Restaurant in Buenos Aires Province, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Almacen El Torito
A famous roadside empanada and choripan stand on Route 2 near Chascomus that has been feeding travelers since 1975. The empanadas baked in a clay oven (horno de barro) and the choripan with chimichurri are legendary on the road to Mar del Plata.
Almacen El Torito is a roadside institution that has anchored itself on Route 2 near Chascomus, at kilometre 125 on the highway connecting Buenos Aires city with Mar del Plata, since 1975. For generations of Argentines making the summer migration to the Atlantic coast, stopping at El Torito has become as much a ritual as the destination itself — the smoke rising from the clay ovens is a reliable landmark on one of the country's most heavily travelled holiday routes.
The centrepiece of the kitchen is the horno de barro, a traditional clay oven that bakes empanadas with a crust impossible to replicate in a conventional oven — slightly charred at the edges, yielding in the centre, and suffused with the smoky warmth of fired clay. Fillings follow the Argentine canon: carne cortada a cuchillo (hand-chopped beef with hard-boiled egg and olive), humita (creamy corn), and verdura (chard with ricotta). Each empanada arrives burnished and steaming, best consumed within minutes of leaving the oven. The choripan con chimichurri — a split grilled chorizo in a crusty marraqueta roll with house-made chimichurri — is equally celebrated and has been cited by food writers as among the finest roadside versions in Buenos Aires Province.
The almacen itself doubles as a convenience store and snack stop, with shelves of regional products, wines, and cold drinks. The interior is modest: a worn counter, a few plastic tables, and walls covered with photographs of satisfied travellers spanning five decades. The cooking staff work in open view of the road, fanning the oven coals and turning chorizos on a simple parrilla grill. No table service exists; food is ordered at the counter and carried to tables or eaten standing.
Operating hours stretch from early morning until late evening to accommodate both the northbound and southbound waves of holiday traffic. Prices remain among the most affordable on the route, making El Torito accessible to all economic groups and contributing to its democratic, all-Argentine atmosphere. The almacen functions as a cultural checkpoint as much as a food stop — the smell of the clay oven and chimichurri has become inseparable from the memory of the Mar del Plata road for millions of Buenos Aires Province residents.
Signature dishes
- Empanadas de horno — $3 each
- Choripan con chimichurri — $5
Known for: Clay-oven baked empanadas on the road to Mar del Plata
Hours: 6AM-10PM
Location
Ruta 2 km 125, Buenos Aires Province
-35.6000, -58.0000 — View on map
Highlights
- Clay oven (horno de barro) baked empanadas with a smoky, charred crust — a Route 2 staple since 1975 near Chascomus
- Hand-chopped beef and humita empanadas are the benchmark on the Buenos Aires–Mar del Plata highway corridor
- The choripan con chimichurri, grilled on an open parrilla beside the road, is considered among the finest roadside versions in the province
- Open from 6AM to 10PM to serve holiday-goers heading south and those returning north
Tips
- Stop on the southbound leg in the morning when empanadas come fresh from the horno every thirty minutes; afternoon batches can be uneven
- Order at least six empanadas — the portions are small and they disappear fast once at the table
- The house chimichurri is sold in jars to take away, a practical regional souvenir at a modest price
- Combine the stop with a brief detour to the Chascomus lagoon, just 5 km off Route 2
FAQ
What is the specialty at Almacen El Torito?
The restaurant is best known for its clay-oven empanadas, particularly the carne cortada a cuchillo and humita varieties. The choripan con chimichurri is a close second and considered one of the finest on the Route 2 highway.
Is table service available?
No. Food is ordered at the counter and consumed at the plastic tables inside or eaten standing beside the road. The experience is intentionally informal and fast-paced, suited to travellers on the move.
Does Almacen El Torito accept credit cards?
The almacen traditionally operates as a cash-based business, though card acceptance has expanded in recent years. Carrying Argentine pesos is advisable as card terminals on rural highways can be unreliable.
When is the best time to stop?
Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons see the heaviest traffic as families travel to and from Mar del Plata. Weekday stops in either direction offer shorter queues and fresher batches straight from the oven.
Accessibility
The almacen has a flat concrete floor with counter-height service and no steps at the main entrance, making it accessible to wheelchair users for ordering. The outdoor picnic area beside the highway is unpaved gravel and may be difficult to navigate with a wheelchair.
When to visit
November through March captures the peak holiday migration south to Mar del Plata, when El Torito is at its most energetic. Early morning on southbound Fridays and midday on northbound Sundays represent the archetypal stopping moments.