This classic Fall River dish was voted the city's best. Where to try it and how to make it

FALL RIVER — The people have spoken, and when it comes to iconic Fall River foods, bife is what’s for dinner.

The Portuguese steak has emerged victorious from our tournament bracket of Fall River’s favorite foods — and with good reason. The dish is a cozy classic, with savory, tender beef, a hint of spiciness from red pepper, double carbs in the form of fries and yellow rice, a fried egg for protein overload, and a few olives for garnish (this also counts as your vegetable).

How Portuguese steak beat out the competition

Our original list featured 16 classic dishes famous in Fall River from across the flavor spectrum — everything from chow mein sandwiches to pasteis de nata. We asked you to whittle down the choices, and in the end, it came down to Portuguese steak vs. chouriço and chips.

Chouriço and chips — an Azorean twist on the English staple, with rounds of spicy sausage instead of seafood — is often served in sandwich form, packed in a hearty roll. It was the choice of 40% of those who voted.

But while that makes a great lunch choice, about 60% of voters were hungrier, picking the steak option.

City Eats: O'Gil Restaurant lays claim to Portuguese steak legacy

Where to get Portuguese steak in Fall River

Fall River is long renowned for its Portuguese restaurants, and any one of them worth its salt will have a Bife a Portuguesa made in their own unique style. The best is always a matter of personal taste, especially when they’re all so good — but these three are among the top:

Sagres Restaurant (177 Columbia St., Fall River): This icon of Columbia Street makes some of the best high-end Portuguese cuisine you’ll find in Greater Fall River, with their steak served with a delicious wine reduction.

O Gil’s (915 County St., Fall River): Tucked away in Flint Village is this beloved bar and Portuguese joint, serving no-frills homestyle favorites – and it’s still stunningly cheap. A large Portuguese steak plate is just 14 bucks.

T.A. Restaurant (408 S. Main St., Fall River): In the heart of downtown Fall River is this Portuguese favorite, serving authentic Azorean-American dishes. The menu also includes other steak dishes that are variations on the theme.

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How to make Portuguese steak at home

Restaurants may be the lifeblood of the community, but mom wants to know why you're spending money when you have food at home.

The centerpiece of the dish — the beef — is simple enough to prepare in minutes. It's a basic skillet-fried steak, but feel free to spice it up your own way. TV chef Maria Lawton of "Maria's Portuguese Table" and the Azorean Green Bean blog has her own variation here.

Ingredients: 

• Thin-cut steaks

• Eggs

• Minced or sliced garlic

• Paprika or crushed red pepper sauce

• Salt and pepper

• Olive oil

• Salted butter

• Red wine

Choose thin-cut steaks, or flatten thicker cuts with a tenderizer. Season the steaks with salt, black pepper, and paprika, or some crushed hot pepper sauce if you like it spicier. For best flavor, marinate them for at least an hour in the fridge, preferably overnight.

When you’re ready to cook, bring the steaks to room temperature. Heat 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil and several minced or sliced cloves of garlic in a skillet. Add the steaks and cook about 3 minutes on each side or until they reach your desired doneness level.

Remove the steaks from the pan and cover them to keep them warm. Deglaze the pan over low heat with a little more olive oil, 2 tablespoons of butter, and ½ cup of red wine. Simmer the sauce to reduce it (some chefs have been known to use heavy cream or cornstarch to thicken it). You can transfer the steaks back to the pan to bathe in the sauce and cook another few minutes if you like the meat a little more well-done, or save the sauce to spoon over the steaks while on the plate.

In a separate pan, heat a little olive oil and fry a few eggs — sunny side up is the traditional style.

Plate the steaks with the sauce and top each with a fried egg. Serve alongside a serving of hot french fries and a cup of freshly made rice. Garnish with a strip of pickled roasted red pepper and a few black olives.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Portuguese steak is Fall River's top food: Best restaurants to try it