Nothing beats a good Chivito. The famous beefsteak sandwich is often considered the national food of Uruguay, and is even declared national heritage. What is a Chivito exactly, and which restaurant is the best place to try one in Montevideo? Discover the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) of Uruguayan Food!
What is a chivito?
A chivito al pan is usually a sandwich of sliced beefsteak (churrasco), including melted cheese, ham, tomato slices, mayonnaise and olives. Very often also fried bacon and hard-boiled eggs are included. It is served as a bun, usually with french fries as a side dish.
A chivito doesn’t always have to be on bread – usually it is also possible to order the chivito ‘al plato’ (on a dish). Since you get rid of the bread in this variaton, the portion sizes typically increase to make it a full meal. Usually you also get ‘Russian salad’ (potato, carrot, and pea salad with mayo) with your chivito al plato.
Where does the chivito come from?
According to popular history the chivito was invented in ‘el Mejillón Bar’ in Punta del Este in 1946, when a woman from northern Argentina ordered a sandwich of chivito (goat meat) for her kid. Since the owner, a certain Antonio Carbonaro, did not have this he (secretly?) used a beef fillet steak instead. The child loved the sandwich, and an Uruguayan classic was born.
How much of this story is actually true? That’s hard to tell. It is a fact that in the region around Cordoba roasted goat is considered a common delicacy, which would make the mom’s order a logical one.
Keep in mind: if you order a “chivito” in Argentina, chances are you will actually receive roasted baby goat. Ask for a “lomito” if you are craving the beefsteak sandwich!
There are also some points that make this origin story uncertain: some sources say the woman was Argentinian, others claim she was from chile. Even the date remains unclear; some say it happened on New Year’s Eve, while others point to the middle of June.
Where can I find the best chivito in Montevideo?
There are plenty of places in Montevideo where you can try a good chivito. Some popular spots are:
- Bar Tinkal in Palermo
- Bar Arocena in Carrasco
- Chiviteria Marcos in Pocitos
- Esquina Cantina in Prado (has crispy onions!)
- Bar Rover in Cerrito de la Victoria (Best Chivito al plato!)
- Bar Facal in Centro
If you want to rush to El Mejillón to try an original chivito, I’ve got bad news: the restaurant closed down in 1971 and the building doesn’t exist anymore. You can only find a small commemorative plaque on Plazoleta Antonio Carbonaro, named after the inventor of the chivito.
Trying a chivito is a must when you are in Montevideo. Have you tried one at the places I mentioned, or do you have a personal favorite? Let me know in the comments!
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