The Best Burger Joints in São Paulo
Known as a foodie hotspot, São Paulo has a vast selection of restaurants. Alongside the variety of international cuisines, one type of establishment has grown more than all others: the good old-fashioned American burger joint. Here’s a selection of the city’s best burgers.
Z Deli
Since the 1980s, this classic Jewish deli has been serving in the neighborhood of Jardins and has recently opened a new address in Pinheiros. While not limiting itself to being a burger joint (they serve an excellent pastrami sandwich as well as a superb beef tongue on rye), Z Deli has garnered a reputation for being one of the best spots in São Paulo to go for a quality burger.
Because of its popularity, both Z Delis are usually quite busy, so try to go for a seat at the counter instead of waiting an eternity for a table. Alternatively, if it’s a nice day, take your food outside and enjoy the sun with a burger and a cold draft beer.
They serve plenty of classics, but do not by any means miss out on the Black Burger, which is a patty topped with bone marrow and a roti sauce. It’s messy, and it’s heavenly. Have it with a side of Z Deli’s pastrami fries and thank us later.
Rua Haddock Lobo 1386, Jardins, São Paulo, Brazil, +55 11 3083 0021
Rua Francisco Leitão 16, Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil, +55 11 2305 2200
http://instagram.com/p/BNmyHdxADqs/?taken-by=zdelisandwichshop&hl=en
1. Holy Burger
Restaurant, American, Fast Food, Vegetarian, Beer
The restaurant is small, so expect a wait if you’re going at dinner time. With outside seating, it is a great spot for a late lunch with one of their excellent selection of craft beers. Oh, and they deliver if you fancy staying in.
2. Hamburguer Do Seu Oswaldo
Grocery Store, Fast Food, Vegetarian, Snacks
The patties are thin, yet incredibly juicy and flavorful, and served with a delicious homemade tomato sauce and mayonnaise. Order an X-bacon salada(the Brazilian way of saying bacon cheeseburger), grab a spot at the counter and enjoy. You might want to order two if you’re hungry, after all, you’re only paying roughly US$4 for each sandwich, so go nuts.
3. Pão Com Carne
Restaurant, American, Fast Food, Snacks, Vegetarian, Beer
There isn’t much to choose from on the menu (either a hamburger, cheeseburger or bacon cheeseburger) but all three are very impressive. Considering it is situated in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city, being able to buy two burgers, fries and two drinks for R$46 (about US$14) makes this a great option for a quick lunch or a weekend dinner.
4. St. Louis Burger Shop
Having opened in 2006, St. Louis was one of the pioneers of the popularization of gourmet burger joints in São Paulo. When most places in town served simple cheeseburgers, St. Louis came along with their thick, juicy patties and blew the competition out of the water. They have a good selection of gourmet burgers, with one of the house favorites being the Blue: a delicious 8 oz patty topped with arugula, blue cheese and a delicious homemade onion chutney. For vegetarians, they also do an excellent veggie burger which can be swapped in in the place of any of their regular beef burgers.
Rua Padre João Manuel 974, Jardins, São Paulo, Brazil, +55 11 2368 6192
5. Big Kahuna
Restaurant, Diner, American, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Vegan, Fast Food
Not satisfied with the Bad Mofo, last year they by all accounts took things too far with the Ezekiel 25:17: five quarter-pound patties, an abundance of bacon, cheddar, mozzarella, crispy onions and salad (pictured above). These things aside, if you go for the more conservative and manageable options on the menu, Big Kahuna actually serves some excellent and well thought-out burgers.
For bacon lovers, try the Bacon Porn burger (that seems a bit obvious…), an 8oz patty filled with Monterrey Jack cheese and wrapped in streaky bacon. It is as delicious as it sounds and has the added benefit of being edible with two hands.
6. Bullguer
Restaurant, Diner, American, Fast Food, Vegetarian
A good call here is to go for the Lumberjack burger: two Black Angus patties, cheese, pickles, bacon and a delicious sauce.
7. Frank & Charles
A favorite of the region, Frank & Charles has been open in Higienópolis for many years and has attracted a faithful customer base. Over time they have expanded their menu to include breakfast options, but don’t mess around here and stick to the burgers.
Frank & Charles prides itself on serving 100% Angus patties on freshly-made buns, meaning that no matter what you order, you’ll end up with a satisfying sandwich. They also have a delicious range of homemade mayonnaise used on several of their burgers, such as the basil mayo which accompanies their fries (you could eat this stuff with a spoon, honestly) or the Sriracha mayo which comes on the Jimmy Curry burger, accompanying a juicy beef patty, Monterrey Jack cheese and chimichurri.
If you’re looking for something a little more extravagant, go for their Cheese N’ Burger, a hamburger in between two grilled cheese sandwiches, à la secret menu at Five Guys.
Rua Tinhorão 130, Higienópolis, São Paulo, Brazil, +55 11 3624 8763
http://instagram.com/p/BVc4PSXlh9i/?taken-at=388904272
8. Underdog
Restaurant, Argentina, BBQ, Fast Food, Beer, Wine
The menu here is extremely uncomplicated. Go for the cheeseburger, which is simple and incredible, having been grilled on the parrillaright in front of you. The grillmaster is notoriously sniffy about the doneness of the meat, so only come here if you’re OK with medium-rare (bordering on rare) patties. Asking for anything above medium may result in a Soup Nazi-esque situation. You have been warned.
9. Burger Joint
Burger Joint, the underground Manhattan chain known for its delicious, no-fuss burgers and walls covered in customers’ scrawls, hidden inside the Parker Meridien hotel, has opened a location in São Paulo. The idea is the same: there are the same graffitied walls, the same neon signs, and the same delicious burgers in an understated location. Order The Works and be happy.
Rua Bela Cintra 2116, Jardins, São Paulo, Brazil, +55 11 2495 1019
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