Brazilian Bowl
WHAT: Brazilian Bowl
WHERE: 3204 N. Broadway Ave.
OUR RATING: Do It!
(brazilianbowl.com)
If you’ve had Brazilian food in Chicago, you might think that it’s limited to all-you-can-eat meat and inflated prices. Not so at Brazilian Bowl, the city’s latest take on the Subway/Chipotle-style nuts and bolts eatery based on one ethnic food or another. Primarily targeted at the health-conscious (it includes a smoothie bar and amazingly fresh produce), it also has South American staples such as salgados (ie. empanadas, which seem to be everywhere now) and feijoada.
Our house guest and the two of us all dove into the Vegetarian bowls!
We recommend the eponymous Brazilian Bowl, which comes in turkey, steak, vegetarian, bife role (rolled beef), sausage and pork loin. Once you have chosen your type, you can decide between black or pinto beans to be poured over a generous portion of rice. Your bowl is then filled to the brim with collard greens, grilled vegetables, corn, pico de gallo (amazing!), green onions, shaved carrots, grated cheese and a slice or two of fresh orange. And what bowl wouldn’t be complete without sauce, ranging from hot to freshly blended mango, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Of course, the menu is more extensive than the bowl ($6.15-6.95) and includes main plates ($7.65-8.95) and a selection of interesting sides (have you ever tried yuca before?) The smoothie bar’s featured drink is the Ipanema, named after Brazil’s most famous beach, made with mango, banana and kale.
(brazilianbowl.com)
Will we go again? Definitely! But next time, we might take on a more carnivorous role and order a steak bowl or perhaps even one of their plates, which include beef acebolado and a delicious sounding mango steak salas. Yet what really appeals to Alicia is the perfect brunch item – acai bowls with honey and granola.
No establishment is without its failings, however. If you’re in the mood for a savory dinner but you want to go veggie, your options are limited to basically the veggie bowl and perhaps some vegetable sides or a cheese empanada. Portions also vary from server to server and are somewhat inconsistent. Additionally, a warning: this establishment is not very accessible, as there is only raised seating. And if you’re coming with more than one or two friends, seating may be hard to find. Another issue may be the basic nature of the food–sure, it’s nice to have someone make you a bowl, but couldn’t you have done it at home? We think so in the case of the vegetarian option, but seeing the meat options makes us believe it’s worth the experience.
So, when you are wandering along in Lakeview and see Brazilian Bowl, stop in. It’s a fun place (with a relaxed, but social atmosphere) to try at least once, and a lovely change from the faux Brazilian downtown.