Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão chooses downtown Nashville for first Tennessee location

Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean

Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão has signed a lease on an 8,550-square-foot space in Nashville Yards, the 19-acre mixed-use project under development in downtown Nashville.

This will be the restaurant's first location in Tennessee and the first Brazilian steakhouse for downtown Nashville since Rodizio Grill, once on Second Avenue, closed after the 2020 Christmas Day explosion. Another Brazilian Steakhouse at 25th Ave. N., Texas de Brazil, also closed for reasons unrelated to the explosion.

Fogo de Chão has grown to more than 70 locations worldwide since it was founded in Brazil in 1979.

Nashville wants to know: What are Brazilian steakhouses?

Brazilian steakhouses often function somewhat like a roving buffet, with "gauchos" (a Portuguese word for cowboy) hand-carving flame-grilled meat, often tableside. Though they are largely meat-centric affairs, they're also known for a wide array of vegetable accompaniments. Accordingly, Nashville's will serve specialty salads and traditional Brazilian dishes, as well as cured meats, a la carte seafood and vegetarian options.

More: See the Nashville Yards development renderings as of April 2023

Fogo de Chão in Nashville: What to expect?

According to a media release from the company, this Nashville Yards location will feature an expansive dining room centered around a live-fire churrasco grill. Expect to choose from wood-fired top sirloin, spicy sausages and bone-in lamb and pork chops. Upscale cuts include a 32-ounce tomahawk ribeye, dry-aged for a minimum of 42 days.

Fogo de Chão is also known for its expansive and meat-friendly South American wine program. A bar and lounge will serve a small plate version of the menu, casual entrees including burgers and tacos, and specialty cocktails. There will be an onsite specialty prime meats butcher shop for take-home proteins.

The Nashville, Tennessee restaurant will feature an expansive dining room centered around an open churrasco grill.
The Nashville, Tennessee restaurant will feature an expansive dining room centered around an open churrasco grill.

“We are eager to enter the Tennessee market and expand our Southeast footprint with our first restaurant at Nashville Yards,” Barry McGowan, Fogo de Chão CEO said in the media statement. “As a prime destination for visitors from around the world, our restaurant will serve as a memorable addition to the lively experiences Nashville has to offer.”

More about Fogo at fogo.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville food: Nashville Yards to get massive Brazilian steakhouse

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