Brazzaz

Location: 539 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610

A Quick Word:
Brazzaz is one of the best places to come when you are starving.  This Brazilian style steakhouse serves an all-you-can-eat meat experience that will not let you leave hungry.  Not only do they have unlimited cuts of meat, they also have one of the best salad bars ever created.  Stocked full of seafood, salads, and even risotto or tortellini, the salad bar will not disappoint.  I know people that come just for the salad bar.  But, once you see the servers walking around with swords skewered with filet mignon or a leg of lamb, everyone will definitely salivate.  The atmosphere is very upbeat, but the cost is what hits hard.  At about $50.00 per person, this meal becomes a larger decision for many.  Luckily, I have been receiving "buy one, get one free" coupons every month for nearly a year now.  These coupons are clutch and are even being offered on Groupon.  So definitely look for a coupon... it turns out being $36.00 with tax/tip with nothing but good old H2O to drink.  Because of the price and the salty food (to make everyone drink more water), I decided to give them a 4 mile rating.  With coupon, I would be more generous.

What I Ate:

"All-You-Can-Eat" Brazilian Steakhouse

If you have a huge appetite and crave different cuts of meat, Brazzaz is the perfect place.  The "all-you-can-eat" style dinner includes a salad bar with easily 40 items and about 18 or so different types of meats served on huge skewer-like swords.

The salad bar is incredible.  They offer dozen of vegetables either pickled or served simply as a salad.  They have an extensive selection of cured meats and aged cheeses, including prosciutto, capicola, and asiago cheese.  It also includes a variety of seafood... oysters on the half shell, seared ahi tuna, ceviche, and even assorted sushi.  Some of my favorite dishes are part of their hot bar, which includes an extremely rich and creamy truffle oil mushroom risotto.  This risotto is to die for and I will always save extra room for a serving or two.  I have only scraped the tip of the iceberg for their salad bar, so you will be pleasantly surprised with dozens of other dishes.

Now to the main course... the meat.  Brazzaz has around 18 or so skewers of meat/pineapple that are being carried throughout the restaurant.  Whenever it is time for meat, simply flip over the disk to the "orange side," and servers will rush by with tons of meat options for you to sample.  My favorite dishes are the bacon filet mignon, rack of lamb, garlic beef culotte, and of course the grilled shrimp.  I would be happy with just this meat, but they go over the top and serve other cuts, including, but not limited to leg of lamb, roasted chicken thighs, beef ribs, parmesan pork, and two types of sirloin.  They also have grilled pineapple which helps divide the meal by giving a sweet component.  In fact, the pineapple almost recharges me because it removes the heavy salted flavor that coats some of the meat (makes you drink more water).

Fried Plantains and Mashed Potatoes

I am unsure if these side dishes are meant to fill you up, make your palate more salty, or just to because it is tradition.  And in fact, it is probably a combination of all three.  The fried plantains are incredible... a perfect crust on the outside and a warm mushy center.  The potatoes are filler and are extremely salty, so do not eat them.  Rather than spending stomach real estate on these sides, I would highly suggest heading back to the salad bar.

The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- Always on Groupon.  So make sure do buy the voucher.
- I received coupons every month in the mail (buy one get one free).  So definitely check it out before going.
- Lunch time special of $19.99, but no oysters or sushi at the salad bar.  Also, shrimp is taken off the menu at lunch.

DON'T:
- The salad bar is amazing, but try not to fill yourself up with the carbs.  Save room for the meat.
- Easy location near Red Line Grand stop.  So don't drive... very minimal parking in the area.

How far would I walk for this food?