Picanha na Chapa

When visitors arrive in Brazil, they often assume that everyday Brazilians eat churrasco – the rotating BBQ serving style that has been interpreted with great success in the U.S. in chain restaurants. In fact, dining out forchurrasco is saved for special occasions here. More frequently, Brazilians get their meat fix with a popular Brazilian cut of meat cooked lightly on the grill. The meat is actually a beef rump cut called picanha that is delicious but rarely found in America. Many restaurants in Brazil serve the meat close to raw and let you grill it to your liking on a hibachi grill (a chapa) at your table. Paired with french fries, farofa, rice and a salad, the dish is sure to satisfy even hardcore meat lovers, and won't hurt your wallet like a trip to a fancy churrascaria will.Insider tip: Try picanha na chapa at the bars in the Vila Madalena neighborhood of São Paulo, or at Garota da Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro.