A taste of Brazil has come to Palmerton.

The Uai Brasil BBQ held its grand opening recently at 315 Lehigh Ave.

The business is managed by Meiriane Pessoa, and owned by her husband, Soliney Pessoa. It has four employees.

Originally from Brazil, Meiriane said the couple learned the building was available through a friend whose husband is a Realtor.

“I had never been here in Palmerton,” Meiriane said. “This was a restaurant before.”

The space was formerly occupied by Papa Al’s, which has relocated to 346 Delaware Ave.

Meiriane said people were enthusiastic to hear a Brazilian-style restaurant was opening in the borough.

“The people said ‘we don’t have anything like this,’?” she said. “Everybody was so nice, so excited, when I posted on Palmerton Here and Now.”

Meiriane said the menu features Rodizio ($39.99), ($19.99 for kids age 7-10), and the buffet ($17.99).

She said the way Rodizio works is customers are seated at their tables and a waiter comes by with various meats one at a time and slices them before serving.

Meiriane said customers can choose from a dozen types of meats, with Picanija, ribeye, New York Strip, pork, chicken, sausage as examples of a few.

She noted that if customers don’t want the Rodizio, they can get the buffet, which features several meats as well.

Other menu items include sandwiches, ranging from $8 to $13, including the X-TUDO, a beef burger with bacon, cheese, corn, egg, ham, potato sticks, lettuces, and tomato); the X-Burguer, a beef burger with cheese, corn, potato sticks, lettuces, and tomato; and the X-Bacon, a beef burger with bacon, cheese, corn, potato sticks, lettuces and tomato.

Also available on the menu are Salgados, or appetizers, such as Coxinha De Frango, which is Brazilian Chicken Fritters; pastel de carne, meatloaf; pastel de queuo, cheese pastries; pao de queijo, cheese bread; and carne acebolada, meat with onions.

Desserts include Pudin de leite, or condensed milk flan; Mousse de chocolate, or Chocolate Mousse; Mousse de maracuja, or Passion Fruit Mousse; Pave de abacaxi, or pineapple pave; cheesecake; Brigadeiro, cake, and Espresso.

Meiriane said their prices are extremely fair, lower, in fact than other Brazilian restaurants that she knows of.

The buffet is a hit, she said. “Some of the people (their customers) said, ‘I’m so full.’?”

Meiriane said the couple has high hopes for the business.

“The feedback makes us grow,” she said.

“The population wants to know what they can expect from us.”

Meiriane said that type of give and take not only makes it better for the customers, but also makes their business bigger.

“We want everybody to know; we want to see the Lehigh Valley come here and know about Palmerton,” she said. “It’s like a (Hallmark) movie town; I’m in love with this town.”

Meiriane said their hope is that customers come in and feel welcome.

“The idea is to make everybody feel comfortable and cozy,” she said. “We want them to feel like they are in my house, to come stay and eat good, bring friends.”

Meiriane said that the business does not yet have its alcohol license, but added customers may bring their own alcohol or wine.

Uai Brasil BBQ is open 4-9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Meiriane encouraged those who plan to dine in groups to call 610-900-4783 in advance to make reservations.

She said they may also contact them at Uaibrasilbbq@outlook.com, or follow them on Facebook.