Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Short Pump

Embarking on a culinary journey to Fogo de Chão in Richmond, VA, promises an exploration of the rich tapestry of Brazilian cuisine, delivered within the bustling atmosphere of this beloved steakhouse. From the moment you step through its doors, the warmth and vibrant energy of the place envelop you, crafting an experience that's as much about the food as it is about the service and ambiance.

Upon arrival, the hospitality begins with Kammy, the host, whose welcoming demeanour sets the tone for an evening of indulgence and gastronomical delights. The commitment to excellent customer service is further demonstrated by the attentive staff, including Karen, the server, who brings a knowledgeable and personable touch to the dining experience. Throughout the meal, the dedication of the team is evident, with Kelly providing comforting check-ins and Karisse ensuring all needs are met with grace. Additionally, the personalized touch from Jacqueline, the customer service representative, leaves a lasting impression of Fogo de Chão's commitment to guest satisfaction. Dynada's expertise in beverages enhances the meal, suggesting perfect pairings that elevate the flavors of the food.

Turning to the culinary heart of Fogo de Chão, the array of meats presented in the traditional churrasco style is a testament to the restaurant's dedication to Brazilian cuisine. However, not all offerings hit the mark of perfection, at least in my opinion. The top sirloin, ribeye, and parmesan pork leave something to be desired, with issues ranging from dryness to an off-putting aroma that detracts from the overall quality of the meal. The garlic sirloin and bottom sirloin, while having their moments, suffer from inconsistencies in flavor and texture, indicating a potential area for improvement in the kitchen's otherwise stellar lineup.

Yet, amidst these culinary missteps, Fogo de Chão shines brilliantly with its prime sirloin and pork belly. The prime sirloin, with its exceptional level of saltiness and juiciness, stands as a paragon of what Brazilian steakhouse cuisine can offer—tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The pork belly, rich in flavour, complements the meal with its savory profile, adding a delightful contrast to the more traditional steak selections. However, it was the bacon-wrapped chicken that truly stole the show, emerging as the star of the evening. Encased in a crispy bacon exterior, the chicken was unbelievably amazing, offering a perfect balance of smoky richness and succulent tenderness that left me in awe and my husband as an innocent bystander to my reactions. This dish exemplifies the culinary expertise at Fogo de Chão, showcasing their ability to elevate even the simplest of combinations to an unforgettable dining experience.

The undisputed highlight of the evening comes in the form of an unexpected dish: baked cheese with honey. This culinary masterpiece encapsulates the essence of Fogo de Chão's ability to innovate within the framework of Brazilian cuisine. The combination of creamy cheese and sweet honey creates a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate, leaving an indelible mark on the memory of all who partake. It's a testament to the kitchen's creativity and a must-try for anyone visiting the restaurant.

In terms of ambiance, Fogo de Chão in Short Pump manages to strike a delicate balance between elegance and comfort, making it an ideal destination for both casual diners and those seeking a more refined steakhouse experience. The interior design, with its warm lighting and rich, earthy tones, invites guests to relax and enjoy their meal in a setting that feels both upscale and welcoming.

For those navigating the world of online reviews in search of a dining destination that offers both exceptional food and service, Fogo de Chão in my RVA stands out as a compelling choice. While there are areas where the culinary offerings could see improvement, the restaurant's strengths in service, ambiance, and select standout dishes make it a noteworthy addition to Richmond's...

Edit: Manager reached out and addressed all my concerns and invited us back. Will update when we return!

This was overall a very hit or miss experience but the pros did not outweigh the cons. To start I have been to the Vegas Fogo and had an AMAZING experience. I know this one just opened but the exceptional service and time at the Vegas location set the bar really high and had me excited to visit this one closer to home. I made reservations for 6 several days in advance- confirmed the reservation the day before and then arrived 5 minutes early. The first mishap was we were taken to a table with only 5 seats. This would've been no big deal except this table was smashed against the window. I'm talking the two seats at the window could barely get into and out of their chairs. On top that of being right by the window was HOT. Until the sun went down we were burning up. To make matters worse they had booth seating so close next to this table one party member got bumped numerous times by the guest at the chair with the booth. There was not even an inch of space to spare- the servers carrying the meat could not even get to the smashed in wall seat. They had to reach over the person getting banged up by the table patron (honestly he was just kind of rude and taking way more space than manners might dictate) to deliver meat to the trapped person. At seating I expressed this table did not look big enough for 6 and that might be why it was only seated for 5 but the host said this table seats 5 or 6. I expressed the smashed in 2 seats at the wall and was pretty sad to see she did not offer to move the table or seat us at an appropriate table for 6- again we reserved days in advance as we were a larger party. It felt like we were an after thought or forgotten about until we arrived. The next unfortunate issue is our server was very nice but she had a heavy accent and talked extremely quietly. None of us could hear her or understand her well. Fogo is a loud restaurant in general but having a very soft spoken server was really tough. After that the 3 alcoholic drinks we ordered took a very long time to come out. Ten minutes on the two easy drinks (a rum and coke and I believe a vodka soda) and on my drink, the yellowbird- 15 minutes. It came out 5 minutes after the others to the point I thought it had been forgotten. When it was brought to me it was very full and the server actually spilled it on the tablecloth and my pants as she was setting it down. All I got was a quick "Sorry" and she hurried away. This could have been much worse as I was wearing a very rare Valentino top to this dinner that would be irreplaceable and unable to be dry cleaned if the yellow staining from that drink had landed on it. Fortunately my pants are not worth nearly as much and will dry clean without issue. My friend sitting next to me was not so lucky however as she got nearly her whole right side covered in meat juices from table cutting as we were crammed in inexplicably tight together at a too small table where the servers were forced to reach, stretch and otherwise perform acrobatics to access the entire side of the table facing the booth and wall. The main positives from this experience were the food was exceptional and the more tenured wait staff was incredible. In particular we had one gentlemen who wore a different uniform from the others who was AMAZING. He was kind, friendly, attentive and overall just wonderful. I wish I'd gotten his name. He was really great. I'd come back to this location (in clothes I don't mind getting ruined) off just the knowledge he is there. The last two things I have to say is who I assume to be the manager did a table touch maybe half way through letting us know all the staff was newer and asking for a review. Offered to show one of us how to pull it up on google and leave a review mid dinner- very weird faux pas. The second thing is the host did take a group photo for us and put a lot of love and care into getting several great photos and she did it with nothing but...

We spent $350 on dinner and got McDonald's-level indifferent service on Mother's Day weekend. Food 1-star, service 0-star, atmosphere 0-star. Service was a MASSIVE disappointment. We came for a kids' birthday dinner and early Mother's Day dinner, they said birthdays get a dessert, we made a reservation and included birthday dinner in the note, we showed up on time, still had to wait 15 minutes for a table. The service started off OK, we told the server we had a birthday. They brought drinks, came back about 10 min later to say she was going on break (why take a table right before your break and pawn us off on another server), and that was the entire service we received. Food-1 star, we tried this restaurant because the reviews (usually go to Texas de Brazil) said they had a larger selection of meat and bigger cold bar, and neither are true, the cold bar is 1/3 the size of Texas de Brazil or any other Fogo de Chao we've been to. The meat selection was ridiculously small for what they charge, $62 each, and all they offered was the same 3 steak, 1 sausage, and 1 chicken. We tried to ask for specific cuts, and we got 1 more option that was chewy and mostly fat. They didn't ask what temperature we liked. We had 5 people, they'd come out with a full skewer and only serve 1 or 2 people and walk off to another table, we all had the green card, they did this on most every pass. Usually, they bring out tons of food. Here, they'd just bring out the same few options over and over. We never got drinks refilled. The AC suddenly turned up to frigid, all our food got cold, we were still hungry, but everybody got chilled and wanted to leave. A server never came back to the table. Busers kept trying to take plates while we were still eating, it felt like they were trying to rush us out within 30 minutes of sitting down. It was 2pm and the restaurant, just the side with the rotissery ovens, not the bar, was maybe half full. They took all the plates and 15 minutes later we had to ask someone passing by for the check that was just dropped on the table as someone walked by. No one came back to check on us, refill drinks, offer dessert, nothing for my child's birthday, not even happy birthday written on a plate. So dissapinting, I tried to talk to the hostess and she seemed indifferent too. Mmmm, you want to talk to a manager? Fogo style restaurant has been our birthday dinner spot for the last 6 years, x5 people, and we bring family here on their birthday. This restaurant has lost all...