Churrascarias, eating Copacabana rodízio style!
That’s what churrascarias mean,namely barbeque houses. The reason for the expression rodizio style is that the waiters rotate among the guests. There are all kinds of meat so don’t waste all your hunger on the first meat you get offered. Hearts, meat soaked in garlic, meat from all parts of pigs, oxe, chicken, sausages, meat with cheese, bacon…
There is also a table with all kinds of garniture, like fries, rice, beanstew ( called feijao, which Brazilians serve to anything ) salads and so on.
The drinks, however, aren’t free. You get a paper when you enter and the waiters will make marks on the paper as you order liquids. You pay this before leaving. One of the good things to start with on churrascarias are a good caipirinha and then a sparkeling guarana. Then you have already tried some of the caracteristic drinks of Brazil.
In the southern part of Rio de Janeiro, the Copacabana district, there are several churrascarias to enjoy. Some also have entertainment with samba dancing while eating.
The most famous churrascarias are:
Estrela do Sul , Avenida Reporter Nestor Moreira, Botafogo. This place has a long history and a good reputation.
Gaúcha , Rua das Laranjeiras 114, near Largo do Machado. A bit of a barn, but with live music and a dance floor.
Majórica , Rua Senador Vergueiro 11-15, Flamengo. A long-established, better-than-average place to attack a T-bone. If you're not in the mood for beef, try the excellent trout from near Petrópolis.
Marius , Av. Atlântica 290, at the top end of Leme's beach. Probably the most popular rodízio in Rio, it seats over three hundred, and what it lacks in elegance it makes up for in service and atmosphere.
Plataforma , Rua Adalberto Ferreira 32, Leblon. Upstairs, tourists are entertained by a samba show, downstairs you mingle with cariocas - and afterwards you can always stagger to the Academia de Cachaça round the corner, and sample a few with the benefit of a good lining in the stomach.
There are also other types of rodizio restaurants. You can find pasta rodizio, pizza rodizio and so on. Common for all of them are circulating waiters offering different selections of dishes within its type.
Churrascarias was my first encounter with anything like this and I must say I enjoyed it! The first couple of times I had to be rolled out of the restaurants, but eventually learned to disipline myself and not put so much on my plate. This is one of Brazil’s many offering, which I highly recommend tried!
Bon Apetit !
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