What is a churrascaria?

The churrascarias are set up usually with the meats as the specialty and are accompanied by open buffets of assorted vegetables, salads, soups, and desserts. The meal is served in the rodizio style. You pay a fixed price and are served until you are finished eating. The meats are prepared in open view of the guests. They will feature various cuts of beef, chicken, pork, and sausages which are cooked on long skewers over open flames and then brought directly to the patrons tables where they are served. The servers are called Passadores and are dressed like the Brazilian gauchos. They will cut portions of the meats onto a plate for you to eat.

I've been two different churrascarias, one in Long Beach, CA, and a local one in Ocala, FL. Both were excellent in all regards. My local churrascaria is called "Ipanema Brazilian Steak House" in nearby Ocala, FL. Fortunately it is my favorite which means it's close enough for me to be able to eat there. Not only are their meats delectable; but their additional foods are excellent. They make the best Brazilian chicken salad I have ever eaten. (Getting hungry yet?) The foods from the buffet are all very good. I have been there for both dinner and lunch and enjoyed both meals.

Each churrascaria has it's own method of serving you meats from the spit. On your table there will be a coaster which has "Yes" on one side and "No" on the other side. When the "Yes" side is up, the Passadores will bring a skewer to your table and cut whichever type of meat that you want for you. When you place the "No" side up, they will not offer you any more meat until you are ready. They will continue to serve you meat as long as you let them know you are ready for more. The last time I went to the Ipanema, I asked the server if I could have a coaster because I knew I wanted to feature my favorite restaurant in an article. He willingly obliged. You can see the two sides here.

I am not sure what they season the meat with or what type of charcoal or wood they use to prepare the meats but it is very different from any meat I have ever eaten. And it is very tasty. I know that Brazilians are known for eating a lot of beef; and I know that I feel like a Brazilian when I leave the restaurant. It is a special treat to dine at a churrascaria. It gets my vote for best dining experience.

Churrascaria was updated on May 28, 2012.