Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Thousand Oaks

WORST OF BRAZIL

We chose to come here because of the “$39 Best of Brazil” promotion they were running. I found it odd that I had to mention that in the special requests section when I made the reservation. When we reached the restaurant, we found out why. “Best of Brazil” is code for “Cheapest items on the menu”. For us the whole experience was like a Groupon experience. I felt the same way with this “Best of Brazil” promo. They totally made sure we felt like second class customers.

From the moment we entered the restaurant we felt that something was off. We felt like they did not want us there. We were two adults and two kids. They gave us a table is a corner where no one else was sitting and they made sure all servers knew that we were not paying full price but the promo price. The lady who led us to our table even asked the server to take away the real menu and gave us a completely different menu. They even changed the tokens that are used at this restaurant to indicate whether we need more food or not. So, all the servers and other customers at the restaurant knew we were different. At that point I realized that this was not a discounted option but just a cheap option. Basically, you get what you pay for. They did not even care about explaining to us how the whole experience works since we were at that restaurant for the first time.

Make no mistake. “Best of Brazil” is not a $71 experience for $39. It’s a lower quality version of their dinner experience. It’s a completely different menu with all the high-quality items removed. I also noticed that the $39 that is advertised is not available anymore. It’s $44, which is just $5 more but felt like cheating. Also, all the servers know it because of the different color tokens on you table, so they treat you with low priority. Multiple times during the time we were there the servers just ignored us and went past our table to other tables. We had to keep flagging the meat servers to get food, which was very annoying and embarrassing. Completely beats the purpose of those tokens. They did not even refill our water during the entire time!! We had to even ask for water multiple times!!

My wife does not eat beef but still agreed to join us because it was my son’s birthday. She also saw that there were couple of chicken items on the menu. But for some weird reason they did not have any chicken items that evening, and we kept asking for chicken, but they never served us chicken. We were at the restaurant for more than one hour and we kept reminding all the servers that we wanted chicken. We kept reminding them about bringing chicken about 8 to 10 times over the evening, but the chicken never came. Each time they kept telling us that the chicken is on the grill and should be ready any time. In one hour, you can go to the grocery store, buy some chicken, and cook it at home. In the end my wife left after just eating some sides for $44.

One of the things my son really enjoyed was the grilled cheese with honey but even after asking them multiple times he never got a second serving. We saw the servers ignore us multiple times even after we kept asking them for the cheese. Even he left a little disappointed on his birthday. Also, kids are charged half price, but we were charged about $37 for my son. I asked the server why they did not charge $22 for my son if he was only served the $44 menu. The server had no answer. He just said that they charged half of the full menu price. I wanted to ask for a manager, but I did not want to create a scene on my son’s birthday on an already embarrassing evening.

I have never been so disappointed at a restaurant before in my life. Extremely poor and unacceptable customer service. This restaurant is extremely mismanaged. So many employees but such poor service. It’s just beyond my imagination that after paying about $150 for a meal we ended up leaving the restaurant feeling like freeloaders. At least that’s how they made us feel. They should rename the promo...

Wonderful Birthday Celebration!

I went here for my birthday but almost didn't based on some of the reviews I had read about not getting a full choice of meats and the quality of the food. I'm glad I went!

From the moment we arrived the hostess was warm in greeting us and listened to our preference for where to sit even though we didn't have a reservation. We went on a weeknight so didn't think a reservation was needed but there was a decent crowd there.

Our server was Sissa and she also quickly greeted us warmly and walked us through the menu and our choices as it was our first time dining at a Fogo de Chão. I knew I wanted the full experience but my wife opted for a single serving of meat and the salad bar. We were asked about how we liked our meat done (I'm a medium guy and my wife prefers medium well) and she promised to relay that to the people serving the meat so that they would offer us the right pieces.

Sissa also made sure to tell us that there were two items not on the menu we should request. One was a baked cheese and the other was a cinnamon roasted pineapple. Great tips!

We first made our way to the salad bar and there was a cornucopia of dishes to choose from. They all looked great! I knew I wanted to save room for the meat, as that is the main reason I was there, but they had many of my favorites (artichoke hearts, various types of bean salad, fresh vegetables) and a few that were new to me and I really wanted to try (watermelon with feta cheese and a jalapeño, some other spicy peppers, and a few types of olives). Even though I took very small servings of each I ended up with a full plate because I must have tried about 10-12 different dishes!

Once back at the table we had barely gotten 1/2 way through the salad when the meat started coming around. (Pro-tip, bring an extra clean plate for the meat!) The servers were all wonderful, the meat was extremely flavorful but not over salted which was a relief, and I immediately wound up with 3 or 4 different options on my plate.

In the end there were 16 different cuts of meat to try and I think I tapped out at 14. The stand out, unsurprisingly, was the filet mignon, but really all of the meat was delicious. The bacon wrapped chicken exceed expectations and the cinnamon crusted roasted pineapple was incredible!

To be balanced, for my palate, the broccoli and cauliflower from the salad bar, usually my favorite vegetables, were not fixed to my liking but this was trivial in the grand scheme of things. Those I can always make at home just the way I like them.

All in all it was a delightful and celebratory evening! I felt truly satiated by all the food I was able to enjoy but, surprisingly to me, didn't leave any gastronomic distress for the splurge. I give credit to the food being all fresh and not overly spiced.

We learned that the waiters are trained to consider every table a guest they can serve and we felt this as everyone that came by was friendly and welcoming, not just rushing by on the way to somewhere else. For all that, Sissa really made our evening with her friendly, professional and excellent service.

My wife and I had a great time and look forward to returning for another celebration...

This is by far the best Fogo de Chão I have ever been to...! Also, this will be the best restaurant in the neighborhood pretty soon, for sure. This Brazilian barbecue gem is an excellent addition to our neighborhood's culinary scene. You need to check it out...! Everything is just perfect: food, drinks, environment, service, people, parking, location... From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance. The rustic decor and cozy atmosphere set the stage for what would be an unforgettable dining experience. They did a fantastic renovation job. The place is beautiful and very welcoming (inside and outside)(the patio is awesome - perfect for hanging out and enjoying the happy hour - it feels like home). Trust me, you won't find a better "churrasco" (barbecue) anywhere else, and don't forget to give a try on the "caipirinhas" (famous Brazilian cocktail - a perfect match for the hearty barbecue dishes). There are options for everyone: from the full churrasco experience (all you can eat), an amazing and complete salad bar, to the delicious "picanha burger". Also, don't forget to get the traditional Brazilian cheese bread ("Pão de Queijo"), which is a delightful and addictive treat. One of the unique features of this restaurant is the "rodizio" style of service, where the servers come around to your table with skewers of different meats and carve them right onto your plate. It's not only a delicious way to experience a variety of flavors but also an interactive and engaging dining experience. As a barbecue enthusiast, I can confidently say that the quality of the meat here is top-notch. And you are going to be spoiled by the staff. Everybody has that big smile on their face, from the hosts on the front desk, waiters, to the managers. Ask for Eliza or Sevenir, and learn a bit more about how to make the real "churrasco". In addition to its remarkable food, customer service is outstanding, fast, and really personal. That makes the place special. The staff here is not only knowledgeable about the menu but also incredibly friendly and attentive. They go above and beyond to ensure that your dining experience is memorable and enjoyable. In conclusion, Fogo de Chão Thousand Oaks is a fantastic addition to our neighborhood. Whether you're a die-hard carnivore or just looking for a unique and delicious dining experience, this Brazilian barbecue restaurant is a must-visit. The combination of delicious food, inviting ambiance, and top-notch service makes it a standout establishment. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to savor more of their...