Disappointed with Food in Argentina

[LuckyLuke]

True. The quality has dropped. Now you have to go to the better parrillas to get quality beef.

What I would love to find out is where to buy the grass fed beef when I'm in the mood for cooking a good asado. I suppose it's a matter of asking around at the carnicerias, though honestly I wonder if they know either. Surely the carcass price must reflect this, no?

 

[Ries]

If you want quality beef go to really good carnicerias, and expect to pay. Piaf, Converso, and Corte have never let me down, and I am sure there are others at that level. The places that have really fancy “ grass fed “ like Don Julio have captive ranches raising their beef, but even then, breed of cow, health, genetics, handling, and experience are all factors beyond just how pure the grass part is.

 

[cayayine]

Alright
Enough of this. I'm calling it. Argentina has the worst food and food safety I have ever encountered.

I am suffering from a run of outrageous food incidents: from the pepperoni pizzas that taste like bleach, Pancho's same issue.

Do not bother eating out, it's the same every time.

A little seasoning and salt on meat would not go amiss. I assure you, the meats does not meet it's magic reputation like that, it needs seasoning.

I am currently eating what appears to be a soviet era front line soldiers Christmas ration posing as sirloin steak and it tastes like ass. I suspect it's not even real steak. I am not going to eat it all to make the owner feel at ease, fuck him. I've had enough of this shit.

Greasy house french fries, "papa fritas" cooked in nasty tasting oil.

All of the cans of drinks are off. They appear to have not yet discovered the scotch bonet and other spices that can be used to cover the baseline taste of generally nasty.

Let's not forget the stale soft biscuits openly sold in stores.

Don't trust anything you didn't cook yourself from a reputable business here.

A little fly control in butcher's would not go amiss.

Hate to break it to you. The meat does not deserve it's reputation.

Nasty.

They have the worst culinary habits in South America.

Indian street food is more appealing.

Everything is suspicious and tastes off.

I usually cook Asado to avoid this crap but I am fed up to the back teeth of interest from neighbours, just let me fucking cook peace.

 

[cayayine]

Just like in other countries, it takes time to get to know where the good food is, be it butchers or restaurants. I've had mostly very good food here asides from the occasional floppy fries or overcooked milanesas. I cook mostly at home anyway and brought my own spices. And google reviews really help with selecting where to go eat.

 

[cayayine]

It's certainly not the best flavor in the world, but it's a unique flavor. Growing up in Los Angeles, with a vibrant culinary scene means tasting food from all over the world...from sweet Morrocan pigeon pie to the cognac in a steak Au' Poivre to the smoky sticky Baby back ribs. All very unique flavors. Argentine asado lacks flavor, there's nothing wrong with saying that and there's no reason to be offended by it. It is what it is and it's the culture that's here.

Keep in mind 30% tariffs means importers cannot and will not buy top quality goods mostly because locals can't afford it. So if you loke seasoned food, bring your own seasonings and cook at home.

 

[daveholman]

Keep in mind 30% tariffs means importers cannot and will not buy top quality goods mostly because locals can't afford it. So if you loke seasoned food, bring your own seasonings and cook at home.

I grew up in a restaurant, and I'm all for home cooking. It is definitely less expensive. As far as spices, I am making it one of my missions to find them. There have to be some Asian/Indian/Middle Eastern/Mexican markets tucked away somewhere in a city of 12 million people. lol

 

[cayayine]

I grew up in a restaurant, and I'm all for home cooking. It is definitely less expensive. As far as spices, I am making it one of my missions to find them. There have to be some Asian/Indian/Middle Eastern/Mexican markets tucked away somewhere in a city of 12 million people. lol

Barrio Chino has lots of spices and condiments.

 

[cayayine]

Barrio Chino has lots of spices and condiments.

Right now I'm eating Asian style food made at hime. It's so good! Soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, green onions, cornstarch, jasmine rice are basic ingredients for most recipes. All can be sourced in barrio chino. Brown sugar too. Brown some meat, add vegs, pour sauce, cook for a minute or two, voila.

 

[Lanick]

Yes, cooking at home is way to go as the food at restaurants are awful. Forget about the variety, even the existing restaurants don’t know the restaurant business. Unfortunately, at the moment can’t cook at home and feel extremely food deprived!

 

[Vossos]

Just like in other countries, it takes time to get to know where the good food is, be it butchers or restaurants. I've had mostly very good food here asides from the occasional floppy fries or overcooked milanesas. I cook mostly at home anyway and brought my own spices. And google reviews really help with selecting where to go eat.

I still don’t think I’ve had any good chips (fries) in Argentina besides a Belgian chips place that was in Mercado San Telmo. I was gutted when I went there a few months ago and it was replaced by a dulce de leche shop