My First Time at El Santo Rodizio (And the mistakes I’ll never make again)
There are meals you remember because they were elegant. There are meals you remember because they were expensive.
And then there are meals you remember because you physically couldn’t move afterwards. My first rodizio experience firmly belongs in the third category.
If you’ve never heard of rodizio, it’s a Brazilian style of dining where you sit down, flip a card to greeand wait while waiters appear carrying swords of grilled meat which they slice directly onto your plate. In theory it sounds civilised. In reality it’s more like a delicious ambush.
El Santo Unlimited Brazilian BBQ Menu
Step 1 – Don’t dive into the accompaniments
A selection of rice, fries, black bean stew, garlic bread, cassava flour, cheese bread, potato & veg mayo salad plus garlic chill butter, herb butter, pico di gallo, chimichurri and peppercorn sauce arrive.
You are hungry, you see food, ypu eat food. Don’t! This isn’t a normal meal, don’t fill up your plate with any if these goodues yet. Put that tasty cheese bread back and await the meaty swords!
Step 2: Don’t say yes all the time
Being a grown adult, I said yes every time a metal skewer passed our table.
Would you like some chicken thigh?
Yes!
Slice of garlic beef?
Yes!
Slice of gammon?
Yes!
Slice of Brazillan sausage?
Yes!And just like that, my plate contained more protein than a bodybuilder’s weekly meal prep.
Step 3: Get picky
The moist chicken thigh and Brazilian sausages are delicioys, but don’t stuff yourself full with them – try the Picanha – this cut of beef has a thick fat cap and is grilled until it’s smoky and juicy.
Step 4: Realisation
That a Rodizio is a marathon not a sprint and you need to slow down. Meanwhile the servers keep circling like extremely polite steak ninjas. Take that time to savour a slice or two of grilled pineapple.
Step 5: Admit defeat
You’ll eventually reach defeat stage. Wishing you had worn the elastivated waistband trousers, or thinking would they mind if you curled up in a side booth?Eventually you admit defeat.
Step 6. Cry as dessert is offered.
Coffee? Dessert? Does anyone order them? Don’t feel bad if you don’t.
After surviving my first rodizio, I pass on my wisdom.
1. Don’t gorge on the sides
2. Pace yourself
3. Say yes to picanha
4. Wear something loose
Verdict
👍
Rodizio is one of the most fun dining experiences you can have if you love grilled meat. It’s indulgent, relaxing and tasty.
Where is El Santo?
EL Santo, 84 Miller Street, Glasgow, G1 1DT
Book a table at El Santo
Click here to book a table at El Santo direct
Author: Glasgow Foodie
Writes for here and Foodie Explorers website. Usually found napping.