar only option for lunch/dinner that's just under $30 -- not worth paying that much for just the salad/veggie bar because the highlight of this restaurant is the different meat options. Otherwise, I found the meat to be good quality and cooked well.
(4)Pat M.
I really don't know why this restaurant has such a high rating. We have been going to M Grill which is 5 stars so we thought we'd try Fogo de Chao and boy were we disappointed. The restaurant is very crowded with the tables really close to each other and waiters constantly squeezing by our table with dirty dishes and meat to serve. I felt like I was in a subway station the traffic was so bad. The way the tables were set up the waiter for the table next to us had to have his rear end about a foot from my seat to serve them. So I got to look at his butt all night. The air conditioning was not working very well and several people complained about the heat so they opened a window to cool the huge room. I'm paying over $60 per person in Beverly Hills and the A.C. doesn't even work!! The meat was O.K. at best, the baby back ribs were overcooked and the salad bar was picked over. I won't be going back that's for sure, I would recommend M Grill which has a relaxed atmosphere, better food and cost less too.
(1)Kevin W.
Came here for DineLA since you get the same food for a cheaper price. Parking is valet $5.50 Make a reservation so you do not have to wait for a seat. Food, - Meat - I tried everything they had and it was hit or miss. Some were salty and dry and some were tender. Can't expect it to be perfect though, since its a buffet style. I was expecting better quality stuff, meat was the same as all the b-bbq I've had. - Beef Rib - This meat was awesome! So soft and tender. I ate two plates after I was full! I had to ask for this meat and waited like 30 minutes for them to bring it. - Cheese Ball - nice and fluffy - Salad Bar - Good choices to help cut all the meat flavor Issues, - DineLA, they over pack the restaurant so its super cramped. - They hide all the good meat. You have to ask for the good stuff and they take forever to bring it. And they give you the smallest portion of it. You pay so much to get to try it all and they just give you the crap cuts to fill up on so you do not eat the good meats they say they offer.
(3)Jess M.
Favorites include the Picanha, bacon-wrapped filet, and bacon-wrapped chicken, but absolutely everything is amazing here. The service is unparalleled, and the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable.
(5)Yoh T.
yummy! thanks muux2 for taking me here! woot!
(5)Carrie C.
I am the ultimate meat eater. With that said, this place was absolute heaven for me. I had kept hearing about how great this place was and didn't have a chance to go until my sister suggested it for Father's day dinner. I jumped on it. It's right across the street from Lawry's (another fine dining establishment) and it's huge and beautiful. You sit down and immediately the feast starts. Brazilian BBQ is all you can eat. You have a paper disc that's green for go on one side and red for stop on the other. When it's green, waiters with huge skewers approach you to give you what they have. You control your destiny. The waiter automatically brings out their famous cheese bread (hot, and super moist on the inside that just melts in your mouth..I think we had several baskets) and the sides, polenta (which I'm not normally a fan of), fried bananas (MMMMM) and literally the smoothest and silkiest mashed potatoes that I have ever had in my life. I can't even imagine how they mashed it to that silky consistency. The meat were all super juicy and extremely flavorful. Chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, pork sausages, beef ribeye, bacon wrapped filet, siloin, lamb, all sooo delicious. Good thing we all looked at the menu before because we never got the ribs. I asked for it and they promptly brought out pork and beef ribs. Tender and mouthwatering. Besides the food, the service was spectacular. The sides and drinks were instantly refilled and we were asked by 10 different people if we were satisfied. my mom asked for a box to take the leftover cheese bread over and he actually brought out two boxes of fresh hot ones for her. So sweet. Oh there was also a salad bar, which looked fresh but which I skipped because I certainly didn't want to waste any stomach space. This place is no joke. Starve yourself before you go to this place. Get your money's worth and savor every moment of it.
(5)JC K.
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. :(
(3)Amy C.
Dined here with 10 other people on Sunday 10/2/11, as part of the Dine LA specials they were offering. Atmosphere is pretty classy. Service was outstanding! Their salad bar offers a decent selection of cheeses, fresh vegetables and salads and bread. Their side dishes were delicious! Everyone at our table loved their cheese bread! It was crunchy on the outside and warm and chewy on the inside. So yummy! Their garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized plantains were also delicious and accompanied the variety of meats served very well. I have to say the meats were all very tasty and juicy, with the exception of the baby back ribs which were over cooked and dry, crunchy and lacked any flavor at all. The amount of food you get at this place can be overwhelming! If you are a huge beef eater, then this definitely a place where you can eat your money's worth in meat. Dessert wise, I had a chance to try their chocolate mousse and key lime pie. The chocolate mousse was very heavy, rich and bit too sweet for my own taste buds. I am a fan of chocolate, but this was a bit a much for me. Their key lime pie however, was excellent as it was not too tart, nor was it overly sweet. The key lime pie also had an undeniably, smooth and creamy texture to it. I am not a fan of key lime pie, but this was amazing and perfect.
(4)Kevin N.
$70 for all you can eat Brazilian bbq. Waiters/waitresses walk around with a big ass cart filled with various meats and ask you what you'd like. The quality of the meat is good (at $70 per person it better be!). There is also a salad bar, if you like salad... Parking is only valet. If you don't like people messing with your car, drive 30 feet south of the place and you will find a private lot.
(4)Jaime B.
You leave this place with such a meat coma, I think they should offer free shuttle service home. On the high end of the all you can eat spectrum, Fogo de Chao (which we lovingly refer to as "Fog of Cow") offers both an awesome salad bar as well as an endless tidal wave of gorgeously grilled meat. Dinner comes with sides of crunchy fried polenta, deliciously artery-clogging mashed potatoes, and cheesy bread, which is similar in texture to popovers, but way way better. By request, they also offer sides like rice, and two kinds of chimichurri sauce: traditional and Brazilian. Get both. Be sure to get the Picana, as well as the bacon wrapped chicken, which is surprisingly flavorful. Take your time and pace yourself or you'll be stuffed full before even getting through 3/4 of the meat varieties. Parking is valet only (good luck finding street parking) and is $5.50. Try to come here on a weekend evening without a reservation and you'll be turned away.
(4)Too U.
I've been to Fogo de Chao 4 times already and every time I go it is always a great experience. I love the Brazilian BBQ... always freshly cook and they way I wanted it (medium-well). They have 15 meat cuts to choose from. My favorite is the Garlic Beef and Lamb. Stay away from the salad bar so that you won't get full right away although they have the wide selection of fresh veggies and cheese. Great food and place. It's located in Beverly Hills (La Cienega Branch) and near WeHo.
(5)Stephen C.
This is a definite must go for DineLA! For basically half the sixty some dollar price, you will be able to get the salad buffet and unlimited brazillian bbq. The salad bar: They have various types of cut vegetables, such as mushrooms, microgreens, tomatoes etc... Additionally, they have a wide selection of cold cut meats and cheese. Overall, the items were all very fresh and delicious. Meats: The servers during the course of your meal come around with meats and ask you if you would like a slice. I would say try everything, but the five best cuts are Picanha (top sirloin), filet mignon, cordiero(lamb), alcatra( another top sirloin cut), and beef Ancho( rib eye). The other cuts are OK. At the end of all the meat and salad, they also give you choices for desert. I ordered the tres leches. The desert was just as good but was a bit difficult to eat after eating so much meat so definitely save some room. Overall, DineLA fogo de chao is worth it!
(5)Saarah S.
Another one of my meat-loving places to go!! Unlimited meat and salad....sounds like a place I can really sink my teeth into. The meat is always so tender and full of flavor....what's nice is you can get a choice of the "rareness" of the meat you want....and there are so many different kinds. The only thing to watch out for is a full tummy....cuz that's what you're gonna get!! Its SO delicious!! Make sure you make a reservation....and its an all inclusive charge when you sit down (I think like close to 60 bucks) except drinks and dessert you have to buy on your own.
(5)Nutflsh Z.
If I were sitting on Death Row, THIS is the place I would request for my last meal! One of the TOP choices to dine in Los Angeles and simply AMAZING! The customer service is beyond outstanding and the entire staff is extremely friendly and at your service. On to the meats, over 15 cuts of steak and some of the best lamb chops you will find. This is one of the few places you will find "Bottom Sirloin" and it's incredible! The "Beef Rib" is always sizzling and just melts in your mouth. Their cheesy poofs are incredibly addictive and the salad bar is the size of a football field (For those who's dates don't eat meat). It is also a wine haven for even the hard to please like myself or the extremely picky wine snobs. There is a bottle to please everyone. You will need to make a reservation because as any top restaurant, they pack up every night. This place compares to, or surpasses in my book, any prime steak house in the city and for $54. a person.....it's the best deal in town! Enjoy.
(5)Hailey J.
This is a great dining experience. My husband and I have been here many many times and it is our only dining experience at a churrascaria. Its all you can eat, they servers wear cute little out fits and they have a variety of different meats. The salad bar has a great selection. They also have an extensive wine selection and display. I do have to admit though that this is one of those places that is more about the experience. If your comparing the quality of meat to other high end steak restaurants its not comparible. If you are a germaphobe you might not be able to dine here as all the meats are brought around from table to table. If that doesn't bother you and you are a steak person this should be one restaurant on your list. Don't forget to grab a handful of choclate on your way out!
(3)Soo H.
This rating should really be 3.5 stars. Tasty churrascaria, but a bit too crowded for my tastes. I've been to a couple other churrascarias (M Grill in Koreatown, and a few overseas) and this place definitely wins for the quality of the meats and side dishes available at the salad bar. The service here is decent, although, like every churrascaria I've been to, some of the guys carrying around the meat really seem to resent their jobs (WTF?). Also, our waiter changed throughout the night and wasn't terribly attentive, which was annoying. I went on a Sat night and it was very crowded (I think the tables are too close together... it was a bit of a maze getting to the salad bar - I don't know how the meat-carriers do it! As an aside- do the meat-carriers have a title?) The chunks of meat they give you are pretty hefty, so I'd definitely recommend coming here when you're STARVING, because otherwise, you won't be able to try all the various meats and you'll leave feeling a bit jipped. Overall, I give this place 4 stars for the quality of the food. They are a little bit stingy with the cheesy bread, which I found annoying since that's my favorite part of churrascarias. This place gets an A for the food and a B- for the service.
(4)Mai M.
Definitely skip lunch before you come here because you're going to need that extra space to try everything here. First of all, vegetarians needs not enter. This is meat heaven. And excellent quality meat too. The folks here are very nice and very attentive. If you need anything, they're there to serve you. It's a bit pricey but so worth saving your dollars for because the quality of the food is really top notch for Brazilian BBQ. It's all you can eat. The salad bar is wonderful and they serve full strips of thick bacon in it. B A C O N!!! But make sure you don't scarf too much down at the salad bar as wonderful as it may look or else you won't be able to taste all the delectable meat. My favorite? Beef picanha. Yum! The sides are good too but filling. But be sure to ask for the black beans and rice. They save those dishes for people in the "KNOW" and now you "KNOW'! Luckily my OB is right next door because after my many future prenatal visits I'll probably be coming here for lunch. Hopefully I don't give birth to a baby cow.
(5)kevin k.
Do not go crazy on every meat they bring you. If you do get everything, just try a tiny piece to see which ones you like the best. My favorites are the beef ribs, lamb chops (the lamb leg is too tough), top sirloin which is the house special, and their sausage. If you do not see some of the ones that i have listed, ask them and they will bring it to you. This is the best steak house in california i have eaten. Texas de brazil and las vegas compares very well to fogo. If you have enough room at the end of the meal, please order a dessert. All of their desserts are amazing. The turtle cheesecake is my favorite, followed by the chocolate mousse cake and tres leches cakes. I wish i could come here every day, but i will definitely be putting on some weight if i came here every day. The polenta is extremely good here as well. Crispy and tasty.
(5)Mitra K.
Had a discussion with my friend the other night about this place and I can't believe I hadn't reviewed it yet. The food is served to you very Brazilian style and is super yummy - I am definitely a fan but warning - this place is EXPENSIVE!!! I can't quite say it's totally worth it because I have been to some smaller less-known places with meat that was just as good and lower prices - but I guess when you gotta pay rent in Beverly Hills - you gotta make your money somehow. I would like to see some less expensive options or maybe a better happy hour here - and I am not a huge fan of "bar" setups. Definitely try it once - but venture out to some hidden gems and you won't be disappointed,
(4)Susie K.
Came here on a Sunday at 6PM. Made reservations to be safe. Husband and I ordered a bottle of wine, and I had the tropical caipirinha. Wine was good and the caipirinha was refreshing. Service was top notch, and everyone was super friendly/helpful. The salad bar is awesome. I starved all day and thought I would make at least two trips up there. But since I piled my dish high, I had no need to go back. I love love love the cheese bread. That is worth the extra trips to the bathroom for this LI gal. I also loved the three dishes they put at every table. Plaintains (yummy, and it helps to clean the palate in between hunks of flesh), garlic mashed potatoes, and polenta (I had way too much of this). They constantly give you new ones if you're running low. My favorite meats were the picanha and filet, rare/med rare chunks only please. I didn't try the sausages though...too full. I look forward to going back!
(4)Bobby B.
Wow! This place is blew me away. Food was superb, great dining experience, service and staff were excellent. Overall: A
(5)Andrew S.
Uhh, who wants all you can eat high quality Brazilian BBQ? This guy does. However, can't give this place the full 5 stars after my last visit. Maybe it's because the first time I came here was during DineLA, and the discount was decent, but better yet, I thought the meat was better cooked. The last time I came here was a couple weeks ago and the only meats I thought truly held it's superior taste was the filet mignon, garlic steak, and the house special. The other steaks and even the chicken was a little dry for me, even when I asked for the medium or medium rare cuts. Overall though, a great atmosphere, quick and attentive service by the dudes walking around with the meats, and overall great bbq. The salad bar of course is pretty decent with fresh fare. I also can never get enough of those frickin cheese roll things. So soft and moist, I'm sure that's why my stomach hates me after cuz those things just expand after ingestion. So if you have $56 bucks to spend (including tax, tip, and a couple cocktails, more like $100) per person, and want great Brazilian BBQ, I really can't think of a better place in LA.
(4)Hoang T.
I absolutely love this place. The meat/cuts are all well flavored. The service is amazing. You'd think you can handle having your card flipped on the green side the whole night but you'd soon have a reality check. Just remember to pace it out because it all tastes better hot off the stakes.
(5)Saad C.
This is my favorite place in the whole world. I could have fogo every single day until I die.. I've been coming here since I was a little kid, and both service and quality of the meat has been consistently maintained--phenomenal. The reason I prefer fogo over any other steak house is because of all the different cuts you get to have, as opposed to just having one cut at Mastro's or wherever. And of course the fact that its all you can eat makes it that much better. $60 for this is a bargain. I love the lamb chops and lamb t bone, filet mignon, not too big of a fan of thin meat so I dont really eat much of the picanha cut or the chicken. I dont even bother to look at a salad bar anywhere i go, but this place's salad bar is pretty amazing, specifically the chicken salad they have. The mashed potato and plantain sides are AMAZING as well. What makes this place even better is that service here is top notch, if the meat is undercooked or over cooked, simply let them know and they'll bring out another fresh batch with a smile, and they'll make sure it was perfected to the way you want it. Youre never rushed here unlike sushi or korean bbq all you can eat places, where you have a certain amount of time to finish your meal... you can take your time and enjoy your meal here and you will never, ever be rushed. Also, dont forget to order a guarana, the brazilian soda, it complements the steak perfectly. As for dessert, the flan here is awesome. Probably the best flan ive ever had. The tres leches cake is aiite, i've had better.
(5)Jay Z.
There is usually a line here so make sure you make reservations. the food here is delicious. It is my favorite all you can eat brazillian bbq. The salad bar is great. they have a good selection of cheese and salads. The service is good. If you want meat, you life ur card to green and your various servers with various meat will come by and give you as much meat as you want until you are happy and full.
(5)Agnes C.
Fogo de Chao is worth every compliment it gets. Among the three to four Brazilian steakhouses I've been to (I can't count/remember), Fogo's has the highest service. The meats are all good, though slightly saltier to my taste. However, one of the waiters came by and asked us if we wanted additional sauces to go with our meats. Chimichanga sauce in olive oil base is the best and goes with any meats and even the cheese bread they give as a starter. The salad bar serves great kale salad, slightly sweet and tangy. The filet mignon, done rare, is great. Once we entered we were delighted to see the beautiful venue and the entrance to the restaurant had a fake waterfall thing. (In fact, the drive to Fogo's was already fancy enough, since it is Beverly Hills.) The double doors are huge and fancy. Valet parking in the front as well, but we parked a block away to walk inside instead. Casual attire. Once we entered, we were seated immediately (though we did have a reservation at 8:30 on a Tuesday night). And once seated, we were brought forth a torrent of different meats. All the waiters are attentive and polite, and even refilled our water without us even asking. Music didn't put you to sleep, though it's not romantic, it does bring up the energy level a bit more than I had expected. Left feeling very satisfied.
(5)Jeff L.
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.
(3)David E.
I have been to several Brazillian steakhouses and this is without a doubt my favorite. If you love meat then you have to try this place at least once. Even the salad bar is great. They have way too many tables and you'll have to deal with the wait staff bumping into your chairs a few times as it's usually overcrowded but that's because the food is so good. Even the salad bar is amazing. Try the smoked salmon, Filet Mignon or the the sirloin. Those are my two favorites. It's an all you can eat atmosphere and sometimes you're so full but the food is to delicious to stop eating.
(5)Karmen H.
this place is expensive but its so worth it!!! you are a carnivore. this is the place for you!! the meat just keeps comming. the meat has intense flavor, every bite is worth it. 5 stars for the quality of the food. be sure to drink plenty of water.
(5)Jill A.
my third experience (in my life!) of having brazilian bbq. it was just as amazing as i had anticipated. i tried to prepare myself for the feast by having a salad for lunch and fruits in between. i was also advised to drink plenty of water. i love the gaucho pants that the servers are wearing. :) to start, they encourage going to the salad bar. i'm not much of a salad person so the salad bar wasn't that exciting for me. the cheese bread is pretty good but i only ate half of one to save my appetite for all the meat that was about to come my way. i turned my little card to the green side and braced myself. talk about overwhelming. they just keep coming! every kind of meat you can think of and every cut. my plate filled up with a quickness and i had to turn my card to the red side to collect myself. my favorites were the lamb and the fried banana. the lamb was very tender and juicy! reservations are best made online. and probably a good idea to wear your fat jeans, NOT your skinny jeans!
(5)Michael T.
It's pretty much the best Brazillian Churrascaria around. We live in Irvine and trekked out there last Saturday for a birthday dinner. We brought our cake, 2 bottles of wine (25 corkage) and our appetite!! I know people are there for the meat, but the Parmesan cheese is to die for. The waiter was a sweetie pie, she got us everything we wanted, and cut our cake for us too! The management there is really friendly, and don't forget about the meats...!! DELICIOUS!!! All seasoned well, and all Juicy...not dry. I've been to Brasil, and man, this reminded me of Rio!! =) Please go...it's a great experience.
(5)Danica R.
If you want succulent, tender, mouth watering filet mignon, Fogo de Chao is the best! They have all sorts of meat, from lamb chops to chicken breasts! The salad bar has all sorts of choices, you'll never get bored! The parmesan popovers are to die for! This is a summary of what happens at Fogo de Chao, I got it from their website. Step 1: Sit down, relax, and enjoy a drink while we explain the Fogo dining experience. Step 2: Visit our gourmet salad and sides bar. Enjoy over 30 items including fresh cut vegetables, imported cheeses, cured meats and Brazilian side dishes. Step 3: Turn your card green side up, signaling that you are ready for our gaucho chefs to begin tableside service. Step 4: Choose from the 15 cuts of delectable fire roasted meats that are brought to your table, sliced, and served by our gaucho chefs. Step 5: When you are satisfied, flip the disc to the red side until you are ready for more offerings. Although, this place is really expensive. For me & bf's anniversary, we went here, and for each person it's $65 a person. It's half the price during lunch, and you'll still get all the meat too! Waiters are really nice and catering! Come with an empty stomach because there's plenty to choose from, and it gets kinda overwhelming. Also, bring along someone who has an appetite and ready for an adventure. Don't bring picky people or else you'll just waste money!
(5)chris w.
This place is top notch, I made it worth my while, try everything once then keep asking for fillet mignon. O and don't eat too much of the sides they bring out, its a ploy to fill you up.
(4)Sam Y.
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.
(5)Diana W.
If you crave the best meat you've ever tasted, go to Fogo de Chao. They have like twelve kinds of meats, all perfectly grilled, all sliced tableside. You have to beg them to go away-they will keep bringing you more. The salad bar is great, some very nice choices to accompany your meats, but be careful not to indulge too much on that, as you'll want to try all the lovelies they bring to your table...I made that mistake. The plantains are nice as well... We went for dinner, it is about $60 per person, worth it, but I hear the lunch price is half that, for the same food and service...so next time we'll try then. (Tough times call for tough choices LOL) A++++ service and a really cool dinner idea, especially for groups.
(5)Steve M.
for the $60/person the meats, at best, are a slight and I mean slightly above of what i can cook on my patio. I was expecting mouth-watering, melt in mouth, soft meats but its all hunks of chunks. Nothing really stood out, expect the crisp asparagus at the salad bar. On top if it all, we were a large party and the waiter forgot to mention the bottled water that they opened before we even sat costs like $10 each. Yeoowwch! Very overpriced not for selection but quality.
(2)Peter L.
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.
(5)Damoun Y.
Often times we go to chic places where the in crowd frequent and are disappointed with the food and service. Well, this isn't one of those places. The meats are delectable, the service is impeccable and the price fits accordingly for a place in Beverly Hills. If Dady Warbucks is paying the bill this is one joint you don't want to miss out on. I went in a little faded so this may alter my judgment but having been to Brazil I have to say the meat is just as good. Plus you wont risk being kidnapped!
(5)Ryan M.
Thumbs Up! I vouch for skipping the salad bar, and giving the green light to the good stuff coming directly to your table.
(5)Randall K.
Who ever gave this place below a 4(and you know who you are) must be a first timer Brazilian eater, meat hater or just really cheap! This place is a high quality Brazilian meat restaurant. If you don't like meat, if you're not willing to fork out some money, then go to KFC and order some grilled chicken. Fogo de Chao serves meat with Phenomenal Taste, Great Service and Great Meat! This is my favorite restaurant in LA. By the way, I'm a meat eater.
(5)Fancypants X.
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.
(5)Josh F.
You must love beef. That is a requirement to enjoy Fogo. The restaurant looks very nice, a greatttt wine selection and quite a delicious system of beef eating. Overall the quality of meat is good, but the picanha really takes the cake. I always promise myself that I wont waste time with the salad bar and save more room for the beef but it too is quite wonderful. That along with fried bananas and the cheeseball bread and you are good to go. The fact that it is all you can eat without compromising flavor and quality is quite notable. How frequently does that combo not go hand in hand???
(4)akzidenz g.
first time eating brazilian bbq, so i have nothing to compare it to. the food is delicious and plentiful, so dont waste your time at the salad bar or youll regret it. the best cuts of meat were: bacon wrapped filet garlic beef the others were decent, not my favorite. this place is pricey so try to eat your moneys worth. if you dont eat alot in general, its really not worth coming here. that said, i wouldnt come a second time only bc i just dont eat that much in one sitting.
(4)Johnson H.
Fogo de Chao is your typical Brazilian steakhouse. They give you cuts of meat, beef, chicken, pork, or veal, from skewers and bring it directly to your table. Food - every cut of meat I got was either overly salty or overcooked. For instance, I had a cut of the sirloin and it tasted microwaved and rubbery. The old good cut of meat I got was the strip steak, which was pretty juicy. Every other piece of meat wasn't worth the wait. The restaurant also makes you request side dishes, versus serving yourself at most Brazilian steakhouses. However, we never saw our server (see below) so we only got a small portion of potatoes. Service - the service was simply bad. I went on a Friday night and it was crowded, which is good because it's and indication that people enjoy the restaurant. I put my name down on the waiting list and I was given an expected waiting time of 1 hour. I waited an 1 and a half and checked on the status and the hostess had no record of me putting my name down initially. They at least seated me within 15 minutes after that. The waiter for my table completely ignored me the entire night, didn't refill my drinks or clear my table. There was a larger table next to me that was ordering lots of wine and he spent the entire night entertaining them and ignoring me. I had to ask the restaurant manager for my check after waiting 20 minutes for him to not get it. I would recommend going to Pampas Grill in Culver City/The Grove or Porto Alegre in Pasadena. Pampas Grill has relatively good cuts of meat and the service is very quick. You don't have to stuff yourself, you only pay for what you want to eat. In addition, there is early bird special. Porto Alegre has very good cuts of meat and is more affordable than Fogo de Chao. It also has better side dishes. Overall, Fogo de Chao is overpriced for what you get. I will not be going back since there are two better choices in the nearby vicinity.
(1)Bradley P.
This place is non-stop meat. I've been to Agora where I actually like the salad bar better. But the waiters there are slow compared to Fogo where they just keep bringing out the meaty glory... Cooked exactly as you would find in Brazil, don't bring your steakhouse expectations here. It's just different. Steakhouses people use terms like butter to describe how tender a steak is. This is not how the Brazilians do it. Food to me often needs to find texture and butter is not a quality I find favorable for a steak. With Brazilian preparation, I enjoy the char on the meat, simple seasoning (I hate sweet meat), and the variety. I don't do many regular steakhouses these days. You just get one big slab of meat with little variety and you might order one or two sides. Places like this you get to try everything and that makes you feel like you're not missing out on anything. The thing that doesn't make this a 5 star restaurant experience for me is the price and salad bar. But I would come back here with friends for sure...
(4)Char L.
It's the morning after and I'm still stuffed with meat. Wow, the meat just comes by soooooooo freaking fast! If your lil puck is on the green side, you can barely take a bit of food before somebody comes up to you asking if you want more meat. My favorite cuts were the picanha, rib eye, filet mignon, garlic beef something, and filet mignon wrapped in bacon. I'm not a big fan of lamb. And why eat chicken when you have beef? I wasn't impressed with the sausage and pork ribs. The salad bar is awesome too. Everything is fresh, looks, and tastes fantastic. My favorite are the asparagus, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella/sun dried tomatoes. They seem to go best between bites of meat. The cheese bread is heavenly. I told myself before going that I would stay away from the bread, but, alas I failed miserably. Seems like every other minute, I was trying to flag down a waiter to refill my basket! Their fried bananas are some of the sweetest bananas I've ever had. Also fantastic between bites of meat! Service was superb. Everybody was friend, professional, and fast. It was my boyfriend's birthday, I excused myself to the restroom, and talked to the hostess. She arranged everything for me without a hitch! Wonderful service!
(5)Ana F.
Listen, don't come here if you're a vegetarian. That should be obvious. Also, don't come here unless you plan on listening to the fat kid voice in your head that says "Eat everything you can see!". After my first visit I learned that Brazilian food is all about enjoying meat, meat, and more meat, with lots of delicious seasonings in between. The salad bar is only there as a diversion and for your annoying vegetarian friends and family members. Why do they tag along if they know you're eating Brazilian??? These people shouldn't be allowed inside.(The salad bar is decent, though, but don't let it keep you away from the meat!) My family, boyfriend, and I came here last year to celebrate my college graduation. Two seconds after I flipped over my little coaster, there was an onslaught of men with carving knives and huge skewers of meat coming at me. It was a dream come true!!! Later on it became a game of who could confuse the waiters the most as my brother and I kept flipping over our coasters every two seconds. Red, green, ahhh! This isn't advised because I'm pretty sure we pissed off the meat skewer guys. I am no expert on meat but everything I had was great, especially the lemon garlic seasoned meat...whatever it was...? I think we all left with high cholesterol and if a parade of naked women ran by, I'm sure my brother, dad and boyfriend would be killed instantly from heart attacks. So put your fat pants on, keep that little round cardboard coaster on GREEN, and let all those men carrying meat serve a few slices of delicious meaty heaven on your plate. I'll be back, Fogo! Even if you are ridiculously overpriced. There are a few brazilian places out there with better meat and cheaper prices...but this place is on Restaurant Row, what do you expect?!
(4)Jackie I.
WOW!!!! Is the only thing I can say right about now of this place... We drive by it all the time and always say "we are gotta try it out" and we finally did. So, we went for the first time on Fathers Day (06-21-09). Where do I start.... Service was immaculate. The greatest service ever by far. I would turn around and had a waiter just there giving me water, offering me something or just making sure that we were doing ok. I loved it. I didn't have to flag anyone down or anything. They were there just ready to help us. GREAT! Food was superb. All the meats that we tasted were great. Nicely seasoned, perfectly cooked and delish....My favorite was the filet minion, sirloin, and the chicken wrapped in bacon. OMG these three meats were to die for, but that chicken wrapped in bacon was just addicting that I got it a couple of times. I couldn't help myself. Something about chicken and swine together just sound DELISH!!!! Salad bar was good; I really didn't see anything special about it besides the huge sun dried tomatoes which were delish too. Everything else was pretty much what you see at a regular salad bar except for they had cheeses and salmon and turkey which I didn't care much for. Side dishes were just as good. The plantains and mash potatoes were perfect. My daughter lover her some mash potatoes and my boyfriend loved him some plantains (just as good as the ones from Cha Cha Cha, he says) Now, I highly recommend this place on an empty stomach and to people that loves to eat just slabs of meat. Because really that's all you are really paying for. Really freaking expensive!!!!!! Let me repeat myself... Really Freaking EXPENSIVE!!!!! I think the prices went up. For 2 people the bill was 150.00 (no lie) and we didn't even have any drinks (thank the Lawd or else I think I would have had a heart attack right there and then cuz of course I paid for it, since it was Fathers Day...Never again...LOL) just a Lime-ade and some water please. The Bummer...20% gratuity fee for a party of 2 was RIDUNKULOUS!!!!! I really didn't get that at all, but I guess when you have 20 people running around the place making sure everything is ok, they just have to include it. Double Bummer....So, this could of just been my boyfriend, but he got food poisoning... The whole night he was throwing up and had the runs...LOL...Ok not funny, but it really did happen and he was not looking good this morning, but he still managed to go to work. So he basically barfed half of what I paid for...Chris you owe me 56.50...thank you very much. Will collect it tonight. That's it for now... Toodles!
(5)Paul H.
I went for a birthday dinner and had a good time but half of the meats were WAYYYY too salty. I could feel the crunch of the salt crystals as I chewed on some pieces and that's a sickening feeling. The next day, I felt weak and drained of all my energy. I would not come here again but some of my friends liked it. I don't think it's worth the money.
(2)joseph o.
Lots of good quality meat. Excellent service. But, kinda pricey. Lamb, Rib Eye, Picanha, Sirloin, Top Sirloin, Beef Ribs, Filet Mignon, and more! and...they're all delicious. Salad bar is fresh with a wide variety.
(5)Miao W.
It was truly a house of flying protein. I went with the vegetarian buffet but stole a couple of beefy bites from my carnivorous friends--everything tasted pretty good. But dude where's my rabbit? This way $70pp was somewhat pricey for lack of exotic offerings. Amazing salad bar, including the best-simply-prepared root vegetables. I had beets for the first time in my life (that was 1.5 years ago, since which I breathed purple). And the smoked salmon tasted like, ham. I'm salivating now. Fogo might have hired an entire ward of OCD patients who took sick pleasure in animal style feeding and seeing others instantly grow fat, cause I just had never, or ever after, seen waiters anywhere THIS eager to put food in my face.
(4)Karen C.
If I could eat here every day of my life I would. And I would think I have gone to heaven!!! This is the best meal I have ever had in my life. Seriously my man and I were in food heaven. Every parcel of food in my mouth was a delightful experience. The lamb literally melted in my mouth. The filet mignon wrapped in bacon was some of the best meat I've ever had. The wine was great and so were these green drinks. I don't know what you call them here but in NY we call them green crack. Super strong and super yummy. This place has the best service I've ever had in my life. I swear wait staff were like mind readers. I just had to think of having my water glass refilled and I swear they were there. They were very attentive and friendly. Can I move in here?
(5)Darcy B.
The Los Angeles location is not as spectacular as the Chicago restaurant, but i LOVE me some Churrascurria! I'm not going to lie - I felt the service was horrible when I dined with my boyfriend. They do group service, but the "head waiters" were snobby douchebags. Fortunately, the other times I dined there the service was top notch. I try to stay away from the sides so that I can over-indulge in the meat...hhmmmmm....filet mignon wrapped in bacon, yes please! I do wish they could have some more rare options...
(4)Allen C.
"I'm blue blue blue blue blue, da ba dee, daba blue blue blue!". That is what I started singing as I inched my way towards pissed-drunkenness for my birthday last year at Fogo de Chao. I don't even know how the song popped in my head, but it was so entertaining--with the help of a couple of pitchers of awesome sangria of course. And I vaguely remember making up a back-story for the song which was really funny--but what the hell was it? Oh well, the life of a lush. Like any other Brazilian churrascaria, I love the food!!! Stay away from the chickens, but their cow-based meats are so tender and delish. If you keep your little "come hither"-disk flipped to green, the waiters WILL swarm your table with their little scarves around their necks and huge knives holding their junk. And by junk, I mean, the best meat ever!! And by the best meat ever, I mean their sirloins, tenderloins, beef ribs, filet mignon, bacon-wrapped meat, aaaah.....uh, I think I hafta go now. And you can't go wrong with the classic Brazilian cheesy bread (how do I make this damn stuff at home?!). Oh, and there's a fairly big salad bar if that's your thing. The only down sides are that this place is uber-hectic and crowded, but even worse, uber-expensive. I don't know how we dropped a couple bills, but damn Gina! I feel violated!!** **Disclaimer: It was my birthday, so I didn't actually pay. So technically, I didn't feel that violated. Only slightly toyed with. Hence the 4 stars. Go here for really special occasions and that's it. Stick with Pampas in the Farmer's Market, M Grill in Koreatown, or Cafe Brasil in Culver for your everyday Brazilian needs. Except the waxing.
(4)Tiffany N.
Fogo is only the 2nd Brazilian BBQ joint I've been to and I'd say it was pretty solid, but didn't blow me away like I anticipated. Thumbs up: -The service was spot on. Waters are served upon seating and once you're ready to flip the card to green, you will literally have BBQ guys forming a line by your table waiting to slice off a piece of meat for you. I think they've developed a hawk-eye for seeing green at a table. Well that happened to us at least because we were the 2nd table from the kitchen so most of the meats we got were piping fresh :) -I was impressed with the salad bar and the quality of it, they have a variety of olive oils/balsamic vinegars for u to choose and use! Also, their tuna salad was yummy and so were the SUNDRIED TOMATOES! I had a whole plate of them.. and we're talkin huge pieces of sundried tomatoes. yummm. -We ordered a pitcher of sangria (SO MUCH even for 2!) and it was nice and refreshing with fresh cut pieces of apple and strawberries. I was warming up after 3 semi large glasses... not too sure but I think the more popular drink to order is their mojito? Saw a lot of them going around, but our pitcher was plenty -The FLAN!!!! normally I wouldn't order dessert, but it was the bf's bday and we chose to share a flan which was absolutely ah-ma-zing! I know I said Taleo's flan was good and didn't think anything could beat it but I have now found my new best flan... it was the PERFECT combination of sweetness and consistency. The caramel that is on the plate isn't overly sweet and there is a bottom brown sugar layer which reminded me of creme brulee crust, only not crunchy :) REALLY REALLY yummy, and won't make you feel like you just gained 5lbs. Plus, they comp any dessert of choice for bdays! Thumbs down: -A lot of the meat was cooked Medium/Medium well, even when I asked for a Medium rare piece, for the exception of ONE.. I forgot which cause they talk so damn fast and are rushing but literally, only one of my pieces was cooked MR.. the rest were a little too cooked. The bf also got a WELL DONE piece when we asked for MR, so it seems they either don't keep track or don't care about what temp you request. -DO NOT EAT THE PORK RIBS! okay, maybe a center cut might be fine, but I had the first cut on the end and had bone particles going down and scratching my throat. I know, it sounds real weird, but it was pretty bad. Skip the sausage and chicken too, not a fan here. Also, limit yourself to the the plantains, mashed potatoes, fried polenta and bread they serve. It may be tempting, but one bite of each should be good enough otherwise u will fill up much quicker. As you can see, I can't say too much about the meats because I honestly was served so many slices at once I couldn't tell which was which. All in all a good solid restaurant, but I think Agora in Irvine will satisfy my Brazilian BBQ craving anytime it strikes rather than venturing up to Fogo, and it won't hurt my wallet as much (our check: nearly $200 for 2 including tip!)
(4)R S.
Everything here was delicious! Hello bacon wrapped chicken and filet mignon! Mmmmmmm! Starve yourself for a few days before and don't expect to be able to do anything but pass out an hour after you get home. (ie. NOT A GOOD DATE OPTION if you are going to try and eat your $50 bucks worth). Wish they charged by the size of the person eating. There are some seriously big dudes eating a LOT in there... Where's the discount for a 135 pound guy??? :) And have one of those Caipirinha drinks... amazing!
(4)Jellie M.
The quality of food and the salad bar is really good. Stairs by managers very professional and courteous. have your favorite ones after you go there once, & the second time you won't waste your appetite trying things you're not a big fan of. But since I'm not a big eater, all you can eat is not the most economical choice for me! I eat 3 pieces and some salad and I'm full! It's worth the try.
(4)Daisy T.
Once in a while, I really long for a night of meat sweat.... Came here on DineLA week with my boyfriend. everything was so delicious. There was this cut of meat that looks like a half circle. I forgot what it's called by now, but it's suppose to be the best thing? I witnessed 4 waiters crowd around this one table next to me offering that meat all at the same time because those people are suppose to be somewhat famous? They wouldn't serve it to anyone else until I asked after a few waiters avoided eye contact with me. Also, the tables are so packed together, I witnessed a waiter drop a customer's credit card while dodging tables and walked away not knowing. They must be used to bumping into things. I had to chase him down, dodging more tables. It was quite a man hunt. On a funny note, I watched a sea of teenage boys coming in and out of the bathroom looking really sick.....maybe they over stuffed themselves? haha :P
(4)michael q.
The best churrascaria I've had in the states! The picanha (rump cap) was the highlight, you must try this.
(5)Amrita G.
We came here for my birthday. Ok so great food, great ambience, buffet is good too. Now about the steak and cuts I like it the filet mignon and the flank steak maybe. I did not like some of the other cuts, lacked flavour and smelled only of the meat. This was the first time I tried a Brazilian style steakhouse and I think it might have been too much meat for me, again how will you know until you come. By the way the bacon wrapped chicken and beef were both good. The complementary cake they served was excellent.
(4)Rob Y.
This is the BEST Churrascaria I have EVER been to, and I have eaten to MANY of these places. I am a devout carnivore and this is indeed heaven. That said, when you talk to the waiters (gauchos), each person has prepared their own meat and had to go through lots of training. Also, you don't leave the place smelling smoky (that really doesn't bother me, but I do know that it does bother others). The cheese rolls are superb and the service is top notch as well. I really don't have any complaints! I find it strange that Vegetarians go here AND write reviews about their experience. If I were those people, I wouldn't even write a review because I would look really retarded. People should do some basic research about the place that they are going to. If you want a salad... go to Souplantation! But seriously though, the meat is top notch and you better come HUNGRY!!
(5)Emily S.
I went there for my sister's graduation dinner. I only had the salad bar because I don't eat beef. $35 for salad?! I know huh. It didn't even taste good. I got what I thought was spinach but it ended up being something else. The ranch was nasty. It didn't even taste like ranch. And it was really thick. The little cheese balls were okay. I thought they were tofu balls. The olives were too salty. This restaurant has a sorry excuse of a salad bar, but I guess people go there for the beef. I didn't even finish my salad. I went back for romaine lettuce. That wasn't good either. I can make a better salad with my feet. I thought about giving this place 2 stars, but i'm feeling generous. My parents ate the full meal and they only gave this place 2 stars. My sister and her bf gave this place 4 stars. Also, we felt a little rushed. Things were happening quickly. The waiters would walk around with their slabs of meat and would get irritated if you didn't grab the meat they sliced for you quick enough. I don't think I will be going back to this place for awhile.
(3)Christie K.
so this is an all you can eat place, and being the cheap person i am... i would try to get my money's worth.. don't go for the chicken or pork. .or whatever. .just get the rib eye or the filet mignon.. it was soooooooooooo good.. just melts in your mouth.. the cheese balls are also super delicious.. this place is definately meat heaven! they have a great selection of wine! but beware it is vvvvvveerry expensive.. they charge like 4-5 times retail price.. (our waiter was sooooooooooooooooooooo hot.. my gosh..)
(5)valarie A.
As a vegetarian having to go to lunch here, of course my initial reaction was horror. However, their salad bar was fabulous and the side dishes of polenta etc. were nice. Actually a pleasant experience and if you have to eat all that meat (good god why???) I guess thats the place to go.
(3)Gisele A.
They have a really good variety of meats and they taste awesome. The servers are really nice and keep the meat coming nonstop (sometimes even after you have turned you little sign to red.) The drinks are a bit expensive. But the place is definitely a must go.
(5)John L.
I've been to this place several times and it never disappoints. I've been to many other brazilian bbqs and this one is the best. I usually don't get my hopes up too high for chains, but this one is the real deal. My friend has been to the Chicago and Atlanta one also and tells me there are just as good. The salad bar has the freshest and most flavorful items. The cheeseballs are awesome. The service is excellent and the meat is some of the best I've ever had. I don't like lamb but even the lamb there is good. The chicken was a tad dry this time, but the meats were so good it doesn't matter. Make sure you go hungry though because there's so much to eat. It's a bit pricey but I'm willing to dish it out here once in a while.
(5)Annie C.
This is truly a meat lover's paradise. Not only is it all you can eat, with a red and green disk to control the pace of your meal, but the meat is served on skewers carved at the table. There is a wide variety of meats, from top sirloin, rib eye, filet mignon, chicken wrapped in bacon, lamb leg, and pork sausages. The best has to be Picanha. But don't get too focused on the meat, venture out to the salad bar. It is excellent! Meat Lovers Unite and head down to Fogo De Chao! Note this place is quite pricey and be sure to wear dark colors as the meat juices tend to drip while you are served. Otherwise, ENJOY!!
(4)H. G.
anything that comes bacon-wrapped gets five stars in my book. seriously. if you're looking for some good meat, then this is definitely the spot. i've only been to greenfield in long beach, so that's the only thing i'm comparing this spot too. i came here with my fam to celebrate my master status (finally). there were about eight of us (6 adults and two kiddos). started off with caipirinhas. top notch and oh so tasty. kiddos eat for free. or at least five and under i believe, which i think is awesome, especially since ours don't eat that much. it's 56 bucks a head for adults. we didn't try any of the chicken although it did look good. bacon-wrapped beef/pork, beef ancho, picanha, filet mignon, costela, costela de porco and fraldinha. there was one other that was on a wood board, not a stick. it was SO tender and juicy and just downright wonderful. there was another pork that was covered in parmesan cheese. that one was good, but a little bit more dry than the others. the sides are also super delicious. there's the rice, black beans, polenta, mashed potatoes and fried bananas. all were really great. on top of that we got the molten choco cake with ice cream and strawberries. suffice to say we devoured it all. i was definitely one full girl after eating so much, especially since i never eat that much meat. if you're a big meat eater, this is a must try spot. take your girl (or guy) out and i trust you won't be disappointed.
(5)Ray S.
Love it! Interior layout, love it! Service, awesome! Food, great!
(5)De M.
If you plan on going here, I would fast from red meat for at least a week before eating here because afterwards, you'll have your fill of red meat for an entire season and that's putting it lightly; ;meat in general. My party went on busy Saturday evening and waited about 40 minutes WITH a reservation (granted we arrived late but the line was out the door). Staff was friendly and prompt. This is not the place to go for a quiet evening. I could barely hear myself talk and prepare to duck, dodge and veer when walking because there is heavy traffic of waiters with sharp stakes and knives, hosts/hostesses, buss boys and guests with not a lot of room in between tables. The price is fairly steep but worth it. The food was great. This is the only the 2nd of its kind that I've been to (the other a place in Salt Lake City) and this was pricier but I found the meat tastier and better overall. Plus, unlike the one in Utah, you have your choice how you want it cooked. I recommend checking this place out. Definately a unique experience. Again, I would fast from meat for a while before eating here as when you leave, you'll likely not care to eat another bite of meat for a while. Atmosphere is loud and chaotic-like due to the many guests and servers but pleasing otherwise. But if there's a Fogo de Chao in your area/destination, you should check it out.
(4)Marie L.
ATTRACTIVE, AWESOME SERVICE and an EXCELLENT BAR! DONT EAT ANYTHING ALL DAY ... This will be a waste ... you must try all of the cuts ...
(5)Kani E.
Where do I begin... Two words, PACE YOURSELF! The food & service at Fogo de Chao is amazing! When you think "all you can eat" it can be a bit of a turn-off but not at this steak joint. They have a cool system where you use these coaster like cards (one side red, the other green) when you're ready to start eating....Green obviously means GO and when you flip that coaster to green, you'd better brace yourself. About four waiters flock to your table with skewers of meats hot & ready to serve. I started off with the salad bar that was so impressive, I'm still in awe. There was hearts of palm, asparagus, fresh cheeses & meats to name a few. Now on to the meats...oh the meats! I loved the lamb chops, pork ribs & prime rib eye but my favorite was the Fraldinha - the bottom sirloin! I can't brag enough about it, it was fabulous! Crispy and a bit charred on the outside and JUICY on the inside. For desert we had the Flan & Creme Brulee, both were fantastic! The Flan was perfect, not to eggy tasting but carmely and sweet. The Creme Brulee was not too sweet with fresh berries on top, made just right. I plan on going back VERY soon and this time I will make sure to pace myself and enjoy every bite!
(5)Jon P.
Went to Fofo de Chao (what a name!) finally last night for a meeting of UCLA plastic surgeons. Not being an eater of red meat any longer (I had my fair share growing up) I had no interest in trying this restaurant after hearing how the waiters carry around slabs of beef ready for carving at your shoulder. Well, to my surprise I found the restaurant to be very attractive, the service excellent and the combination of salad bar and grilled chicken (without the bacon wrap, thank you very much) absolutely delicious. The wine selection was excellent and contributed to a wonderful evening. For a change, I didn't have to pay the bill which added further to the pleasure derived from the occasion. I do highly recommend this restaurant even if you don't touch the beef. Enjoy.....
(4)Andrew T.
You must be looking at the $$$$ price up in the description of Fogo De Chao. That isn't a typo. Fogo de Chao IS that expensive. Over 60 dollars per person! But is it worth it? You bet your bottom it is. No restaurant would charge customers that much unless they were confident in the quality of their food. And Fogo delivers. The variety of meats that they bring to the table is amazing. Chicken wrapped in bacon, filet mignon wrapped in bacon, lamb, sausage, etc. All of these are delicious. And the waiters just keep them coming until you flip that coaster to red. It's quite overwhelming the first go around, because before you know it your plate is filled with meat. Watch out for this, because just the site of all the meat on your plate can become demoralizing, lowering your chances of actually finishing the food. If this happens, don't even think of seconds. I suggest you pace yourself to enjoy 2 or 3 types of their barbecue at a time, being sure to flip the coaster over to red each time. Otherwise the waiters will bombard your table with meat and you won't have the courage to turn them away (the meats look too delicious on the skewers) My only complaint is that Fogo de Chao is the only all-you-can-eat restaurant where the drinks are not bottomless. 3 dollars for an 8oz bottle of coke is not nearly enough to sustain me through the meal. While they supply an endless stream of delicious meat, i think they should be able to spare a couple of dollars to allow the customers bottomless drinks. This is why i took off a star. Other than that, Fogo de Chao is a place you should definitely try if you have the money.
(4)Dalia H.
Yum, yum, yum. If you are a meat eater, this is your place. They have everything, from rabbit, pork, beef, chicken, sausages, it's a carnivorous feast. The salad bar was also quite delicious, the veggies are very fresh, I guess they have to offer some vegetables to off set the tremendous amount of meat you are consuming. Their side dishes are also quite delectable. And let's not forget the alcoholic beverages, and wines. I must say that every time I go there, I forget about my cholesterol, heartburn, and I truly sit down to enjoy every bite of it.
(5)Katrina M.
I have been here a couple of times and they are consistently delicous! The meat is just amazing! The salad bar is ok, but I am not going there for salad. The servers are ok, if you don't sit in the right area, you may have to wait a while to get a refill on the meat. The choice of wine was excellent as well.
(4)E.V. K.
GREAT GREAT GREAT. Went to FOGO DE CHAO in Beverly Hills w/ teh family to celebrate Mother's Day. HAD to considering how SCREWED up Edible Arrangements made Mother's Day for me. Read my other yelp: yelp.com/biz/edible-arra… ::calm down:: Back to FDC review... Been to quite a few different Brazilian BBQ before, but this is the first place that we actually had to turn the signal to red. (green means more meat, red means stop) customer service, food quality, preparation, EVERYTHING was near perfection. the filet minion wrapped in Bacon and sirloin (cooked to medium) was EPIC!!! also, try the Tres Dulce for desert. it was delicious. im definately going back.
(5)Grace L.
I never thought I would feel the need to be a vegetarian for a week. The food here is amazing! Everything is cooked a flavored really well! After about an hour to hour and a half your jaw starts to hurt from all the chewing and all the meats start to taste the same and it's slightly painful to keep eating, but nonetheless it's a great place to relinquish the inner heifer in you! :)
(4)Tamara B.
Make sure you don't eat all day - you definitely need an empty stomach to get your monies worth! FOOD: Excellent. Especially the Filet. PRICE: for two meals, 4 fru-fru cocktails and nice tip it was around $220. SERVICE: Fantastic. At times the wait staff was too attentive. Which is good for those of us that can be a diva at a fine-dining restaurant. VALET: is $5.50. Personally, I think it should be complimentary. Attire is "casual" as I looked around everyone was dressed pretty nice. When I think casual, I think jeans and a t-shirt. Take note, this place is more like "Business Casual."
(4)Toni H.
I love this place, Best meat and salad bar, great atmosphere and service.
(5)Big Man G.
went for my first time today to celebrate mother day. the best Cadillac margarita ever and only 8.95 salad bar with all fresh and very interesting choices the meat are the most tender, flavor full ever the most professional and friendly service in any restaurant in los angeles the best restaurant i been in los angeles since 1983 pricey but great for special occasion
(5)Luy T.
Went here yet again, this time for my birthday. I must say, the service at Fogo de Chao is IMPECABLE. You're basically a king, for about an hour of button-popping-face-stuffing-meat-fest. Here's how it works: You flip your meat tab to green and the cuts keep coming. You turn it back over to red and you have a moment to digest, relax and enjoy your own space. The location is amazing, so comfortable and classy. The meats are almost always cooked right and the sides are delish. I really cannot recommend a better place to introduce someone to Brazilian food. Definately try the Picanha, the rice and beans and the fried plantains.
(5)x FREAKONOMIX.com x.
Ok. The food is really good. Don't get me wrong. Went there a couple of months ago with my gf. We basically just had the buffet for 2. No drinks. Nothing else ordered (except maybe 1 soft drink. i forget). Plus tax and tip, the bill came out to $170! I knew it was expensive, but geez. There's only so much you should have to pay for a buffet of mostly meat. Also, the waiters bother you a little too much. They are supposed to come by only when you have this little coaster-looking thing turned "up" on your table indicating you want more meat, but they came by literally every 2-5 minutes whether or not we had our coaster turned up. Besides that though, the service was really good. Can't complain about that. Just can't reason paying that much for a buffet of just meat and salad... My 3-star rating is based food, service, value for money. Good to go once if you've never done Brazilian BBQ before. Not sure why anyone would make this a regular spot though... I mean... for about half the price, you could do the Universal Hilton Champagne Buffet...
(3)Frank M.
Superman punched out Hitler. So did Captain America. That's one of the things they're there for. Fogo de Chao is there to provide meat to the masses. And like Superman punching Hitler in the face, Fogo is awesome.
(4)Jen J.
The food is incredible! The meat melts in your mouth and the sides are wonderful renditions of old fashioned comfort food. The wine list: top-notch and the waitstaff are pleasant and attentive. The price is spot-on for what you are getting and the restaurant itself is beautiful... ...but, the Hostess was unorganized and frazzled, so in spite of our 8PM reservation, we weren't seated until well after 9PM... In my book, that is a MAJOR glitch in the dining experience, so four stars instead of five, for Fogo de Chao.
(4)Penm H.
Call me crazy, but "Fancy" and "All-You-Can-Eat" just doesn't mesh well in my opinion. Just make it one or the other. I'm not saying All-You-Can-Eat joints have to be grungy and cheap, but can you imagine taking a date to Beverly Hills for an All-You-Can-Eat? The quality of the meat is primo and prepared well. My only problem was I was dumb enough to get all the meats at once, some of which cooled by the time I got to them. So learn from my mistake and only accept two choices at a time. The plate will look bare, but the freshness and taste is better worth it. The server's tactic is to bombarded your table with all the choices early so you get full quicker. Take your time, the meat will always be there and stay fresh. So why only 3 stars? The price was a little steep for an All-You-Can-Eat The meats were cooked right, but lacked seasoning. Lastly the salad bar wasn't as grand as I had hoped. However I must say that the service is impressive and the cheese balls are phenomenal. I'd say you could eat at another Brazilian restaurant for cheaper and enjoy the meal just as much. It's not like I'm comparing a Denny's steak to a Morton's steak, I know the difference in meat quality. What I'm saying is most Brazilian BBQ's tend to serve decent quality meats so you're not missing out.
(3)dae m.
Probly the fanciest Brazilian BBQ shindig I have ever been to and probly will ever go to. All the food here is amazing, from the salad bar to the orally orgasmic bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Sadly, the didn't have any feijoada but everything else pretty much makes up for it. I'll also have to add this place makes the BEST pao de quiejo i have ever had. They make it fresh from scratch for lunch and dinner time. Service is amazing as well. You honestly get treated as if you're the king or queen of Brazil. But you also get charged like royalty as well, so don't forget the wallet. Despite the fact that it's missing a few things, the experience alone is unforgettable.
(5)Ken K.
Lesson #1: It's Fogo de SHOW, not Fogo de CHOW. Learned that w/in 3 minutes of sitting at the table. Lesson #2: The meat comes to you at blinding speed, so BE READY. Lesson #3: Easier said than done, but STAY AWAY from the cheese bread. And I say this not because it tastes bad... au contraire! It's so delectably delicious that you won't be able to stop eating it, thus filling your stomach w/ carbs and all that other stuff that will prevent you from eating your money's worth of meat. I think I ate at least a dozen of those bad boys and I could have easily eaten another dozen. DARN YOU CARBS! I had even told myself beforehand that I would control myself and limit the number of cheesebreads I ate. Discipline, clearly, is not my forte. I was contemplating whether I should start w/ salad for a good three seconds (maybe four) when someone came w/ the first blade of meat. "Chicken legs and sausage?" he asks. "Sure. Both please," I reply. I start to pick up my knife and fork when I hear, "Rib eye?" "Uh... sure." "Filet?" "Yup." I couldn't say no! I wanted to try everything! I knew I had all night to try everything and yet I said yes to the first 8 servers that came to me. Before I knew it, I was staring at my plate trying to remember what each piece was! Therefore my margin of error on my descriptions of each type may be a little higher than normal so forgive me. Chicken legs and sausage (linguica): 2 and 5 respectively. No big deal. Rib eye: 7.5 (10 the first time around... hot, tender and full of flavor; 5 the second time around... hot, not so tender and not nearly as much flavor as the first time) Filet: 6 (8 the first time around; 4 the second time for the same reasons above. In fact, the second one was really dry.) Sirloin: 7. Good. Not spectacular. Pork ribs: 7. Good flavor; The seasoning didn't take away from the flavor of the meat, but it wasn't amazing. Beef ribs: 5. I can't help but favor the flavor of pork ribs over beef. Lamb chops: 7. I really like lamb and this tasted good. It was just a little tougher than I would have liked. Picanha: 9. Typically the signature cut for Brazilian BBQ, this was seasoned and cooked perfectly. No complaints. Parmesan-crusted chicken: 3. Chicken was dry. Not much flavor. Prime rib: 9. The most tender of all the cuts and had a nice, rich flavor to it. Cheese bread: 10. Even when it cools down, it maintains its texture. And when it's hot (which it oftentimes was because they kept bringing freshly-made ones), you can't stay away from it. Sauce: 9. Compliments the bread so well. Adds a nice little oomph. Polenta: 9. Seriously couldn't stop eating these either. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The flavor didn't overpower anything. Mashed potatoes: 1. Not worth trying and it only takes up space in your stomach. The food was obviously fresh and of high quality... but it didn't blow me away either. And I was a little bothered by the inconsistency of the few items I had multiple times. The service, however, was top-notch. They were quick and courteous w/ our requests (ranging from getting a knife to refilling my water to returning w/ a few requests for medium-well done steaks [a couple of my friends are pregnant so I'll forgive them], etc.). In the end, because I didn't get that WOW factor for the price, I can't give it 5 stars. I'd give it 4 stars, but I think 3.5 would be more accurate.
(3)Christine H.
I ate and ate and ate and ate and talked and ate and ate and ate and drank. Extremely friendly service, wonderful ambiance, high quality prepped meats, bar salads were refreshing! Definately, if you don't see a meat going around that you are waiting for, don't be shy and ask. They'll get it right out for you.
(5)Kevin H.
Oh my god, i ended up taking a couple of friends i known for the past 20 years here for dinner and wow, we couldnt keep up with all the meats and sides they give us.. They give you unlimited mash and rice both mash were damn good with fried bananas and some type of bread i think which was very good.. They have Fraldinha, Costela, BBQ, Corderio which were all different cuts of beef and steaks Frango (chicken) Linguica (sasuages) Filet Migon fabulous!! The for the 3 of us came to $215 with drinks but it was worth it.. It was $57 a person sunday night. Verrrrrry wonderful and nice staff. I dont remember none of us asking for a refill unless we wanted to try a different drink or wine.. They looked after us and were not rich but they made us feel important!! Maravilha!!!!
(5)Kristen G.
Things I've learned since dating a Brazilian: 1) Brazilians are hot -- all of em. Whatever is in their water needs to be put in MY water. 2) Brazilians love soccer. Too bad we live in the U.S. 3) Brazilians are passionate. About everything. 4) Brazilians love meat. I don't think there is a word in Portuguese for "Vegetarian." So, it's a match made in hell when I'm a vegetarian... and dating a Brazilian. Good thing we love each other. And it's because I love him so much that I took him to Fogo de Chao for his birthday dinner. Because seriously, the look on his face while eating slices upon slices of Picanha was worth $150 and more. And yes, he may have admitted in a moment of weakness that he loved the picanha at Fogo de Chao more than he loved me.... jokingly?? right?? maybe??? hmmmm.... ;) So yes, it's a total meat-fest. Meat coma is sure to follow your trip there. And once we left, my hot Brazilian boyfriend's stomach had grown so much he looked like a hot Brazilian pregnant man. For about $60 you can have all the meat you want... and all the salad too... and all the sides... And for about $30 you can have just the sides and the salad bar.... which is exactly what this vegetarian did. The salad bar was pretty awesome... but I'm a HUGE fan of Brazilian sides, so I barely visited the salad bar. Give me rice, beans (though I didn't eat them there because I suspected meat in them), plantains, mashed potatoes, polenta and pao de queijo (cheese bread) any day of the week and you've got one super happy vegetarian. Oh, and the caipirinha didn't hurt either. Super tasty, super strong. $12. Once all the food was consumed and he could no longer breathe... one of our many servers brought over the dessert menu... and insisted we order one of them for his birthday treat... We got the tres leches cake, which was tasty, but not OMGAMAZING. But the cafezinho was a nice diminutive(but strong) finish to the meal. Oh, and thank you Brazilian meat guys for actually being Brazilian... AND fans of the same soccer team as the birthday boy, so you guys could speak Portuguese and catch him up on all the going-ons with the team... and apparently give us special treatment because he was a fan. Thanks Fogo de Chao for making his birthday extra special...
(5)Yonnie Z.
Fogo was my first Brazilian BBQ experience and also one of my favorite experiences there. Their lunch and dinner menus are the same but $20 price difference. Food was amazing. Salad bar was filled with greens, smoked salmon, red beats, variety of cheese (e.g. goat cheese), and anything else you can think of. In my opinion, it was a very healthy assorted salad bar. Next comes the best part, you can either choose whether to forgo the meat by simply laying out a color card by your plate. But who goes to a Brazilian BBQ and not eat meat? Simply uncalled for. Meat on swords are literally placed in front of you for your pickings. The whole farm is offered at your table every other 5-10 minutes by a server to each person. Beef, pork, chicken, lamb. Cooked in many ways. Also, their buttery cheese bread balls are simply amazing. Flaky on the outside, creamy and literally melts in your mouth. Service is great. The waiters are very nice and ready for anything you need.
(5)perry k.
Went there with my boss and a few co-workers. I'm not really into "fancy" restaurants but DAMN, this place was nice. Selection of meats: great. The salad/side dish bar: wonderful. Service: They treat you like royalty (couldn't think of a 1-word answer) Wine Selection: Endless. Atmosphere: buzzing Ambience/Decor: beautiful. Price: EXPENSIVE. It's worth it. Great for special occasions. I can't believe some ppl gave it 3 stars or less. Really? It's a great place. Go hungry. Well, not too hungry because that backfires sometimes also.
(5)Anna N.
Arrived here on Friday afternoon for LA restaurant week. The place was PACKED, the staff did an excellent job to accommodate the large crowds. With reservations, my party of 4 waited for 20 minutes before seated. The tables were too close together but understandable since is LA restaurant week, I really hope they are not like this during normal times. I did not like the meat very much. My main distaste for the meat is the seasoning, I find the it too salty. Moreover, the lamb was very unpleasantly pungent. The salad bar was decent and gave a very wide selection. Everything that I ate was forgettable. Service was excellent even with the mob of people here for LA restaurant week.
(3)Bryan C.
i don't even have a check-in here but i'll review it. Why? Because when I called in for a reservation, the person who I was talking to, hung up on me as I was requesting for a reservation! i do want to try Fogo, but as of right now, no go!
(1)stacey s.
If you're looking to entertain some out-of-town meat lovers who want to try something different, then this is the place to go. Zoro-looking-like waiters come around to your table with skewers of meat. And you can stay there all night...it's practically dinner and a show. What to get: Expensive cuts of meat (e.g. lamb, beef, etc) What NOT to get: Cheaper cuts of meat (e.g. chicken) Tips: Be extremely strategic about your stomach space -- no fillers. That means, no chicken (why bother), no salad bar (unless if you really need some roughage) and a minimal amount cheese puffs (I know, it is hard to resist eating 10 baskets of those yummy morsels but try to control yourself and stick to the meat)
(3)Sasha M.
Overrated is the only word that comes to my head when I think about this restaurant.This is more of a tourist trap rather than a 4 or 5 star restaurant. They give you quantity but no quality. I almost liked the salad bar but then I discovered that all the dressings are commercial salad dressings that come in barrels and full of preservatives. The waiters and the staff were very friendly and they kept bringing cheap commercial grade meats to our table like we were cavemen. I really felt like I was on a cruise to Mexico on the Carnaval Cruiselines. Furthermore, We had dinner for 4 and it was almost $400. I can think of 50 better restaurants that are of the same variety and cost less and the food is 100 times better. Thanks but no thanks
(2)Riyo L.
I was in town for work and craving Brazillian Steak. I've been to the one in Atlanta and thought I would introduce the great place to my colleagues. Man was the BH a big disappointment. It does not compare to the ATL Fogo. Maybe I was expecting too much but the meats weren't as flavorful. The service was lacking considering we were not Billionaires. On top of that, it was more expensive too. My friends were unsatisfied as well, complaining that it was not worth the money. The only upside is that they had valet. Other than that, I don't think I would be returning if ever in town.
(2)Bella G.
Everyone raves about it, so took parents out for dinner. Considering that I am not much of a Brazilian BBQ person, I was only able to eat few pieces of meat but the ambiance was good and salad bar was decent. My dad loved it (picky palette) and service was great. Actually, service was excellent. Employees were trained similar to high end hotels.
(4)John D.
Ayo imma tell you right now B, my favorite place by far. Just seeing my coworker get meat piled on his plate and him not understanding to flip to red to stop it was worth the meal cost alone. Tasty food great experience. Need I say more.
(5)Jen W.
The food was decent, but not great. The salad bar has little selection. I'm glad I finally tried this place, but most likely won't be coming back
(3)Bob M.
You must try once Bottom line
(5)Tammy L.
I'm not sure where all of these bad reviews are coming from. I came here for the first time for my birthday and was amazed by not only the food but the service. The salad bar was okay but really what you should come here for is the meat. The lamb chop, ny steak and filet mignon were definitely top notch. Cool relaxed atmostphere and great service. I'll be back!
(5)Natali R.
Great, very good place. Extremely delicious. If you love eat meat - this is the best place !! Customer service is very nice.
(5)Bassem K.
What can I say? This is the best restaurant ever existed on earth! Fogo is simply amazing and like nowhere else! This is literally the best meat on this planet
(5)Wise C.
I came here pretty late like 8:00pm. The parking is ok. The place looks good though the food is not that great. The salad bar is poorly/ not fresh/limited option. The meat is ok but not my cup of tea. I ended up paying around $100 including parking. In general, overpriced for its food and services. Not recommended.
(2)Shelley L.
Came here last fall with a few friends for dinner on a Sat night. We did have to wait a bit for a table, but that was because we were late for our reservation. So we hit up the bar first. Nice bartender, great drinks. Who loves meat? I DO, I DO!!! If you like meat of all kinds this is the place for you. This is the home of the never ending meat skewers. The service was excellent, my plate was never empty. There is a salad bar, but really, if you have to have a "balanced meal" by all means, help yourself. I would save my appetite for the meat if I were you. Be prepared for a large bill. This place is kind of pricey, but definitely worth a splurge for all you carnivores out there! The Sangria was also really good. I probably would not have tried it myself, but my table ordered a pitcher of it. Why not right? When in Rome, or at a Brazilian BBQ.... Come hungry and eat up! GO MEAT!!!!
(4)LiLLy C.
Any meat Lover with a BIG appetite will absolutely LoVe this place. You have to try this Brazilian restaurant! Green on the lamb & the filet minon please! Bring some cash you'll end up paying approx $75pp. (oh, & don't forget $5 for parking)
(5)Irene C.
When I had to choose between the Omakase at Sushi Zo, or unlimited meat at Fogo De Chao for my 'nice dinner night' during my LA trip, I told my friend, let's see the availability for reservations at Sushi Zo first, and if it's too late, we'll go to FDC. Sushi Zo said 9pm would be the earliest for dinner. ::saddened:: ok, so FDC it is! 8pm please! We're running like 10 mins late, b/c since it's Beverly hills, I didn't want to look like a wet cat out of a shower so I had to look presentable, especially just coming back from Disneyland all day. So we call in and ask if we can move our reservations to 8:30pm, just to be courteous. They say sure! Of course! As if it'll be nooooo problem. Little did we know, we get there, there's valet, tons of ppl waiting, thank God we have reservations we thought.... WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok so straight to the point, this place SUCKS at seating you promptly when they're busy up the wazoo, reservations can kiss my ass b/c we might as well not have had any. Every 5 minutes they'll say 10 more mins, 5 more mins, oh, you guys are next, blahblahblah BS. We ended up having dinner past 9pm maybe around 9:30pm, which meant FDC indirectly CHEATED ME out of getting my glorious omakase at Sushi Zo. EFFF UUUUUUU FDC!!!!! (this is probably the worst part of dinner, but I get sooooooooooooo irritable when I'm hungry). Other than that, Fogo de chao, pretty much you can't get anything better than this as far as Brazilian BBQ is concerned---in the U.S. (so I've heard). I've only been to 3 Brazilian Churascarrias(?) Cleo's (this is like a mom and pop hole in the wall, this is good for cheap and local brazilian bbq), Espetus (slightly better, but doesn't even rival the selection of stuff that FDC offers). I'm sure there are better places in NY which I haven't even heard of... Salad bar: selection is pretty comprehensive. They have everything, but it's all pretty much crappy fillers in my eyes. One thing that did catch my tastebuds is the small selection of cured meats and cheeses. YUM! Hearts of palm are a go to filler too, the other crap... well, it's just crap. BUT! The one different thing I experienced here that other Brazilian bbq places didn't have is the fried polenta (freaking YUM), and mashed potatoes, which accompany the temptingly delicious cheese bread. I love cheese, I love bread, I double love cheese bread!!!! The selection of meats are pretty much what you get at other Brazilian bbq places. Nothing that stood out completely, the garlic beef was like over done and way too salty that night, chicken was crappy, the sausage was not memorable, and dude... WHERE ARE MY CHICKEN HEARTS YO!? AND MY SLICES OF PINEAPPLES? I liked: Lamb ribs Beef rib eye Both bottom and top sirloin cuts pork Anyways. Their white sangria is good, and their tres leches cake is generous and GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Worth the extra money for sure. Still not as good as the the 3 leches cake at Michael Mina, but dude, there is never a 3 leches cake I didn't like. Overall, didn't floor me, DEFINITELY NOT 5 stars, but it's a fun place to eat, would I come back? As long as I'm not paying. There are SOOO many other awesome eats in LA, I wouldn't waste my time or money coming back to a place I've been to already, esp if they make you wait so long!!!!
(4)Diana S.
My sister and I went there last night. I am observing lent so no red meat or pork for me. Well my sister had all the different meats and she said all of them were amazing. Lots of flavors, juicy & nice and hot. I had the sea-bass and it was a amazing and nice and hot. I hate getting food and it's cold but this was perfect. The salad bar was AMAZING. I mean the selections isn't extravagant but the quality of the food, flavor & cleanliness of the bar was hands downs amazing. The staff was nothing but the best there. They always came around made sure we had enough of everything and was funny and kept us entertained. If you have an opportunity go there it's amazing. Will be back after lent for sure.
(5)Alex G.
By far, one of my most favorite restaurants. The salad bar has a large variety of different salads, such as macaroni and pasta salads as well. Also they offer many different kinda of cheeses. Besides that they have a large variety of different kind of meat. My favorite is the lamb well done. If you like more redness in your meat, they offer that too! Highly recommend this place!
(5)J H.
We just celebrated our wedding reception there last weekend, and I couldn't have been happier. For all major milestone events, my new husband and I tend to dine at Fogo De Chao. So it wasn't a surprise to us, when we thought of having our small wedding reception there. Everything was AMAZING!!! I was happy to see all our guests enjoying the entire experience. We got various compliments about the their salad bar, the meats, the desserts and just the overall experience. We even got an added bonus of a celebrity sighting as Bruno Mars was sat across from our private reception room. There are various reviews about this amazing place, so I don't want to go into too much detail. I definitely want to emphasize that if you want a stress free event, with all desires and expectations met, book your next event at Fogo. :o)
(5)Niño M.
- Meats are friggin delicious!!!!!!! My fav was the filet mignon. dizaaamn, that was good. - Order those cheesy bread/knots. so good. - Staff is very friendly and attentive - avoid the bar at all cost. You'll pay 15 bucks for a jack and coke. LOLLL (that'
(4)Heather C.
made reservations @ 7:30 pm got here at 7pm. now is 7:45pm. still waiting. . see them seating 7
(1)Kimie L.
Warning don't ever sit at the table against the wall. We came here on a Sunday night and it wasn't too busy. However, they gave us a table against the wall. Service was horrible because all the staffs just seem to ignore/ skip us and move along to another table. Waited for at least 10-15mins each time to get a piece of meat and breads. They also took forever to refill our water. I never had such a bad experience dining out before. It made the food less enjoyable.
(2)Teresa T.
Honestly I've only been here 3 times and all occasions were during dineLA so that may have been the reason for bad quality and poor service. The first time we went in a party of 10, so of course the waiter probably hated us. However, he just kept dodging us all throughout our meal. We weren't even demanding, we just wanted a couple extra napkins, breh! The salad bar is honestly lacking for a place that charges so much. My personal favorite Brazilian BBQ place would have to be Libra, but sadly they are no longer open. WHY?! I do not know. Selection of items is very limited, not to mention they don't even taste that good. I usually have the problem of focusing and filling up too much on salad bars/sides rather than the meat, but it's never the case here. Their cheese bread is GREAT, but that's about it. Onto the meat.... Literally the only great things are the filet mignon and of course the picanha. I honestly cannot say anything else about this place. However, I know I also need to visit when it's not dineLA to make a really definite decision on my feelings about this establishment. Valet guys are also rude.
(2)Sarah K.
Not worth the money! How does this place have such a high rating?? -Meat is way overcooked - burned consistently on the outside -No soda on tap; small 6oz bottles that don't even fill up the glass -Meat is NOT seasoned - very bland. I love meat and the meat is good quality but needs at least a little seasoning to truly bring out the flavor! -Salad bar is OK. Very little there was enticing, aside from the Parmesan cheese -The sides are bland - mushy fried banana, polenta fries that have no taste, mashed potatoes with no taste, and the cheese rolls were not that good. Honestly, I was pretty bummed out. NO bacon wrapped ANYTHING was served while we were there, and we were there for awhile. MOAR BACON PEOPLE. Take your $60/head and go half a block down the street to The Stinking Rose for their filet. Their bread and meat is fan-effin-tastic and for that $60, you can buy dinner for two at Stinking Rose.
(2)Gordo G.
What can i say, well first off im a meat lover and thats never going to change, i need to have it, but this place is just not reeling me in, ok so 58.50 for diner and thats just for one person, i wouldn't mind it if the food was fantastic but sadly it was not, the meat was to dry and chewy even when medium cooked, some meat had no flavor and some had to much season on it...really the worst steak house i have ever been in, and frankly I'm not stepping into this place anytime soon, sooooo disapointing, i had the best steak ever and it's suck to say it's not even in this country it was in Puerto Vallarta but this place is to hyped up and to expensive i suggest to go somehere else...
(2)Jan D.
I have been here 4 times now.. And I can say that this place is pretty consistant MINUS Valentine's Day. But! The restaurant was nice enough to give us 1 free voucher to come back between Feb-May (Sun-Thurs) for lunch and dinner. We were pretty happy with the service and the food this time around. Less crowded, no waiters and people bumping into the back of our chairs and esp. BETTER QUALITY CONTROL! Anywhoo.. I still prefer M Grill better.. Not sure why.. but the meats just seem so much better. All in all, still a good place to go. Enjoy!
(4)Jack K.
Pretty underwhelmed I gotta say. Filet mignon was decent, Quality of the rest of meat lesser, tended to be overcooked. Atmosphere is a little cheesy. House music is elevator jazz. For the money I'll do Ruth's Chris.
(2)Micole C.
Ok so for all the fan fare I had heard about this place for years, it was great food but wasnt really anything special to me. Perhaps this is because my expectations were way to high from constant talk of this place but I left feeling like it was just another restaurant. The salad bar was good however after hearing rave reviews of what a GREAT salad bar it was i was expecting something different, what exactly that different was i dont know, but it was just a salad bar. The constant barage of meat once that card was flipped over was overwhelming, not once did a minute go by with a server leaving a piece of meat on my plate than another one came with a different choice of meat. I had to keep flipping said card back and forth just to enjoy the first piece of meat I received. I left very full though and the meat was fantastic, it was just overwhelming for me a bit. Mashed potatoes were just mashed potatoes, plaintains were good. SAY NO TO THE FRIED CORNMEAL, that was one of the most god awful things i have ever tasted in my life, i have no words for it except disgusting. for desert i had the strawberry cream with a black liquer on top that was tasty. SERVICE WAS IMPECCABLE. overall it was just another restaurant, there was nothing extra special about it to me nor did i leave feeling like i will definitely return. definitely try it out for yourself just to do something different, but it just didnt live up to all the hype for me UPDATE: IT IS NOW THREE DAYS LATER AND I AM DISPUTING CHARGES ON MY CREDIT CARD AS FOGO DE CHAO HELPED THEMSELVES TO A BIGGER TIP, AND YES IT WAS JUST $10 BUT IT WAS THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND IT WITH THEM HELPING THEMSELVES TO A BIGGER TIP AND ALSO BEFORE ANYONE SAYS ANYTHING, I CALLED AND ASKED IF THEY DID AN AUTOMATIC GRATUITY (AS I GAVE A 12-15% TIP AND THEY TOOK 20) AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ONLY DO AUTOMATIC GRATUITY FOR PARTIES OF 6 OR MORE AND IT WAS ONLY ME AND MY HUSBAND...RATING HAS NOW DROPPED!!!! P.S. EVEN IF I GAVE THOSE PEOPLE 1 DOLLAR (WHICH IT WASNT IT WAS 12 TO BE EXACT) THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE WHATEVER THEY WANT FROM MY CREDIT CARD)
(3)Wakako U.
Lamb chops. Lamb chops. Lamb chops. It was so delicious, I think I ate the ribs of a whole lamb.
(5)Yvo S.
Great place for meat lovers. non-stop service of meat from servers that walks around with tasty grilled meat. Great service and love the salad bar. The place could get crowded on the weekend and the seating could get very very close to your neighboring tables. Good for groups and family.
(5)J C.
I finally tried it. I got there early, but because there's no street parking allowed before 6, I went for the pricey valet. Next time I'll go a little later. I was immediately seated. There were only a few other parties eating at the time. The staff was exceptional the whole time. The Warm cheese bread 'muffins' were excellent. I ate them all! I looked at the salad bar, and didn't see anything, except maybe some of the sliced bread they had that was worth trying Soda's don't have free refills, and run close to $3 a pop, so they get you there. Once I flipped the card to green, the meat started coming super fast! I got 3 in a row. This is the first place I had to turn it to red to stop them so I could eat what was on my plate. Some did ask how you want them cooked, and went back to the kitchen to get rare, or medium rare when they had medium. Some times they didn't say how it was cooked and I just ate it, but some were overcooked for my preference. Everything I tried was good. Seasoned to some extent. The meat that was cooked on the rarer side was tender. I liked the lamb chops, ribeye, and filet mignon best. The lamb chops were quite tender, and seasoned well. The ribeye was very good, flavorful, and seasoned great. It was the best ribeye I've ever had! The filet was quite good as well. The other meats were also good. I didn't try them all, but at least half of them. I know from past experience if I eat too much at one of these places I will feel sick. I stopped after I felt I got my money's worth. I was in and out of this place in about 45 minutes. If I skipped dessert, and was aggressive with asking for the bill, I could cut it down to 25 minutes. This could be a great place for a QUICK gourmet meal. It's not too far from LAX either.. hint hint. Save room for dessert. They have creme brulee, molton chocolate cake, ice cream, and more. I had the creme brulee, and it was good! Now how would I compare to Agora? I would say the lamb chops were more tender. The filet mignon I remember being better at Agora, it was better seasoned, and very tender. EDIT 2/4/09: Agora went downhill on my most recent visit, and fogo beats them in both categories now. Fogo has Ribeye, where Agora does not have it. Fogo also has a much better dessert menu. Overall, the filet, and lamb are quite good at Agora, and the price is noticeably cheaper. Agora has FREE parking..and is located much closer to me.. So I would say Agora has an edge here, and will be my preference. The ribeye though makes this a close call.. It was the best ribeye I've ever had! I prefer the cheese muffins here, though. They are BIG, and YUMMY! Bring your appetite, and bring your wallet. I spent just over $100 just for myself here with everything.
(5)Marie r.
ok its actually 4.5 stars come if you're really hungry salad bar has a great selection and the meats are yummeee get the papaya cream for dessert as it helps with digestion swanson merlot during your meatfest good for groups also~
(4)Vicky L.
FAVORITE BRAZILIAN BBQ PLACE EVER! Make sure to come here on an empty stomach or else you can't really eat much.
(5)Kai P.
Let me preface my review by saying that I came here on Valentine's day... bit mistake. It was so crowded, the staff was not prepared for the quantity of patrons. Our waitress was on the very slow side (it took 45 min to get the check, pay, and leave)! The meat was okay.... I enjoyed the selection at M grill much more. However, the mashed Yucca was among the best I've ever tried. I would have enjoyed if the plantains were little more crunchy, but that's personal preference. All in all, for the price, I'd head to M grill instead... or the place in the Paseo Mall in Pasadena. Fogo is not the hype.
(2)Scotty E.
First thing first. This restaurant has the best service out of all restaurants I have been to in LA, by far. It was my girlfriends Birthday and when I told one of the waiters it was her birthday he said "say no more", smiled, then walked away. Then at the end of dinner he brought out a wonderful cake with a candle in it. Now onto the dinner. The salad bar they have is mediocre. It does have a few items that most salad bars don't have like sun dried tomato's and fire roasted bell peppers. They also have a huge cheese wheel where you can carve out your own cheese. The Main course. Lets just say if you love meat, you have to come here. They have a lot of different cuts of beef, pork, and a few chicken. The meat is served to your table on skewers by servers in gaucho pants. You can tell them how much you want and how well done you want it also. All the meat has an amazing flavor and melts in your mouth. The wine list is great, and they have a full bar. You should try this place at least once for the experience. Bring your stocked wallet thoe.
(4)Gloria L.
Buffet is delicious and fresh. Servers are attentive and friendly. This is the meat eaters go to. Not as amazing as I expected in terms of atmosphere.... But a nice casual outing dinner :)
(4)Jon N.
I wish there was an ability to filter out the reviews by those (especially girls) who ate here but had their bf/husband/date/friend pay for their meal. I bet those people who got treated here would never come here if they had to pay for themselves, otherwise they LOVE the place and would come anytime. Give me a break... you're not entitled to give 5 star reviews of this place if you didn't pay for yourself. Your perception of this place isn't honest if you didn't have to pull out your wallet at the end of the meal because anyone can have a lovely time here on someone else's dime. Pay the $60 + tip and see how the place changes! I truly believe the quality of the meat here is terribly overrated. Not only is the meat is rough to chew some of the selection was overly salted. Although the service is excellent here I mainly focused on the food, which was below my humble expectations. Now, for $60 odd bucks I didn't expect Prime grade beef to be flowing out of the kitchen and onto my plate via the quick footed staff there but I'm sorry say that I was even suspicious if they even used Choice cut graded beef. If you've paid attention to the grade of steak/meat they serve you at restaurants you can definitely tell the difference in the tenderness and juiciness of the beef. As I said to my friend, I have bought superior quality steak from the supermarket then what I found myself eating at Fogo de Chao. Beef - With the exception of the Rib Eye (and maybe the Top Sirloin) I did not bother having seconds on any of cuts. Even the Fillet Mignon was dry like a rag. I found myself pretty much grinding my teeth on the meat small enough so that I could swallow it. I would have spit it out into my napkin if it didn't seem impolite in front of my friends. If you don't know where Sirloin steaks ranks amongst steaks you should read the following, it is important to know your steaks: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Si… Lamb - Dry and lacking any flavor. I know lamb is a lot leaner then beef, so when I say the lamb was dry I mean it was dry relative to the lamb I have eaten before. Also, lamb is too lean to roast over an open fire for a long period of time which is the primary cooking method employed here for their meats. Pork - Ribs NEED to be cooked properly to achieve its optimum flavor and tenderness. Great ribs simply just fall off the bone or can be easily be disconnected from the bone, this is done by cooking the ribs thoroughly so that the tissue will disconnect from the rib bone itself. The only way to achieve this is through time. Fogo did not cook the pork ribs correctly. I even thought they were somewhat undercooked Chicken - It tastes terrible when it is overcooked, especially white meat. Void of juices I found myself longing for fried chicken from Popeye's. Salad Bar - Actually very respectable. I enjoyed the cheeses, porchuto, sun dried tomatoes, white asparagus tips, and artichoke hearts. Service - Excellent. Out waiter was very friendly and quick, our water glasses never got 1/2 empty and our plates were refreshed frequently. All the servers there are quick footed, sometimes sprinting 10 steps into the kitchen to act that much quicker. The meats made their rounds in an orderly fashion. Other thoughts - Valet parking is $5.50. Be sure to make reservations if you can. I don't see myself coming back here again. It's not the price that disqualifies this place but the quality of food they so call pride themselves with. I'd much rather skip the organized chaos of this place and have myself some bovine at Lawry's or Morton's.
(3)Richard P.
PROTEIN OVERLOAD!!! I ate at Fogo de Chao for a surprise birthday party for one of my friends (Roger T.). It was my first time at Fogo de Chao and I was quite impressed. If you like meat this is the place to go. You start off at the salad bar, which is average. I'd say just get a few things from the salad bar, because that will just fill you up. Save space for the good stuff -- MEAT! Once they start bringing the meat you'll get overwhelmed. They have so many varieties and the seem to all come at once. Everything was delicious! I loved the the House Special (Rib Eye) the best. But they have Top Sirloin, Bottom Sirloin, Filet Mignon, Ribs, Lamb, Chicken, etc. Everything but the lamb was great! It was a little dry. Overall great experience. We got a great deal since it was dineLA. I haven't been for a normal dining experience, but from what I hear it is exactly the same with a nice discount! If you're wanting to try this place, go for dineLA and save a little money! You got one week left!!!
(4)Terence L.
Restaurant Week, a biannual event, started Jan 22 2012 and will run till Feb 3 2012. Basically a big bunch of restaurants in Los Angeles County will offer set lunches at $16, $22 or $28 and set dinners at $26, $34 or $44. DineLA have been running for 5 years since Jan 2008 and to start off had lunch at Fogo de Chao. So I was looking up the history of the restaurant. Apparently Fogo de Chao dated back to 1975 in the mountainous countryside of Rio Grande do Sul in Southern Brazil. An important part of the culture is churrasco, which is the Gaucho way to roast the meat over open fire (bbq) at festive occasions and gatherings. Now the restaurant located in Beverly Hills serves the Gaucho way of roasting in a buffet style setting. If you have never tried Brazilian beef buffet before, you should definitely take a trip to Fogo de Chao. The best Brazilian beef buffet you would get in town. The meat just keeps coming before you could finish the last piece there would be another right in front of you. In the picture you can see a red and green coaster-like item.. if you flip the coaster to the green side, it shows "yes please" and the red side shows "no thanks!".. you get the idea. There is also a large selection of meat that you could choose from. You will definitely leave this place filled to the brim and satisfied.
(4)Alex K.
This churrascaria is as good as everyone says. I was surprised that given the price, most people were not dressed up to the teeth, but rather casually. Service was top notch, attentive and actually funny at times. Yea you might get a slightly bad eye if you ask for a piece "well done" (which is really closer to "medium"), so be ready for that. IMO, the best cuts were the picanha and rib eye. Salad bar was decent, not extravagant but you are there for the meat, not lettuce. Parking was valet only $5.50, not bad.
(5)Charles H.
There really just isnt a better restaurant for a meat lover. You do pay for it, but at $50 all you can eat, I really dont have a problem with it. Im by no means rich, but the quality of everything is MILES past anywhere else I have ever been. The salad bar, and all the sides are CRAZY good, and everyone I have ever taken has regreted eating so much of them. Obviously you want try everything, but at $50 a pop, you really want to focus on the meat. Its great because every type of meat I tried, is the highest quality, well seasoned piece I have ever had, but not so great because every piece of meat I eat from now on will me judged against it. (not such a bad problem to have) The service is also great here, if you ask a server for the shirt off their back, im sure they would give it to you. My friend asked for a more rare piece then what the server had, and his eyes lit up, as he ran back to the kitchen to make it happen. Again, its a little expensive, but its a treat!
(5)Ed M.
Sadly, the Fogo de Chao on La Cienega's not as good as the Fogo I'd eaten at in Brazil. But, hey, all-you-can-eat meat! Like a dim sum restaurant, waiters walk around with food. Except instead of old Chinese ladies pushing metal carts filled with dumplings, it's non-Brazilian guys carrying cooked chunks of cow, pig, and lamb impaled on large metal sticks. My personal favorites that day were the ribeye and beef ribs. My only complaint is that I prefer my meat medium-rare and sometimes the servings bordered on overcooked. They give you a coin with a green side for "Sock it to me!" and a red side for "No mas!" But even when I had the red side up, I couldn't stop looking up from my feeding anytime I sensed the presence of red meat. I just can't say no to anybody offering to fill my belly with delicious animal, and the waiters were very eager to pile slices of domesticated beasts on my plate. The service, by the way, was excellent. For those who want to include some vegetation in their meal so that their colon isn't blocked up like the 405, they've got a nice salad bar, complete with hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, and a bevy of heartless items.
(3)Joe O.
We orphanted many a cow that day. My first experience with Brazillian BBQ in San Francisco left me unsatisfied. Then I went to Greenfield, and came away blissfully happy. Fogo de Chao blows Greenfield out of the water. I did not even look at the salad bar, ok I looked and it did look appetizing. But I came here for the meat. The ribeye and filet mignon were my favorite. Juicy, seasoned, and tender. My only gripe was that the skirt steak (or bottom sirloin) was disappointing. Skirt steak is supposed to be very tender and flavorful, but not here. However, everything else more than makes up for it. Will definitely be back!
(5)Shirley K.
Superb service (5 stars). Value (3.5 stars). Quality (4 stars). Tried this restaurant for the first time on a Friday evening and I was very impressed with the service. Top-notch service here! Very attentive (on our food, side dishes, and drinks), accomodating (quickly seated us to a different table when we asked), and cheery attitude. The complimentary side dishes included the warm cheese bread (yummy!), fried bananas (hit or miss), crispy hot polenta (very good!), and mashed potatoes (tasted bland). The veggies from the salad bar were fresh and tasty. The following from the salad bar were tasty: the Mushrooms, Heart of Palms, Salt & Lemon seasoned slices of Cucumbers, Red & Yellow Bell Peppers, and Beets. Now, the meats: Most of the meats we requested were medium rare but were tough to chew or too dry. The ones that were tender included the filet migon, the filet migon wrapped with bacon, and the pork rib. I too, as Brian K's has done in his review, advise trying out the restaurant or going during the day because it's about $20 less per person. Lunch: $34.50; Dinner: $56.50. Just as Bernice C. said in her review, there are other AYCE Brazillian restaurants in LA for lesser price. However, you won't get the same type of service, decor, and freshness. Again, if I go back, it would be for lunch. Parking: Valet ($5) or meter (limited).
(4)clara w.
this place serves the best meat in LA! It makes me wish I didn't have to avoid meat on fridays during lent. I like the intuitive red-stop, green-go system. The salad bar is second-to-none. I just wish it were more affordable. Lunch is at least reasonably priced.
(5)Vivek N.
The variety at FDC is cray-cray! Service is damn good too, but it's more than most people can take on. Even though I tried taking the smallest samples of the meats, I felt like I ended up wasting a huge pile of meat (and I hate wasting). Part of it may have been because I could not stop eating those plantains that were off the hook! You gotta absolute love meat to eat here (though their salad bar is pretty exceptional as well). But be prepared for the food coma that is pretty guaranteed when you leave.
(4)Cassie C.
I'm pretty sure eating here the day before my blood donation appointment is what caused a huge jump in my iron count LOL. (I was under last time, so it was a delicious excuse to fill up on red meat ;)) Everything's pretty much been said, all I have to add is that I'd advise you to: 1. Wear some comfy and expandable clothing (I understand you gotta dress classy, so ladies get those flowy tops and dresses out! Guys, don't wear a belt that's "just right"..you might regret it :P) 2. Eat sparingly at the salad bar. It's super tempting because it's got all of the good stuff, but it's easy to fill up a plate or two! 3. Skip the chicken. It's not bad... but did you really come to a steakhouse for the grilled chicken ;(? 4. PICANHA. After I had tried all the meats, this was the only one I kept going back for. I'm pretty sure I flagged the guy down a dozen times for it. There's valet parking and if you're in a rush to leave if you slip the valet some dough they'll get your car first (saw a couple people do this). It's a wallop on your wallet (unless you come during DineLA!) but it's definitely worth it and your inner carnivore will be wholly satisfied.
(5)Marcus B.
I am a man, my needs are simple but numerous. A nice home, a car that won't break down, my friends, a kick ass DSL connection and a beautiful woman or two are but a few of my necessities to make me a happy Welshman... Another major need of mine is meat. I likes me some meat, meat in my mouth makes me happy (no snickering in the cheap seats). I have been to Fogo de Chao several times and I have now refined to an art the best way to satisfy my meat needs. Yes there is a kick ass salad bar, yes the bread is good, but do not let these temptations distract you from the true joy of FdC...MEEEAAATTTT! By all means get a few veggies to complement the feast, but do not over-stuff on this frill! The beef, the sausages, the chicken and of course the delicious lamb chops are what you should be cramming down the neck hole. The gauchos are walking around to offer you their meat swords, so take advantage and keep that little coaster on green for 'feed me!' I also like that it is a place that you can dress smartly and not feel out of place, which I like to do now and then, especially if there is a beautiful woman on my arm. If you have any space left after the orgy of meat, then the desserts are killer too, which is nice.
(4)Joy R.
Meat, meat and more meat!! The quality of food and selection of meats here is very good. The wine overflows from every pore of this place. It's absolutely a great place to come with friends. By far the best Brazilian spot in LA!
(4)Lance T.
Geddafuckouddahere! This isn't no 5 star churrascaria (Brazilian BBQ)!!! "Beverly Hills, Century City - everything here is so nice and pretty." I set the bar high on Fogo De Chao, but left disappointed. 5 star-like prices, 4 star service and ambiance, but 2 star quality food. Don't get me wrong though, I love me some hearty Brazilian BBQ anyplace, anytime! I have traveled to Brazil 3 times, and have eaten at many places there. I know: churrascaria. I even tested our waiter on his Portuguese to see if this place had really hired conversational Portuguese servers: Me: Boa Noite, senor Gabriel! Muito Prazer. Como Vai?! He responded correctly. Impressive. Ok, props. But he had to come up and assume: 'hey, you train in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, huh?' lol! 5 star prices for a buffet. Expect You and a date, with drinks, to exceed well over the into $130 mark. Sadly, the food, I felt, was only about 3 stars in quality. Some of the beef was excellent, but most were over cooked and tasted like rawhide. After your first round of meat, the servers assume that you are full and suddenly 'get ghost.' Then you have to twist your neck looking around for that select piece of meat you want. Salad bar was uninspired. Vegetables were not the freshest. Maybe i caught them on a bad day. I wanted to believe that this particular Fogo De Chao on La Cienga was just as good as the one I've eaten at in Sao Paulo, (even if it was twice as expensive, than Brazil) but unfortunately it was a major letdown.
(2)Jessica L.
I've eaten here about 4 times, the most recent visit, was this past Valentines Day. Although I was warned by many people to avoid restaurants on that specific day, especially to this restaurant, I just could not get the thought of the yummy meat from my mind. As soon as we strolled along La Cienega Blvd around 6:30 pm, it was chaos. The street is known for great restaurants like Lawrys, Stinking Rose and Benihanas. All we could hear, were the honks and people waving their hands around in anger and impatience. We finally pulled up to the valet parking lot to Fogo de Chao... OMG. "look at all the people" we were totally appalled. It seriously looked like we were entering a club. The line (more like a huddle) was like a shoving match trying to get to the front. It was over a hundred people in the small space from the entrance to the hostess podium. So we finally managed to slip inbetween people to the front podium where there were two girls who were obviously overwhelmed and anxious. They would bust out their microphones, but unsuccessful from hearing anything from all the hustle and bustle of the people chatting next door at the bar, and the huge mass of people from the entrance. Absolute ridiculous situation. Anyhow, we let the two girls know we arrived to our hour late reservation (I know, our fault for being so late), she stuck us on a separate list and said we had to wait an hour and a half to be seated since we missed our reservation time. Geez.. . hour and a half! I guess that was the norm time because other couples we spoke to said they had been waiting for about that long already. Alright.. so an hour and a half passes, we finally get seated to our table and were immediately offered our drinks, polenta, fried bananas, and cheese bread. Their other appetizer bar includes various salad mixtures, cheeses, pancetta, salami, other veggies... etc. Their scheme to fatten you up before you eat your meats. Red side of the card means "no" and the green side of the card means "yes". Its kind of a fun aspect to eating. I tend to just get enough meat to eat at that moment, while its still hot and fresh, so I wont feel like Im rushing to eat it. Men with big metal skewers of meat and knife in hand, come to offer you a slice and your desired cut.. I tend to like medium rare, on some occasions they just hand you over whatever they have without asking you which you prefer. I love the filet mignon.. the staff is very friendly, food excellent as always, wine was wonderful. All in all, although we made a huge mistake in going on Vday.. as always, I was satisfied in the end. o yea, we were seated right across from LeVar Burton, the guy from Reading Rainbow and Roots. I guess its a hot spot for celebrities too.
(5)Maurilio M.
I do not know how you can give Fogo anything lower than 5 stars. I lived in Brazil for over 2 years and can tell you this is true Brazilian Churrasco. Gauchos straight from the South part of Brazil are hired to slow cook a vast array of meats done in the traditional Brazilian Churrasco style. I am always delighted to brush up on my Portuguese everytime I go. The service is awesome with a team of wait staff ready to cater to your every desire. If you have room aftwerords from the mountains of meat that arrive to your table I do highly recommend to try their deserts, they are to die for.
(5)Simon K.
Just came back and Fogo left a lot to be desired. The last time I had Brazilian BBQ was up in Seattle and it was absolutely awesome. The meat selection was so diverse that I was almost full before even trying all the meats (wild boar, bison, grilled pineapple, etc.). I was pretty disappointed with the meat selection here; I thought with such great reviews, it was going to be awesome. Really the worst part of the meat was that it was so overdone, especially the pork ribs. Most of the meat was barely edible, I prefer my meat medium rare. Other than the first cut of sirloin which was good, everything else was bleh. If you've never been to a Brazilian BBQ, you'll probably love this place. The seasonings they use for the meat is very good. I think if the meat were not so overcooked, I would have had a much better experience. I can say the service was great. All the waiters were very knowledgeable. Our daughters are 2 and 4 and they got to eat for free (although there was barely anything they could eat - just bread, some meat, and mash potatoes). Lastly, I even thought the salad bar was kind of weak. Although most of the items were fresh, a lot of the seasoned items were overly salty for my palate. Bottom line, I've had better.
(2)apples b.
If you LOVE MEAT, then this is the place to go. It's basically like an all you can eat buffet. There is an open salad bar with a variety of vegetables, fruit salad, salami, salmon. The salad bar has all cold dishes. You can come and go as you please at the salad bar. The selection was very tasty. The meat, however, is served when you turn your paper coaster over to the green side signaling for the meat servers to stop by your table. The meats include lamb, filet mignon, bacon wrapped chicken/beef, pork loin covered with Parmesan cheese, sirloin steak, and ribs. There may be a few more items for a total of 8-10 types of meat. The server will come around with large skewers of meat and they will cut off slices for you. Most of the meat was flavored very well and quite tender. You can eat as much meat as you want, but you definitely need some side dishes or else it gets sickening after a while (just too much meat). The meal is also served with fried corn meal slices, mashed potatoes, and fried bananas (not plaintains, these were longer). All side dishes were very good. They have a very big selection of wines to choose from, but I just had soda. Definitely not worth the ~$3 per bottle of Coke. It was a tiny glass bottle. You don't even get refills and it's not even as big as an aluminum can size soda. Minus one star for not getting your money's worth for soda! The meal totaled ~$36/person. I think that may be a lunch price (not sure) since I came around 2:30pm on a weekday. On the window, it said 2pm was end of lunch so I thought I would be charged dinner price. They do close around 3-5:30pm so make sure you know the times before you come. This is definitely a nice restaurant with good food. If you are willing to pay a little more for lunch/dinner, come check it out. It's a good experience.
(4)Tina M.
Surprisingly bad. I was VERY VERY surprised. I've been to M Grill, Libra, and a few other smaller places (not AYCE) in Torrance and I thought the quality--especially for the price you are paying was bad. This review--by the way--is mostly going to be comparing M Grill/Libra to Fogo. -- Chicken was very dry which surprised me greatly. -- Most of the meat was dry except for the two meats (garlic beef and filet mignon) we got piping hot just off the oven/grill. -- 3 of the meats we got had very tough bits in them and all of the meat was somewhat tough overall. I mean--really? For what is essentially a $55 meal, you have tough meat? Libra and M Grill are WAYYYY cheaper and they have no tough bits (or rarely). -- There is less salt which is good and bad. Good in that obviously it's healthier for you but bad in that it doesn't taste as good as Libra. Libra--the salt with the fat makes a more appetizing crust. Here the crust just tasted like burnt fat with little salt. -- Also all meats cut from a spit dry out the longer you leave them on your plate. The meat dried up to the same consistency as Libra in 2 min rather than 10 min. -- Libra has more hot plates/sides available. While usually I think more variety is bad as it is an indicator of poor quality--I think is one of the exceptions. Fogo has some of the basics, a few hot plates and not much else. -- Cheese bread was okay. Texture is a big gooier than Libra but its still delicious. -- Their plantains were better prepared than M Grill. They are deflated at M Grill. So what are you paying for in your $55? I realized as I was eating what you are *really* paying for: their expensive location and their extremely attentive service. Their service is very good--as to be expected for a $$$$ restaurant--though they did forget us when we asked for our check. That's pretty much it... I have a feeling the money they spend on the actual food is probably the same or less than Libra/M Grill but because both of those are located in less prime locations and hire fewer people, they can charge less. Actually for the type of dining this is--gorging essentially with friends--the upscale environment kind of clashes with it. It felt like everything was very hectic here with people running about making sure everyone was well served. It was made even more hectic when what looks like a gaggle of frat boys (literally like 25+ guys) trailed into the special side room with their hooting and hollering. I kinda like the few cute noobs at Libra who don't really pay attention to your card's status while listening to some of the light Caetano Veloso piped in the background. Much gentler experience. ;) Overall I feel like I didn't get what I paid for, which is unusual because I rarely complain about price. Or, alternatively, I don't think the location and hyperattentive service is worth more than good meat. Maybe I was there on an off day, who knows. Perhaps I'll try it again in the future but for now I'm sticking with Libra and M Grill as my go-to Brazilian BBQ places.
(2)Cheryl S.
All I can say is WOWWWWIEEEEEEEEEEE! Being from Honolulu, Hawaii we no longer have a Brazilian BBQ this was an awesome treat. Luckily we were their during DineLA week and we got the special price of $44 but I would definitely pay the regular price as it is sooo worth it. For our dinner we actually went a large party and the restaurant was packed and we still got excellent service. The bbq meats kept coming around and it was non stop. I was pleasantly surprised. Ok I know you are supposed to focus on the meats but the salad bar deserves some talk. I really enjoyed the spread...from their awesome Caesar salad, to the artichoke hearts, to the thinly sliced salami and prosciutto, asparagus on steroids.... just to name a few. This salad bar really accompanied the delicious meats. I had to make two trips..... On the table they gave us some sides, cheese bread, mashed potatoes that melted in your mouth, plantain's that were just sinfully delicious, crispy polenta that was like a big hash brown potato that was just perfect...oh my mouth is watering now. Please help me..... So if you enjoy meats as much as I do then this is the place....they have filet mignon, flank steak, Linguica which I thought was one of the best sausages I have tasted in a while.. My friends hands down like the picanha which is their prime cut of sirloin.... They were all yummy. There are more but I would have to write an novel to explain all of them. You need to experience this restaurant for yourself and you wont have any regrets.
(5)Angel N.
Came here for my gf's birthday n I like it!!! Just because I like varieties of diff types n cuts of meats. n since there's like soooo many diff types of meat to choose from, I was in heaven :) U get to see your meat n tell them which one u want. I had to take one star back because they only have smoke salmon as their seafood...boohoo :(
(4)Joyce S.
Ok let me preface this with i AM brazilian. I have eaten at the original fogo de chao restaurants in sao paulo. Still do when i'm there. This place is good but it does not compare to the real thing in brazil at ALL. Maybe this is why i was kindof disappointed. The quality of the meat is great (no chicken hearts though....chicken hearts are soo good) but the sides are lacking. The salad bar could have many manyyyy more things that are typically in a brazilian steakhouse. And the rice and beans were definitely a little disappointing. The farofa (fried manioch flour) was too dry. The pao de queijo (cheesy bread) is pretty good. They didn't have real guarana :( For someone whose never been to a real brazilian steakhouse they probably will be very happy with this place but for the price they are charging they should really deliver more. You can get an equivalent, if not superior meal (the place isn't as nice obviously) at other brazilian bbq places for way less. Our bill was 100 per person. If you have never been to a brazilian bbq place and are downnn to spend money then you will LOVE this place. Get picanha. Get fraldinha. Request the rice and beans (they don't bring it out unless you ask). Eat lots of pao de quejo. Eat the fried polenta. Try the guarana. Order a caipirinha. Maybe i'm just a little too picky cuz i've had the real thanggg (and paid half the price for it in the motherland). Also, do not plan on doing anything after you eat there you will be experiencing an intense food coma.
(3)Ted B.
I've been here twice and love every visit. I have to say the bottom sirloin is the king of this joint! All the other meats were good, but the bottom sirloin out shines them all. I have to say their salad bar was excellent they had everything from fresh veggies, smoked salom, to a variety of good cheese. However, try to resist the urge of eating too much and remember why you're here in the first place.........THE MEAT!!! If you eat to much at the bar, you won't be able to fully enjoy they're large selection of quality meats. So my advice to you my fellow yelpers is to meditate and keep focus on the main course. Try not to eat to much of the sides (which are all good) and get a bottle of some decent red wine.
(5)Lain L.
5 stars doesn't do justice to this place! If you think going to a steakhouses and paying $45 for a 12oz steak is worth it, you have got to go here! For about $70 bucks, you get unlimited meat, and not to mention the best quality of meat! This place by far has been the most amazing meal of my life! I can write a whole review describing every detail about this place but my words wouldn't do justice. You will just have to go try it. I read Yelp reviews saying how amazing Fogo is but I had to experience it for myself to understand what everyone was talking about. Here are just a few words to keep in mind though. Meat Galore! Little Lamb Lollipop! MEAT! Filet Mignon (bacon wrapped or not)! MEAT! Cheese! MEAT! Delicious Desserts! Oh and did I mention, MEAT?! I'll have to make another trip soon! Cheers!
(5)Grace L.
I don't think I need to reiterate what has been said in previous posts but I want to bravely say this is the BEST Brazilian BBQ place in Southern California. This is WAY better than Greenfields in LBC and Agora in Irvine. Obviously this place is more on the expensive side but nonetheless its worth it if you're going for a special occasion. Don't waste your time eating chicken and fillers, go for the good stuff like Lamb and Filet Mignon.
(5)Jules P.
We had a birthday party for about 10 people 1 month ago. We had a reservation,but we still were not seated on time. We had to keep reminding the host that we are still waiting for a table. I think they overbooked the place. Beside the inital part of getting seated,which was very annonying. The food, adult beverages, environment, staff were great. My girlfriend had a great time.It is a fun place to have a party. I would definitely go again,however, I think if we had less people, we could be seated faster. Also, you can either park on the street or they had valet. The price is a bit pricy,but for all the food. It is definitely worth it!!!
(3)Caroline W.
Been here 3 times and love it every time. Definitely the best Brazilian bbq, and also the most expensive, but you get what you pay for. To start off, the Cheese Bread is perfection! The best I've ever had. I'm sure the restaurant makes it really good so that you get full from stuffing yourself with all the bread and then you don't have anymore room for the meat. I love their salad bar. Everything in the salad bar looks really fresh and pretty. It's all very nicely laid out. I especially love that they have fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, smoked salmon, asparagus, etc. The servers will typically bring out about 8-10 different meats throughout the night. I don't love all the meats and some of them are definitely overcooked and dry at times. However, one thing that Fogo de Chao does right is their Filet Mignon. I typically don't even like Filet Mignon, I'm much more of a Rib Eye girl... I love my meats to come with fat, but DAMN, the Filet Mignon here is fantastic. I can honestly say that it's the best Filet Mignon I've ever had... and it's consistently good. It's really tender and flavorful... delight in every bite. Most of the other meats are pretty good, but I wouldn't say great. I think it's hard to have amazing meats/steaks when it's not cooked to order, but still any meat lovers paradise. The ambiance is a little underwhelming for a Beverly Hills restaurant. The entrance is beautiful (as is the salad bar) but the dining area is a bit packed and nothing that special. However, the staff, servers and waiters are exceptional and very attentive to your needs and dining experience. Still one of my favorites... and a great place to take out-of-townees that aren't from big cities... it's sure to impress.
(5)Sassoun H.
Came here for the first time a few years ago for a company Christmas party. Had a pretty good time. The food seemed better back then for some reason. Went there just a few weeks for my current jobs Christmas party. It was my idea for crying out loud! Gotta admit, i wasn't impressed as i was last time. Now, the service for the most part is great. Friendly staff, attentive service (for the most part; i never got the medium rare lamb chops i asked for like 4 times), beautiful fresh salad bar with a lot of choices, they have the best little bread rolls on the tables, and their mashed potatoes and fried polenta cakes are awesome. What was disappointing was the meat! Under seasoned in some cases, poorly seasoned in others, not cooked properly, not sliced properly. I had all kinds of issues. The bacon wrapped chicken was not good at all. The bacon? Undercooked and not crispy. The chicken? overcooked and dry. The sausage? absolutely gross! The beef selections all tasted the same because they were all seasoned the same. The rib eye was good. Probably because it has the most marbling. But the sirloin and tenderloin and skirt steak might as well been from the same skewer. Sorry, Fogo. I'm the biggest carnivore I know and your salad bar, side dishes and wine selection impressed me a lot more than your "famous" meats.
(3)Philip H.
I had my 30th birthday dinner here and felt like it was a good deal. I felt we got what we payed for in terms of cheap valet parking ($5.50), beautiful ambience and decor, attentive customer service, good food and wine, and a free birthday dessert. For a nice steak dinner with similar quality meat with wine, it would have costed somewhere around the same price, but it would not have been all you can eat salad bar and meat. The salad bar is very pretty and you will be tempted to pile your plate, but you must resist to save room for the meats and CHEESEBREAD balls. I loved the cheesebread balls. So warm and soft inside. It was torture resisting the urge to eat too many of these in order to save room for meat. Visit their website, and you will learn that there is an awesome selection of meats including nicer cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, and lamb chops. Most of the meats were cooked and served medium rare to medium. I did not have any meat that was dry and tough, which is the worst, but I didn't have any melt-in-your-mouth type of meat. The meat quality was enough to satisfy, delight, and please, but I would not rave about it. This is basically the churrascaria concept repackaged into the fine dining experience, which works really well for festive, group dining for special occasions like my 30th birthday. Your good friends and family will spend enough to make it feel like it was worth spending the money on a special occasion but not a crazy amount that they will hate for your denting their bank account so badly.
(4)Cinthia C.
All I have to say is wow! This restaurant has amazing meat! And although it may not be popular for its salad bar, I do have to say it's one of the best salad bars I've tried. The dessert is absolutely delicious! I do recommend you leave room for dessert. The meat is amazing! There are so many types of meat and you get to try any one of them you want. I would have given 5 starts but this place is extremely expensive. Although I do believe it might just be worth it. :)
(4)William W.
I came here during dineLA, which was one of the best deals during this offer in my opinion. The decor of the restaurant is impressive and the service was good. I paid about $30 during lunch, which worked out because I wouldn't pay the $50 that they normally charged. This was one of my favorite brazilian bbq experiences. I also thought that the caipirinha was an amazing drink and it should be tried if you hit up the restaurant.
(4)Isaac K.
Price: Around $58-65 per person with tax. I ended up spending about $210 with wine, drinks, desserts, tips etc... Valet: $5.50 --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â----------- Pros--------- - I like having meat with plenty of salads to go around so...the Salad Bar was definitely something I enjoyed. I don't think the selections change too drastically. Its kept simple and is meant to blend in nicely with your meat. - You can bring your own wine to drink. I decanted mine for $25, but that's not really necessary. The cork service is $15 or so... which is relatively expensive but believe me, it will save you money if you bring your own wine! - As you might have heard, the service is pretty good. I have to say, it is better if you go as a bigger group. The servers there are very knowledgeable about what they're serving. - The meat quality is amazing. I like my meat medium rare so most of the servers were able to serve it right away, but if you like it well-done, you can also request a portion to be cooked to your liking. --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â----------- Cons--------- - It gets busy. The service definitely drops during peak hours (its only natural). My girlfriend asked for "leg of lamb" because it never came around our way about 4 times. We had to ask the floor manager to finally receive some. - Make sure you request for a seat that is located next to the corner/wall because servers come and go all the time, bumping into your chair and whatnot. When I went for a business meet, one of the bus boys bumped into a waiter holding a drink and spilled it on our partner. They were apologetic but things like this should not happen in a fine dining restaurant. - During peak hours, some selections of meat will not come your way. You will have to request for it to come. As mentioned above, even if you request it they will sometimes forget to bring it. I been there 3 times and its been a good experience so far. Again, the meat quality is definitely good to satisfy your hunger.
(4)Donna G.
Fogo de Chao is now on my list of all time favorite restaurants. When we arrived for an early dinner, the place was already filled with people. I loved the salad bar. All sorts of interesting things - hearts of palm, artichokes, beets, asparagus, smoked salmon - it was just an amazing salad bar. I loved it. Then the servers bring around the meats. The meat is on skewers and they bring it right up to you. You point to what you want, and they carve it. Wow ! Lamb, steaks, sausage, pork ribs. I didn't even bother with chicken, since I eat it all the time. My favorites were the Filet Mignon, Sirloin, and the the Lamb cooked in garlic. It was all outstanding. And even though the place was really crowded, the waiters and servers were always nice and answered our questions about the food. They still took plenty of time to explain what it was they were serving. We were also served side dishes of garlic mashed potatoes, and polenta. But I was so full from the meats and the salad bar that I barely touched the side dishes. Fogo de Chao is amazing, and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Ben H L.
I ended up booking a late reservation at Fogo when my friend and my original choice was closed until after New Year's. Having been to a couple of churrascarias in the SF Bay Area, I was already familiar with the churrascaria standard operating procedure. Eat as little as possible at salad bar and the bottomless carbs at the table...max out on the skewered meat! The staff and our server were very courteous and made our dining experience very enjoyable. The meat started coming out fast and furious. My only small gripe was that I had to repeatedly ask the meat servers for them to repeat the description of what meat they were carrying. They usually arrive in the middle of my conversation so before my attention is diverted, the part where they describe the meat...has already passed me. Besides this minor detail, they were very accomodating in giving me the exactly what I wanted even down to how well the meat was cooked. I received most of the sirloin cuts early so I had to wait out for the filet, ribeye, lamb, and pork which all did eventually come. I also had the chicken and the sausage were pretty good and only missed out on the pork or beef ribs which may or may not have been available that night. Since I've been to places like Pampas and Espetus in SF Bay Area, I was used to seeing some non traditional skewered items like grilled pineapple or chicken hearts. I'm guessing Fogo doesn't roll like that as I found out that night. Since Fogo is a chain, I guess I can't expect them to diverge too much from their formula. The dinner was almost $60 per person and the specialty martini and mojito that I ordered off their unlisted priced cocktail menu, always a danger sign for higher priced drinks, was over $10 each. Total for two people after tax and tip: $180. Would I come back to Fogo specifically in the future? I definitely think so because of my pleasant experience and add to that the environment was very casual, despite seeing people dressed in suits and fancy dresses to touristy groups in jeans and sweatshirts. At least I know next time that I can wear something loose fitted so that it doesn't make me look like that I pigged out too badly.
(4)Sharon S.
All you can eat Brazilian BBQ. This place is amazing. The customer service is phenomenal & the meats are to die for. For around $60 per person you get ayce salad bar, meats & side dishes like mash potatoes, plantains etc.... Picanha (top sirloin) & filet mignon were my two favorite meats!!!!! They were tender & bursting with flavor. The meat carvers server it right to your table. Green means go & red means stop! If you have never tried Brazilian BBQ fogo de chao is a must. It was a great experience! Highly recommended!
(5)John L.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Going in, I thought the food would be too salty or not tasty due to the large quantity it serves. I was wrong. The food was juicy, flavorful, and cooked right. The service was superb. As soon as we sat down 4 servers came right to our table to offer use taste-bud-teasing meats! Later on, the manager came by and asked if we have received everything we wanted. I asked if I could have rib-eye steak medium rare. 5 minutes later a man comes by with a rack of rib-eye steaks and says, "Made especially for you sir". If I could hold my wedding here, I WOULD! Came back a second time, thinking, "On no, what if it was a one time great experience?' But no. It was FANTASTIC again! LOVE IT! A man's dream restaurant.
(5)Harrison G.
What more is there to say other than what everyone else has already said? This place is very expensive but you get a ton of food for the price. Come hungry since the barbequed meats (fifteen different kinds, I think) and salad bar don't stop coming until you say so. My advice: pace yourself.
(4)Anna S.
Every type of cut, every type of meat - lamb, pork, beef, fish (in the salad bar area) and the sides are just as good as the main courses. We went for the lunch buffett for 35 or 39 dollars. The sides include a grilled plantain or bananas, mashed potatoes, polenta and the cheese bread is delicious. The cheese bread hits the spot. If they can add cream to the bread, they would be awesome cream puffs. There were some pretty awesome cuts of meat, more than others. We also got a slice of cake for a particular someone's birthday. They'll even sing happy birthday if you want them to. We didn't because we didn't want to draw attention to ourselves.
(4)Sweedy J.
I took my mom here for Christmas Eve and we had such an amazing dinner. The food is incredible. They have a very high scale buffet full of all the foods you've ever wanted and an unlimited amount of meats to chose from. Its a very large restaurant and the service is so awesome. Im totally a fan of this place.
(5)Ch K.
we went to last saturday, christmas eve 6pm. they were already packed. great food and great meat. also nice friendly service. we will be back
(5)Cmi H.
4.5 starts! YEY! :) I've been to Fogo de Chao several times, but yesterday I left the place happier because of the dineLA deal. $44 is a pretty good deal (although it's still not cheap, it's better than $60 that I paid prior times)!! I love the entrance with pilled up wine bottles and the overall environment of the restaurant. The service is flawless; waiters are prompt to serve the customers. I have nothing to complain about the food either: I love the cheese bread, salad bar, and the meat . I'm just reluctant to give the lacking 0.5 star because I wish they had grilled pineapple and farofa! I can't say my Brazilian meal is complete without farofa. (: P.s: Try to find a street parking (walking should be good anyways after pigging out) because if you valet your car you might have to wait for a while for your car.
(4)Edward H.
Bomb. I went here for dinela and it was about 44 dollars a person. I believe the regular price is 50-60 dollars per person. Either way to me it's a steal! The environment was very lively and the design and lay out of the restaurant was beautiful. The service was absolutely impeccable. I loved the mechanism they used for ordering food. You are given a card with a green side and a red side. When you would like to be given meat you flip to the green and when you want to take a break you flip to the red. Whenever I flipped to the green I was approached by a waiter within literally a minute. Now on to the food. Pretty addicting. I immediately craved this place the following day. Almost all the meats are delicious. I would say the quality of the meats are comparable to a steakhouse that charges around 35 dollars for a steak entree. However at Fogo de Chao the amount of meat you can get is unlimited, with 16 different varieties. The salad bar was also incredible. Everything was extremely fresh especially the smoked salmon. The potato salad was godly, and the rest of the vegetables were very refreshing. Finally the side dishes were scrumptious as well. The polenta was average, fried bananas were decent, mashed potatoes were great, and the cheese bread was incredible. At the end of the meal I ordered the papaya creme, which is basically fresh papaya blended with vanilla ice cream. It sounds simple but it was delicious. Please do yourself a favor and get it. Lastly, I'll attempt to give a quick ranking on all the meats I've tried. Filet Mignon- 9/10 Top Sirloin- 8/10 Bottom Sirloin- 5/10 Pacanya- 6/10 Rib -eye- 9.5/10 Beef Ribs- 9/10 Chicken leg- 7/10 Garlic Beef- 9.5/10 Lamb- 9/10 Sausage- 6/10
(4)Douglas B.
Great food!!!!!
(5)Eric M.
For nearly $60 a person, I would expect more in terms of service. Two meat slicers were rude, and overall, the table approach is jarring and distracting. As a result, the meal was unsettling and uneven. Our host/lead waiter disappeared several times when we were looking for assistance. It took nearly 20 minutes to get our check and 15 to get the bill to sign. Apparently their machines were down but that was never communicated to us until I made a point of asking what was taking so long. I would not go back nor could I recommend.
(1)Derrick A.
OOOOOWWWWEEEEE!! All that and then some!! Service A+ Food A+ Though I was treated to an evening with family, I plan on patronizing this spot again.
(5)Mike P.
100th review!! like a phoenix, from ashes i rose. and i have been born-again, in flames. in the past, Fogo De Chao has been a bit of an unattainable object on a shelf too high for me to reach. i love all things Churrasco, however, im very fond of another well-known Brazilian bbq joint. Fogo has been there all along, in the back of my mind, but the high price has always sent me back to my comfort zone. but this week, i had a day off, and the Dine LA price was just right. off to the land of 90210. The staff is overly friendly, and seemingly happy to serve. we had lunch reservations, and were sat right away. immediately, we were waved over to the Salad Bar. but i was no Churrasco amateur, and passed on that. usually only those who know little about Churrasco, bother to eat anything other than the meat offerings. little coaster on green, and away we went. the Gauchos came swiftly and in abundance. we were offered side dishes of polenta, fried bananas, and cheesy mashed potatoes. all of which i tasted just a bit. there was meat to be devoured, and i had no room for non-meat items. everything i tried was amazing. (The following paragraph will be dedicated to those cute, furry little sheep, which i love so much) dear god, the lamb. ugh, so sinfully good! three different offerings of lamb. Lamb T-bones, Lamb chops, and Leg of Lamb. all were supremely divine, above and beyond all the other meats. the spices were perfectly balanced, the slow roast giving the met the perfect tenderness. just..... i mean, it truly transcends words. i have experienced enough to know that, in the future, this place is well worth the full price. i had my doubts, but after today's re-birth, i will be opening a Fogo De Chao savings account. i figure 2 bucks a week will get me in there at least twice a year.
(5)Helena H.
Fogo de Chao was a fun experience. I've been to only one other Brazilian BBQ restaurant before many years ago, so I've been really looking forward to trying Fogo. Service was excellent. Besides good food, I love good service. From the host to the servers, they were superb. Good selection of items in the salad bar. Fresh and delish. The cheese bread roll is very good. I had fun eating it. It fluffs up after every bite. Haha I didn't want to over eat from the bread and salads so I have room for the meat. I have to say from all the choices of meat, I liked the filet mignon the best. Perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. Overall good experience, but I have to mention the VALET. I think it's ridiculous to charge 5.50 for parking. Should be free and then more cash goes to their tips. And OMG, DO NOT hit the gas to hard on my car if you're just going 10 feet and DON'T hit my breaks so damn hard it screeches. It's very expensive to fuel my tank and even more expensive to change my breaks...which I've already did! I hate valeting my car because of careless drivers like that!!!
(4)Pamela L.
I have to say the service here is very good and efficient. Parking is only $5.50. Casual and mostly Asians on the night we went. Pretty standard Brazillian BBQ place. Dessert menu was good we had the papaya ice cream and creme brulee. The salad bar was lacking though and the lamb was too game-y. If you had a choice, I'd pick Libra by the Pound in Culver City. I personally like leaner cuts of meat that are tender. Not the marbled style unless it's Wagyu.
(3)Jason Y.
I don't know what I'd do without the chimichurri.. and hey! they give you two types of it; The traditional and one that seemed to have a bell pepper base. They offer a nice variety of meats, some of which are not on the printed menu. I enjoyed the salad bar particularly the tomatoes and mozzarella with aged balsamic. You're gonna have to assemble that yourself. Love eating hearts of palm and artichokes and beets! No one has given any love to the beets. The salad bar really saves your pallate from the meat onslaught. It brightens it up so you can continue enjoying copious amounts. We had no problems during our lunch service. Glad I got to enjoy this wonderful DineLA experience, however, driving to LA for churrascaria is out of the question these days. Maybe I'll see ya next time around?
(4)Mary A.
So after hearing from my friend this place is great in food but pricey regularly you have to try them for Dine L.A. I had been dying to come. Finally got the chance to come for dine l.a. lunch! It was a great choice for $28 for all the food you get. The Parking ... forget finding any street you must valet $5.50. The location is on hectic La Cienega plain terrible! The Ambience was great! I particularly noticed that the Bathrooms were clean & smelled nice. The service was attentive & friendly except for 1 guy who was seriously tired of his life & looked like he wanted to end it any second. The Gaucho's wow some of them were really cute eye candy ;) So glad we had reservations. Oh boy this place was packed for lunch. I loved the waterfall in the front the doors are also cute, I loved their design. We were seated promptly & at a table that we had requested as well. Off to the salad bar! WOW o WOW! The entire selection of the salad bar was great. We both tried.. Marinated mushrooms- This was a pass for me Asparagus- pretty good with the green sauce they provide REAL Parmesano Reggiano- oh so aged & delicious! Manchego & swiss cheese- not bland Lox(smoked salmon) -my friend said it was fresh Salami's & Prosciutto= delicious Breads- soft & doughy Waldorf Salad= This was my fav! Chicken salad= Was my 2nd fav! Tabouli- was bland for me! Peppadew peppers- sweet & slight spicy! Roasted potatoes- bland & misleading Green bean salad- was delicious! On to the sides= Everyone gets their warm cheese Brazilian mini rolls- These were so soft, warm & delicious good garlic mashed potatoes topped with cheese- they were ok Black beans-blandddd Rice=bland it was just plain, with no butter nothing! Crispy polenta= Amazing! This tasted like crunchy potatoes yum! Fried bananas(NOT PLAINTAINS)= They were delicious & addicting used as a palate cleanser. On to the meats we tried= Parmesan crusted pork-This was flavorful but kind of dry but then again is a pork loin. My fav the Picanha= Prime Sirlion is seasoned with sea salt & thats all it needs. It's so good. Bacon wrapped filet mignon= Bacon? how can u go wrong with that?? Bacon wrapped chicken= Was kind of dry but flavor was all there. Regular filet mignon= very tender & delicious Beef ancho= Ribeye it was really good tooo! Lamb=my friend said it was too gamey she didn't like it. I don't eat lamb. Pork ribs= Beyond cooked to death dry. Pass on this! Chicken legs= They were good. Linguica= Delicious pork sausages wow I loved them snappy & flavorful. We were asked if we wanted some spicy salsa sauce of course we said yes. It was semi-spicy on top of the meats it was a perfect combo. Also some charbroiled jalapeños with onions those were good too! Beware the sodas are in tiny bottles. They should at least have fountain soda since they have such a large all you can eat menu & salad bar. The desserts are $8 & up & nothing too special.
(4)Joremel A.
This has got to be the best brazilian steakhouse ive ever been to. If you are looking into splurging and pampering yourself, this is the place. I had a great time. Although, I would not suggest bringing people who have small appetite. I guess you could say this place is considered "sausage" fest. If you are in need of some tender loving care, this is the spot to be at. All the tender juicy meat that you can think of, they have it! They have meat of all types! Small sausage? Yes. Big sausage? Yes. Curvy sausage? Yes. Juicy, succulent, thick, tender steak? Yes. Their food was just perfect. you can request how you want it cooked as well, may it be well done, medium rare, or just rare. If you don't see your favorite meat floating around, you may also request it by speaking with one of the waiters. I don't know if it's just me, but i noticed that all the "meat" carriers, with their sharp knives were all men. hmp! go figure. Meat + knives + men = Fogo de Chao. Come in with your stomach empty to get your money's worth. I will definitely come back, but maybe with set of friends who eager to unbutton their jeans and ready to chow down.
(4)Moody M.
Quality of meat: great Service: excellent, were very attentive to us, always passing by, felt special treatment. Ambience: terrific. Only one star less. as we were only two, and they added a mandatory service charge (tips). I even tipped them more than what they added, they deserved it, but didn't like the idea of having it mandatory. This should be the incentive for providing a good service.
(4)Theresa G.
Delicious as always, I'm still full.Had a private room to celebrate Lizzet Rutas birthday with friends and family.
(5)Ben D.
I've been here a couple of times. Its a good place for unlimited delicious meats. I encourage reservations. My only disappointment was when I finished a large bottle of Louis XIII the assistant manager tried to switch the bottle with a smaller one. Traditionally, if you you're the last one to finish a bottle of Louis XIII you're suppose to receive it. Only after the Asst manager realized the amount I spent that night, he gave me the bottle. Although this was a small issue in the past I'll still be a patron.
(4)Daniel O.
Wow what a disappointment!! I came here to celebrate my birthday and was I not impressed at all. The restaurant is extremely loud, with tables really close to each other. You can actually hear every conversation each table is having. When I first heard about Fogo opening its doors in the heart of LA, I was so excited! Having already tried Fogo's in Houston, Phoenix and Las Vegas, let me tell you, there is no consistency with the food. The meats at Fogo Beverly Hill is dry, salty and most importantly they lack quality in everything. I won't be returning to this establishment. Obrigado!!
(2)Koko K.
If you love meat... perfect place... I can't eat much so there is a diminishing return on great the food tastes. Service and ambiance is great but the experience is a one time thing, not so much for repeats.
(4)Anari M.
So much meat. I've only had Brazilian a handful of times in my life but this is the first time I've actually enjoyed their cuisine. I'm not too big of a steak fan so I'm going to have to give them 4 instead of 5 stars, but it would have been a 3 if my family didn't like it so much!
(4)Kenny K.
I came here with the same friend who introduced me to Urth Cafe and I must say that while a completely different experience, it was also great. I can't even name all the different meats that I had, but they were all great. My only issue was with the salad bar, which in my opinion was just ok and not worth going to. The service was fantastic and the staff rushes over to your table if you have your little coaster set to the green side which means you want more meat. Simply turn it over to the red side and they leave you alone. I hope some day to visit the other locations.
(4)J H.
Not hype at all. This place is actually very good. The meat is all surprisingly moist, and if you need a piece that's rare, or well-down, you'll get it. The sides are great, but I tried to fill up on pounds of meat to get my money's worth. Even the salad bar is fantastic. Everything is very fresh, and high quality. The salt crusted filet is amazing. I'm not a big fan of the bacon wrapped whichever piece and the ribs are largely too fatty to enjoy. The sausage and the chicken are both very tasty as well.
(4)jef C.
Salty meats galore. It's an amusement park for meat eaters.
(3)Denise M.
DineLA's over for this year, but to do a solid for next year's adventurers and Yelp review searchers: do yourself a favor and don't go on the first day, the crowds are ridiculous!!! I was looking forward to the meat sweats... buuuuut we went on the first day of DineLA, which was also MLK Day = suuuuuper crowded. Travesty: the filet mignon only made it to us twice before we decided to give up (which was a good 1.5 hours). Pluses: - LOTS of lamb - lamb shanks, lamb chops, lamb steaks, yay lamb! - Cheesy rolls are indeed yum-a-licious, as are the plantains - Salad bar is amaze, as everyone else has said, there's smoked salmon, caprese salad, delicious shitake mushrooms soaked in something, salami, prosciutto, asparagus! Minuses: - So crowded, there was a lot of staring into space as we waited for meat of any kind, not just filet, to make the rounds and finally to get to us - Bacon-wrapped filet and bacon-wrapped chicken were both too salty :[ - Their house cuts were really chewy :[ One day I shall understand your magic Fogo, one day...
(2)Tae K.
Yes, it definitely deserve 5 stars. The meat especially the prime, lamb and filet mignone were EXCELLENT!
(5)Dennis C.
As soon as we sat down for the meal, the waiter was quick to point out that there are misconceptions about the pronunciation of the name... "It's Fogo de Chao" like "Fo sho..." Ah, got it. I would've given it a 5 star for the food quality, service and ambiance, but docked it for the sheer price (yes, the economy is having an impact on my rating... it's not just the financial and real estate industries suffering and the sheer volume that you feel like you have to ingest. It's *almost* disgusting. But you go to the salad bar and you'll see only high end basamlic vinegars, olive oils for your consumption. And overall, even though it's not that hard, the dishes at the bar were very good, especially the little red peppers that you SHOULD grab to go with you meat. As someone said, the meats delivery system is kind of like dim sum. Delivery guys come around with the skewers of meat for you to select, medium, medium rare, ect. They say there are 16 different varieties. Hmmm... I'm not sure about that, but I did skip some. Some of my favorites: * House special - I'm not sure which cut of meat, but it's got a salt crust, with a think layer of fat, and then the succulent meat. They're almost heart shaped? * Beef ribs - not with the bone! They're large cuts just right off the bone, so tender, so flavorful and not overly seasoned * Rib eye - you know you can't go wrong with this cut, and throw on there the seasoning and wham... bovine heaven * Anything with bacon - need I say more (oh which reminds me, I should add that to the Iron Chef comment) One last notable is the bread and dip -- not adviced to eat a whole lot given what's ahead, and definitely don't fall for their attempt to fill you up on these stomach fillers, but they're soooo good, worth at least trying.
(4)Henry T.
you get the top quality meat that you would expect considering their price. Service is great. Place is upscale. Great wine selection. but nothing really out of the ordinary... (except that wine rack at the entrance... i like that...)
(5)Stephanie R.
This place is truly AMAZING!! The meat is sumptuous and varied. Service is excellent. The cheese bread is ridiculously delicious as are the other sides like fried bananas and polenta. Besides the EPIC salad bar. To top it off, probably the best flan of my life. Definitely worth the splurge. YOU WILL NOT LEAVE HUNGRY!
(5)Dania R.
Meat. Sweet succulent juicy meat. I am a carnivore of all carnivores and I have officially found my most favorite restaurant on the face of the planet. I'm pretty sure my eyes glazed over as I passed by the salad bar on the way to my table... I was with a friend who is extremely Fogo experienced... like many times a month experienced... and he explained the ropes to me. We started with the salad bar - smoked salmon, prosciutto, salami, mozarella cheese, giant asparagus, beautiful FRESH whole artichoke hearts, salad, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and red wine vinegar to your hearts delight. Based on my friend's recommendation and that of other yelpers - I went light on the salad bar in preparation for what lied ahead. 3-2-1... GO! Flipped the little card from red to green and the cascade of meat loving goodness fell upon my table. I couldn't even tell you what I ate - I couldn't keep up. But I had my teeny table tongs ready and whenever the meat river flowed by, I held up my tongs in full preparation to grabby grabby all the sweet goodness onto my plate. Filet mignon. Excellent. I loved the little sausages. I didn't waste time with the chicken. And I'm not a lamb eater. But every single piece of beef that crossed my lips sent me even farther into a state of heavenly delight... or perhaps it was just a meat coma? I had to swap from green to red, just to catch my breath... chew... swallow... digest. Then it was back on! The chimichurri sauce was delightful. We ordered a special side of grilled jalapenos and onions. These are not standard issue - but if you like hot - ORDER them. They are amazing. And hot. Very hot. Veins, seeds, and all. The service was impeccable. Everyone was so kind and helpful. One very key word of advice - make a reservation. And stick to your reservation... the night we went - the wait was almost two hours and growing. It was quite pleasant to slip right past the very crowded lobby and begin chowing down within minutes of our arrival. Does it live up to the hype? Absolutely - in fact, I don't think I could've even prepared myself or expected the amazingness that transpired that evening. I've already made arrangements with the hubster to go back for my birthday. Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a mountain of meat staring me in the face... Hmm - perhaps I should reword that last statement? Nah.
(5)John C.
I'm an American male, so I can't believe I'm this but is there a such thing as too much meat? Could it be that Fogo de Chao has too much meat? Nah!!!!! I love meat. L-O-V-E. Love love love. Fogo de Chao's side dishes and breads are all great. But let's get serious. This place is all about the meat. I can't quite give a chain restaurant a 5-star rating, but this one is pretty close. If you love meat and you haven't been here, shame on you!
(4)CC M.
Pricey but worth every penny. I love this place! It is all you can eat and if you go at lunch time they have the same menu available at almost half the price. It is not the kind of place you go every day for lunch but it is great for spacial occasions. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the food is consistently delicious. Ask them to bring you there selection of sauces. They also will bring you rice and black beans to go with your meal.
(5)Jeffrey T.
5 stars for the food, their meat were excellent. I also enjoyed their soft mashed potatoes and fluffy bread. I'm rating them 3 stars because on the day I went (Valentine's Day), the wait was at least 40 mins and they were not accepting anymore walk-in's due to high volume. Also, I had to squeeze my way through the tables to get to the salad bar, because the tables were placed so close to each other. Lastly, it was hard to flag down a waitress for my check. It was my first time here and it was pretty crowded, I don't recommend going on a holiday. You'd probably have a better experience/service on a normal day. A+ for the food though, you will not have a problem waiting for meat, the meat servers attend to your need every couple minutes.
(3)Jonathan K.
Incredible steak and service, Fogo de Chao has to be one of my favorite restaurants. The picanha steak is amazing, definitely my favorite and full of so much fantastic flavor. Pretty much all of the steaks are so phenomenal because of the incredible amount of flavor each one has packed into it. The side items included in the meal are awesome as well, the plantains and garlic mashed potatoes are unbelievably delicious, and even the polenta is good and I don't even like polenta. The cheese bread is pretty good too, you definitely need to exercise some serious self control to not fill up on the sides. The salad bar is incredible as well, with a fantastic assortment of vegetables, cheeses, and even smoked salmon. The service is unbelievably good, they will accommodate you and are extremely attentive. All of this great food and service definitely comes at a price, this location is really really expensive.
(5)Anthony E.
Bring ur wallet. For two people was $130 with tax. Then you need to tip and pay for valet still. The food was good but some of the meats were dry and too salty. Also we were not served the filet mignon. Some of the waiters never even asked what type of meat, like medium or medium rare. Over all a nice place to take a date but come hungry and bring your wallet.
(3)Bobbie W.
i've been here a couple times and i like it but i think there's a lot of hype. the meat quality is good but i don't think it's better than other brazilian bbqs, i.e. m grill, agora. i think their salad bar is definitely lacking. i know people don't go to brazilian bbq for the salad bar but i definitely prefer more variety since all that meat can become really mundane. my favorite meats are the picanha, lamb chops, chicken, pork and beef ribs and filet mignon. i was here last week for a really late dinner and was a little disappointed because all the meats were overcooked and not seasoned. overall, i've always been happy with their food but i think the consistency of the meat should remain the same at all times especially when you're paying $50/person. cheese bread, polenta, plaintains and mashed potatoes are brought to your table. yucca powder is brough upon request. the cheese bread is amazing but it's amazing everywhere else too. i like fogo de chao but i honestly prefer m grill or agora. it's on restaurant row which explains the hype and extra ten dollars but there really isn't anything that puts fogo ahead in my book AND they're more expensive.
(3)Ana R.
Maybe our mistake was coming here for the first time on Valentine's Day. Spending the ultimate date night here reminded me of air travel during Thanksgiving: long lines, pushy crowds, and indifferent service. At least no one at Fogo asked us to remove our shoes, although they did remove a hefty portion of our cash. The place was jammed and uncomfortable from the moment we got there, with even less hospitality than romance. The floor was so packed with tables that even the servers had to fight their way through. Our main waitress showed up once then vanished. We had to ask a bus boy for plates. Every so often, a meat guy would wander by with his knife and skewer and slice us off a portion of something or other. It was so dim, we never could see what we were getting, which was just as well, because then we couldn't see the gristle. The steak was mediocre at its best, inedible at its worst. The different cuts by turn were fatty, chewy, gristly, or tough. The salad bar was copious but the choices were boring and it didn't seem very fresh. Finally, who cares if your meal is all you can eat when it's not very good to begin with? This restaurant is crazy overpriced especially when you consider the poor food, cafeteria-like atmosphere, and rushed service. Totally not impressed and would never go back.
(1)Monique S.
If you are a Meatetarian you will have a field day at this place, the variety of meats that come to the table are great, loved the lamb, the Polenta was perfect (reminded me of Hot Water Cornbread), the mashed potatoes were creamy I was quite stuffed when I left. I'd recommend this place, it's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth a visit.
(4)Steve T.
Great service and delicious food. A little pricey but its not like I eat here every day.
(4)Sharon C.
Make a reservation. Even with a reservation, we had to wait for about 5 minutes before we got seated. The place was way too crowded and the tables were arranged too close together. For the a lower price, I've had better. Try M Grill in K town.
(3)Ivan D.
I've tried Fogo de Chao at many locations, including Philly, Houston, Miami and LA. One thing they all had in common was the great food. The meat is amazing and the whole idea of having multiple cuts of meat brought to your table on a regular basis is very nice. I also love their side dishes, including their friend plantains but specially their cassava (cheese) bread. Two thumbs up!
(5)Heidi L.
Great quality meat! Great salad bar! still dreaming about when I can come back and eat all the filet mignon i can get!!! Came here with my best friend for dinela and came back the next year with my friends from sb for dinela again. The service was really great with a nice ambience in the restaurant. It does get a little crowded but that just says how popular and good this place is! Gonna come back forsure! PS they have great desserts too!
(5)Terrence S.
I have been here several times. It is always wonderful. Service is excellent. Every employee is extremely nice. Meat is very delicious!
(5)James P.
This use to be my go-to spot for Brazilian BBQ, however the quality of the food and service has dwindled. They seemed to be pushing the same meat to us over and over again. It was always either the bacon wrapped chicken or the sausage. We asked for more filet mignon and beef ribs and they did not give it to us until the end when we were full already. The prime rib and the beef ribs were also very salty and it was hard to taste the actual meat. Maybe it was just busy today and I had a bad experience, but I felt like it was not worth the price.
(2)Brian K.
If I was to choose a restaurant where it was love at first sight, Fogo de Chao would be it. How can you resist a place where an army of servers wait at your beck and call with skewers of delicious meat? Everytime I finished a plate, another waiter would be there in seconds with that marvelous skewer and all those delicious pieces of meat. The fillet mignon, the garlic chicken, the bacon wrapped chicken, the pork, the lamb.....if i was a cartoon character...there would be little hearts flying out of my head. Plus, they also have delicious cheese puffs and a decent salad bar for those people that believe in silly things like "balanced meals". My recommendation is to go during the afternoon on a weekday, as its about $40 while going at night or on the weekend, its around $60 and a tad too pricey for my tastes. If you're like me and enjoying eating pounds of meat in one sitting, you owe it to yourself to check this place out. To paint a picture...the first time I was here, I came for lunch....I didn't have to eat again till 11:30 that night. Win
(5)bernice c.
I know there's a tons of reviews for this, but here are my insights. This place was good, but it was pricey. $56.50, per person for dinner and another $5.00 for parking. The meat was great quality and the service were great. I was missing the rice and beans though. Without the price tag, I would say the Pasadena Porto Alegre is the same quality for a more affordable price.
(4)Mike D.
Not sure what all the hype is. Very very expensive place. Over $100 per person and we only had $36 bottle of wine. Service was not very attentive. They advertise 15 meats, we kept getting offered the same 4 choices. Crowded and very loud. Felt more like a mass feeding hall than a dining experience. Then 5.50 to park your car. Won't go back or recommend
(3)Candy M.
Are you a meat lover like me? This is the place to go!!! I really recommend this restaurant.. Been here twice and can't wait to come here again.
(5)Stephanie C.
I loved this place! Make sure you have an empty stomach - the meats are delicious. The lamb and the sirloin are the best. Interestingly enough, the driest meat was the filet mignon! The salad bar is amazing and it's so tempting to try a little of everything, but it's really best to just go for the meat. The sides are also good... I liked the fried banana the best. I'm always a fan of mashed potatoes, but I wish they threw some garlic in there. The polenta is meh -- but really, that didn't matter. Great place. Good cheesecake dessert. Without ordering alcohol, expect to pay about 60 - 70 bucks/person. p.s. If I had to go again, I would dress a little nicer. I wore jeans, tank top, and chucks but wish I wore a cute dress.
(4)Angie W.
The rib eye is the best cut here. It was juicy and flavorful. The top sirloin would be my second favorite. The filet mignon my third favorite. The rest of the meats are satisfactory. The bottom sirlion was too dry, the pork ribs were dry, the lamb was dry. I asked for medium rare slices, and they ended up being well done. They charge $25 corkage!! Our bill ended up being almost $100 a person including 1 bottle of wine and 1 corkage. They charge 18% for us since we had 11 people. This was the first brazillian bbq place I've been to. I'm not sure how it compares to other places since it costs so much more.
(3)Jon B.
Coming to Fogo de Chao made me realize how much I love being a carnivore!!! You start off by going to the buffet loaded with cheeses, salads, fruits, and Brazilian style appetizers. When your ready for the main course, you flip over your little card to green and let the games begin!!! In no more than 10 seconds there is about 5 different guys in your face with everything from lamb to chicken to bacon wrapped filet mignon, and all cooked to your likings!!! You can tell they take great pride in what they serve and how they serve it!!! Very expensive but very worth a try!!! Unless you can find street parking, your gonna have to pay for the valet. This place also has a very large slection of fine wines!!! I dont think I will come here again...... to pricey!!!
(5)Pamela S.
Came here for dineLA on a Friday night! Both valet/parking lot and inside were super packed. Our reservations were for 9 pm but we didn't get seated until close to 10. Love how gorgeous and fancy this place is! Would be perfect for a date. The salad bar was just typical and okay. It consisted of a lot of salad and veggies; I personally wish they had more cheeses and cold cuts. The cheese balls are possibly my fav! Tasted very fresh and delicious. I did like the meats, very flavorful, but I actually prefer M Grill in Ktown. In the future, if I just wanted to get my fill of meat, I would rather go to M Grill, but Fogo is obviously in a better location and provides a very classy atmosphere. Didn't try the side dishes that they brought to the table, but was told that they're really good. Their dineLA menu didn't include dessert :( so we ordered the Chocolate Molten Cake that comes with vanilla ice cream, and it was scrumptious. Service was good, but definitely didn't blow me away. I know it must have been a chaotic week for them though. It isn't feasible for me to come back that often haha and the food didn't amaze me as much as I thought it would, but I would come back for special occasions!
(3)michael s.
Visited during DineLA and it was a total zoo. Had an 8:30 reservation and the line to get into the valet stretched down La Cienega and through an intersection. There must have been easily 30 people waiting for their cars when we finally pulled up. Inside was just as bad, totally jammed in the lobby and bar. Take away, don't arrive or leave at 8:30. The guests were mostly short people. This doesn't affect my star rating, just an observation. We were seated 40 minutes past our reservation, table of two. I was surprised that even happened given the number of people. Our waiter later told us they had 2000 reservations (he didn't specify the period) and it was twice as busy as a normal night. As for the food, the meat was cooked well but certainly not something to gush over. The salad bar was ok, but after reading all the reviews I was expecting a lot more. The salad bar at M Grill has a lot of nice hot side dishes and has probably 2-3 times the number of options. The service was great, but completely overwhelmed. The whole evening felt more like a big banquet or dining at a Las Vegas buffet rather than a nice night out. I might return to give them another chance outside of DineLA, but don't see the value of the discounted price when the experience is compromised so greatly.
(3)Yoomi P.
I can't help but compare Fogo with MGrill.. I'd say taste-wise, they are pretty similar... I like the grilled pineapple at MGrill that Fogo does NOT have.. and I believe the salad bar at MGrill is slightly better as well. The meat... pretty similar at both joints. But, the service at Fogo is significantly better. Our sides and waters were never empty, they always replaced it before we even asked, and the meat came at a nice pace so that we could take our time with the food. The staff was very nice and helpful. There was one single time that the waiter forgot our request for my favorite cheese bread, but I could let that go hehe. So next time, would I come back to Fogo or go to MGrill? Now that I tried both, I don't know if either is worth the $33 for a single lunch lol. But if I had to choose, I think Fogo. Service/experience MATTERS. :)
(4)Mina H.
I'm not sure I'm a fan of this place. This place is more quantity over quality. The meats are not the best cut but the self-serve is awesome. They have selection of wine pairing like smoked salmon, cheeses, and prosciutto. Anyways, the highlight of our dinner at Fogo de Chao is we got to meet David Beckham! Other than that..we won't be back a while.
(3)Ralph L.
For the price we paid, I feel that 80% of the meat cuts were really subpar. Yes, the skirt steak was a crowd-pleaser, but the filet? Forgettable. Rib eye? Ok, good. But not $80 good. While not chewy, I didn't really get that tender feel from most of the meats. And most of the meat servers had a bit of a scowl on their faces when we deigned to either ask for a non-burnt piece or politely declined their offerings. Despite the fact that we were there on a weekend, and things weren't really that busy, I felt like service could have been more attentive. When we wanted things like more sparkling water, it took a few minutes for our waiter to come around. He also spilled wine on the table right after I was going to complement him on his technique. Oops.
(2)Hana A.
The cheesy bread and the fried plantains were melt in your mouth delicious! I loved the high quality salad bar. Picanha was my favorite meat. The best part of the dining experience was the superb service- all the waiters were attentive and observant and serviced us before we even voiced our wants. Kudos to the service!
(4)