Where’s the Best Brazilian Steakhouse? In Brazil, of course.

Where’s the best beef in Brazil?

Turns out, it’s an easy call. Brazilians almost all agree you’ll find it at a churrascaria, and in the culturally-rich southeastern state of Minas Gerais, where I’ve been working on a story for 360 West Magazine, the hands-down favorite seems to be a steakhouse called Porcao.

You know this kind of place. Gauchos parade different cuts of grilled meats around a ginormous dining room, carving portions with mini-swords onto your plate as long as you display the green “yes, I want more” card visible on your table. Since you’ve probably been to Fogo de Chao in Addison or one of the similar Brazilian steakhouses that populate the Dallas area, you know the drill.

I’ve been to them, too. Like you, I’ve eaten half my weight in beef, lamb, chicken and sausage at those places–and wondered how they ever make money. But I’ve never had top sirloin picanha like I had last night at Porcao, in the city of Belo Horizonte. Incredibly tender, like an aged prime steak, but with a charred, crisp crust of salt and fat that reminded me that if God wanted us to be vegetarians, he wouldn’t have made meat taste so good.

Whether it was big, beefy ribs, filet, rib-eye, fresh Portuguese linguica sausage, butter-soft chicken thighs, or lamb, Porcao rocked.

This is carnivore heaven. If you’re headed to Rio de Janeiro next week for Carnival, there’s a Porcao there, too.

www.porcao.com.br

Avenida Raja Gabaglia, 2985

Belo Horizonte – MG, 30350-540, Brazil