Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse brings all-you-can eat BBQ to Chandler

Just in time for hearty holiday dining, the Valley welcomes its fourth churrascaria with the debut of Galeto Brazillian Steakhouse in Chandler. 

Opening Friday, Dec. 7, the restaurant took over the space that previously housed Nabers south of Ray Road near Interstate 10. 

Owned by Brazil native Eli Nascimento, the steakhouse serves an all-you-can-eat selection of rotisserie meats (hence the name Galeto), sliced tableside. The fixed price, about $40 per person, includes typical Brazilian appetizers and a robust gourmet bar with hot and cold dishes and salads. 

What's a churrascaria? 

Open for dinner Monday through Saturday, Galeto aims to bring a traditional Brazilian dining experience to Chandler. Called a churrascaria, the restaurant serves churrasco, or Brazilian-style barbecue that originated in the country during the early 1800s. 

According to the restaurant, resident "gauchos" prepare 14 types of meat, including beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausage. The meats are then brought into the dining room and carved tableside. Diners are welcome to enjoy as much of each meat as they want. 

Some featured meats include: 

• Picanha, the most traditional Brazilian steak made with sirloin cap. 
• Alcatra, a signature cut that's made from top sirloin sliced thinly. 
• Costela, beef ribs that are slow-cooked and rubbed with rock salt. 
• Frango, chicken wrapped in bacon and marinated in spices. 
• Linguiça, traditional Brazilian sausage. 

More than meat 

While meats are the star of the show, Galeto also provides appetizers and an array of hot and cold dishes, including seafood options, cheeses, salads and Brazilian feijoada (black bean stew). These are available on the gourmet bar and are also all-you-can-eat. 

Appetizers include pão de queijo, an addictive cheese bread made with yucca flour and shredded Parmesan cheese that is a staple in Brazil. For dessert, diners can help themselves to specialties such as pudim, a flan topped with caramel. 

Galeto also serves a full bar and non-alcoholic drinks, including selections from South America. Highlights include caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil, made with cachaça, sugar and lime. 

Guaraná, a popular Brazilian soft drink made with the Amazonian fruit of the same name, also is available. 

Brazilian BBQ in Phoenix 

Galeto got its start in Oakland, California, where Nascimento first looked to bring his country's decadent dining experience to American diners. In addition to the new location in Chandler, a third Galeto is opening soon in Georgia. 

The restaurant is not the first Brazilian steakhouse n Phoenix. Valley diners have three other options:

• Serra Gaucha, 16160 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria. It opened in July 2017.
• Rodizio Grill, 1840 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa. It opened in November 2016.
• Fogo De Chão, 6300 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, which has been open for about a decade.  

Galeto Brazillian Steakhouse 

Where: The Shoppes at Casa Paloma, 825 N. 54th St., Chandler. 

Hours: 5-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 5-9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 

Prices: Full churrasco, $39.95. Gourmet bar only, $36.95.

Details: 480-744-0130, www.galeto.com. 

MORE DINING NEWS:

• Armato tried 2,576 restaurant dishes: Here are the 10 best
• Restaurant openings and closings in Phoenix in November
• Ocean 44: Swanky seafood restaurant opens in downtown Scottsdale
• Postino is out, SanTan Brewing Company is in at Sky Harbor Airport
• Top Korean restaurant Cafe Ga Hyang shuts down in Glendale

TOP 100:Best restaurants in Phoenix at your fingertips