I recently had a birthday and therefor it meant another trip to Texas de Brazil. Birthdays are great because it means a buy-one-get-one free coupon at this meat fest. Really, I go there about 4 times a year and each visit is wonderful.
Now let me get this out of the way, I know this place is a chain, but I don’t hate chains as long as they serve a quality product. TDB has a great product. We aren’t talking prime or even choice quality meats, but they are cooked simply and are very tasty. Oh and they have the most wonderful salad bar in town (in my carnivorous opinion).
The salad bar is full of wonderful prepared salads, meats, cheeses and other wonderful delights. I am personally a fan of the grilled provolone, grilled jalapenos, crab rolls, shrimp salad, and the addicting blue cheese dressing. Also make sure to grab chimchurri sauce for your meat and some extra bacon from the bucket o’ bacon.
They have a hot bar, but I rarely touch it because I am not there to eat side dishes. I am there to eat the meat. While there is a plethora of carne, I have a select few that I commit to eating. The lamb is a must (chops and leg). The flank steak is usually rich and wonderful. The linguica sausage is a nice break from the red meat. My two favorites are the beef ribs and the house special sirloin. The beef ribs are rich and succulent. I can usually only handle a small portion. Note- you sometimes have to ask you server to have the beef ribs delivered. The house special sirloin is also referred to as the picahna by Brazilians. It is a but of the top sirloin with a nice fat cap. It is tender, tasty and wonderful. It’s a travesty that the US and European butchers often destroy it.
By the time dessert comes around I am usually stuffed. I have had the flan and it is great. Also, make sure to try some traditional Brazilian drinks while you are there. The caipirinha is a strong and addicting adult beverage. For the soda drinkers out there, try the Guanara.
Overall, I love the place but the $40+ per person price tag is a bit much. That being said, by joining there e-club for free, you will receive multiple discounts over the year with several 50% coupons for special events.
I have been curious about Texas de Brazil thanks for filling me in. The cost is a bit scary so it looks like I will be joining the e-club.
The key with most of the specials is to not go on a busy night. Mon-Thurs is usually your best bet. For those who really love the place, they have a VIP card that you can buy for $50 (proceeds going to charity) that gives you 12 meals at 50%.
I thought the food there was good and sevice, etc. but I just don’t enjoy that style of dining…but they do a good job.
That’s a totally fair assessment. Of the 8 times I have been there, I have only been there once with my wife. She thought it was ok but she would prefer more traditional dining.
Sometimes I hanker for all things meat. And if I have a coupon, I will go to Texas de Brazil, but only with a buy one, get one free. I also really like the salad (or other food bar). They have an eclectic selection including caperberries! Unfortunately, they do not have a reasonably priced wine list and all of that meat begs for a kick-ass wine.
Yum…. I love churascaria style restaurants. I prefer the more reasonably priced and locally owned Ipanema Grill. Besides Julio – the owner- makes a kick-ass caipirinha!
I love “meat o rama” (TDB) – but we only go when we have a coupon. Veron – are you talking about the place on Cox Rd? the two times I went there were at lunch and the meat was way overcooked – there must be a difference b/t dinner and lunch. But I do love “meat o rama” and I love their salad bar too! Yum – good stuff…..
Ipanama is much better at dinner than they are at lunch.
I had some Brazillian friends living in Richmond and they convinced me that TDB is just better… and they have the chimchurri. I would still go to Ipanema. It really is fine.
Would you say that you have a “plethora” of carne?