Columbus is not unfamiliar with the Brazilian steakhouse, or churrasco, restaurant. We’ve welcomed a couple different chains over the past several years. But the newest entry might be one of the best, in our opinion: Fogo de Chão.
“Fogo de Chão,” which is Portuguese for “ground fire,” started in Brazil decades ago before opening restaurants in the U.S. in the late 90s. The Columbus location, in a prominent spot along Polaris Parkway, is their first in Ohio.
The concept is similar to other Brazilian steakhouses: guests enjoy a massive buffet complemented by a never-ending selection of grilled meats brought to the table.
Fogo features a full bar as well, with multiple versions of the caipirinha, the Brazilian national drink that consists of cachaça (a sugarcane-derived spirit similar to rum), sugar, and limes. It’s delicious and refreshing (and easy to make at home!).
Your server will also bring bowls of pão de queijo, a fluffy cheese bread that is ridiculously addicting.
What nudged Fogo de Chão over the competition for us was their buffet. It went way beyond standard Brazilian steakhouse buffets and featured loads of colorful veggie dishes, salads, pastas, fruits, and more.
There’s a small station with rice, black beans, and soup as well.
Not to mention giant bowls of bacon.
It goes without saying that you need to arrive hungry and pace yourself, but it’s worth taking a couple runs at the buffet to try as many items as you can.
But obviously the real star is the meats! Behind the buffet you’ll see the rotisserie at work, with multiple shelves of different meats on (literal) rotation.
When you’re up for more proteins, you simply flip your little card over to green. That way the servers who dart around with giant skewers of meats know to stop at your table to slice off a sample.
They’ll let you know what selection they’re carrying, but you’ll find everything from steak to pork belly, chicken to lamb. Some of the red meats will be available in different preparations, so you can choose if you want something more rare or well done.
They’ll provide tongs so you can grab your slices as they cut them off. It’s a team effort!
Fogo’s standard churrasco runs $65 per person at dinner, or $85 for an “indulgent” version that includes seafood and other items.
Fogo de Chão
1425 Polaris Pkwy.
Columbus, OH 43240
(614) 708-7800
Web: fogodechao.com
FB: Fogo de Chão
IG: @fogo
