Opinion – Pitaco Cultural: Is it worth standing in line at Bachir, a Lebanese ice cream parlour, in São Paulo?

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Since it opened its doors in São Paulo, at the end of last year, the Lebanese soverteria Bachir has had a constant: queues.

On the weekend they are almost certain. In the afternoon, at night, rain or shine, the crowd of people waiting for a cone forms around the establishment, which is located on a corner of Moema, in the southern region of the city.

So much so that the place had to put up a sign warning: “dear customer, so that you have a great experience in our store, and to reduce the waiting time in line, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, you will only be allowed to taste 1 flavor per person .”

During the week, the undecided can taste as many flavors as they want before choosing. But it’s worth common sense, because the flow is still intense; when there are no queues outside the store, there are queues inside, and the flow of customers in and out never stops.

The buzz is largely due to social media, which promotes the instagrammable scoops of ice cream –almost always wrapped in a generous layer of pistachios. This is, after all, the trademark of the chain, which opened in the 1930s in Lebanon, where it has 50 stores.

Curiosity attracts consumers in Brazil, who seem not to care about the long wait at the door.

“Today was fast! The last time it took me almost an hour”, said a young customer, in shorts, sunglasses and sneakers, who was talking animatedly with two friends on the day of the visit of the Pitaco – this Wednesday (8), around 17h. The house was full, but less than the last two times the blog had tried to visit.

The fact is that ice cream is delicious. Especially the options considered as house silverware: ashta (milk with orange blossom water), miski (a kind of vegetable resin) and pistachio. For those who like pistachios, by the way, it is a great choice, since the coverage that surrounds the ball, which is optional, is abundant.

The cold shower, however, is always hers: the queue.

For this one, there are two types of customers: those who face it (and get even more excited when they see a crowd of people), and those who give up. The last one usually remembers that he lives in São Paulo, where there are endless ice cream parlors that are very good, as well as, to cool off.

But if it’s worth a mushy and on the fence tip, here it goes: giving up doesn’t have to be an option. Just try, if possible, to visit Bachir on alternative days. It’s best during the week, off-peak hours, when people are off work.

The attendants are attentive, the dessert is delicious, the price is fair for São Paulo standards and the service ends up being faster.

You can combine up to four flavors into a single ball, and finish with whipped cream and chocolate or dulce de leche topping. Because the ice cream is Lebanese, but the taste belongs to the (Brazilian) customer.

Bachir Lebanese Ice Cream. R. Diogo Jácome, 686, Moema. Every day from 11am to 11pm. Values: R$ 14 (1 ball, without coverage) or R$ 20 (1 ball, with pistachio coating) to R$ 32 (three balls with coverage, in the cup). There is a delivery and take-away option.

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