Went for lunch around 1pm on a Friday and enjoyed the experience. We were seated quickly but the restaurant was on the small side and can be loud at times. Service was good, a little slow but the meat was delivered to our table at a good pace and hot.

Lunch was around $15 with all the meat you want with a supplementary buffet with soup, veggies and starch. The buffet food, overall, was average to good with delicious crunchy but moist rolls but obviously you have to be a meat lover to fully get the best out of this restaurant.

The meat choices were somewhat limited (but it was lunch, so no complaints) and while the cuts had their own unique texture (some are naturally chewier, but I didn’t get anything that was “charred shoe leather”) they were all moist and flavorful. You can’t beat the piping hot chicken wings with hot crispy skin :D The grilled pineapple was also a nice tangy compliment to the meat choices.

Tip : Get an extra plate from the buffet bar for the waiters to pile the meat on instead of your plate.

If you’re on the Atkins diet and don’t have any issues with high blood pressure or cholesterol…you’ll enjoy Cleo’s. Cleo’s is a good economical introduction to Brazilian churrascaria. Their buffet offers a selection of traditional Brazilian food. However, their caipirinhas and homemade desserts were the highlights for me. A good place to be loud, laughing, and casual with good company.

I’ve been to Espetus, which took a big chunk out of my wallet. Cleo, on the other hand, was much kinder in that respect.

Food-wise, though, Espetus is the winner. Cleo had all the meat, but I found it to be quite salty. Also, their ‘hot’ buffet wasn’t so hot. Most of the dishes were tepid. And I wish the cheese bread was freshly baked and warm.

The restaurant itself is cozy and small, with a live band playing. However, we got seated in the back, pretty much at a table by itself. However, it was right next to the buffet table and in between the 2 kitchens. We were far from the band, and far from the other patrons. The only good thing was that we got first dibs on the meat.

Maybe I came on an off day, since I have heard good things about this place. I’d recommend it to people who have never had Brazilian food, and are price-conscious.