O Cantinho Churrasqueira & Cafe — Restaurant in Hamilton

OOOOBRIGADA!!!! 🇵🇹 . What a satisfying, authentic and very heart warming Portuguese meal! . I was always told to try @ocantinhochurrasqueiracafe by many people in Hamilton. The recommendation was always followed by comments about the quality of their food, the taste of the chicken and how the food was so authentic "Hands down the best Portuguese food in Hamilton!"- they would say . Now, coming from a Portuguese backround and growing up in Toronto (Little Portugal) I always found it hard to come across places that reminded me of home. . I must admit, I came close-but found inconsistencies in the quality. To the point I would just stop ordering. . 🔥 UNTIL NOW! 🔥 . I can confidently confirm that after tonights meal, O Cantinho is by far my favourite Portuguese restaurant in Hamilton! It just spoke to me and my heart fell in love. Meu Deus! Even their Salad dressing-psssst are you sure my Avo isn't in the kitchen!? I cannot explain how much I look forward too trying out more items on their menu! Also, the customer service (delivered with Class)-Such a gentleman. They couldn't make a Bifana (they were closing soon) but they did offer to make a beautiful chicken sandwich ❤ and was it ever amazing!!! FOR REAL CANNOT WAIT! Their food really hit home and brought back memories. . Obrigada (Thank You) once again and we will...

review date: march 10, 2018

my first time being exposed to "cantinho" was back in 2001, having worked at a nearby factory. every friday the employees would order meals ...you would know when the food arrived, because the scent would travel far and it would smell delicious.

my favorite meal is the bbq chicken with rice and potatoes/fries. at this point in time (march 2018) for $26 all-in, you get a whole chicken, and a side box each of rice and potatoes, (you can get vegetables instead if you wish) and a cup of dipping sauce. this will feed 2-4 adults. if you haven't tried anything from cantinho, then this is def the meal to start with.

from my first chicken dinner in '01 to now I have never had a bad meal or bad serving size from these folks. I strongly believe that cantinho has the best bbq chicken in hamilton...juicy and full of flavour.

"cantinho" does offer beef, vegetable and fish-based portuguese dishes as well.

one star gets taken off because at times it can be a wait for the chicken, as it gets very busy at dinner time. but i would blame that on how popular their food is :D

best thing to do if time is tight for you, is to phone in so you can budget your waiting time. also there is paid parking nearby, put in a quarter-50 cents in the meter and that will give you enough time to pick...

Just tried it on the weekend for the first time by recommendation.there were some good things and there were some less than good things:

The chicken was absolutely delicious! Whatever they season the outside of the chicken with and then roast it in is amazing.

The salad is hand torn lettuce that is super crispy, fresh and really clean.

The grilled calamari was incredibly tough and didn't seem very fresh. Don't get me wrong I know we don't live on the ocean so I don't have crazy expectations but I do have elevated expectations for European restaurants when it comes to seafood.

The boiled potatoes that were served with the squid were way over salted, and I'm somebody who loves salt!

Even more interestingly, the fries were not salted or very undersalted.....? I thought those two contrasts were a little strange.

The seasonal vegetables were terrible lol first of all baby carrots? Grrrrossssss. Again I have higher expectations for a European restaurant, I was really surprised to open the container and say baby carrots with green and yellow beans.... pretty bland and boring for a place that makes such flavorful wonderful chicken.

I'll definitely order the chicken again but I probably will forgo a lot of the other items because they were pretty...