There is no talk: the city has long been dominated by cafeterias specializing in serving hamburgers – and, more and more, they are improving and competing for the position of best in the capital of São Paulo.
There are styles for all tastes, whether they are simple, flat versions – like those served in bakeries – or more elaborate ones, which include highly selected meats in the blend of each Burger and have inventive toppings. Here I list the five places that every lover of good burgers goes to, loves and recommends for São Paulo.
Z Deli Sandwich Shop
Julio Raw put the name of his family’s Jewish restaurant on the small diner that, in a short time, exploded with so much success and meant that the second unit (in Pinheiros) existed as quickly as the desire of customers to frequent both establishments en masse.
Day after day what you see are crowds of people looking for burgers plated exactly to the point the customer requests; few successful combinations of ingredients that complement the “buttery” blend of meats that form the disc that fills the fluffy breads (my favorite: Minetta, which has caramelized onion and English cheddar), and what are perhaps the best fries in the city : dry, natural, with shell and seasoned with rosemary and paprika.
Oh, not to mention the beef bacon – a delicious treat, which is nothing more than smoked beef tongue, sliced very thin and plated. VERY worth the visit – preferably at alternative times and in the Gardens, which is where it all started!
Address:
Rua Haddock Lobo, 1386 – Cerqueira César (11) 3083.0021
Rua Francisco Leitão, 16 – Pinheiros (11) 2305.2200
12 Burger & Bistro
The newest winner of the Veja Comer e Beber award in the Hamburger category – at Twelve, since the beginning, EVERYTHING has always been VERY GOOD. The award arrived a little late! LOL. Greigor Caisley managed to develop a harmonious mix of meats with an ideal dose of fat to add flavor, without being noticed in the middle of the snack.
Great ingredients, value for money and a burger size that makes anyone happy. To top it off, the newest addition to the menu is Kangaroo Fries: breaded fries. Yes, you read that right! Someone went there and breaded what was already good – and it got even better!
Do not, under any circumstances, miss out on ordering this gastronomic treat that arrives at the table accompanied by house-made curry mayonnaise.
Address:
Rua Simão Álvares, 1018 – Pinheiros – (11) 3562.7550
MEATS
From the prodigy and inventive Paulo Yoller, the two Meats units are busy (the one in Pinheiros is crazy) and offer different menus in each of them.
I’m a fan of the one in Jardins because I can only eat a beautiful ear of toasted corn there – skewered on a screwdriver – with aioli sauce and soft yolk on top, as a preview of the burger I fancy.
The fun of going to Meats lies in the unusual and successful combinations that Paulo Yoller creates for the menu. One that explodes in flavor and unctuousness is the Palha Burger: coriander stalks, small pieces of pancetta, catupiry and straw cassava accompany the disc of tall, juicy meat. It’s worth every little calorie contained in it all!
Address:
Alameda Lorena, 2090 – Jardim Paulista – (11) 3791.0474
Rua dos Pinheiros, 320 – Pinheiros – (11) 2679.6323
Burger Table
From the same chef who already maintained Sensi with flying colors, Burger Table was born with the same level of quality and concern for details that Manuel Coelho already applied to the Italian-accented restaurant.
Everything is handmade in the burger restaurant’s kitchen: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and the wonderful fluffy brioche bread with almond slices that is the sensation of the house.
There you pay a single price for the snack to include whatever ingredients you want, including caramelized or dehydrated onions, bacon, cheese, English cheddar or provolone, and pickles plus lettuce, arugula or tomato for the salad.
Address:
Rua Gabriele D’Annunzio, 1331 – Campo Belo – (11) 2478.4055
Holy Burger
They emerged from a stall set up at the Pinheiros Gastronomic Fair and were so successful that they opened their own small unit in the Central region of São Paulo.
They are young people preparing burgers for young people – since the cafeteria is close to Mackenzie College. So, get ready for queues and a certain amount of commotion around the ideal combo that Holy Burger offers: good snacks, good prices and desserts to drool over.
Speaking of the sweet part of the menu, try the Jelly Burger which features homemade red fruit jam and brie cheese – in a happy sweet and sour combination.
Address:
Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 527 – Vila Buarque – (11) 4329.9475
By Tamy Roxo, @boccanervosa
Photos: Tamy Roxo
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