Alpharetta will soon be home to an authentic Brazilian steakhouse, complete with a menu of churrascaria favorites and a traditional carving and serving process.
Brothers Nelcir and Marcio Muller plan to open Passador Brazilian Steakhouse in mid-march at 2355 Mansell Rd., in the former home of Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse.
Passador, which means “meat server,” will offer a traditional Brazilian steakhouse experience with passadores coming to tables with skewers of delicious meats and carving pieces onto plates as guests make their selections.
“Alpharetta deserves great food and great service,” and that’s what they’ll deliver at Passador, Nelcir Muller said during a phone interview with What Now Atlanta on Friday. “It’s a great community.”
He’s seen the growth and the market for a good Brazilian steakhouse in Alpharetta, he said.
They have loved this style of cooking since they were kids, Nelcir Muller said.
“We grew up seeing our dad and grandfather cook in this style,” he said. “We feel really comfortable doing this.”
Nelcir Muller has worked in the restaurant industry since 1998. Serving up dishes at restaurants in Chicago, Washington DC, Baltimore, and most recently at Chama Gaucha in Buckhead. His brother comes to Passador from Chama Gaucha’s Chicago location.
With more than 40 years of collective experience working in Brazilian steakhouses, the brothers wanted to venture out on their own.
“You dream of what you can do and open on your own,” Nelcir Muller said. Although they were able to really run things how they wanted, it’s a different feeling to open one themselves.
He said he’s incredibly grateful for the other companies he’s worked with, without them they wouldn’t be able to chase their own dream now with Passador. He’s also bringing on some staff he’s worked with for years.
They started thinking about opening their own about a year ago, Nelcir Muller said. They didn’t have a set timeline, but when this location became available everything started happening.
The almost 8,800 square-foot space will feature décor that highlights the culture of the south of Brazil.
Since taking over the location, they’ve made some changes to better fit the aesthetic and design they’re going for, he said. Changes include the lighting, granite at the bar, and a 150-200 bottle wine cellar.
They also ordered all new equipment, chairs and tables, high-end tablecloths, and traditional silverware coming all the way from Brazil.
“We want to keep it as authentic as we can,” Nelcir Muller said.
The menu will include high-quality meats, like New Zealand lamb all domestic beef, and marinated jumbo shrimp on skewers. Passador will also feature a selection of unique side dishes, including traditional Brazilian polenta, and a traditional and extensive salad bar.
The remodel is coming along great and they hope to open in mid-March, he confirmed. Just a few finishing touches and they’re ready to go, he added.
“I’m really, really excited,” he said. “I’m looking so forward to the day we are open.”
