FOOD NEWS
The Smartest Way To Hit The Salad Bar At A Brazilian Barbecue
By Stacie Adams
Brazilian steakhouses, also known as churrascarias, were inspired by gauchos working in Southern Brazil during the 19th century who cooked skewers of meat over an open flame and shared them with others. The concept eventually made its way to the U.S. in the '90s, but those with a smaller appetite should be careful with just how much they eat from the salad bar beforehand.
Along with the selection of vegetables and salad fixings, many churrascaria salad bars offer dishes like feijoada (a delectable black bean stew made with smoked pork and beef), rice, and even sugar-coated bacon. As some of the best steaks and cuts of beef are found at churrascarias, avoid filling up on the salad bar by sticking with vegetables, avoiding oily dressing, and limiting your intake of heavy items to keep your appetite intact.
Many restaurants provide diners with the option of eating from the salad bar exclusively — for instance, the H&H Steakhouse in Beverly Hills lists an organic salad bar option for just $34. It also helps to know the different types of meat served at these establishments to hone your strategy even further.