In continuing with Ben’s relaxing day we went to his pick for dinner – Agora Churrascaria in Irvine – aka Brazilian steakhouse aka ‘the meat parade’ . Funny enough I remember my ex-BFs sister talking about an ‘all you can eat’ Brazilian BBQ and calling it the meat parade. She and I were both vegetarian at the time and got a big kick out of that.
Anyway. We got all dressed up to go.
The restaurant we went to in Orange County is called Agora Churrascaria, but there are a lot of them around. My dad mentioned one near LA and I know there’s one in Long Beach too.
The restaurant is a set menu of 14 different meats that are brought around on carts. Each person has a card with a green side and red side. You keep the green side up when you want more meat and red side up when you need a break.
As soon as you sit down cheese bread and a fried banana is brought to the table. The cheese and banana were amazing.
I am not a big meat eater. I even joked that the cost of this meal would be wasted on me, but Ben has always wanted to go to a place like this. Since I was there I decided to try everything and be open minded.
Bacon wrapped filet and steak kabobs
Turns out just as I expected, I am not a big meat fan. I think lamb is gamey. And the meat was really well seasoned and cooked, but I wasn’t super excited about it.
But I was super excited about the buffet! I love an epic buffet and this had some great veggies. My favorite part of the whole meal was the mashed potatoes.
So I broke the #1 rule of meat buffets and filled up on the sides…
I got an Acai-tini with dinner.
The meat lover of the group had the BEST meal of his life and really loved it. So I have to give it a great review for overall taste, new experience and happiness.
He was so full though he skipped dessert and so I had to eat a McFlurry all by myself. Then, I got the idea for a DESSERT BUFFET! Who wants to go into business with me on an all dessert restaurant??!?!
Looks like so much fun! It’s great they had other options for those who may not like meat. You don’t always see that at steak houses. I’m craving mashed potatoes now!
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I took a client to this place a few years ago! I remember that the sides were KILLER good and I filled up on those even though I do eat meat. I think i remember how hard it was to not eat all the bread on the table it was so delicious. Glad Ben had a good meal!
haha I am currently living n Brazil and churrascarias are so common! So glad you enjoyed yourself!
We have Fogo de Chao here. I’ve been once. I DO like meat, and if I haven’t had it for a while, I get cranky. BUT, I found that it was not my favorite dining experience and I don’t feel the need to go ever again. I just can’t eat a ton of meat like that. Fogo has a HUGE salad bar, that I guess is sides too. I wouldn’t call it a “buffet” though I guess really the whole place is a buffet sort of since it’s all you can eat. They offer all you can eat salad bar for a discounted price, if you don’t want meat. I would almost consider going and just doing that.
i love those brazillian steakhouses, that cheese bread is THE BEST! i really come for the meat and bread cheese only 🙂 eat all the things!!!
Oh man! The boyfriend and I went to one of these places in Washington, DC (Fogo de Chao) and we both left with meat sweats. Oddly, I grew up not liking meat much and still don’t “choose” it over other things – but have come to enjoy it enough that this was a fun adventure for us (boyf is a HUGE meathead… giggle).
i don’t eat red meat at all so i’d be right there with you loading up on veggies! glad you guys had such a fun dinner and he was so happy. boys deserve to be the center of the night sometimes, too. 🙂
I also am not a huge fan of meat. I’m not a vegetarian, I would just rather fill up on chocolate. or cheese. or chips and salsa. Basically anything but meat. But I would LOOOOVE a dessert buffet. So when you decide to open one, please make it in Florida!
I’m not a big meat fan and don’t eat red meat which is most of the Brazilian bbq but the side buffet is usually delicious so I don’t mind going with my meat loving husband and friends.
Rei do Gado and Fugo de Chao in San Diego are incredible, and they have an option where you pay half price just for the buffet. I’m a big meat eater, but I would seriously go just for the buffet. They have seafood, so many veggie/vegan dishes, a bowl full of BACON (not sure why, but I was excited) and tons of desserts.
My husband wants to go to a Brazilian Restaurant too, but I have close to no interest! I don’t normally comment but I know people love to be acknowledged for results… Ben is looking great, healthy and fit!
I love meat but the term “meat buffet” makes me squirm a bit 1000% yes on your dessert buffet idea. Let’s do it.
You had me at dessert buffet!
I’m in!
There is a brick oven pizza place here that uses pizza dough to make all their desserts. It’s amazing!
I loooooooove brazilian food- cheese bread is the bomb even if it’s not the healthiest of treats 😛
I LOVE meat!!! There’s an interesting place like this in Connecticut. It’s not Brazilian though. I’ve never been there, but I would go if it were a little closer and not $100 / person. Looks like you had a great time anyway. Dress is very pretty.
Churrascarias in Brazil, well that’s something 😀 like nothing else in this world. The best meat ever, and I am a notorious meat eater 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed it!
We’ve a churrasuria in our neighbourhood too. Unfortunately I’m vegan…so haven’t been there but my friends who have, love the unlimited portions.
I like Brazilian steak houses but I’ve never been to one with a buffet! I don’t eat red meat often but I do like to treat myself.