You Had Us at Brazilian Churrasco
We couldn't imagine a more perfect pre-Father's Day AYCE feast
While an estimated 12.2+ million marched and chanted against Trump’s monarchy in a nation-wide, flagship “No Kings” protest yesterday, Ed and I feasted like royalty in Buhl, ID — a short 20-min. drive from our Twin Falls neighborhood by Snake River Canyon.
Nothing bad happened at Magic Valley Food Dude’s Brazilian BBQ Party, 3 p.m.-8 p.m., which is kind of a miracle.
Of course, in the back of my mind, I worried. Would it be too hot? Would there be bees? Would our dog go apeshit? Should we even bring our dog (we didn’t)? Would my legs give out? Would eating this make me sick again? Would I shit my pants, like I did the day prior?
As if in answer to my silent prayers, the heavens looked upon me with favor, because none of those things happened. The weather was mild and cloudy, not a bee was in sight, the food was delicious and graciously served, and I didn’t have go until I got home.
Instead, my husband and I sat back, took in the calm, peaceful outdoor oasis of apple trees and grass and the occasional dogs barking, and enjoyed cuts from over 15 types of meat, with sides. We tried to, anyway. All you can eat and carved table-side, for just $25 (reservation), $30 at the door the day of.
We discovered the hard stuff that went down as easy as grapefruit and green apple soda at the hosting business, Cedar Draw Cider.
MV Food Dude’s outdoor grilled meats had more personality and tasted way better than at the Texas de Brazil chain restaurant we had up in Boise in 2021 and that blink-and-you-missed place near Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. The meats were so deeply flavorful, tender, and, in the case of the American barbecued chicken, deeply nostalgic (dad?), we ate much more than we normally do.
MV Food Dude infuses so much smokey flavor, it’s ridiculous, and I hate barbecue. My stomach can’t handle it anymore. Well, it handled it plenty good yesterday.
We loved on bacon and dino ribs, pork belly burnt ends, brisket, wagyu — three ways, picanha (sirloin cap), pulled pork, flat iron, carne asada, linguica, beef shoulder, tri tip, grilled fruit (watermelon, pineapple, mango) and veggies (red onion, bell peppers), buttery mac ‘n cheese, and black beans.
This was MV Food Dude’s first time doing Brazilian barbecue, but hopefully not the last. It’s quite a hassle for the average newbie, but this guy is well-versed and steeped in barbecue tradition, years and years worth. He seems to love feeding complete strangers too.
Paired with Cedar Draw Cider, made on the premises, the Brazilian Churrasco (mixed grill) proved to be the perfect antidote to the crowds and the hassle. Next time, I’m trying the blueberry and jalapeno hard cider.
Cedar Draw Cider hosts a lot of under-the-radar food trucks on the weekends, including our favorite Tacos El Guey. Coming up Fri.-Sat. is some wood-fired pizza. We’ll be there with bells on.
For too long, because I’m from Korea in the 1960s, I’d been biased against unconventional hole-in-the-walls, dismissing them as dirty and not real food. I’ve been wrong, I’m happy to say, and mean to rectify the situation as often as possible.
I think unconventional, one-on-one, down-home (literally) is gonna be the wave of the future, in the midst of rising, shaky economies and the growing divide between the entitled haves and the raging have-nots. You already see signs of it crossing into the mainstream on Netflix with “The Blank Menu For You” and the popularity of street food and food truck parks.
Some of the best food is found at someone’s home, not in some fancy, health-coded up the ass brick ‘n mortar for the masses.
Magic Valley Food Dude and Cedar Draw Cider are proof.
