Bonissoni Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Ogunquit

I'm giving this restaurant two stars because the first time I went there was Valentine's Day 2022 and I had an amazing time.

The second time I went there was exactly a year later (Valentine's Day 2023) and I had some of the worst service I've ever experienced. I'll explain.

When we entered, we immediately got sat, which I thought was a plus (in the side section, not the main room which is much nicer) but then we waited ~30 minutes before we got water and our side choices taken. Then we waited about 40 minutes before our sides arrived (one of them being wrong). This was fine as I was mostly excited for the Rodizio which should include at least 10 meat options. This one did not.

About 20 minutes after we received our sides, the first meat option arrived, garlic steak (very fatty piece of steak might I add). 15 minutes after, we got chicken wings. 15 minutes after that... the waiter brings garlic steak back around. You can imagine the disappointment in my eyes. After that, we got lamb, bottom sirloin, top sirloin, and ribeye... Bringing us to our two hour mark in the restaurant. (Another point I should add, they ask you what temp you'd like your steak at however I'm pretty sure they're just bringing the same steak around to every table. I had a range of steaks from very rare to well done. They should have just not asked since keeping track seems very hard.)

Another bad experience was not getting more water after we asked about an hour into our "meal". Going about an hour and a half without water was disappointing and getting charged $7 for the water we did get was even worse.

Tired and full from our staggered portions, we decide to ask for the check which takes about 30 minutes and when you pay, they make you enter the tip in front of them... Bad business practice IMO.

All in all, I'd love to give this place another chance and I completely understand how Valentine's Day is busy and you can't expect the world on a very busy night but last night was just awful. If you had too many reservations, you should have limited them. Don't overbook and provide...

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I stopped here with companions while on a business trip. Overall it was a great experience. Here’s the breakdown:

This establishment is in a busy area downtown, so there only paid parking in the back. This is expected and it’s not too costly.

While there is handicap parking, I only recall stairs getting into the building so I don’t believe this place is friendly for folks using wheeled devices. (Wheelchairs or large strollers). Inside they can likely make it work.

The food is not buffet style as you might expect at one of these places. There’s pros and cons to this. You won’t be able to try small amounts of authentic Brazilian dishes without ordering a whole side. You get a list of side dishes and you must choose them to be served family style. So it’s limited in that way. Also because it’s family style with small tables, you end up white piles of little dishes. On the pro side, you know others aren’t touching all the food if it were buffet style and I suppose this reduces waste. All the meats are brought around to the tables for you to select what you want to eat.

Overall the service was very good and the food was excellent. They also make great drinks.

They have two gender specific bathrooms. Not ideal given the location and not super family friendly. But they are big and clean.

The reason I don’t give it five stars is because we found the cost to be so much it’s prohibitive for many families. This is more of a place for an intimate couple’s dinner on a special occasion. Or if budget is no consideration at all. Again, I know it’s a tourist town, but I felt like they take advantage of that fact. There are other restaurants of this type that are for more...

We had reservations, arrived on time and then had to wait 5 minutes until somebody finally saw us and came over. No big deal, I know these places get busy and are short-staffed.

The food was great. The meat is freshly cooked, tender, and juicy. No complaints there.

It cost us $60 per person, just the meat, all you can eat. There’s no buffet or salad bar as it’s more traditional in Brazilian restaurants. I recommend the place, but the meal cost is something to keep in mind. It’s not cheap and they’ll work hard to squeeze every penny out of you.

I gave only 3 stars because I felt taken for granted when the bill came. Every line item was correct and as expected and then at the bottom: “Kitchen sales gratuity (3%)”.

To the restaurant owner/manager: who gave you permission to tell me how much I should tip your staff? Are you running a sweat shop and not paying your employees a fair and decent wage and you expect me to cover that? What a shame.

Tipping these days is out-of-control and I always tip at least 20%. Not this time. When I inserted my credit card in the machine, the suggested tipping started at 20% and going up. Again, I find all of this very pretentious and taking the customer’s good will and appreciation for granted. Now it’s suddenly demanded.

I hit the “custom tip” button and gave 15%. With the 3% already imposed on me as a due, it’s 18%. And I felt this was already too much for the average service.

Again, this left a little sour taste in my mouth. Not the bill, but all these tricks to squeeze every single penny out of you, including your optional generosity.

If you love BBQ you won’t be disappointed, but keep an eye on what they’re...