Carioca Grill
“Came here with a couple of friends and had a little argument on whether this place was better than Copacabana.”
“They charge you by weight (which for me was the first time and was kind of surprised them).”
“i personally get medium well, but thats up to you.”
Carioca Grill
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Oh god, this place is like heaven on earth! Well, heaven in Astoria at least, because now I know where I'll be going if I get a craving for some meat! But seriously, don't overlook this place! It's amazing!!!!!!! The price is $7.99 per pound I think if you get BBQ meats and side dishes.
I crave Brazilian BBQ every once in a while, but it's so expensive that it's hard to qualm that feeling of hunger. However, I always pass by this place when I shop at C-Town, so one night I just decided to stroll on in and see what goodies they had. I am so glad that I did. First of all, the buffet is pretty extensive. They had salads, side dishes, rice, pasta, etc, but honestly I don't remember all the things they had because I zoomed straight to the hot bar and piled in some meatballs, chicken stroganoff, and pork spare ribs. The meatballs were a bit sweet and the stroganoff chicken pieces were dry and not creamy like I'm used to, so I'll be skipping those next time. The pork spare ribs, however, were EXCELLENT, fall off the bone excellent! They tasted far better than the ribs at Hill Country, which is a BBQ place! I love how the meat was stewed and that the bone piece is tiny compared to the huge meat portions!
Now to the BBQ meats, aka the good stuff. The only cut that I can't rave about is the Top Sirloin, which I found too dry for my tastes, though it wasn't too chewy and tough so I was still able to eat it after letting it marinated in the strogonoff sauce. The regular sirloin was delicious! OMG, the fattiness of the meat was EXCELLENT! I know some people don't like their meats fatty, but I'm a huge fan of the juicy, tender, and succulent cuts of meat. I would recommend the Sirloin to anybody who stops by. I asked the chef to pick one more meat cut for me, and he suggested the short rib. I am so glad that he did. The short rib was phenomenal! A little bit difficult to cut through, but once in your mouth, it did wonders. It was seasoned perfectly and tasted great!
I had all of this to-go, mostly because I didn't want to have to add rice to the mix. I had a rice cooker on at home, so by the time I brought back the food, the rice was done and I didn't have to pay for it $7.99 a pound. I would totally recommend this place if you were ever in a rush or just sick of ordering in Chinese food for a take-home meal.
I think I paid somewhere between only $7-8 for a full heaping plate of food. This place is ridiculously exciting. It's a little commercial and the food sits out in bins, but man are the buffet options insane! Trying to even remember everything I stuffed my face with a few months back is an obstacle but there was: chicken stroganoff, fried chicken, empanadas, arroz con pollo, lasagna, crab seafood salad, macaroni and potato salads, ribs, some kind of beef patties, French fries, other various pastas and stews. I was impressed because we were also the last customers of the night and the array of food they still had out was pretty quality and nothing was luke warm or nasty. They also let us stay a few minutes past closing to finish up our feast. I don't care if this is authentic Brazilian food or not. It's a great freaking deal and pretty quality food. The only thing I couldn't care for that I threw on my monstrous plate of obesity was the crab salad. It wasn't the freshest or greatest tasting. Their meat and rice and pasta sides are what you should lunge for.
Dear Carioca Grill
We have been friends for more than 3 years.
I stop by when I am hungry.
I tip the meat slicer person.
I tip the cashier.
I spend $25/27 with my wife.
I really enjoy your food.
Meats rare.
Salads tasty.
Everything always good.
I have never ever had a complaint.
I am a loyal customer.
Remember this.
I am a LOYAL customer.
Now……
You broke my heart.
Today I walked in.
I wanted meat and more meat.
Cesar looked good.
Maduros looked sweet.
Now I go to the counter.
I want sirloin.
But you treat me like shit.
You the female employee.
Made me wait.
Food getting cold.
You wipe your hands on your mouth.
You twirl your long hair.
Around and around.
Your breaking health codes.
I ask nicely.
Can you please wash your hands.
You looked at me with disdain.
Like I just murdered your family.
I thank you and I left.
As I walked out.
You said.
What's up with him.
To answer.
Please read above.
Goodbye old friend.
Forever.
Definitely a great place to enjoy Brazilian food. Came here with a couple of friends and had a little argument on whether this place was better than Copacabana. My friend thought the sirloin steak here was juicier than the other place and I agree the sirloin might be a little better. But I must say, the skirt steak here was a little dry. Unlike Copacabana where they give you the option of how you want your steak cooked, this place will ask you the same thing, but just give you what they have. I asked for my skirt steak to be cooked medium-rare but it came out pretty well-done. A little disappointed I must say but hopefully it was a one-time thing. Will definitely give this place another go! Will not rest until my friend finally admits that I am right on this one.
If you're hungry and want to feast on veggies and delicious meats I recommend this place. My plate was on the more expensive side ($12 and some cents) since I grabbed some potato salad along with pork sausage, lamb, and some other type of meat that I've already forgotten about. My friends opted for meat and/ or light vegetables. Definitely more on the savory side, but I would recommend grabbing meat and some of the more flavorless sides so you're not bombarded with the amount of salt and/ or seasoning of the meat.
The churrasco grill in the back is really good! Skirt steak, sirlion, ribs, yumm. The rest of the food is ok.
Get your daily protein allotment here for less than the $100 you'd blow at an upscale rodizio/churrascaria!
$7.99/lb for a combo of BBQ and salad bar items
$8.99/lb for only BBQ
The value is fantastic for those of carnivorous persuasion. $7.99/lb is cheaper than your crappy Manhattan steam table lunch. Likewise, the vibe here is very similar: self-service, plain rickety tables and chairs, grungy tile floors, cafeteria-like.
Here's the protocol: First, get a plastic plate and fill it up at the salad bar. The offerings aren't that many and most look unappealing – cold fries, stale spaghetti, soggy fish.
Then bring your plate to the BBQ counter. They have a churrasco grill behind the counter and a board on the wall listing the many meats available. Tell them what you want and your desired doneness, and they'll take out the appropriate skewer and slice it up for you.
The meat (we tried sirloin, skirt steak, and lamb) was pretty good, very juicy but very salty. "Medium" was closer to rare.
Service is unfriendly and confusing. We at first requested a quarter pound of something and the guy said sharply, "I can't go by weight, you just have to tell me when to stop cutting." That's fine, good sir, but you should probably remove the BBQ skewer from your butt.
This is a real hole in the wall semi-self-serve, semi-AYCE Brazillian Rodizo!
You might be wondering about all those qualifying semi- statements, so let me explain how it works here. You get a plate and you load it up at their salad bare area with veggies/salad/beans & rice. Then you pull up to the rotisserie station and you realize your mistake and get a second plate. They have lots of meats on hand. You have it sliced off of the spit for you and put onto your plate. You can take as much as you want! Then you pay at the register and its all based on weight.
I had the beef ribs, spicy pork sausage, and leg of lamb. The pork sausage was phenomenal, haven't had one that good in a long time. Ever so crispy on the outside, bursting with flavor on the inside. The beef ribs were really great too. Lots of juices and grease still packed in there to make it a very satisfying meal. The lamb was somewhat lack luster and I was considering giving the place a 4 star review because of it, but the quality of the first two meats deserve 5 stars on their own.
Best of all the prices were very affordable. I only wish I came out to Queens more often!