Texas de Brazil opened its first St. Louis-area location at the Saint Louis Galleria on Monday, March 12, bringing South American flair to the table with hand-carved meats and gaucho pants. The churrascaria, or steakhouse in Portuguese, offers 15 cuts of meat alongside a 50-item salad bar that includes seafood, pasta, cheeses and more.
For a flat $43, guests can experience interactive dining at their own pace by placing colorful tokens on each table green-side-up when ready for meat. Servers dressed in traditional gaucho garb, then carve the meat tableside right onto the plate.
Staying authentic to Brazilian culture, meats like beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausage are cooked over a wood charcoal fire as opposed to a gas flame. “The concept originated in southern Brazil with gauchos, otherwise known as cowboys, living on the grasslands,” said Hannah Thompson, Texas de Brazil director of marketing and PR.
The full bar features wine and spirits with an emphasis on South American varietals and cocktails like caipirinhas. While beverages and dessert are an additional cost, children 6 to 12 eat for half the adult price and those ages 3 to 5 eat for $5. Those who want to forego the meats altogether can have unlimited salad bar access for $25.
The space that formerly housed Casa del Mar will seat 205 inside and another 24 on the patio. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., Saturday from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Caitlin Lally is a contributor to Sauce Magazine.
This article appears in March 2018.