Churrascaria Hackettstown Paladar

We went here for the first time recently and found it to be fantastic. It’s such a quaint little place that you wouldn’t think from the street that it is as good as it is! Make a reservation, I’m pretty sure there is no other way to get a table, as every table was filled, and their timing on when people finished and the next party came was dead on!
You MUST get the Rodizio! It’s a meat lovers dream. They give you plenty of sides, but more importantly, they give you a well choreographed meat selection as each of the 12 selections comes to your table, 1 at time, about every 10 minutes or so! Then when you have completed all 12, they check to see if you want a round 2 of anything.
The food quality is fantastic, and the service is spot on! This is a great place for a special occasion or any occasion… even if the occasion is just that you want meat!

The food was good and the service was friendly. I decided to order the rodizio, aware that it was 12 meats, I knew it was a lot but expected to finish most of it. I paid almost $ 40 for this entrée, which is a fair price, but you’ll see my point later. I could not finish my meal, it was so delicious and filling! I decided to take the rest home, however the waitress informed me that I wasn’t allowed to! Why am I not allowed to take home the $ 40 worth that I paid for? These people would rather throw my food away then let me take it home to enjoy and share. I will not come back to this restaurant. After I respectfully expressed how this made me upset, the waitress gave me the cold shoulder and was rude to us for the rest of the night. Get it together! Why have a customer pay $ 40 worth of food he can’t take home? I paid for it so it’s mine? Not worth the money or trouble. Don’t come here.

This place is fantastic. My friend and I went there for rodizio, and it was insanely good.
We started out at the only two people in the restaurant on a Tuesday night– and we figured, eh, Tuesday isn’t a huge night for going out (I hear it’s nearly impossible to not wait for a table without a reservation on the weekends).
I had never had rodizio before, but my co-​eater for the night had. Both of us were blown away. In typical rodizio style, a parade of meats and swords are presented to you throughout the meal. Each as delicious and more than the last, you get to try so many different flavors. And a little different from typical rodizio, the sides (like Fried Yucca and Plantains) are also served to you tableside (from what I’ve heard, there’s usually a small buffet). But with the sides, you simply have to ask for these to be refilled for your table.
The service was friendly and efficient, and as the restaurant filled (because even on a Tuesday, there were quickly many several other parties that joined us in the small restaurant), the servers were adept at handling the wants and needs of all the tables.
We had to skip dessert because we were stuffed with all the delicious food, but we look forward to returning, and maybe I’ll order an entrée rather than going with rodizio so that I might be able to enjoy a dessert too.
While the dinner is «pricey,» I will also tell people that it’s not expensive. The rodizio service is ~$ 40 per person, but when you consider all the different things that you’re presented with, I’m surprised that it’s not more expensive.
I can’t wait to go back!

Pretty disappointed. After hearing the raves about this place we decided to try this restaurant for dinner. Like a few of the other reviewers stated already, the meat was disappointing. It was as if they got their meats at A&P and grilled them up. First course was an overcooked pork loin. It went downhill from there. The short rib was inedible. I needed a hacksaw to cut it. The only courses we enjoyed were the sausage (!) and the filet mignon.
My plate was littered with gristly bits and charred hunks of meat that I couldn’t cut into to eat. On the plus side, the side dishes were tasty as was the desserts. Where do they get their pricing though? 8 dollars for a dessert after paying as much as we did for the rodizio is a rip off IMHO.
Honestly, we were quite disappointed after having spent $ 100 on dinner for two here. The meats don’t compare at all with the rodizio places in Ironbound or other cities.

Don’t try to compare this with Fogo De Chao in the city. Wasn’t too impressed with the Rodizio. A friend and I both got it and enjoyed 2 of the 12 types that came out and one was the chicken wrapped in bacon. Small family owned place and the people were very courteous but we just didn’t enjoy the meat.

One word: OUTSTANDING! My son and I tried this place for their Rodezio based upon numerous recommendations, and it was excellent. Quaint little restaurant where the owner takes pride in everything being served; the service was great.
While dinner was way above-​average, it was actually the dessert that truly impressed me. There were 2 types of cake available for dessert, coconut and chocolate, both made by the owner’s wife. I ended up sharing a slice of chocolate cake ($ 8) with my son. I can honestly say this was the best piece of chocolate cake I’ve ever had… I would have paid double the price for the cake. The waiters told me the coconut cake is even better. If it’s possible to save room for dessert, definitely do so!
I’ll be back in the near term with a larger group of friends /​family!

BYOB. The rodizio is amazing. Service was attentive and so friendly. Definitely recommend this place

I am from Brazil, a typical barbecue country. For this reason, I know to appreciate a good barbecue. So, I tell you my exciting experience in this restaurant:
1) perfect and amazing service
2) picanha met is so delicious: I prefer with garlic but they have with cheese too.
3) sides were perfect! Especially rice, polenta and yuca.
4) the express coffee was so good. Don’t forget to eat chocolate cake because it has the typical Brazilian dessert: «brigadeiro». All Brazilian adult and child love so much «brigadeiro». Enjoy!!!

10 stars! Our favorite restaurant! Incredible food, excellent service, great value! The owner is a superb chef and friendly, fun guy. Always a wonderful time. Thank you!

Great ambiance. I liked how the restaurant owner was very nice and friendly and he works the rodizio himself! They are truly Brazilian. The place was decorated by them as we’ll. the food? I loved the bacao (cod appetizer) and the croquets. I also liked the fresh fried potato chips and fried banana. The meat? Amazing. The top sirloin was very good and the chicken wings was very good. I ate more meat than I have in a month :) I would definitely come again.

Churrascaria is a gem! The Rodizio is 5 Star as is the service. The meat was very well seasoned and the side dishes were very good, as were the appetizers and desserts.
The only thing holding back a 5 star rating is the bit of delay providing meat for the two of us having Rodizio. In comparison, the 5 other customers at our table having the signature sirloin dish received serving after serving while the two Rodizio customers were left watching. This was very frustrating, especially after we finally had the pleasure of eating the sirloin. I’m not sure why the Rodizio customers were not served the sirloin at the same time as the others; probably there was a set order to the Rodizio courses coming out. It was a bit frustrating but Churrascaria more than made up for the delay by raining on us short ribs, sausage, tenderloin wrapped in bacon, the sirloin to our complete satisfaction.
Desserts were very good, the cappuccino was excellent and the pear salad and fresh mozzarella appetizer were quite good.
The owner and servers could not have been more polite and accommodating. I understand Churrascaria will be moving to a new larger locations in August and will have a liquor licenses. I fully expect to visit the new locations for another round of truly excellent Rodizio and hopefully a Caprahenia cocktail or two.
Thanks for a great evening!

The food was very good and the service was nice too. My problem is with the pricing. I feel $ 39.95 per person for rodizio is price too high for the area. Plus they charge you $ 2.50 for each glass of fountain soda and there is no refill so if you go with a party of 5 and you each have 2 sodas you will pay $ 25.00 for soda alone. My family of 5 was $ 225.00 for rodizio and soda, no apps, no dessert, and since it is BYOB no liquor, and no tip.

This place really deserves 5+ stars. The owners are a couple from Portugal and Brazil and they serve the best rodizio in New Jersey. The food is so good and the service is outstanding. Don’t miss this restaurant.

I’m not sure there’s anything I would change about this place. But one thing for sure is that it’s certainly the last thing you’d expect to find in the middle of Hackettstown, NJ. My date was rather skeptical upon my suggesting this place, but after assuring him that there would be plenty of meat, he obliged. And plenty of meat, there was. Admittedly, it was my first time having Brazilian BBQ, but good food is good food, and good service is good service — and both were outstanding. Here’s how our meal went:
First of all, apparently it’s nearly impossible to get reservations on a Friday or Saturday night. Lucky for us, we went on a Sunday — but definitely call ahead of time.
BYOB — Brought a bottle of Pinot Noir. Next time, we’re bringing two. This is an all night adventure — not the type of place you go to spend an hour. It’s meant to be slow, steady and enjoyed. If you’re in a time crunch, go somewhere else.
Appetizer — we ordered one of the specials — fresh mozzarella over buffalo tomatoes with pesto and prosciutto. Delicious. They also bring fresh, warm, homemade bread out to the table. Here’s a tip: If you’re ordering the Rodizio, DO NOT EAT THE BREAD. Trust me. And thank me later.
Rodizio — We must’ve tried 12+ different types of meat, all delicious. And even though it was all you can eat, we couldn’t get past the first try of each. Our favorites were the provolone stuffed steak, the «signature» parmesan steak and the parmesan crusted pork loin. This is also served with a pico de gallo type salsa with homemade chips, fried yuca, fried plantains, white rice and black beans. It also includes grilled pineapple for dessert with a brown sugar/​cinnamon crust. Make sure you ask for it, even if you don’t have room left. And just when we though it couldn’t get any better…
Dessert — On top of the grilled pineapple, the server convinced us to try the homemade coconut cake. And… drool. I don’t even like coconut, but this was light, fluffy and perfectly sweet. It has a pineapple layer in the center and it’s topped with real shaved coconut. It was amazing.
All in all:
Definitely go.
Menu is extensive, even if you don’t want to order the Rodizio.
Get dessert. Whether you saved room, or not.

Amazing experience and tremendous selection! I will definitely be coming back. The rodizio is the way to go, all you can eat meat selections with wonderful sides. We had the coconut and pineapple cake for dessert which was knock your socks off good, and finished the evening with a wonderful cappuccino.

Great spot to get your fix on Rodizio or any other meats, such as picanha.
Really enjoyed the food, atmosphere, service and the wonderful staff.
Can’t wait to go back.

Very good. Only thing is the steak is extremely salty which you will not realize till the middle the night.

What a great place, the food was excellent! All the folks that worked here were friendly, and service was just beyond attentive. Small place so call ahead or be prepared to Waite for an open table.

Get the rodizio and make sure you wear your eating pants.
Super attentive staff that actually cares about you. Not something you’ll ever get at a chain.

Ate here tonight with my wife and parents. This is a quaint restaurant with about 10 tables or so. You should make reservations to be sure you get a table.
The staff was extremely friendly and polite. The best part about this place is that it authentic Portuguese from the ironbound section, but you don’t have to deal with the hassle of Newark.
We had garlic shrimp and Portuguese sausage for appetizers, both were delicious and there was more than enough to eat. My father got the rodizio, which was classic style, all you can eat. I found it to be more juicy and flavorful than the iberia’s restaurant in Newark.
All in all, great place to eat. We will definitely be back soon.