We came here to try something new for our anniversary. I'd read through reviews, which were very…read moremixed, and decided to see for ourselves. We've been to Fogo du Chao, which is definitely a very upscale version of this style of restaurant. With the understanding that you get what you pay for, we did not expect something that fancy. Still, this was an expensive indulgence for us - we did not order alcohol or dessert, having only fountain pop and the full churrasco experience. For two people, this was over $100.
We live a ways north of Ames, so we had over an hour drive to come. Unfortunately, we were disappointed over all. First, the good: plenty of parking, very clean, cute, spacious - it was not busy, so not noisy. The service was quick and efficient but impersonal. We never had to wait for a drink refill, but never had a, "my name is, and I'll be your server today" kind of person. Everything was very clean.
Second, the negatives: We prefer to follow a keto/carnivore-ish eating pattern, so I was very excited to go to a place that seemed to emphasize meats. We did visit the salad bar at first, just to see what was there. We sampled a few of the offerings - the cucumber salad had literally no discernible dressing of any kind. A tomato salad was mushy and mealy. My husband tried the cheesy mashed potatoes and said they were dry and lacking in flavor. There was a pasta alfredo, but the alfredo sauce was ridiculously watery.
The meats, when they came, were merely okay. I don't prefer chicken, but the chicken was good, well seasoned and well cooked, and not too dry. The pork selections were gristly and tough. The beef selections - when they got to our table - were also tough and unseasoned. I like beef in almost any style, and this was okay, but nothing unique or delicious. I could have cooked it better at home. Nothing caramelized or crispy on the outside. Often, we would see the beef come out, and by the time they made a small loop in the restaurant, it was gone before they got to our table. We only got steak once, though we were offered chicken, pork and sausage several times. We had the barbeque beef, and this also was a nice flavor, but this beef was overcooked and very tough.
Overall, this was not worth the money to us. I am sad, because I like this style of restaurant, and it is the only one in Des Moines, and I really want it to succeed. However, I've had better salad bar selections in variety and freshness at Chinese buffets, and I could get a huge, delicious steak and grilled shrimp at Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse, etc., for a fraction of the price. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this to anyone.
