Photo via Google, Mauro Real de AzúaBar Arocena
- Hours
- Today: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Getting there
- Carrasco neighbourhood, near Montevideo's airport side of the city
Why it’s in the log
Anthony Bourdain filmed in Uruguay twice — once for No Reservations, once for Parts Unknown — and called Montevideo one of the most underrated food cities he'd covered. Bar Arocena, a neighbourhood bar in the Carrasco district, was where he ate the chivito: Uruguay's national sandwich, and by his account "the Everest of steak sandwiches."
The chivito here is built to order and built large — steak, ham, bacon, mozzarella, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, red pepper, mayonnaise, stacked on a bun until it barely holds together. It's a bar in the plain sense, not a restaurant dressed up as one: counter seating, a regulars' crowd, a menu that doesn't extend much past the one dish it's known for.
Come hungry and split it if you're not used to a full Uruguayan portion — this isn't a snack-sized version of the sandwich.
“A "terror-inspiring heap of protein" is Bourdain's own description, and it undersells how good it actually is.”
What people said recently
From Google reviews · see all 2,833 ↗
“The glass they offered me was dirty and smelled like mold. Also? I accidentally went to Men’s room and saw the cook use the bathroom and walk out without washing his hands. HE DID NOT WASH HIS HANDS AFTER USING BATHROOM. Ewwwww Despite…”
“Original chivito experience. Locals took us there as the best chivito place and it didn't disappoint. Great food, nice atmosphere normal prices in a great neighborhood.”
“Delicious sandwich! I will say the prices on the menu look like they have gone up from many I saw online. But overall affordable for the portion size you are receiving. Came after I read this spot was the home of Anthony Bourdain’s…”
