Guest Post by Contributing Editor, Chief Husband, and Meat Expert Chris.
There are certain pivotal moments in the history of the world when things change for the better, when life as we know it receives an upgrade to its operating system that – like Siri, or Instagram adjustable filter intensity – opens the door to a richness of experience that was previously unimaginable.
I like to think that this was one of those moments.
So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.
Genesis 9:1-3
Much of humanity, including Rachel and I, have since had a love affair with meat. Birmingham is a great city for meat lovers. You can’t sling a pair of oversized sweatpants in this town without hitting a Barbeque restaurant. So when the opportunity came to try the newest addition to Birmingham’s meaty repertoire, I pretty much fell all over myself to get there.
Welcome to Texas de Brazil, in the new Uptown district.
It is fancy and casual at the same time, with a passionate décor and a comfortable vibe. It might be date night, but there are no illusions – everyone knows why you’re here. The meal begins with vast array of salads, soups, appetizers, and side dishes, but don’t get the wrong idea. This glorious buffet could be a meal unto itself, and is offered as such, if you so desire.
As if marinated mozzarella balls, antipasto meats and cheeses, sushi rolls, and shrimp weren’t enough, there is a big bowl of bacon. Not bits. Legit pieces of freshly cooked bacon, stacked in a bowl, to feast upon at your discretion.
To whet your appetite for this:
An endless supply of freshly prepared cuts of steak, chicken, lamb, pork, and Brazilian sausage that each bring a juicy high-five to your evening. As long as you leave your sign flipped to green, the happy swordsmen keep coming and carving onto your plate.
They of course also bring extra side dishes to cleanse your palate between meats, because we are, after all, only human. Overall, it’s not just the kind of place you want to come back to. It’s the kind of place you want to bring a friend so you can watch them enjoy it for the first time.
So, to help you enjoy the excess responsibly, here are my pro tips:
Fast before you go.
Sleep it off as soon as possible.
Remember it fondly. I certainly do.
And win this gift card for $50 to help your meal along. To enter, just comment on this post and tell me who the biggest carnivore in your life is. This contest is open until Monday, September 8 and the winner will be announced on the Giveaway Winner’s Page on September 9. This gift card is good for all Texas De Brazil locations, so check this list to see if there is one near you. Best of luck and eat some meat!
Disclosure: Our meal was complimentary. There was no agreement that a blog would be provided, so my passion for their work is absolutely authentic.
That title belongs to my husband, but I come in as a close second. Thanks for the giveaway!
The hubby would be the biggest carnivore around here. A friend at church was just talking about the restaurant. She said the food was delicious and the atmosphere was great!
I am the biggest carnivore in my life! That’s why I love my paleo diet! Bring on the meat!!!!!
My husband and 1 year old daughter. Seriously, she can put away a quarter pound burger (sans bun) and grilled chicken like no baby I’ve ever seen.
My fiance is quite the carnivore … and from Texas. Yes, you can be a carnivore and not be from Texas, but I don’t think you can be from Texas and not be a carnivore. Anyway, I thought he was going to wreck the vehicle when we drove through downtown Bham and he first saw the billboard for the upcoming Texas de Brazil opening. He would so LOVE for us to go. So thanks for the possibility of a little help to get us there!
The biggest carnivore in our family is definitely my husband who is already a big fan of TdB. It’s the restaurant of choice when he’s out of town at conventions. I however have not tried it yet.
Believe it or not, I think the biggest carnivore in my life is my 13 yo daughter. This is like heaven on earth to her!
My 5 year old could probably put away an entire pack of bacon for breakfast EASY. He also eats an entire Chik-fil-A sandwich PLUS 8 piece chicken nugget order when we stop there, so he probably wins that title and crown. I always use Chik-fil-A as a bargaining/bribery chip and reward for good behavior. I think he gets his appreciate of meats from me (mom), so it must be a genetic thing.
The hubs is the biggest carnivore. Thanks for the giveaway!
My 17 year old son is the biggest carnivore. He used to like his meat dead, but since he has traveled to France he now like his meat á pointe.
I’m going to have be selfish, but brutally honest.: Me. I am the biggest carnivore in my life. My wife and I went and I literally felt like a T-Rex in that place. There were cuts of meat that I had never experienced. I actually could not believe how many times that I had to actually turn my “feed me” coaster over to red. I’m pretty sure I looked like a T-Rex afterwards too. In conclusion, “Me want meat. and lots of it. Please.”
My husband is the biggest carnivore around here. We would love to try this restaurant out. Thanks for the giveaway and your great post!
Pick me! Pick me! Jerrod and I both love our meat!!
We love BACON and meat and did you say I could have an entire meal of BACON?
Hubs is definitely the steak lover in the home. Would love to take him there. Sounds amazing.
I’m pretty sure I”m the biggest carnivore in my house but I’m also a carbivore.
Mashed potatoes for breakfast? Of course, I grated $3 worth of Parmesan in there!
Caden is actually the biggest carnivore in my life, but Blake can put away the meat too!
My husband, hands down. He would eat steak everyday. He has been dying to try this place!
My husband is 1) the biggest carnivore in my life. He even had a t-shirt that says, “I’d be a vegetarian, if bacon grew on trees,” which was given to him as a gift from my mom. (He’s actually the biggest carnivore in our family, which is really a feat, since my family owned a meat-packing plant before I was born.) He is also 2) the biggest eater in my life (which is why you should choose me for the gift card). He has on more than one occasion ordered a second dinner when he finished his first and it wasn’t enough. He basically eats like a Hobbit.
The 2nd biggest carnivore in my life is our 5-year-old son. He balances his near-vegetarian sister nicely, and I can generally buy one meal to feed them both by giving one the vegetables and the other the meat. When he was 2 years old, we were eating pork chops. He finished his, looked at me and said (in a very deep little boy voice): “Moh meat, mama!”
Definitely my husband!
My Husband for sure! He would love this place and since we are expecting our first baby soon, it would be a great surprise to treat him to this place before baby comes!
The biggest carnivore in my life if I take it literally is my baby brother. He’s a huge, scary man who can benchpress over 325 lbs. He inhales food to the amazement of my children.
But the person in my life who loves meat the most is my small son. At 8 years old he hasn’t even broken 50 lbs yet, but the boy LOVES meat (even if he doesn’t have any on his bones). Bacon, bratwurst, hamburgers, steaks, ribs… you name it and he loves it. I think he gets it from his daddy who on our honeymoon ate 9 steaks on our 7 day cruise.
Delicious! Bob is the biggest meat eater I know and he would be pumped to go try this restaurant out!
I am for sure the biggest carnivore in my life. I often tell people that order cheese pizza, that the pizza is not finished until the meat is added! Bring own it on for this meat lover.
I believe my husband and my brother are tied for the title of biggest carnivore in my life. Every year at Christmas they concoct some sort of fancy carnivorous creation for the rest of us to try along with them on Christmas Eve.
Biggest carnivore in my life is definitely my hubby! He’s been SO excited about Texas de Brazil! I’d love to win & surprise him.
My delicate little 7 year old daughter is affectionally referred to as “Our Little Carnivore”
Adam Elders is definitely the biggest Carnivore that i know.
Adam Elders
Definitely my husband!
That would be me! You had me at bacon..
Thank you for the great review! My husband and I are from Texas and we moved here to open this restaurant last November. (He is the General Manager.) We have fallen in love with Birmingham and enjoy seeing our new neighbors welcome Texas de Brazil as a special dining experience they’ll want to revisit over and over. Your excitement is encouraging!
My husband, David, is the biggest carnivore. We currently live in a big seafood town but even with the abundance of popular local and fresh fish and shrimp in restaurants, what does he always order?? STEAK of some sort lol . Always. :)
Thanks for the opportunity!
My husband definitely is. He would eat steak for every meal, if he could. Oh, actually, that might be second to teriyaki chicken.
My oldest son, Matthew would win that award. Baked chicken and rice is his fave meal. But, my youngest son, Samuel would come a close second. Bacon is a meal in our house, as well, so we would probably faint with joy at the sight of bowls of bacon.
My brother, followed closely by my husband. I literally buy my brother bacon for his birthday and it’s his favorite gift!
Considering the fact that my husband once said that he doesn’t trust any man who’s a vegetarian, I’d have to say that he’s the biggest carnivore in my family and my life! And oh snap, they’re opening a Nashville location soon! Be still my meat loving heart!
My husband is for sure the winner in my book! He loves any variety of meat. A meal is not complete at our home without some variety of meat! His latest obsession- jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, cheese, cocktail sausages and wrapped in bacon!
My husband!!! He has to have meat at EVERY meal that we have. I guess that is the way most guys are!
My son is the biggest carnivore in our family. His name is Ben!
Higgins!
My husband, Weston, is well known for his love of meat products far and wide! He grills them, smokes them, bakes them, fries them. He even brews his own beer to enjoy with meat products. I imagine eating meat from swords would be very enjoyable for us both!
My husband, of course :)
My son!
I am probably the biggest meat eater in the family. There is nothing better than a thick-cut steak, medium rare and lovely. MMMM Now I’m hungry! Thanks for the giveaway!
The biggest carnivore in my life is actually my best friends’ 3 year old son. He announced the other day that the perfect dinner would be a steak, wrapped in a burger, wrapped in a mat made from interwoven strips of bacon. Amen!
My husband is definitely the carnivore,. Texas de brazil (Dallas location) was our first date :)
My boyfriend!
Yes!!! I have been wanting to try this place out as soon as they put the sign on the building. Yet, I still haven’t been. I ate at a Brazilian steakhouse in China, of all places, while doing summer missions several years ago. It was, by far, the most amazing food I ate all summer. We were told Brazilian meats were the best in the world, and I did not disagree! My husband is the real meat eater in my life, though. I just told him about the new Arby’s meat mountain sandwich today and he had stars in his eyes.
I think the biggest carnivore I know is my dad and he’s also pretty adventurous – cow, pig, rabbit, duck, alligator, he’d probably try anything once! I should get him on Anthony Bourdain’s show!
My husband is a HUGE carnivore and needs to experience this restaurant! He will likely fast for a week beforehand. He eats ALL THE MEAT since he tried to eat paleo the majority of the time. ALL.THE.MEAT.