Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in The Woodlands

I have only ever posted five star positive reviews for places and have never posted a negative review, until now. My family took me to the Woodlands location last night for my birthday. We have been here a few times before and have had a wonderful experience each time. However, this time was absolutely awful. After our waitress sat us down, she asked us if we would like to see the menu or if we were there to enjoy the full experience. We told her we would like to do the full experience (that’s what a Brazilian steakhouse is all about). We proceeded to the salad bar to start our meal and when we came back to the table, she had already filled all of our waters and brought us the cheese bread. A few minutes later, three more wait staff came out with the rest of the side dishes and then, absolutely nothing after that. After we ate the salad bar food we turned our cards over to the green side so we could start enjoying all of the delicious meats. However, we sat there for almost 45 minutes with not a single person coming over to offer us any of the meats. The gentleman that was refilling waters at all of the tables came by and filled our waters multiple times and asked us every single time what kind of meats would we like sent to our table. I told him “any of the meats because we haven’t received anything yet”. We still sat there for almost another 10 minutes waiting. Finally my husband flagged down a server and asked him if we could start receiving meats now. A couple of minutes later, the first meet came out. Then again, nothing after that. My son-in-law flagged down another server and asked if we could have meat come to our table and a few minutes later a second and third meet came out. Then once again, absolutely nothing. By this time we were becoming very frustrated. The cheese guy came a couple of times and we enjoyed that which was absolutely delicious. During that time, I kid you not, six different people came out and asked us what kind of meats we would like sent to our table and both my husband and I replied with “any meats would be great, but we would really like some sausage and chicken please”. We literally sat there for almost an hour, waiting for any kind of meat to come to our table while being asked six times what kind of meat we would like to come to our table. We finally had to once again flag down someone and explain to them that we’ve been waiting for over an hour, and they keep asking us and nothing has come to our table. Finally, someone came out with some pork and some sausage, but gave us the tiniest one bite pieces of them. By this time, we were so fed up that we were ready to leave. I had asked to please see the dessert menu so I could choose my Birthday dessert. One of the waiters brought out the dessert menu to me and then disappeared. We waited another almost 40 minutes for someone to come back and actually take my dessert order. I asked for my dessert to please be put in it to go box as we were beyond frustrated at this point, and just wanted to go home. When they finally brought out my dessert in a to go box, we asked if we could please have the check. They of course immediately brought the check out to us and then once again, we sat there for over another 20 minutes. My son-in-law had to flag someone down to take our card so that we could pay for it and get out of there. I am so sad and frustrated that we went there to enjoy my birthday and we did not enjoy the experience at all and paid over $300+ for absolutely horrible service and barely any food. After over 2 1/2 hours of sitting there mainly waiting to eat, my husband and I went home and I put my dessert in the refrigerator and pulled out some food that we already had at home and my husband and I ate that because we were actually still a little hungry when we got home, which should never happen after eating at a Brazilian steakhouse and enjoying the “full experience”. Unfortunately, we probably won’t be back to this location, if any location after last night. We completely wasted $300+ and were still hungry...

We visited Polanco location in Mexico city, and we were amazed with the food and service, so we decided to give it a try here in Houston and made a reservation. I was disappointed by the lack of hospitality and customer service, food was average, and at least the meat options we were offered were limited to only a few compared to the other location. The restaurant was almost empty, there were so many tables available but for some reason they gave us the table next to where they have the plates and the food trays. We requested to move to a different table, and the hostess seemed bothered, but she agreed. (Keep in mind that I do not think this had to do with them trying to give a table to a specific waiter/waitress because that table was not used until a hour later despite there where a few parties of 2 coming in after us) we opted for the "full churrasco experience " and headed to the salad bar. When we came back to the table, we were waiting for our small rounded card, drinks were already there but not a sign of any waiter for our table, we kept waiting for about 5 min and meat was not being offered to us. After waiting, my husband had to ask the waiter from a different table for the small cards. He asked us if we were doing the full churrasco and gave us the card, and they served the bread and mashed potatoes. We were at the restaurant for about one hour and twenty minutes. For an hour, NOT A SINGLE STAFF MEMBER, besides the meat servers (passadores?), went to our table. They did not refill our drinks or asked if we were doing okay. We saw a waiter and a waitress going to the other two tables around us, they removed their used plates and offered new ones, refilled their glasses and offered them new drinks and dessert but it seemed like we didn't exist. We ended up asking one of the meat servers if we could get more water because my husband had his glass empty for over 20 min and still no sign of a waiter. He was a really nice guy and asked a server to refill our glasses, after that, we did not have any other interaction with any other server until it was almost time to leave. My used plate stayed at the table for 25 min, it was removed almost until we left the restaurant, compared to the other tables that were constantly removing their used plates. It took them 15 min to bring the check after I requested it, we were not even asked if we wanted dessert or anything else. Honestly, we were really pleased with the service at the Mexico City location and I was excited to go to this location here in Houston but due to this experience, I don't think we will come back, place it is not cheap and I was expecting at least average service but I was disappointed. At this point, I am not sure if this had to do with the fact that we asked for a different table or they just forgot about us, but like I mentioned, the place...

I love going to Fogo de Chao. To say it’s a great restaurant doesn’t quite match the quality of service one gets going there. It certainly doesn’t do it justice for my own goings. I’m so much of a regular that many of the gauchos know what to bring me without me asking. Luis in particular always ensures that I’m well taken care of, bringing any cut of steak I want and ensuring that my favorite—the Alcatra—is ready on the fire once I’m seated. I used to go to Fogo as a reward for a tough week. Now I go whenever I want a steak dinner.

Quite honestly, Fogo de Chao has ruined others restaurants serving steak to the point where I’ve actually sworn off ordering steaks from anywhere that isn’t Fogo at this point. I’ve eaten steaks in different restaurants, cities, states and even countries and Fogo is the best. The meat so tender. So juicy. So flavorful that you’ll find yourself asking for chucks of it at a time once you’ve taken that first bite. The picanha is borderline a required cut of steak when one visits though personally, I love the alcatra (top sirloin). The bottom sirloin is just as rich and the filet mignon exceptionally tender. Honestly, all their cuts of steak are great and I’m sure if I was a lamb person, I would have great things to say about their lamb as well. And the best part: It's all you can eat. You want more. Just keep that medallion green. It's like the show never stops only in this case the show is more meat. And don’t worry if you don’t know what that means. The servers will explain all that and more.

Speaking of severs, Giana is everything you want in a server: Professional, courteous, knowledgeable, helpful, attentive, kind. Even if she’s pulled in five different directions, attending to five different parties, Giana will still make sure your individual needs are taken care. Her attention to detail followed by her desire to ensure you are enjoying your experience is a masterclass in service. It’s not only about refilling your water or asking how she may help you. It’s her friendly personality that makes one feel at ease. If there’s a special cut of steak you want, she’ll go back and request it for you. If you are unsure of the menu, she’ll explain all your options in rich detail. Twice I’ve cast doubt on what she suggested thinking that it wouldn’t pair well with the course of meat I was eating. Twice I was proven wrong. It’s those exceptional details that makes her an amazing sever. If you ever go to Fogo de Chao and Giana is your sever, just know that you’ll be treated like royalty at a...