Keyla Cooks

09/17/2026

On Sunday, when I posted about how special it was being at the Pittsburgh Steelers home opener and saw not only Mercearia Brasil name across the stadium, along with my picture, the picture of my feijoada, our logo… I mentioned that there was more coming; however
I couldn’t share with you yet was why I was there, but now I can..

I am incredibly honored and grateful to officially announce that I have been selected as one of the 2026 Women of Steel Small Business Spotlight honorees, presented by the Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Steelers and pncbank 💛

Earlier this year, the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce nominated several women for this recognition, and I am so grateful that they saw something in my work and in Mercearia Brasil that deserved to be put forward.

This recognition represents so much more to me than where Mercearia Brasil is today. It represents the journey. The kitchens. The events. The pop-ups. Casa Brasil. The doors that closed. The ones I had to build myself. The reinventions. The people who showed up. The mistakes. The resilience. And five years of building a business into what it is becoming.

To have that work recognized here in Pittsburgh, the city I now call home, is incredibly special.

A big congratulations to the other incredible women being honored alongside me. ❤️

From my family to everyone who has eaten my food throughout these years, shopped at Mercearia Brasil, hired us to cater, attended an event, shared a post, told a friend, encouraged me, worked beside me, or simply kept showing up:

you are part of this story too and thank you for being part of it!

From Brasil to Pittsburgh, with a whole lot of Brazilian Soul. 🇧🇷🖤💛💚

I am a Woman of Steel. 💛

09/15/2026

Às segundas-feiras estamos fechados, então aproveitei a oportunidade para fazer uma visita bem gostosa à galerinha do Brazil Nuts at Pitt , na Universidade de Pittsburgh🇧🇷💙💛 pra bater um papo falando do nosso Brasil, cultura, claro falar de comida e tb fazer uma boquinha e comer um pãozinho de queijo, coxinha, paçoquinha e tomar um guaraná 😋

Uma turminha incrível de estudantes alguns aprendendo português, outros se conectando com a nossa cultura e já outros mantendo as raizes brasileiras bem vivas.

A visita também me permitiu falar um pouco sobre a Mercearia Brasil, convidar todo mundo para o nosso Brazil Fest nesse sábado dia 19/09 das 3 às 7pm. E também para falar sobre a nova série Bate-Papo, que começa no próximo mês — um espaço para praticar português, criar conexões e celebrar a nossa cultura juntos aqui na nossa loja.

Muito obrigada por me receberem! Espero encontrar muitos de vocês em breve por aqui . 🇧🇷✨

🇺🇸We’re closed on Mondays, so i had the chance to spend some time with the Brazil Nuts at Pitt community at the University of Pittsburgh! 🇧🇷💙💛 to talk about Brasil, culture, food and of course enjoy some snacks like pão de queijo, coxinha, paçoca e guarana. 😋

What a great group of students… some are learning Portuguese, others are connecting with our culture, and others are keeping their Brazilian roots alive and strong.

I stopped by to share a little about Mercearia Brasil, invite everyone to our Brazil Fest this Saturday, September 19, from 3–7 PM, and talk about our new Bate-Papo series launching next month—a space to practice Portuguese, build connections, and celebrate our culture together right here at our store.

Thank you so much for welcoming me! I hope to see many of you here very soon. 🇧🇷✨

batepapo portuguese brasil

09/14/2026

I don’t even know if I have all the words for this one. 🥹 I’m still taking all in.

Today, sitting at the Pittsburgh Steelers home opener, I looked across the field and saw MERCEARIA BRASIL on the screen.

And next to it: “Creating a sense of belonging through food.”

Of all the things we could have said about what we do, seeing those words up there meant so much to me. When I saw our logo, my picture, the picture of my feijoada I was in the middle of a conversation with my son about Atlanta, our first home when we arrived in the US 20 years ago. And there it was the name of my business that I’ve been building for the last 5 years, working really hard to keep on building that I couldn’t hold my tears. It was like seeing a flashback of my life in this country in the last 20 years in 5 seconds.

Yes, we cook. We sell Brazilian groceries. We cater. We celebrate our culture. 🇧🇷 But underneath all of it is something much simpler: creating a place where people can walk through the door and feel a little closer to home—or discover a culture that may be completely new to them.

Seeing that message inside a stadium filled with Pittsburgh today was one of those “look how far we’ve come” moments.

I’m still taking it all in. 🖤💛🇧🇷💛💚

More to come soon. 😉

09/02/2026

🇧🇷Setembro chegou com muitas novidades! Estamos planejando muitas coisinhas pra vocês aqui no nosso espaço! 🍴🇧🇷🛒

1) Agora às terças, quintas e sábados temos as nossas cumbucas quentinhas!

2) Nesse sábado tem barraquinha! Atenção à mudança de horário dessa edição das 3 às 7pm

3) Estaremos abertos no Feriado do Labor Day, com horário especial das 11 às 3pm.

4) Agende hoje mesmo o seu pedido de catering para o seu próximo evento!

5) Dia 19/09 é dia de celebrar a nossa cultura aqui com gente com o nosso primeiro Brazil Fest! Com muita diversão! Mais detalhes em breve, mas já salva a data aí!

🇺🇸🇧🇷 September is here, and we have so many exciting things coming up! We’re planning lots of special things for you here at Mercearia Brasil! 🍴🇧🇷🛒

1. We’re now serving our warm Brazilian bowls every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday!
2. Our outdoor food stand is back this Saturday! Please note the special hours for this edition: 3–7 PM.
3. We’ll be open on Labor Day with special hours from 11 AM–3 PM.
4. Place your catering order today for your next event!
5. On September 19, come celebrate our culture with us at our very first Brazil Fest! It’s going to be a lot of fun! More details are coming soon, but save the date! 🇧🇷🎉

brazilianfood brazil pittsburgh

08/21/2026

We are hiring! Join our growing team. Visit our website and submit your application today.

🍴🛒www.merceariabresilmarket.com 🇧🇷
Estamos contratando! Venha fazer parte do nosso time, visite nosso site e complete a sua aplicação.

08/19/2026

Summer of Local makes it easy to discover and support the restaurants, shops, makers, and small businesses that make Southwestern Pennsylvania unique.

🌱Browse the B.I.T.E. Pittsburgh Business Directory at bitepgh.com to find participating businesses across the region.

🌱Visit businesses and explore new neighborhoods and communities.

🌱Scan the QR code displayed at participating locations.
Earn entries into Summer of Local prize drawings.

07/25/2026

🇧🇷Agora ficou mais fácil de nós encontrar! Depois de muitas idas e vindas as nossas placas finalmente foram aprovadas! Venha nos visitar!

🇺🇸 Now it’s a bit easier to find us! After a lot of back and forth our signs were finally approved! We wait for your visit!

Thank you Cibele Furtado & Jadson Mendes Silva for the beautiful artwork and hardwork ✨💛✨

07/21/2026

The last edition of the Pittsburgh Latino Magazine is here and this time I share a little bit about a major achievement for Mercearia Brasil upon moving to its new space!
For the virtual article, just follow the link https://pitlatinomag.com/an-achievement-that-is-personal-but-also-professional/?fbclid=IwdGRjcATMYz5wZG9mAWZkaWQWUK89S0l75xY22YC1NnVw9ppSzEE3gGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4yAMP4YsWzEC2n8vcNl5bun9Qt_N4TSMyQ1TCr1-xApv1SHMmCLVQ3-VDa0A_aem_d6PY664lFQ5LHOgratDT_A

Printed version will be available soon at the store!

I will write in a format that might even resemble a page from my diary, but I am very happy to share with our readers an achievement that is both…

07/08/2026

Sábado é dia de festa!

Junte-se a nós no dia 11 de julho, para a celebração de inauguração da nova casa da Mercearia Brasil!

O que começou como um pequeno mercadinho brasileiro cresceu e se transformou em uma Kitchen & Market cheia de gostosuras, produtos brasileiros, cultura, memórias e muito do nosso Brasil!

Venha participar com a gente da nossa inauguração e para comprar seus produtos e comidinhas favoritos tudo em um só lugar!

📅 Sábado, 11 de julho
📍 Mercearia Brasil
3932 William Flinn Hwy
Allison Park, PA 15101

Traga sua família, chame seus amigos e venha sentir um pedacinho do Brasil aqui em Pittsburgh.

A gente espera vocês! 💚💛💙

This Saturday!

Join us on July 11 for the Grand Opening Celebration of Mercearia Brasil’s new home!

What started as a small Brazilian market has grown into a Kitchen & Market filled with delicious bites, Brazilian products, culture, memories, and so much of our Brasil!

Come celebrate our Grand Opening with us and shop your favorite products and Brazilian bites all in one place!

📅 Saturday, July 11
📍 Mercearia Brasil
3932 William Flinn Hwy
Allison Park, PA 15101

Bring your family, invite your friends, and come feel a little piece of Brasil right here in Pittsburgh.

We can’t wait to see you! 💚💛💙

06/12/2026

Estamos de casa nova! ✨💛💚💛✨Quem acompanha a nossa história sabe que a Mercearia Brasil sempre foi muito mais do que uma loja. É um pedacinho do Brasil em terras estrangeiras construído com bastante carinho, saudade, trabalho e muita dedicação.

Nos últimos dias tivemos que acelerar os nossos planos e mudar para o nosso espaço um pouquinho antes do que imaginávamos. Estamos por aqui trabalhando bastante e organizando cada cantinho (nem placa oficial temos ainda 😅), mas seguimos por aqui ajustando os detalhes e prateleiras e deixando tudo do jeitinho que vocês merecem.

Mas uma coisa não mudou: a levei-a de receber cada cliente amigo que entra pela nossa porta.

Queremos agradecer por todas as mensagens, visitas, palavras de incentivo e claro pela paciência durante essa transição. Vocês fazem parte dessa história e são a razão pela qual fazemos o que fazemos.
Anotem o nosso novo endereço:

📍3932 William Flinn Hwy
Allison Park, PA 15101

Estamos ansiosos para receber vocês por aqui e continuar trazendo a nossa para Pittsburgh.

Venha nos visitar, conhecer o novo espaço e fazer parte deste novo capítulo da nossa história. ✨🇧🇷💛💚🛒✨
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