Eating out at restaurants, for someone who wants to eat Primal, can be come difficult and sometimes require one to be creative. When visiting a Brazilian Steak House, specifically Gauchos Brazilian Steak House in Portland, Maine, there is no creativity required.
My friend Michelle, my daughter Justice and I went to Gauchos around 5PM on a Saturday. Such a popular place it was, that we were asked if we had reservations. Fortunately, even though we didn't have a reservation, it was early enough in the service, that there was a table available.
When being seated, the waiter placed three coasters in front of our setting. One side was red, the other green. The waiter then explains what the coaster means. When the green is facing up, men with giant skewers of meat, walk around slicing off portions for the patrons. Red side up, means to stop coming by with meat.
You start your meal with the red side up for a visit to the salad bar. It was huge and the selections were varied. Along one side was the usual green salad fixings along with a variety of cheeses and dressings. The salad bar turns a corner and there is a selection of salads, like fresh tabbouleh, seafood ceviche, stuffed grape leaves, and lots more. My favorite was a pineapple salad, with fresh chunks of pineapple, red onion and thinly sliced red and green bell peppers.
Time for the second course and out salad plate are switched out for dinner plates. The waiter brought over a small plate of sides for the three of us to share. Plantains, fried yucca, and very small roasted potatoes. The gauchos walked the dining room with hot, sometimes still sizzling, skewers of meat.
There were 12 meats to choose from and I was in caveman heaven. So much meat to choose from I was full before I could try everything. There was pork ribs, pork loin, prime rib, sirloin, flank steak, beef short ribs, lamb, chicken, filet wrapped in bacon, turkey wrapped in bacon, and a Brazilian Sausage. It was all good, but I have to say that the beef was the best I have ever had, especially the short ribs.
I will definitely go this and any other Brazilian steak house, every chance I get. It as to be the best restaurant I have ever went to. It was primal bliss.
