11 Minnesota All-You-Can-Eat Steakhouses That Never Stop Serving Up Tradition
Growing up in Minnesota, I didn’t know steak could be a quest until my dad dragged me to our first all-you-can-eat hibachi party at age nine.
The sizzle of onions hitting the grill, the mountain of rice I vowed to finish (and failed), and the server’s wink when I asked for “just one more skewer” became a rites of passage.
Fast-forward two decades, and I’ve tracked down 11 steakhouses across the state that never stop serving-not just food, but tradition.
Minnesota knows how to do meat right, and nowhere is that more obvious than at the state’s incredible all-you-can-eat steakhouses.
From Brazilian churrascarias where servers parade endless cuts tableside to classic casino buffets piling prime rib high on your plate, these spots have turned unlimited steak into an art form.
Get ready to loosen your belt and discover where Minnesotans go when they want steak that never stops coming.
1. Fogo De Chão, Minneapolis
Located right at 645 Hennepin Avenue in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, this Brazilian powerhouse turns dinner into a theatrical experience.
Servers dressed in traditional gaucho attire glide between tables wielding long skewers of perfectly seasoned meat, carving slices directly onto your plate with practiced precision.
The magic happens with a simple two-sided token: green means keep the cuts coming, red signals a momentary pause while you catch your breath.
Beyond the parade of proteins, the Market Table offers over thirty fresh items, from imported cheeses to crisp vegetables and Brazilian side dishes.
Picanha, the prized Brazilian sirloin, arrives with a caramelized fat cap that melts on your tongue.
Lamb chops, bacon-wrapped chicken, and garlic-rubbed beef ribs follow in delicious succession.
The continuous service means you can sample every cut multiple times without anyone batting an eye.
Upscale yet welcoming, Fogo de Chão proves that all-you-can-eat doesn’t mean compromising on quality or atmosphere.
2. Rodizio Grill, Maple Grove
Tucked into the Arbor Lakes shopping district at 12197 Elm Creek Boulevard, this longstanding favorite brings Brazilian rodízio tradition to the northwest suburbs.
Families pack the dining room on weekends, and for good reason: fifteen different flame-grilled cuts rotate through the dining room on an endless carousel of flavor.
My cousin celebrated her fortieth birthday here last spring, and our table lost count after the seventh round of parmesan pork.
The gauchos remember your favorites and circle back with seconds before you even realize you’re ready.
Top sirloin arrives perfectly medium-rare, while the garlic picanha develops a savory crust from the open flames.
Leg of lamb, Brazilian sausage, and bacon-wrapped turkey breast add variety between beef courses.
The salad bar stretches the length of one wall, stocked with hearts of palm, fresh mozzarella, and traditional Brazilian sides like fried polenta and garlic mashed potatoes.
After two decades in Maple Grove, Rodizio Grill still packs tables nightly.
3. Bullvino’s Churrascaria, St. Paul
Down in Lowertown at 289 Fifth Street East, this local gem delivers authentic churrasco without the corporate polish.
Bullvino’s feels like stumbling into a neighborhood secret where regulars greet servers by name and first-timers quickly become converts.
The rotisserie spins constantly near the open kitchen, filling the dining room with the intoxicating aroma of wood-fired beef.
Unlike some chains that rush you through courses, the pace here allows you to savor each cut and actually digest between rounds.
Beef ribs come off the rotisserie with bark that crunches before giving way to tender meat underneath.
Chicken hearts, a traditional Brazilian favorite, surprise skeptics with their rich, almost steak-like texture.
The salad bar doubles as a hot bar, offering Brazilian black beans, farofa (toasted cassava flour), and cheese bread that arrives warm from the oven.
Portions feel generous without being overwhelming, and the staff genuinely cares that you leave satisfied rather than stuffed into submission.
4. Bullvino’s Churrascaria, Bloomington
Success in Lowertown led Bullvino’s to open a second location at 5121 West 98th Street in Bloomington, bringing the same all-you-can-eat churrasco format to the southern suburbs.
The Bloomington spot mirrors the original with the same commitment to quality over flash.
Families from Edina, Richfield, and Burnsville have adopted this location as the go-to for celebrations that require serious quantities of beef.
The format stays true to traditional Brazilian rodízio: sit down, flip your card to green, and let the parade begin.
Garlic sirloin arrives first, setting the standard with herb-crusted edges and pink centers.
Pork ribs glazed with a subtle sweetness provide a nice break from beef before the filet mignon makes its appearance.
The salad bar offers the same hearty Brazilian sides found downtown, ensuring vegetable-lovers at your table stay just as satisfied.
Parking proves infinitely easier than the Lowertown location, making this the practical choice for large groups or anyone coming from the airport area.
5. Fogão Gaúcho, Bloomington
Near the Mall of America at 1901 Killebrew Drive, this family-run churrascaria operates with the kind of personal touch corporate chains can’t replicate.
The owners often work the dining room themselves, checking tables and ensuring every guest experiences genuine Brazilian hospitality.
Smaller than some competitors, Fogão Gaúcho compensates with warmth and attention that makes solo diners feel as welcome as parties of ten.
The full churrasco experience unfolds with fourteen different cuts rotating through the dining room at a comfortable pace.
Picanha remains the star, but the lamb chops seasoned simply with sea salt let the quality of the meat speak for itself.
Brazilian sausage arrives with a satisfying snap, while the bacon-wrapped chicken stays impossibly moist despite the high heat.
The salad bar might be more modest than mega-chains, but everything tastes fresher and gets replenished constantly throughout service.
Prices run slightly lower than downtown options, making this the smart choice for families watching budgets without sacrificing the authentic experience.
6. Fazenda, Maple Grove
Formerly known as Grill Hall, Fazenda reinvented itself at 9691 63rd Avenue North while keeping the all-you-can-eat format that made the original popular.
The rebranding brought updated decor and an expanded menu, but the core promise remains unchanged: unlimited meat and salad for one fixed price.
Maple Grove locals appreciate having multiple Brazilian options within a few miles, and Fazenda distinguishes itself with slightly more adventurous cuts.
Beef tongue, prepared until tender and sliced thin, converts skeptics who never imagined trying it.
The traditional picanha and sirloin anchor the menu for those who prefer familiar territory.
Pork loin wrapped in bacon and brushed with a light glaze hits that perfect sweet-savory balance.
The salad bar stretches beyond lettuce and tomatoes into territory that could constitute dinner on its own: roasted vegetables, rice dishes, pasta salads, and Brazilian cheese bread.
Service moves at a relaxed pace that encourages conversation between courses rather than treating dinner like a timed eating competition.
7. Tradewinds Buffet, Welch
Venture southeast toward the Red Wing area and you’ll find Tradewinds Buffet operating inside Treasure Island Resort & Casino.
Casino buffets get a bad reputation, but Tradewinds bucks the trend with genuinely impressive steak nights that rival standalone restaurants.
Thursday and Saturday evenings transform the carving station into a beef lover’s paradise, with New York strips and prime rib cut to order.
The format differs from Brazilian churrascarias: you approach the station, request your cut and thickness, and the carver slices it fresh from the roast.
Want a thick slab of prime rib with extra end cut? Just ask.
Prefer your strip cooked a bit more? They’ll find you the perfect piece.
Beyond steak, the buffet sprawls across multiple stations covering seafood, Asian dishes, comfort food classics, and a dessert section that requires its own strategy.
The casino setting means you can work off dinner with a few hands of blackjack, though most guests need a long walk after loading up on unlimited beef.
8. Black Bear Buffet, Carlton
Up north at Black Bear Casino Resort on Highway 210 in Carlton, the Black Bear Buffet takes a rotating approach to steak nights.
Check the monthly calendar before planning your visit, because prime rib and surf-and-turf specials appear on scheduled evenings rather than daily.
When steak night lands, the buffet goes all out with thick cuts of prime rib cooked to various temperatures so everyone gets exactly what they want.
Surf-and-turf nights pair the beef with crab legs, shrimp, or salmon, turning the buffet into a protein festival.
My parents drove up from Duluth last month specifically for the prime rib Friday and returned raving about the horseradish sauce alone.
The northwoods setting adds to the experience, with large windows overlooking the forest and decor that embraces the lodge aesthetic.
Beyond steak nights, the regular buffet maintains quality with fresh salads, hot entrees, and desserts that rotate seasonally.
Locals treat special buffet nights like events, arriving early to beat the rush and staying late to maximize the experience.
9. Meadows Restaurant At Prairie’s Edge, Granite Falls
Out west in Granite Falls, the Meadows Restaurant inside Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort brings scheduled prime rib nights to a corner of Minnesota often overlooked by food enthusiasts.
Small-town casino restaurants might not sound glamorous, but locals know these spots often serve better beef than fancy restaurants charging triple the price.
Prime rib nights at the Meadows draw crowds from surrounding farming communities who appreciate generous portions and straightforward preparation.
The restaurant doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel: perfectly seasoned beef roasted until the outside develops a crust while the inside stays rosy and tender.
Carvers slice thick or thin based on your preference, and nobody judges if you return for seconds or thirds.
Traditional sides like baked potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls accompany the beef without trying to steal the spotlight.
The prairie views through the windows remind you exactly where this beef likely came from: Minnesota farms raising cattle just miles away.
Call ahead to confirm prime rib nights, as the schedule shifts seasonally based on local demand and special events.
10. Elsie’s Restaurant, Bar & Bowling Center, Minneapolis
Northeast Minneapolis hides countless treasures, and Elsie’s at 729 Marshall Street Northeast ranks among the most delicious.
Part restaurant, part bar, part bowling alley, Elsie’s defies easy categorization while excelling at all three roles.
The prime rib and carved steak specials arrive on plates so loaded you wonder how the server carries them without assistance.
Generous doesn’t begin to describe the portions: these are the kind of slabs that hang over the plate edges and require tactical planning to finish.
The retro bowling alley setting adds unexpected charm, with the rumble of strikes and the clatter of pins providing a soundtrack to your steak dinner.
Prices stay remarkably reasonable considering the location and portion sizes, making Elsie’s a favorite among Northeast residents who value substance over style.
The carved steak specials run on select nights, so calling ahead saves disappointment.
Locals treat Elsie’s like a neighborhood secret, though the packed parking lot on prime rib nights suggests the secret has gotten out among those who know good beef when they taste it.
11. Wildcard Local Options Across The Twin Cities
Beyond the established names, the Twin Cities metro area supports a rotating cast of smaller independent churrascarias and rodízio pop-ups that offer all-you-can-eat steak experiences.
These wildcard options change more frequently than corporate chains, with new spots opening in strip malls and neighborhood corners while others quietly close or rebrand.
The advantage of seeking out these independents? Prices often run lower, and the intimate settings create a more personal dining experience.
Some operate only on weekends, while others might offer the full churrasco experience just one or two nights weekly.
Quality varies, but the best independents rival established chains while charging ten or fifteen dollars less per person.
Check local food blogs, neighborhood Facebook groups, and community forums to discover what’s currently operating in your area.
These smaller operations often cater to specific immigrant communities first, meaning you might experience more authentic preparation and seasoning.
Taking a chance on a lesser-known spot can lead to discovering your new favorite before everyone else catches on and the lines start forming out the door.