Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in San Jose

I visited on a Tuesday for my son's birthday. It was busier than I expected it to be on a Tuesday. We made reservations and good thing we did. I recommend reservations because wait times can be long and can be hit or miss during the week.

There are 2 menu options: à la carte or the Fogo Churrasco Experience.

We selected the Fogo Churrasco Experience because we wanted the table side service. It definitely didn't disappoint.

We first explored the FEIJOADA BAR (buffet bar of different types of salads, cheese, fruit, veggies, and other side items)

As soon as we sat down from the buffet bar, we were quickly asked, "Are you ready?" And, it was ongoing service from there on.

*If I may give you a suggestion - You have a card at the table to indicate whether to keep the meat coming (Green!) or hold off (red!).

Once you are served 1 meat option, flip the card to red to give you time to taste, enjoy, and chew at your own pace. Then, when you have fully enjoyed that portion, flip it back to green.

We figured that out too late lol Because the meats keep coming, and you feel rushed to eat. That will leave you feeling fuller faster and too rushed. So take your time, the meats will be there when you are ready to resume. AND do not overload at the bar.*

All of the staff were friendly and very professional. The manager checked on us and asked how our meal was. As busy as it was, our waiter checked on us at the right time.

Some points/ opinions, takeaways, and honest reviews:

The atmosphere is nice but loud. It was hard to have a good conversation. Pork and some chicken options were a bit too dry for my liking. All the beef options were extremely tender and delicious, but 1 option was too salty. Most likely from the rub. If you are sensitive about seasoning, try sticking to the inner parts and no skin. You receive a side of mashed potatoes and fried plantain and steak cut fries or yuca. I couldn't tell if it was yuca or not because it was extremely hard. I couldn't even chew it. It was hard as a rock.

All in all, it was a delicious experience for a...

7/22/25 - dinner for 4 @ San Jose. 3 Full Churrasco @ $72 each 1 Indulgent Churrasco @ $92 each Started with the salad bar. Glass of wine, bottle of champagne & 2 sparkling bottled water. Dinner for a birthday celebration. Severs kept passing our table when we clearly had the medallions turned to green. Turns out we weren’t missing much - what we did get served were terrible cuts of meat - low quality, over cooked, dry & bland. Never in my life have I seen or tasted filet mignon served that way - NOT edible - over cooked, dry & chewy. Other meats served were mostly similar in low quality. Staff was ok, but they did try to upsell the meals at the start. Perhaps the patrons are expected to load up at the salad bar & not notice the poor quality of meats that was served. Obvious first timers too excited over the atmosphere - not knowing to grab the carved meat with their tongs - and clueless to the lack of quality in the meats served - mostly very bland, dry & chewy. The gal kept dropping off bottled water that we did not ask for after the first 2 bottles - and was unknowingly being charged an extra $8.25 each for water we did not request!! The meal was not enjoyable - most of the meat served was poor quality, bland, over cooked, chewy & dry. The staff were ok enough, but the dirty dishes were not promptly removed from the table. Most employees were “friendly”, but I am not there to just have a “friendly” staff while the food was not enjoyable!! Did not want to make a scene about the poor food quality because I did not choose the restaurant - I only picked up the bill which was closer to $500 with tip - which should be reimbursed!!!!! It was not a satisfying meal or experience - not a restaurant that would be recommended to anyone or ever return to. Have been to several other Brazilian Steakhouses - they served better quality meats and did not overcharge by unloading extra bottled water that was...

We have visited Fogo De Chao twice. The first time the food was amazing but we were completely rushed by our server and did not get ro really enjoy our food and we're left disappointed that we didn't really get to enjoy the experience calmly. My birthday was this weekend and we decided to give it another try. We made a reservation and we're sat fairly quickly. We were so excited to do the churrasco experience again.

A lot of the meat was over cooked. The bacon wrapped filet mignon especially was so overcooked it was chewy. Filet mignon is known for being tender. It should NEVER be chewy.

Our server was, I would say, too attentive. Again, just like last time, we felt completely rushed. From always trying to take our plates away while we are actively still eating, and when I asked for a list of all the meats included in the churrasco experience, I was handed the regular menu which does NOT give you a list. I explicitly communicated that it was because I wanted to make sure we got to try everything.

During dinner my husband realized he forgot his wallet in the car and went to grab it. I felt like I had to constantly defend his plate from being cleaned up.

At one point I told our server we were still working on our plates and she said I'll just take these then and took our plates. I was very annoyed.

I still had one plate left that I was slowly eating from and she came to clear it and realized my hesitation and said oh are you sure I can take it? At this point, I just said yup take it. I was so annoyed and over it.

Then there was the nerve to ask for a review. Well here it is.

This was our first date in a long long time without kids and we wanted to go somewhere and have a fun experience and take our time.

We did not get to try all the meats and honestly feel robbed out of our money.

But I got the point, loud and clear. We won't be back. Next time we get a craving we will visit Charma...