Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in New York

Good evening.

I wish that I was sharing this review under happier pretenses but unfortunately that isn't so.

On May 15th 2025, my family and I arrived for dinner at Fogo de Chāo. I had been here multiple times prior to this without incident and was looking forward to a good experience. However my night was ruined after being double charged in the most fraudulent manner.

I'll explain:

At the end of the night, I received a bill for $276.49. I gladly handed over my card to the server Valentina to pay then kindly waited for her to close out the bill and return. She took much longer than I've usually waited but at that point, I assumed nothing of it. I was notified that she swiped the card the first time through my bank's app and that the initial charge of $276.49 went through. And then a moment later, I saw 2 more charges through my bank app. One that went through for $77.56 and another that didn't for $198.93.

When Valentina returned to my table,, she said handed me a different bill and said that my card was only approved for $77.56. She said that she needed to swipe my card twice because it was declined the first time. I was confused as I just saw the complete charge process through my bank app/card. I asked her to produce a 'declined' receipt or something showcasing insufficient funds but she nor her manager Larissa could not do so. I asked them to produce copies of the initial charge but they kept bring me copies of the receipt for the second swipe. I told her that I refused to pay this second bill without evidence that the first one went unpaid. She advised me to contact my bank and to confirm that the initial charge went through. And if it did, she would DROP the second charge and consider my initial bill closed. I kindly got my bank on the phone and the customer rep/teller repeatedly confirmed that the transactions went through. However after the call was over, Valentina and Larissa did not hold up their end of the bargain.

Instead, Larissa told me that there was nothing that could be done at this moment and that I would have to be issued a refund the very next day. She said that she couldn't make adjustments to a closed or incomplete bill and that there was nothing she could do. She completely switched gears and made my time/night incredibly even more difficult. I was irate and decided to follow up later on seeing as the restaurant was closing too. It was clear that nothing was going to be done to help me.

Over the next couple days, I called but was constantly told that Larissa was busy and that she was with customers or not in. Then something even more infuriating happened yesterday. The charge for $77.56 was changed to $276.49. No the charge didn't fall off or get refunded like I had discussed with the restaurant. They had the audacity to try and charge me again after all this nonsense. As a reminder, the restaurant told me that they couldn't edit or close impartial/incomplete bills. But they were able to adjust the $77.56 though? Clearly they were lying and intended to steal my hard earned money. Clearly they could give me the refund that I was owed but didn't want to. I reached out to them again today asking for a manager. One young lady refused to get me over to a manager. She even falsely claimed to be a manager herself. Clearly, the staff here isn't concerned with improving their customer service and being honest.

Now, I'm currently in the midst of getting the police and my bank involved due to the fraudulent behavior exhibited by Larissa/Valentina. It seems as though this is the only way that I will be able to get the refund that I deserve. My hard earned money returned to me in a timely manner.

I write this so that no one else needs to experience this fraudulent activity.

People, please check your bills and payment methods with the most scrutiny. And please avoid this place like the plague...

Having previously visited Fogo de Chão locations in Manhattan and Westbury , I had high expectations for the Elmhurst, Queens branch. I am delighted to say that this location not only met but exceeded my expectations in every way.

Upon arriving slightly late for my reservation, I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and hospitality of the staff. Despite the potential inconvenience, they promptly secured a table for me. The restaurant itself is a visual delight, impeccably clean and beautifully maintained, setting the stage for an exceptional dining experience.

The service was top-notch, with Leia and Carlos standing out for their kindness and helpfulness. Their attentive and personable approach added a special touch to the evening, ensuring that every need was met with a smile.

As for the food, it was nothing short of spectacular.

Lamb Picanha: This cut is a true masterpiece. Tender and flavorful, the lamb picanha is seasoned to perfection and cooked just right, providing a melt-in-your-mouth experience that is simply unforgettable.

Alcatra: Known as top sirloin, alcatra is another standout. It’s juicy and rich in flavor, showcasing the quality of the meat and the skill of the chefs.

Bacon-Wrapped Steak: This offering combines the savory delight of high-quality steak with the smoky, crispy goodness of bacon. Each bite is a burst of flavor, making it a must-try for any meat lover.

Linguica: The Brazilian-style sausage is a delightful addition to the meat selection. Its robust, spicy flavor and juicy texture make it a perfect complement to the other meats.

Each bite more savory than the last. While the meats are undoubtedly the stars of the show, the sides and accompaniments play a crucial supporting role. The pão de queijo, Brazilian cheese bread, is a warm, cheesy delight that pairs perfectly with the rich meats. The mashed potatoes are creamy and comforting, providing a delightful contrast to the robust flavors of the grilled meats.

Fogo de Chão’s drink menu is as impressive as its food, featuring a range of expertly crafted cocktails that enhance the dining experience .

Cucumber Mint Smash: This cocktail is refreshingly light and invigorating, combining the crispness of cucumber with the coolness of mint. It’s a perfect palate cleanser between bites of the rich, flavorful meats.

Strawberry Hibiscus Caipirinha: A delightful twist on Brazil’s national cocktail, this drink features the tart sweetness of strawberries and the floral notes of hibiscus, balanced by the kick of cachaça. It’s a vibrant and refreshing option that complements the churrasco beautifully.

Clean Cucumber Martini: For those who prefer a more refined cocktail, the Clean Cucumber Martini is an excellent choice. Its smooth, crisp flavor profile is both sophisticated and refreshing, making it an ideal accompaniment to the meal. Especially more popular since it uses CleanCo Non-Alcohol which has less than 0.5% ABV.

Each cocktail was expertly crafted, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Fogo de Chão in Elmhurst, Queens is a culinary gem. With its stunning ambiance, exceptional service, and mouthwatering food, it stands out as a premier dining destination. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an...

I've been to this Fogo for several special occasions only and today was the first time I went with my family for a random Sunday brunch. We got the worst experience we've ever had not only at this Fogo but out of all the Fogo we've visited in different states. I had such a horrible experience that I'm just going to tell you what I went through: We were seated and given menus which we had in our possession for good 10 minutes when we knew exactly what we wanted already. Moving on, lady finally shows up to grab our order (which was nothing she needed to take notes for because we wanted the full Churrasco experience as we usually do) we only asked for Sprite for our kids and said "I'll come back with drinks and sides". For those who aren't familiar with the sides: when you do the full experience includes fried bananas, mashed potatoes, cheese bread. Took about 10 minutes for them to bring us water and again says "I'll be back with your sides" Another 10 minutes maybe and brings soda for the kids, on top of that it was flat and she "apologized" because the machine wasn't working, hence why they took a long time. Brings mash and bananas and once again, "I'll bring some bread" We went to the salad bar (included when you do the Churrasco experience) so we did have food at our table but only because we had to get up and grab it ourselves. Twenty more minutes go by and we still don't see any of the "gauchos" walking by our table to give us any meat. Someone finally showed up, with very little meat I might add. We all had a tiny piece each, that was it. Waitress shows up again eventually to see the table next to us and I had to ask her to send someone to bring us meat. Her response was "there's only one person on the grill today so we're short-staffed". On a Sunday brunch? Are you kidding? And once again, I had to ask for the cheese bread.

Maybe two more people showed up with meat and by that time, I was already fed up with the place that we decided to call for the waitress again and we told her that we were leaving and to charge us for the salad bar only. They adjusted the check but the damage was done, just terrible service all around. I feel obligated to tell you that the meat was basically tasteless, I saw people at their tables putting salt and pepper themselves because it was that bland and overcooked. Mashed potatoes looked like they came out from one of those instant mashed envelopes that only require for you to add water. The salad bar is just OK, nothing that you can't find anywhere else. In contrast to other Fogo, this one is lackluster to say the least. The waitress was very aware how aggravated we were and there was not a single attempt to remedy the situation or to make us feel better so... I am not coming back here ever again, you just lost a regular which is so sad for me because we really liked...