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Brazil Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Brazilian Restaurants Sandwiches Brazilian, Sandwiches [Edit]
1983 Shattuck Ave(between Berkeley Way & University Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Neighborhood: Downtown Berkeley
(510) 845-1056
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 7:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
411 reviews for Brazil Cafe
Review Highlights
"Their tri-tip is succulent and flavorful."
(in 293 reviews)
"Wash it all down with a refreshing mango smoothie."
(in 122 reviews)
"But damn, the cilantro garlic sauce - AMAZING."
(in 36 reviews)
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411 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew S.
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place has the most awesome tri tip sandwiches with this ethereal garlic/cilantro/pesto? sauce. It's amazing and a must try.
The problems with this place are its location, price, meats a little tough, and the portions aren't that huge. However, it is well-worth a try. -
Review from Nikki R.
Sacramento, CA
1/22/2012
I wish I hadn't discovered this place cause now I'm hopelessly addicted... and I live an hour and half away!! Can you guys move or start up a new place in Sacramento??? pleasepleaseplease!! You would have an awesome following here (in Sac). I'll even run the place for you :o))
Anyhoo, on with the review- this place is a little shantytown of a place. Its a little tiny place set in a parking lot with many colorful sheets hanging in the wind. I had driven by looking for a place to eat and saw that there were, maybe, 20 people standing or sitting around in the parking lot. 'Well, it has to be somewhat good...' I thought. I stood at their surfboard looking over all the yummy stuff they offer and the lady in the window stuck out a piece of meat on a stick. Course, I took it and... O. M. G!!!! it was sooo good- they had given me a tiny piece of tri-tip smothered in a garlic-cilantro sauce that was to. die. for. She informed me it could be put on a salad, in a sandwich or as a dish. I opted for a sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. A mango smoothie is an option and I'm glad I tried it- that is quite yummy too. I don't even mind that it's not an actual restaurant and that they lack bathrooms, or that they serve the sandwich on a flimsy plate- I mean, the food is frickin' delicious. all is forgiven. plus, that plate will be empty and in the garbage in 2 minutes.
now, pleasepleaseplease start a place in downtown sacramento. please. (this is a desperate addict speaking... who starts drooling when I even just think of your sandwiches...) -
Review from Bea L.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Last weekend we decided we would bike from San Francisco to Berkeley for no good reason. We came up with reasons on the way (beer and food).
When we got to Berkeley I was fixed on the idea that there was a portuguese restaurant in the city. Obviously, such place only existed in my imagination so we found the second best thing and ended up at the Brazil Cafe.
We had coxinhas, feijoada, caramel flan and passion fruit mousse. Everything was au point.
The coxinhas were just like I remembered them from Baia, the potato coating was very thin and the meat inside well seasoned, the feijoada was missing the dried varieties of meat that are traditionally used but I guess it is hard to get them all the way here, it was still very tasty. Did the usual feijoada mountain (or little hill)-buttered rice covered with the beans, kale and the mandioca flour on top.
The desserts had just been made, the flan was still warm and the caramel was just right.
The best part of the experience was the waitress Mariana, she was fast, kept making sure that everything was ok, and in the end still called some of her portuguese friends to find out if there was any underground place that had typical food.
yes, Yay! I'm a fan. -
Review from Lena L.
Oakland, CA
1/16/2012
I really was expecting so much more from all the rave reviews posted here.
When my boyfriend and I dined here, there was only one person working and we were the only ones there. My boyfriend ordered the tri-tip sandwich and I ordered the tri-tip plate (I think that's what it was called). My meal was meh. Essentially, my meal was exactly the same as my boyfriend's sandwich, except his was wrapped in french bread and mine was on a plate with rice. The only reason why his meal was SO much better than mine was because of the infusion of the cilantro garlic sauce spread all over the tri-tip in his sandwich. My sauce was put on the side of the plate, so of course, I tasted the tri-tip for what it was and it was unimpressive.
I definitely would not dine here again and it makes me sad to say because I really do love mom and pop shops and local eateries. The place was just unimpressive. -
Review from Akvile H.
Berkeley has many fantistic food options available..however, if you visit the same place twice within 3 days, and it's your first time there ever, you know it deserves a solid 5 stars!
I was feeling adventurous with some friends the other day and I kept seeing this place when I walked by. I decided that it was time to give Brazilian food a try since it sounded delicious every time someone mentioned it. I love trying new foods and when I saw the menu, I was thrilled to have made the decision to come here.
The place is small, but very comfy, decorated with bright colors, great music, and friendly service. What more could you ask for really? Oh wait, that's right, you can hope for some tasty food. My wish came true and not only was the food tasty, it was amazing! Brazilian food is bangin!
The Tri-Tip sandwich, mediterranian plate, and rice bowl are flavorfully fantastic (sampled from my friends dishes), however I chose the veggie rice bowl (both times i went). I just can't get enough of the mighty delicious mix of rice, olives, avocados, pineapples, onions, jalapenos, hummus, ricotta, and more sauce. I would never thought to put all those things in bowl together. Brilliant! We even received some free with meal mango smoothie coupons and we redeemed them on our second night there. Mango smoothie is refreshing and just the right amount before your meal.
The prices are great for what you get, the food is fresh and prepared pretty quickly, and the woman working there is super friendly (however she is a bit quiet), but she's very welcoming! I can't wait to go back again because this place is amazing!Listed in: East Bay Bites, Veggie-Saurus-Rex
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Review from Feng H.
Los Angeles, CA
1/10/2012
Oh Brazil Cafe, how I miss thee. It's been a while since I've had one of their sandwiches, but I went there frequently as an undergrad. For a long time, I walked past the wonderful aromas coming from this place, but didn't try it because well, I had hesitations since it was a shack in a paint store parking lot. But, I'm so glad I did!
It was and still is one of my favorite places in Berkeley. You must get the tri-tip sandwich and their mango smoothie. It will be a marvelous lunch, I promise. -
Review from Takeo T.
La Jolla, CA
1/9/2012
Mmmmm. Buttery rice combo-ed with tri-tip meat and mysterious green sauce worked together throw a party in my mouth. Top that off with some Mango smoothie and an intimate and cozy atmosphere, and we got ourselves a winner.
I'm going to Brazil Cafe every time I come into town :) -
Review from Keilin H.
11/13/2011 1 photo
I've been to the smaller Brazil Cafe on University Ave, where I got the tri-trip sandwich and was kinda disappointed. So when my friend and I came to this sit-in Brazil Cafe, I decided to try something else!
Good decision! :) I ended up getting the chicken rice bowl and I enjoyed it immensely! DELICIOSO! The combo of cilantro garlic sauce, ricotta cheese, and grilled onions was perfect! PLUS, got a complimentary mango smoothie!! The lady working gave us a card good for a free one! :D
The menu is the same at the University Ave, but I guess the perks of this place is that it's more of a restaurant, which tables and chairs. Plus it's warm inside haha
I never realized how tiny this cafe is! Luckily, my friend and I were one of the few in there, but I can imagine it's a long wait on a busier night. I like all the Brazilian pictures, paintings, and articles inside :) I need to come back on a Saturday to try their feijoada speical!! It's expensive (almost $11!!), but it sounds so incredibly yummy... -
Review from Suzana B.
Stanford, CA
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love the authentic Pao de Queijo and Guaraná, and I appreciate their efforts in making authentic dishes, but as a brazilian I'm put away by some details. For example: cilantro is used only in a few parts of the country and still it appears in very small quantities on most foods. When I got the plate with heavy cilantro-flavored beans I was very disappointed as it didn't taste like home at all.
The ambient is very nice and I sometimes get back there to get some rice and beans with farofa... and as long as I don't expect it to be like mom's, it's ok. =) -
Review from Stanford R.
New Orleans, LA
12/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
They gave me a free sample of the Tri-Tip and I had to order it. Got the rice bowl, and it was delicious. Go ask for a sample and see for yourself.
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Review from Grace C.
10/1/2011
J and I had lunch here - no wait for a table on a Saturday at 12:30pm.
All 4 of the items we got were tasty:
* Appetizer/Potato croquettes stuffed with chicken, corn, peas; with a side of creamy cilantro sauce
* Grilled chicken rice bowl
* Tri-tip rice bowl (but some of the beef pieces were a little too-chewy/overcooked)
* Mango smoothie - tastes like just mangos + finely crushed ice - just sweet enough! Only $1 for a small cup
The key ingredient for this restaurant is their delicious cilantro sauce. Makes everything taste good. -
Review from Michael C.
New York, NY
9/7/2011
Delicious tri-tip sandwich. Get it "with the works." There's a $1 mango drink with student ID, but it's merely a mango puree blended with ice.
Be careful when you walk around Berkeley looking for this Brazil Cafe... there other restaurants and even food carts with the same name.
If I came back to Berkeley, would definitely consider making a trip back to Brazil Cafe. -
Review from Pol S.
Escondido, CA
12/12/2011
Get the Tri-tip.... Enough said. Service was awesome as well as the food. Soooo good.
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Review from manas g.
Fremont, CA
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I cant' believe we walked by here in order to go to that disgrace of a Biryani place. Well, I was showing the gf around the bay and she wanted to try some Indian food in berkeley. Long story short, we were both disgusted with the offerings there and walked back to our car, thinking that we'd go to the city to get some real food.
We walk by the stall and the owner accosts us and offers us a sample of steak. BEST STEAK I'VE EVER HAD!!!! We ordered 3 platters of the steak sandwich and pigged out with the mango smoothie. -
Review from Jessica L.
San Francisco, CA
9/1/2011
God I love this place. My junior year of high school I got lost in Berkeley. My friends and I were on the way to a movie, but stopped at Pedro's stand in the parking lot. The mango smoothie was like a liquid dream.
I'd also like to add that the tri - tip is damn good. The sandwich has peppers, olives, a cheese, a cilantro sauce, and pineapples. But the bowl and plate are also amazing. -
Review from Joanne C.
Berkeley, CA
7/24/2011
4 stars, if the service wasn't so bad.
I prefer Brazil's fresh squeeze cafe (on university) just because of the service, but too bad this is the only place with seating.
The one lady that always works with the register is horrible.
Let me start off by saying I love going to brazil cafe for their unique "hot" sauces that they have on the tables. But the last few times I've went, they were always out. And when I asked the server lady for the hot sauce, she would just tell me to get it from the tables....horrible service.
I still like going to brazil cafe because i love their tri tip sandwiches ($7-8), but I just wish they had better service...especially for loyal customers who frequent this place.
Oh and if you're a student, take your Cal ID because they have a special student special ($1 mango smoothie with a sandwich or a plate :))
Another thing I like about this place is the brazil cafe bracelets :) whenever I take non-Berkeley friends to this place, I tell them about the bracelets that they offer. It's usually in a big plastic jar near the register. But basically, you tie it around your wrist and tie it three times, making a wish every time you tie it (3 wishes). When the bracelet falls off (usually takes like a year...-_-) then your wishes are supposed to come true! -
Review from Christine A.
Berkeley, CA
8/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
After reading the reviews I was expecting to be completely WOW'd with the tri tip. The cilantro garlic sauce was pretty good yummy but the tri tip was only alright...nothing I would go back for. For the prices the food is reasonable, but I personally think there is better food in Berkeley.
I got the student special where you get their mango smoothie for a reduced price, and it was very good- tasted fresh and as if they used real fruit. -
Review from Connie C.
San Bruno, CA
This is one of the few places that I would recommend in Berkeley.
Decent prices for yummies!
I used to order their tri tip sandwiches. I usually order the works just for the jalapeno and cheese. Mainly for the jalapeno. None the less, their tri tips are juicy! Their cilantro sauce and their tri tip together make magic! But every time I eat their sandwiches, I end up making a huge mess.
That's when I flipped the menu over and found a tri tip bowl. It's one of their Brazilian rice bowls. Think of the sandwich, minus the bread, add the rice. Well, you do get like 2-3 pieces of baguette on the side. I actually have a picture of this.
You should try their mango smoothies. Tastes like a fresh mango added some ice and blend! Great for summer, great for anytime.
They used to give out coupons after you dined with them. It's for a free mango smoothie when you buy an entree or a sandwich. I haven't seen those in a while now.
They have a outdoorsy setting just down University, towards UCB. It really depends on the weather and if you want to sit in or enjoy the breeze.Listed in: College Go-To's
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Review from Sofia R.
7/22/2011
I visited a friend who lives in Berkeley and took me to this place straight away.
It's very small and dingy but I could tell right away that the food was going to be great. The service was...okay. There were nice guys and there were kind of stuffy workers. Hard to talk to. Just doing their job.
We ordered the tri tip plates (I think that's what it's called) which were AMAZING. I love tri tip! They served it over rice with a garlic cilantro sauce (which is to die for) and two pieces of bread. It was so delicious and so very filling. I was happy and quite satisfied.
I also tried their mango smoothie to see how good it would be. They made it fresh in front of me. It was delightful and very flavorful. I felt refreshed and I wanted more.
I would definitely go there again! -
Review from James N.
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
This review is in regards to their new cart that they have around town.
So my first time ever on UC Berkeley grounds was a pretty good experience. I was here with a friend that attended the college and I was there to help him educate some high school kids and future students of the school about graffiti art. So before the course, my friend wanted to take me somewhere really good and popular to eat in the area. We walked towards the busy side of the town and we saw the Brazil Cafe cart. The actual owner was outside the cart giving out samples to everyone. That was classy, the owner himself doing the grunt work. He was the most humble and friendliest big guy ever. He greeted us like we were family. My friend has eaten there before and said that it was good so we decided to eat here.
We all ordered the tri-tip sandwich and my friend mentioned that he should have brought his coupon for the smoothies. The owner gave us the smoothies for free any ways. CHEERS !
So while waiting for our food, my friends and I decided to bump up some Funk Music from our boombox and we started dancing. We attracted a lot of attention and got them a lot of customers which was great for us and the owner.
Now for the food itself. The tri-tip sandwich was amazing. The meat was delicious and they offer you 2 kinds of sauces. Habenero sauce and Chipotle. The Habenero was very spicy and tasted better than the Chipotle. Mango is my favorite fruit and I tried the Mango Smoothie that they owner gave to us. It wasn't really special to me. I don't know if it was the worker that half assed it or it was because it wasn't from their store but it tasted really watered down and mangoless. None the less, the sandwich made up for it. Very delicious.
Awesome owner, awesome food, and awesome town. Gotta love it. -
Review from Cindy P.
6/20/2011
Seriously? Say What? Tri-Tip Steak Sandwich with what? Garlic Cilantro Ranch Sauce? OMG - This has got to be the best steak sandwich that I've had in a long time! Amazingly goodness that explodes in your mouth leaving it watering and yearning for more? Under $10? Even better!
What? Mango smoothie?! Excellent! Outdoor seating with a live band that played for us on a Friday night? Beautiful! Did I mention that this place was a hole-in-the-wall without walls because it clearly was a brightly colored shack?
The owner even walked around asking everyone if they were enjoying their meal!! This place is so awesome and delicious! It is on my list to visit every time I am near Berkeley! SOOOOO GOOODDDD!! This is probably one of Berkeley's best kept steak sandwich secrets! MmmMmmm! Well, the secret is out! Thumbs up! -
Review from Jonathan C.
San Francisco, CA
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Holy mother of Brazil. A friend suggested this place on our way to the Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows Part 2 screening and I am eternally grateful that he introduced me to this place.
I ordered a student combo #8: a tri-tip sandwich plus a cup of mango smoothie. The smoothie was great, but the sandwich- oh thank goodness that I have tastebuds. My tongue bursted into a rapture of delight as the fish and the magical green sauce flowed down my throat, and somehow everything was perfect, the texture the bread the juiciness of it all.
Service can be a little slow but trust me, it's worth it. It's fairly cheap (even cheaper if you wear Berkeley swag), and they accept credit card- THANK YOU TO EVERY VENDOR WHO GOES THROUGH THE TROUBLE OF ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS. You automatically earn 3 stars on Yelp for doing this.
Wow. You know what? I think I'm going back there for dinner. -
Review from Stefanie D.
Vallejo, CA
7/30/2011
I think we screwed ourselves because we were hoping it would taste like something else.
So my man and I went to Seattle last April and had THE BEST cuban sandwiches, like, ever. We've been trying to find a place that sold something like those, and haven't found anything.
Yes, we know Cuba and Brazil are COMPLETELY different. We're not total idiots. Anyway, we came here on the recommendation from one of his friends who said it may be as good as we have been searching.
We had different variations of the tri-tip sandwiches and on first bite it was delicious. For me though, the garlic was overpowering. Not what I'd expected.
But like I wrote earlier, we totally screwed ourselves with our expectations. =/
Okay food though and at a pretty good price. -
Review from Thomas M.
Union City, CA
7/11/2011
This was my second occasion at Brazil Cafe. My first time at this place was a great expericence and I wanted to have a similar situation. On my first trip, the menu was a bit overwhelming. On that occasion, Pedro was there to fully explain what was on the each dish.
This time around, I kept it the same. I went with THE WORKS. The works is their signature sandwich and it is marked as Pedro's favorite. The sandwich is decently sized and it has plenty of tri-tip meat. I actually ate my sandwich up within 5 minutes.
Depending on weather and amount of people could really dictate one's experience. Since the place is shack in a parking lot, the place lacks many comforts, but its street food. In the end, the place is good. -
Review from Alice K.
8/10/2011
Short & sweet:
Service: 3
Food: 5
Wait time: 1
Price: 5
Cleanliness of bathroom: n/a (food stand)
The food here was absolutely delicious. Phenomenally so, but that might have been my hunger talking: it took so long for the food to come out. Also, you get what you pay for. Awesome.
Now, I understand waiting a bit for the good; Brazil Cafe is a food stand and I imagine there to be two or three people total working the stand. One to take the orders and the other two to prepare it. A hole in the wall type of place, I get you. However, I don't get why the party of three who ordered after us managed to get their meals much quicker than my party. They were halfway done with their sandwiches before I took a bit of mine. I know this because I was staring at them (sorry fellas), wishing I had my very own Tri-tip sandwich to devour.
Minus the twenty-minute wait (it took so long I went up, thinking they'd forgotten), it was great. We circled the tables like a group of vultures (there aren't many tables and chairs) and once there was an open table, we pounced.
And then it was fabulous tri-tip heaven. Yum. -
Review from Analisa S.
Berkeley, CA
8/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Yum, love the #84 tri-tip sandwich with the works. Cilantro spread on fresh baked bread, tender tri-tip with pineapples, jalapenos and spanish olives.
Delicious! -
Review from Kimberly A.
Berkeley, CA
7/26/2011
This is a really casual place, where you order up at the counter and then they bring your food to you when it's ready. The decor is great, all in bright colors ... very Brazilian, I assume (never having been to Brazil, I can't make any definitive statement), with cool murals and folksy hand-painted tables. We also enjoyed the Brazilian music, which was noticeable but not overly loud.
Their menu has a definite emphasis on meat (esp. beef, but also chicken and tuna), but I appreciated the fact that they also serve wheat bread and a number of acceptably fresh (though unexceptional) vegetables. And the menu includes an interesting variety of stuff, and all of it fairly cheap.
I had their tri-tip sandwich, which everyone on Yelp seemed to recommend, and it was very tasty. As some had warned, it was a bit salty, but I didn't mind it at all. My husband got a turkey and avocado "panini," which he said was delicious. I was only able to eat half of my gigantic sandwich, so it fed me for an entire second meal. -
Review from Anne M.
8/4/2011
Yummy, cheap and did I mention yummy?? I've only eaten at the food cart right in front of the Mike's Bikes but every time is delicious and worth the trip!
The tri-tip sandwiches are the best, although, the chicken salad ain't bad either. I generally get the combo so the smoothie comes with it. -
Review from Kathy Y.
San Jose, CA
8/21/2011
I LOVE BERKELEY because of Brazil Cafe.
Checked out Brazil Cafe on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The weather was perfect to sit out in the sun. The cilantro garlic sauce was bombdiggidy! and WOW the tri tip plate was mouthwatering just to look at. I love the rice it came with. Pedro, the owner, came out to clean off the tables and thew away our plates. He even asked us how our food was, and gave us some free smoothie cards for next time.
We were also able to enjoy our delicious food with some live music. I couldn't have asked for anything more.
I MUST RETURN! -
Review from Emma Z.
Seattle, WA
1/10/2012
I went to the Brazil Cafe because I read so many good reviews about it but I have to say I was disappointed. I am a vegetarian so I did not try the tri-tip that everyone raves about. Instead I got a veggie sandwich (The Carnaval). It came with ricotta cheese, avacado, carrots, corn, and a couple other things. I don't know much about Brazilian food but it tasted weird. Overall, it was bland and the corn just did not work with other ingredients. The bread was fresh and tasty and the sandwich was rather large so I'll give them points for that. However it was not worth the price I paid ($7.) Maybe their other dishes are better but I would not recommend this one.
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Review from Linh V.
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of my great friends have been telling me to try this place for the past two years or so but I always seem to miss them. I was lucky tonight.
As soon as we got there, the chef came out and greeted us with big smiles and samples! We ordered the Tri-Tip Steak Sandwich with a mango smoothie. The Cilantro Garlic sauce that the steak is smothered in is TO DIE FOR!!! And the mango smoothie? It's made from an actual mango! A fresh sweet mango! Soooo good! Sure it's a little shack but who needs more when you've got great food? Oh and free mango smoothie coupons! -
Review from Jenny L.
Berkeley, CA
7/9/2011
Disclaimer: I'm a vegetarian, so going to a Brazilian restaurant is a bit like the equivalent of me going to New York City to relax and enjoy the countryside.
My friends and I ordered the cheese puffs as an appetizer, which were quite lovely. The cilantro dressing it came with even gained the approval of my cilantro-hating friend.
However, being a vegetarian, I could only really get a veggie salad or a veggie rice bowl (yeah yeah, I understand Brazilians are famous for their meat and steak). I ordered the rice bowl and was pleasantly surprised at first by the flavors - the bowl came with some bread, and was loaded with jalapenos, pineapple, onions, carrots, hummus, corn, tomato, ricotta cheese, the cilantro sauce, and some mystery white sauce.
It was definitely an interesting mix of flavors, from spicy to sweet to tangy to creamy. Unfortunately, even for me and my unhealthy love for carbs, I couldn't finish the bowl because the rice was too creamy and the flavors didn't mesh well after a bit.
When we went to pay, it turns out that the mystery white sauce was ranch. 1) Is ranch Brazilian? 2) There was no mention of ranch on the menu. What if I was severely lactose intolerant or something? 3) There was a LOT of ranch on the dish. 4) Oh my god I am so horrified and betrayed.
Underwhelming. Not vegetarian friendly. Drenched in American, bad-for-you ranch. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Cupertino, CA
8/28/2011
The tri trip sandwich is good, and humongous. However, mine was a little soggy on the bottom T^T boooooooo soggy bread.
And sometimes you eat a giant chunk of ricotta when you actually expect meat so that's also quite sad :(
Still, it's a decent price (around 9 something including tax for a tri trip sandwich) and you have to try the pao de queijo (cheese puffs). So good!
When I went, service was a bit slow, even though there were only 3 parties there. -
Review from Leslie Y.
7/23/2011
Four of us came by here for lunch, found easy metered parking right in front.....wasn't crowded at all...place is small.....nice and quiet this afternoon.....
We ordered the cheese balls....fluffy and the kid loved em..lol
potato and chicken balls....very delicious, easily became a favorite amongst us 3 adults, cause we had to order another one....lol
main dishes....2 tri tip plates, comes with salad, rice and tri tip poured right on top, just the way I like it......
feijoado.....black beans and beef over rice with greens, not bad at all.....
The green sauce that seems to come with everything is not to be under estimated, very good......
This food is much better than going to a meat lovers all you can eat......whichever you prefer......Brazilian food is good......
****** if you decide to park at the hour meters, make sure you check it for expiration cause those meter maids are no joke, saw them drive by more than 3 times just yearning to fill their books up........ -
Review from Jenna L.
Sunnyvale, CA
11/18/2011
I just can't tell you how much I love Brazil Cafe. It's this little cart on University that serves the most amazing tri-tip sandwich with this delicious cilantro sauce. It's a little far to walk to this place though from where my old apartment used to be, so whenever we got it, it was a special treat. I'm sure that made it all the better. There is an actual small restaurant as well, down the street, but it's not as popular as the original cart even though they sell the same thing. The sandwich is simple, and so delicious. It's really the sauce that makes it. You have to eat it pretty quickly too, otherwise the bread will get too soggy, but if that's too much of a problem for you, you can just get rice instead of bread. Both are wonderful.
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Review from David G.
Davis, CA
8/30/2011
We all had the Brazilian tri-tip sandwich and a Brazilian soda called," Brazilian something" (yes, this is a great yelp already :P)
At first, I wasn't really blown away by the sandwich, but there was a bottle of habanero sauce on our table, so what the heck. I tried it.
WOW. Tri-tip sandwich tasted 10000000 times better with it, then without. So I'm craving one as I write this... -
Review from Edward W.
Fremont, CA
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tritip and ricotta cheese sandwich is pretty decent and I got the free mango smoothie. The mango smoothie seemed pretty watered down. The sandwich was good and had some special sauce that made everything taste better. The tritip wasn't super tender although it retained its moisture.
TL;DR; Tritip and ricotta cheese sandwich is decent, but the tritip isn't really tender. Mango smoothie was watered down and didn't have too much flavor. -
Review from Steven K.
San Ramon, CA
9/9/2011
Entertainment Book Coupon: Buy One Get One (Up to $5)
I got the tri-tip sandwich for $6.99. It was quite good. The gent I was with ordered the trip tip plate for $8.99, and I'm pretty sure he liked it fair enough.
Price: I REALLY dislike the coupons that claim BOGO, but the price limit is below everything on the menu. Most everything is $7, and the rest is higher. I don't know whether this is the entertainment book's fault or the restaurant, but it's a real turn off.
Still, the food was pretty good and the price was fine. I might rate it 3.5 stars if I could, but it doesn't quite make the cut to 4 stars. -
Review from Alicia C.
Berkeley, CA
8/13/2011
Like the consensus, a solid four stars.
The salty garlic cilantro sauce is what makes the sandwich. The just-right roll, and all the fixings of "the works" make for a pleasant surprise with each bite. Oooh olive. Oooh pickled jalapeno. Oooh pineapple. Mmm grilled onions.
The mango smoothie tastes like it was made with real mangoes. Yum.
My only qualms have to do with the quality of beef and the lack of seating. Luckily, the honey and I were able to zoom in on a table after hovering like vultures for a few minutes. People also seem to be pretty considerate about the lack of seating and don't loiter too long. The sandwich could be elevated to the next culinary level by using a better cut of beef, seared to a perfect medium rare. But this is an $8 sandwich from a stand on the street, after all.
Solid eats. Awesome sauce. Just don't go walking up the hills of Berkeley campus too soon after, or you'll end up with a tummy ache. -
Review from Jocelyn T.
Hercules, CA
My sister and I went to north Berkeley this past weekend I was on the mission to try cheeseboard and my sister wanted Brazil Cafe. So we went to cheeseboard first, got a few slices and then went to Brazil Cafe.
Based on the YELP reviews, I ordered the Tri Tip sandwich and my sister ordered the Tri Tip bowl and the mango smoothie. Unfortunately, I was not impressed with the Tri Tip sandwich. I really wanted to like it but there was something about the sandwich that didn't fly with me. As I checked the menu, the tri tip sandwich was under HOT sandwiches and my sandwich was not hot or warm. The sandwich would have been bearable if the bread was toasted.
I actually enjoyed my sisters Tri tip bowl and mango smoothie. Overall, the service was great, the lady behind the counter was very helpful, restaurant is very cute but so disappointed in the sandwich. I would give the sandwich another try though.
