Rei Do Gado Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in San Diego

I guess I am spoiled by Texas de Brazil in Fort Worth. Texas de Brazil would be Costco while Rei Do Gado would be a Walmart Neighborhood Market.

We were visiting San Diego and we happened to be there during restaurant week. My girlfriend and I decided to try this place out, was a little pricey but hey, we were on vacation so why not, right?

First impression when walking in, the building is run down and not well maintained. The place is very small, and they crammed as many tables as they could which made it feel very crowded. We were seated at a table so small it barely had room for our plates and drinks. The restroom reminded me of an old truck stop that barely functioned.

Our waiter, while at first was nice, was very inept. We literally had to get up form our table to find him to get any service. I know, third world problems right here...

Lets talk about the food...

The salad bar was about as attractive as Sizzlers, but with fewer options. Honestly, I think Sizzler's salad bar options were more appetizing. We started getting meat delivered to our table, and sadly most of what I was given was medium well and had very little flavor. The garlic picanha had a lot of flavor though, sadly that's all it had going for it.. They brought us each a lobster, which was part of restaurant week, which was pretty cool. Here is where the tiny table kicks in. With the third plate from the lobster at the table, there was literally no where else for the gauchos to put their skewers. One ended up knocking over a cup of melted butter, not his fault, there just wasn't enough room! We broke into the lobster, and while it was good, it was overcooked and full of water. The water made the other food items on or plates soggy and inedible so I went and got us new plates. We stacked the old ones on the end of the table to be cleared. Server walked by numerous times, even brought tea refill once but never took the plates. They sat stacked, on a table covered in melted butter. He saw the melted butter, but never bothered to help, or give us towels to clean it up ourselves. He was so absent my girlfriend had to go to the bar and order another drink, (I would have, but I was in the restroom wondering if I had been teleported to a run down Pilot truck stop in the middle of no where Nebraska). That got the servers attention, and he began to become rude, snarky and sarcastic. I guess I am just too used to Texas hospitality in what is supposed to be a higher end dining experience. The server went to the manager himself, we never asked for him, but we didn't hold back our feelings either. The manager provided us with a new server who actually cleared the plates and helped clean up the mess of spilled butter.

It was not worth the cost, the quality of the food, to the poor service. I would not recommend this place, but instead, come to Fort Worth, enjoy Texas de Brazil, or even Fogo de Chao (I've never been here, but I already know its better) and experience better cuts of meant, better service. Just don't come here in the summer because then you will experience the intense heat, humidity and scores of bugs that might frighten those from the West Coast. Plus we use the AC in Texas, would have been nice if they used one at Rei Do Gado.

They did try make it right with two $20 gift cards, so they get two stars just for that. We won't go back, but we sent the cards to friends who live in the area so they can experience it...

The restaurant is located downtown San Diego in an area that is currently under renovations. It was difficult finding a place to park and surrounding lots were $16-$30 for 2 hours. We opted to park at the garage on 4th and F. Unfortunately there was alot of homeless people in the area and the street and parking garage reeked of urine.

The front entrance/lobby area was small and very crowded. There is barely enough room for two people to pass each other when entering/exiting. We had to walk through the buffet area to get to our table, navigating around diners filling their plates at the buffet. The buffet runs along both sides of the aisle, so when there are people on each side and people trying to get to their tables, it is way too crowded. I do not recommend for anyone in a wheelchair or with mobility issues.

There are A LOT of tables and people fit into the fairly small dining area. We were placed near the kitchen and it was difficult to move through the dining room to the buffet area. We only went once to avoid the congestion. The tables were very close together and positioned in a way that it made it awkward trying to avoid eye contact with the table across from us.

It took our server a bit to welcome us and take our drink orders and explain the process to the others in our party that hadn't been before. Our drinks did not come until we were well into eating our meal. We were never offered refills other than water. A pint of beer was $10 and iced tea was $4. When paying $4 for an iced tea, I expect to be offered more than one glass.

The afternoon (2:30) we visited was not offering lunch, only dinner. The price we were charged was $65 per person, and I feel we were offered much less than what you are offered for the lunch buffet and definitely not worth the price we paid. Unfortunately, there were MANY of the dinner meat options that never made it to our table. At the table only 8 of the 15 meat dishes that were listed on the menu made it to our table. We were only offered top sirloin, ribeye, bacon wrapped filet, tritip, bottom round, pork ribs, sausage, chicken with cheese and pineapple. While the items we received we flavorful, the reason we visited was specifically for the large variety of meats being offered. Request for specific items was made multiple times and still it was a struggle to get the item. When we received the lobster late into our meal, there was only one cracker for the table, so we had to take turns with eating the lobster. By the time the last lobster was cracked, it was cold. There were no extra napkins or wet wipes available and the lobster cracking made a big mess.

The buffet offered a variety of cold and hot items, but not everything listed on the menu were available. Many of the hot dishes had lids with the signs placed on them, making it difficult to get the items out.

The cheese rolls served with dinner were delicious! Recommend eating them warm though once cold they weren't as good.

Our server was rarely seen and often forgot items we asked him to bring us. The service assistants were helpful in getting clean plates and water. Those walking around with meat were friendly, but often missed our table, even while our green side was up.

Sadly, after this visit, I am not sure we will return again. The price we paid for the food and service we received was definitely...

DON’T go here.

Portions are small and it’s overly expensive (lunch special $39.95 for buffet (lots of items where empty))(dinner $62.95 cause you could get one baby lobster) drinks (I could see alcohol but not fountain drinks at those prices) and desert not included!

some servers were nice and others were rude (barely professional). Three servers said she (my wife) could have dinner and that I could have lunch.

Then my waiter came over half way into our meal and said no your both either lunch or dinner but you can’t be one of each. I said I didn’t want seafood so I didn’t want dinner. Then I had to request a manager to get it straightened out (we were aloud to be one of each! (during my meal instead of at the end. Talk about ruining the mood).

The bathroom is two flights of stairs down from the main room (I am disabled so it was brutal on my knees and back)

Then the bill comes and I ask about a military discount, my waiter said yes but only for one person and only for active duty. I said I served 30 years and I am retired plus this is my wife we both have military ID cards! He say well neither of you then, once again I asked for the manage. Manage shows up and says I will do just one of you. I said I have never heard of such a thing (especially at a high end dining facility) but he would go check. The waiter brought the bill back handed it to me and walked away with out saying anything.

My bill Lunch $39.95 Coke. $3.95 Beer. $10.00 Dinner. $62.95

Military Discount -$5.99. I was told military discount was 10% ( I am not a math major but please tell me which of these items is 10% = $5.99) discount is never drinks

SubTotal. $110.86 Tax. $8.95 Total. $119.45

It wasn’t great quality cuts of meat, the silvers of meat they cut off couldn’t be considered a slice. Hot sides were mostly gone and old. Salads premixed way to much dressing. Plus selection was super small for both sides and salads. Seating area is a old building that is in need of a remodel (might have been nice ten years ago) after that experience I will never go back and will never suggest to anyone to ever try it. Super sad!! I had Brazilian bbq in guam and the whole experience was amazing. I was looking forward to...