They’re next-door neighbors. Both are Portuguese botequins, and both are great spots. They even complement each other, in terms of food and drink, as well as atmosphere. And more than 20 years ago, the owners of Real Chopp and Galeto Viva Flor were friends – but now they’re foes. Fortunately, this has no effect on the customer’s experience at either place. In fact, the rivalry spices things up with a little intrigue.
Viva Flor has always been a traditional galeteria, a place that sells grilled chicken (or galeto). And Real Chopp, which used to be called Real Sucos, was primarily a juice bar (suco means “juice”). But a few years back, when Real Sucos was gaining popularity as a beer seller and changed its name to Real Chopp, Viva Flor’s owner, Jorge Faria, felt like his neighbor was encroaching on his turf and stealing his customers. And so Faria ended his friendship with Zé Alfonso, Real Chopp’s owner and a fellow Portuguese immigrant. Both places continued to grow and attract more customers every day.
They’re now two of Copacabana’s most well known and popular bars – and for good reason. Real Chopp has an impressive selection of beers on tap and a huge counter laden with more than 50 delicious Iberian dishes. Some of our favorites include the excellent bean broth, an unusual lobster pastry and an unforgettable shrimp ball. This bar is also known for being a great place to watch soccer, and on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday nights, cariocas pack the sidewalk tables to watch games.
Mere meters away, Viva Flor offers a more traditional and calmer setting. Families gather on stools at the zigzagging counter for generously sized meals, which always include a sizeable galeto, along with many sides. The bar also serves a good traditional draft beer (the carioca chopp). And on cold winter days, it’s not a bad idea to have some wine there.
At the beginning of 2014, Viva Flor sued Real Chopp, claiming that its rival is not a bar, but just a “juice house,” and asking the judge to shut it down. Thankfully for all of us, Viva Flor did not succeed in that, but it did get the other bar to change its name to Real Chopperia. Most customers haven’t even noticed the change; in fact, they don’t really care about the silly fight, they’re just glad they can go to both bars.
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Published on August 22, 2014
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