Porcao, Miami

.../> I would strongly recommend Porcao, even for non-meat eaters. Please do check if they provide Kosher or Halal options as I am not sure of either one.There is an option for everyone and the prices are not outrageous. Last time I went, the fixed menu was about 55 dollars per person. This value includes three unlimited eating courses (yes, unlimited meat) and non-alcoholic beverages. I would advise one to skip at least the previous meal as it is ... more

Porcao literally means Big Pig in Portuguese. This name is not a random idea, but rather the feeling you have once you leave the restaurant. Porcao is synonymous to meat extravaganza! There is also a huge salad bar, sushi, and other options for the vegetarians. The idea of Porcao is one of the most innovative since the invention of fast food.

The Porcao Miami restaurant is part of the chain Porcao which started in 1975 in Brazil. With two restaurants abroad, New York and Miami, Porcao has reached the status of symbol and originality. Although there are more modern options that offer the "rodizio" style of serving meat, Porcao is usually mentioned as the classic and more famous chain.
Rodizio is a term used in Brazil to describe the very peculiar way of serving steak. This form of serving steak was invented in the Southern most region of Brazil, which once encompassed Uruguay, and still uses the fireside roasts on charcoal as was invented more than a century ago. The term for a Rodizio restaurant is a Churrascaria and this are also present in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. This particular form of cooking is denominated Gaucho culinary. The high intake of protein by the Gaucho culture has to do with the cultivation of cattle on the Pampas plain which encompasses not only Brazil, but also Argentina and Uruguay. The quality of the meat is recognized worldwide, though the flavour is truly enhanced by the differentiated cut of the steak done in South American slaughterhouses. Although the term churrasco is usually associated with the already mentioned countries, it seems to be used throughout all the other Portuguese former colonies to denote any form of grilled meat. This may find its roots in the history of Brazil as the cattle present in the predominantly European South Brazil, was in fact imported from other colonies such as Cape Verde.

The customer pays a fixed price for the entire meal; this amount is not determined by the quantity of food taken. Then, the customer has access to the salad and appetizer bar which usually includes sushi, fish, typical Brazilian dishes without meat, and potato salads. Sometimes these salad bars include such a grand selection of delicious white meat courses that people decide to skip the second part of the lunch. The actual Rodizio takes place when the waiters bring the various cuts of meat, pork, and chicken to the table and use knives and skewers to remove the meat from a barbecue stick. The meat is brought fresh from the grill to the table and the customer can choose what part of the meat he wants. The variations of meat also include unusual meals like chicken sausage and chicken heart.
The side dishes are also an important part of the rodizio. These dishes are ordered according to the taste of the customer and include: beans, fried manioc, French fries, pastries, rice, fried banana, onion rings, cheese bread, garlic bread and other delicacies. After one is already stuffed with the delicious first courses, there is a vast selection of dessert options. The mouth-watering chocolate "brigadeiro" is a very popular option as this sweet is a rolled ball of chocolate and condensed milk. There are is Mango and Passion Fruit mousse alongside with other sweet options. Also, the drink menu includes the notorious "caipirinha", a cocktail with lime, sugar, and cachaca (Brazilian liquor produced from sugar cane). For those who do not have alcohol, guarana is a delicious Brazilian high energy soda which provides the perfect accompaniment for your churrasco.

The difference between Porcao and other rodizio restaurants is mainly the service. The waiters are extremely well manered and the manager is beyond friendly. The restaurant is very clean, bathrooms included. The idea behind Porcao was to use traditional rodizio style and add refinement and luxury to the popular culture. I have to say it has succeeded! Porcao is very popular with visitors of all nationalities and particularly important within the elite Brazilian and Portuguese community. It is not uncommon to see famous footballers and Brazilian artists dinning at Porcao. There is a hall of fame in one of the walls that shows all notorious customers.

I would strongly recommend Porcao, even for non-meat eaters. Please do check if they provide Kosher or Halal options as I am not sure of either one.There is an option for everyone and the prices are not outrageous. Last time I went, the fixed menu was about 55 dollars per person. This value includes three unlimited eating courses (yes, unlimited meat) and non-alcoholic beverages. I would advise one to skip at least the previous meal as it is a very heavy meal and people tend to eat at least twice their usual meal portions. 

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