Restaurant of the Month: La Choperia

Each month Yucatan Today visits a restaurant in order to describe what it has to offer. This is not a review; it is a summary of the menu, service, ambience, prices, and opening hours.

March 2009

New to the Mérida restaurant scene is La Chopería, dedicated to casual dining with a Brazilian-Mexican fusion and Modelo's Chope draft beer, both dark and light. The ambience is energetic, with flat screen TV video, fast-moving waiters and lively background music. With a seating capacity of 250, there are tables on the patio, indoors in a large open area, and in a smaller, more intimate room. The modern décor is unique and nicely done; the restaurant is a renovation of five colonial houses. There are antique photos of Mérida on display.

The Modelo beer group launched their new Chope draft beers in 2007, and they are only available in "Choperías". The Mérida location is the fourth one in México. These un-pasteurized draft beers have a shelf life of only 30 days, which guarantees their freshness. "Chope" comes from the Alsatian word "Schoppe," which means "half liter of fresh beer." In Brazil, the term refers to drinking good beer and having a good time. The Brazilian-designed draft beer dispenser at La Chopería is a work of art, with three taps: one for the light beer, one for the dark beer, and the third to measure out the foam, which is very thick. A perfect temperature is maintained, as this beer must be served well chilled. It is served in a special glass which is marked to indicate the correct level of beer and foam. In addition to the draft beers, Montejo, León, and Modelo Light are available.

Since beers are featured here, there is no wine list, but a house selection of both red and white is available.

The menu offers a good selection of Brazilian, Mexican, and Yucatecan food. Brazilian appetizers include "Escondidinho," a delicious stew "hidden" in mashed potatoes, topped with grated mozzarella and parmesan. Crunchy turnovers come in a choice of ground meat, cheese, and palm, served with homemade salsa. "Bolinhode Carne" is breaded ground beef meatballs fried in olive oil. And "Bolinho de Bacalhau" is codfish mixed with mashed potatoes, seasoned with onion and nutmeg, and fried in olive oil.

Brazilian broth is called "Caldhino de Feijao," made with beans, onion, bacon, garlic, and bay leaves, and served piping hot. The Brazilian salad has lettuce, tomato, onion, palm, and black olives. The dressing is olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of lime and salt.

Meats are in focus at La Chopería. The Brazilian options include "Picanha na Chapa," 350 gr. of Brazilian sirloin, served on a hot grill. The "Prato Feito" is 180 gr. of beef filet served with rice, French fries, a fried egg, and bean broth.

Other delicious menu options include the rib-eye steak, 300 gr. cooked to perfection; the Yucatecan classic Cochinita Pibil, served with hot tortillas; and the mixed brochette, with tender beef arrachera, chicken breast, sweet peppers, bacon, tomato, and onion.

La Chopería offers delicious food and excellent value: dinner for two is around 300 pesos.Calle 56 No. 456 x 51 y 53, Centro. Tel. 924 4488. Tuesday to Saturday 1 pm to 2 am. Sunday 1 pm to 7 pm.