As a New York gal, it got on my every nerve whenever my boyfriend would rave about how Argentinian pizza is the best in the world. While Argentina is renowned for its meats and soccer, few know that Argentinians are very proud of their own delicious styles of pizza. The influx of Italian immigrants to the country in the early days of its founding brought and popularized pizza in the Argentina. To get a taste of authentic Argentinian pizza, I headed to the infamous Guerrin, also known as the best pizza in Buenos Aires.
What is Pizzeria Guerrin?
Located in the center of the city, Pizzeria Guerrin is a popular pizzeria famous for its traditional Argentine-style pizzas. The historical restaurant was opened by two Italians immigrants, Franco Malvezzi y Guido Grondona, in 1932. This makes it even older than the Obelisco! Its specialty is pizza with a soft, thick dough (pizza de molde) which they knead by hand and cook in a wood-fired oven.
Some of the types of pizza they offer are: fugazza, fugazzetta, napolitana, faina (see more below), and pizza de cancha (pizza without cheese).
Location
Address: Av. Corrientes 1368, Buenos Aires
My Experience
On the outside, Guerrin looks like a tiny little pizza shop, nothing more. But once you step inside, you see just how big it is. Decked out in photos of all the celebrities that have eaten there, including Maradona, the long line inside already tells you how special this place is.
Once we got a table, the waiter handed us a menu in Spanish, of course, and after skimming the countless pizza varieties they offer, we ordered. They didn’t have an English menu so it’s a good idea to have Google Translate on hand.
The pizza was true to its name, delicious, with a mountain of mozzarella sliding down all over the spongy pillow-like bread. We tried two: the classic Argentinian pizza and a pizza Napolitana, which is topped with tomato and basil. It reminded me a little of Chicago’s deep-dish pizza in the sense that it has a thick crust that is almost fried on the bottom.
Without a doubt Pizzeria Guerrin is a good place for a great pizza.
What is Argentinian Pizza?
You may ask, what makes Argentine pizza different than the pizza you know and love? There’s one main thing.
- There is so much cheese. Think of the most amount of cheese that you can picture on a pizza. Now add more.
Due to the way the pizza is constructed and the sheer amount of cheese, Argentinians like to eat their pizza with a fork and knife (please don’t judge them). You just can’t eat this pizza the New York way, folded in two with your hands. It immediately spills and falls apart.
Some unique toppings here are: hearts of palm, pineapple, hardboiled eggs, red pepper, blue cheese, and corn.
Types of Argentine Pizza
There are many different styles of pizza that originated in Buenos Aires.
- Fugazza: Bread covered with sliced onions, with parmesan sprinkled on top and sometimes olives as well. You can get it with mozzarella cheese on top if you ask for a Fugazza con queso.
- Fugazzetta relena: Fugazza stuffed with mozzarella. You can get it stuffed with a thin layer of ham as well if you ask for a Fugazzetta relena con jamon.
- Faina: Although this isn’t exactly a slice of pizza and didn’t originate in Buenos Aires, you can find it in pizza parlors all over the city. Faina is a pizza-shaped slice of bread made from chickpea flower, sometimes topped with leek. It’s a great vegan option, as it doesn’t have cheese, and the chickpeas make it a good source of protein.
Here’s a good guide to Argentinian pizza, for my die-hard pizza fans who want to learn more.
Conclusion
On your next trip to Buenos Aires, you cannot miss the cheesiest slice of pizza you’ll eat at Guerrin. If you’re like me and absolutely love pizza, definitely add this place to your pizza bucket list. Have you ever had Argentinian pizza? Did you like it? Let me know in the comments.
Until next time,
Take a shans!
