A Traditional Brazilian Churrascaria

Outside of Brazil and South America there are lots of fancy Brazilian steakhouse restaurants that offer a taste of the traditional churrascairas, often for a high price and a sacrifice of authenticity. These all-the-meat-you-can-eat restaurants are popular and fun in the US, but now that I’ve been lucky enough to experience the real deal here in South Brazil they will never be the same. Here, the authentic steakhouses are the opposite of pretentious – often little hole in the wall places by the side of the road. But isn’t that where some of the best meals come from?

Our favorite churrascaria here is basically a truck stop adjacent to a gas station next to an interstate highway. There’s a hotel connected to the restaurant and in the evenings the clientele is sleepy truckers sipping beer with dinner before turning in for the night. But we visit O Gauchao at lunchtime, when they serve the traditional espito corrido (spit runner) all you can eat meat fest. Recently we were welcomed to photograph the restaurant and our meal. Here’s a typical Saturday afternoon at the churrascaria.

Yes, there is a buffet and there are green things. There are all kinds of salad veggies and side dishes as well as various sides to accompany your meat.

First we got a peek behind the scenes at the churrasco (grill) itself. Meat here is skewered on these large spits and cooked over very hot coals.

Aside from one or two special cuts, the meat is just seasoned with salt, lots of salt. It takes of a bit of a flame-kissed flavor from the charcoal, but mostly the salt brings out the delicious flavor of the fresh meat itself.

The grill room was in constant motion and we tried not to get in the way. The runners were constantly coming in and out of the kitchen with flaming hot meat on a stick. The meat needed to be turned and watched, and prepped for cooking and serving. It was amazing the see the vast quantities and varieties of meats going out of the kitchen!

Then the meal begins. For those unfamiliar with the Brazilian steakhouse style, what happens is the runners bring out the various cuts fresh off the grill and stop at your table one at a time. They tell you the name of the cut and spin it around in front of you enticingly. You select the cut you want and they chop it off for you.

And repeat! I don’t know why this cut looks so ugly, it tasted good!

Here’s my plate with a piece of beef and pork, and some rice and veggies to go with it. The stuff on the top is farofa – seasoned fried manioc flour. It’s kind of like bread crumbs.

The Gauchao waiters are super nice and friendly, and make the whole experience even better with their great service.

In addition to all the meat on sticks, there are also some cuts prepared differently, such as this garlic and onion pork roast.

The beef in South Brazil is really out of this world. This piece was moist, tender and had a delicious flavor that I haven’t had in the US. Nom nom nom…

Here’s Roberto selecting a slice with the little tongs they give you. The cuts of meat in Brazil are completely different – they don’t even match up to our cuts but with different names – so I really have trouble remembering what any of them are called.

These chicken hearts are a traditional Brazilian treat. I tried one once and wasn’t very impressed. Now I usually pass when they’re offered.

Although Gauchao has a dessert buffet and ice cream bar as well, we chose these delicious slices of grilled pineapple drizzled in honey to finish our meal. You better believe we left completely stuffed!

The best thing about hitting a traditional Brazilian churrascaria is the price. These restaurants are common and enjoyed by locals from all walks of life, and at R$17 (about US $10) per person for all-you-can-eat, you just can’t beat it!

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