Asado's Brazilian Grill, Evanston

Before going, I checked out a number of on line reviews -- both of Asado and of the fancier places. Asado's reviews were a mix of short, high praises and short, execrable pans (only one mixed review). That made me wonder if most were legitimate. I promised myself I'd try to write a review that would be helpful for others.

Let me note that we're fairly experienced diners, having served as anonymous in-house reviewers for a major restaurant chain and, alas, blown all-too-much money on other meals we paid for ourselves. But this was our first Brazilian steakhouse, so we can offer no comparisons.

To summarize - wow, what a fine experience! Our visit was at 5:30 on a Sunday -- the place was empty on our arrival, about half full on our departure. I worried a bit about being too early (they open for dinner at 5), would they be ready? But we experienced no delays or overdone/ underdone meat. Our server, Paul Corona, is a senior at Northwestern. He was charming, funny, and appropriately attentive; among the 10 best waiters in memory.

We found the salad bar impressive -- I've forgotten the number of items, but it's impressive. Even as a meat lover, I'd return just for the salad bar: regular salads, a number of pasta salads, fresh fruit, along with rice, beans, potatoes, quail eggs (!), marinated mushrooms, mozzerella and tomato, god knows what else. Quibbles? OK, the garlic toast was piled up well in advance and, of course, stone cold; why no rolls or regular bread (or did I miss it?); the tomatoes were not quite ripe and lacked taste. But I still could have happily filled up right there.

When we displayed the "green" sign for meat, it came and kept coming.
The first skewer, Italian sausage, was (of course) just a distraction intended to start filling your stomach. So too the chicken, though that was nicely done and tasty. Ham and turkey? Wejust skipped 'em -- the ham (in cubes!) didn't even LOOK appealing. But the skirt steak was a dream, and we loved most of the roasted meats -- tender and juicy. Another review mentioned overly salted; that did apply to some (but not all) meats. As my tastes go in that direction, I didn't mind. And the salting couldn't have been excessive, as my wife (a "this is WAY too salty" type) didn't mention it at all. Nothing seemed overdone. The ribs (I don't recall what variety) had a pleasant BBQ sauce but were tough. Waiters also brought around some veggie dishes and a skewer of hot pinapple with coconut -- nice touches (to fill you up, of course). Though we didn't get to it, they seemed to be serving beef brisket from a pan. We had three desserts (two on the house for birthdays); all very good, though not exceptional.

Our evaluation: while we have no basis for comparison with other. perhaps more "authentic" Brazilian grills, Asada gave us a most enjoyable meal. Advice: obviously, don't fill up on salad, skip Italian sausage, ham, etc. and don't hesitate to ask for just a thin slice of something, or to share a piece with someone else at the table. You can always get more of the meats you enjoy the most. We'll be back!

I can't see any reason to drive in closer to downtown and to spend perhaps twice the amount. What would it mean for a restaurant to be "twice as good?" Our bill for a party of five (softdrinks/coffee and one dessert) came out to about $200. According to those who have had other "Brazilian grill" experiences, including someone I know, one should expect about $100 a person at the other places.

Note: Asada is on Church Street just west of University Avenue. Asada has valet parking listed as $5, but we found street parking on the same block. And you can always park just east and north in the lot across from Chilli's.

Skip Landt

I think I will have to retry this place. The one time I went was shortly after it opened and I have head similarly decent reviews since then.

I went this past Sunday afternoon after running the Chicago Distance Half-Marathon in the morning so my appetite was well in gear by the time we arrived. Having been to Fogo a few times, I did have some basis for comparison.

First off was their salad bar which pales in comparison to plethora of fresh vegetables available at Fogo. They offer your basics in addition to plantains, pasta dishes. olives, and bread (albeit a little stale when we went yesterday). Overall, an average spread that basically served itelf as a primer for the meat.....

The meat selection, overall, consisted of about 10 different varieties ranging which included sausage, chicken, ham, brisket, filet mignon wrapped in bacon, regular filet, top sirloin, bottom sirloin, and a couple others that i can't recall. There wasn't a choice of being able to select how well you wanted the meat which left some pieces undercooked and others dry. All were pretty decent but def. not as satisfying as Fogo. Also served with the meat were sauteed vegetables and grilled pineapple which aided in balancing the meal.

We paid $14.95 apiece for lunch and at that price range, I have no major complaints. I didn't go into the experience expecting a huge quality smorgasbord like Fogo. I left satiated and I don't intend on having any red meat for at least a couple weeks. A sign of a satisfied brazilian steakhouse customer.

There wasn't a choice of being able to select how well you wanted the meat which left some pieces undercooked and others dry

When I went there, I noticed the meat was overcooked for my tastes; I just asked the server if they had rare/medium rare, and he brought it out. I don't think they circulate the same quantity of meat in all stages of doneness as Fogo, but they were happy to bring it out when requested.

My inlaws were in town recently to see a play in Evanston and afterwards we went to Asado Brazilian Grill. They were impressed, which isn't hard, because they live in a small town in Wisconsin, but so were we.

I've been to both Sal & Carvao and Fogo de Chao, and this was as good as either and half the price. What you don't get is pretentious atmosphere and waiters wearing funny pants.

The salad bar featured about 40 items, with lots of fresh vegetables, salads, cooked side dishes and items like quince paste and cheese. (I note that K2daP's skimpier experience was at lunch -- perhaps there are differences. I do know that fewer meat items feature at lunch.) I was impressed to see a big bowl of farofa and one of chimichurri sauce on the salad bar, items you often have to ask for at the downtown places.

The meats were much as you'd find elsewhere -- not the best cuts, but tasty. It seemed to me they offered more variety than the others -- besides the beef cuts (Angus), they brought past several cuts of pork, two of lamb, chicken and grilled pineapple. I particularly enjoyed the lamb, the chicken and the bacon-wrapped filet mignon.

I also thought it was nice that they brought a large platter of stir-fried veggies to the table. And unlike the other churrascarias, they offer a wide choice of desserts. We thought we were stuffed, but we found room for dessert anyway, because the dessert tray looked so good. As a plus, there's a good selection of inexpensive, mostly Latin American wines.

Our waiter was very good and made a point of asking if we wanted any particular items brought out rather than having to wait till whatever it was happened to come past.


Asado Brazilian Grill
847/425-4175
1012 Church St.
Evanston, IL 60201

Sal & Carvão
312/932-1100
www.salecarvao.com
729 N. Clark St., Chicago
also Schaumburg and Downers Grove

Fogo de Chão Churrascaria
312/932-9330
www.fogodechao.com
661 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60610

LAZ wrote: What you don't get is pretentious atmosphere and waiters wearing funny pants.

What good is it without the pants?