When I was just five years old, my family immigrated to Los Angeles from Buenos Aires, and like many Argentine immigrants, with us came our love for a good empanada and fútbol y asado on Sundays.
For my brother and me, growing up felt like we still lived in Argentina at home and as soon as we stepped out the door and kissed our parents goodbye, we were in the U.S. We spoke Castellano at home, drank yerba mate in the morning and listened to Argentine folklore music after school. Not to mention all the moments we spent catching up around the dinner table, trying to finish off the churrasco and vegetables our mom made us, so we could have our favorite treat: a chocolate alfajor with dulce de leche.
Our parents made sure we grew up knowing where we came from and were proud of it. They told us about the great influence Spanish and Italian immigrants had on Argentine food. All of the bodegones or small shops in Buenos Aires they’d visit often to have some fresh gnocchis. But also just how culturally diverse the country was, with many families originally from countries like Germany, Russia, and Japan.
So naturally, as we grew up in L.A., we gravitated towards places that felt familiar to us. Especially when it came to food. We often visited markets and restaurants like Rincón Argentino in Glendale, Lala’s in Melrose, and Mercado Buenos Aires in Van Nuys. They had all of our favorite Argentine snacks and meals, so we quickly got to know their shops and menus inside and out.
Over the years, my family would go on to celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and college graduations with their help. They had us coming back with the variety they offered, the quality of their ingredients, lovely presentation, and all the natural, rich flavors that made our mouths water.
It’s safe to say they’ve made us feel at home in L.A., providing a sense of comfort in all the good ways. But, of course, you don’t have to be Argentine to enjoy them. As my dad likes to say, “Hay algo para todos los gustos…” or in English, “There’s something for everyone’s tastes.”