Fogao Gaucho has a bit of charm that you don't find in the large Brazilian steakhouse chains. Love the rustic and homey interior and the service was top notch even with a bigger group. The salad bar was slightly less impressive than the big chains, but the delicious meat made up for any minor shortcomings. They also had an awesome table side after dinner drink which was fun to try! read more

See all

If you're looking for an elegant dining establishment with high quality choices of meats, excellent cocktails and a great experience....this is the perfect spot! If you haven't been to a Brazilian steakhouse before this is an experience worth trying out! Servers with different cuts of amazing meats will come around to your table to serve you. They are all very quick and friendly. Special requests for something specific is welcomed as well. They also have a large buffet for salads and sides. In addition, there servers will come around providing an assortment of appetizers. Here's what to expect: - You are given a card to place on your table. One side of the card is green and the other side is red. The green card lets the servers know that you are still dining and waiting for the different cuts if meat to come to your table. The red card means you see taking a break or are done dining. You get to flip the card whenever you are ready. - You can make special requests for your choice of meats to be served to your table. You can also make special requests for any appetizers you would like: plantains, mashed potatoes, fried corn bread. - If you're celebrating a birthday, mention this to your server and you can get a complementary dessert! This is one of the best Brazilian steakhouse we've been to and would definitely come back again! What a great experience!! Highly recommended! read more

See all

I went here to celebrate a birthday and Fogao Gaucho did not disappoint! The churrasco experience had so much to offer between the salad and sides bar and the endless cuts of meat. They came around constantly to offer different meats so we weren't waiting long between rounds. I appreciated that they asked us what we would like sent over again after tasting many of the options so we could get more of our favorites. The service was so attentive and helpful! I've gone to other Brazilian steak houses in the past and this one is my new favorite. Definitely worth a try! read more

See all

My favorite spot for AYCE brazilian steak in the city. Service is very friendly and the meat comes out FAST. The meat is flavorful and perfectly salted. Most meats you grab with your personal pair of tongs and you can request how well done you would like your piece, other meats they'll place onto your plate. My favorite meat is the picanha -- it's seasoned super well and it's so flavorful. The caipirinha cocktail is tart but the acidity is the perfect pairing with the fatty and rich meats. You can request certain cuts of meat if it hasn't come around yet and they'll send it out to you quickly. The buffet area, included with the Churrasco dinner, has a variety of fresh veggies, fruits, and salads. The scalloped potatoes are so cheesy and I liked the cowboy rice too. If you are celebrating a birthday you can get a free dessert, besides the flaming cheesecake. The restaurant is clean and the tables have a decent amount of space between each of them. You can request complimentary dipping sauces, such as chimichurri. read more

See all

Came here for the first time as part of restaurant week and was pleased overall. There was a slight error on their end as they initially charged our group the regular meal rate of $60, but after speaking with the staff, they politely adjusted our price to reflect the $40 restaurant week rate (didn't get the included dessert but upon learning that we got some of the premium cuts, I think it was a good trade off). The dining room floor looked clean, it wasn't overpacked, and the overall feel was nice. Definitely would come back again during restaurant week, but make sure to let them know multiple times that you are there for it to prevent the miscommunication. read more

See all

The food was good here for this being my second time here. I still feel the steaks were a little over cooked but steak everyone has their favorite and preferred way. I like medium, medium rare. The service was good except for after the first couple rounds I felt like a soda and had to flag someone down to get a soda. The ambiance was really nice it was chill early before dinner rush so that was appreciated. The food was still good and taste was still good. My filet mignon was not buttery soft and tender had fat grisly in it. The beef ribs were good the steak wrapped in bacon was also good. My lamb chops I had seemed dry and under seasoned. Parmesan pork was ok but mostly cheese no meat and fat. I'd still recommend giving this place a try. Nice alternative to other locations that offer the Brazilian Steakhouse Experience (Churrasco). read more

See all

This is my review as a vegetarian going to the Brazilian steakhouse . But my fellow omnivores had wonderful things to say about the meats, particularly the steak cuts. Lesser favorites were the chicken items and bacon rolled items So there are 2 prices, about $60 for the meat and salad bar and about $28 for the salad bar only, which also includes some hot items. If you are a salad bar only person they take away your flippable table sign that tells the Gauchos if you are ready for more meat. The whole table gets cheesy bread, plantains,yucca and a mashed potatoes and sauces including chimichurri. Gauchos brought the meat cuts and I headed to the salad bar. Our server pointed out which items in the salad bar had meat in it, which I appreciated. Most items were vegetarian( not necessarily vegan though) I was impressed with the tomato soup and scalloped potatoes in the hot area. And of cold food, most impressive were the hearts of palms and asparagus. A lot of fruit options as well. Our server told us with the salad only option we could have 3 items from what the gauchos brought around .. 1) the grilled pineapple, 2) garlic butter bread, 3) fried cheese with honey. All 3 of those were delicious! The top item out of everything for me was the grilled pineapple, it tasted as it had a cinnamon and sugar grilled glaze on it! The service was top notch. Very attentive if we wanted any particular item brought again to our table. Very well run establishment. It's right across the street from the Mall of America and most of the crowd looked like post mall dinner families. Would definitely recommend it even if you are a vegetarian! read more

See all

My son and I went there because I had a Groupon. The restaurant is beautiful and the customer service was stellar. I think we had at least 10 different staff members come over and ask if we were ok, refill drinks, clear plates. I really liked the individual place cards to indicate stop and go on the meats. My son really loved the Brazilian lemonade. They made sure to refill it often and even joked after he declined more after he was completely full. The desserts looked amazing but sadly we were too full to enjoy one. The salad bar had many options and the fresh fruit was delicious. read more

See all

Staff was truly outstanding and very attentive. The beef selections very generally excellent good but the two lamb selections were overcooked and dry. The chicken and pork selections were very good. Very nice salad bar. We will go back again. Wine selection was fine, but not very many by the glass. Much better value than Fogo de Chao. Not exactly fine dining but still very nice. read more

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 kitchen 2) Sample the salad bar but small portions only 3) Enjoy the side dishes but don't over indulge in them 4) 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. read more

Why would I tempt anywhere else for ample amounts of flamed licked red meats? This place is by far the premier Brazilian Goucho experience in Minnesota, with the supple claims of grilled lamb, beef, pork, chicken perfection. Let's not forget the service that the best in the business can't compete with, literally Johnny on the spot every time I walk into the place. You'll forget you are in the mix of a $100 a night Hotel just by walking in the front door. This place looks like a million dollars. And by all means please do yourself a favor and try the flamiado cheese cake. read more

See all

It was amazing,My favorite meat was probably the cheese steak this time.The service was kind and nice. The ambiance was very pretty. We will come again!!! read more

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. read more

Fogao Gaucho - Salad bar - Brazilian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

See all

A fun place to eat a LOT of steak. If you've ever experienced a Brazilian Steakhouse like Fogo de Chao or Bullvino's, this had a very similar experience. Steaks were deliciously good but not of the highest quality meat. It's what you would expect at an all-you-can-eat steakhouse. I also liked the smoked salmon at the salad bar. Service was excellent. And the ambiance was nice enough for a date night. read more

See all

The salad bar had a lovely selection it was full of good choices. Very classy bar. The cheese was elite and a grand addition

Not bad - I had been gluttonous all week traveling for work. I decided to get the $24.95 online menu salad bar only for dinner but it was $28.95 when I got there. Dang those outdated online menu prices. Want a mixed drink? Appetizer? Dessert? No. The salad bar seemed weak so I went with the $32.95 salmon dinner that included the $28.95 salad bar. Only $4 more? Not a bad dinner. Salmon was decent and the cooked veggies were awesome. (Want to order a cocktail?) Would I go here again? Yes and I'd order the salmon again but I'd tell them to bring it out 30 minutes later so I can enjoy the salad bar. All that steak is overwhelming since I mentioned I can be a glutton. (Watch that Proverbs 23:20-21 verse) Don't forget that surcharge for using my credit card. read more

My husband and me love going here for special occasions (especially for the lunch price)! I personally like this Brazilian steakhouse better just because the meats aren't as salty as other places and they have a lot of options for their salad bar. Everyone's super friendly and attentive to what you need; if you haven't seen a cut of meat that you want after a few rounds, you can ask your server to have the meat servers make their way to your table as soon as possible. Plenty of parking in the lot as well. read more

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! read more

Great for, attentive weight staff, lovely ambiance. The lamb chops were my favorite! !! My husband lives all the beef. read more

Stopped by here for a birthday with a group of 8. 3 Kids and 5 adults. We had a reservation and were seated right away. The servers came over and asked about water preference. We got a mix of still and sparkling. The service so far was really good. The place is located across the Mall of America and is part of the SERXXXYX hotel. The dining room is big and spacious. Plenty of room to walk around to the salad bar. Talking of salad bar, it's one of the better ones I have seen at a churrascaria place. They had the standard offerings but also some hot items like rice and soups etc. Overall a great variety of items to accompany all the meats you will be consuming. The meats were the star of the show. That's what you came for and they did not disappoint. The standouts were the picanha, the ribeye and the beef ribs but all the meats were great. We ate more than we should have and the kids loved the grilled pineapple. We ended the evening with a few ice cream sundaes for the birthday celebrations and they were really good. Just a normal sundae but done well. Overall, this is a great place for some brazilian barbeque and I would rate it in the top two in the cities. You can also find groupon codes which makes it more affordable. This will definitely be on top of mind when I want some churrascaria. read more

Fogao Gaucho - Birthday dessert - Brazilian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

Ordered a wine at the bar before the rest of my family arrived. I Left a $3 tip and Closed out that tab. Two days later I got a message from my credit card company asking if I meant to leave a 200% tip. They added a 1 to my 3 and gave themselves a $31 tip on my $9 glass of wine. read more

On par with Fogo de Chao in all ways - service, quality of food, and price. It's a nice Brazilian steakhouse option closer to the suburbs / easier to get to than downtown. read more

I struggle with this review because we were super happy with our experience, but I have to lower my rating due to a couple of disappointments. First off, atmosphere is great, service was impeccable, everything was clean. The food was overall really good. My favorites were the ribeye and filet. My two complaints: 1. We had a surprise 9% surcharge on the bill titled "food" that we did not see listed on the menu, so this was frustrating, and not sure what this is for. I tried to contact them about it and never got a response. 2. A huge portion of the meats listed on their website never were brought around (we weren't given a single lamb or pork option). read more

They have a wide variety of halal options. Most of the beef (except the one with mozzarella cheese) and chicken dishes are Zabihah Halal, as confirmed by the owner. They ensure these items are cooked separately from non-halal food. The staff is knowledgeable about what is halal and what is not. They get halal meat from Sysco. The ambience is wonderful, with a nice seating area and excellent service. The pineapple mint lemonade was a perfect drink. The salad bar was good but has room for improvement. We tried the sirloin, tenderloin, ribeye, garlic beef, lamb steak, and lamb chops--all were delicious, with the garlic beef being the standout. The chicken drumstick was just okay. Overall, highly recommended! read more

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! read more

Have been looking forward to going here since I saw that they are going to open soon. Love that it's so close and no more needing to downtown or to Maple Grove. Staff was super friendly and conversational. The manager was helpful. The meats were juicy and tender. Love the cinnamon sugar glazed pineapples. It was a big hit with our daughters. The setting was not to loud and dining area was clean. The restaurant is inside Best Western Plus hotel. We bought a Groupon. It was well worth it. Will definitely come back again. read more

See all

For being attached to the Wyndham, this place definitely has its own rustic vibe which is captured on the inside. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. The meat was well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The Brazilian limeade was everything. I would definitely come back. read more

Delicious food and excellent service. You definitely will leave full... try not to fill up on bread! read more

I'm not going to lie, this is one of my favorite restaurants for the food and the customer service. They are super friendly and attentive, especially Don Pepe. read more

Fogao Gaucho - Brazilian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

Planned my Husband's 30th birthday Lunch for a large group of 25 at Fogao Gaucho. I called ahead and spoke to the owner who was more than happy to accommodate our group. On the day, our server Pepe, did a fantastic job and gave us 5/5 star service throughout! He was very attentive to our group and made sure we received everything we needed. I cannot express enough how amazing the service was! Huge thank you to the owner and every staff member especially Pepe! The food was amazing and a really unique experience for the newcomers in our large group. We are so grateful for the amazing birthday lunch you provided on Saturday 6-8-2024. THANK YOU read more

Fogao Gaucho - Flaming cheesecake - Brazilian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

So excited to have a new Brazilian steakhouse outside of the Twin Cities downtown area especially in the SE suburb. Located across the street from MOA on the south side. Plenty of free parking and the dining room is just as nice and spacious as any other locations. Went on a weekday and forgot to bring my coupon (in your local mailbox coupon book). Price was $58/pp for dinner for all the meat you can eat. Met the owner and all the staff were very attentive. Had a little bite from the salad bar to save space for the meats. Definitely loved the picanha, filet, and ribeye. The garlic beef was intense with garlic but very good. I would recommend offering more spicy dipping sauces besides the chimichurri for the meats for those that need an extra kick. Will be back with my coupon! read more

See all

Came here for a birthday celebration and absolutely loved it! The staff were genuine, kind, and welcoming. Which really elevated the experience here! The food was top notch and there was a huge variety! The different cuts of meat were amazing and so so so delicious! I would say it's definitely worth the price. The restaurant is connected to a hotel so we were a bit worried the restaurant would have a rather odd feel but it didn't at all! The decoration was nice and you really don't feel like you're attached to a hotel. read more

You need to be very hungry or you won;t receive your money's worth. The salad bar is just okay, but you don't come here to fill up on salad. The meats come fast and there is a wide variety. Lamb was the best but 2 others were very chewy. The rest were good. We never had anyone check back with us so no beverage refills. That was disappointing. read more

After receiving a recommendation from my son, I decided to celebrate my steak-loving wife's birthday here. We were promptly seated, but immediately moved to a table away from this table that was cold and drafty as it was a frigid 8o outside! The gaucho server picked up my coat and menus and carried them to our table more centrally located. After discussing drinks, he invited us to help ourselves to the beautifully displayed and well-stocked salad bar. It had a wide variety of items like pickles, olives, peppers, asparagus, vegetables, wedge salad portions, smoked salmon, cheese and charcuterie meats and cheeses, etc. all fresh and delicious! The gaucho servers were always present to serve you with different skewered meats to try. If you want a particular cut, just ask. If you don't see what you want, just ask, and it will be brought to your table. My favorite meats were the lamb chops and steak Pichincha, perfectly tender, flavorful, and cooked to your liking. If you want it done a particular way, just tell the server how you want it cooked, and they will comply. I don't recommend the filet mignon that had an off taste on our visit, or the bottom sirloin that is a tougher cut than others. The pork ribs were okay, but very plain tasting, unlike American BBQ ribs. Desserts are an extra cost, but since it was my wife's birthday, she got a free bowl of chocolate ice cream. Pros: incredible service and attention; good quality of food simply seasoned and well-prepared. Cons: Open kitchen and dining room concept is very noisy. We felt somewhat rushed as servers quickly wanted to place meat on our dishes, and no chimichurri or other sauces were offered to accompany our steaks. Tip: Carefully select a few items from the salad bar, side dishes and bread so that you leave room for all the delicious meats to follow! read more

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!! read more

Book your special occasion here & you will NOT be disappointed! Make sure to let them know & they may even prepare a special dessert for the table like they did for us. We took our friends here for their Anniversary and everything was so good! All the meats were prepared excellent. Our favorites were: Bacon Wrapped Filet, Steak w/Cheese, Cheesy Bread Rolls (these things are dangerous & addictive lol), and the Grilled Pineapple. Make sure to ask for the sauces for the table, the Chimichurri is amazing!!! They also have a Cold & Hot food bar (buffet style) with some delicious options. You can opt for just the salad bar if you don't want all the meats, cheaper option. If you want to feel like royalty then this is the place to be! Our server was so attentive and the owner even came to our table multiple times to check in as well. Every staff member we encountered was so friendly and kind. The restaurant is absolutely beautifully decorated & everything is so clean. Very close to Mall Of America (south side). Ample parking & just an overall wonderful experience. The price for our group dinner was not cheap but you definitely get what you pay for & more. We will be returning for sure! Add this place to your MN Bucket List! Blows all other Brazilian Restaurants I have been to in MN out of the water. read more

Took my team here for Holiday lunch to celebrate a great year. I have eaten at other Brazilian steakhouses and felt they were over priced. Not here they have great server and they explain how everything works. My team was attended to great and we never had to ask for anything. The ambiance is good not too upscale, but enough that you know you're in a nice restaurant. The mantras great am offered dessert to take home if anyone wanted it. Well worth the money read more

We had reservations for prime time on a Friday night and it wasn't busy at all. You'd probably be okay with a walk-in/without reservations. The inside is pretty open without much dining privacy and tables, but enough space from each table so that I didn't feel all cramped in. The concept is the same of all the other Brazilian steakhouses. Flip the card to green when ready to be served the meats and just turn into a carnivore, no shame. Make sure to get the grilled pineapple. It compliments the meats so well! Every meat they served was delicious. Flavorful but really simple seasonings and juicy tender meats, ugh so good! They ask if you like it medium or rare and slice you just that part, then you grab it with your mini tongs. Service was wonderful and they will ask you if you want any specific cuts of meats that you want to try again or that were missed. We were a little annoyed at the end when our bill for a table of four was on one tab and they never asked if we wanted it separate. Even worse, they couldn't split it separately. I wanted to pay cash while our other party paid with card but they still taxed my bill like I was paying for a card. Oh well. read more

Highly recommend this place. Food was great! We live like half an hour away and decided to come here for the first time to celebrate a birthday. The parking was free as well. Pepe was our server and he was excellent. He was attentive, patient and genuine. He introduced us to everyone, even his manager. Can't forget he is from Ecuador like us which made us feel more welcomed. read more

Fogao Gaucho - Picanha Sirloin. Caipirinha - Brazilian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

We've tried several Brazilian steakhouses around the cities but this one is by far our favorite. It's beautifully decorated and I love the ambiance of this location. The food is always fresh and delicious, and the service is truly exceptional. The staff is all very attentive and friendly. Even the manager on duty came over to our table to chat for a minute and make sure that we were pleased with everything. You can tell that the staff are all invested in making sure that every guest has a positive, enjoyable experience. I highly recommend Fogao Gaucho. Wonderful food, and wonderful service! read more