Restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Los Petersen
Beloved Buenos Aires sandwich shop serving massive lomito, milanesa, and choripán sandwiches. Simple, cheap, and delicious with generous portions.
Los Petersen is a Buenos Aires institution for late-night eating, a sandwich shop on Av. del Libertador 3040 that has fed hungry porteños well into the early hours for decades. The restaurant's appeal is simple and enduring: massive sandwiches made with quality ingredients, priced accessibly, served fast, and available at hours when most of the city's kitchens are long closed. On weekends, Los Petersen runs 24 hours, meaning it functions as a 4 AM refuge as much as a lunchtime staple and draws an unusually democratic crowd across the full span of the day.
The menu is built around Argentina's great sandwich tradition. The Lomito Completo is the most celebrated: a thick medallion of seasoned beef tenderloin (lomito) on a fresh roll, piled with lettuce, tomato, egg, ham, and cheese, with optional additions of avocado or bacon. The Milanesa Sandwich layers breaded and pan-fried beef escalope on a soft roll with similar accompaniments. The Choripán — a split chorizo sausage on a crusty roll with chimichurri — is the cheapest and arguably the most quintessentially Argentine item on the menu.
Portion sizes are substantial, and sandwiches are prepared to order rather than sitting under heat lamps, ensuring freshness even at unusual hours. The interior is utilitarian rather than decorated, with counter seating, plastic chairs, and bright lighting that prioritizes function over atmosphere. That no-frills approach is part of the appeal; Los Petersen is not trying to be fashionable, which paradoxically makes it a genuinely local experience that attracts everyone from students and workers to night owls returning home after clubs or concerts. The location on Libertador, near the Palermo and Las Cañitas neighborhoods, ensures a steady flow of hungry diners throughout the day and deep into the night.
Signature dishes
- Lomito Completo — $12
- Milanesa Sandwich — $10
- Choripán — $6
Hours: 24 hours (weekends), 8:00 AM - 4:00 AM weekdays
Reservations: Walk-in
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +54 11 4802-4777
Location
Av. del Libertador 3040, C1425 CABA, Buenos Aires
-34.5722, -58.4089 — View on map
Highlights
- Lomito Completo — a towering beef tenderloin sandwich with egg, ham, cheese, and all the trimmings
- Open 24 hours on weekends, making it one of Buenos Aires' great late-night eating destinations
- Choripán with chimichurri — Argentina's most iconic portable food in classic sandwich form
- Milanesa sandwich with breaded beef escalope — a Buenos Aires classic at an accessible price
- Democratic, no-frills atmosphere that is genuinely local and beloved across all demographics
Tips
- Visit after midnight on weekends for the authentic late-night experience — the restaurant draws post-club and post-concert crowds from 2 AM onward.
- The Lomito Completo is the signature sandwich; request avocado as an add-on if available.
- Choripán is the most affordable item on the menu and makes an excellent light meal or snack on its own.
- Counter seating is immediately available; full tables may fill at peak weekend hours.
- Sandwiches are made to order so expect a short wait of five to ten minutes even during quiet periods.
FAQ
What are Los Petersen's opening hours?
On weekdays the restaurant operates from approximately 8 AM to 4 AM. On weekends it runs 24 hours. Hours can vary; calling ahead for late-night confirmation is advisable.
What is a lomito and why is Los Petersen known for it?
Lomito is beef tenderloin sliced into medallions and cooked on a griddle. Los Petersen's Lomito Completo stuffs this cut into a fresh roll with lettuce, tomato, egg, ham, and cheese — a towering and well-seasoned take on the Argentine sandwich tradition.
Is the restaurant suitable for vegetarians?
Vegetarian options are very limited as the menu is centered on meat-based sandwiches. Egg and cheese combinations may be possible, but vegetarians will find the menu challenging.
Is Los Petersen cash-only?
Many traditional Buenos Aires sandwich shops and late-night venues operate primarily in cash, though card acceptance has expanded. Carrying Argentine pesos is advisable for late-night visits when card terminals may be unreliable.
Accessibility
The entrance on Av. del Libertador is at street level and can accommodate wheelchair access. The interior has a mix of counter seating and tables; table seating is accessible for guests with mobility limitations. The restaurant's late-night operation means the space can become crowded on weekend nights.