All-You-Can-Eat? Really, Honest Cooking? The idea of unlimited food or drinks is irresistible to many food lovers, and for fans of meat, Fogo de Chão stands out as a top choice. Unlike many buffets, the food here is genuinely good — especially for those who appreciate expertly cooked cuts.
photos provided by Fogo de Chão
We visited Fogo de Chão’s newest Greater Denver-area location in Lone Tree. The restaurant is bright, lively, and spacious, with two levels and a patio that offers Colorado sunshine and mountain views. At its core, Fogo de Chão is a steakhouse, but that label doesn’t fully capture the experience. It’s a Brazilian steakhouse that showcases churrasco—the Southern Brazilian method of roasting premium cuts over an open flame—served via the “espeto corrido” or continuous service model.
Gaucho chefs prepare and roast premium chicken, lamb, pork, and beef over open flames, then carve each cut tableside. The aroma of grilling meats fills the dining room, setting the stage for a satisfying feast.
We were pleased to find the Full Churrasco Experience (the all-you-can-eat option) priced similarly to typical Denver steakhouses, but with the major difference that everything is unlimited.
The meal began with a basket of Pão de Queijo, Brazilian cheese bread. These are exceptional—chewy, cheesy, and made with yuca flour, so they’re naturally gluten free. If the meal had ended there, we would have been content. If you love Olive Garden’s breadsticks, prepare to meet a new favorite.
After ordering cocktails from an extensive drink menu and selecting a wine, we explored the Market Table. It’s more than a salad bar; it rivals a European hotel breakfast spread. The Market Table features imported cheeses, cured meats, smoked salmon, fresh fruit, and a wide variety of vegetables, as well as marinated peppers, artichokes, and olives. The feijoada, a comforting Brazilian bean stew, was a welcome, warming addition on a chilly evening. Our server explained that Brazilian meals highlight fresh, colorful ingredients from South America, and the Market Table reflects that principle. We were impressed by the range of vegetable dishes—an ideal way to balance the protein-focused portion of the meal.
Back at the table, we were served an assortment of sauces for the meats—chimichurri quickly became a favorite—along with crispy polenta fries and caramelized bananas. The sweet, caramelized banana provided a surprising and pleasant contrast to the savory grilled meats.
Once we flipped our green card signaling we were ready, the gauchos began their rounds. The parade of meats became a delicious blur, but some items stood out: the garlic sirloin was our top pick, with tender pork ribs and leg of lamb close behind. The gauchos tailored each slice to our preferred thickness and happily returned with seconds of our favorites.
Savor the continuous procession of expertly prepared meats, return to the Market Table for vegetable breads and sides, or ask your server for more Pão de Queijo—you won’t be refused. Between quality, variety, and the all-you-can-eat format, it’s clear why Fogo de Chão is our favorite pick for an unlimited dining experience.
