The churrascaria (Brazilian barbecue) game in any city in Brazil is serious business. If you're a…read moregringo like me, you're probably familiar with the grilled meat table service dining from the American version of gauchos you can find in more touristy spots in the USA, or in select cities that have major Brazilian populations. If you happen to be in Goiania, and you're looking to be impressed and delighted by an authentic Brazilian barbecue experience, you need look no further than Gramados.
First of all, there are two Gramados locations in Goiania, the one I visited was in Setor Oeste, near the Park with the Zoo, and I visited on a Tuesday night, so your experience might vary. I'm familiar with most of the better offerings in town, and as far as rodizio (rotating grilled meat table service), most of them have their drawbacks. Not this spot, at least if you're able to hit them up on a non-holiday weekday. The layout was cozy, but not too small, and the spaces between tables was adequate for moving between the table and the buffet, which can be awkward at some places that seem more interested in cramming as many customers in as possible instead of their comfort. Also, the extra room allows their excellent staff to quickly move through the room, offering cut after cut of delicious, tender meat efficiently.
The staff were mostly young, but very enthusiastic and really very accommodating with a few special requests that demonstrated that extra effort that you aren't likely to get in a more crowded dining situation. Even though we took an Uber (which for some reason would have cost an extra 70% to the door than the hospital 2 safe-walking blocks away), parking was adequate, very secure parking under the roof around the waiting area just outside the door and they even have a lot across the street for overflow, which I imagine would be handy on the weekend. We waited less than 10 minutes without a res for just the two of us, but they had tables set up for larger parties, and there were a surprising number of people celebrating birthdays, even a wedding the night we visited.
It was a little difficult to decide on Gramados when hunting for a restaurant, maybe they got on the wrong side of google, but you can check out their insta at churrascariagramado, and if you're old school and need more info, give them a call. My wife, who is Brazilian and speaks Portuguese, was impressed after calling around, finding out that many of the other churrascarias in town don't offer their full menu on weekdays. We would have been a little disappointed if we had missed the very fresh seafood offerings, the sushi, or the very satisfying desserts. There were so many delights to mention, but we have a hard time not raving whenever we can find one of our favorites, grilled lamb, and they actually had two different cuts of lamb the night we visited. I had a plate of perfectly snackable sushi, and usually I can get through two plates of the buffet while being bombarded with meat. On the night I went, the pace of meat was so frenetic, I was only able to sample the salads and cold offerings from the buffet. My wife was able to resist more meat than I, and she attests that the hot offerings from the buffet and seafood were top notch as well.
Usually, I don't drink and buffet, but they had a decently stocked bar cart and coke in the glass bottles, so nobody's taste for imbibing is likely to be disappointed. You might be tempted to check out one of the newer barbecue places in town that open up with some promotional gimmick or a lower price, but I guarantee you won't find the consistent top quality of a place with a history like Gramados, and you won't get anywhere near the value. For the price of a middling Chinese buffet in the US, you're getting all-you-can eat top quality cuts of beef and a buffet that compares favorably to any Brazilian-American franchise you might be familiar with, that you would pay at least 4 or 5 time more for in the US. I would say Gramados even compares well to upscale churrascarias in Brasilia that cost almost twice as much, and the more intimate setting and the service actually made me feel more comfortable here.
All-in-all, if you're looking for a top-value, traditional Brazilian barbecue dining experience, you'd have a difficult time finding better in Goiania, the atmosphere and service push it over the top compared to the other places in town I've visited, and we'll definitely make this location our go-to when we're looking for any anytime treat.
