From the Meritíssimo menu · Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Prato feito: the everyday Brazilian lunch with a story
A PF is not one fixed recipe. It is a way to serve lunch: a complete meal brought together on one plate. For many Brazilians, the familiar combination matters more than a long description. Rice, beans and a main dish say “lunch” before anyone explains the abbreviation.
What does PF mean?
PF stands for prato feito, often translated as a Brazilian plate lunch. A Senac research publication describes the common format as rice, beans, meat, fries and salad. That describes a familiar combination, not a rule: each kitchen has its own plates and accompaniments.
A tradition without a single inventor
It would be convenient to give the PF one birthday and one inventor. We do not have evidence for either. Its story belongs to everyday meals and restaurants serving a complete lunch, rather than to one documented moment of invention. Calling it a format helps explain why two restaurants can serve different PFs and both use the same name.
Our family has served plate lunches since 1994
The family behind Meritíssimo began in Nova Era, Minas Gerais, on October 11, 1994. Argemiro left his work on the road to be closer to his children, and Salomé prepared meals in their home kitchen. The first plate lunch sold for R$2.50. This history belongs to the family business in Brazil; our Fitchburg location opened in 2025.
How to choose your plate today
Read the PF section of our current menu and check the accompaniments for the dish you choose. A plate lunch and a buffet meal are different formats. If you have a favorite side or need an ingredient changed, ask the team before ordering. The history gives the meal its roots; the current menu tells you what you can order now.