Buenos Aires Bakery

ARGENTINA 🇦🇷

It was a massive feeling of guilt that finally inspired coming inside Roosevelt Avenue mainstay Buenos Aires Bakery. On other days and other visits nearby, there was never room for even one of the shop's delicious alfajores. But after a destination fell through recently, it was time to enjoy some empanadas and mate cocido.

The corner space is tight, you immediately are surrounded by stacks of bread and cookies. Towering above are thermoses with River Plate and Boca Juniors emblazoned on the side, Argentina's two biggest football clubs. Blue and white tiles behind the counter use the colors from Argentina's flag to create the feeling.

If there are others waiting, make sure to take a mental note of who came before you. There is really no way to form a line, and you will want to circulate as much as possible to get a view of what is in each case. If you have ever been to nearby places like La Nueva Bakery or the shops further south in Elmhurst you can get a sense of what you might find here, but the bakery is a treat and has a couple unique items.

Unfortunately no inquiry was made about the slice of pie below ($2.50), a firm wedge of buttery crust, hard cheese, and dulce de membrillo which tastes like guava paste but is made with quince fruit. This confection is often eaten with cheese because they complement each other so well, the case here as well. It is unclear whether the firmness was due to not being fresh or intentional, but either way it was enjoyed. Plan on picking this up with your hands, as the plastic fork they offer is no match.

A look behind the counter shows a heated case full of many empanadas, which can be enjoyed both baked and fried, and taken home by the dozen. Argentinian style empanadas employ a thin buttery crust that loses its form easily once you start digging in. They let the meat and spices within do the talking and are served without any sauces.

The baked beef empanadas ($2.25 each, below) are about the size of a small fist and stuffed to capacity. The savory palate is focused on here, while enough fat and moisture remains to keep everything from getting dry. A cup of mate cocido ($1.50, not shown) goes perfectly with a pair of them.

And those stacks of bread? If there are any left late in the afternoon, Buenos Aires starts discounting them because they will not be selling any day old bread tomorrow. On future visits, takeaway bags are sure to be filled with both baked and fried empanadas, some of their desserts with dulce de leche, and pastafrola, a lattice-encrusted pie which would be a great item to bring to your next dinner party invitation.

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JACKSON HEIGHTS Queens

90-09 Roosevelt Avenue

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LaLa's BBQ

ARGENTINA 🇦🇷

Over the years I had read so many raving reviews about the empanadas at LaLa's BBQ in Sayreville, New Jersey that despite being full between two planned meals, when our travels took us close we had to stop in and pick up a bunch for takeout. The cute place at one end of a small strip mall specializes in these and charcoal barbecue, the latter of which we will have to save for another day.

The list of empanadas is quite significant and includes classics, more Americanized options, and sweet ones.

Our selections took in some classics and four of the delicious guava and cheese ($3.25 each, above left), which are dusted with powdered sugar and make a wonderfully tasty dessert. The cheese is slightly salty, making for a good sweet and savory combination. Hot guava puree oozes out during each bite.

The country of Argentina might be more well known for baked empanadas, but there are in fact many styles and types. As seen here, they fry all their empanadas, the wrappers finish crispy and chewy at the same time. That is a big part of why everyone loves them, and for good reason.

Other selections from the bounty were classics like chicken and beef ($3.50 each) and the spicy version of both ($3.75). The range of olives, peppers, and eggs are all visible below from the cross section, and if we are being honest it was hard to choose a favorite. The more the merrier.

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SAYREVILLE New Jersey
20 Jernee Mill Road

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Alberto's Restaurant & Pizzeria

ARGENTINA 🇦🇷

The charm of Alberto's is easy to recognize even from a passing car. The extended flag of Argentina stretches the entire length of the facade, and the kitschy fun of the interior shows through outside.

Opening the door is an assault on the visual sense, every surface is covered with all things Argentina and New York City. Three TVs are waiting to be tuned to a Boca Juniors match on the weekend, but during a weekday you might find some traditional music playing during the afternoon.

Above the refrigerator is somewhat of a showcase of Argentina. The faces of Diego Maradona and Pope Francis are joined by mates, thermoses, and flags. At the center though is the real patron saint, Lionel Messi, who has something of an "altar" with offerings of Quilmes and Fernet, Argentina's most popular alcohol.

Each table is decorated with fake flowers and a couple flags, and the scene is set.

In addition to Italian or Italian-American, or maybe just American-style pizzas, the back of the menu offers an Argentine selection, and any meal here should include some of their delicious empanadas. A pizza oven offers the perfect way to cook and keep these hot and fresh.

There are five different versions available, each for $1.85. The beef and chicken in these photos were both well-spiced and kept their moisture beautifully. No sauce was offered, and no sauce was needed as the flavors were definitely enough to satisfy on their own.

Many of the customers of Alberto's come in to buy full pies to go, and it would seem odd not to order pizza in a pizzeria. Thankfully the signature Pizza Argentina (below) is sold by the slice. On top of what seemed like a sourdough crust, this pizza has a layer of nice salty Spanish ham, sweet roasted peppers, and green olives. This salty, sweet, and sour mixture created very tasty bites.

They also do calamari ($13.95, below) well here, with just a thin layer of breading to lightly fry.

What is all this stuff doing under the flag of Argentina you may ask? It is estimated that over 60% of Argentinians have some level of Italian ancestry in their blood, as waves of migrants were coming to the country in the second half of the 1800's and first half of the 1900's. Italian last names and pasta on menus are ubiquitous.

Something distinct to the South American continent's indigenous people but shared all over Argentina is drinking the highly-caffeinated yerba mate. This is unfortunately not available in its traditional form here, but you can have a tea bag of the drink.

The spot will entertain supporters of Boca Juniors on weekends for the next few months, but everything will turn to the national team in June when the World Cup starts. This will be an excellent spot to cheer on La Albiceleste. It is BYOB, so along with your appetite, make sure to bring something to quench certain thirsts.

Seats that will all be full in June.

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BELLEVILLE New Jersey

482 Washington Avenue

La Fusta

ARGENTINA

I was recently speaking to a friend who had designs on traveling in Patagonia, one of the ultimate destinations I have been lucky to travel through. There are many ways to travel but it usually involves a few border crossings back and forth between Chile and Argentina when you get far to the south. I told him that when it comes to food, it is important not to spend too much time outside of Argentina. While you can get smart meals further north in Chile, the options in the windy stretches far to the south are desperately sad.

On a recent trip to a fairly new Chilean restaurant in New Jersey called Patagonia, I found similar circumstances and needed to come back for some Argentinean food at one of the best: La Fusta Parrillada Restaurant. An Elmhurst staple since 1970, La Fusta focuses on what Argentina is best known for: MEAT.

The restaurant is big but divided up into rooms, making it feel intimate. It has a beauty that speaks of old world. The staff is attentive but not smothering, and very knowledgeable. The wine list is well above average, the prices good. When the opportunity and hunger for meat and an Argentinean red strikes, this is your place.

La Fusta salad

Palmitos con salsa golf (mayo + ketchup)

Beef empanadas

Chicken empanadas

We all need our greens and appetizers, but the real reason to come is for the meat mountains known as parrillada, or "grill." They do offer each meat separately but when coming with a group it makes sense to grab the large Argentinean grill (below).

Piled on this are chorizo, blood sausage, short ribs, sweet bread, beef chitterlings, and skirt steak. The pieces are generous and easily can be shared with a group up to six.

ELMHURST Queens

80-32 Baxter Avenue

El Gauchito Carniceria y Parrillada

ARGENTINA 🇦🇷

El Gauchito is somewhat of a wonderland, with a meat store, fantastic parrillada, and general souvenir shop. For Argentineans I have spoken with in the city, it seems to be the go-to location, at least for those that don't mind leaving Manhattan. When you walk in, the place is with mate cups, colorful tiling, and all sorts of maps and merchandise hanging from everywhere.

Straight to the rear you will find a fresh meats counter, from which you will hear the sound of butchering throughout your entire meal. The dining rooms are simple, yet festively decorated affairs, perfect for a casual meal in a large or small group.

To begin, they bring you some delicious bread and a free plate of cheese-covered ham and tomatoes, which is garnished with a delicious herb sauce. If it was not free, we probably would have ordered another.

Empanadas provide another good way to get the taste buds going.

The parrilladas are all more than you can eat. Always order less than the people you have. This plate below was listed for two people but was too much for the three of us to tackle. As is tradition, you should start by eating the chorizos and morcilla (blood sausage). Everything on the plate tastes like it has been marinated and slow cooking for a year. Outstanding.

The desserts will not disappoint you either!

The place is covered in unique tiling.

These youngsters sure were enjoying themselves.

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ELMHURST Queens

94-60 Corona Avenue

La Nueva Bakery

ARGENTINA 🇦🇷
COLOMBIA 🇨🇴
URUGUAY 🇺🇾

Don't confuse this with Cafe La Nueva on the corner of 85th. The best café con leche ($1) in town, as well as a nice selection of pastries and delicious empanadas. When I first moved to New York City and was exploring often, I went to this cafe on many weekends, to enjoy the coffee and practice Spanish. All the ladies are very nice, and never switched to English even when I was tripping over my words back then. The owners are from Uruguay, but they specialize in Colombian antojitos and baked goods from Argentina.

On the plates below, make sure to check out one of their options of alfajores (below, right), which always consist of two cookies with dulce de leche in between. You can have these plain, or covered in chocolate or coconut as seen.

Another delicious treat is the pan con guayaba y queso (below, left), a round moist bun filled with guava and cheese that is to die for.

The thermoses for yerba mate (as well as the leaves) line the shelves, really giving the strongest hints that many customers here indeed come from Uruguay and Argentina. A selection of professional football teams from the two countries make up the bulk of the options. If football games are on, you will see a smattering of older men come in for tea to watch the games on the bakeries two small screens.

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JACKSON HEIGHTS Queens
86-10 37th Avenue

I COULD USE YOUR HELP

Eat the World NYC is and always has been free. No advertisements block the content or pop over what you read. If this website has helped you explore your city and its wonderful cultures a little better and you have the means to contribute, please consider doing so. Eat the World NYC is a labor of love, but also takes a lot of money and time everyday to keep running.

You can Venmo me @JAREDCOHEE or click here to send PayPal donation, no account is necessary. Thank you!