Bauru (Brazilian Steak and Cheese Sandwich)

About This Recipe

The bauru is a Sao Paulo institution -- thin slices of roast beef layered with melted cheese, tomato, and pickled cucumber inside French bread, named after Casemiro Pinto Neto, nicknamed 'Bauru,' who supposedly requested this exact combination at a downtown Sao Paulo bar in 1937, and had it named after him when it became a permanent menu item. It remains one of Brazil's most beloved sandwiches, especially associated with the city's traditional bars and lanchonetes (snack bars). The technique that defines a proper bauru is melting the cheese directly over the meat while it's still on the griddle, typically using a specific soft, meltable cheese called queijo prato, so it becomes gooey and slightly stringy rather than just warmed through. The bread is often lightly toasted or pressed to give some crunch against the soft, melty interior, and the pickle and tomato provide acidity that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese. Served hot, cut in half, the bauru is quick bar food in Brazil -- ordered alongside a cold beer or guarana soda, and considered one of Sao Paulo's genuine contributions to Brazilian sandwich culture.

Ingredients

Serves 2

• 200 groast beef(thinly sliced)
• 150 gqueijo prato or provolone cheese(sliced)
• 1tomato(sliced)
• 0.33 cupsliced pickles
• 2French rolls(split)
• 1 tbspbutter

Instructions

1. 1

   Warm the beef

   Heat a griddle or wide pan over medium heat. Warm the sliced roast beef 1-2 minutes until heated through.

2. 2

   Melt the cheese

   Lay cheese slices directly over the warm beef in the pan and cover briefly until melted, about 1-2 minutes.

3. 3

   Toast the bread

   Butter the cut sides of the rolls and toast lightly in a separate pan or under a broiler until golden.

4. 4

   Assemble

   Layer the melted cheese and beef onto the bottom half of each roll.

5. 5

   Add tomato and pickles

   Top with tomato slices and pickles.

6. 6

   Serve

   Close the sandwich and serve immediately while the cheese is still melty.

Variations

• •

  Add a fried egg on top for a heartier version, common at some lanchonetes.

• •

  Use sliced ham alongside or instead of roast beef for a different flavor profile.

• •

  Add a thin spread of mayonnaise or mustard to the bread for extra flavor.

Storage

Best eaten immediately while hot and the cheese is melted. Not recommended for storage, as the texture suffers significantly once cooled.

Frequently Asked Questions