Orlando’s Brazilian Steakhouses: A How To Guide

THE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED steakhouse brand Fogo de Chão recently opened a second Orlando location and I was lucky enough to be invited to the grand opening. You’ll find it on Regency Village Drive at Vineland Pointe Mall, in that weird in-between part of Orlando near Lake Buena Vista and International Drive. The new 8,080-square-foot restaurant features a showy, expansive dining room, centered around an open-air grill, a beautiful bar area and plenty of breakaway spaces for corporate or family dinners. The service was top-notch, the meats were decadent and the atmosphere was upper-crust without any sense of fussiness or pretense.

But it begged the question … how does Fogo de Chão compare to other Brazilian steakhouses in the area? Check out our breakout box and see.

Brazilian steakhouses, also known as churrascarias, offer a unique and indulgent dining experience centered around grilled meats and traditional Brazilian hospitality; two of my favorite things for a date night. Rooted in the churrasco tradition of southern Brazil, particularly in the Pampas region, these restaurants serve an all-you-can-eat selection of meats, brought directly to the table by skilled servers called gauchos.

The tradition goes back to the 1800s when Brazilian cowboys (gauchos) would slow-roast meat over skewers on open flames. It was so romantic an image that the cooking method became a cultural staple across the country, and the concept has expanded worldwide, with handsome men in traditional gaucho garb (baggy bombachas pants, a sash around the waist called a faja, a leather belt, a vest and a jaunty handkerchief tied around the neck) serve up never-ending rounds of hot
beef. If you think I’m describing this a bit too sexually, I apologize, but it’s kind of a sexy experience, and I’ve learned through the process of writing this piece that I may (definitely) have a kink for Brazilian cowboys who want to feed me wagyu on a stick.

At a modern-day churrascaria, guests are given a two-sided card—green for “more meat, please” and red for “taking a break.” Which sounds like one of those singles games you can play at a networking event. Gaucho chefs circulate the dining room with large skewers, slicing cuts of beef, lamb, pork and chicken tableside. You’ll have a little set of tongs to grab the meat and pull it from the skewer too, but don’t make it weird and stare at the gauchos when you do this. They’re just normal people trying to pay their bills. The meal is typically accompanied by a buffet of sides, salads, cheeses and traditional Brazilian dishes like pão de queijo (cheese bread) and farofa (toasted cassava flour), all of which you can grab yourself at a nearby buffet. But fair warning, you don’t want to fill up on rabbit food when you can be eating the rabbit. Contrary to what most people think, Brazilian steakhouses aren’t just about how much red meat you can eat before you pass out. They’re about a culinary journey, rooted in centuries-old customs and traditions. It’s one of those rare instances where quantity doesn’t necessarily outweigh quality. So saddle up, partner, I’ve got some tips and recommendations to help you have your best churrascaria experience ever.

Brendan’s Rankings

Adega Gaucha, 8204 Crystal Clear Lane, #1700

Celebrated for its authentic Brazilian cuisine and exceptional service, Adega Gaucha offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a spectacular gourmet table and a delicious variety of meats. Yelp gives it 4.6 stars.

BoiBrazil Churrascaria, 5600 International Drive

Offers a great Brazilian dining experience with an endless and delicious selection of rotisserie-grilled meats and a huge gourmet salad bar with more than 30 delectable items. Yelp gives it 3.9 stars.

Cafe de Mineiro, 6432 International Drive

Known for its authentic Brazilian dishes and friendly atmosphere, Cafe de Mineiro offers a variety of grilled meats and a well-stocked salad bar, but its meats just can’t compete with some of the other restaurants on this list. Yelp gives it 3.8 stars.

Chima Steakhouse, 7830 W. Sand Lake Rd.

Located in the Dr. Phillips neighborhood, Chima blends tradition with modern elegance, offering authentic rodizio-style dining with more than 15 delectable cuts and a gourmet salad bar. Don’t sleep on their desserts either, I think they have some of the best treats on this list. Yelp gives them 4.3 stars.

Fogo de Chão, 11543 Regency Village Drive

An internationally-renowned steakhouse, Fogo de Chão elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco, offering high-quality cuts of meat roasted over an open flame. Their International Drive location has 3.9 stars on Yelp, but I think their new space is way better.

Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, 9101 International Drive, Suite 1220

Located at Pointe Orlando (which is totally hopping lately if you haven’t been in a few years) Rodizio Grill offers a pretty authentic Brazilian steakhouse experience, complete with the required gourmet salad bar and side dishes. The interior reads fast-casual to me, so it never feels quite as fancy as the other brands on this list but it’s a solid experience for your buck. Yelp gives it 4.4 stars.

Texas de Brazil, 5259 International Drive, Suite F1

A premier destination for authentic South American cuisine, Texas de Brazil offers flame-grilled offerings complemented by an extravagant salad bar featuring seasonal, chef-crafted delights. Everyone loves Texas de Brazil because it’s dependable and mainstream America-friendly. Yelp gives it 4 stars.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Experience

Come Hungry—Churrascarias are all-you-can-eat, so pace yourself to enjoy a variety of meats. Yes, there are sides, but to walk away happy with your spend, make sure you polish off as much meat as possible. Maybe skip the belt this time.

Start Slow—Avoid filling up on side dishes too quickly; save room for premium cuts: picanha (top sirloin cap) and costela (beef ribs).

Use the Card Wisely—Turn it to red when you need a break, or you might find your plate constantly refilled. Those gauchos will be back around in a few minutes, take a moment, stretch, have some water. Brazilian steakhouses are marathons, not sprints. Enjoy the process, taste the difference in the meats and meditate on those flavors.

Prioritize High-Quality Cuts—Girl, you can get filet mignon anywhere, save yourself for the top sirloin picanha, the fraldinha flank steak and the costela beef ribs. Practice saying them in the mirror before you go if you want to put a smile on your gaucho’s face.

Don’t Sleep on the Pineapple—Grilled pineapple isn’t only delicious, it helps you with digestion, and with a belly full of red meat, you’ll need all the help you can get.

Try Brazilian Drinks—Pair your meal with a caipirinha, Brazil’s signature cocktail made with cachaça, lime and sugar.

Make a Reservation—Churrascarias are popular places to dine, especially for special occasions, so be sure to call ahead and make a reservation. Especially on the weekends. That goes double if there’s a vegan or vegetarian in your party. You’ll want to make sure they feel taken care of.

Take a Walk—In Italy they call it a passeggiata, a gentle stroll or walk after dinner to aid in digestion and stretch the legs. I would recommend doing one in between courses too, just to shake all that beef down into your legs and make more room in your tummy when you get back.