THE FLOUR STORE: QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST BURGERS IN BUENOS AIRES
The Cost - $12 per person at the official exchange rate
The Atmosphere – The Flour Store is located in Buenos Aires’s Almagro neighborhood, not far from Recoleta and Palermo. The indoor seating area at the order-at-the-counter restaurant is actually where the team makes its pan de papa(potato bread) each morning and it is very cool to sit amongst some of the large pieces of bread making equipment. There is outdoor seating as well and the eatery is soon planning to open additional seating in the back. The Flour Store opens at 7pm on most days and you can definitely expect long lines to start shortly thereafter as it is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, burger spot in Buenos Aires. No reservations are accepted and there is no need to dress up for dinner.
There has been a pretty insane craze around The Flour Store since it opened in September of 2021. The burger spot has garnered rave reviews from customers and critics alike for its rib eye smash burgers and homemade pan de papa. But could the burgers and patty melts be worth eating when there are so many incredible steaks to be had in Argentina’s capital? I gave up a potential steak dinner and went to The Flour Store to find out for myself.
The Order –Spicy Apple Pie Hamburguesa, Smoked Patty Melt, and an American.
The Fantastic – There was a decent amount of hesitation on my part before I ordered the Spicy Apple Pie as it didn’t sound like the name of a hamburger I’d want to eat. But I decided to push forward as it was highly recommended. Thankfully, I listened to those that had tried it before me. The smash burger, made with local rib eye beef with a low fat content (22% to be exact), was served on a brioche bun with your choice of jalapeños (not really spicy) or habaneros (spicy). It also came topped with porchetta, cheddar, onions, and an incredible spicy apple chutney and was served with very tasty, skinny fries. The apple chutney was delicious and really made this burger even more special than it already was thanks to the delicious, giant piece of rib eye meat. The chutney’s spice, combined with the spice of the habanero, cut its sweetness to ensure that it didn’t feel like you were eating dessert. At about $11 using the official exchange rate, this is one of the best value dishes in all of Buenos Aires.
But the Spicy Apple Pie wasn’t the only dish that earned an elite rating – the Patty Melt Brisket, another of the restaurant’s signature menu items, also received a Fantastic rating. Sandwiched in between two excellent pieces of pan de papa, which are like slightly thinner slices of Texas Toast, was a hefty serving of juicy and flavorful brisket topped with smoked French cheese, caramelized onions, and a nicely done aioli. The brisket was awesome and waslightly crispy on the edges while the smoked cheese and caramelized onions added incredible flavor and the bread – oh, that bread – was just perfect. Also, served with fries and also one of the best value dishes in all of Buenos Aires, you will not regret ordering this dish.
The Great – Sometimes you may not be in the mood for something unique and you may just want more of a classic burger. That’s why I also tried the American while I was at the Flour Store. More of a traditional burger that comes served on pan de papa, the burger meat was topped with cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and a thousand island sauce. The bread and the burger once again stood out as high quality, elevated ingredients and the entire thing was just a really good burger that is perfect for someone who wants a well-executed classic.
The Verdict –Was it worth giving up a steak dinner in Buenos Aires for burgers at The Flour Store? Absolutely. It’s no wonder why people from all around Buenos Aires queue up to eat at this amazing burger spot which doesn’t participate in any delivery service. If you’re in the mood for an incredible burger or an awesome patty melt, head to the Flour Store for one of the best value meals in Argentina’s capital.
The Flour Store
Humahuaca 3853, C1191 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires