Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in San Francisco

My recent dining experience at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was transported to a culinary paradise where the sights, smells, and flavors of Brazil tantalized my senses. Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately struck by the elegant ambiance and warm hospitality. The inviting atmosphere, with its rich wood furnishings and soft lighting, set the stage for a memorable dining experience. The staff greeted me with genuine warmth and professionalism, ensuring that every aspect of my visit was nothing short of perfect. As I made my way to the dining area, I was greeted by the impressive sight of the churrasco grill, where skewers of succulent meats sizzled over an open flame. The restaurant's unique rodizio-style dining experience allows guests to enjoy an endless parade of freshly grilled meats, carved tableside by expert gauchos. I started my meal with a trip to the Market Table, a bountiful spread of fresh salads, cheeses, and charcuterie. The selection was impressive, with a variety of vibrant salads, imported cheeses, and artisanal breads to choose from. I particularly enjoyed the feijoada, a traditional Brazilian black bean stew that was rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. But the true highlight of my dining experience was the endless array of meats that followed. From perfectly seasoned picanha to tender lamb chops and juicy filet mignon, each cut was expertly grilled to perfection and bursting with flavor. The gauchos circulated the dining room with their skewers of meat, offering generous portions to each guest and ensuring that no appetite went unsatisfied. In addition to the delectable meats, Fogo de Chão offers a variety of traditional Brazilian side dishes to complement the meal. The crispy polenta, creamy mashed potatoes, and caramelized bananas were the perfect accompaniments to the rich flavors of the meats, adding depth and complexity to each bite. To top off the meal, I indulged in a selection of decadent desserts, including the signature papaya cream and Brazilian flan. The desserts were the perfect way to end the meal on a sweet note, leaving me completely satisfied and already looking forward to my next visit. Overall, my experience at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse was nothing short of exceptional. From the exquisite food and impeccable service to the warm ambiance and vibrant atmosphere, every aspect of my dining experience exceeded my expectations. Whether you're a carnivore craving a carnivalesque feast or simply seeking an unforgettable dining experience, Fogo de Chão is...

Summary: Terrible experience at this Brazilian steakhouse. The service was abysmal, and the food quality was far below expectations. For nearly $300, we were expecting excellent food and service but received neither. It felt like the focus was on pushing drinks rather than delivering a proper dining experience.

Ambience (2/5): We came on a Saturday night and were seated in a cramped corner by the sidewalk. The setting felt more like an afterthought than an enjoyable dining atmosphere. The restaurant seemed disorganized, and there was no effort to make us feel welcome or comfortable.

Authenticity (1/5): For a Brazilian steakhouse, the meats were incredibly disappointing. The only cuts that passed by our table were cheap and unmemorable. Despite ribeye, beef ribs, and other premium cuts supposedly being on the menu, we never had the chance to try them. It didn’t feel like an authentic Brazilian steakhouse experience at all.

Flavor (1/5): The food was mediocre at best. Given the price, I expected rich, flavorful cuts of meat, but what we got were bland, cheap meats. The focus seemed to be more on getting customers to order drinks rather than on delivering a quality dining experience.

Cost (1/5): We spent close to $300, including drinks, and it was absolutely not worth it. For this price, we could have gone to a truly high-end restaurant with impeccable food and service. The value here is non-existent, especially considering the poor quality of food and service.

Service (1/5): The service was the worst part of the experience. When we first arrived, we sat at the bar, and the bartenders didn’t even acknowledge us. No hello, no menu—nothing until we had to ask for it ourselves. During the meal, the servers passed by without stopping at our table, and the only thing they seemed interested in was pushing more drinks. We were asked multiple times by different staff if we wanted another drink, but what we really wanted was food. It felt like we were in a bar, not a Brazilian steakhouse where the focus should be on the food.

Tips for Visiting:

Avoid weekends: The service on a busy Saturday night was horrendous. If you must go, try visiting on a quieter weekday, but honestly, I wouldn’t recommend this place at all. Watch the drink pushing: Be prepared for constant offers of more drinks. The staff seemed more interested in upselling drinks than providing a good dining experience. Consider other options: For the price, there are far better dining experiences available. You can easily find a place with excellent food and service for what...

My experience at Fogo de Chão San Francisco was incredibly disappointing—especially given how poorly they handled an issue caused by their own staff.

I was there on April 8th for a business dinner when a server spilled meat juices on my sport coat. I spoke with the manager on duty immediately—she apologized, gave me her card, and asked me to dry clean the jacket and email her the bill.

I had it dry cleaned twice, but the stain did not come out. I emailed the manager twice and got no response. When I finally called the restaurant five days later, I was told she was on vacation—without an out-of-office reply—and was asked to resend everything to another email address so they could forward it to the corporate team. I did so immediately.

Four more days passed before corporate contacted me. I replied right away, but then they went another four days without a response. After more back and forth, they asked me to ship the jacket to them—on April 28th—and sent a label. I was out of town and mailed the jacket as soon as I returned; it was delivered to them on May 8th at 9:05 AM.

By May 17th, I had heard nothing and followed up. Still no response. On May 21st, I emailed again. They finally replied on May 23rd claiming the check was in the mail, blaming “confusion with the local team.” The check arrived May 24th, nearly seven weeks after the incident.

And yet—it was for less than expected. In the time Fogo delayed, the price to replace the sport coat increased by $136.18 due to a tariff-related price change that went into effect on the very day the jacket was delivered to them. I provided documentation showing this. They refused to pay the difference.

To recap: I acted in good faith at every step. Fogo’s delays, miscommunication, and lack of urgency directly caused the price to increase, and now they’ve decided it’s my problem to fix.

This wasn’t just poor service at the table (which, by the way, included missed drink orders and some guests not being served beverages until 20–30 minutes after sitting down)—it was a total failure in customer care. If you're wearing anything you care about or planning a business dinner, think twice. If something goes wrong, you’ll likely be the one paying for it—literally and figuratively.

UPDATE 6/16/25

The restaurant replied as you can see below. I immediately emailed them per their request on 6/5/25. And 11 days later no response….

Choose somewhere else if you want to support businesses that put their customer experience at the top of their...