Restaurant: Tradicao (pronounced Tradisow)
Address: 12000 Southwest Freeway, Stafford, Texas
Buffet or a-la-carte: Buffet
Date of visit: 7/1/16
UPDATE 8/7/17: The place has now changed its name to Avenida Brazil Churrascaria Steakhouse, and they have opened up a location in the Woodlands at 1400 Research Forest Drive. This, along with the Clear Lake and original Stafford location, can use the same halal menu when requested at least one day in advance.
I've been back a few times, and I have enjoyed every time as well. The people are incredibly nice, and they replaced their mashed potatoes with a potato au gratin dish. That dish is without a doubt one of the best potato dishes I've ever had.
Please see the disclaimer under where it says "Home"
Background:
Salam/hey guys! Welcome to my latest review! I know it's a bit late, but I've been dieting lately (which I really hate). Anyways, I can safely tell you that this is the most anticipated review of the year. Why is it so? It's because this is another steakhouse. Not just another steakhouse, but another Brazilian one! I actually first heard about this place a long time back from my friend. He told me that his friend used to work there and that the lamb was halal, there was seafood in the main course, and that he really liked that place. So pretty much like Fogo de Chao but with seafood options and family run instead of being a chain with location all over the US, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. I actually thought about going here one day since I hadn't known at that time that Fogo's lamb was halal, but the idea never came to work. All of that changed an email that I received a few days before my trip. The email was definitely one of the best ones I have ever received since I started this blog. It was an email which stated that there was going to be halal FILET MIGNON and lamb chops available. Before and after, making the big announcement on my social media accounts, which was received positively by the Muslim community, I communicated with the restaurant and made sure that everything was cooked separately to prevent cross contamination, and that it was available at the Stafford location and also the Clear Lake location. After everything was done, I was invited to bring a friend along and try the experience! Naturally, I would have to go after work and around sunset since it was still Ramadan. The good part was that it was about a 15 minute drive from the mosque that we were going to pray at. So after work, I went to pick my friend up, and we drove to the restaurant.
One VERY important thing to say: You must call at least 24 hours in advance to request halal. Thus, reservation is mandatory if you want halal.
Let The Experience Begin!
Tradicao is located on the 59 feeder just before the intersection at W Airport Blvd. If you are coming from the north, your best bet is to take the exit for the 59 feeder and then continue on it until you reach the restaurant. Inside, the ambiance was very nice. There is a wine cellar that's located near the tables. After confirming that we reserved, we went to the table. The table was wonderfully set up. There was a sign where it said "halal" and right in front was the halal menu (posted below). Top notch service. We met with the manager and talked about the halal offerings. He then said that there's going to be a special ribeye prepared for us. After speaking, we were ready to eat.
Let's Eat!
While the meat was being prepared, my friend and I immediately flipped the meat card to "Yes" and went for the salad bar. From the salad bar, I got fresh mozzarella cheese, salmon ceviche, smoked salmon, potato salad, and heart of palm. We only took one plate of the salad bar because we wanted to save our appetite for the meats. As we were eating, the meat was ready! All the meat and the seafood came one by one. As soon it was made, it was served to us tableside. And then came the insanely addicting cheese bread (pao de queijo). Then came the rice and the garlic mashed potatoes. I think I had about 20 of the cheese breads. We finally had dessert. By the time we got to the mosque, we were so stuffed that we thought we would skip the early morning meal that's eaten before the start of fasting. The ribeye came on a special wooden platter for us. To drink, I had Guarana, which is the traditional Brazilian soda.
Menu: Same concept as Fogo, but they actually have seafood in their main course. I would advise you guys to take a pic of the halal menu and keep it as a reference. It is very detailed and they even tell you what not to eat because of the inclusion of alcohol. Like Fogo, there is also a salad bar, which has a lot of options available to try.
One thing you must remember: if you want halal, you must call at least 24 hours in advance.
Address: 12000 Southwest Freeway, Stafford, Texas
Buffet or a-la-carte: Buffet
Date of visit: 7/1/16
UPDATE 8/7/17: The place has now changed its name to Avenida Brazil Churrascaria Steakhouse, and they have opened up a location in the Woodlands at 1400 Research Forest Drive. This, along with the Clear Lake and original Stafford location, can use the same halal menu when requested at least one day in advance.
I've been back a few times, and I have enjoyed every time as well. The people are incredibly nice, and they replaced their mashed potatoes with a potato au gratin dish. That dish is without a doubt one of the best potato dishes I've ever had.
Please see the disclaimer under where it says "Home"
Background:
Salam/hey guys! Welcome to my latest review! I know it's a bit late, but I've been dieting lately (which I really hate). Anyways, I can safely tell you that this is the most anticipated review of the year. Why is it so? It's because this is another steakhouse. Not just another steakhouse, but another Brazilian one! I actually first heard about this place a long time back from my friend. He told me that his friend used to work there and that the lamb was halal, there was seafood in the main course, and that he really liked that place. So pretty much like Fogo de Chao but with seafood options and family run instead of being a chain with location all over the US, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. I actually thought about going here one day since I hadn't known at that time that Fogo's lamb was halal, but the idea never came to work. All of that changed an email that I received a few days before my trip. The email was definitely one of the best ones I have ever received since I started this blog. It was an email which stated that there was going to be halal FILET MIGNON and lamb chops available. Before and after, making the big announcement on my social media accounts, which was received positively by the Muslim community, I communicated with the restaurant and made sure that everything was cooked separately to prevent cross contamination, and that it was available at the Stafford location and also the Clear Lake location. After everything was done, I was invited to bring a friend along and try the experience! Naturally, I would have to go after work and around sunset since it was still Ramadan. The good part was that it was about a 15 minute drive from the mosque that we were going to pray at. So after work, I went to pick my friend up, and we drove to the restaurant.
One VERY important thing to say: You must call at least 24 hours in advance to request halal. Thus, reservation is mandatory if you want halal.
Let The Experience Begin!
Tradicao is located on the 59 feeder just before the intersection at W Airport Blvd. If you are coming from the north, your best bet is to take the exit for the 59 feeder and then continue on it until you reach the restaurant. Inside, the ambiance was very nice. There is a wine cellar that's located near the tables. After confirming that we reserved, we went to the table. The table was wonderfully set up. There was a sign where it said "halal" and right in front was the halal menu (posted below). Top notch service. We met with the manager and talked about the halal offerings. He then said that there's going to be a special ribeye prepared for us. After speaking, we were ready to eat.
Let's Eat!
While the meat was being prepared, my friend and I immediately flipped the meat card to "Yes" and went for the salad bar. From the salad bar, I got fresh mozzarella cheese, salmon ceviche, smoked salmon, potato salad, and heart of palm. We only took one plate of the salad bar because we wanted to save our appetite for the meats. As we were eating, the meat was ready! All the meat and the seafood came one by one. As soon it was made, it was served to us tableside. And then came the insanely addicting cheese bread (pao de queijo). Then came the rice and the garlic mashed potatoes. I think I had about 20 of the cheese breads. We finally had dessert. By the time we got to the mosque, we were so stuffed that we thought we would skip the early morning meal that's eaten before the start of fasting. The ribeye came on a special wooden platter for us. To drink, I had Guarana, which is the traditional Brazilian soda.
Menu: Same concept as Fogo, but they actually have seafood in their main course. I would advise you guys to take a pic of the halal menu and keep it as a reference. It is very detailed and they even tell you what not to eat because of the inclusion of alcohol. Like Fogo, there is also a salad bar, which has a lot of options available to try.
One thing you must remember: if you want halal, you must call at least 24 hours in advance.
 |
| The Halal Menu |
 |
| The Dinner |
The Verdict:
Was it worth it? Absolutely! Everything tasted great! The cheese bread was as addicting here at it was at Fogo. We really enjoyed all the meat and seafood that was added. The chocolate cake was one of the best I've ever had! We ate until we were completely stuffed. The service was wonderful also!
Conclusion:
Houston's first Brazilian Steakhouse with more than one halal meat option sets an example of what the other restaurants should do when they start serving halal menu options. It was organized and was easy to read and understand. It was also great to see that they had listed which items have alcohol in it or not. French, Italian, and a lot of Asian places should notify on their menus whether a particular dish contains alcohol or not. This is not just because Muslims do not drink, but also many people have alcohol intolerance. It shall be interesting to see whether other Brazilian steakhouses will start offering halal meats one day whether it be here in Houston, Texas, or anywhere in the US in the years to come, or whether there will be the first ever fully halal Brazilian steakhouse, or whether halal picanha or alcatra (top sirloin) will be first introduced to the United States.
Houston's first Brazilian Steakhouse with more than one halal meat option sets an example of what the other restaurants should do when they start serving halal menu options. It was organized and was easy to read and understand. It was also great to see that they had listed which items have alcohol in it or not. French, Italian, and a lot of Asian places should notify on their menus whether a particular dish contains alcohol or not. This is not just because Muslims do not drink, but also many people have alcohol intolerance. It shall be interesting to see whether other Brazilian steakhouses will start offering halal meats one day whether it be here in Houston, Texas, or anywhere in the US in the years to come, or whether there will be the first ever fully halal Brazilian steakhouse, or whether halal picanha or alcatra (top sirloin) will be first introduced to the United States.
Regarding Tradicao, this is great for special occasions like birthdays, parties, or anniversaries. I know I plan on coming here on special occasions or just a casual trip myself for lunch after saving up some money! If you are in Houston and want to go on a date or celebrate a special occasion, or just simply grab some steak, then this place would be the best one! Don't worry it being too expensive. It is worth every single penny.
Grading:
Service: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Total: 20/20 = 100% (A)
Pricing: $$$$ out of $$$$
Restaurant Information
Tradicao (Stafford location)
12000 Southwest Freeway, Stafford, Texas
Phone: (281) 277-9292
Website: http://tradicaosteakhouse.com/
Timings:
Lunch: Mon-Fri: 11 AM - 2 PM & Sun: 12 PM - 3 PM
Dinner: Mon-Thu: 5 PM - 9:30 PM; Fri: 5 PM - 10 PM; Sat: 4 PM - 9 PM; Sunday: 5 PM - 9 PM
Caters: Yes
Reservation required for halal menu
Feel free to comment below, send me an email, or message me on Facebook
Cheers!
Zain Mohammed
Lunch: Mon-Fri: 11 AM - 2 PM & Sun: 12 PM - 3 PM
Dinner: Mon-Thu: 5 PM - 9:30 PM; Fri: 5 PM - 10 PM; Sat: 4 PM - 9 PM; Sunday: 5 PM - 9 PM
Caters: Yes
Reservation required for halal menu
Feel free to comment below, send me an email, or message me on Facebook
Cheers!
Zain Mohammed
