Fogo de Chao

With a slow summer for the Eatingteam (see prior post) drawing to an end, and after talking about it and never getting to it, Tom and I finally managed to make it to Fogo de Chao. If you haven't heard of this place, it is a Brazilian steakhouse. Sorry, let me correct that, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse. I know, all you can eat steak, you might think it was tenderized by a jockey at Philadelphia Park, but you couldn't be more wrong.

Joined by our friend Keith, who had been there once before, we went down to Center City Philly for lots of steak for lunch. First, this is a very nicely decorated place inside, with wine bottles lining the walls and lots of staff to help with anything that you may need. I don't think my water bottle came close to being half empty before it was filled again. This is a two course meal starting with the salad bar. Sure there is actual vegetables and garden salad things on there to try to fill you up before you get to the main course, but don't fall for that. They do have some highlights, such as the fresh mozzerella, prosciutto, salami and other cheeses. I also enjoyed some olives and an interesting chicken salad, but not too much, we were here to eat steak.

On to the main course, which is all dictated by what looks like a coaster, but is way more important. Each person at the table has a coaster that is green on one side and red on the other, green meaning "Bring me more meat!!" and red meaning "Hold on, let me catch my breath." or "I've got plenty to eat for the moment, but don't wonder off to far." When your coaster is green the espeto corrido (continuous service in Portuguese, it's on their website, I don't speak the language, sorry to disappoint) of the "Gaucho" chefs is downright awesome. You will quickly have your choice of 15 different cuts of delicious meat taken fresh from the kitchen fires while still on skewers. The Gaucho's walk around checking out for green coasters to offer you whichever type of meat they are carrying. Everything was excellent with the highlights for me being a perfectly cooked medium-rare portion of Filet Mignon (Tom, the CIA-trained chef and KCBS-certified judge exclaimed just how perfectly it was cooked) that just melted with flavor. They had filet wrapped in bacon, 'nuff said. Also, the Picanha, a prime cut of sirlion seasoned with garlic and sea salt, was downright incredible. Everything I sampled was cooked to perfection and full of incredible cow (or piggie) goodness. Lots of different sirlion and filet cuts on the menu, beef ribs, some pork tenderloin choices, pork ribs, pork sausages, and chicken legs, which was really the only thing I tried that I didn't really care for. But the good thing is, try it, if you don't like it, don't worry, someone else will be around with something different to try. I had some pork ribs on my plate that I didn't even get to because there was just so many other things on my plate that I was more interested in. The second course is also served with mashed potatoes, cheese bread, fried bananas and polenta, which is also replenished as much as you like. We did go through three rounds of mashed potatoes.

Some general information: they also had tons of wines, some of them probably really good if you're into that. Lunch and dinner are the same thing, only difference is the price, $32.50 for lunch, $49.50 for dinner. Great bathrooms, which is really important at an all-you-can-eat steakhouse (we were there for an hour and a half to two hours). They have 12 U.S. locations, including Baltimore and Washington D.C. to go with the Philly location.

So in conclusion, this place was awesome, can't wait to go again, well worth the money. Some of the best steak I've ever eaten, possibly second to Peter Luger's. But if you have the means, I highly recommend spending some time eating here.