Chama Gacha, the San Antonio born Brazilian steakhouse known for tableside skewers of meat and a sprawling salad bar, is lining up a Katy outpost that would take over the Doneraki/Fuego y Mar space at 24205 Katy Freeway. An employee confirmed the plans on neighborhood message boards, although the chain has not shared an opening date or timeline. The chatter has already started among Katy diners who are wondering whether a full blown churrascaria will pull big suburban crowds. For now, the open questions are how many seats the space can handle, what the hours will look like and whether the restaurant will roll out full rodzio service along the I-10 corridor.
As reported by Houston Chronicle, the tip first surfaced on the Katy/Fort Bend Foodies Facebook group, and Chama Gacha general manager Fernando Santibanez told the paper the post was accurate. In a message to the Chronicle, Santibanez wrote, “We are very excited about this new opportunity to continue serving the Houston Community.” The Chronicle also noted that the company did not disclose an opening date or schedule.
What Sits At 24205 Katy Freeway
The storefront at 24205 Katy Freeway is currently listed as Doneraki’s Fuego y Mar on the Mexican restaurant’s own site, which shows the Katy address and phone number. Community Impact covered Doneraki’s move into the space in 2023 and noted the concept’s larger patio and menu tweaks. That existing setup gives any successor immediate visibility off I-10, plus room for the kind of large dining room a churrascaria typically needs for all those circulating skewers.
What Chama Gacha Will Bring
Chama Gacha was founded in San Antonio by Joo Carlos Ongaratto after a 20-year career at Fogo de Che3o, according to CultureMap San Antonio. The churrascaria follows the classic rodzio model, with a continuous parade of tableside carved meats alongside a large cold bar and side dishes, and the brand lists locations in Houston, Dallas and Chicago on its site.
Local Takeaway
If the Katy project moves forward, it would join Chama Gacha’s existing Houston outpost near the Galleria at 5865 Westheimer Road, a spot longtime diners often reserve for special occasions. Houstonia lists that Galleria address and basic hours for the current location. Expect formal announcements, hiring notices and permitting records in the weeks ahead, and we will share confirmed dates as the company releases them.
