Rio Churrascaria
Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone: (919) 846-6560
- Price:
- $$
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm, Sun 5pm-9pm
Editorial Review for Rio Churrascaria – by Alex Leviton
The Scene
Triangle denizens have reason to be overjoyed that a churrascaria--an upscale steakhouse not often found outside of Brazil--has made it to the Triangle. Lightly sponged walls, eclectic music and sophisticated furnishings turn any meal here into an elegant outing.
The Food
The experience alone is worth the price, but it's the food that will bring you back. The salad bar teems with tantalizing items, including smoked salmon, sauces, inventive salads and smoky grilled vegetables. As soon as you're ready for the main course, flip your coaster-like "chip" from red to green. Meat runners--called passadors--glide through the restaurant carrying skewers of meats. Depending on the time of night, they might have over a dozen choices. The Brazilian specialty, picanha, is a dense, rich beef. Delicate filet mignon and top round slice as easily as butter, while bacon encases chicken and beef and tastes so good you'll be anxious for seconds.
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Insider Tips
Save MoneyYou can pay for either the full meal (meat, appetizer and salad bar) for $24.95, or just the salad bar and appetizer for $14.95.
What to DrinkThe wine list holds many gems from South America, and many of the better wines are the least expensive. For a different kind of caffeinated kick, try the guarana soft drink.
When to GoThe later in the evening you arrive, the more likely they are to have run out of certain types of meat.
User Reviews for Rio Churrascaria
03/08/2008 Posted by edusilva76
I am a big fan of Brazilian steakhouses ever since I tried them with my family many years ago. It's festive ambience, it's great meat cuts, and it's fabulous customer service has ever since defined the standards for these restaurants. I went to Rio churrasqueria on a Saturday evening, expecting to experience a great brazilian steakhouse. Unfortunately Rio Churrasqueria fails to meet those standards by far. A lack of sufficient staff makes it difficult to keep pace with customers making it imperative to keep your patience and also be a very active customer drawing attention to what you need. It has very few cuts and they take them out sparingly, and it's over-use of the fillers (chicken, garlic siloin, pork ribs, etc) leaves limited space for the good stuff. Finally against a metric of cost-benefit it is a big FAIL. Overall, I would not recommend going there. I certainly won't try it out again.
Pros: Ambience is not bad overall.
Cons: Food quality, service and overall value.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful
02/20/2008 Posted by jaxrbtr
This place is great!!! Very Friendly people...Fantastic atmosphere....and the food was superb!!!! I will go back again and again....and I live and hour and half away....it was more than worth the drive!!!!!!!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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