Meat News
Brazilian steakhouse skewers Dallas-Fort Worth with debut in Grapevine
A new Brazilian steakhouse is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth: Called Chama Gaucha, it's a San Antonio-based churrascaria concept opening its first location in North Texas, at 4025 William D. Tate Ave. in Grapevine.
According to a release, it'll open February 25. It takes over an address with a longtime churrascaria history, as it was previously home to a Boi Na Braza, which had been there for 21 years before closing in 2021 and relocating to Flower Mound.
Chama was founded in 2008 by João Carlos Ongaratto, a 20-year veteran of Fogo de Chao who struck out on his own, opening the first in San Antonio, followed by locations in Houston and Chicago. Grapevine is the fourth.
Chama Gaucha follows the standard format, serving a dozen cuts of meat. House specialties include Picanha (prime cut sirloin), Cordeiro (leg or rack of lamb), and Porco (pork ribs dusted in parmesan).
The meat is delivered to the table, carved from a large skewer by gauchos right onto your plate. Diners also get red and green cards which they use to indicate whether they need still more meat or have reached their limit.
A bountiful salad bar is another churrascaria tradition and theirs has more than 30 items including cheese, cured meats, vegetables, olives, asparagus, and peppers.
Meals begin with pão de queijo, AKA cheese bread - made with tapioca flour so it has a slightly chewy texture, like chewy cheese puffs. The signature cocktail is the caipirinha.
In a statement, Ongaratto says they're thrilled to offer a traditional taste of Brazil, stating that “combined with curated cocktails and wine, excellent customer service and a sophisticated interior, we’re bringing a new and thrilling culinary experience to Grapevine."
At 12,100 square feet, the restaurant seats 389, and has four private party rooms as well as a large wine cellar, visible at the entrance.