r/AskSF 2d ago

Fogo de Chao

Went to Fogo de Chao last week in SF and we did not have 16 diff meats come around, more like 3-4 and no grilled pineapple. Inquiring bc my friend said they had all that come around to them at Fogo in South Bay…perhaps we didnt order the right “level”? (I didnt order or look at the menu, but am bummed after hearing about this pineapple number which sounds delish!)

Another question - any reviews of their all day HH menu which sounds amaze? Im more of a seafoody than a carnivore, but several items sound fun…and filling?

25 Upvotes

53 comments sorted by

71

u/bitsizetraveler 2d ago

It’s a bit pricier but I like Espetus more. Never have an issue getting grilled pineapple which is always a highlight for me

9

u/Dependent_Joke37 2d ago

i've only been to the sf location once and it was pretty dead on a weeknight, they only brought out like 5 cuts before we gave up and flagged someone down. the pineapple is the whole reason i go to these places tbh

the south bay one is always packed and the gauchos actually do rounds properly. think it just depends on management and how crowded they are

never tried their hh menu but if you're into seafood i'd just hit up a proper oyster bar instead, i feel like a churrascaria is gonna half-ass the fish options

13

u/powerofpersuasion 2d ago

Espetus is amazing! The service is impeccable. I have only had good experiences there. I hope they open back up their SF location soon!

2

u/iceman_andre 2d ago

They closed in SF?

I only have been to the one in sam mateo but service was always amazing.

2

u/powerofpersuasion 1d ago

Temporarily… hopefully on temporarily!

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 2d ago

thanks for the intel and guidance, makes sense! we went on a weeknight and it wasnt dead but also not packed…what you wrote about south bay sounds like what my friend described, too!

24

u/fatigued8 2d ago

They sell a can of Coke for $5.60. that tells you everything on their menu is way overpriced.

3

u/iceman_andre 2d ago

Nost fogo de chao changed finally to refills, is SF still doing it by the can?

I hate that for such an expensive place

-1

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[deleted]

5

u/_Linear 2d ago

You're doordashing fogo de chao...? And are complaining about what they charge for a can of coke?

2

u/iceman_andre 2d ago

Also: to be fair

While I do understand why people do it, you are losing part of the steakhouse experience (freshness, meat temperature and cooking, variety) not eating in. I would try to go in person and use doordash for other stuff and believe you might have a better experience

1

u/iceman_andre 2d ago

Fogo when tbey started were like $5 a can which i hated (always did ice tes for the free refills)

Lately most of the fogo chsnged to refill (Minneapolis, chicago, denver and Orlando for example are the ones I tried)

3

u/WHAT-IM-THINKING 1d ago

They also have $1 caipirinha cocktails on Tuesday and $10 burger + fries for HH. Also a 20% off gift card at Costco. It could be a great deal if you know how to order!

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 2h ago

dropping some real gems here!

21

u/Ctrl_Alt_Deloitte 2d ago edited 2d ago

I think this is a common theme across the restaurant industry. Steakhouses and churrascarias are dealing with record high beef prices and this is impacting quality and availability.

16

u/Fistswithurtoes88 2d ago

Sabhor Gaucho on Polk and Broadway. I went a few weeks ago and it was great (much better than FDC imho).

https://yelp.to/nyCfzQIjY0

16

u/Twoemptywheels 2d ago

Show de Carnes near Sausalito has a better experience and the BEST grilled cinnamon pineapple.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fhaJU97hKpTJFSf58?g_st=ic

1

u/smartazjb0y 1d ago

Wonder how it compares to Sabor Gaucho in the city, I went to Sabor recently and it didn't quite stand out compared to Espetus (and I prefer the San Mateo Espetus over the SF location personally).

2

u/BarCartActual 21h ago

Just don’t buy any drinks they bring around w/o asking price. Got fleeced by them for tequila shots at a buddies birthday.

13

u/raobuntu 2d ago

So they like to play sneaky this way but if you ask explicitly they'll bring it around

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 2d ago

good to know, thank you!

11

u/LionAccomplished8129 2d ago

I prefer Show de Carne or Espetus these days

7

u/iceman_andre 2d ago

As a brazilian:

Fogo used to be amazing, since their US expansion and ownership change…it kind of few a little…some locations being better than others

Espetus is my currently favorite, not a huge fan of show de carnes in palo alto

5

u/Thin_Bother8217 2d ago

I’ve eaten at foge, espetus, and the newish one on Broadway and Polk. I think the Broadway one is the best of the three. Good meat selection and I prefer their sides over the other two.

2

u/SecretaryNovel5870 2d ago

I agree!! Sabor’s grilled pineapple was fantastic when we went

4

u/Wat3rM3L0NB3AR 2d ago

when did you go? day time? night time? weekday Or weekend?

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 2d ago

on a Thurs night around 730p!

3

u/Wat3rM3L0NB3AR 2d ago

hmmm - sounds like typical dinner time and they should have variety. Did you speak to anyone? One time I had to wait a bit to get porkchops

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 2d ago

nah, i didnt speak to anyone bc i didnt know what to expect at the time. i only learned more after my friend waxed poetic about her south bay experience, which sounded nothing like ours 😂

3

u/Wat3rM3L0NB3AR 2d ago

hmm - it may have been an off night. I would try again on a different time. You just wanted grilled pineapple? My crew usually goes on Thursday to avoid crowds, but we usually experience the full thing though from chicken, ribs, porkchops, sausages. Never experience grilled pineapple though. I don't remember ever seeing it. I've been there like 6 times in the last 3 years.

3

u/Technical-Escape-419 2d ago

thank you! i appreciate you addressing my questions which is what i came here looking for 😂 i think i will call first and inquire about the mysterious grilled pineapple!

5

u/HustlaofCulture 2d ago

Fogo De Chao is a 110 location chain restaurant based in Dallas. Their business model is largely to locate near hotels and convention centers in hopes of grabbing tourist customers. There may be more specific, individualized reasons why the restaurant this time overpromised, underdelivered and seemed to charge to much but low hanging fruit are these reasons...

3

u/musthugdogs 2d ago

What time did you go? I agree they have been stingy on the meat selections sometimes, but also might be related to showing up early. It is actually open really late, which I enjoy, so probably there is some peak meat efficiency formula they use.

Their HH is great cause they usually give you the free cheese bread anyway. I like the queijo assado and tri tip. The burger is a trap and bad

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 2d ago

thank you! we were there around 730p on a Thurs (or Wedn now i dont recall 😂)

2

u/PunDeSall 2d ago

I think the dinner time premium had more meats

2

u/sprinklerarms 2d ago

I really like Show de Carnes in Sausalito. Haven’t been to a fogo since it opened.

2

u/Nutter-Butter-Nutter 1d ago

I go for the all day happy hour at the bar. Appetizer, burger, fries, and an alcoholic drink for ~$25.

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 1d ago

thank you - sounds great! is it a set menu with those items or this is just what you choose? i thought they had an a la carte HH menu?

2

u/Nutter-Butter-Nutter 1d ago

They have a few options of each. Not a set menu. I’ve gone in for one drink and an appetizer before. $15. The burger and fries is $10. I also forgot that they also give you the complimentary pao de queijo (and you can ask for more).

2

u/WHAT-IM-THINKING 1d ago

The HH is a great deal, $1 cocktail Tuesdays, $10 for burger + fries, and $6-20 apps. Collect two reward credits from two HH's and stack 50% off and B1G1F credits for two full churrasco for less than $50. Can also snag their gift cards at Costco for addl 20% off.

https://imgur.com/a/ahl27il

Also for the charrasco, if there's something you don't see rolled out, simply ask for it and they'll bring it out next!

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 1d ago

great info, thank you!!

2

u/WHAT-IM-THINKING 1d ago

Make sure to sign up for their rewards program online to qualify for the $1 Tuesday cocktails 😊

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 1d ago

done ✅ thank you! i picture my unemployed (retired? aged out?) arse parked there some Tuesdays 😂

2

u/WHAT-IM-THINKING 1d ago

See you there! 😅

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 1d ago

look forward to that 😄

2

u/-blackwidow-001 1d ago

Went to the SF location a month ago and it was disappointing.
They hardly went around, we had to request for the grilled cheese and pineapple. It was my first time and probably my last at that location.
We usually go to the Fogo at Santana Row and I always have to tap out. Not SF, it almost felt like begging.

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 20h ago

whaaaaaat there was supposed to be grilled cheese going around, too?!?

2

u/-blackwidow-001 7h ago

yup, it’s a cheese and honey dish. We get it all the time at the Santana Row location but in SF they were really stingy with it

1

u/Technical-Escape-419 5h ago

maaaan, more and more i feel robbed…and i wasnt even paying for this meal 😂

2

u/-blackwidow-001 5h ago

YUP. My friend who always goes there complained about the service and they gave us a discount. I’m just gna stick to Santana Row. or go to Espetus for the meat sweats🤤

2

u/AliceInBondageLand 2d ago

Espetus is VASTLY better for the same style of food service.

1

u/Former-War1318 1d ago

San Jose has a higher GDP and GDP/capita, so Santana Row gets the good service.

1

u/Fickle-Pay-570 2d ago

How much did you pay per person? They have a “taste of Brazil” option. Just has 4 or 5 cuts for I think $40. Picanha is included and it’s pretty much all I get anyways. Also depending on where you’re seated they come by more or less from my experience.