A few months ago on the DIS Unplugged podcast, they were talking about local Orlando restaurants that were not on Disney property. One of the restaurants that they raved about was Texas de Brazil.
After a little research, I found out that not only was this a national chain, but there was one within an hours drive in Fairfax, VA.
Texas de Brazil bills itself as an authentic Brazilian churrascaria. The basic premise is that after feasting at a forty item seasonal salad bar, including meats and various soups, you sit at your table and are surrounded by “guachos” trying to persuade you to eat whatever meats they are carrying on their skewers.
In front of you is placed a small colored disk, one side green, the other red. As long as the green side faces up, you are bombarded with opportunities to gorge yourself on the meat. Turning the red side up means “No Mas”, and you get to take a break.
The Salad Bar and the Brazilian Cheesebread provided more than enough variety to get you started. Then the procession arrived. You are offered many different choices – as much and as many as you like, and as many servings as you can cram into your expanding waistline.
The meat is brought to your table on a skewer, and depending upon the cut, you are either given a chunk or a slice. After a while you learn to pace yourself and get choosy over the next dish to try.
My personal favorites are the Flank Steak and the Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon. The flank steak is carved table-side right off the skewer. It has a very distinctive seasoning which was very salty but also delicious. As for the Filet, it literally melted in your mouth.
My Dad and Sayra both enjoyed the Brazilian Sausage, although, they thought it was a little spicy. My mother really enjoyed the lamb chops and the chicken wrapped in bacon.
All of the red meats are prepared to medium rare, although you could request any temperature and the guachos were very quick to accomodate you. I was the only person at my table that didn’t eat well-done. We let our waiter know and it was no problem. A steady flow of both mid-rare and well-done were offered to us throughout the evening.
The food just keeps coming until you beg for mercy or dessert. I’d absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion.
The reason that I wouldn’t necessary frequent here is the price. For 4 people, after tip, the bill came to $250. That also included one glass of wine and one dessert. The price was a little high, but well worth it my opinion.
Texas De Brazil is absolutely worth a visit for those meat-lovers out there. You will leave drooling either because your stomach is full or you had not been able to sample all fourteen styles of meat.
Another neat extra was the e-club. When the manager presented us with the check, he also gave all 4 of us a card to fill out. On the card we needed to put or email address, our birthdays, and our anniverseries. Every year on these dates, Texas de Brazil will email us coupons good for one free dinner. That’s a really nice touch and a great way to attract return customers.
