Green Field Churrascaria - West Covina, CA
OVERALL
I am a meat lover and I can eat a lot of it - that makes Brazilian Churrascaria one of my favorite diining choices. Now here's one more evidence that we are deprived in the SF Bay Area - we have missed yet ANOTHER world gourmet scene trend. I mean, even CHINA has one or more churrascaria - in every major city!! The City (SF) has one that opened back in 2003 (Espetus) but it's a bit on the expensive side. In LA they have been around for decades. Greenfield is one of the more affordable ones that you shouldn't miss on your next trip down to Southland.
FOOD
One can't really compare a churrascaria with a upscale steakhouse in terms of quality of meat or distinct taste, but when it comes to variety and depth of favorite in the meats, Greenfield beats most of the steakhouses (well, at least those in CA) hands down. When I go, I try to sample every type of meat - flank steak, short ribs, lamb chops, chicken heart, sausages, etc. I typically favor flank steaks for their juiciness and chicken heart because my cholesterol is too low (HA!). Some love the sausages but I don't find them that special.
Another special feature of Greenfield, and most other churrascarias in North America, it has a buffet of side dishes and salads. Sometimes they would have palmitos (heart of palm), another rarity in the american diet but an excellent additon to any type of salad or dressing. Their cheese bread is also very good but they are dangerously filling. Because the owner - I suspect - is most likely Asian, some side dishes are suspiciously Asian-flavored, like noodles. Desserts are typically good - worth the extra charge - and tiramisu and flan are supposed to be the best.
SERVICE 
The fact that this place might be Asian-owned would raise some concern over service. While it's service is not top-notch by any standard, waiters are typically responsive and efficient, and the meat servers are professional (yes you can ask them for more and more and more). The fact that meats are served at your table means the place looks a bit more busy than a regular restaurant, but they are dressed up to look somewhat cowboyish and some of them are funny, giving the place a relaxed atmosphere.
AMBIENCE
I'm pretty sure this place must be either an IHOP or some kind of american diner years ago. The whole place looks like of funny, arranged like a diner with many booths, rather than a dining hall with open tables that would make serving the meats a lot easier. The whole restuarant can use a ton more decorations to make it either look authentically brazilian, or maybe just make it look hip to draw a younger crowd. Then again, who would come here for the ambience? Meat lovers love to eat meat and value-hunters love the quality and quantity, period.
VALUE
Yes, this is really a value-hunter's paradise. With the all-you-can-eat meats and buffet of other items, you really can't do too bad here unless you came with a full stomach. Even though the drinks and desserts are extra, they are not overpriced. The quality of meats and service alone are worth the price you pay for. You don't even have to load up with too much meat - just sampling each type of meat and salad will satisfy you without breaking your bank.
BOTTOMLINE
This is the kind of place where you'll see latin americans hang out, taking their time with drinks, meats and the buffet line, chatting and sampling little by little. If you are there to enjoy, not to indulge, you are in the right place. Order a drink, slowly go through all the stuff they've got, take it easy on the meats (especially in the beginning - see explanation below), and you'll know why the word stress hardly exists in a spanish/portugese dictionary.
BTW
It is very tempting to come in and get every meat that comes to your table - a lots of them will come. A better way to do it is to sample them visually. Skip the ones that look dry or overcooked - more will come out 1/2 hr later anyways! Only take the ones that looks shiny and juice. Also, make reservation if you plan to come during peak dining hours.
