Fogo de Chao: Fully-Vested

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I really have no idea how to write a review on an eatery, and I’ve never even really felt the need to even write one prior to this. However, after my recent experience at Fogo de Chao on 11th and Pennsylvania, I practically feel it’s my responsibility as a God-fearing American to tell you all about this incredibly awesome restaurant. So here it is.

FdC is arguably the best Brazilian steakhouse in DC. If you haven’t been to one before, Brazilian steakhouses are the ultimate displays of carnivorous gluttony, and even provide its diners with the luxury of eating all they wish without ever having to go through the inconvenience of actually having to get up to get your food. Some of the lower end Brazilian steakhouses local to the area include Malibu Grill, Texas de Brazil, and Chima, but rest assured none of these places are in the same class as Fogo de Chao.

The place basically works like this: after you’re seated you’re given a “meat menu”, as well as access to a salad bar that includes a plethora of cheeses so good you’ll sound like Arsenio Hall at a wine party. After you’ve had your fill of cheese and salad, you basically summon the army of servers walking around the restaurant with spits carrying various meats from the menu. Each diner at the table is given a two sided card, one side green and the other red, that serves as your signal telling the roaming waiters that you’re either ready to be served (green) or that you’ve had your fill and are taking a break (red). The waiters basically roam around the place looking for green cards, and once they find you they’ll graciously approach and ask if you would like some of whatever they’re serving and how you prefer it cooked. All of the meats there are exceptionally seasoned, and very few of the cuts have much of a need for any sort of steak sauce (coming from me, this is a pretty bold statement because I put A1 sauce on just about everything) allowing each of the cuts to offer its own unique taste and flavor to your palette.

At $50 a plate, it’s a bit pricey, but the servers are really nice and really do a fairly good job of working the room so that nobody is left waiting for very long. The space is fairly large and includes a 2nd floor mezzanine level, and there’s also a bar next to the waiting room for walk-ins.

If you eat meat, or even if you don’t and just enjoy the smell, I highly recommend going to this place. It just doesn’t get much better than this.

Atmosphere: Warm

Food: 9/10

Service: 7.5/10

Price: Expensive

DB Threat Level (see chart): Amber (be alert of potential DB activity from Capitol Hill staffers and/or lobbyists)

udothedishes . . .