Brazilian Restaurant Opening First NJ Location: See Where

PARAMUS, NJ — Fogo de Chão, a restaurant from Brazil, is set to open its first location in NJ at the Westfield Garden State Plaza this year.

The two-level restaurant will feature an open-air churrasco bar in the middle of the dining room, where guests can watch a gaucho chef prepare traditional Brazilian meats and dishes.

Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo de Chão specializes in traditional cooking techniques of churrasco, or grilled meat, by roasting cuts of meat over an open flame. According to the restaurant’s website, Guachos are traditionally known as cowboys from the Southern Brazil region who grew up preparing and cooking cuts of meat for family and friends at gatherings.

“Our gaucho chefs curate unique experiences for our guests that bring them back time and time again and give them a chance to discover something new each time they dine,” said Barry McGowan, Chief Executive Officer of Fogo de Chão in a statement. “We look forward to partnering with the Westfield Garden State Plaza and bringing our Southern Brazilian hospitality to New Jersey in 2022.”

The new location will also feature dry-aged meat lockers for in-house aging, a lounge area for guests to drink craft cocktails and South American wines and private dining areas. It will be located in the former Bar Louie space near the mall entrance.