Fogo de Chao

Would Fogo de Chao be successful in Louisville?

[Robin Garr]

For those who want to know more about this fancy Brazilian-style steakhouse chain:

http://www.fogodechao.com/

Big portions and lots of meat? Sounds like Louisville to me! It seems to go mostly for larger metros, but Indy's got one.

I could see one near/next to the Yum Center but only if they had more events than U of L games.

[Robin Garr]

I could see one near/next to the Yum Center but only if they had more events than U of L games.

I was thinking it might be a better fit for the Hurstbourne area. Think PF Changs and Cheesecake Factory.

I absolutely love the one in Dallas. A Carnivore's dream.

I thought that when Fernando announced several concepts awhile back that this was one of them. Anyone else?

We've been to the one in Indy twice and I thought it was excellent both times.
With the glut of high-end pricey steakhouses we have in this town; if they opened one here I could see a couple of them being run out of business.
Not only was the food and service very good, it was also what I felt to be an excellent value.
I think lunch there is $35 per person and Dinner is $45 per person or you could just get the "Salad Bar" for $19 which is stocked with expensive items like smoked salmon, various cured meats and prosciutto, nice cheese, hearts of palm, etc. And this is all you can stuff down your gullet!

Considering places like Morton's, Ruth Chris, Jeff Ruby's etc. price everything ala carte and the steaks start at $40 and the sides are usually $8-$10, and the drinks are expensive. Fogo would do very well here.

There has already been a mention of Louisville getting a Brazilian Steak House downtown. The 3 major chains are Fogo de Chao, Texas de Brazil, and Fire de Brazil. All are equally good with Fire de Brazil having more obscure food items (venison, alligator). Yes, any of these would do well in Louisville. There are a million people in the metro area and many of them like chains. Brazilian steak houses are a hot trend right now and in my opinion one of the least offensive of the chains. I have eaten at all 3 of the above mentioned and really enjoy them. In the mean time I suggest carnivores go to Palermo Viejo. I think it is the best for your buck and local too.

There is another chain, Rodezio, that is expanding East.

http://www.rodiziogrill.com/all-locations

We ate in the one in Denver several times and really enjoyed it. They are as close as Columbus, Ohio now. They seem to like using older buildings for their restaurants. East Main/Market perhaps?

I would love to visit one for the salad bar alone. I can't think of a really good salad bar anywhere now that Fifth Quarter is gone.

I would love to visit one for the salad bar alone. I can't think of a really good salad bar anywhere now that Fifth Quarter is gone.

Carla,
Jason's Deli has a fantastic salad bar. My parents are huge fans and turned me on to it over the summer. Good selection and everything is very fresh. There is a dedicated attendant that keeps the buffet clean and refreshed. Makes for a great weeknight dinner.
Madi

I would love to visit one for the salad bar alone. I can't think of a really good salad bar anywhere now that Fifth Quarter is gone.

Carla,
Jason's Deli has a fantastic salad bar. My parents are huge fans and turned me on to it over the summer. Good selection and everything is very fresh. There is a dedicated attendant that keeps the buffet clean and refreshed. Makes for a great weeknight dinner.
Madi

Thanks, I will check it out!

[Robin Garr]

Jason's Deli

Thanks, I will check it out!

Carla, it's good, and I liked Whole Foods deli/bar even better. Here's a review I wrote about both:

http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/grazi ... %E2%80%99s

I've eaten at both Texas de Brazil and Fogo on several occasions (although I couldn't tell you which is which). These are by no means "foodie" destinations. My wife straight up refuses to go citing the absurdity of the whole idea (all you can eat red meat!)...but the guys....we go and eat plenty of (average) meat and get plenty drunk and that's pretty much why these places exist. Bachelor parties, out of town business meetings, and poorly chosen first dates.

Interestingly, the sides are terrible. If the mashed potatoes aren't instant they sure went out of their way to make them taste that way. If I had an all you can eat meat house I'd make sure I had the best taters and biggest and best rolls in town!

As for location most of these places I've been to have been in the burbs although I think I went to one in downtown Chicago. They'd be a big hit in the convention district for sure. I'd say it's just a matter of time. Maybe a local guy should beat the chains to the punch...seems like a gold mine.

I think if I were a chef looking to start my own place I'd do this and make some real money AND THEN open my Vietnamese/Canadian fusion cowboy craft cocktail bar or whatever I've decided is the next big thing as a hobby. Of course I'm a business man, not a chef.

I need to make a clarification to my previous post per my friends ribbing...I did not intend to sound like such a fancy pants. I think my spelling errors may have knocked the edge off that a little bit, but anyway...

Will foodies enjoy Fogo? Sure! Some will. I do. I was just making the point that for a "foodie" experience some would probably prefer 6oz of perfectly prepared filet to six pounds of assorted bleeding goodness cut from a samurai sword. There is a time and place for both. The meat is good, but it is not as well prepared, in my experience, as what you would get at a higher end steak house. The emphasis is definitely on quantity over preparation and presentation. I hadn't considered the salad bar angle....the wife would definitely go for that!

The price is right...at least until you get "comfortable enough" to order the King Louis after dinner, which I am pleased to report I have avoided. Beware! It has been suggested when I asked for a recommendation for the table. Nothing like a $3000 bar tab to knock the shine off your $45 all you can eat meat! (In fairness to the server, even though I already knew better, he made it clear without being rude, that the price was worth a glance...I'm sure they live for the day someone throws caution to the wind and pulls the trigger anyway).