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A unique Brazilian experience on the East side

by Ryan Loyd

Food fans with a flair for a taste of festive food won’t have to travel far, come this weekend. That’s because a South American celebration of sorts will get underway with the grand opening of Rio’s Brazilian Café (408 North Pleasant Valley Road) from 5 to 10 PM Sunday.

“We’re a small café that serves traditional and contemporary Brazilian food,” said owner Ben Googins.

Googins and partner Elias Martins specialize in Brazilian street food. Googins said he spent several years teaching English in the Samba country.

Rio's founders Elias Martins and Ben Googins (photo via Rio's Brazilian)

Let your mouth lead the way and eat until your heart’s content; just don’t count on the beef to bog down the menu, or your arteries for that matter, like that of Fogo de Chao (309 E. 3rd Street) or Estancia Churrascaria (4894 Highway 290 West in Sunset Valley)! Googins points out Rio’s is the only authentic Brazilian restaurant option in town that does not offer all-steak-all-the-time. And for the frugal: “Our most expensive dinner is $11,” he said.

Googins’ restaurant got its start nearly four years ago in a highly unlikely location, the Austin Farmers’ Market at 4th and Guadalupe. Although the business produced homemade bread, sauces and salads, it always shared a space with other bars and markets. For a time, Googins called Whole Foods and Spec’s home. Rio’s was even at a 6th Street bar for a time but the relationship didn’t last because the bar closed. “We kind of did the flip side and had our products out there,” he said, “but never had our own spot. Now it’s all us.”

Customers will find a casual, laid-back atmosphere, along with a calm and cool staff with “tattoos from head to toe.” That’s not surprising for an Austin-based business. Googins is tickled that Rio is building quite the following. From the farmers’ market crowd, which is mostly an older patronage, to the young folks on the east side, Rio’s may be around to stay—in one location.

“It’s always been something we’ve wanted to do. We’ve been in Austin just over four years. Austin’s a great place to get started.  The weather’s great year round,” said Googins.

When you go, Googins recommends the Samba Combo. Buy one of the salgadinho (savory pastries), then add a soup, salad or side of Yuca fries or cheese bread, or even another salgadinho, up to three items. Mix and match to build your own meal. Full lunches and dinners are available.

Try the salgadinho! (photo via Rio's Brazilian)

Googins’ journey with Rio’s Brazilian Café, from catering meals inside borrowed kitchens to offering Brazilian sauces and breads at local markets, has led Rio’s to becoming a permanent fixture in Austin’s vast food scene. A journey to Brazil may just be a short car ride away. “We’re very passionate about it. We believe in our brand,” said Googins.

It’s a small world after all.