The Classic Porteño Pizzerias

While Argentina may be famed for its beef and steakhouses, the real star of the local food scene is pizza. Porteño-style pizza is one of a kind, known for its thick dough and abundance of cheese, and eating at a traditional pizzeria is considered by many as a favorite pastime. 

Italian immigrants brought pizza to Argentina in the late 1800s. Nicolas Vaccarezza, from Napoles, is said to have made the first documented pizza in Buenos Aires, topping dough with cheese and tomatoes, and baking it in his bread oven. 

In Argentina, quantity of cheese means quality. The classic pizza slices are known for an abundant amount of gooey cheese. The more queso, the better.

There are several standard types and flavors of pizzas that can be found at classic pizzerias. Most serve pizza de molde, which is similar to pan pizza, consisting of a high or medium-rising dough cooked in a pan, and can be compared to focaccia bread. 

Pizzerias serve standard flavors like mozzarella, napolitana (cheese, tomato sauce, sliced tomatoes, and garlic), fugazzeta (cheese and onions), and ham and roasted red peppers. Even though porteños are obsessed with cheesy slices, pizza canchera is a popular cheeseless pizza topped with just tomato sauce.

Fainá is a dense chickpea cake similar to farinata in Italy and socca in France. It is commonly served directly on top of the pizza and usually eaten together in one bite. 

Some say fainá's origins trace back to when vendors would sell slices of pizza and fainá at the soccer stadium, as it was the most practical way to charge customers with one hand and serve with another. 

La Mezzetta, a standing-room-only pizzeria in Villa Ortúzar which dates back to 1939, is a popular taxi driver hangout.  La Mezzetta is ubiquitous with fugazzeta, and known for its giant cheesy slices.

Loyal clients come from afar just for a chance to eat La Mezzetta's most famous slice. The fugazzeta has a thick crust, with a dab on tomato sauce and a generous portion of cheese and caramelized onions. The fugazzeta rellena is stuffed with ham.

The world-famous Pizzería Güerrín is located in the city’s bustling theater district on Avenida Corrientes. Here, the wood-fired ovens haven’t turned off since it first opened in 1932. 

Like many traditional pizzerías, there are two seating areas: the front of the restaurant is for those who want to eat a quick slice standing up and the back is for sitting down and ordering whole pizzas. 

Angelín is a classic pizzería on the border of Villa Crespo and Palermo. They claim to be the creators of pizza canchera, pizza with just tomato sauce, no cheese, and traditionally served cold.

Soccer memorabilia and photos of famous Argentine actors, sports stars, and singers cover the walls at this 85-year old iconic pizzeria. El Cuartito serves more than 800 pizzas every day, and many patrons drink it with a cold beer or sweet moscato wine. 

Locals get into heated debates as to which pizzeria serves the greatest Porteño pie. Most families have their favorite spot, as pizza here is much more than food, it's nostalgia.