The bustling energy of Fogo de Chão is apparent the moment you walk through the door. We were greeted by enthusiastic and attentive hosts, who informed us that we were in for a unique dining experience. Fogo de Chão is a worldwide chain of acclaimed Brazilian steakhouses (churrascarias). While you can dine à la carte, we opted for the churrasco brunch experience.
As a first-timer at a Brazilian steakhouse myself, I listened to our wonderful server’s instructions. To dine in the churrasco style, Gaucho chefs walk through the spacious and beautifully decorated restaurant, carrying fire-roasted meats (lamb, filet mignon, and parmesan-crusted pork, to name a few) on skewers. We were each given a card with a green and red side. If you’re ready for all-you-can-eat steak, flip the card on the green side. If you’d like some time to savor your food, just flip it over to the red side. We spent the majority of our meal with the card flipped on the green side, because when you’re in Fogo de Chão, you don’t want to miss any of these amazing, delectable steaks!
The ambience was one of excitement and anticipation. The restaurant officially opened on February 9th in the Bridgeport Village mall, which straddles the border of Tigard and Tualatin, and the vibrant, new energy of the space was palpable. I ordered a crisp cup of coffee first, and it paired fantastically with the pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) that we were served upon being seated. Then, it was time to make our way to the Market Table, a traditional buffet inspired by the markets of Brazil. At the Market Table, you’ll find a beautiful rainbow of fruits and vegetables (kiwis, pineapples, dragon fruit, asparagus), along with a traditional feijoada bar. Feijoada, a Brazilian speciality, is a black bean stew with sausage, served with rice and a fresh orange. At weekend brunch, Fogo also offers one of my favorite surprises of the menu: bolo de fubá (sweet cornmeal cake) with whipped banana crème. The Market Table is offered both as a meal on its own, or as a pairing with the churrasco experience. At brunch, you also have the option of waffles and omelettes made to order. As much as I was tempted to try the latter, I chose to save room for steak.
When it was time to turn our cards to the green side, Gaucho chefs immediately appeared with steak on skewers, wielding knives to cut it to each guest’s desired temperature. We started with the cordeiro (lamb), a flavorful cut in the picanha style, made famous by Brazilian steakhouses. This cut of meat comes from the top of the rump, and it is distinguished by a layer of fat that melts and flavors the meat as it grills. It was hard to surpass the lamb, and though it was the first steak that I tried, it remained my favorite throughout the meal. Next was the filet mignon and top sirloin, both grilled to allow the tender, juicy cuts of beef a slight crisp. For those who are looking to try something different, you also have the option of frango (chicken legs cooked in a peri-peri style seasoning), linguiça (Brazilian pork sausage), or medalhões com bacon (bacon-wrapped chicken).
After an all-you-can-eat steak brunch, it can be hard to even think about dessert. That’s why I’m informing you in advance, because ultimately, the cheesecake brûlée was one of my favorite offerings on the menu. This extravagant blend of New York-style cheesecake and crème brûlée is both inventive and scrumptious, with a scorched, caramelized sugar outer shell and creamy cheesecake filling. The dessert is paired with a not-too-sweet berry sauce. I had the dessert with another cup of coffee, but the menu offers plenty of drink options, including a full bar (known as Bar Fogo, which also boasts an all-day happy hour menu).
Throughout the brunch, I was thoroughly impressed with the hardworking staff’s dedication and craft. On the afternoon that I visited, the exuberant space was packed with dining guests. The restaurant’s staff, from Gaucho chefs to hosts to servers, handled the busy excitement with grace and skill. Whether you’ve been to a Fogo de Chão location before or you’re new to the art of churrasco, Bridgeport Village’s latest restaurant is worth a trip!
Fogo de Chão’s Bridgeport Village location is at 17015 SW 72nd Ave. in Tigard, right in the heart of the shopping center for easy access and parking. Open Monday–Thursday 11:30 am–9:30 pm, Friday–Saturday 11:30 am–10:00 pm, and Sunday 11:30 am–9:00 pm. Expect a premium all-you-can-eat experience: the full churrasco (including Market Table) typically runs around $60–70 per person for dinner. Bar Fogo offers all-day happy hour with deals like $6 beers and $10 cocktails. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on busy weekends—book via their website at fogodechao.com or call 503-343-1880.
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Contact publisher Michael Antonelli at 503-692-9215 or mike@tigardlife.com.
