Fork-Free and Hungry at Sabor Express
By Minna A in Food on Jan 5, 2011 7:00PM
On weekday nights, you’ll find swarms of students and packs of police filling in the seats of newly opened Sabor Express in University Village. A one-of-its-kind Brazillian fast-food hub, Sabor Express offers a fork-free and filling menu, costing on average under $10.
Sabor Express quietly opened its doors in November last year, toting fast and casual Brazilian cuisine. As Chicago’s Brazilian restaurant scene consists mostly of pricey steak houses, we wondered, what is Brazilian fare, aside from fancy steaks and sauces?
On their menu, Sabor Express offers sandwiches and skewers, all carefully marinated and grilled in a proper combination. Get ready to get messy, as many of their menu items are best indulged without forks or utensils. Fixin’ for a sandwich? The Picanha sandwiches grilled steak, a fried egg, mozzarella, lettuce and tomato with your choice of mango or pineapple topping—a sweet addition to a heavy sandwich. Grilled skewers are also a great choice, but the best part is the side of sweet pineapple that comes with this order and is glazed with cinnamon and honey and roasted all day.
Without doubt the star selection at Sabor Express is the Pastéis de Nata. According to the menu, the original recipe for Pastéis were invented by two Catholic sisters in the convent at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimois in Portugal. The Pastéis were a secret recipe until 1837 when a cleric from the monastery opened a shop selling these deep-fried pastries to raise money, a shop which still stands today as a UNESCO heritage site. The Pastéis soon found their way to Brazil, and thankfully, to our plates at Sabor Express.
The Pastéis are pockets of phyllo filled and fried with your choice of marinated meats, cheese or chopped heart of palm. You read that right, chopped up palm trees in a handy to-go fried pocket. Pastéis are served with a tangy and tasty salsa-esque dipping sauce of veggies in a vinaigrette.
We wouldn’t be doing you right without mentioning the desserts. Sabor Express’ dessert case is filled with flans and mousses to make your mouth water. We recommend the passion fruit torte, a sweet and tart cheesecake and light ending to a meaty meal.
Sabor Express is located at 1230 W. Taylor St.