Best-Known Brazilian Churrascaria, Fogo De Chão, Opens In Uptown Dallas

Great news, meat-lovers and vegetarians (yes, vegetarians, stay tuned): Fogo de Chão has opened a second Dallas-area location. This time the chain has targeted Uptown, the heart of Dallas nightlife.

We visited for an early 6 p.m. reservation a scant two weeks after the restaurant's opening. Despite the earliness of the hour, the place was already buzzing and about half full, proof that Fogo has its finger on the pulse of what diners want. Service was exemplary, with chairs pulled back, plates changed, and passadores appearing like magic to offer meat. Stellar cuts in my book were lamb chops, filet mignon, and bottom round. My guest went for the New York strip.

This temple to meat has a couple of lesser-known secrets. For the vegetarians: It has the best salad bar in town. Come in for just the salad bar and the prix fixe drops about 50 percent. Worth noting for meat eaters: the lunch menu differs slightly from its evening counterpart.

The globally sourced wine list has one of the best South American selections around, though despite six (soon seven) Texas locations there is no Texas wine. I recommend they add Duchman Aglianico and Fall Creek Tempranillo.