18 | April 25, 2019 | the orland Park Prairie dining out <strong>OP</strong>Prairie.com The Dish Texas de Brazil brings slow-roasted meats to <strong>OP</strong> Steakhouse picks southwest suburbs for third Chicago-area location Thomas Czaja Contributing Editor A small, two-sided disc on the table is flipped from red to green. Suddenly, one by one, a variety of meats begin to arrive. The gauchos, or servers, bring the flame-roasted meat selections tableside, carving them off the skewer for hungry guests, who occasionally offer assistance by using tongs to help pry the succulent cuts loose. When guests are ready for a break from the parade of meats, they simply flip the disc back to red. With this system in place, Texas de Brazil allows its guests to eat at their own pace, making for a quick or relaxed dining experience. The eatery, which opened its third Chicago-area location April 5 in Orland Square, is a churrascaria, cooking meats in a churrasco style, which translates loosely into “barbecue” from Portuguese. The Brazilian steakhouse brand was first started in Texas. And its name is a nod to idea of blending Brazilian culture and cuisine with a cordial Texan and southern hospitality. The Orland Park location marks the chain’s 62nd spot worldwide. “We had a lot of feedback from our guests that were going to Schaumburg and going to Chicago requesting we come out here,” said Carlos Restrepo, corporate training manager for Texas de Brazil. “A lot of people live closer to over here. That’s where we are fortunate we had a good following, so when we opened the doors people were excited for us already.” Those who visit Texas de Brazil pay a fixed price. Regular adult meals with endless offerings of meat and a chance to pick from approximately 50 selections in a salad area is $44.99, with a cost of $29.99 for just the salad area. During lunch on the weekends, diners also get a dessert of their choice as well as bottomless non-alcoholic drinks included in the regular price. Desserts and drinks typically cost extra. Children ages 2 and younger can eat for free, with ages 3-5 costing $5 and ages 6-12 being 50 percent off an adult meal price, all when a full-price meal is purchased with them. When it comes to the meats, there are notable favorites. “By far, the flank steak and the picanha are the most popular,” Restrepo said. “The picanha is the top part of the sirloin. That’s our house specialty. It’s really tender and going to have a little bit of a fat cap around the edge. When it’s sliced very thin, it’s very, very good.” Other meats include the likes of Brazilian sausage, chicken breast wrapped in bacon, braised beef ribs, filet mignon and alcatra, another sirloin cut popular in Brazil. Texas de Brazil sources its meats from the Midwest, seasons them in rock salt and cooks them over an open flame using charcoal. “We let the meat speak for itself,” Restrepo said. “What brings a lot of flavor to the meats is going to be the charcoal itself, so we are using hardwood charcoal that imparts a lot of the flavor.” In addition to the buffet of juicy and delectable meat, the other main culinary component is the salad area. With salad dressings of ranch, blue cheese, balsamic and Brazilian vinaigrettes, and options like prosciutto, salami, smoked salmon, sliced tomato, capers, hearts of palm, spring mix, couscous salad and marinated artichoke hearts, Texas de Brazil 856 Orland Square Drive, Unit H15B, in Orland Park Hours • 5-9:30 p.m. Mondays- Thursdays • 5-10 p.m. Fridays • Noon-3:30 p.m. Saturdays- Sundays for lunch • 3:30-10 p.m. Saturdays for dinner • 3:30-9 p.m. Sundays for dinner For more information Web: www.texasdebrazil.com Phone: (708) 998-4800 there is likely something for everyone. “There are tons of items up there,” Restrepo said of the salad area. “For me, the first time, I would really recommend trying the lobster bisque soup that is made fresh daily and is really, really good.” For those with a sweet tooth, there is carrot cake, Brazilian cheesecake, Key lime pie and flan made in house and available for an extra charge. A seasonal passionfruit mousse ($8.75) also available for the next two-anda-half months, according to Restrepo. “It is probably the lightest dessert we have,” Restrepo said of the mousse. “It is blended together with a condensed milk, and they whip it into a light mousse that is really tasty, and nice and light.” In terms of drinks, Restrepo said there are approximately 150 wines on the wine list, with 16- 17 of those available by the glass and bottles going anywhere in price from roughly $36-$400. A collection from South American and Californian vineyards await the palates of those looking to try something new. “If you are just starting to learn about wine, we’ll give you samples of all wines by the Texas de Brazil gaucho Thiago Alves cuts picanha, the top part of the sirloin and a house specialty, at the Brazilian steakhouse brand that recently opened in Orland Square. Photos by Jacquelyn Schlabach/22nd Century Media The salad area at Texas de Brazil is included in the fixed price of admission and has a wide array of offerings, ranging from gourmet artisan breads to imported cheeses, sushi and steamed asparagus. glass,” Restrepo noted. “We help educate our customers on wine. Wine is a great thing to have with the meats to make them a little bit better.” Craft cocktails include the caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail made with cachaca, sugar and lime. It tastes like something between a mojito and margarita. One recommendation Restrepo gives to new diners is to go to the Texas de Brazil website and sign-up for the e-club, which he said will give $20 off for a first visit, as well as invitations for special events and dinners at the steakhouse. Between prime cut meats, a focus on top-notch customer service and quality, the corporate training manager said Texas de Brazil’s latest venture has been a success so far. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback,” Restrepo said. “It’s just local here now, and people don’t have to drive as far. So, they are really happy it is close to home.”
<strong>OP</strong>Prairie.com orland park the orland park prairie | April 25, 2019 | 19 Celebrating our 60th Anniversary Serving Chicagoland for 60 years! 2019 WINNER Visit our 4,000 square foot showroom to view our wide selection of products CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE ON WINDOW REPLACEMENTS! Windows Interior & Exterior Doors Mirrors & Glass Professional Installation & Service Reglazing • Shower Doors Celebrating our 60th Anniversary 18445 Thompson Ct. Tinley Park, IL 708.342.0900 | www.schaafwindow.com Follow us on