Rodizio Rico

Was so excited taking a group of friends here last night after my first Churrascaria experience in Sao Paulo earlier this year. I’d told them enthusiastically about the mouth-watering meat, the fantastic salads bars and great service. Rodizio Rico is not only nothing like the original but a terrible restaurant in its own right.

1. Far too many tables and tacky décor - six of us on a tiny table and knocking elbows (literally) with customers on either side.

2. 15min from ordering drinks to getting them – served all men before women.

3. Restaurant ‘concept’ explained to us by one of many very heavily accented eastern European waitresses. All looked miserable - no passion about the food whatsoever and we couldn’t understand or hear her. I say this as the Brazillian equivalent is complete opposite – not only get explained concept by v enthusiastic staff but also info on how meat is cooked/where it’s from etc

4. Salad bar maybe biggest disappointment. Brown lettuce – terrible choice. Again Brazlian equivalent is 20ft long with huge array of tasty and beautifully displayed salads and meats….this was six steel trays with tired brown lettuce and blue cheese sauce from a tube.

5. Meat was very bad - too fatty and tasteless but worst thing was way it was served. Again miserable looking staff would cut meat and almost throw it at plate (and on my lap once). Instead of it being a celebration of great meat was like kebab shop at 2am.

Great concept but terribly executed and a huge disappointment.
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Ben
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Saturday, June 28, 2008

This is by far one of the worst restaurants I have ever been to. Horrible service and food.

The table we're booked was pratically at the door entrance, with a horrible cold draft blowing everytime someone came to or left the restaurant. When asked why we could not sit at another table for 4, the answer was: the other tables are for 5 people (yeah, they managed to squeeze another chair at the table so that we could not sit there)..Guess what? Later on, 4 (and not 5!!!) people sat there.

I would have forgiven that if the food had been better than the service...But again, guess what??? Appalling food. The meat was like a chewing gum, and on top was badly seasoned and cooked. The "picanha" came once only, but only after I asked twice for it. The alcatra was well cooked, but as for the picanha, it came only once and we had to ask for more.

When we asked the waitress where the meat was from, her answer was: "Some are from Brazil, some from Argentina and some from England...But I don't have details exactly of what comes from where."

I had a non-Brazilian friend with me, that was looking forward so much to a nice Brazilian experience for the first time. What a disappointment...And how embarassing for me.

I did not expect to have a tipical 100% Brazilian churrasco, like we have in Brazil. I know it is probably difficult to get hold of some meat cuts or even maintain the quality of the imported ones (in case they really get some cuts from Brazil, which I honestly doubt by now), so I lowered my expectations. But what they provide at Rodizio Rico is a disgrace and from all the Brazilian restaurants I have been abroad Rodizio Rico is by far the worst of all!!!.
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Fernanda Larsen
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, April 12, 2008

I took my mother and daughter for motherday dinner, We waited 50 mins for are drinks. And the manager still had the nerve to try and charge me for them. The food was ok, but the service was really bad. Please dont waste your time or money.
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Michelle Duberry of (DivanailsandBeauty.com)
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, March 21, 2008

I'm Brazilian myself and I can guarantee that if you have enjoyed your meal at Rodizio Rico you'll be fond of any other Brazilian steak house anywhere else in the world. Rodizio Rico is a cheap (very cheap) attempt of representing a typical Brazilian steak house and it fails miserably. The quality of meat served, the frequency in which "picanha" (most famous Brazilian meat cut and not surprisingly the most expensive) is served and staff friendliness are all appalling. Would never recommend this place to anybody but I acknoledge it might provide an interesting experience for somebody who has never been to a Brazilian place before. Lower significantly your expectations though
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Great food, great atmosphere, fantastic service, and tasty drinks! What a fun, wonderful place to go. And get so bloated from overeating tasty Brazilian food. Mmmmm! I can't rate this more highly. I've been here twice now and can't wait to go back. The overall way things work is described in previous reviews, but basically for a very reasonable 20 quid-ish price, you eat as much meat and veg dishes as you can. The service is over the top good, and people are so friendly.

Make reservations as it gets busy quickly. And ask to sit upstairs (although my partner seems to think the basement room is nicer) as it's less cramped, I think.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 10, 2008

Pricey, noisy (to be expected at a Rodizio) and a general lack of "picanha" ( favourite Brasilian cut amongst meat lovers) going round puts me off going again!! The music projected onto a screen featuring new popular Brasilian acts is off putting to say the least, but bearable I suppose. Caipirinhas are not charged with sufficient cachaca, but taste good however when the bill came we sobered up somewhat! If meat is what you want then think twice as the good cuts appear less regularly than expected. Our request for more "Picanha" was met with smiles, however it was not honoured.........! Worth a visit, but be prepared to fork out £ 40 a head if you want a good night out with sufficient booze to wash down the food!!
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Beefy
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Went to this place with some friends and I have to say, the food was okay the service was very friendly and the price was okay for upper a street restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 04, 2008

Wow!

What a fabulous way to dine!!

my best mate hasn't shut up about rodizio rico so on saturday 02/02/08 i finally went.

I had a brilliant time the salad selection was by far the best i've seen and the dauphinois potatoes was simply delicious.

All the meats were cooked to perfection (lamb,chicken tighs and wings, pepper beef,different cuts of beef and pork i even tryed chicken hearts mmmmmmmmm)

The only bad thing was the meats were coming round so fast its realy hard to pace yourself not too much of a bad thing though coz i think i put on 2 stone in the space of an hour!!

The service was great.

the atmosphere was lively

i will be returning again and again and again.

i highly recommend this to everyone who loves meat and salad.
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shannon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, February 03, 2008

This place serves up GREAT food! Its totally reasonable, its loud and fun inside, the people are friendly and service is with a smile! I've been here a few times and will go back for sure... in fact, I'm so pleased with this place, I'm having a party there and bringing as many people as possible to spread the word! No faults, I just love it! and yum yum for sure to the meat... (they also serve seafood if you want!! And a very decent veggie menu too)
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Dharma
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, January 10, 2008

I've just been out to Rodizio Rico tonight with my partner, and had a fantastic time:he is very-very picky if it comes to food, and I was so happy because we haven't found such a nice place to eat so far...

The meats and cuts were really fresh, sizzling, with lovely smell and texture, a really huge selection of the sides and salads made us eat a bit too much...

We found a huge selection of them on the buffet table, unfortunately we couldn't even taste all of them, but we'll go back some time for an other round. The service is really poor, the waiters barely speak English, but sit in the corners chatting to each other, but apart from that we had a great night, we paid 55pounds having two BBQselections, 1 beer and a small water. Not the cheapest but really worth it, I can highly recommend it to Central and Eastern European(German, Austrian, Slovakian, Polish, Hungarian etc..) tastebuds you'll find TASTY YUMMY FOOD here!!!!!!!!!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, January 06, 2008