Unfortunately this place has to have a very poor review. Beginning with the fact that the waiter had no idea what was on the menu, what was able at the bar and multiple other items showing that he was not educated in the restaurant made it very difficult. Also during our stay there were multiple other waiters and waitresses who would come up and ask questions and then leave and not communicate to the other ones so we would have to answer the same questions again. They completely botched the bottled water when our apparent waiter asked if we wanted more and I informed him that we did not we were fine because each of us had our other drink as well. I also had to inform each one of the other waitresses who came up afterwards the exact same thing. Once I took a call on my phone for work I turned around and he was there pouring another bottle of water. Four times being told that we are okay and we don't need to open another bottle and yet there he was pouring another one. Afterwards I told him to remove the bottle and he left it on the table. Later on I asked one of the other waitresses to please remove the bottle because we are short of space on the table not only did she not remove it she went over to my daughter and started pouring and refilling her glass. I informed her that we just need the bottle moved it has nothing to do with cost it's just we need it out of the way and we did not ask for it. After that the original waiter came and spoke to her and they both walked off. You guessed it leaving the bottle behind still in the way. They give you french fries in the beginning along with the potato bread. The french fries were cold as well as soggy. You can go to any fast food restaurants and get better french fries than this. The potato bread was pretty decent. One of the big problems is to the meats. Not only do they have a lot of cheap cut meats. They also came by and offered a wagyu. They cut it on the side of the table for you. The meat was extremely tough. Not even close to wagu standards. There was no marbling at all. Again you can go to any cheap restaurant and get much better steak than this. My son got one of the prime cuts and it was rare at best. He normally eats them medium medium well. This one looked almost raw. The pecania was very tough even at medium. Most importantly it had a very foul flavor to it I was unable to even finish it. They like to use a lot of sausages and cheeses with honey and so on to try and fill you so that you don't have any of the meats more so than any other Brazilian steakhouse. You can tell very quickly that they're trying to maximize profit. You would think that the bar would at least get it right. And I swear it sounds like I'm just complaining about everything but I was gobsmacked at just how ridiculous this place is. I asked for an old fashioned which is bartending 101. They did not even get that correct. It tasted like rubbing alcohol. There was no flavor to it whatsoever. I didn't even finish the drink either. I went to go speak to the manager and I informed him in a constructive way All these weaknesses that he has in the restaurant. I did not know the cost of this restaurant as I have never been here before but I've been to all the other ones in the area and in other states. There was no way that I thought that the price of this place was even half that of anyplace else and even at that cost it's not worth it. But to my surprise it's the same price as any other Brazilian steakhouse. I informed the manager that not only does the waiting staff need extensive education and training, there's also work that needs to be done in the kitchen as well which seems to be at least partially automated. I did not even bring up the alcohol as that just would have seemed like I was just complaining about everything. I did inform him that the place needed extensive work for it to stay in business. There's absolutely no way this place can compete with any of the other places such as Texas de Brazil, Fogo de Chao, Brasos and especially Chauma gaucha. Cannot recommend...
Read moreBecause of it being Valentines Day, I wanted to take my wife out to a nice restaurant. We both like Brazilian Steakhouses, but wanted to give a new one a shot. When we got there, we were seated and offered our drinks. Everything was very good. I even told my wife that I thought this was one of the better ones we had been to. That was until we ordered the bacon wrapped chicken and the salmon.
My wife tried the salmon and said it was completely dried out. She could not even try to finish it. When we were served bacon wrapped chicken, my wife and I tried it, then realized it was still very raw in the inside. If I were to compare it to a steak, I would say medium rare at best. I notified the waitress and even showed it to her. She then removed the chicken and I seen her notify someone else who looked to possibly be the manager. Notl one after, i began to have stomach problems and my wife started feeling nauseous too. Because of that, we did not feel like eating anymore and wanted to leave. It was a busy night, of course, but it took a while for us to be able to stop a waitress for our check and to get it.
When we received our check, my wife and I were shocked to see the price. Because of it being Valentines Day, they not only raised the price of the meal to roughly 1.5% of the regular price, but also automatically placed a 20% gratuity onto the check. Neither my wife or I had seen anywhere on their website that they would raise the price due to it beinf a "holiday" nor seen the automatic gratuity charge on the site. I understand its a busy night and want to make money, but automatically doing this is a total turnoff. We then paid and left.
Not once did a manager come up to us and apologize for the chicken being very raw, not offer us a discount, offer us to come back for a better experience on a different night, a free dessert, nothing. Even just a manager coming up to us and stating they were very sorry for the chicken would have made a little difference. That tells me either management is not worried about the customers, scared to admit fault, or both.
Less to say, our Valentines Day was completely ruined from that point on. All night, my wife and I were sick. That is why I had to wait until this morning to write this review. I would have given this place a much better review if it were not for the raw chicken, management apologizing somehow, and if there was some notice about the increase of price for the holiday night. Because of this, I felt customers should possibly see this review so they know of the overall experience.
The reason for the lowing of score is this: -2 stars for the raw chicken (there is no excuse for any raw meat at a restaurant when there's meat thermometers, chefs who should know how to cook and know cooking times, and checking the meat before serving it). -1 star (for lack of management not apologizing somehow and also no notification for the increase of price for food). Total rating: 2/5...
Read moreFew establishments capture the essence of culinary excellence like Avenida Brazil Brazilian Steakhouse by Sal e Brasa. My recent visit, coinciding with a special anniversary celebration, reaffirmed its standing as the finest Brazilian steakhouse in the city.
The experience began with a diverse salad and appetizer bar, a feast for the senses. The selection included an array of vegetables, cheeses and cured meats, perfectly crisp empanadas, rich and creamy lobster bisque, and the bold crunch of chicharrón. Each bite was a prelude to the indulgence ahead, promising both variety and sophistication.
What truly set Avenida Brazil apart was the delightful inclusion of seafood. Grilled scallops were a revelation—sweet, tender, and caramelized to perfection. The fire-grilled shrimp added a smoky, charred depth that elevated its natural sweetness. The crispy-skinned salmon was another standout, its buttery interior and crackling exterior a testament to the chef’s finesse. This unexpected seafood element elevated the dining experience beyond the traditional churrascaria offerings.
Of course, the heart of any Brazilian steakhouse lies in its meat, and Avenida Brazil delivers with unparalleled mastery. The picanha, a signature cut of Brazilian cuisine, was nothing short of extraordinary—succulent, richly marbled, and expertly seasoned. Having dined at numerous churrascarias, I can confidently say this picanha is unmatched in flavor and juiciness. While the picanha stood out as the most flavorful and juicy rendition I’ve encountered, the array of other cuts was equally impressive. The ribeye, with its perfect marbling and robust flavor, was sheer perfection. The top and bottom sirloin were tender and bursting with bold, savory notes. The New York strip was rich and satisfying, and the filet was impossibly tender and buttery. Lamb chops, cooked to succulent perfection, offered a depth of flavor that lingered on the palate. Even the bacon-wrapped chicken was a revelation—juicy and smokey, with the bacon adding a delightful crispy contrast. And these were just a few of the many expertly prepared selections paraded to our table, each more tempting than the last.
To crown the evening, the attentive staff surprised us with complimentary dessert in honor of our anniversary. This thoughtful gesture underscored the restaurant’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for its guests.
Avenida Brazil Brazilian Steakhouse by Sal e Brasa is not merely a restaurant; it is a celebration of flavor, hospitality, and attention to detail. For San Antonio diners seeking the pinnacle of Brazilian cuisine, this establishment is unequivocally the best in the city. Five stars,...
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