Churrascaria Gaúcha, Rio de Janeiro, 1959

Churrascaria Gaúcha opened in 1939 in Rio de Janeiro when the city was still the capital of Brazil. The first establishment of its kind, the restaurant was a pioneer in the country’s steakhouse culture.

The cultural and gastronomic landmark offered the churrascaria experience, an all-you-can-eat steakhouse or rodizio still popular today and characterized by attentive waiting staff ( gauchos) who bring a variety of foods to hungry diners until they are satisfied.

The restaurant occupied two dining halls with a total capacity of 700 people, including a stage where live shows were held: Tuesdays featured a romantic dance night; Thursdays, a band played MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) and dance music; Saturdays were for performances by two bands and Sundays, a *forró* dance party. *Forró* is an umbrella term for different dances and rhythms.

Before the capital was moved to the newly built city of Brasília in 1960, Churrascaria Gaúcha was a mandatory stop for politicians and public officials. Customers included rising politician Leonel Brizola (1922-2004), who would show up at the venue almost every week and who later served two terms as Governor of Rio.

Former President of Brazil Getúlio Vargas (1882-1954) was also a repeat customer in the restaurant’s early days.

French film star Brigitte Bardot was one of many celebrities who dined there.

This marvelous menu (cardápio) is a great example of witty mid-century design and is dated 1959 by a customer who dined there.

Situated in the Laranjeiras neighborhood of the Zona Sul, Churrascaria Gaúcha closed in 2021, a victim of the Covid pandemic.