Fast-casual Brazilian restaurant opens in south Sioux Falls
July 9, 2026
The newest restaurant in Sioux Falls features fast-casual Brazilian barbecue with beef, chicken and shrimp and 14 side dishes to choose from.
Gaucho Flame Brazilian Restaurant opened Wednesday at 2312 W. 69th St. in the former Pita Pit space with a “huge line” at the door, said Marcelo Krunitzky, who owns the business with his wife, Micheli. The staff also includes their three daughters and a few others.
“Everything came (together) the way we envisioned,” said Krunitzky, who moved to Sioux Falls in 2005 after culinary school in Brazil and spent most of the years since then working at Carnaval Brazilian Steakhouse.
Diners order at Gaucho Flame’s counter, which is lined with the seven cold and seven hot side dishes, and they watch as the server removes the spit of meat from the grill and slices it.
“Here, we’re doing everything in front of the customers, and I think that’s unique because you can see the food being cooked,” Krunitzky said.
Meat options, which come as 8-ounce portions, include Brazil’s signature picanha, New York strip steak and chicken breast, and there’s also shrimp. When ordering beef, customers can choose everything from rare to well done.
The picanha is seasoned with sea salt rocks, the New York strip has a steak rub that’s made in-house, and the chicken and shrimp are prepared with a marinade that’s also made on-site, Krunitzky said.
Each plate comes a choice of sauce for the protein, including spicy chimichurri, and four sides, with the option of paying extra to add more protein or sides.
The sides range from traditional Brazilian offerings like beans with bacon and sausage, rice, cheese bread and grilled pineapple. There are several salad options and American favorites like fries and mac-and-cheese.
“Being Brazilian, we’re trying to keep authentic, but also embracing the environment, right?” Krunitzky said. “We’re in America, and we’re keeping some stuff that we know people like.”
Dessert offerings include options like a traditional Brazilian chocolate coconut cake that Krunitzky describes as phenomenal and key lime cheesecake.
The menu will change with the seasons.
Smaller portions are available for kids and those who “might not have that big of an appetite,” Krunitzky said.
The restaurant has seating for 54 customers inside and 12 on the patio, which is nestled between two of the retail center’s buildings, providing shade for much of the day.
Hours to start are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
“It’s a good place to come here and have good food. … We’re excited,” Krunitzky said. “We’re in a good neighborhood in a new spot, so we’re looking forward to what the future is going to come.”
Fast-casual Brazilian restaurant coming to south Sioux Falls