Loiterer - Eating Buenos Aires

ALFAJOR

A delicious dollop of dulce de leche sandwiched between two round cookies.

Find them anywhere. I recommend those at Santa Café , Lattente , and Felix Felicis & Co . The pecan ones at Cuervo are an addicition for me.

ASADO

The sacred Argentinian barbecue. There are tonnes of parillas (grill houses) to choose from. But your best bet is to meet a local and get invited to their asado.

If you have no friends then Don Julio is killer, or Le Gran Hollywood has more of a local feel.

HELADO

Everybody says ice cream is better in Argentina. It sounds like bullshit, but it's not, it really is true.

Nicolo is always a good bet, they're all over the city and they're delicious. But my favourite is Occo with staff who are keen to have you taste many flavours before taking your pick.

EMPANADA

A beautiful little stuffed pastry. Filled with beef, chicken, cheese, and the list goes on. Make these a part of your daily diet.

They say the best are made at La Cocina . But you'll find your favourite only by trying them anywhere and everywhere. For an incredible Venezuelan empanada, go to Mestizos .

MILANESA

It's like schnitzel. It's a national favourite. It's fantastic. It's a behemoth of a meal though, so for a lighter version, go for the sandwich variation.

My go to for this guy is Ña Serapia . For the sandwich, the upmarket Farinelli is the place to go.

BONDIOLA

Pork shoudler sandwich. The dream. I can't stress enough how delicious this thing is.

The best I had was from Ahumados Milberg , but it's far. They do have a stand at Feria Masticar If you're around in May or November. Otherwise word is that the trucks outside Reserva Ecológica do a killer bondiola sandwich.

FUGAZZETA

An onion topped pizza stuffed with cheese. Lots of cheese. This thing is heavy.

Go to Güerrin for one of these, it's a step back in time and soaking in the spirit of the place is as much an experience as eating the fugazzeta itself.

CHOCOTORTA

Argentinians seem to love this cake. It's theirs, and they're forgiven for being so proud, because it's a rich sweet slice of heaven.

Get it pretty much anywhere, but I particularly enjoyed the one I had at Bar de Pasaje , a bright little cafeteria tucked away behind a book store.

CHORIPAN

Chorizo and bread sounds dull and unimaginative. But it's not. Shut up and eat your choripan.

Chori is the top spot for me. If you're lucky enough to be here for Feria Masticar then leave room for one from any of the many stalls selling them.

TACO

This Mexican love affair needs no introduction.

The little Mexican canteen La Fábrica del Taco absolutely kills it. Get the carnitas.

LOMITO

The classic Argentinian steak sandwich. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato too. Great stuff.

La Rambla do a good one, they also take you back to the forties. Otherwise you can find them pretty much anywhere.

AREPA

These Venezuelan corn flour wrapped beauties need to be at or close to the top of your list of things to eat here.

For a fat cheesy arepa, give Panachef a go. But if you want to experience the greatest arepa of your life, head straight to Mestizos .

PANCHO

Gross ass hot dogs have never been better. Usually reserved for those regrettable end of night moments.

Get these anywhere at your own risk. But for a truly satisfying one, Dogg is the place to go.

HAMBURGUESA

Nothing wrong with taking down a fat burger from time to time, and Buenos Aires doesn't disappoint in this department.

The city is drowning in burger houses. Carne takes the love of these things to the next level. Though my absolute favourite burger in Buenos Aires is without a doubt from the laid back Doble Seis .

JAMON Y QUESO

Sometimes all you want is a simple, straight forward, delicious ham and cheese sandwich.

My go to for these is La Alacena . They have a little bakery around the back where you can get take away sandwiches, their bread is beautiful.

PIZZA

Never tell an Argentinian their pizza is second rate. You will die. They do it their own way here, get with the program.

Try some wherever and whenever. There’s a pizza place on every corner. More specifically, El Cuartito is an institution for pizza, line up, sit down, be quiet, eat your goddamn pizza.

COQUITO

I don’t know what this is, or where it’s from. It’s got coconut in it, it might be a cake. It might be an Argentinian thing, I don’t know, I don’t care, it’s delicious.

My local supplier is La Alacena , straight from the countertop to my belly.

WRAP

If you want a break from the heavy doughy greasiness of it all. Grab yourself a beautiful, lightweight, salad filled chicken wrap.

The place to go for these is Fifi Almacén , their wraps and salads deliver. No doubt about it.