Mercado Buenos Aires Reviews

After more than 30 years of serving traditional Argentine faire, it’s hard to believe that I have grown with this restaurant in my neighborhood. Since moving out of the area, I try to return whenever possible to enjoy the traditional dishes in an authentic atmosphere. Recently, I treated my younger sister to lunch at the counter and we vowed to bring back our families. Hidden in a long forgotten area of Van Nuys that is trying to return its luster, the strip mall location affords minimal parking. On this occasion, we risked parking in a 10 minute spot knowing that our dining experience will include hours of conversation and observations. Trying to minimize calories, we opted for 2 empanadas (spinach and beef) and a Caprese salad for each of us. While waiting for our order, we were offered bread, Chimichurri and a tomato-garlic dipping sauce that knocked our socks off. Unfortunately, there was no alcohol served so we ordered a couple of cappuccinos, which were also a work of art. The salad was particularly enjoyable with large fresh leaves of basil. With a wide choice of empanadas, it was difficult to settle on 2. Since it was my sister’s birthday, we could not resist the offer of a song with the flan that was accompanied by a health portion of delicious dulce de leche and whipped cream. Our total bill was $35 and we would have paid more to enjoy this lunch. The servers are primarily male transplants from Argentina who speak English with a flair. Meanwhile, scanning the restaurant and deli/market areas are part of the experience. Customers are usually from Argentina and conversing as if they are sitting in a café back in their country. Soccer is playing on the TV and there are posters of current stars, tango, and other artifacts. People and food watching are favorite pastimes that are an integral part of the dining experience. After dining, many customers are tempted to visit the deli/market areas and take home more items to enjoy later. This is definitely, a worthwhile dining experience that warrants travelling from other areas of Los Angeles. There are 2 other locations in the San Fernando Valley that offer different dining options, this will always remain my nostalgic favorite.

It's close to my house but I hadn't ever been there previously. Glad that I finely ate there. I teased that I'm going back once a week until I have tried everything they have to offer. It is a restaurant but it also had a great meat market and other food and coffee items. They also have pre-made packaged food to grab and go. Try the empanadas!

The moment you walk you smells of garlic- spices - meat - chilcken .. oh I am insatntly transported to Buenos Aries! Part of the store is indded a market and it is very very authentic!! Th other part is a resturant and it is very very good!! Empamadas - oh boy - yum yum!! I had a great steak. So happy I had my friend with me to translate .. we got excellent service!! I will go back!!

At this mix of restaurant, snack bar, mini market, grocery store and meat store you will be able to find some real authentic Argentinian Food. The meat is the must go on the house! I also tried as a starter the "provoleta" a thick slice of provolone cheese grilled to perfection and served with sliced tomatoes and oregano... Delicious. Causal place, with great food!

Business meal with co-workers; family style seating with really good Argentine style cooking. We went for the mixed meat BBQ and it is fantastic. Several different types of beef cuts, including ribs, beef under the rib section, regular sausages, blood sausages, intestines; served with fries and salad. The meat was all delicious, reasonably priced with soccer playing on the tv's over the counter area. They also have emanadas and I think i saw an escarole pie. Will definitely be back with my Family.

The food as good an I remember from home Montevideo, Uruguay which share the same foods with Argentina. The place also houses a small market corner where you can purchase ingredients, Paisteries and all they offer to go. The parking spots are very tight so when I go i prefer to park on the surrounding neighborhood streets and walk a little. The Neighborhood seems pretty safe. At my last visit we saw the actor JULIAN GIL sitting on the table next to us. I guess the low key appearance of the place makes it a safe location for celebrities to visit.

This is my favorite Argentinian Steakhouse in Los Angeles, even in the entire US. You can get Parilla for two for less than $20. The steaks are great and reasonably priced. they have daily specials as well. they have milanesa as well as steak sandwiches. Their empanadas are dirt cheap for 2 a piece and are a decent size. They also have a deli and a little side store. I don't live in la anymore but every time I come back I have to eat here. I love the blood sausages here. They always seem to have Argentinian soccer playing on tv.

Went here for work with a few co-workers and it was great. However the part that I can remember is the empanadas. All were good and they were cheap! You can get frozen ones to go.. Def getting some

Family restaurant if you like steaks this is the place to go, small not fancy , but good service, they also have a little market where you can buy south american products , empanadas are also a good choice, on hoidays we also order lechon (rosted pork)

The food is really really good. Started with crusty bread, chimichurri, and a tomato olive oil dip. We then had some empandas, a sausage sandwich, and steak Napolitano. All very good and authentic. Service was friendly The place is not pretty but with food this good who cares.

During a short stay in Los Angeles, we went twice to this place. Excellent service, great food, and very reasonable prices. But most importantly, by accident I left my pouch with ALL MY DOCUMENTS AND MONEY. A waiter put it away for me, and reached a number that was in my wallet. I can't be more thankful for the care and thoughfulness

This is within a very short drive of LAX and totally worth it to get some empanadas or other great food. There is a little market, too,so you can get stuff to take back to your hotel room or for your next flight.

Never come back here , their dont have service , they not polite and dont good acctitud too ,the manager say stupid american(from argentina) im not american ,but is not nice of him to say that , i definitly no come back anymore in that place , hot chocolate is just syrup chocolate with water , we ask for water also take long time , im never go back there again

You go into this restaurant and the feeling is that you are back to your childhood in a well-run family restaurant.Food is great, and staff is awesome. I live about three hours away, but anytime I'm in the area, I make sure this is one of my meals stop!

Americano coffee - excellent quality Scrambled eggs with onion and tomatoes- tasty and salted perfectly- Fresh roll of warm bread and butter. $6. I love this place-- over a decade i have come when i can. where ever u are in LA...its worth a drive. breakfast/lunch or early dinner. no liquor or beer.

Simply the best Argentinian food in the SF Valley area. We always enjoy the Churrasco which is the best (and cheapest) meat plate in the menu. People is always friendly, and excellent service overall. I always come back when I can!

My husband and I went to this place because we were craving argentinian... well guess what! We didn't go wrong at all!!! We ordered the meat parrillada for 2 and added 1 chorizo to share and it was... AMAZING!!!! I also had the spinach empanada which was really really tasty! The dough is well made and the stuffing is awesome!! My father was Argentinian so I'm very picky when it comes to this places. I can totally say they are the real deal! You will definitely taste the flavor of being in Buenos Aires eating incredible meat! The service is very good as well! Both servers were really nice and didn't hesitate on guiding us through the whole menu! So... Great customer service + Amazing food = A MUST! 👌

After a taping of Conan at WB Studio we stumbled upon this gem when we ended up in a cab with a man that spoke very poor English. We were hungry and thirsty and needed to eat pronto. They had a table for 2 so we gave it a go. First off we ordered 2 very strong Margarita's and a plate of Guacamole and chips. Both were Divine! Our waiter was super funny and had lots of suggestions from the menu. After chatting with the locals at our table we decided to share the Carnitas! My mouth is still watering when I think of that meal! So so so good! The food and service were FABULOUS but I can't really say too much about the friendliness of the girls at the front. When telling them we were looking for some 'night life' no one seemed very eager to help us! For a town so close to the Universal tourist zone we found this very surprising. All ended well but had we taken their advice we would have ended up many miles away! All in all - AWESOME!!!

I used to go to this Mercado for empanadas (best in LA I think), and the meat for our regular BB'Q Argentinian style. While all was great (the products) the service left much to desire, and I would go there only because of the meats. Now I am going regularly because the service had improved tremendously! The staff (servers/behind the counter/cashier/Coffee section) are extremely helpful, attentive and go out of their way to assist you and very fast - great improvement and now I drive from Moorpark just for the whole experience! Kudos to the new management/owners/whoever made this change!

Excellent service and very delicious food. Giant and very tasty Neapolitan Milanese. Fried eggs and French fries of 10

We ate there in the past, many times. In fact, the same food as yesterday. Used to be excellent. But yesterday's lunch was a flop. French fries pale and gummy. My son's fish too salty. My "milanesa napolitana" terrible. The meat was too tough, the tomatoe sause way too salty, spent all night getting up madly thirsty, looking for more and more water!. My "panqueque" too thick and mushy. I guess the cook is away on vacation, or left altogether. Won't be back for a long time, if ever. Noticed that all the good reviews are last year's?

Great services, the environment looks as if you were in Argentina, the owner is such a humble man who works just like any other worker. They serve you in a timely manner, the prices are cheap and the food delicious. If you are still hungry, you can order things to take home since they have a bakery with Argentine bread; they also have a butcher's shop and treats from Argentina. I would definitely have to stop there from now on!

Every time i go to Los Angeles is a must stop place to eat, i so love the beef and ham and cheese empanadas the fry ones of course, just a quick advise don't be in a rush .. good food always busy :)

What a great find by my wife. Right here in the San Fernando valley. This Argentinian super market serves some of the best food you can get without going to Argentina. The filet mignon with black pepper sauce was awesome. My wife got the provoletta and a empanada. Everything was great. We will be back.

The first time we went to Mercado Buenos Aires, the Argentine pizza was absolutely fantastic. The empanadas were also very good. We went back last night and our pizza tasted like it was covered with a layer of chewy white rubber that had no flavor at all. We could not eat it. It did not in any way resemble the wonderful pizza we'd had there just a few weeks before. The empanadas were so greasy, that when we picked them up, the grease starting running out the side. We had to hold them over a plate and watch them drain before trying them. I'm not sure what happened, but the quality was so shockingly bad, we will not go back.

I was introduced to this place years ago by a dear friend who vouched for its authenticity. It was great then, still is. My memory from about 2005 was that I had never had a REAL cappuccino until I went here. And the Milanesa was incredible. I was in town a couple of weeks ago, decided that I needed to go here for lunch in memory of my friend, now gone. Just as I remembered it. Tables, a lunch counter, deli counter, bakery counter, small market. Lots of people enjoying themselves. Even with my minimal Spanish I enjoyed ordering and having lunch. And the prices are still low! Only drawback is parking. I don't even bother looking for a space in the tiny lot, but park on the side street. If nothing else, pick up some empanadas and a box of cookies.

I'm a customer for years And I dont care prices changes and up What I do not understand is Why now charge for bread and only choice with steak is French fries Because covid But if You pay 2 dollars more they can get rid of covid and give You a salad That's is too much to take So.we didn't even stay and left Don't go to this place there are many choices more They think they are the only argentinan place I just to reco.ended this place Now I encourage not to go there Ans service is bad and not even a fan for the heat They just want to .ade more money with less Don't go there

An excellent meal, with authentic flavours and menu. A must for anyone in the area. Meal was great from bead and dips started to steaks and sausage main. Our kid rated the pizza and pasta. To full for deserts that look amazing at the deli.

Excellent service,Fantastic Food....the best argentinian place with great prices!!!

Great food good price served with a smile. What else do you want the meat was cooked to perfection the fries were good beers cheap. Honestly if you get the time go sit & have dinner was delicious.