Paulo’s Barbeque

Came here wearing a size 12 and left wearing a 14. We ordered the Rodizio and all I can say is OMG!!! The meat and sausages were not only flowing but everything was perfectly cooked. The pineapple at the end was to die for. The Sangria (3 pitchers later) was good to the last drop. Two thumbs up.

This was my first time here. I came here after my son recommend this place. The restaurant is very clean and they make you feel welcomed the moment you step in. We did not order an appetizer. After looking at the menu where there isn’t a shortage of options I decided to go with the pork cubes and chicken with shrimp house style ($ 17.00). It came with a generous portion of fries and rice. My wife and son shared the chicken and rib platter. ($ 17.00). This also came with a generous portion of fries and rice. The portion of food they give you is incredible. You will not leave hungry. Service was top notch. I will absolutely be back soon. They also offer steak on a stone which I will most likely order next time I go. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Great service and excellent food. I been there many times for take out, catering, and table service and have never had a bad experience.

Been here twice always leave satisfied and full. Great service, very attentive, great pricing, great portions and the food is the best Portegues I’ve had.

Stopped in about 6:45p on a weeknight and ordered a half order of pork ribs to go since it was on my home from the gym in Edison. Then proceeded to stop next door at the 7-​eleven, have a smoke, come back inside and have a beer — you get the idea, I waited and waited. Finally after a good 25 minutes, I said enough and left. It should not take this long to put together an order of pork ribs, fries and rice. especially during the evening rush when I assume they have stuff, particularly ribs which are popular, precooked.

We’ve come here for lunch several times after golf in Ashbrook. The place is amazing. Service is fast, we always order the lunch special for $ 6.95, draft beer and expresso. Chicken and rib combo is our favorite after walking 18 holes. Place is nice. Took my wife there on a weekend. They get a nice crowd.

We had great service. The food was amazing. Paulo came out and introduced himself to the tables. I will come back again soon.

This rating isn’t for the food at Paulo’s, which has always been terrific; it’s for their poor service.
Last week, 9/​22, my wife and I decide to go to Paulo’s for some take-​out. We ordered a steak sandwich, a skirt steak dinner and their pork cubes and clams. We asked for sautéed peppers and onions on the sandwich and steak. We also asked for rice only with the pork cubes and clams dinner. The girl/​cashier who served us took the requests, entered the order in their system and said it would be about 20 minutes. Considering this routine, we sat down and waited. Sometime later, a bald gentleman, who I assume is the manager, came out of the back area and openly chastised the cashier (in front of us) about «special orders», telling her she has to add an upcharge for special orders. As Paulo’s has a fairly busy take-​out business, I didn’t assume it related to us, however, we eventually discovered a $ 2 charge on the bill for the peppers & onions with the skirt steak dinner.
NO MENTION OF THIS WAS MADE TO US.
Later in our wait, another fellow came out to tell us the pork cubes and clams dinner did not come with rice. I took a take-​out menu from the holder on the counter and pointed out to him that THEIR menu lists the dinner under their «Meats» section and the subtitle under «Meats» clearly indicates that the dinners come with French fries and rice. I also pointed out that there was no exception next to the pork cubes & clams dinner to indicate otherwise. Undeterred by the facts, the fellow (a waiter, I believe) said he was sorry, but, rice would be extra. Since I wanted rice with the dinner, I agreed to the charge for the small order of rice. I did ask to speak to the manager, but the waiter said he wasn’t available.
Now, you’d think the up charge for the peppers & onions without telling us; the misleading menu; the dressing down of an employee in front of us and the unavailable manager would have turned us off permanently, but we have been going to Paulo’s for over 10 years. We discovered them when they were a tiny BBQ joint, working out of the first floor of an old house. We were one of the first patrons in the dining room of their newly renovated restaurant, holding soccer dinner for 20. We’ve recommended them to countless friends. So, to that point I would say we were loyal. Well, that’s over.
Upon packing our order, the waiter, placed the pork and clams dinner at the bottom of the bag, beneath the steak dinner and steak sandwich. The pork cubes and clams dinner has a lot of sauce and the weight of the two items above it, caused the aluminum tray it was in to buckle. So, by the time we had gotten home, the sauce leaked all over! Fortunately, we had place the bag on the floor of our car instead of our back seat, as the leaking sauce would have ruined the seat. The floor mat took the damage, but after lots of soap and scrubbing, it all came out. Had the food leaked on the backseat, I would have sued Paulo’s for the damages. Once we got home and discovered the damage that was the last straw. I called Paulo’s and asked for the manager, as I wanted to tell him how careless they were.
I was again told he was too busy (probably by the cashier girl). When I said I would wait, she asked me to hold (5 mins), then came back and asked me for my name and number. She said the manager would call me back. It’s been a week and no call. So, now, we’re done with Paulo’s.
We will never return to their South Plainfield location or their Inman Ave store either, as they’re probably run by the same poor, poor management. Too bad.

Did our family Christmas dinner here… Had a large group and we came in and ordered in the morning… Come dinner time the food was perfect great service and large portions … Beer pitchers were good aswell the room does get loud with so many tables being in such close proximity… But solid place for dinner!

We came in for a birthday celebration dinner with 7 people. There are a couple of reasons for this review– first is the steak. 2 people in our group ordered filet mignon and a sirloin. I thought it was just me that the sirloin had a weird after taste kind of metal-​y. But then I asked my fiancée and he said the same. My mother in law got the filet and when we asked her how hers was she said the same thing without even hearing what we had thought. So we didn’t finish either of ours.
The other reason for this review was that someone in our group had told the servers that we were celebrating 2 birthdays. So they brought out two plates each with two slices of cake and a mousse/​tiramisu dessert. They were pretty good but nothing special. We also got a bunch of after dinner cappuccinos and espressos. All in all, our check was a little over 320 without the tip so it’s not like we were going for a cheap dinner. But then when we got the final check hey had charged us for all of the desserts.
Now I get it that restaurants can’t just be giving food away, but they also shouldn’t be doing a birthday celebration and bringing out enough for everyone at the table when we didn’t ask for that. I would have rather picked my own dessert of we were just going to get charged for it anyway. This was not to get something for free because this was not even worth it being free and it’s also not that serious. If you charge for celebrating birthdays then just tell people you don’t do birthdays complimentary. Or do a «birthday» size portion. But to bring out enough for 7 or 10 people when it was a birthday for 2 people and then charge for all of that did not make a good impression.
For the taste of the steak and this birthday situation, I definitely won’t be going back there. Better off going to Valenca or some place in Newark.

This review is for the Plainfield location on South Avenue.
Not bad… HORRIBLE
Living on the south side of Scotch Plains and not wanting to travel to Clark to pick up at Clark BBQ I thought I would give this place a shot. What a mistake. Called in the order at 5pm and picked it up 15 minutes later. The chicken was disgusting. It had to be sitting since lunchtime. Not fresh or even hot. The potatoes were spongy and well over salted. Black beans were over salted but other than that tasteless. I suggest passing on this place until they step up their game. This place cannot compare to Clark BBQ. It’s further but well worth the ride

Been going here for at least 15yrs. The food is delicious the 3 varieties of sangria are also delicious although I think the red is the best. Summer is great for dining on the patio. On Thursday they have karaōke. One thing… Prepare to stay a while. Because the service is slow. Now this could be because the restaurant packs the house out. But one should not have to wait 45 mins for BBQ and longer for the server to come back to see if you needed anything. And when they do come to your table they make you feel as though your in positioning them. Paulo himself makes a wonderful guest appearance! Always full of life! One suggestion: add more servers or train the one you have to be better.

Disappointed in service today. Mom and I went for a nice lunch. We ordered a simple bbq chicken and ribs and a whole chix to go and arrived at 2:45. It was relatively empty. The waiter decided to sit behind us and have his steak before our lunch came out. The couple at the other table sat down after us and their meal came out before ours. I turned around and told him and he acted like I disturbed his lunch and told me our meals were coming out. Our meal came out at 4:00 A bit much… For lunch. Not busy.
Paulos how about you 1) train your staff to wait until their tables have their meals before they take their break before the dinner crowd, it’s rude for your staff to eat before their tables are served 2) he should have advised us that he was doing that and transitioned the table to someone else who he gave order and directions to. had a take out order delivered to the table 3) not have your staff eat in the same dining room as your customers… Especially when they haven’t eaten yet. its rude.
Your food never disappoints but I am a regular customer and last time I was there with a party of 6 we way took care of 40% tip. the staff for a job well done. Recognize your regulars and treat them well. Today’s treatment was uncalled for for any customer so if your waiter wants to know why he got basically no tip, tell him we got basically no service. I had to ask for extra napkins, I had to ask for water, I had to ask for the food I ordered and was going to pay for…
Your food is always great… Your service today deserved NO STARS but because I love your food I gifted you two stars I am sticking to take out… Maybe.

Delicious Beef Ribs

Paulo’s–
my great friend & I ate there Yesterday we sat outside in there patio it was very pleasant the Sun felt great. the food is good the service is ok. I’ve been there a few time during winter the service has always been a bit of an issue. I think take out is a much better experience, to me!

I call for pick up, the person he answer the phone,
Can not understand my order, I have to repeat it few times, and went to pick it up, i found wrong order
And ask me to pay full amount for it ???

I love everything about Paulo’s best restaurant food is delicious and fresh! Start with shrimp and chorizo! The rice is my favorite with the chicken ribs and steak! Love it

Its close so been there 5x as to leave a fair review and just feel as we got robbed every time.
You get a bunch of rice and frozen fries with overcooked bland but salty meats and fish. Nice looking place but it’s all about making money.
Dont believe me try it.

I’ve eaten here three times in the last 10 years what can I say the food is so so. You get a mound or french fries and some ribs and the price is not all that great.
The ribs are okay the fries are store-​bought frozen and boring. I don’t eat here as a rule because there are so many other places to go.

Great meal. This was my second Brazilian Style meal. This was the best by far. All of the meats were really well seasoned and delicious. Super tender.
Service was really good and I look forward to returning again.