Robin Godwin: ‘On Brazilian Time’ Food Truck Patio Coming Soon to Key Highway in Federal Hill

Brothers David Braun and Alexandre Silva are opening the On Brazilian Time food truck which will stay parked at 1302 Key Hwy. in Federal Hill. Braun and Silva built an attached patio with picnic tables, bar tops, and string lighting for patrons to enjoy on the former gas station property.

Braun and Silva were already tenants at 1302 Key Hwy. as they are part of a family business that contracts for electric scooter company Spin and uses the garage on the property. The brothers have worked in the restaurant business and always wanted to launch a food truck. And, with some extra space on the property that faces all the vehicular traffic of Key Hwy., they thought it would be a good spot to launch their first food truck.

Braun and Silva both grew up in Brazil between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Braun said Brazilian food is a mix of the diverse culture in the South American country with a lot of Portuguese, Italian, and African influences. Braun has struggled to find a lot of good Brazilian food since moving to the United States more than 20 years ago. They are hoping On Brazilian Time will bring in Brazilians looking for a taste of home, as well as introduce people in Federal Hill and commuters on Key Hwy. to the food of their home country.

While a lot of Mexican foods are topped with pico de gallo and a lot of Argentinian foods are topped with chimichurri, Braun said many Brazilian foods are typically topped with molho, which is a vinaigrette with olive oil, vinegar, parsley, cilantro, onions, and tomatoes.

Menu items will include Feijoada, which is black beans, dry beef, pork, sausage, and smoked meat served with farofa, collard greens, fresh vinaigrette and a slice of orange; Feijão Tropeiro which is meat, bacon, and pinto beans served with rice, torresmo, and collard greens; Picanha, which is sirloin steak served with rice and beans; Churrasquinhos which are Brazilian meat skewers; Aipim Com Calabresa, which is Brazilian sausage served with fried yuca; Joelho which are savory pastries available in ham and cheese or pizza; different fried croquettes and codfish cakes; and Briagadeiro which is a chocolate cake made with condensed milk.

Drinks will include soda and a Brazilian coffee blend they are partnering with Vagrant Coffee to create. On Brazilian Time will also prep its food at Vagrant Coffee’s Milk & Honey Market in Pigtown.

Everything on the menu is less than $14. On Brazilian Time will offer free delivery to customers on the South Baltimore Peninsula and to MedStar Harbor Hospital, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and University if Maryland Medical Center. First responders, active military/veterans, and healthcare workers will get a 10 percent discount. On Brazilian Time will also offer a discount to au pairs.

On Brazilian Time is waiting on one permit to open and Braun said they hope to open either this weekend or next Thursday. It will be open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 3pm and 3pm to 8pm, and Friday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm.

Next year Braun said they hope to have Brazilian live music and televisions to show Orioles, Ravens, and Brazilian soccer games.

On Brazilian Time is looking to grow the business as Braun and Silva are planning another food truck patio in Alexandria and hope to get a mobile food truck next year.