The Argentinian Steakhouse That's Been Rated The Best In The World
We've covered some impressive steakhouses here at Foodie, including The Big Texan, which serves up 72-ounce steaks. At Don Julio Parrilla in Buenos Aires, however, the focus is not on beef cuts the size of your head, but quality, taste, and elegant presentation. This steakhouse was awarded the distinction of World's Best Steak by the organization of the same name, and it also boasts a Michelin star. To truly appreciate what makes Don Julio so special, you need to understand the Buenos Aires parrilla culture, and the measures that Pablo Rivero, the head chef and sommelier for the restaurant, takes to make his establishment superb in every regard.
Argentina's stand-out signature food is its beef. Parrilla restaurants, which specialize in meats cooked over live flame, number in the hundreds in Buenos Aires alone. Don Julio represents the highest echelon of parrilla eateries, where every detail of the meal is thought-out and intentional. The beef is sourced from heritage British cattle breeds that are cultivated at a nearby farm. The grill — which is known as the "parrilla" in Spanish, and is the centerpiece by which the type of steakhouse gets its name. It is V-shaped and ingeniusly designed so that the juices don't seep onto the coal and produce smoke that could interfere with the intended flavors of the beef.
Beef isn't the only meat on the menu, either, as chicken and homemade sausages also feature, along with hearty grilled vegetables. So impressive is the caliber of Don Julio's meat that it even boasts its own carniceria, or butcher shop, where locals can buy some of the raw product. Don Julio is quite unlike the popular steakhouse chains that North American consumers are used to, and is more of a dining adventure.
What's it like dining at Don Julio?
Don Julio is, understandable, a hot reservation, and the steakhouse books up quickly. Note that prime dining hours in Buenos Aires are quite a bit later than non-Argentinians may be used to: locals are used to eating lunch around 1 or 2, and dinner at 9 or 10 in the evening! The restaurant seats fewer than 100 people, so those showing up to queue for a chance to get a standby table may be disappointed. Even if you have a reservation, you have to stand in line to be called for your seating ... but don't dread the wait, because guests are plied with complimentary sparkling wine and free empanadas while they linger! The empanadas are house-made from spare beef cuttings. Your meal also comes with fresh-baked bread and house chimichurri sauce, which you are encouraged to save for your steak.
As for the steaks themselves, you shouldn't order one per person unless you have a robust appetite. These cuts are large, and are probably big enough to share, especially if you indulge in some of the scrumptious à la carte sides. The steakhouse's wine cellar features thousands of bottles, so don't hesitate to ask your server for a recommendation. Prices are presented in the local currency, but tips are happily taken in USD. Tipping can be a mistake when eating at restaurants in other countries, but, at Don Julio (and in Argentina in general), a gratuity of 10-15% is expected.
A glowing TripAdvisor review summed up the appeal of Don Julio perfectly: "This isn't a place for a casual weeknight dinner. It's a destination. It's a place you go to celebrate, to treat yourself, and to remember what true quality tastes like."