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Is Fogo de Chão Halal?

Short answer Depends

Partly. Fogo de Chão is not a halal restaurant, but it says its lamb and Wagyu are halal in the US [1]. Lamb chops usually get a white wine marinade unless you ask for them without it [1]. In the UK, Fogo offers some halal meats and shows certificates on request [2]. Pork is served at both. If you're unsure, ask a scholar you trust.

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Halal status by country

CountryStatusDetailsSource
United States Some items halal Fogo says its lamb (from New Zealand and Australia) and its Wagyu (from Australia) are halal. Other meats are not described as halal, and the menu includes pork. Lamb chops are usually marinated in white wine. [1]
United Kingdom Some items halal Fogo UK says it is not a halal restaurant but has a selection of halal meats, with certificates available from reception. It says its kitchens do not follow halal guidelines. [2]
ItemStatusNoteSource
Lamb (US) Halal Described as halal. Lamb chops are usually prepared with a white wine marinade; you can ask for them without it. [1]
Wagyu (US) Halal Described as halal and sourced from Australia. [1]
Bisteca de Porco and Linguiça Not halal A pork chop and a sausage served as part of the Best of Brazil offer. [1]
Farofa (Feijoada Bar) Not halal Baked yuca flour made with bacon. [1]

What Fogo de Chão says about halal

Fogo de Chão is a Brazilian steakhouse (churrascaria) founded in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1979. Servers bring skewers of grilled meat to your table and carve them there [1].

In the US, Fogo's FAQ says only select items may suit guests looking for halal food. It names two: its lamb, sourced from New Zealand and Australia, and its Wagyu, sourced from Australia. Both are described as halal [1]. Fogo does not describe its other cuts, such as picanha, sirloin or chicken, as halal, so you should treat them as not certified.

The FAQ also tells guests to speak to a manager or server about dietary needs on each visit [1]. That matters because the halal items share a grill and a dining room with pork and other non-halal meats.

Pork, wine and shared grills

Fogo is not a halal kitchen, so a few things are worth knowing before you go:

  • Pork is on the menu. The US Best of Brazil offer includes a pork chop (bisteca de porco) and linguiça sausage, and the farofa at the Feijoada Bar is made with bacon [1].
  • Lamb chops are usually marinated in white wine. You can ask for lamb chops without that marinade [1].
  • The same grill and carving staff handle all meats. The UK site says plainly that, while the halal meat itself is halal, the kitchen does not follow halal guidelines [2].

Some Muslims are comfortable eating certified halal meat cooked in a shared kitchen if it doesn't touch pork. Others are not. That is a personal and scholarly choice.

Fogo de Chão in the UK and abroad

Fogo has UK restaurants, including in London. Its UK FAQ says it is not a halal restaurant but carries a selection of halal meat options. It says certificates are available from its reception teams and that the menu shows which items are halal [2].

Fogo also operates in Brazil, Mexico and parts of the Middle East [3]. We did not find a published halal statement for its Middle East restaurants on Fogo's website, so check locally.

In every country, the safest step is the same: ask which cuts are halal that day and ask to see the certificate.

How to order halal at Fogo

If you decide to eat at Fogo, a simple plan helps:

  1. Tell your server at the start that you only want halal meat. Fogo's FAQ asks guests to do this on every visit [1].
  2. Stick to the cuts named as halal, which in the US are lamb and Wagyu [1].
  3. Ask for lamb chops without the white wine marinade [1].
  4. Skip the farofa at the Feijoada Bar, since it contains bacon [1].
  5. In the UK, ask reception for the certificate and check the menu's halal markings [2].

For other sit-down options, compare Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden. For background on meat rules, see Is lamb halal? and Is Wagyu halal?.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fogo de Chão lamb halal?

Yes, according to Fogo. Its US FAQ says its lamb from New Zealand and Australia is halal [1]. Lamb chops are usually marinated in white wine, so ask for them without the marinade.

Is Fogo de Chão Wagyu halal?

Fogo's US FAQ says its Wagyu is halal and sourced from Australia [1]. Other beef cuts, such as picanha, are not described as halal, so treat them as not certified unless your server shows otherwise.

Is Fogo de Chão halal in the UK?

Partly. Fogo UK says it is not a halal restaurant but offers a selection of halal meats, with certificates at reception. It also says its kitchens do not follow halal guidelines [2].

Does Fogo de Chão serve pork?

Yes. Fogo's US menu includes a pork chop and linguiça sausage, and its farofa is made with bacon [1]. The UK menu also includes pork [2]. All meats are grilled and carved in the same restaurant.

Sources

  1. Frequently Asked Questions · Fogo de Chão (US) · accessed
  2. FAQ · Fogo de Chão UK · accessed
  3. International Franchise Opportunities · Fogo de Chão · accessed