Sal & Carvao – Churrasco (Brazilian Grilled Meats) – Schaumburg
 

Sal & Carvao – Churrasco (Brazilian Grilled Meats) – Schaumburg

My car was at the dealer out in Schaumburg, funny how when the warranty expires so does the working ability for many parts on one’s car.

We were on our way and had no idea what we wanted to eat. My wife spied Sal & Carvao, from my initial impression of the sign I thought oh great another Italian food wannabe.

Stepped inside and were pleasantly surprised that is was a Churrasco.

We were immediately seated and I indulged in a Cipriana (sp?), best I’ve tasted for sure, LOTS of citrus.

There is a large circular salad bar: hears of palm, yellow & red roasted peppers, tabouli, salad, artichoke hearts, smoked salmon, black bean soup, and some other items. Not an overabundance of items, all were very fresh.

One is provided a clean plate after their salad and then the fun begins (if you like grilled meats) 5 different kinds of meat, 14 different cuts/presentations total. Gauchos come to your table with spits of meat and carve them for you right at your table.

You can view their website for all the varieties, but some standouts for us were: lamb, garlic steak, sirloin, sausages. All were good though. Being confirmed carnivores, my wife and I loved it. There are discs for each person at the table; one side says yes and the other no. When full of meat, turn your disc to the no side and the various meat carvers/servers will not stop at your seat.

Two sides are served, fried bananas and mashed potatoes. Both are “refreshed” if you run out. The bananas are lightly coated in a sweet breading and then fried, no greasy taste whatsoever. Mashed potatoes were ok, nothing special, could have been more home-style (chunky) IMO.

Endless slices of meat brought to your table does not come cheap, bill w/my one drink was $88.

I had not been to a Churrasco for quite some time and seeing as it was a spontaneous choice, I liked it a lot.

Sal & Carvao
801 East Algonquin Road
Schaumburg, IL
847.925.0061

http://salecarvao.com/

Hey Sweet Willie

that drink was called Caipirinha, made of rum/vodka with sugar and tons of lime. Very good. I forgot to mention that I have been to Fogo De Chao in downtown about 3 times and always enjoyed each and everytime. Try to go for lunch as they are half the cost of dinner.

My favorite cut of meat would be the picanha. The servers are quick fast and efficient. The plantain banana is excellent, similar to the one back in Indonesia.

Both Sal Carvao and Fogo De Chao have the same theme and we now know that both of them are delicious.

Lunch at Fogo De Chao is $24.50 and dinner is $43. Oh and for desert, try the papaya shake.

Sal & Carvao Churrascaria: Has opened a Downers Grove location at 3008 Finley Rd.

from Zagat.com

I had a friend visit there on Saturday and said he would never go back. With reservations, they waited and hour and he claimed the service was horrendous. He said, every cut of beef tasted the same and by the end of the meal they were laughing because of the sameness of it all. I haven't been there, so I can't comment.

However, I have been to Fogo de Chao in the city several times and loved it each time. The salad bar is spectacular and the meat wonderful. I would be interested in the opinions of someone who may have been to both.

I actually went to both, but at the end, I couldn't tell one from the other. This mold has been so standardized that it's hard to expect anything out of the ordinary from either chain.

They might as well merge! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...orum/smile.gif

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I added the Tribune's comparison of the Chicago churrascarias to this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...944post5046944