Mercado Buenos Aires

"Everything about this grocer-dining hall hybrid in Van Nuys screams Argentinian. There's soccer memorabilia galore, shelves lined with mate brands, and murals of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi gracing the walls. Patriotism aside, Mercado Buenos Aires also has a long menu of classic comfort foods, like juicy choripanes coated in a sharp chimichurri, fried empanadas, and a sizzling parrilla Buenos Aires (for two) that comes with housemade chorizo and short ribs that are so tender the meat peels off the bone. " - Sylvio Martins

"Mercado Buenos Aires is a family-owned Argentine restaurant and market offering a wide variety of traditional foods and imports. The venue, taken over by chef Paul Rodriguez in 2009, is known for its meat-heavy menu, including the popular Parrillada Buenos Aires and traditional Argentine empanadas. The market stocks hard-to-find Argentine products, and the dining area features a mural of Buenos Aires and portraits of soccer players. The place is a community hub, hosting events and gatherings." - Courtney Lichterman

"This Van Nuys spot is more than just a mercado – it’s a full-fledged operation that doubles as a grocer and dining hall for every Argentinian comfort food imaginable. And if the name doesn’t make it blatantly obvious, the mural of Lionel Messi watching over you as you scarf down empanadas confirms that this place is as Argentinian as it gets. Those empanadas also happen to be very good and come either baked with a flakey, golden crust or fried for a crispier, more crumbly exterior. Breakfast is also a treat, with the Papa Francisco plate being our go-to – crustless ham and cheese toasties topped with a fried egg that bursts on top. Dinner at Mercado Buenos Aires isn’t complete without the parrilla completa (ideally for two) that comes with skirt steak, tender short ribs, and some tangy marinated grilled chicken. And whatever you do, do not leave without a slice of their creamy flan with a scoop of decadent dulce de leche on the side. It’s a lot, arguably even too much, but frankly, that logic rarely applies to dessert." - Sylvio Martins

"The parrilladas at Mercado Buenos Aires are always an impressive display of morcilla sausage, short ribs, and other sizzling meats, making it a great option for weekend BBQ with friends. Their baked empanadas are also on the bigger end, and come both nicely browned and filled to the brim with Argentinian favorites like spicy chorizo. This sausage empanada is a must-try with its spicy paprika flavor. Its onion and tomato filling is cooked down to a sweet sofrito that releases its juices the moment you bite in." - Sylvio Martins