WanderingWhy…

Please stop. You have no idea what you are denying yourself–you may as well be celibate too. Come to Argentina and mend your irrational ways. Salad is good but it needs to be sitting next to an Argentinean steak and a glass of wine… trust me on this—there is nothing better you will ever do in your life.

I have met many travelers heading northbound as we head towards Rio de Janeiro, and when Argentina comes up I always have to ask about the steak: ‘It will convert vegetarians.’ ‘It is so good it is almost unfair.’ “From the first bite you will say to yourself ‘Oh my god, I am going to eat so much of this’” and ‘nothing is as good as the first one, but you’ll keep trying.’

Most of my friends know I’m a foodie with a huge appetite. I apologize for not writing more about the food in our travels but the truth is there hasn’t been much exciting cuisine. In our journey so far, most people are getting along the best they can and culinary adventure is not really an option unless you count cuy which I couldn’t bring myself to try. Between being sick and not having many food options along the way, I’ve lost over 15lbs. I look like a scarecrow and Dawn likes to keep reminding me how scrawny I look.

That is all going to change here in Argentina. With all the hype I have heard headed here I had to seek out a famous Argentine steak as soon as we arrived. I had more anticipation than a kid waiting for Christmas morning. I really expected to be disappointed; nothing could possibly live up to all my expectations—wrong. Look at all this beauty:

Like food porn no? I took my first bite and damn near wept.

You know the old saying “When in Rome…” ? I had to put this gorgeous slab of beef to the test. WD has not touched a piece of steak in nearly 15 years and has been eating vegetarian most of this trip–I’m not kidding. I said, “You have to try a bite of this.” Figuring she would make a face and go back to eating her salad. She was still laughing at my expression when I tried it but surprisingly she agreed.

I expected a forced smile and a bullshit “it’s good” as she spat into her napkin, but she started laughing and exclaimed “that is really good.” How do I know it wasn’t bullshit? She asked for a second helping—and then a confirming third! Granted these were not huge pieces, but I’m bringing out the carnivore side slowly and surely.

The best part of all this? “Argentinean” steak costs $40 to $50 at home—here it’s $5 to $10!

Now go book yourself a plane ticket and don’t look back.

Bookmark To: