Fall River is lovingly called the 10th island of the Azores, and at the heart of the community is Portugalia Marketplace. “They just do an awesome job connecting to the community here,” customer Jo Barao said. “People are warm, friendly,” customer Richard Geada said. “There’s a hug many times — even a kiss sometimes.”The market serves tourists who are looking to try pastel de nata for the first time and families looking for a taste of home. The New York Times raved about the market’s Bacalhau a Gomes de Sa.”Our version of it, you know, people really love it because the cod to potato ratio is very high,” said Michael Benevides, vice president of Portugalia Marketplace & Imports.Benevides’ father founded the business in a three-car garage shortly after the family immigrated in 1979.”He started importing coffee from Portugal. That was our very first import,” he said. Now they are bringing in meats, cheese and tin fish, along with what is believed to be the largest selection of Portuguese wine in the United States. “We have unique products from Portugal that you could find potentially in other Portuguese markets but you’re never going to find this concentration of Portuguese products under one roof,” Benevides said. The salt cod room is a separate climate-controlled space, overflowing with what the Portuguese lovingly call “the faithful friend.””If you lived in the interior of Portugal and you didn’t have access to fresh fish, you’d have this fish hanging up in your pantry because it lasts forever,” Benevides said.While the majority of Portugalia’s customers are Portuguese Americans, every year more people are making their way down to the South Coast.
FALL RIVER, Mass. —
Fall River is lovingly called the 10th island of the Azores, and at the heart of the community is Portugalia Marketplace.
“They just do an awesome job connecting to the community here,” customer Jo Barao said.
“People are warm, friendly,” customer Richard Geada said. “There’s a hug many times — even a kiss sometimes.”
The market serves tourists who are looking to try pastel de nata for the first time and families looking for a taste of home.
The New York Times raved about the market’s Bacalhau a Gomes de Sa.
“Our version of it, you know, people really love it because the cod to potato ratio is very high,” said Michael Benevides, vice president of Portugalia Marketplace & Imports.
Benevides’ father founded the business in a three-car garage shortly after the family immigrated in 1979.
“He started importing coffee from Portugal. That was our very first import,” he said.
Now they are bringing in meats, cheese and tin fish, along with what is believed to be the largest selection of Portuguese wine in the United States.
“We have unique products from Portugal that you could find potentially in other Portuguese markets but you’re never going to find this concentration of Portuguese products under one roof,” Benevides said.
The salt cod room is a separate climate-controlled space, overflowing with what the Portuguese lovingly call “the faithful friend.”
“If you lived in the interior of Portugal and you didn’t have access to fresh fish, you’d have this fish hanging up in your pantry because it lasts forever,” Benevides said.
While the majority of Portugalia’s customers are Portuguese Americans, every year more people are making their way down to the South Coast.
Dining and Cooking