Delicious Café and Grill

14725 Excelsior Blvd
Minnetonka, MN 55345
952-933-3323

Category: Brazilian/Cafe

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 8
Ambience: 6

Recommendation: Very Good. Authentic Brazilian food at reasonable prices – you won’t find such value at a Churrascaria (Brazilian Steakhouse).

I was surprised (and excited) at the prospect of this new establishment – a couple of my Brazilian coworkers told me about it and suggested we grab lunch there. At first I was hesitant; in all honesty, the name doesn’t echo Brazilian food in my mind. Delicious is located in a strip mall in Minnetonka. It first opened as a café and bakery a couple of years ago, but has recently expanded its menu to include grill specialties. This space was last occupied by Dunn Bros Coffee and remnants are apparent in the coffee roasting machine that is used by the owners to roast fresh beans daily. The décor isn’t that of an upscale restaurant, but it’s not a dive either – yellows and reds adorn the walls and add character to the space.

The Delicious menu isn’t friendly to vegetarians (unless you decide to eat a salad), but the food is authentic. Order an entrée and you get a piece of meat, cooked one of many ways, and served with rice, beans, and a choice of potato or plantain. We started our culinary tour of Brazil with Guarana – a soda with a mild berry flavor made from the plant of the same name. In the entrees, we highly recommend the Bife Acebolado, a tender cut of beef strip served with sautéed onions, rice, and beans. The meat was flavorful, the onions added a hint of sweetness, and a side of the plantains was the perfect accompaniment. If you want chicken, try the Churrasquinho de Frango – barbecued chicken skewers (kabobs). The Pasteis (pastry dough filled with a savory filling of beef or cheese) is very similar to an Indian samosa and is a great appetizer option. Our only caution would be to stay away from the Carne Asada – a tough piece of beef that was overly salty and lacked any distinct flavor. We were sitting in close proximity to the dessert display case, and through our meal our eyes wandered over to the delicious (no pun intended) options more than once. The hands down favorite was the Coconut Cake – creamy, light, and a thin layer of not too sweet frosting. If you like Coconut Cake, this should be your destination #1 in the Twin Cities. Other suggestions include the Brigadeiro, a dense chocolate cake and Quindin, a flan like dessert made from eggs and coconut. A cup of strong coffee was a perfect complement. The service was excellent – attentive, friendly, and accommodating, although it did take a while for us to get our food. Throw in low prices and this is a must visit for those looking for a South American culinary experience in the northern tundra. We’re looking forward to going on a Saturday night because there is live music and the restaurant serves Moqueca and Feijoada (Brazil’s national dish).

$-$$. Most entrees are under $10, with some specialty entrees coming in around $12-$14.