Global steakhouse completes plan to open first Ohio restaurant in former O’Charley’s

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A former O’Charley’s in north Columbus is one step closer to becoming the first Ohio restaurant for a Brazilian steakhouse with locations across the globe, including in Dubai, Toronto and Istanbul.

Named Fogo de Ch?o, the international chain announced on Monday it has signed a lease agreement to open a new restaurant at 1425 Polaris Parkway. The 7,245-square-foot location is scheduled to open later this year and will add to the steakhouse’s rolodex of nearly 100 restaurants in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the Middle East, the U.S. and more.

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“We have long anticipated expanding our presence into the state of Ohio and are excited to share out authentic culinary experience from Brazil with the Columbus community soon,” said Barry McGowan, CEO of Fogo. “This city’s vibrant energy and growing dining scene align with out mission to provide an immersive dining experience.”

A permit application filed with the city of Columbus in March had revealed that Fogo was eyeing an expansion into central Ohio, and detailed plans to spend $1.5 million to renovate the O’Charley’s that shuttered several years ago. The permit said the inside of the free-standing building “will be completely refinished with new equipment and finishes,” while the outside “will be refaced to reflect the new brand.”

Fogo’s menu features 11 steak cuts, a selection of fire-roasted chicken, lamb and pork options, along with classic seafood dishes with a Brazilian twist. Recipes inspired by Brazilian markets, a number of side dishes and desserts round out the offerings.

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The Polaris location will feature an expansive dining room centered around an open churrasco grill for a 360-degree view of chefs butchering, hand carving and grilling meat over an open flame, the restaurant said in Monday’s announcement. A “market table” will anchor the restaurant with seasonal salads, cured meats, antipasti and more.

The former O’Charley’s is one of six Ohio locations that shuttered last year, among nearly two dozen restaurants that have closed in recent years. The Nashville-based chain permanently closed its Westerville-area restaurant at 285 Cleveland Ave. last November.

A Grove City O’Charley’s at 1657 Stringtown Road that also closed in November is set to become a new Logan’s Roadhouse location after the property was bought earlier this year for $2.6 million. The new restaurant will mark Logan’s Columbus return, after the chain’s Easton location at 3969 Morse Crossing and Dublin restaurant at 7100 Sawmill Road both closed around 2016 when the chain’s previous owner filed for bankruptcy.

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O’Charley’s central Ohio closures continued after the brand’s Morse Road and Georgesville Square locations shuttered last August, along with the Miller Lane and Miamisburg Centerville Road restaurants in Dayton.

“Like many brands in the casual dining space, we have faced unprecedented disruptions to our business over the last few years,” said W. Craig Barber, O’Charley’s CEO, in a statement. “It is always a difficult decision to close a store, but the decision aligns with a variety of actions to ensure we continue to thrive as a brand.”

The brand now only operates two restaurants in central Ohio, one at 6224 Gender Road in Canal Winchester and another at 2272 Baltimore Reynoldsburg Road in Reynoldsburg.

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