Hi there! I’m currently in Buenos Aires as a tourist, and while my Spanish is decent, I’m a bit hesitant about visiting the Mercado Central by myself. Would you advise hiring a guide for the visit? I stand out as a foreigner, and I’m trying to avoid drawing too much attention. If a guide is recommended, do you have any recommendations?
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Newcomer Is a guide necessary to go to the "Mercado Central"?
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Melibaires
Well-known member
I know they are famous for their "tortillas" everyone goes to try them, they have become very famous after appearing in the Netflix series "Street Food".
Digital Nomad
Well-known member
Thanks for sharing! I had not heard of this. Going to go look for the episode to watch. Looks delicious!
Just a head's up it looks like they are closed for vacation until March 5.
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Ricrado
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Here is your little guide:
Always stay aware of your surroundings and keep your eyes peeled, as the primary purpose of a Mercado Central is to receive, distribute, handle, store, commercialize, quality control, price check, and sell large quantities of various vegetables/fruits.
There's a vast number of large trucks, pickups, vans, and even buses. They won't stop during maneuvers, so you'd better watch out, especially when crossing inner roads or parking areas.
There are different types of blocks with buildings on them: some are called 'Naves' (N), while others are called 'Libres' (L).
Nave (N): These are brick buildings with a rectangular shape, each having an entry/exit door at both ends. Outside, they have space for trolley maneuvers for loading and unloading merchandise; I don't recommend walking around there. Inside, there's a main path from one end to the other with two lines of stores (Puesto) on each side, separated by some curtains (metallic chain curtains through which you can see). Right in the middle of each Nave, you'll find a special Puesto that houses a food stand or some administrative office.
Libre (L): Similar concept but smaller buildings (NOT made with bricks) consisting of a metallic roof with some columns. All stores (Puestos) are open on the sides and have no walls. They usually have cheaper prices and also lower quality.
N3 P6: Just an example of how you can find a particular Puesto: Nave number 3, Puesto number 6. Always watch those large banners outside (N 5, for instance).
Mayor y Menor: Naves usually sell products 'por mayor' (in large quantities), for example, they will sell you a whole box of bananas ('caja', a cardboard box with approximately 12 kg), a large wooden box of lettuce ('jaula' holding 6-8 kg), a small wooden box of tomatoes (usually a 'torito' box with 10-12 kg), or a large bag of potatoes ('bolsa' of 20-25 kg). 'Libres' usually also sell 'por mayor', but depending on demand, you could ask if they could sell it 'por Menor?' (only for a few kilos) and they might agree. Also, there are some Special Libres that sell 'solo por menor': they are easy to recognize because they all have long lines of fruit and vegetable shelves.
'Las Chicas de la 3': This refers to the food stand right in the middle of Nave 3, well known from Netflix specials; they have all kinds of fast food: burgers, choripan, milanesa, empanadas, tortilla, pizza, etc. Note that their tortilla española has been their biggest hit for the past 20 years or so, I believe.
Other products: There are also some special Libres that sell bakery goods, milk, groceries in general, beef, eggs, cheese, cleaning products, etc. If you need any extra info, just let me know.
I hope I have helped you!
Always stay aware of your surroundings and keep your eyes peeled, as the primary purpose of a Mercado Central is to receive, distribute, handle, store, commercialize, quality control, price check, and sell large quantities of various vegetables/fruits.
There's a vast number of large trucks, pickups, vans, and even buses. They won't stop during maneuvers, so you'd better watch out, especially when crossing inner roads or parking areas.
There are different types of blocks with buildings on them: some are called 'Naves' (N), while others are called 'Libres' (L).
Nave (N): These are brick buildings with a rectangular shape, each having an entry/exit door at both ends. Outside, they have space for trolley maneuvers for loading and unloading merchandise; I don't recommend walking around there. Inside, there's a main path from one end to the other with two lines of stores (Puesto) on each side, separated by some curtains (metallic chain curtains through which you can see). Right in the middle of each Nave, you'll find a special Puesto that houses a food stand or some administrative office.
Libre (L): Similar concept but smaller buildings (NOT made with bricks) consisting of a metallic roof with some columns. All stores (Puestos) are open on the sides and have no walls. They usually have cheaper prices and also lower quality.
N3 P6: Just an example of how you can find a particular Puesto: Nave number 3, Puesto number 6. Always watch those large banners outside (N 5, for instance).
Mayor y Menor: Naves usually sell products 'por mayor' (in large quantities), for example, they will sell you a whole box of bananas ('caja', a cardboard box with approximately 12 kg), a large wooden box of lettuce ('jaula' holding 6-8 kg), a small wooden box of tomatoes (usually a 'torito' box with 10-12 kg), or a large bag of potatoes ('bolsa' of 20-25 kg). 'Libres' usually also sell 'por mayor', but depending on demand, you could ask if they could sell it 'por Menor?' (only for a few kilos) and they might agree. Also, there are some Special Libres that sell 'solo por menor': they are easy to recognize because they all have long lines of fruit and vegetable shelves.
'Las Chicas de la 3': This refers to the food stand right in the middle of Nave 3, well known from Netflix specials; they have all kinds of fast food: burgers, choripan, milanesa, empanadas, tortilla, pizza, etc. Note that their tortilla española has been their biggest hit for the past 20 years or so, I believe.
Other products: There are also some special Libres that sell bakery goods, milk, groceries in general, beef, eggs, cheese, cleaning products, etc. If you need any extra info, just let me know.
I hope I have helped you!
fetch rover
Well-known member
Great info! Am I seeing this correctly that this place is 45 minutes outside of the city? I assume there is nothing else to do there but eat?
We tried the pizza in Buenos Aires but I was not a fan of the flavor and also they put too much cheese as that video shows. It must be a local thing but we all had a lot of cheese on our plate.
Ricrado
Member
Write to @elguisodebagre (Instagram), he will give you more information.
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Ricrado
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Mercado Central map:
📍Location:
maps.app.goo.gl
📍Location:
Las Chicas de la 3 · 34.7106566, -58.4939538, 1766 Tapiales, Argentinien
âââââ · Argentinisches Restaurant
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