Highlights
- Great dessert
- Fireplace
- Great wine list
oChef » Fogo de ChĂŁo – San Francisco
Fogo de ChĂŁo - San Francisco
Photo from Fogo de ChĂŁo
Fogo de ChĂŁo at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🍖 Brazilian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $81–$90
mentioned by 205 of the guests
#241 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#4 Brazilian Restaurant out of 6 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
610
Reviews
84.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Attentive Service
- Pleasant Ambiance
- Quality Meats
Frequently criticized
- High Price
- Inconsistent Food
- Salad Bar Issues
The restaurant, Fogo de ChĂŁo Brazilian Steakhouse, in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood, offers an upscale dining experience you won’t soon forget. You’ll discover a truly authentic Brazilian restaurant where the aroma of perfectly grilled meats fills the air.
With its inviting fireplace, this spot creates a cozy and romantic atmosphere, perfect for a memorable evening. You can expect a fantastic wine list to complement your meal, making it a standout choice for discerning diners.
Overview: Introducting Fogo de ChĂŁo
Fogo de ChĂŁo generally impresses with its attentive service and a vibrant atmosphere that sets a pleasant dining scene. Many guests praise the quality of the meats, often highlighting them as delicious and well-prepared, contributing to a memorable experience.
However, some diners have found the overall price to be a point of contention, occasionally feeling it doesn’t align with the experience. There are also isolated comments about inconsistent meat seasoning or issues with the salad bar, suggesting areas for refinement.
Excellent
8.5
out of 10
610
Reviews
84.6%
Satisfaction
75
negative
19
neutral
516
positive
Fogo de ChĂŁo achieves a commendable overall score of 8.5, reflecting a generally positive dining experience, with customer satisfaction standing at a strong 84.6%. This positive sentiment is largely driven by its excellent Ambience (9.0) and highly rated Service (8.9).
Guests frequently commend the attentive staff and pleasant surroundings, making for an enjoyable visit. While the Food (8.1) receives good marks for quality and preparation, the Value (5.6) aspect presents a more mixed picture, with some guests feeling the cost can be high.
This assessment is drawn from 610 customer observations, where 516 were positive and 75 expressed concerns, indicating that while many enjoy their experience, the pricing can be a point of discussion.
What people like
- Attentive, professional service
- Pleasant, relaxing ambiance
- Delicious, well-cooked meats
What people don't like
- High price point
- Inconsistent meat quality
- Salad bar hygiene issues
With a solid recommendation score of 8.5, Fogo de ChĂŁo generally delivers a positive dining experience. It’s a strong contender if you’re seeking a vibrant atmosphere and appreciate well-prepared meats, supported by attentive service.
However, be mindful of the pricing, as some find it on the higher side, and there can be occasional inconsistencies in food preparation. For a more predictable experience, consider exploring their lunch or happy hour specials.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Fogo de ChĂŁo
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to the food, guests are generally thrilled, with a solid score of 8.1 and a customer satisfaction of 80.5%. Many rave about the delicious food and quality meat, especially the endless cuts that keep coming. The Salad Bar also gets a lot of love, making for a truly satisfying meal, as seen in 161 positive remarks.
However, not everyone is completely won over. Some experiences, noted in 32 negative comments, mention the meat was gamey or unseasoned, and occasionally lukewarm. A few felt the overall food was mediocre at best or lacked variety, suggesting some inconsistency in the dining experience.
Food
200
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
32
negative
7
neutral
161
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious quality meats
- Endless meat cuts
- Excellent salad bar
What people don't like
- Unseasoned, lukewarm meat
- Mediocre food quality
- Limited meat variety
Often praised
- foodEvery staff member was incredibly polite, friendly, and professional, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The beautiful setting, amazing food, and first-class service made it a memorable visit. I'll definitely be back and highly recommend Fogo de ChĂŁo to anyone looking for an authentic and elevated Brazilian steakhouse experience.
- FoodThe Food is amazing
- meatsIt was the best experience! The food was very delicious, especially the meats. We were served by RaĂşl and Ana, and they truly provided the best service.
- salad barit’s fresh, colorful, and way better than you’d expect
- steakI was blown away by how well it traveled. The steak was perfectly cooked, juicy, and seasoned beautifully, tasting just as good as dining in. The sides were also fresh and thoughtfully packed.
- food qualityExcellent quality food
- meatEverything was juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right
- sidesThe steak was perfectly cooked, juicy, and seasoned beautifully, tasting just as good as dining in. The sides were also fresh and thoughtfully packed. Fantastic job!
- DinnerMade our Dinner special and so memorable
- buffetMia took great care of us, and Milton, who was overseeing the meat delivery, made sure we could get some extra of our favorites. Everything we ate tasted great and the buffet was re-stocked throughout our dinner.
Frequently criticized
- meatThe salad bar was also off-putting due to a noticeable number of fruit flies. Furthermore, the meat lacked seasoning and took an excessively long time to be served. While I generally understand the challenges of the service industry, the overall experience, given the high cost, made me feel like my business was not valued.
- drinksOur server was largely absent, only appearing once during the entire meal and then again at the very end to clear dishes that had piled up. Drinks were never refilled, and the staff interactions felt unfriendly. This level of service is far from what I'd expect at a steakhouse.
- foodwasn’t a big fan of all the veggies or food in general
- meatsMost of the meats brought out were very basic cuts and not that flavorful
- FoodFood:2
- Tres Lechespack up a premade piece of tres leches
- burger with friesget a single burger with fries
- cut of meatThere was no cut of meat that we were impressed by or excited for them to come back.
- donenessService was friendly but a little uneven at times, which made the experience less smooth than it could have been. The kitchen also seems ambivalent about doneness. I ordered a steak medium-rare, but what came out was closer to well-done.
- flavorsFlavors were too bland
Overall, if you're looking for a vibrant Brazilian steakhouse experience with plenty of delicious, quality meats, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some guests have noted occasional inconsistencies in seasoning or temperature, so set your expectations accordingly.
Service (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
The service here truly shines, boasting an excellent score of 8.9 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 88.8%. With 278 positive comments out of 313, guests frequently praise the attentive and friendly staff for their excellent service and hospitality. Many felt staff went above and beyond, making them feel comfortable and at ease with special attention.
However, not every experience was perfect, with 33 negative comments. Some diners encountered slow staff and frustrating wait times, particularly for orders or seating. A few mentioned unprofessional behavior or an absent server, leading to delays in drink refills or meat service.
Service
313
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
33
negative
2
neutral
278
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Exceptional hospitality
- Personalized attention
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Slow service
- Absent servers
Often praised
- serviceEvery staff member was incredibly polite, friendly, and professional, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The beautiful setting, amazing food, and first-class service made it a memorable visit. I'll definitely be back and highly recommend Fogo de ChĂŁo to anyone looking for an authentic and elevated Brazilian steakhouse experience.
- staffThe atmosphere was amazing, and the food was equally impressive. I was particularly impressed by the hospitality and kindness of the staff, with Carlos Gaucho being a lovely server. We were well taken care of throughout our meal.
- ServiceMia and Milton for helping celebrate our special day!!
- experienceHer service was a solid 5 stars, and I would love to be taken care of by her again when I return. She made our experience way better than expected.
- wait timeThe atmosphere was rated a 5, and the noise level was quiet, making conversation easy. We had no wait time and plenty of parking available. The price per person is $100+.
- PabloThis was my first time here. Pablo was very attentive and kind. He made sure we got all of the cuts we wanted to try.
- attentionMy experience at the restaurant was very good, with excellent service. I would like to thank Pablo and Raul for their great attention. The service was outstanding, and the food and atmosphere were also top-notch.
- attentiveThey were very attentive and gave us such a wonderful experience
- excellent serviceWillian and Juliano, thank you for the excellent service. It was a special barbecue experience here in San Francisco, USA.
- Ana F.Ana F. And Raul gave us amazing excellent experience
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by terrible service. The staff were very slow, especially for delivery.
- wait time15 minutes to sit and then 30 minutes till we walked out
- Host or hostessHost or hostess should be at the stand at all times to great guest
- Host working tonightHost working tonight no smile very poor people skill.
- ServiceService:2
- credit card machinecredit card machine made us miss our movie
- customer serviceTall dude with puffy bun needa work on customer service
- drinksDrinks took very long to come
- employee helpingLast time I came, approximately 2 months ago, it was a different story. It took 15 minutes to sit, and then we walked out after 30 minutes due to not one employee helping us. Even the market table’s food looked like it had been picked through and sitting out for hours.
- female employeesAs a Dasher, I had a very disappointing experience at this restaurant. One of the female employees treats Dashers very poorly and behaves in a very rude manner. On top of that, the orders are not prepared on time, which causes unnecessary delays.
Overall, the service is a major strength, making it a great choice for a pleasant dining experience. While most visits are met with attentive and friendly staff, be prepared for potential occasional delays, especially during busy periods.
Ambience (9 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to the overall feel of the place, the ambience truly shines! With an excellent score of 9 and a whopping 92.1% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are loving the vibe. Out of 76 comments, 70 rave about the fantastic atmosphere, quiet noise level, and welcoming experience, making everyone feel right at home.
However, a few minor points popped up among the 3 negative remarks. Some found the salad bars condition a bit off-putting, and a yellow wet floor sign was noted as an unwelcome part of the decor. There was also a comment about the traditional music not quite connecting with the cultural theme.
Ambience
76
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
70
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Quiet noise level
- Great overall vibe
What people don't like
- Unpleasant salad bar
- Inappropriate decor
- Mismatched music
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at Fogo de Chao was majestic! The service, food quality, atmosphere, and music were all spectacular. A special shout-out to Pablo and Elijah for their spectacular service; the entire team was amazing.
- Atmospherethe experience is fantastic and delightful
- noise levelthe noise level was quiet, making conversation easy
- ambianceWe've already decided to add Fogo de Chao to our list for our next year's trip. As always, the food was great, and the ambiance was relaxing. Thank you for the great service and experience.
- experiencemade the whole experience exceptional
- locationthis Fogo de Chao has a great location
- placeThe food and the place are really good!
- Kid-friendlinessVery good with kids
- Noise levelQuiet, easy to talk
- San Francisco branchthe San Francisco branch has been the best experience
Frequently criticized
- salad barsalad bar was also off-putting, as it had a noticeable number of fruit flies
- traditional musichave music that doesn’t really connect with Gaúcho culture
- yellow wet floor signYellow wet floor sing shouldn't be part of your decoration.
If youre looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere and a welcoming vibe, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While there are a couple of minor decor and music quibbles, they dont seem to detract from the overwhelmingly positive experience most guests have.
Value (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 13% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has some bright spots! Many guests found the prices to be quite reasonable, feeling it was truly worth it thanks to great lunch/Happy Hour specials. Out of 21 total opinions, 7 were positive, highlighting that some diners definitely felt they got good bang for their buck.
However, the overall picture is a bit mixed, with a score of 5.6 (average) and customer satisfaction at a poor 33.3%. 7 negative opinions suggest that for others, the price felt too high, leading to feelings of a scam or that the money spent didn't match the expected quality and quantity. Many expected more for what they paid.
Value
21
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
7
negative
7
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great specials
- Worth the price
What people don't like
- High price
- Poor value
- Quality didn't match price
Often praised
- lunch/Happy Hour specialsgreat lunch/Happy Hour specials
- priceI had a great time dining here. The food and atmosphere were well worth the price.
- pricesits prices are very reasonable
- reasonable pricefood for a reasonable price
- surf n’ turf dealthe $65 surf n’ turf deal!
- valuesolid restaurant with great value
- worth itTruly worth it
Frequently criticized
- pricespent over $300 for two people and the food was mediocre
- money spentgiven the amount of money I spent, the whole experience made me feel like my business wasn’t valued
- price per personfor an over $100/person meal, this was underwhelming.
- quality price quantityimprove relation quality price and quantity
- scamMy experience at this restaurant was a complete scam. I received an email stating the cost was $54 per person, but the final bill was a shocking $285.
If youre eyeing specific deals like lunch or Happy Hour specials, you might find the value to be good. However, be aware that many guests felt the regular pricing didnt deliver on quality or quantity, leading to disappointment.
How are the prices at Fogo de ChĂŁo?
On average, you’ll spend around 81 per person – from 205 guests. That places this Brazilian Restaurant in the $81–$90 category, which is definitely on the higher-end. Interestingly, while the average sits here, a significant number of diners actually opt for experiences costing over 101 $, suggesting a strong pull towards premium offerings rather than budget-friendly options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 205 reviews.
A comparison of this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the premium price distribution, we think the pricing aligns with a higher-end Brazilian dining experience, especially in a vibrant city like San Francisco. It’s an investment for a memorable meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Fogo de ChĂŁo
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Terrible Delivery Experience
My experience with this restaurant's food delivery was extremely poor. I ordered through DoorDash, and my driver waited for an hour for them to pack a premade Tres Leches cake. Despite calling them 1-2 times to expedite my order, it still took over 30 minutes after my calls.
If I could give zero stars, I would.
- food deliveries1
- waiting time1
- order preparation1
Price per Person
- $101+
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Outstanding Service from Raul!
My experience at the restaurant was outstanding, largely due to the exceptional service provided by Raul. His attentiveness to clients was truly remarkable. Muchas gracias Raul!
- service10
- attentiveness10
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Perfect 50th Birthday Celebration!
I celebrated my 50th birthday at Fogo De Chao in San Francisco, and it was a perfect experience. The atmosphere was just right for the occasion, and our waitress, Merary, was absolutely perfect. Thank you, Merary, for making my birthday even more special – you even sang 'Happy Birthday'!
- atmosphere10
- waitress Merary10
- birthday10
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Memorable Dinner with Amazing Service
Our large party had a wonderful dinner experience at Fogo de Chao. We were looking for a restaurant that could accommodate us, and the staff, especially Leonardo the group coordinator, were amazing. He worked with us to ensure our table was ready, making our dinner with friends traveling from outside San Francisco memorable.
We arrived 10 minutes before our reservation, and our table was ready, and we were seated immediately. Everything was just perfect. We've already decided to add Fogo de Chao to our list for our next year's trip.
As always, the food was great, and the ambiance was relaxing. Thank you for the great service and experience.
- staff10
- table10
- dinner10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Excellent Service and Delicious Food!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic. The service was great, and the meal was delicious. I would like to thank Anna F and Juliano for their professionalism and sympathy.
We will be happy to come back.
- service10
- meal10
- Anna F10
What Fogo de ChĂŁo offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- All you can eat
- Salad bar
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Private dining room
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Upscale
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience awaits you at Fogo de ChĂŁo Brazilian Steakhouse?
At Fogo de ChĂŁo, you’ll discover an upscale and romantic Brazilian restaurant in San Francisco’s Transbay neighborhood. You can enjoy an all-you-can-eat experience featuring a fantastic salad bar, complemented by a great wine list and happy hour drinks. It’s ideal for both lunch and dinner, offering a cozy atmosphere.
Does Fogo de ChĂŁo Brazilian Steakhouse offer reservations and various service options?
Yes, Fogo de ChĂŁo accepts reservations for lunch, brunch, and dinner, which are highly recommended. You can choose from dine-in, outdoor seating, takeout, or delivery. The restaurant is also fully wheelchair accessible, including its entrance, parking, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
How does Fogo de ChĂŁo generally score with diners?
Fogo de ChĂŁo holds an overall score of **8.5**, with **Ambience** (9.0) and **Service** (8.9) receiving excellent marks. **Food** (8.1) is also well-regarded, though **Value** (5.6) is a more mixed aspect.
What is the quality of the food at Fogo de ChĂŁo?
Many guests praise the food, particularly the meats for being delicious, juicy, and perfectly cooked. The salad bar is often noted as fresh and colorful, though some opinions mention occasional inconsistencies in meat seasoning or flavor.
Is Fogo de ChĂŁo considered good value for money?
While some diners find the experience worth the price, especially with lunch/Happy Hour specials, others feel the cost can be high, with some opinions describing it as underwhelming for the money spent.