When it comes to great food — the kind that leaves a lasting impression — it often comes from the kitchens run by people with an intriguing cultural baggage. Their recipes are special because they combine culinary secrets, experiences, and techniques gathered over a lifetime driven by a passion for gastronomy. Stop BBQ Chicken, in Midtown Toronto, puts this exact blend on the table. The restaurant serves traditional Brazilian and Portuguese dishes, from feijoada to Portuguese Pork and Clams, with a creative twist, delivering homemade flavors that set them apart.

Renowned for its exceptional cuisine despite its humble setup, the restaurant is gearing up to participate once again as a vendor at BrazilFest on July 20th and 21st. Stop BBQ Chicken and the festival have held a partnership for one decade. The motto for this year’s event will be variety. At the booth, the restaurant plans to offer snacks such as chicken balls, cheese balls, croquettes, and fried turnovers, as well as flavorful meals like feijoada, fried pasta, and roast chicken.

“The sales are great at the event. It’s an opportunity to welcome people to our booth who have heard about the restaurant but couldn’t visit, and to introduce our products to those who have never heard our name before”, explains Maria Clara Pereira, the business owner. “Once, our line became so long that the event organizer, Arilda, entered the booth, geared up, and helped us fry the snacks. That was the only way we could meet the demand. We sold 3,000 fried turnovers in one day,” recalls Clara.

Creativity in the Kitchen

Clara, who is responsible for the originality of the dishes at Stop BBQ Chicken, is truly a citizen of the world. Born in Portugal, she has lived in Angola, South Africa, Brazil, and now Canada. Along her journey, she discovered her passion for the culinary industry and decided to pursue it instead of her initial career aspiration in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Through food, she also realized its social power — connecting with new cultural scenes and finding comfort that eased homesickness, for instance.

“We study a little bit from each country and adapt our recipes. We work a lot with the memories and the emotions that food evokes. That’s why I think it’s important not to have a limited menu. Sometimes, someone comes in and asks me, for example, for a chicken dish with pequi. I go out of my way to make it. Our clients feel embraced. That’s a great way to win them over and make them loyal,” points out Clara.

With a penchant for uniqueness, Stop BBQ Chicken offers a different “special of the day” at lunch every day. Clara only works with fresh ingredients and approaches the kitchen with recipes passed down through generations in mind. Her experience is so extensive that she created her cookbook. “When I lived in Brazil, I used to go from house to house to talk with people and gather culinary experiences,” she says.

Homemade Snacks at Local Groceries

The legacy of Clara’s journey extends beyond the restaurant. The homemade snacks prepared by her are also sold at Portuguese and Brazilian bakeries and grocery stores in Toronto and Montreal. Meals and appetizers can be ordered as well through Stop BBQ Chicken’s website and delivery apps, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash.

“We are honored to bring our flavor into the homes of so many people. It’s an excitement like no other.” 

As Stop BBQ Chicken celebrates 15 years in the industry, their success is a testament to their dedication to culinary excellence and offering authentic dishes at an affordable price. For Clara, the true joy of being in the field lies in creating a warm and inviting business where everyone can savor and appreciate the diverse flavors that define Stop BBQ Chicken. It’s not just about satisfying customers — it’s about making them feel truly valued with every bite.