HOMERO PARRILLA Buenos Aires, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

On my family trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Homero Parrilla was the second asado (Argentinian BBQ) restaurant we visited. We’d been driving around the area and were getting hungry when my noona (Korean word for an older sister or an older female friend) suggested we stop here.

It was mid-afternoon, so it wasn’t busy. Actually, the grills weren’t even fired up yet. Argentinians usually start dinner late, so I guess that explains it. The place had a really cool modern-rustic vibe, and it was pretty classy too. I’d seen pictures of it at night, and it looks like it turns into a fancy spot once the sun goes down.

We started with some fried empanadas. The wait staff asked if we wanted them baked or fried, and we went with fried. When the beef empanadas arrived, they looked great. The dough felt a bit more like it was meant for baking, but they were still delicious and packed with flavor. It was the perfect way to kick off the meal with a glass of wine.

When the mixed meat platter hit the table, it was still sizzling, and the smell was mouth-watering. All the grilled meats were solid, but the short ribs were the standout. They actually reminded me of kalbi, those classic Korean BBQ short ribs. The only thing I skipped was the blood sausage. Honestly, I didn’t even bother with it. I’ve had it in the past, and maybe it’s the look or the texture, but it just doesn’t do it for me.

With every bite, I made sure to load up on the chimichurri. The sauce was legit, very flavorful, and honestly really close to the way my mother makes it. Remember this: when you visit an asado spot, forget the BBQ sauce. Chimichurri is all you need.

We actually ended up ordering another round of short ribs because they were cooked perfectly and were clearly our favorite cut of the day.

Overall, I had a great time catching up with family over an awesome meal, some wine, and good conversation. There are a million asado spots in Argentina, but if you’re nearby and craving the good stuff, I’d highly recommend stopping by Homero Parrilla.