Many people have questions when they’re given the opportunity to visit a Brazilian steakhouse. Whether it’s questions about the meats we offer, the vegetarian options in our salad area, or the atmosphere itself, there’s always something new to learn.
Our managers are more than happy to explain anything to you when you arrive, whether it’s the culture our steakhouse pulls from, your options on the menu, or even just how serving works at a churrascaria like Texas de Brazil. But we get it; sometimes you don’t want to wait to have your questions answered, and sometimes the answers to those questions influence your experience, so you want to know them ahead of time.
One such question, for example, is about the etiquette and dress code of a Brazilian churrascaria. What should you wear? How should you act? How do you avoid making a mistake? Let’s answer all of your questions so you can enjoy your experience in confidence.
Table of Contents
Addressing the Dress
The answer is that it depends.
Around the world, there are a wide variety of Brazilian steakhouses. Some, especially some of those located in Brazil itself, are very casual and laid-back, where nearly anything goes. Others are high-end dining experiences where formalwear is, if not an expectation, a matter of course from their clientele.
Here at Texas de Brazil, we have no formalized dress code. We recommend smart dress, smart casual, and business casual clothes, but we don’t enforce a dress code so long as the clothing you’re wearing is reasonable and doesn’t depict anything that can be found offensive to other guests.
So, come as you like and as you’re comfortable! As long as you aren’t decked out in offensive iconography or disruptive attire – and you meet local laws about shirts, shoes, and baseline attire – you’re free to enjoy what our churrascaria has to offer.
Brazilian Steakhouse Etiquette: Your Questions Answered
Now, we get into a little bit more of the complex questions. Etiquette means many things to many people, but broadly, it simply answers the question of how to behave. Here, we’ve answered some of your most common questions, as well as a few more.
How do you order?
We can’t speak for every Brazilian steakhouse, but here at Texas de Brazil, ordering is simple. When you enter, we ask what you would like, between the standard menu and the vegetarian menu. The vegetarian option is cheaper, of course, because you aren’t partaking in the meat – just the atmosphere and company, and, of course, the salad area.
From there, the process is quite simple. You’re given a token. On one side, it’s green for go. Our gauchos (managers) bring fresh skewers of meats – including all of Brazil’s best options – and if you want some, simply ask for a cut or two! When you have enough on your plate, simply flip the token over, and our gauchos will know you’re good for the time being.
Since Texas de Brazil is an all-you-can-eat experience, you can flip this token as often as you like and enjoy whatever meats you prefer, whether it’s bacon-wrapped chicken, petite filet, or leg of lamb. With over a dozen options (subject to location and availability), there’s something for everyone.
The meats and the salad area are available to you for the price of entry. Meanwhile, you’re free to order beverages and desserts off of their own dedicated menus (for an extra fee). We want you to have the best experience possible, so we make the process as simple as it can be. No tricky decisions, no QR-code menus, no flagging down waiters, just gauchos who are attentive to your desires and all the delicious Brazilian meat you can eat.
Please note that the meat-carrying gauchos are doing just that; you’ll have another gaucho dedicated to your table, more like a traditional water, who can help you with ordering beverages, desserts, and other items.
What are the tongs for?
Our gauchos have their hands full with the delectable meat skewers they bring you – literally! With a skewer in one hand and a carving knife in the other, it can be difficult to properly serve you, so we ask that you give a little help. The tongs we provide are there to catch and transfer cuts of meat from the skewer to your plate without risking those succulent bites dropping onto the table or worse. They’re your helping hand to the meal you want to enjoy!
We do ask that you make sure only to use those tongs, and not your fork. Using the same fork you’ve been using to eat is a health and safety issue.
When should you go to the salad area?
Whenever you like! We recommend visiting the salad area to start, both so that you can see what’s on offer in our rotating selections today and so you can grab a few of those delectable bases you can use to make everything from a tasty salad topped with steak to a bruschetta using our homemade crostini, or just a few bits of cheese or olives to cleanse the palette between cuts of meat.
Don’t be afraid to make a second (or third, or more) trip over, as well. The salad area and hot bar are continually refreshed, so there’s always more for you to enjoy.
What’s the policy on tipping/gratuity?
Tipping is encouraged, and like most restaurants, you simply add it to your final bill. On average, we recommend a gratuity of 18-20% if you’re satisfied and content with the service our gauchos have provided, and the meal you’ve enjoyed. Anything more is quite welcome, but not required.
If you’re considering a lower gratuity, we encourage you to talk to a manager and see if whatever dissatisfaction you have can be rectified. We don’t want you to have a sub-par experience, and we want you to leave happy and satisfied! But we can’t solve a problem we don’t know exists, so please talk to us if you have any concerns.
Texas de Brazil is mostly an American restaurant chain that follows the American tipping culture. That said, some of the four locations, like those in international areas such as Dubai, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and South Korea, will follow their own local laws and customs. Feel free to call in advance and ask, or ask while you’re there; our gauchos can explain what’s usually expected.
Can you get a box to go?
Yes and no. Unfortunately, because of the continuous dining experience we offer at Texas de Brazil, we don’t allow to-go boxes of meats, specialty items, side items, or items from the salad area. We encourage you to only take what you’re interested in eating to avoid wasting food; small portions at a time are ideal.
If you order a dessert and you can’t finish it, though, you’re welcome to a box to take it home with you!
If you want to enjoy our meats and other items from the comfort of your own home, you can order a carry-out or delivery meal from our online ordering system here. We also offer catering for your events, and we have a market where you can order our famous meats (like our picanha or short ribs), which can be found here.
Do you need to make a reservation?
Not at all! Reservations are not required at Texas de Brazil.
That said, sometimes our locations can be very busy, especially if there’s a large party or special event taking place, either here or nearby. You can call ahead to make sure there’s space for your party, of course, or you can make a reservation over the phone or by using our online reservations system.
So, while reservations are not required, they may be encouraged depending on the day, time, size of your party, and other factors. If you want to guarantee that you have availability, no wait time, and plenty of space for your group, a reservation is a great way to do so.
What if the meat you want isn’t available?
There are two possibilities here. The first and most unfortunate of the two is that the location you’ve visited is temporarily out of that particular dish. Some cuts are subject to availability, and sometimes they can be so popular throughout the day that diners later in the evening aren’t able to have any. It’s unfortunate, but there’s not much we can do about it. There are plenty of options available, though, so you’re sure to be able to eat your fill!
The other possibility is that we’re only temporarily out, and more is on the grill as we speak. If you haven’t seen the meat you want come by recently, you can ask a gaucho if there’s more on the way, or even make a special request to have it brought around when it’s ready. Don’t worry, our gauchos are friendly and happy to bring you whatever dish makes your experience unforgettable.
Is it rude to focus too much on a certain dish?
We want to make your experience at our churrascaria the kind of experience you dream of, and that means you can have whatever you want. If that means you load your plate with nothing but bacon-wrapped chicken and picanha, that’s perfectly fine. If it means you sample a little bit of everything and top up on the few favorites you find most delectable, that’s also fine.
It would only be rude if there was a particular cut coming out and you asked for the whole skewer, and that’s simply because the other diners deserve their chance at it as well.
How long can you spend enjoying your meal?
That’s up to you! A churrascaria is meant to be as much of an experience as it is a meal, and that means enjoying it with friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else you’ve brought to your party. It’s frequently the case that diners will take breaks to socialize between courses, and that’s perfectly fine.
There are just a few limitations here. The first is the hours; our steakhouses aren’t 24/7 restaurants, so if it’s coming up on closing time, we do ask that you wrap up your dining experience. Secondly, if you’re not longer eating – and we hope you’re nice and full, of course! – we would ask that you respect the other diners and free up space when you’re settled and ready to go. Lastly is for larger parties, where special considerations have to be made for reservations, party size, and how busy the location is, the time of day is – there are a few factors that can affect the total dining time.
Hours can vary depending on location, so please find your nearest location on our map and view local hours and considerations, if necessary.
Any other questions?
If you have another question on the etiquette, dress code, or anything else about how a churrascaria like Texas de Brazil works, you have a few options. First, you can reach out to us directly using the chat system or contact form on our website or by calling us directly to ask. Second, when you visit, you can ask your server or gaucho any questions you may have. And, of course, you can browse the rest of our articles to see if your question has been covered elsewhere!
We always want you to have the best possible dining experience, in true, authentic churrascaria fashion, and that means making sure you know what to do, what not to do, and how best to enjoy yourself. Don’t hesitate to ask, and feel free to stop in and give it a try!
