Came here for Father's Day at my dad's request. Heads-up that there is a $10 holiday surcharge on some days. The meat options were great--there was beef, pork, chicken, and pineapple options. Nothing was overly salty, and they were happy to take requests. If you liked something and haven't seen it come around again, don't be shy about asking a waiter. My dad wanted the beef ribs with the bone, and our waiter had no problem bringing one out. Only the cheese bread is brought to the table now. The plantains and fried polenta are at the salad bar, which was okay and had a decent variety of options. All of the waiters were amazing, and my water glass was never empty. I was foolish and forgot to ask for chimichurri sauce, so definitely don't make that mistake. Save room for dessert--the peanut butter thing is amazing. Silly name, but it's really great. read more

Overall, Espetus was just okay for me. They offer a great variety of meats, including picanha, which I was really looking forward to. Unfortunately, I found most of the meats to be quite bland and lacking flavor. The beef ribs, on the other hand, were the complete opposite--they were way too salty. It felt like there wasn't much middle ground. I even tried adding hot sauce, hoping it would give the meat the kick I was looking for, but it still didn't do much for me. The surprise highlight of the meal was the chicken wings. They were incredibly tender and flavorful inside and out. I also really enjoyed the grilled pineapple--it was perfectly sweet and delicious. The salad bar was decent with a good selection, but nothing particularly memorable. One thing that really stood out, though, was the staff. They were amazing--friendly, attentive, and constantly checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. Their excellent service definitely made the experience more enjoyable. Overall, the experience didn't quite live up to my expectations, especially considering all the praise the restaurant gets. While I loved the chicken wings, grilled pineapple, and outstanding service, I wish the signature meats had more balanced seasoning and flavor. Given the price, I expected the quality and taste of the food to match the cost. For a premium dining experience, the food should leave you feeling completely satisfied, and unfortunately, it fell short of that for me. read more

Espetus - San Mateo - Brazilian Near Me - San Mateo, California

Wow, big bucks for some mediocre meat. 5 star service, too bad the food isn't as good as the staff. That's the only reason this place got 3 stars, because of the hard working staff. Bottom line: It's an expensive all you can eat buffet. You flip the sign indicating when you're ready to eat and they'll come around. Overall I felt that most of the meats, including the bbq ribs and filet were very dry. More so when it was flavored meat like the red wine filet. Surprisingly the chicken and grilled pineapple were my favorite. I felt that the salad bar just didnt taste very good. The salmon was very oily and their cheeses and soups were very salty. This place is just like a dinner show. I can't see myself actually coming here for the flavor or quality. It's just a place to gorge yourself and see who can out eat who. read more

Espetus - San Mateo - Meh - Brazilian Near Me - San Mateo, California

I love this place. I love it so much me n the wifey celebrated our 10 year anniversary here. Just like a successful marriage, consistency is the key. And that's why Espetus is so special. Because they are so consistent in both providing fantastic service and beautifully cooked meats. This place has heart, specifically delicious chicken hearts! If you are a meat lover welcome to Heaven. Just writing this review makes me want to go back already. Don't forget to save room for the grilled pineapple! read more

Espetus - San Mateo - Brazilian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Gotta love an all you can eat premium Brazilian steakhouse! Unlike other AYCE Brazilian steakhouses the pacing is a bit more relaxed so you don't really feel the pressure to finish your plate before the next meat comes. We also came on a less crowded day around 7:30pm. Not a lot of people! read more

I've been here twice for birthday meals and thought this place is fun, but quite expensive. It's like over $100/person for the Brazilian BBQ. But it's basically unlimited meat so you can definitely get your value's worth here. There is a salad bar with some foods that you can get. I thought the buffet bar was pretty decent and there was a good selection of food like salad, fries, charcuterie etc., but the real value is in the meat, so I don't recommend loading up too much from the bar! The meats are generally high quality and varied. Steak is good, chicken is good, etc. They also had grilled pineapple which was a hit with everyone. They were very quick about bringing out meats and coming back regularly. I just don't eat a lot in general and can't see myself eating at this place regularly but it's nice to come every 1-2 years or so for me for special occasions! read more

Such a great find for a fancy night out! The ambiance here is dark and romantic, perfect for date night or a special dinner. The service was honestly the best we've ever had at any steakhouse: attentive, friendly, and always ready to bring exactly what we wanted. The meat selection is fantastic, and what really stood out was how thick and generous the cuts were. Our favorite cuts of the night were the top sirloin, filet mignon, and flap steak, as all were cooked beautifully and full of flavor. If you don't see a particular cut going by or want more of something you loved, you can just ask because the servers are more than happy to bring it out! For dessert, please get the Crème de Papaya! It was honestly to die for, it was rich, creamy, and the perfect finish to a meat-centric feast! Overall, amazing service, great meat, and a really lovely atmosphere. Definitely a spot we'll be back to especially when we're craving a steak night that feels special. read more

Espetus - San Mateo - Creme de papaya - Brazilian Near Me - San Mateo, California

Awesome selections of Brazilian BBQ items, all the servers were super friendly when they came to our table with large skewers of the yummy fire-roasted meats. We were a relatively large group and they made sure everyone was taken care of. There were chicken hearts, chicken wings, sausages, pineapple, pork belly, sirloin, and filet. Everything was delicious and flavorful. The salad bar also had a good selection of items. The cocktails we tried were all pretty tasty too. Will definitely come back in the future. read more

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We enjoyed a wonderful company dinner at this restaurant. All of my colleagues had a great time. The food and drinks were outstanding. Great staff!!! read more

Si, por favor let me take some home!!! Jk. I get it. You have to pace yourself and arrive famished! At around $75 per person, it's no joke. Over the years, I'd say I have become skilled at the art of ayce Brazilian steakhouses. Only saving my stomach capacity for the meat lover's gold like the top sirloin, beef ribs, filet mignon, chicken hearts, lamb leg, pork belly, and other favorites like grilled shrimp, grilled pineapple, hot peppers/chilis, cheesebread, and fried banana. I also like grabbing palette cleansers from the bar like cheese, pickles, olives, etc. to keep things balanced. Pro tip: The salad bar is a trap! Try whatever piques your curiosity but trust me--grab only small portions. You're paying premium for the meat! Heads up: There's a cake fee and the corkage fee is hefty. Service is fast and friendly, and most nights you'll feel like it's everyone's birthday (in the best way). I definitely prefer this location over the SF location, a beautiful, romantic spot to wine, dine, and go full carnivore with your hungry date. 8) read more

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I've visited Espetus Brazilian Steakhouse many times, and it's always been very consistent. The cuts are flavorful and well-prepared every visit. I especially love the grilled pineapple and chicken hearts -- they're must-haves for me every time. Compared to the San Francisco location, this one is easier for parking and feels more convenient overall. Solid Brazilian BBQ experience every time. read more

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We went to Espetus in San Mateo for my husband's birthday a few years ago, and he absolutely loved it. It's a Brazilian steakhouse, so they keep bringing different cuts of meat right to your table and slice it fresh for you to try, which makes the whole experience fun. I did like some cuts better than others, but honestly everything was fairly good. There's a good variety of steaks and meats, and it's fun to sample a bit bit of everything. They also have plenty of sides, some are better than others, but decent overall. Their service is good and the interior is cute. The green cards means GO (you are ready to try a meat variety); or Red means STOP (you are enjoying what's on your plate). I do like the attentive service and I beleive there were 12+ meat cuts to try and sometimes they bring the one you don't like you can always say no, or ask them for the cut you like and they are pretty good about bringing it. It's a great spot for celebrations or special occasions, especially if you love steak and want to try different types . Overall, we had a great experience read more

Decided to come here for my anniversary and I got to say: this is the best Brazilian steakhouse in the bay for me! The interior was definitely more spacious than other places like Fogo de Chao. Some highlights from the salad bar has to be the paella, salmon, and the fried bananas. Along side with the meat, I tried their chimichurri sauce which was very delicious. Some of the meats I liked was as follow: Filet Mignon wrapped with Bacon: This was the first meat I got and I had to say, it was the best filet mignon I had at a Brazilian steakhouse. The meat was juicy and it was seasoned perfectly. Chicken hearts: The other places I go to doesn't really season their chicken hearts and this place did it so well. I probably ate like 30 during my visit there. Beef Rib: The first round I got it, the beef was very juicy and tender. It wasn't dry at all. I like how there wasn't that much tendon on the meat as the other times I had it, it was stuck to my teeth. Leg of Lamb: It was my favorite place to get lamb. The initial taste didn't have that lamb taste to it. It was very juicy and seasoned well. The lamb taste only hit at the end, which was very nice showing the quality of the meat. For drinks, we tried their Brazilian limeade. It wasn't too sweet and still had the acidity taste from the lime. The service was great and they also gave us a nice scoop of ice cream for our anniversary. Within the same price as the others, in addition to the extra commute, I would come back here anytime to dine here again. read more

Come if you have a big appetite for meat! If not, it's totally not worth it for the price but you'll still have a good time. Waiters are overall quite nice and responsive. If there is a particular cut of meat you want that is not coming to the table, they can always help you flag it down. The pineapple is a hidden best in-between-meat kind of snack because it provides great acid to cut through the heaviness of the meats. Though I wish they would use riper pineapples or sprinkle cinnamon on it like other Brazilian steakhouses as it can be too sour at times. Fresh salad bar, especially during dinner time as there is quick turnover of the food. I also wish the tables were a bit farther apart. The walkway in between the chairs from different tables become quite narrow and it's even hard for the servers (especially the prime rib cart) fo navigate in between! read more

I've been here on Wednesday for a lunch. There's a section where you can get salad and some sides like potato salad and corn. You have a small circular sign for the table to indicate whether the servers should approach you with the meat. There was a variety of beef, chicken, and pork. I loved the beef selections and they were pretty tasty. You get small tongs and you use it to hold the meat as they're cutting it for you. Since we were the only table at the time, the servers kept approaching our table, so I found it fascinating when we had 3-4 of them circling our table haha. The servers were pretty attentive and friendly. The ambience is pretty nice with some dim lighting. I think this would be perfect for a date night. read more

I came here with my family in Christmas Eve (did not want to cook!), we had a reservation, and it was packed, for obvious reasons! The place looked lovely and festive, and the food and service were out of this world! We got a table that was close to the buffet and kitchen, which was perfect! My teenage kids absolutely loves everything and we all ate way more than we needed to! Even though the meats are the star of the show, don't neglect the fabulous buffet of the grilled pineapple. This is definitely a special occasion place, but we'll be back for sure. We even saved room for dessert, which was fantastic. read more

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A bit sad and loathe to make this review but today was a big disappointment. But first the good: service staff was great and the meat quality was quite good. Wine and garlic steaks were instant hits. Pork belly steak was a bit too salty and slightly chewy. Pineapple was awesome as usual. Unfortunately, though, it was difficult to enjoy our experience given a miscommunication and poor handling by management. I had originally made a dinner reservation for Christmas Eve to celebrate a family birthday and the Holiday a week in advance. I called a couple of days later to ask about pricing. They said dinner would be around $85. I also asked what the lunch price on the 24th was. I was told it would be $55. Given that big difference (and how things are tight but still want to celebrate family and the good times), I then moved our reservation for five to lunch. Come today, we walk in and was told by the receptionist that as of today, the pricing for lunch would be $85. Flabbegasted, I asked for clarification and told her that I had called a couple of days before to confirm that the price was going to be less for lunch on the 24th. She said this was what she was told as of today. I expressed that this was rather disappointing and sad given that I had detrimentally relied on the restaurant's express representation about the lower price. The manager was called. Some back and forth and he made it sound like this was going to be the most complicated and impossible thing to honor, even though they had on file that I had called and had my reservation moved. Ultimately, the kind manager tried to make it work and said he would call management and see if he could give us the normal lunch rate but limit us to the lunch menu. He came back after a couple of minutes and said theyd honor the lunch price. Not before telling me that this was hard and that I should know that holiday pricing is always different... (which was why I had called originally, but whatever, I suppose). They sat us in the literal darkest corner of the restaurant and told us that wed be limited to the lunch Menu and selections only. At this point, I figured it's all fine. That's still plenty of delicious options. The family still ate and enjoyed the meal. But when grilled shrimp passed by, I asked if I could have some and was a bit rudely rebuffed and chastised that that's for dinner price only. That would be fine but the way it was said, the whole early riffraff, and being sat in a dark corner combined all kind of just made it sadder birthday meal. Oh well. At the end of the day, we tried to make the best of it and the kind waiters still tried to make the bday special. We've been fans of this place for our special occasions over the years and sad it went like this today, of all days. I do appreciate the manager making it work but the whole ordeal could have been avoided if they did not misrepresent things on the call. Not great to feel or be treated like a scammer or less than. read more

I've been to many Brazilian steakhouses and this was my least favorite. The meats were very salty but cooked perfectly. The salt kinda negates how well they were cooked though. I couldn't eat as much as I wanted because of the salt. However, I liked that they had shrimp because I usually don't see that on the menu for a Brazilian steakhouse. I also usually like the salad bars at these restaurants but I was disappointed in this one. The display wasn't as expected, they had a counter of hot foods but then there were some foods in bowls on the counter alongside the hot stuff. For example, they had orange slices in a bowl when it should be part of the cold section. It was very strange. Not only that but the variety was not appetizing. I wouldn't come back here. read more

We came here with a big party to celebrate the birthday of a family member. It was a weekday, so it was not too packed and our reservation was ready upon arrival. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very open and has plenty of space for large or small parties. The staff is very friendly and as soon as you are ready to start eating, you indicate it by a small table sign that lets you turn it on for green or red. Green means keep coming with the meats and red means to pause. They have a very good selection of meats, ranging from filet mignon, chicken hearts, pork belly, lamb and pineapple. Their salad bar has a great selection to accompany any of your meals and is a nice way to cleanse your taste buds from all the meat! Do keep in mind there is a cutting fee for any cakes you bring in and it is a fee per person. Overall we had a nice time and great meal. Our server even entertained the kids with a couple funny jokes. Would recommend for a celebration of any sort. Nice experience. read more

I have been here multiple times. It is a bit expensive, but it is very festive and delicious. We went there ok a Saturday lunch. It costs $75 per person and our two years old ate for free. They bring beef, lamb, chicken and pork stakes on the tables and you would have the option to pick anything you want from the salad bar. They have fish and pasta options in the bar as well. We have been there few times, and we will go there more too. read more

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Wow this place is so varied in all the various meats they offer as well as all the side dishes available. I recommend coming here on an empty stomach with a big appetite because I got full too fast! Waiters come around with various cuts of meats in different marinations so make sure to try as much as you can. There wasn't a moment too long where we were waiting for meat which is was very nice. The ambiance is elevated with its dim lighting and cloth napkins. Definitely not a casual spot, but perfect for a date! read more

We stopped by on a Wednesday night for an impromptu dinner for three, and luckily there was no wait. While waiting for the meat servers to reach our table, we helped ourselves to the buffet, which had a wide variety of options. I leaned more toward salads than starches to balance out the rich meats (and to avoid getting too full!). We sampled every meat option available, and you can even request specific cuts from the servers--they'll send them out in rotation. My favorite was the picanha (sirloin steak): well seasoned, juicy, and perfectly medium rare. It stood out among the other cuts, some of which were a tad dry. What really sets Espetus apart from other Brazilian steakhouses I've tried is the distinct smoky flavor from their charcoal grills. It adds a depth to the meat that no other place I've tried has. Espestus is a great spot for a celebration or even just a nice dinner out. Now that I know my favorites, I'm definitely looking forward to coming back! read more

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Looking for the perfect meats? They're here! Came here with 3 friends for dinner. The brisket, short ribs, and bacon wrapped chicken were amazing. Tender and juicy. Perfection. But the real draw for me were the sides! Roast salmon in a cream sauce, paella filled with seafood, spinach and chicken pasta, bulgar salad, olives, and so many fresh salads to choose from. One of the best meals I had while visiting Redwood Shores. read more

Espetus - San Mateo - Nom meats! - Brazilian Near Me - San Mateo, California

I have been here a few times, and I love the quality of the meat and food. It is one of my favorite Brazilian places to eat at. I didn't take any pictures this time, it was a busy day, and I wanted to just eat & relax. Overall vibe is classy, chill, and comfortable. I like eating in a sort of quiet environment too, so I can focus on the flavors and experience. That's just me. Customer service is also fantastic and they kept coming to serve/check on us. read more

Espetus - San Mateo - Brazilian Near Me - San Mateo, California

Espetus remains one of my favorite Brazilian steakhouses. Despite having a very busy packed lunch, the staff were always walking around with the meat. Our plates were always full. Their meats are of high quality and are packed with flavor. Most of them are tender and juicy. Their salad bar was also pretty great. They have a variety of options, but don't let that distract you from the real star: their meats. It was difficult to not go to the salad bar multiple times. Also, this place wasn't too expensive compared to other Brazilian Steakhouses. read more

Our good friend was celebrating his birthday and we decided to try out Espetus! This restaurant is spacious and nicely decorated. It was our party's first time here and we were excited to try their Brazilian AYCE meat and salad bar! Service was top notch! These guys wanted to make sure we got the cuts of meat and doneness we wanted. And they came around often! Salad bar was also nice and displayed beautifully. But our table wanted to focus on the meat that's carved for us. Our favorite meats were the filet mignon, beef ribs, chicken hearts, pork belly, top sirloin, flank and anything medium rare was melt in your mouth, satisfying! They even sang Happy Birthday to the birthday boy and gave him a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Food was great, service was great, ambiance was great! What's not to love? We will definitely consider coming again for another special occasion! read more

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Meat was tender and juicy, cooked perfectly , it bring to your table as much as you want . Satisfied your craving from variety of meats , you have to start to a large self service salad bar but make sure save room for meats that bring to your table or start with meat to self service salad bar with variety of cheese, olives, cold cuts, appetizers, mango salad plantain ,and plenty of options aside from meats. Warm atmosphere. Friendly service, good vibes, feel home. Unique dining style and refined vibes, amazing to recommend for any occasions. I feel so blessed celebrated my 65 birthday. And I will always come back and recommend this place. Thank you so much to our server, sorry I forgot his name, and to all the staff. You did great making my 65 birthday very memorable. read more

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1st timer at a brazilian steahouse AYCE on valentine's day weekend. Good experience, food bar was clean and stocked but you're here for the meat! I didn't know that for some of the meats you need your own tongs to get the pieces lol. But everything was delicious! They have a small centerpiece thing that lets the meat servers know if you'd like more meat or if you're good for now. Their smoked pineapple was great too. Only downside was their restroom. One of the women's restroom door was quite cramped. I liked how they offer new clean towels to dry your hands though. I wished they stopped allowing kids in the restaurant after a certain time because 2 children were being really loud and annoying. read more

Espetus - San Mateo - Brazilian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Espetus is definitely a whole experience, not just dinner. From the moment we sat down, the service was attentive and welcoming. Once we flipped the card to green, the nonstop flow of meats started coming perfectly seasoned, juicy, and carved fresh at the table. The picanha was my favorite, tender and flavorful. The garlic steak and bacon-wrapped cuts were also so good. The salad bar had great options, but honestly, it's hard not to focus on the meat. Everything kept coming out hot and fresh. The atmosphere feels upscale but still comfortable perfect for date night, celebrations, or when you just want to treat yourself. It's on the pricier side, but the quality and experience make it worth it. Come hungry, you'll leave very full and happy. read more

Came in on Valentine's Day as a family of 5 (one is a toddler who only needed a high chair). The restaurant was only about 25% full, yet the hostess refused to seat us because they were "only seating parties of 2 and 4." There were clearly open tables and an easy way to combine seating, but she wouldn't even try -- just dismissive and unwelcoming from the start. What made it worse is we've been here before and even seen large groups seated without issue. We understand reservations on holidays, but this felt less like policy and more like unwillingness to help. Plenty of empty tables, just no hospitality. read more

Came here for my hubby's birthday and our 10th year Anniversary. It was a nice dining experience. It feels upscale without being stuffy. Dim lighting, dark wood, and an open dining room that stays energetic as servers move around with skewers of meat. The meat kept coming, and my most fave is the beef ribs. Service was friendly without being pushy, and they didn't rush us at all. Salad bar was better than expected too. Fresh veggies and love their manchego cheese. Pricey, but worth it! Especially for a special occasion and when you're in the mood to eat a lot! :) read more

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We have been there before, great service as usual. Little on the expensive side, bring your appetite read more

Date of Visit: 12/13/2024 We visited the Espetus Brazilian Steakhouse in San Mateo for our holiday lunch event. Espetus is one of the Brazilian Steakhouses in the Bay Area that provides authentic gaucho taste. Lunch is $54.95 per person, which offers 12-14 signature cuts of steak, pork, chicken, chicken heart, lamb, and shrimp, and they also have grilled pineapple. The salad bar and the Feijoada bar have many different salads, ham, cheese, and soup. I ordered a glass of the 2021 Rutherford Hill Merlot from Napa Valley and the 2021 Hearst Cabernet Sauvignon from Central Coast Paso Robles to pair with meat and seafood. The atmosphere was great and the waiter with the meat came often to check with us. Many other tables celebrate birthdays and it was a nice place to do so. read more

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Meat lovers welcome. Great place to celebrate special occasions or just dinner date. Buffet style steak house, the food comes to you. I love every pieces of meat. For those who doesn't eat meat, their salad bar has variety of dishes to chose from. The waiters are friendly and made sure all tables with green sign up got served. Any table with a birthday celebration, the staff's gathered around and sang happy birthday. read more

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Amazing night out, what a great Brazilian steakhouse. I definitely enjoyed my experience, especially with it being my first time at a Steakhouse where they come and bring you different steaks until you're overwhelmed or full. The service was great, they consistently check on you and ask if you'd like any of the meat they bring around. The ambiance is beautiful and fancy. It was such a great experience. read more

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Foods were amazing, it's eat until you drop. Definitely getting your money worth it with non stop different cuts of meat from steak sirloins to grilled pineapple Each cuts are seasoned well with wonderful charred but not too burnt. Almost cooked side dishes such as salmons, mashed potatoes and more...are delicious too. Service and ambience are executed well They know how to treat their guests read more

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Came here to celebrate my brothers birthday and I have to say I was very disappointed by the meat quality here. I found the meats to be on the dry side. Even the picanha was overly dry and you could tell from looking at the stick it was a bit over cooked. A lot of the meats were overly salted to the point it was hard to eat. The beef rib was good tho. I didn't get to try the lamb or the chicken hearts because I got full after eating so much meat. I was looking forward to this meal because everyone raved about it but it was just mid. I did find that the service was very fast as they came by with meat almost every second. Tho the tables are so close together it seemed very easily to accidentally bump into a waiter. read more

It's been awhile since I've been to ESPETUS. I use to be frequent at the first one in SF. Even had the chance to go in the back and watch them cook. A few friends wanted to go to ESPETUS because an older gentleman who owns a ranch had never tried it. So I coordinated everything and we ubered from across the bridge. Let's just say it was an experience for a Wednesday evening. Our friend enjoyed himself. The experience is the same. Food came out fast. Salad bar was on point. I think our eyes ate more than we can actually consume. It was good to be back at ESPETUS. It never fails. read more

Food - 5 Stars Service - 5 Stars Restaurant Management / FOH - 2 Star Food was excellent. The meats were fresh, appropriately seasoned, tender, and very juicy. Loved the filet mignon, sirloin steak, pork belly, grilled shrimp, and the spareribs. The salad bar was perfect too. The fried yucca and polenta, collard greens, and the paella were good sides to accompany the meat. Service was also excellent. Our server, Phillip, frequently checked on us and made sure we were taken cared of. Meat servers were always attentive and made sure that we were well fed. It would have been a perfect experience EXCEPT when we were told that instead of the two (2) hour reservation we were now ONLY allotted 1.5 hours. The plan was for us, a party of 4, to take our time and have a relaxing dinner. We normally get a bottle of wine and our adult kids to have their cocktails. Additionally, we also planned to have coffee and dessert after the meal. In my opinion, 1.5 hours would not be enough to have the relaxing dinner which I was hoping for. I felt rushed even before I started! As such, I was not fully satisfied and content with the entire Espetus experience. read more

Lots of food and meat ! Yummy salad ! Service was fast and food was served on time ! Easy to mans reservation read more