Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Oak Brook

Tonight's culinary escapade brought us to the bustling ambiance of Fogo de Chão in Oakbrook, Illinois, where the traditional Brazilian Churrasco takes center stage.

The evening kicked off with a classic South American refreshment, the Caipirinha. This vibrant cocktail was crafted with silver Cachaça and fresh muddled limes, sweetened with cane sugar and a hint of lemon, setting a refreshing tone for the feast to follow.

The main attraction, Brazilian Churrasco, is an experience that tantalizes the taste buds and captivates the senses...

Embarking on a Brazilian Churrasco adventure is akin to diving into a celebration of flavors and communal dining. From the moment you step into the establishment, the aroma of grilling meat wafts through the air, setting the stage for a culinary carnival. The servers, known as passadores, circulate with giant skewers of fire-roasted meats, each a masterpiece of traditional seasoning and slow-cooking techniques. Guests are encouraged to control the pace of their dining with a simple flip of a card—green for more and red for a pause—ensuring a tailored experience to appetite.

The variety is staggering, with offerings ranging from succulent picanha (top sirloin) and tender frango (chicken) to exotic cuts like coração de frango (chicken hearts), each seared to perfection. Accompaniments often include a colorful array of sides like feijoada (black bean stew), farofa (toasted cassava flour mixture), and fresh, zesty salads, which complement the richness of the meats beautifully.

Churrasco isn’t merely a meal; it’s a festivity of food where every bite tells a story of tradition and craft. The convivial atmosphere, combined with the continuous flow of culinary delights, makes for an immersive experience that is as much a feast for the senses as it is for the soul.

To complement the meal, I added a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade—its tart sweetness perfectly balancing the rich flavors of the meal. As a final touch, I indulged in my signature cappuccino, a personal ritual that caps off my dining experiences.

While the meal itself and the customer service were exceptional, the evening did take a disappointing turn. It appears a decision from corporate has led to the removal of flan from the menu. This was a disheartening discovery, especially since I had been anticipating this classic dessert throughout the day. It’s a reminder that sometimes, those making decisions at the corporate level might be too removed from the culinary artistry and traditions that are essential to a genuine dining experience. Flan, after all, is more than just a dessert; it’s a staple of...

A highly disappointing experience that ruined a special occasion. Any reasonable person would expect that when you spend $350.00 for four people for a celebratory dinner, you'd get decent service and food quality worthy of the price. That was not the case for us.

Server Josh was pleasant when we were seated, but decided to spend his time at every other table but ours once we ordered "just" the churrasco experience. It took 15 minutes to get our drinks, and for the rest of our time there we had to flag down any other member of the staff to get anything else we needed. We had to ask for water and refills of our drinks from two different people because no one came back after we asked.

There were plenty of staff in the dining room, and we had an early reservation, so it wasn't busy, but the staff seemed completely indifferent, and when we asked them to find server Josh, they never did. He didn't even return to drop the bill when we flagged someone down to ask for our check.

Food quality was well below what you'd expect for Fogo de Chao's reputation. I've been to several locations, including downtown Chicago, Rosemont, and Naperville, and couldn't believe how many of the items were either dry, cold, or completely raw in the middle. The Filet, which is typically hard to get to come back around, was awful - I've never had one so chewy. And the rotation of items was inconsistent. We were paying our bill after being there 90 minutes, and two items came out that we were never even offered during the time we were eating.

The icing on the cake for this ruined experience was that we mentioned to four team members that it was our Son's birthday and that we were there to celebrate, and no one even cared. When we finally gave up and asked for the check, and mentioned that we brought it up to Server Josh and others who came to the table the response was "Would you like a dessert to go? it would be free".

Not one person wished our son a happy birthday - complete indifference and an offer for a take-home dessert. The disappointing look on my son's face was made me sick.

I could have gone to Chili's or Red Robin and gotten superior service and a more worthy birthday celebratory experience than a boxed-up piece of key lime pie and a $350 bill handed to me by the available member of the service team who had time to drop it on my table.

I highly recommend visiting any of the other great restaurants in Oakbrook for your next celebratory occasion: J Alexander's is wonderful, as are Wildfire, Maggiano's, and Beatrix. All you'll get at this Fogo de Chao is a disappointing experience from indifferent...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Fogo de Chão, and I must say, it was an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. The combination of delectable food, exceptional service, and a friendly atmosphere made for an unforgettable evening.

Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted with warm smiles and promptly seated. Our bartender, Aimeth, immediately caught our attention with her impressive cocktail skills. Her sidecars were simply the best we've ever tasted. Despite her busy role behind the bar, Aimeth managed to be incredibly attentive to our needs throughout the evening. Her knowledge of the menu and her ability to make personalized recommendations truly enhanced our dining experience.

The hospitality extended beyond the bar, as Camilo Lopera, the GM, also made a lasting impression. His friendly demeanor and genuine interest in ensuring the satisfaction of every guest added a personal touch to our visit. It's evident that his leadership has cultivated a welcoming environment and a team dedicated to providing exceptional service.

Now let's talk about the food. Oh, the food! Fogo de Chão boasts an incredible happy hour with a menu that will tantalize your taste buds. We indulged in The Bone (beef rib), saucy legs, polenta fries, and Queijo Asado ( Fired Grilled Cheese). Each dish surpassed our expectations, leaving us craving more. The bone (beef rib) was succulent and full of flavor, while the saucy legs were perfectly cooked and accompanied by a delightful sauce. The polenta fries were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, and the grilled cheddar was a decadent and delicious treat. Every bite was a delightful explosion of flavors, and we savored every moment.

Overall, our experience at Fogo de Chão was exceptional. The combination of the amazing food, impeccable service from Aimeth and the attentiveness of Camilo Lopera, and the inviting atmosphere made for a truly memorable dining experience. We left with satisfied palates, happy hearts, and a strong desire to return. If you're looking for a place with outstanding food, friendly staff, and a fantastic happy hour, look no further than Fogo de Chão...