Fogao Gaucho

The BEST Brazilian Steakhouse in town.Their best meat cuts came out quick. We asked for lamp chops and was served within 10mins.Service was EXCELLENT!!

We were really excited about this place, only to be highly disappointed.This restaurant is attached to the hotel, it doesn't provided the high end feel at all. Definitely not reasonable priced at $85 per person. (after gratuity)It was more difficult to locate on the map as you ave to go to the front of the building to see where this place is at. The service was piss poor, we weren't even provided with the standard table side dishes.. It took forever for them to serve us and table runners only came in every so often. The waiter and waitresses basically made promises they could not keep. The place was not crowded so I'm not sure why this was even a thing! The food was meh, the best part? The pineapples! We won't be back!

I was in the mood for steak. I figured a churrascaria would be a great destination to achieve that goal. I wanted something nearby that had a nice rating and I could get a reservation for one.I got my reservation and in the comments added "I'd like a table near the kitchen where the Gauchos emerge, if possible. I like my steak "hot" from the grill." I arrived and gave my name and was told they had a nice table for me near the kitchen. Check!I ordered a nice glass of Pinot Noir and proceeded to the salad bar for a quick perusal and a small plate of goodies. I have eaten at other churrascarias before and knew that in order to truly enjoy and satisfy my need for protein I needed to have a game plan. Here is my game plan - 1) Sit near the kitchen2) Sample the salad bar but small portions only3) Enjoy the side dishes but don't over indulge in them4) Flipper Management is the key to success. A) Green side up the Gauchos will stop at the table and offer their protein. B) Wait for a Gaucho leaving the kitchen to flip to green. C) Hear what the protein is and if you are interested as for a portion. D) When asked provide the desired degree of doneness - medium rare, etc. E) Flip to Red side up and proceed to eat the protein while hot and fresh. F) Repeat. At most 2 proteins on the plate at one time.5) Request a side of Chimichurri Sauce to enhance flavors of any protein.This was my plan and I followed it through out the meal. Unplanned Gaucho offer of Garlic Bread. Yes, you get Brazilian Cheese Bread as an included side but where did Garlic Bread come from? Yes, 2 pieces please. OMG! This was the Garlic Bread of dreams. Buttery, crunchy, hot and delicious. I should have asked for 6 pieces!The beef was my primary focus. Rib Eye, Rib Eye studded with Cheese, Bottom Sirloin, Picahna, Beef Rib, etc.. The rib eye was my favorite. Getting an outside edge with a bit of crisp char and a smattering of fat. Great flavor and very tender. This didn't need the chimichurri. I also had a Portuguese Sausage.Many of the meats were good but would have benefitted from being grilled with some salt and pepper. They benefitted from the chimichurri and some seasoning at the table but otherwise were one note. I wished the meat was a bit more tender as well. Needless to say I ate my fill.One of the great pleasures at most of these restaurants is the grilled pineapple. So sweet, caramelized and warm. It is a great way to break the flavor train of protein after protein. The pineapple doesn't appear quite as often as I would like but it is always very popular across the restaurant.As I was winding down my meal a thought came to me. Do they make any cocktails utilizing that amazing grilled pineapple as star of the drink? I immediately considered a Pina Colada... I asked a nearby waitperson if they did offer any such concoctions? In fact, no they did not...but it's an intriguing idea. Would I be interested in being the trailblazer? A polite nod told him Yes.I watched from afar as the bartender pulled together my requested taste treat. It arrived with a golden hue much deeper than the standard coconut pale shade. One sip led to many more. I was thrilled with the outcome of my inquiry! It was much deeper and caramel in flavor. The harsh bite of the intensity of fresh coconut was gone. Only the warm, rich and smooth flavor of the grilled pineapple blended with the coconut and the warmth and sweetness of the rum! I shared with the server "I wished I had an extra straw to share a taste with him." He said he would have to try one himself and was only too happy for me that it was so good. This cocktail served as my dessert for the night. It was the perfect end to a well thought out and executed plan for satisfying my desire for steak.

Fogão Gaúcho always has the best service, food quality, and pacing of any of the Brazilian steakhouses I have ever been to. We will be continuing to eat here for years to come! They also have great items on the menu, such as the cheese stuffed sirloin. That cut alone is worth the drive and cost.

Went to celebrate our anniversary at Fogao Gaucho and it did not disappoint! Food and service was amazing! 10/10 would recommend!

Recent restaurant week in Minneapolis extended to Bloomington! And had to check out this restaurant! The special included the buffet style salad bar with lots of choices along with the meat choices in which the staff walks around to all the tables with meat that is sliced right there for you to grab with your mini tongs and put on your plate Fresh and delicious Family owned business and really friendly staff ! I was able to enjoy a conversation as the restaurant is not loud / noisy Will be back!

My first time coming into a Brazilian restaurant. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was beautiful & inviting, but the workers definitely made the experience worth it! They all helped each other out as a team & were all so friendly, pleasant, & helpful! We'll definitely be back when we're back in the area!

I recently learned that this establishment opened up in Bloomington and wanted to give it a try. I found a Groupon and put that towards our dinner. My partner and I typically go to a Brazilian steakhouse about 1-2 times a year. We have been to Fogo downtown, but our favorite spot is Rodizio's in Maple Grove. This is our neighborhood, so we were delighted to try a new spot close to home. It is attached to the Best Western across the street from the MOA. Kinda tucked away, but easy to get to. When we entered, you get a vibe that you're in a lodge in the mountains - cozy vibes. The managers and servers were very attentive and present throughout the whole dining experience. They have a self serve salad bar and the whole experience is pretty comparable to Fogo or Rodizio - just a smaller scale. They do not have as many meats, but what they serve was delicious. We especially liked the top sirloin with cheese. The pineapple was delicious and it seemed to be dusted in cinnamon. I haven't had it that way before, and it was very tasty. I purchased a slice of key lime pie to go and it was pretty good - I'd get that again. No complaints at all. The reason I gave four stars and not five is the meat selection wasn't as robust as I'm used to.

Have been to the Bloomington location twice. The food and service is AMAZING! I used to be a fan of the Brazilian steakhouse chain with a similar name - this location is what the experience there USED to be. The staff is warm and accommodating, even with challenging food allergies, the items on the salad bar are the appropriate temp (hot if they're supposed to be hot, cold if they're supposed to be cold), and the gauchos providing the main meats are very talented - nailing steak temps perfectly! This is not an inexpensive dinner, but it's worth every penny! If you've never tried churrasco, but love steak, this is a must-do. If you've been to other similar restaurants, do yourself a favor and save the hassle of downtown traffic and parking for an as-good-or-better experience with Fogao Gaucho!

Class all the way food, service, ....with the exception of some of the patrons...the boys choose to wear their buhbuh caps through dinner...it's like try people, this 'ain't no truck stop'...comb your hair, drop your guests at the front door. Come on bro's, leave the plaid hunting vest at home. Staff is exceptional, love the decor, going back for brunch!!