Brazilian Barbeque Dining Experience Arrives in Westbury with AG Steakhouse

June 19, 2024 - by Lon Cohen

Industry veteran Long Phu has brought a slice of Brazil to Westbury with AG Steakhouse, located at 1177 Corporate Drive in the Roosevelt Raceway Shopping Center in the former location of Cozymel’s Mexican.

A seasoned veteran of the restaurant industry having worked for 20 years at Fogo de Chão-his last stint as general manager of their Garden City restaurant-Long Phu has staked out on his own to create a new Brazilian steakhouse with his unique vision that promises a dining experience that combines traditional churrasco with modern twists, all while giving back to the community.

For those who remember, the location was the former Cozymel’s Mexican spot, which closed during the pandemic. After remaining empty for three years, Phu took over the location last September and along with his partners, he redesigned and renovated the place to bring his vision to life.

The restaurant itself is a sprawling 9,000 square-foot space with seating for around 200 people in the dining room and additional space for private events. The interior features a classic, upscale design, with 16 bar stools, six booths, and private rooms that can accommodate mixers and social gatherings. There’s even a covered patio that Phu plans to transform into a lounge area.

AG Steakhouse opened in May but Phu has been low key about it, making sure his staff and kitchen get prepped and ready for their grand opening in July. He didn’t open in time for Mother’s Day but said on Father’s Day he had a packed house, despite minimal advertising. Right now it’s mostly word of mouth and a website that outlines their extensive menu.

“We are still getting everything down pat,” Phu said, as the restaurant continues to refine its operations and deliver a top-notch dining experience.

If you’re not used to the style of the Brazilian steakhouse dining experience, you are in for a treat, says Phu.

“The style is called rodizio,” he said. “Meat servers bring around different cuts of meat, allowing guests to try a little of everything.”

Phu installed an 18-foot charcoal grill, imported from Brazil, as the centerpiece of the kitchen. The skilled meat servers, known as passadores, circulate the dining room with skewers of various meats, offering guests a personalized experience, slicing off various meats for guests.

The menu features a wide array of choices, including sirloin, ribeye, chicken, and even grilled pineapple to cleanse the palate between courses.

“It’s carved personally for you,” Phu explained.

If you want a piece of meat that is more rare, they will carve the meat closer to the center of the cut. If you want it more well-done they will carve from the edge.

Like other restaurants of the type, AG Steakhouse uses a simple system to manage the meat service. You get a small card or token that’s green on one side and red on the other. When you want more meat, you keep the green side up. When you need a break or are full, you turn it to the red side.

“The experience is individualized but you are sharing among friends,”Phu said.

Sides include mashed potatoes, fried yucca, and yucca flour cheese breads, among others. Local flavors are highlighted too, with wines from Wolffer Estate and other local vendors, offering a distinct flair that sets AG Steakhouse apart.

Phu saw a lot of change at Fogo de Chão over his two decades there.

GP Investments, a Brazilian private equity firm, invested in Fogo de Chão in 2006 and sold its shares to Ta partnership in 2012. Fogo de Chão went public in 2015, under the symbol FOGO. It was acquired by Rhône Capital in 2018 and then last year, Bain Capital acquired the restaurant chain for $1.1 billion. It is now one of a number of other corporate chains under the private equity firm’s control.

Phu hopes his experiential dining restaurant can compete with the conglomerate by taking everything he learned and put his own personal flair into AG Steakhouse.

“Corporations can have their downfall,” Phu said. “I’ve learned a lot and brought that experience here.”

His commitment to quality extends to his staff, many of whom loyally followed him from Fogo de Chão when he left. His general manager has 14 years of experience at Fogo and 10 years in Brazil, ensuring that the restaurant maintains high standards of service and hospitality. AG Steakhouse embodies Phu’s dedication to quality, community, and the authentic Brazilian dining experience, extending to how he treats his staff.

“You’ve got to take care of the people who take care of you,” he said.

Phu said his dream of opening AG Steakhouse became a reality thanks to the support of his partners at OCS Builders. OCS president Michael Nikolai and CEO Jim Fendt, who have over 25 years in the commercial construction business in the tri-state area, invested in AG Steakhouse.

This is their first foray into the restaurant industry, and their belief in Phu’s vision was pivotal. “Without them, this would not have happened,” Phu said. “They believed in me and remodeled everything, handing me the keys to my dream.”

AG Steakhouse is not just about exceptional food; it’s about community and giving back. Phu has partnered with local charities, including Island Harvest and Angela’s House, to donate a portion of the restaurant’s weekend sales from July 12th to 14th.

“It’s important. If you don’t give back, you don’t see the return,” Phu said.

The AG in AG Steakhouse stands for Assado Gaucho, said Phu, which means the gaucho grill in Portuguese defining the traditional style of cooking. With his focus on locality and authenticity Phu hopes AG Steakhouse will become a staple in the Westbury dining scene.

“That’s the essence of everything,” he said.