Rio Churrascaria

I am Brazilian and I went there last Friday. I must say how can you have a Brazilian Restaurant without a real Brazilian chef? The Restaurant was empty on a Friday night. No wonder the food tastes from another country, I saw a Mexican come out of the kitchen. The food was fresh but it has nothing to do with Brazilian food. The meat was not first quality either. In Brazil we have the famous feijoada (black bean soup) instead of regular black beans they did not offer white rice, we don't eat yellow rice in Brazil. The salad bar was poor with American style buffet. So I am not coming back and please don't think that this is what they eat in Brazil! We have much better food there! Then again, this is not really the place to experience Brazilian food. The real good places that I know off the top of my head are Porcao (Miami, FL) and Texas de Brasil (many locations in the U.S) Yummm that's is real Brazilian people! more

I am a big fan of Brazilian steakhouses ever since I tried them with my family many years ago. It's festive ambience, it's great meat cuts, and it's fabulous customer service has ever since defined the standards for these restaurants. I went to Rio churrasqueria on a Saturday evening, expecting to experience a great brazilian steakhouse. Unfortunately Rio Churrasqueria fails to meet those standards by far. A lack of sufficient staff makes it difficult to keep pace with customers making it imperative to keep your patience and also be a very active customer drawing attention to what you need. It has very few cuts and they take them out sparingly, and it's over-use of the fillers (chicken, garlic siloin, pork ribs, etc) leaves limited space for the good stuff. Finally against a metric of cost-benefit it is a big FAIL. Overall, I would not recommend going there. I certainly won't try it out again. Pros: Ambience is not bad overall. Cons: Food quality, service and overall value. more

This place is great!!! Very Friendly people...Fantastic atmosphere....and the food was superb!!!! I will go back again and again....and I live and hour and half away....it was more than worth the drive!!!!!!!! more

Absolutely fantastic! A carnivore's paradise that's vegetarian friendly too. Great food, great value...........a MUST DO for people who love to eat. Pros: All you can eat meat! And a killer appetizer bar too. Cons: It's not cheap. But it IS a good value. more

I am providing this review after visiting here for the tenth time. Food, atmosphere and service has been consistently great. This restaurant offers the ability to spend a quiet evening with a loved one, relaxed pace for a business dinner, or a place to come as a large group. The upscale salad bar offers a good selection of chilled seafood, cheeses, and vegetables. The main dining concept is really quite easy - you are handed a card, green on one side, red on the other. When you are ready to start, flip the card to green and the rotation of 12 meats comes your way. Need to take a break, or have a conversation? Flip the card to red. Been there for awhile and see the full rotation of meats? Tell the wait staff what you are most interested in and they will swing by with that specified item. I encourage anyone to try this restaurant no matter what the occaision. Great food and great people can be found there. Pros: Great food and service Cons: Helps to have a large appetite more

We made a reservation for a party of four plus a child with a high chair. We arrived 5 minutes early. We waited 40 minutes for our table. They came to us and said it was because we needed a high chair. However when we were sat, we were put at a table for 4 with no high chair. Their was no way to get a high chair any where near the table. We were almost sitting on top of the people at the tables on both sides of us. So I held my daughter and did not say anything. She was great. She was in a wonderful mood all night. However, I was not. It is all you can eat, which would be great if they would come to your table with food. They are suppose to bring side dishes to the table. Even after asking for some we never received them. The server took our order and brought drinks and then we did not see him until we got the check. I had to ask another server to tell him we needed the check. The food was OK, but not great. I could go on for a few more paragraphs about the bad food and service. I will never return. Raleigh has another restaurant that is a Brazilian Steak House (Brasa). It is so much better - Not that it would be difficult to be better than this. more

This is an absolutely great restaurant, but I can never seem to recommend it to friends because I can't remember its name. We live in the area and have always thoughtit was a Mexican restaurant. It has a very nice entrance, but a long name and no decription of the restaurant type on the outside. First of all - GO HUNGRY. The waiters at Rio Churrascaria will serve you beautifully cooked cuts of meat as long as your serving card is on the "green" side. When you turn it over they will stop. Beef cuts include filet mignon, ribs, garlic steak, lamp, pork tenderloin and more. This restaurant also has the best "Salad" bar in Raleigh. Before you start on the beef try the mussells, capers, watercrest, smoked salmon, cheeses, fruits etc. It's really great. And after the main course try their homemade Tiramisu! I highly recommend this restaurant! Now... what's it called again? Pros: Great food Cons: not cheap...worth it, but not cheap more

This was our first time at this restaurant. The appetizer bar was very pleasing, with something for every taste bud. The service was outstanding and the meat was delicious. I will say, though it's not the most romantic setting, it's still worth trying out. All beer is bottled so none on tap and they have a descent wine selection. Highly recommend the chocolate mousse for dessert. This restaurant is a must try -- see for yourself. We enjoyed ourselves and would definitely return. more

Their seafood appetizer and salad bar is a great way to start a meal of heavy meat. If you ask, they will cut the meat in order to provide a piece cooked the way you like. It's a great deal - I have paid more for less in Las Vegas, Nashville and even Raleigh. If you are looking for Brazilian Steakhouse in Raleigh or Durham, this is the choice! Pros: Food, Variety, Service, Parking Cons: Ambience more

The salad bar is great, meat is a little bloody but besides that its a real treat. No problems with service Pros: Lots of meat Cons: The meat was a little rare for some of the people. more

I have been to this restaurant several times with large groups of 10 or more. Every time has been a wonderful experience. Great service, prompt seating, great atmosphere, and of course wonderful food. This restaurant is a little less pricy than a couple of other similar style restaurants in Durham and Briar Creek but still the same excellent quality of food as the higher priced choices. more

I have been to Rio in Cary on several occasoins and it has been wonderful each and every time! You start off with a great sallad bar - smoked salmon, calamari, shrimp and much more. When you're ready for the main course, you flip a coaster-like 'chip' from the red side to green and food servers stop to ask if you would like the cut of meat they happen to have on the skewer they are carying. They have 12 or 13 different cuts (fillet, top sirloin, garlic beef...). My favorite is the house specialty - picanya(sp). I have had a different server each time I've been and they have all been very helpful and professional. The bartender was friendly and helpful, too. She made a great drink with brazilian liquor and limes. All in all Rio is a great restaurant with a great staff. I highly recomend it. Pros: SERVICE / FOOD/ more

Enjoyable experience overall. Could be a little cheaper. Having had the opportunity to eat there twice, at different times in the evening, I must say that the earlier in the evening you go, the better quality meat you will get. It definitely lacks a lot in comparisson with other Brazilian places I've been, but this should not be a deterrant. I was not impressed with the side dishes, but the salad bar is definitely worth a couple of visits..will stick to that next time I go. Pros: Service, atmosphere, and salad bar Cons: meat either too rare or too done more

Well, where do I start??? Not a place for medium or well-done meat lovers! Meat always dripping , and smelly at times. Salad bar is great...missing lots of items found in other Brazilians steakhouses, such as Chamas in Durham. Tables too close together. Definitely NOT a place for a date or a fancy dinner. Here's a good advice: tips are not split between servers and meatrunners. So, if you have to eat there, tip the poor meatrunners who do more than half the job anyway, and communicate much better with the clients. Give your tips directly to them! If a strange smell is noticed, mostly in the red meat...yea, you're eating old meat!!!! Definitely an embarasement for the lovely Brazilian cousine! Pros: Salad bar Cons: Old meat, tables too close together, loud more

Pretty good food. Decent service. The salad bar is amazing. Some of the meat was a bit salty. You may want to starve yourself for 24 - 48 hours before going so that you get your money's worth -- they'll keep feeding you for as long as you're upright. Pros: Food, service, location more

We went last weekend and had a GREAT time. The only problem was the meat-induced hangover that dogged us all of the following day. But, that's what you get for going to town on the great selections available. The salad bar was good, but don't load up on silly things like lettuce. They are only there to fill your stomach with non-meat items! My wife and I had a ball. If we weren't laughing at the whole spectacle, we were laughing about the prospect of more meat. The house specialty beefs were very good. The top sirloin was a little rare for my tastes, but that's really reaching for something. The $25 is a steal. We got cocktails and a bottle of wine and still kept the bill under $100 before the tip. And that was still worth it. We also got dessert and were not charged for it. Either our waiter liked us or it's included in the cost of the meal. We plan to go back, but only so often. I can't take another meat hangover any time soon! Pros: Great Selection of great tasting food Cons: Too much meat. It keeps on coming! more

I was so surprised how excellent the food was. The salad bar alone is worth the trip, but the meats were also amazing. We're going back again next week. I highly recommend this place! more

Tried Rio Churrascaria for the first time on Father's Day. The atmosphere was relaxing and hospitable, the food was fabulous and the service was outstanding. Dave the waiter was prompt and attentive to our every need as were the meat runners and other staff. The meat was especially succulent and not overly salty as I have experienced in other places. We were offered at least 12 different meats. The house drink was very good as were the desserts. We had reservations and I suspect that it is always advisable. The price was reasonable for goods and services rendered. As for me and my family the evening was a 10! more

After an extremely disappointing experience at Brasa at Brier Creek, I felt compelled to write a review of Rio Churrascaria. Rio Churrascaria offers the best dining of its type that I have experienced in the Triangle. The salad and appetizer bar is well stocked with some very enticing items but dont eat too much because the meats are the real treat. The servers bring the entire array of meats around at regular intervals and all of the cuts of meat are tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The grilled pineapple is a delightful finish to the meal or if you prefer they offer several delicious deserts. Dirty dishes are cleared quickly and empty glasses are filled promptly. I cannot recommend Rio Churrascaria enough to anyone looking for a unique dining experience. I definitely recommend reservations because there is frequently a wait for food this good. Pros: Service, Food Quality, Price Cons: None more

I've been three times in North Raleigh and once in Cary. Both are similar. I'll speak to the North Raleigh location: I believe everyone must order the "buffet". You start with the "salad bar" ... lots to choose from ... mussels, cheeses, heart of palm, asparagus, cheeses, salads, macaronis, etc. Then, once finished with your "appetizers" (salad bar), the meat onslaught begins. Wait staff continues to bring small servings of pork, lamb, beef, and chicken to your table. You tell the server how much of each you would like. Also served with the meats are black beans (yummy), rice and mashed potatoes. I think they traditionally bring cinnamon pineapple for "free" dessert. The caipirinha(sp?) cocktail is a traditional Brazilian drink. I think it's crushed lime juice and rum. It's very good if you like a strong lime taste like me !! I recommend getting one just to try it. Pros: caipirinha cocktail, meat, meAT, MEAT more