Jennifer C.
Yelp
Blame the guy that hyped this place up for me.
I had high expectations for this Brazilian BBQ spot, but my experience fell short. The staff, though limited, was friendly and attentive. However, the atmosphere felt more like dining in someone's home than a restaurant, with scattered restaurant supplies, a lack of staff, and plastic water cups and pitcher.
While the meats were flavorful, I found them to be on par with a low 4 out of 5 if Fogo de Chao were a 5. My husband disagrees, comparing them to Fogo. The whole experience was not comparable, especially considering that the salad bar/Fogo's marketplace was missing here. The real letdown was the sides--mashed potatoes overly buttery, and others tasting canned, like the creamed corn and black beans, and lukewarm rice that seems it had been microwaved. The sides were scooped from a pot rolled out in a janky wire cart, adding to the very casual and odd Brazilian BBQ dining experience different than what I'm used to.
There was only one person serving the meats when we went. Luckily the place was still empty at the time. He would come around once and after a while, we just started ordering our meats. The pork belly was my favorite but it would come out inconsistent - either thicker sliced or extra crispy or extra salty - no serving was the same for my 3 orders of the pork belly.
The visual appeal also disappointed, especially considering the disparity between photos and reality. Judging by the bathroom, the overall upkeep seemed questionable. Despite cleanliness, the appearance hinted at a potential for rapid deterioration.
Supporting small businesses is important, but my experience leaves me hesitant to return. It is $39.99 per person here and given the experience, I'd gladly pay $20 more for the more better dining experience.
However, a few improvements in atmosphere, sides, and upkeep could elevate this place to meet its potential.