When the hubs and I first arrived in Argentina, we assumed we’d find all the same food products from the States on store shelves. We were sorely mistaken.
Argentine supermarkets carry maybe 15% of the products you’d find in the U.S. Most people here haven’t even heard of Dr. Pepper, A&W Root Beer, Ruffles, Twix, Lucky Charms, or salt and vinegar chips—so don’t expect to see them on any shelves anytime soon. But over time, we’ve found ways to get our hands on a few familiar goodies through international food distributors and restaurants here in Córdoba City.
Mercado del Mundo - Permanently Closed
Mercado del Mundo has been our saving grace. Not only do they stock some of our favorite candies—like Coca-Cola gummies and Airheads—but they also sell real Belgian waffles. And by real, I mean not the eggy, plastic-tasting imitations that pass for waffles in many Argentine cafés.
Their stock includes sweet relish for hot dogs, Old El Paso Tex-Mex products, pretzels, digestive biscuits, TGI Fridays sauces, and much more. Plus, it’s not just American products—German and British expats will find goodies they recognize too.
The owner, Fede Moyano, who also delivers the products, is pretty cute, I won’t lie.
Minor complaint: Not everything listed in their catalog is always in stock. I’ve asked for Old El Paso hard taco shells more than once with no luck. Fortunately, I can still order some crispy tacos from Miami Tacos when I’m craving them.
Check out Mercado Mundo's catalog here and place an order today.
Almacen de Mario
Almacen de Mario was the first store we found that specialized in international products. Back then, we were able to buy Tex-Mex items, egg rolls, and Kraft Mac & Cheese. Sadly, I haven’t seen Kraft products there in years, and many of the items we used to go for haven’t returned since the pandemic.
That said, it’s still worth a visit. They carry a variety of international products that might appeal to other expats. Last time I went, they had tons of fish items ideal for making sushi—just not my thing, but it could be yours.
26 Twenty Six Importadora
Looking for sauerkraut, pickled onions, dill pickles, or other German and Polish products from Rosnik? This is your spot. They also sell Altmeister liquor and a small selection of Lebanese products from the brand Zeeny.
Boro Casa Gourmet
Need Asian products like Lee Kum Kee sauces? Try Boro Casa Gourmet. They carry powdered wasabi, rice noodles, Kikkoman sauces, and more.
Beer lover? They’ve got international brands from Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Peru, Italy, and France. And if you're a snack fan, they even stock Bouquet Chips' salt and vinegar flavor—impossible to find in most Argentine supermarkets.
Downside: A lot of their website items are marked “destacado” or out of stock.
Explore their online store here.
Guateques
Guateques offers lots of Venezuelan goodies like frozen tequeños (breaded cheese sticks), hallacas, pork rinds, Malta, plantain chips, Fig Newtons, and Lipton Iced Tea.
Restaurants That Hit the Spot
Not in the mood to cook? Here are some restaurants in Córdoba that offer food you’d expect to find in the U.S. and beyond:
Manolita and Co Pasteleria
Manolita and Co Pasteleria serves a legit bacon, egg & cheese sandwich—something McDonald’s in Argentina doesn’t even offer. And you can order it any time of day!
They also have:
-
Red velvet cake
-
New York cheesecake
-
Apple crumble
-
Lemon pie
-
Cinnamon rolls
...and so much more.
You can check out their menu and prices here.
Backerhaus
This German-inspired bakery offers breads, pastries, apple pies, and pretzels. Their Instagram is food porn—view at your own risk (of drooling).
Miami Tacos - Permanently Closed
Craving Taco Bell-style tacos? Miami Tacos has crunchy and soft tacos, burritos, and quesadillas that will satisfy your Tex-Mex cravings.
Canerolls - Permanently Closed
If cinnamon rolls are your weakness, Canerolls delivers. Try toppings like:
-
Cream cheese
-
Oreo
-
Nutella
-
Dulce de leche
-
Or just go classic.
They also offer milkshakes (Oreo and dulce de leche), perfect for summer.
Check out their website.
Pibi Guemes
If you're sick and tired of those Argentine pizzas that are too small, look sloppy, taste bland, and have cheese toppings that smell like feet, I feel you. Luckily, you can order NY style pizza slices or a whole pizza with toppings like blue cheese, real pepperoni, and more from Pibi Guemes. Check out their Instagram here.
Chicago American Bar - Permanently Closed
Craving deep-dish? Chicago American Bar offers Chicago-style pizza. The pepperoni isn’t quite as good as Pibi’s, but it’s still great. They also serve burgers and sides that feel very TGI Fridays—like onion rings and loaded fries.
Xiongmao - Permanently Closed
Xiongmao delivers a range of Chinese dishes. I love their chicken and steak fried rice. Their sweet and sour chicken is good too (though the breading isn’t as crispy as you'd find in the U.S.).
They’re also open to feedback—I asked about General Tso’s Chicken, and they said they’re looking into it.
Tucson Steak House & Bar
Want ribs? Tucson Steak House & Bar's got you covered. My favorites:
-
Spinach dip
-
Chicken rolls
-
Arizona baby back ribs
-
Monterey burger
-
Baked potatoes
-
Brownie with ice cream
-
Apple crumble with ice cream
They have plenty of options for both meat and fish lovers.
Check out their menu here.
D'Lucas Gourmet
Venezuelan food lovers, rejoice. D'Lucas Gourmet serves burgers, tequeños, cachapas, and arepas. Plus, they’ve teamed up with Anana Postres to offer amazing desserts like red velvet, tiramisu, and chocolate cake.
American Donuts - Permanently Closed
American Donuts may not have a huge variety of donut flavors like Dunkin Donuts, but given that there are no Dunkin Donuts in Argentina, this is the next best thing.
Go Donuts
Similar to American Donuts, but with one key win: Boston cream donuts. I’ve been begging American Donuts to offer this, but Go Donuts actually delivers.
VerGotas Waffles
VerGotas Waffles adds a cheeky twist to your dessert. Instead of traditional waffle shapes, theirs are... penis-shaped. Yep, you read that right.
And yes, we bought some.
The shape was impressive, though I almost dislocated my jaw trying to eat one. As for flavor? A bit bland—par for the course with a lot of Argentine desserts. Still, if you're planning a bachelorette party, or just single and craving something big in your mouth, VerGotas has you covered.
Fun fact: Verga is a vulgar Spanish word for penis, and VerGotas translates to “huge penises.” So... now you know.
These are just a few of the food distributors and restaurants offering international products in Córdoba City. I'm sure there are more out there, but the pandemic made exploring a bit tricky. Here’s hoping 2022 is better, and the hubs and I can share even more finds with you all.
Until then, take care and stay safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment