REVIEW

This review was provide by Matt Terl. click here to read Matt's Bio

Let me get this out up front: I'm not a fan of chain restaurants. Hate them, in fact, in principle and -- with a very few exceptions -- in practice. And buffets terrify me, food from the last week held at borderline unsafe temperatures in a desperate attempt to get some money, ANY money for it before it goes completely over.

Fogo de Chao is a chain, and all-you-can-eat to boot, and it's absolutely terrific for what it is. But you'd better be in the mood for meat. Lots and lots of meat. There's a salad bar for vegetarians, and you pay less if you ignore the meat ... but going to Fogo de Chao and ignoring the meat is like going to Snoasis and not getting a snoball. It's pointless, it defeats the purpose, and you'll leave not knowing what the fuss is about.

The fuss is about roasted meat, as much as you want of fourteen different kinds of it, being carried on long skewers around the room by men in elaborate and faintly embarrassing costumes, who not only serve it but cook it behind the scenes. A quick rundown: anything lamb is excellent; anything chicken can safely be skipped; try the pork and see what you think, as it's a love-it-or-hate-it prospect; the various sirloins are better than the filets and, surprisingly, the ribeye; and all ribs (whether pork or beef) and sausages can safely be ignored, leaving room for more of the good stuff. The included sides are clearly designed to fill you up at a lower cost to the kitchen, and it's tempting to advise you not to eat them as a result, but the sautéed bananas are terrific, and the polenta is better than it has any right to be. Avoid the insipid mashed potatoes, at least, and salvage a bit of pride.

They serve lunch on weekdays, all the same stuff as dinner for roughly half the price, so do that if you can, and for the love of all that's kind and decent in the world, just leave the vegetarians at home. Both they and you will appreciate it.