My recent visit to Samba Steakhouse on Valentine’s Day was nothing short of a gastronomic catastrophe wrapped in the thin pretense of hospitality. What was intended to be an evening of romance and indulgence devolved into a protracted exercise in neglect and culinary deprivation.
The so-called “service” operated with an almost avant-garde commitment to absence. The waitstaff appeared to subscribe to a philosophy of strategic invisibility, materializing only sporadically and never with the one item ostensibly central to a steakhouse experience: food. Plates remained barren landscapes, our table a monument to unrealized expectations. One might assume that in a churrascaria-style establishment, attentive circulation of skewered meats would be axiomatic. Instead, the servers treated our presence as an inconvenient abstraction.
Requests were met not with urgency, nor even with perfunctory acknowledgment, but with a kind of languid indifference that bordered on performance art. Time stretched into a Kafkaesque absurdity as we waited—hungry, bewildered, and increasingly incredulous. For a Valentine’s Day dinner, an occasion predicated on ambiance and care, the evening felt astonishingly impersonal and disorganized.
In short, the experience at Samba Steakhouse was an exercise in operational ineptitude and romantic sabotage. What should have been a celebratory evening was irreparably diminished by inattentive staff, nonexistent food rotation, and a pervasive atmosphere of managerial oblivion. I cannot recommend this establishment to anyone who values efficiency, competence, or the basic expectation of being served at a restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Aimee Cammarota
If I can give 0 stars I would. Worst experience ever!!!! Food had to be asked for. Waiting on food and came raw. They did not have anything cooked and there was only 4 people in the whole restaurant to serve. Everything they say they offer nothing was served. Its liked they cooked in 10 minutes in the airfryer what you asked for. So pricey and such a disappointment. Fogo is the best by far. What a shame. Will never go again. Reservations come on for what? The restaurant was empty and still bad experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Valeria Rivera
The service was great, very attentive staff. My husband and I had a great time! Definitely recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Josiah Alvarado
Service was great, food was great. Picanha to die for!!! WILL VISIT AGAIN SOON!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrea Harris
Absolutely delicious! Great atmosphere, kind staff, clean. Definitely a must try!
Came tonight for a birthday celebration. The atmosphere was amazing, the selection on the market bar and hot bar was fantastic and everything was delicious. The staff were friendly, attentive, and welcoming and they were so great with our family and kids. We will definitely be coming back. The two guys walking around with the meats were absolutely incredible and patient and they made the experience. Such a wonderful time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew Freeman
This was an incredible dining experience. We celebrated a birthday here and everything was phenomenal! All of the staff were friendly and professional! The food was incredible! The entire experience was so enjoyable. I cannot recommend Samba Steakhouse enough! 10 out of 10, would definitely eat here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diane Lee
My husband I went for Valentine’s Day dinner and the service was not good. We have been here before and enjoyed it but this time was a different experience. We were seated and given our drinks and never saw a waiter again. The only reason we knew what to do was because we’ve been there before. We didn’t get much variety of meats as they were constantly out by the time the staff reached our table. I was highly disappointed. We will not return again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
shayna gora
My Fiancee and I came here for dinner on Valentine’s day expecting a nice and delicious dinner. Well, you can say we did not nearly receive that. Immediately when we walked in the atmosphere was off and there was only about 15 other customers in there. We sat down with barely any instruction on what to do so we debating leaving and sadly we did not. We proceeded to the buffet where there was few not great options. When we returned to the table to order drinks we were greeted with $5 canned sodas and $7 bottled waters. We proceeded to wait about 20 minutes for the first type of meat to come out, then 15 minutes after that, and 15 minutes after that. While the food was decent there was about 10 options of protein listed on the menu and we were presented with about 4 options over and over again. We saw other options going around, however the servers were allowing tables before us to take all of the meat before we even had a chance to get a piece. After declining the same options we had seen/tried for about the seventh time the server asked if there was something we were waiting to try. We asked him if we could try the filet and he said of course, then we proceeded to wait another 20 minutes just for one piece. After taking a bite and realizing how chewy it was we asked for the check. We were greeted with a $140 bill after being several disappointed. Safe to say we will not be returning.
My first visit and surprisingly delicious. Service was excellent and attentive, catering to some of our special needs. Marcio especially took good care of us and with a great smile to boot. And did I mentioned the great sides, yum-yum. Will definitely recommend and return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ed Munive
My first time visiting and surprisingly delicious. Service was excellent and attentive, catering to some of our special needs. Marcio especially took good care of us and with a great smile to boot. And did I mention the sides, yum-yum. Will definitely recommend and return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cynthia Rajan
The staff is super friendly and the meats were Amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JMReeves70
Serving staff on the floor were great and full crew was very nice. Food was really good !!
Beyond my imagination!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My recent visit to Samba Steakhouse on Valentine’s Day was nothing short of a gastronomic catastrophe wrapped in the thin pretense of hospitality. What was intended to be an evening of romance and indulgence devolved into a protracted exercise in neglect and culinary deprivation.
The so-called “service” operated with an almost avant-garde commitment to absence. The waitstaff appeared to subscribe to a philosophy of strategic invisibility, materializing only sporadically and never with the one item ostensibly central to a steakhouse experience: food. Plates remained barren landscapes, our table a monument to unrealized expectations. One might assume that in a churrascaria-style establishment, attentive circulation of skewered meats would be axiomatic. Instead, the servers treated our presence as an inconvenient abstraction.
Requests were met not with urgency, nor even with perfunctory acknowledgment, but with a kind of languid indifference that bordered on performance art. Time stretched into a Kafkaesque absurdity as we waited—hungry, bewildered, and increasingly incredulous. For a Valentine’s Day dinner, an occasion predicated on ambiance and care, the evening felt astonishingly impersonal and disorganized.
In short, the experience at Samba Steakhouse was an exercise in operational ineptitude and romantic sabotage. What should have been a celebratory evening was irreparably diminished by inattentive staff, nonexistent food rotation, and a pervasive atmosphere of managerial oblivion. I cannot recommend this establishment to anyone who values efficiency, competence, or the basic expectation of being served at a restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
If I can give 0 stars I would. Worst experience ever!!!! Food had to be asked for. Waiting on food and came raw. They did not have anything cooked and there was only 4 people in the whole restaurant to serve. Everything they say they offer nothing was served. Its liked they cooked in 10 minutes in the airfryer what you asked for. So pricey and such a disappointment. Fogo is the best by far. What a shame. Will never go again. Reservations come on for what? The restaurant was empty and still bad experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The service was great, very attentive staff. My husband and I had a great time! Definitely recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was great, food was great. Picanha to die for!!! WILL VISIT AGAIN SOON!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely delicious! Great atmosphere, kind staff, clean. Definitely a must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Picanha, Garlic Steak, Salad Dressings and Toppings, Charcuterie, Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin
Came tonight for a birthday celebration. The atmosphere was amazing, the selection on the market bar and hot bar was fantastic and everything was delicious. The staff were friendly, attentive, and welcoming and they were so great with our family and kids. We will definitely be coming back. The two guys walking around with the meats were absolutely incredible and patient and they made the experience. Such a wonderful time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was an incredible dining experience. We celebrated a birthday here and everything was phenomenal! All of the staff were friendly and professional! The food was incredible! The entire experience was so enjoyable. I cannot recommend Samba Steakhouse enough! 10 out of 10, would definitely eat here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband I went for Valentine’s Day dinner and the service was not good. We have been here before and enjoyed it but this time was a different experience. We were seated and given our drinks and never saw a waiter again. The only reason we knew what to do was because we’ve been there before. We didn’t get much variety of meats as they were constantly out by the time the staff reached our table. I was highly disappointed. We will not return again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
My Fiancee and I came here for dinner on Valentine’s day expecting a nice and delicious dinner. Well, you can say we did not nearly receive that. Immediately when we walked in the atmosphere was off and there was only about 15 other customers in there. We sat down with barely any instruction on what to do so we debating leaving and sadly we did not. We proceeded to the buffet where there was few not great options. When we returned to the table to order drinks we were greeted with $5 canned sodas and $7 bottled waters. We proceeded to wait about 20 minutes for the first type of meat to come out, then 15 minutes after that, and 15 minutes after that. While the food was decent there was about 10 options of protein listed on the menu and we were presented with about 4 options over and over again. We saw other options going around, however the servers were allowing tables before us to take all of the meat before we even had a chance to get a piece. After declining the same options we had seen/tried for about the seventh time the server asked if there was something we were waiting to try. We asked him if we could try the filet and he said of course, then we proceeded to wait another 20 minutes just for one piece. After taking a bite and realizing how chewy it was we asked for the check. We were greeted with a $140 bill after being several disappointed. Safe to say we will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
My first visit and surprisingly delicious. Service was excellent and attentive, catering to some of our special needs. Marcio especially took good care of us and with a great smile to boot. And did I mentioned the great sides, yum-yum. Will definitely recommend and return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My first time visiting and surprisingly delicious. Service was excellent and attentive, catering to some of our special needs. Marcio especially took good care of us and with a great smile to boot. And did I mention the sides, yum-yum. Will definitely recommend and return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff is super friendly and the meats were Amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Serving staff on the floor were great and full crew was very nice. Food was really good !!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dessert, Picanha, Creme Brulee, Salad Dressings and Toppings, Caprese Salad
This was our first time and it was amazing. The food was outstanding and the staff was great. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Creme Brulee, Garlic Steak, Buffet, Salad Dressings and Toppings, Flan, Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin
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