Ali F.
Yelp
I had such a disappointing experience at Fogo de Chao and I definitely won't be back. We came for my husband's birthday dinner, and somehow ended up spending $230 between the two of us, just for the dinner experience, 3 alcoholic drinks and one mocktail.
We were seated at possibly the worst table in the restaurant, and I really don't like being difficult so I figured it wouldn't be that big of a deal. The table was in a corner next to the server POS system and broom, so people were constantly jostling us to get to the POS or to grab the broom behind my husband. On top of that, there was no light near or on our table, so it felt like the table actually shouldn't exist and was supposed to be part of the service station. In addition, the layout of the whole place is just stupid. It feels almost like a big cafeteria because it's in an open space with the buffet slapped haphazardly in the middle, with big metal ugly rafters that make the whole space echo loudly. The tables are stuffed closely together, so you'll have a difficult time making your way to the buffet with everyone's coats on the backs of chairs too.
Because we were so inconveniently located, the meat didn't come around to us much. We saw a total of 4 varieties before it was just the same people coming back with the same stuff. One of the meat people asked if there was anything particular we wanted, but it was so loud it was hard to hear him, and then we didn't even have a menu left to know what the options were, so that went nowhere. Our server was Lily and while she was very nice, she was clearly overwhelmed and we felt pretty neglected overall. My water was frequently empty and it took a long time to get the check and leave.
The worst, though- was the guy walking around offering tequila shots. I told my husband to get one, because it was his birthday! I didn't realize it was a $35 shot until we got the bill. I expected maybe $20. I thought that was absolutely absurd, and clearly a rip off because while we should have asked how much the shot was, I honestly did not imagine that they would be charging $35 for a single shot without giving warning first.
The market table was good, and I would probably get that only if I had to come back (but I won't come back), and the meat we had was fine. However, I kind of think if your thing is meat, it should totally wow me....and it didn't. Finally, when a restaurant is this "high end" and the reso asks for an occasion, I would have at least expected them to acknowledge my husband's birthday, but they did not. Not at the host stand, not when we were greeted, nothing. Which is unusual both for restaurants of this supposed caliber.
This is the kind of place tourists come because they've heard of it and Chicago is the closest location. You should absolutely avoid because it is SO SO SO not worth the money. Last year we had a tasting menu in the west loop for $50 less (with more drinks) than this sad, sad meal.