CONCEPT:
Favi Lunches & Deli serves common American deli…read moreitems, but with a Brazilian twist. Rather than rice pudding, Favi prepares Açaí. Yuca fries instead of potato fries. And the most notable... in lieu of relatively simple cheese and bacon burgers, Favi serves a variety of tall hamburgers known as X Tudu. A popular street and restaurant item in Brazil, X Tudu, pronounced "Shees-TOO-Dew" is a play on the Portuguese pronunciation for the letter X (Shees) and can be translated as "cheese with everything". And so it is! A variety of permutations are offered on the menu, with the classic X Tudu composed of layers of beef patty, mozzarella cheese, corn kernels, lettuce, tomato, bacon, ham, and fried egg encased in a sesame seed bun smeared with mayonnaise.
EXPERIENCE:
The X Tudus were highly recommended by neighbors, and I started with the Classic X Tudu. The composition seemed to exemplify a literal definition of brunch, with traditional American breakfast (egg, ham, bacon, cheese) joined with traditional American lunch (lettuce, tomato, corn, beef) in every bite. As this was my first experience with X Tudu, I am unable to remark on how well or how traditionally Favi executed the dish. I can report that the beef patty was relatively thin, allowing ground beef to be one of many thin layers that combine into a unique, complex single bite. Yuca fries complemented the X Tudu, as well as a small container of garlic-intense avocado purée.
A refrigerator case is stocked with a wide variety of Brazilian desserts, including Brigadiero (chocolate fudge balls covered with chocolate sprinkles), as well as unique sugar-based sodas. Shelves are lined with Brazilian candies. It is clear that sweets are popular in Brazil!
TIPS:
X Tudu is very filling, as intended, and great option to pick up for brunch on a weekend errand run.
I am told by neighbors that they prefer the sirloin option at Favi's (X Tudu Picanha).
Try the imported Brazilian sugar-based sodas that are flavored with rainforest fruit (Guarana).
Parking is available on the right side of the entrance.