Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Jacksonville

We really had a wonderful time, dining at Fogo dè Châo for our anniversary. The food and the atmosphere were extraordinary.

The restaurant is located in the heart of Towncenter and as such, parking can be an issue. However, FDC offers free valet service, so do not worry about where you will park.

Service is interesting, because you get a waiter for your overall experience and then the gaucho come around and serve the meat of your choice. You can request certain cuts of meat from your waiter, and he will send the gaucho over to your table to slice it up for you. In our case we had.Ginno, who really made our experience special. Ginno checked with us often, made sure drink refills were done and made sure the food that we wanted to sample was brought over in a timely fashion. And since it was our anniversary, we were celebrated with a wonderful dessert.. Waiters can make her break your experience at a Brazilian steakhouse so we were very fortunate that Ginno was our waiter.

You have multiple choices for your dining experience, the straight Cherasco or the elevated experience it comes with some additional seafood like lobster and crab cake. There was a special that included a lobster tail, along with a normal experience, and we opted for that. The lobster was good, but it did not really add much in flavor as the meats are so over the top delicious.

She really wanna know about the food, now don’t you? If you’re a fan of the pussycat dolls, it’s more like.”Don’t you wish your restaurant was hot like FDC”.

Salad bar – I’m gonna tell you we skipped the salad bar, both because it was crowded and also there was nothing really there that we were overly interested in. I take that back, I did get some of the pineapple and other fruit that was on display. Cheese biscuits - not the kind you get from Red lLbster, but soft rolls with a cheesy center. Caramelized banana – always one of my favorites, bananas with a light crust that cleans your pallet after the spiced meat . Blister cheese - served with your choice of regular honey or hot honey, this fell very flat for me and I didn’t really enjoy it. Mashed potatoes – not normally my favorite but tonight they were really tasty. Lamb Picahna - normally my favorite, but tonight it came in second, but it is so so good. Sirloin Picahna - good salad choice, but for me it’s well behind the lamb. Chicken drumstick – it was just OK. Chicken thigh - marinated for 24 hours, and then grilled perfection with a crispy skin that is perfectly seasoned, it may sound silly with all this great meat options, but this was my favorite tonight. I even stopped the gaucho that served it to us and ask him for the details and to tell him how much I really enjoyed it. You could tell he enjoyed talking about his work, how he cooks and what goes into it. (Note to self, don’t forget to engage the gauchos because they are a storehouse of knowledge.) Cheesecake crème brûlée - I will try to post a picture because this was an amazing presentation. Crispy on the outside soft cheesecake inside, it was very good. If you order it, don’t forget to ask for extra raspberry sauce as my wife seemed to devour the portion we had on the plate.

Overall, very wonderful anniversary dinner.

However, I do have one small complaint. Maybe it’s not a complaint, maybe it’s just a pet peeve, but I am taking chemotherapy treatments, and sometimes standing for long periods of time is difficult. I have a handicap pass, so when we come here I normally get to park out front. However, it was raining, and those spots were used as extra valet spots, and not for people who have a handicap placard. I know you will probably tell me I should’ve taken pictures of the license plates, complained to the manager or something else and you would probably be right. However, I didn’t want to ruin the dining experience with what is clearly just a pet peeve of mine. Yes, it is illegal for cars to be parked in handicap spots unless they display a placard...

My recent visit to Fogo de Chão was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I walked through the doors, I was greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a sense of excitement that only a place like Fogo de Chão can provide. But what truly made the experience unforgettable was the exceptional service provided by the staff — Hailey, Taji, Jose, and Ricardo. Each of these team members went above and beyond to make our evening special, and they each deserve their own moment of recognition.

Hailey was the epitome of grace and attentiveness. From the moment she introduced herself, she made us feel like VIPs. Her genuine smile and willingness to answer any questions we had about the menu showed a level of care that is rare in the restaurant industry. Hailey anticipated our needs before we even had to ask, ensuring our table was always prepared with the right cuts of meat and sides. Her professionalism was matched only by her friendly personality, creating an atmosphere that felt both elegant and relaxed. Hailey was a key reason our night felt so seamless.

Taji brought an energy to the evening that was impossible to ignore. His enthusiasm for the Fogo experience was infectious, and you could tell he took immense pride in his work. Whether it was describing the different meats, recommending the perfect pairings, or simply making conversation, Taji had a way of making us feel like old friends. His passion for the craft of churrasco and his knowledge of the Fogo tradition added a layer of depth to the meal that made it so much more than just dinner — it was an experience.

Jose was a master of hospitality, embodying the heart of what makes Fogo de Chão so special. He was attentive without being overbearing, always ready to refill our glasses or bring over another round of mouthwatering meats. Jose’s timing was impeccable, ensuring that we never felt rushed or forgotten. His kindness and genuine interest in making sure we were having the best possible time did not go unnoticed. Every interaction with Jose felt personal, and it was clear that he takes pride in making each guest feel valued.

And then there was Ricardo, who left a lasting impression with his charisma and style. Not only did Ricardo ensure that our plates were always full and that we were satisfied with every course, but he also took a moment to share a personal touch — showing us his stunning “buss down” watch. This moment stood out as a fun and unexpected highlight of the evening. Ricardo’s sense of style matched his impeccable service, and it was clear he takes pride in his presentation, both in the way he carries himself and in the way he serves. His confidence and charm added a unique energy to the night, and it felt like we were dining with a friend who truly knew how to make an evening memorable.

In the end, my experience at Fogo de Chão was more than just an incredible meal — it was a masterclass in hospitality, and Hailey, Taji, Jose, and Ricardo were the stars of the show. Each of them brought something special to the table, creating a night that I will never forget. Fogo de Chão is lucky to have such an amazing team, and I look forward to returning to experience their outstanding...

Birthday Disaster: Fogo de Chão Completely Lost Its Magic.

If someone told me my most anticipated dinner of the year would morph into a financial and culinary nightmare, I wouldn’t have believed them. Fogo de Chão had been my go-to birthday tradition for three years — my personal sanctuary of smoky, glorious cuts of meat, warm service, and affordable indulgence. But last night’s 22nd birthday dinner shattered that tradition into bitter, overpriced fragments.

Our party of eight was seated an hour past our 7:00 p.m. reservation — so much for honoring the occasion. Once at the table, our server gave the usual spiel but failed to mention the most egregious new policy: $7.75 charge for every. single. water. bottle. Without so much as a blink or a choice, five bottles were dropped at our table like some “complementary” luxury without any indication they’d cost nearly $40. Imagine our disgust when we discovered the truth at the end of the night. Fogo de Chão, you may as well have charged us for the air. It felt more like we were being uninformed and upcharged than welcomed.

And the food? Out of the 18 legendary cuts of meat Fogo de Chão claims to offer, we were lucky to see six — and only two had any real flavor. The rest were either leather-dry or so rare they were still bleeding. Even the salad bar — which had a few flies hovering around the food — was a serious letdown.

To add insult to injury, my birthday dessert was incorrect. Despite my appreciation for the waiter’s effort, this was nowhere near the celebratory experience I had envisioned — or had enjoyed in the past.

And let’s talk about the bill — an overpriced, underwhelming slap in the face that left my entire family speechless. That $7.75 per water charge was the perfect metaphor for the entire night: slick, hidden, and draining. It was the most disappointing dining experience I have ever had, and on my birthday of all nights. Fogo de Chão went from a restaurant I once loved to an overpriced, underwhelming tourist trap.

If the owner or management ever reads this, I hope you make this right. Bring back the honesty, the generosity, and the flavors that built your reputation — because last night shattered the trust and joy I once associated with Fogo de Chão. Frankly, after what happened, you owe me more than an apology; you owe my family and me a dinner that reminds us why we ever fell in love with your restaurant in the first place. Until then, my family and I won’t be...