There are many superior restaurants in Irvine Spectrum, but Fogo de Chao should definitely be on top of your list. This Brazilian restaurant is a haven for barbecue lovers as they specialize in churrasco or Brazilian barbecue! Fogo de Chao also offers many other dishes in Brazilian cuisine that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Let’s take a look at some of the popular Brazilian cuisine dishes on the Fogo de Chao menu.
1. Picanha
Picanha is every carnivore’s dream! This dish is the highlight of Brazilian cuisine. It is a thick, juicy slab of meat that’s first bent into a horseshoe shape before being skewered. On the top is a thick layer of fat which makes it all the more luxurious and flavorful.
That’s probably why picanha needs no fancy seasoning. All you need is a little bit of rock salt and a sizzling hot grill, preferably over charcoal so you can get that yummy, smoky flavor. Eat picanha with rice, beans, or mashed potatoes—you’re guaranteed to be stuffed afterward.
Not many restaurants in Irvine Spectrum can say they do amazing picanha besides Fogo de Chao. They specialize in this dish so you know you’re getting the very best of the best!
2. Medalhoes com Bacon
Coming in second is medalhoes com bacon. This succulent meat dish can give picanha a run for its money in the carnivore department!
As you might be able to guess from the name, medalhoes com bacon is medal-shaped meat. Here, a round steak is seasoned liberally with salt and pepper. Then, it’s wrapped with strips of bacon to give it that characteristic medal shape.
While it may look small on the plate, you shouldn’t underestimate it. It’s packed with tons of protein that’ll last you through the day. It’s so heavy on the stomach that eating it would probably be exercise enough!
Like picanha, medalhoes com bacon can be eaten with rice, beans, or mashed potatoes. Fogo de Chao offers all three!
3. Fogo Feijoada
Feijoada is another classic Brazilian dish. Unlike the previous two entries which are usually eaten during special occasions, feijoada is comfort food that can be eaten any time of the day. It can be found all over the country, and most, if not all, Brazilian households have their own recipe they swear by.
While recipes are very diverse, the base ingredients of feijoada remain the same. They must contain black beans and smoked or salted meats. They are served on a bed of steaming rice and can be topped with hot sauce or sweet fruit sauce.
4. Farofa
Farofa is sauteed yuca flour that’s flavored with bacon, sausage, butter, garlic, and other delicious seasonings. Just picture it right now—imagine biting into that crunchy flour that’s soaked up all the meatiness and juiciness from the flavorful ingredients. Doesn’t that seem wonderful? It’s no wonder Brazilians love to eat farofa with almost anything!
It can be eaten as a dish by itself. When paired with rice or beans, farofa is a simple meal that takes less than ten minutes to prepare. It’s also accessible even when you’re on a budget.
Farofa can also be eaten with other things at a Brazilian barbecue. It complements grilled meats perfectly as it is light and mild compared to the heaviness and richness of the meat.
5. Brigadeiro
We can’t end our Brazilian meal without dessert, of course. And what better way to cap things off than with Brazil’s version of death by chocolate—brigadeiro. These are extremely soft chocolate truffles that are sometimes encased in a cookie crust. Then, it’s topped with chocolate ganache and coated with anything from chocolate sprinkles to coconut flakes to chocolate-covered candies and to so much more.
And what’s great about brigadeiro is that you won’t even have to visit restaurants in Irvine Spectrum to get a taste! You can easily make your own at home. Indeed, the recipe is so easy to follow that even young children can help you out (and sample too, no doubt)!
