CiA do Sanduiche / Brazilian Sandwiches (Photos!)

[Jason Perlow]

CiA do Sanduiche

455 Palisade Ave.

Cliffside Park, NJ 07010

201-840-5050

Open Wednesday-Sunday

I've been keeping mum about this place for a couple of weeks, but I leaked a little bit about it in this AIE thread (click)

A "Brazilian Hot Dog". Note the Potato Sticks with Corn, which is a typical topping on Sanduiche.

California Chicken -- This one is grilled chicken breast, with ham and cheese, and sauteed pineapple and peaches.

A Brazilian-style Hamburger, with the potato sticks shoved into the bun.

The Banana Dody -- Flank steak, with lettuce and tomato and cheese, with the potato stix/corn and mayo combo, bacon, and sauteed bananas. It sounds weird, but it really worked. Note the bun, which is referred to as a Sanduiche bun. Its soft, but firm enough to hold up to a large pile of ingredients.

This one, called the Sandubao (Giant Sandwich) had the kitchen sink -- hamburger, shredded chicken, fried egg, bacon, ham and cheese, again with the "works".

Fully assembled Sandubao.

Pão de Queijo, or Cheese Bread, made with manioc/tapioca flour.

Meat Skewers, or Espetinhos.

Meat Croquettes, with Catupiry Cheese and meat filling

Behold the dessert case -- Vanessa bakes all the cakes and pastries for the restaurant.

Caramel Custard Flan

Pastry Chef and co-owner Vanessa Ladino, who runs the restaurant with her huband Renato Melo.

Chocolate Caramel Coconut cake, made with Brazilian chocolate

Lime Pie

[jb_973]

Jason - your photos are verging on food pornography! This stuff looks amazing - will have to make a mental note to visit next time I'm in that area. Do you know of any places of a similar caliber in Newark or the surrounding area?

[Jason Perlow]

I think there might be a similar place in Newark called Hamburgao.

EDIT: There are two Hamburgao locations, one of which was written up by Pete Genovese in the Newark Star Ledger back in August of '04:

Hamburgao (Star Ledger)

Edited May 14, 2005 by Jason Perlow (log)

[scott123]

Jason, first off, I'm sure many people have said it, but I want to echo the sentiment. You have an exceptional gift for food photography.

I'm definitely intrigued by the restaurant. What's the price range?

With the risk of exposing my OCD, can I nitpit about a teensy weensy thing? If a restaurant, due to seasonal fluctuations/whatever the reason can't obtain a decent tomato, can't they just omit it rather than use an inferior one? Sorry, but seeing that slice of tomato is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.

[Jason Perlow]

What's the price range?

Inexpensive.

[jhlurie]

The price range is cheap, er... affordable. The place is basically set up like a little cafe, but the prices are in the fast food range.

This is one of those places where you might ask whether it's worth traveling for and the answer is not an easy one. On one hand, you are dealing with things that are just sandwiches. On the other hand, they are truly unique and incredible tasting sandwiches. It's like those "Road Food" places our friend Holly Moore always champions--it's a matter of perspective whether you will go out of your way for hamburgers or hotdogs if they are the superior examples. In fact, if we can push Holly here at some point, I'm sure he'd give it a nice high "grease stain" score (if you aren't familiar with his sytem, that won't make much sense I guess).

I can't comment on those tomatoes, because I'm the type who kind of eats through them without really thinking about them, or takes them off.

The way this little place can clean up is if all those huge-ass condos down by the river start calling up to them. The point is they have something which is completely unique. The ingedients are top notch. The combinations are... weird but wonderful. Who knew that potato sticks, corn and mayo mixed together was wonderful topping a hamburger? Add in some bacon, a fried egg and some mozarella chesese and you've got yourself a meal. The grilled fruit works well too.

[Jason Perlow]

I've uploaded the menu in PDF format for those of you are interested:

CiA do Sanduiche (click)

[Curlz]

Congrats on this week's piece in the NYT! Are you the only writer who submits his own photos along with the copy?

[Jason Perlow]

Congrats on this week's piece in the NYT!  Are you the only writer who submits his own photos along with the copy?

←

In the NJ section, probably. I'm also their worst photographer too. Which photo did they use?

[Curlz]

The fully assembled Sandubao.

[Rosie]

Do not miss Jason's review of this restaurant in the NJ section of the NY Times on May 15, 2005. Great piece Jason. Enjoyed reading it.