He and his wife had lived here for a period of time, although they’ve returned to the States now. Each time he rattled off a name brand item commonly offered in North American supermarkets, he said (I’m paraphrasing), “Think you can find that here? Not a chance. Forget trying to find your favorite mustard or cleaning product, ice cream or….” On he went, and with each accusation I got more incensed.

For one thing, although I got used to it, when I moved to Portugal in 2012, I was overwhelmed by the sight (and scents) of endless rows of cleaning products in Continente and Intermarché. And don’t get me started on the yogurt choices, which suggest there is a dairy processing plant conveniently located in the rear parking lot.

As this host, who shall remain nameless, continued to rail about the paucity of familiar items in Portugal, I started to answer back. “Oh, really? What about Heinz ketchup, Gulden’s and French’s, and Grey Poupon mustard? What about Scott towels and Kleenex tissues? What about Häagen-Dazs and Ben and Jerry’s?” In fact, I got so annoyed I wrote a comment, something I rarely do. I haven’t watched that show since.

Because if I know someone is not telling the truth about a small matter, how can I trust him to tell the truth about a big one? About political figures, or global events? How do I know the person is not twisting history or outright lying? If you’ve seen the film version of Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, you probably remember Burl Ives’s classic line, asking Paul Newman if he noticed “the powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity.”

What do you miss?

This raises a topic sometimes discussed among expats: what do you miss, if anything, about your country of origin? The comparative ease with which you formerly navigated government agencies? Highly unlikely, as bureaucracy seems a universal bugbear—all countries created equal, so to speak. Maybe it’s the natural beauty of where you were born. Yet there is so much here in Portugal, from the rugged land and seascapes of Costa Vicentina to the magnificent central and northern regions of Serra da Estrella and Peneda-Gerês National Park. It could be a particular dish your taste buds crave that you haven’t found replicated where you now live. I can just hear this YouTube host saying, “Think you can find good old smoked Texas barbecue in Portugal? Forget about it.”

Not so fast, pardner. A few months ago, we were moseyin’ around in Braga and discovered a gold mine. After a few days at nearby Convento de Tibaes, we had moved over to an ideal central location at Hotel Senhora-a-Branca. And that’s what led to our delicious discovery. It was Sunday night, and many eateries in town were closed. My husband and I were walking back to our hotel to turn in for the evening, hungry and discouraged.

Credits: TPN; Author: Tricia Pimental;

Before the big reveal, a word about Braga. Personally, I find it a bit of work to get around the city (traffic and parking, and hilly streets), and was surprised that there seemed less English spoken there than I remembered from the past. Having said that, I know expats who had most recently lived in Los Angeles. They bought a condo in a quiet neighborhood about ten minutes from the heart of Braga. They love it, and not only enjoy the company of official expat groups, but also locals with whom they’ve happily forged relationships. And the city knows how to shop. A visit to Braga Parque and Braga Shopping makes that evident. (If you’ve been thinking about a move to Braga, I highly recommend contacting Carlo Monteiro of Team Carlo Monteiro/Zome Real Estate, whom I met on this trip.)

Back to my empty stomach. We were a minute away from our hotel when we spotted Mimo's Smoke House. Bingo! Inside the owner, José, a delightful Venezuelan entrepreneur, warmly greeted us. He opened his first Mimo’s in Porto some years ago, and now the Braga location is famous for the same slow-cooked pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and smoked chicken barbecue as its predecessor. They even have traditional American beers available. I opted for a juicy cheeseburger with sides of golden onion rings and tangy cole slaw, washed down with a glass of smooth red wine. Perfect.

So, two takeaways here: you may not always be able to have all your favorites when traveling or expatriating. You’re not in London or New York or California anymore, Toto, you’re on the Iberian Peninsula. So take a deep breath, relax, and appreciate what is available. And if you’re in Braga or Porto and have a hankering for barbecue, you know where to go. You’ll love it. Trust me.