Pizzarra's

URUGUAY 🇺🇾

With buildings surrounding it only two or three stories high, most corners in Union City are like this one and get an abundance of sunshine even during a winter day. Streams of light were actually coming in, making it hard to see the television and enjoy the Uruguay national team fight their way into the World Cup.

With four or five other customers and all the staff, the team scored five unanswered goals and happiness was the theme of the day. It was nice to share this moment with them, and have an easy excuse to travel out to Bergenline Avenue for food.

Knowing I would be ordering too much for one person, I could not resist a couple empanadas (below). These baked versions had such a thin crust and a chicken filling so airy that if there could be such a thing, it might be a diet empanada. Still delicious, the shredded chicken inside comes well-spiced and fluffy.

Needing a partner for the plates of grilled churrasco meats, I had to "settle" on the beautiful chivito de carne ($9.95, below), a typically Uruguayan steak sandwich that comes loaded with egg, ham & cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo. The steak marinade on this guy is delicious and the prominent ham & cheese in the middle create such a flavor party that you will want to bring your friends.

I packed up half of the sandwich to go as the second half of the game was coming to an end and ordered a small alfajor ($1.50, below) to round out the meal. This crumbly cookie was dipped in chocolate, and was much less sweet than I expected. They have a large case in the back with homemade desserts which all seemed just as nice.

One of the most wonderful things about Union City for people that live in New York is that it only takes 15 minutes on the bus from Port Authority to get here, as long as tunnel traffic is not ridiculous. Take the opportunity to walk up and down Bergenline someday if you have not already, as it is full of Latin American restaurants, delis, cafes, and markets. The ones I have written about on this site are only a drop in the bucket.

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UNION CITY, New Jersey

4000 Bergenline Avenue

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