Samba Brazilian Restaurant

[Paul B]

My kids want to go out on Friday to the Samba Brazilian restaurant on Thurlow. You know: the place where they come around with BBQ meat on swords. Sounds sort of fun but is it any good??

Edited June 29, 2005 by Paul B (log)

[mtigges]

My kids want to go out on Friday to the Samba Brazilian restaurant on Thurlow.  You know: the place where they come around with BBQ meat on swords.  Sounds sort of fun but is it any good??

←

I've been twice, once for dinner, and once for lunch. The dinner was a spur of the moment 9pm deal, and it wasn't so good. The lunch was better. But it is just kind of fun. We're a bunch of carnivores at work, so we had to make the trip once.

I've been to the real thing in Rio, and Samba isn't even close to the same experience. In particular the quality of the meat isn't in the same league. But, regardless, it's fun, and very likely a good place to take the kids. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.

Mark.

[vandan]

been a few times for a-y-c-e lunch a carnivores dream but make sure to have a jug of water on the table as the meat is incredibly salty

[Vancouver]

Been once, and I agree with previous posters. It was ok. Nothing fabulous, and nothing close to the quality of churrascarias even in other cities in North America.

Overall it has a rather touristy feel to it as well.

The meat was not very tender, the selection was fairly limited compared to other churrascarias, and it was oversalted.

Cheers!

[*Deborah*]

Should be fun for the kids! Not gourmet but I've had some good meat there, and they have ostrich IIRC. Drinks are a bit spendy, and sometimes they have half-naked women with feathery headdresses parading through the restaurant...my mother wasn't too impressed but it was fun for a birthday gathering I attended there.

Their feijoada (sorry for horrible spelling, I don't know how it's spelled!) is pretty good, and you'll find some interesting stuff on the salad bar.

[peppyre]

I thought it was pretty good for what I was looking for and yes, I am a huge carnivore. As far as I'm concerned, how can you go wrong with meat on a stick. The salad bar is decent and the feijoada is pretty tasty too. Enjoy, it's fun, not gourmet.

[PaoPao]

The standout IMO is the Bacon Wrapped Chicken, usually I've had to ask for it as it doesn't make the rounds too frequently. Also their parmesan crusted Filet Mignon I think is quite good as well.

On Fri and Sat nights they have Brazilian performances with Carnaval type costumes being worn by the women; and when we were there Capoeira performances by a member of Ache Brazil Capoeira. Both we're entertaining.

[Keith Talent]

Anywhere you can get grilled chicken hearts is A-okay in my book. The frightening thing is how damn tasty chicken heart is when grilled. Go early, service is better before the crowds.

That block of Thurlow scares me. Look at the restaurants, mostly touristy, no? Now next time you're overseas look for that block of Thurlow again. You'll see it. I've seen it in London, Paris, Hong Kong, that exact same block. Congrats, you've now found the tourist restaurants. Now run away.

[*Deborah*]

It's weird! they have that basement den of iniquity meets highschool cafeteria ambience...it wouldn't be the same on another block.

[Vancouver]

Interestingly in that same basement there is a rather good robataya called Aki. I guess being close to all the Japanese corporate offices and ESL schools helps the restaurants under that block a bit.

Cheers!

[peppyre]

The restaurants in the basement of that block are fantastic. I used to get take-out from Aki and I also tried another one of the Japanese restaurants down there. I think there were 3 in the basement area.

[BCinBC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Samba is on the west side of Thurlow, no? I've never been to the basement on the west side, but one on the east side is quite frightening. We've talked about if previously HERE. I always used to think that if no one supported those cave-dwelling mystery-meat-serving South Asian kiosk cooks, a porno company was probably waiting in the wings to scoop up the leases, kick everyone out, and start up some sort of dominatrix website right quick.

Then again, the McFumes on the west side probably stagnate in that basement there. Begs the question, which is worse?

[mtigges]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Samba is on the west side of Thurlow, no? 

←

Yes, it is.

[peppyre]

The really good restaurants are actually on the other block. I think that basement goes under a few streets. It's quite creepy if you're walking through it during a "slow" period.

[canucklehead]

The restaurants in the basement of that block are fantastic.  I used to get take-out from Aki and I also tried another one of the Japanese restaurants down there.  I think there were 3 in the basement area.

←

Aki's has been around for eons - one of the first Japanese restaurants in Vancouver and was located on Powell. An ex-Aunt (though she was only a few years older) and her family owned Aki's no.2 on East Hastings for years. Yoshi got his start in the Aki kitchen. They used to actually provide JAL with their inflight food years and years ago.

Sakae is also down there - famous for it's horse sashimi. Sakae's previous owner and chef now runs my favorite sushi joint - Okada. So - not quite as touristy at first glance - but the basement set up for some reason is very common. I think that I know the block that KT speaks of in HK - it is in the TST side of Hong Kong - and they have a Brazillian beef place also. In fact - if you took a picture of the HK site - you would swear it was Thurlow.

An example parallel evolution in real estate espensive cities?

Okay - back on topic before Daddy-A strikes us all down - I am curious about the Brazillian place - so please share your experiences also. Lots and Lots of MEEEAAAT. Its a good thing.

[Paul B]

Okay, after reading that the meat at Samba was heavily salted, we bailed. Can't stand over salted food. We ended up at Memphis Blues on Broadway. Turned out well. My 16 year old did some severe damage to the Memphis platter and the BBQ poutine (he rows competively). My wife and I also have a great time with the brisket and pulled pork. Our 13 year old was a little overwhelmed by the meat spectacle, but rallied for dessert. But best of all was the casual ambience and friendly guys behind the counter. They made it fun for the whole family. I would go again and I know the family would come with me.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Vancouver]

Glad it worked out. The broadway location of Memphis is good. You might want to check their health report for the commercial drive location though: Vancouver health reports

Cheers!