LO DE CHACHO TRATTORIA GOURMET

Lo de Chacho Trattoria Gourmet is a cozy corner of Italy tucked away in the El Maitén shopping gallery in the heart of San Martín de los Andes. This small but incredibly popular restaurant in Argentina specializes in fresh homemade pasta, handcrafted right before the guests' eyes.

Lo de Chacho Trattoria Gourmet. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The establishment is famous for its unique gastronomic concept, combining traditional Italian recipes with high-quality regional ingredients from Patagonia. With a 4.9-star rating, Lo de Chacho is considered one of the best spots in town for those who value authenticity, attention to detail, and a truly homemade taste.

The restaurant operates as a family business, where the owners are personally involved in the cooking process, ensuring every guest receives a warm welcome. It is not just a place for a meal, but a space where culinary traditions are passed on with love and skill.

To book a table or check availability at this popular spot, you can use the contact details provided below. We recommend contacting the staff in advance, especially during the high tourist season, to ensure you get to enjoy their signature pasta. You can also follow their social media for news and menu updates.

The main reason to visit Lo de Chacho is to taste their exquisite fresh pasta. Be sure to try the signature black ribbons (cintas negras) in a creamy saffron and seafood sauce or the delicate trout ravioli. For those who prefer the classics, they prepare amazing lamb sorrentinos and pumpkin ravioli with caramelized onions and brie cheese.

A special pleasure is the opportunity to watch the process: Chef Sergio prepares all the dishes in an open kitchen, turning cooking into a live show. If you want to try something unusual, look out for the canoe-shaped pizzas (barcas) served in the neighboring unit. To round off your meal, treat yourself to traditional Italian desserts—classic tiramisu or crispy cannoli.

For those who want to take a piece of the flavor home, the restaurant offers ready-made pasta with sauce or frozen products that can be easily prepared at home, keeping the memories of this cozy place alive.

Finding Lo de Chacho Trattoria Gourmet is easy, as the restaurant is located in the very heart of the city. It is situated in the El Maitén shopping gallery at Avenida San Martín 866. You need to walk to the very end of the passage (Local 14), where this gastronomic gem is tucked away in a cozy corner.

If you are staying in the central part of town, a walk to the restaurant will be a pleasant part of your route. For those coming from further away, taxi services are always available to quickly drop you at the gallery doors. Public transport also runs frequently along the main Avenida San Martín, making the location easily accessible for all travelers.

The story of this place began during a challenging time—October 30, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Founder and chef Sergio Guerrero Velásquez decided to pursue his dream and named the restaurant after his grandfather, Chacho. It was his grandfather who became Sergio's main inspiration: every Sunday, he would gather over 20 family members, hand-kneading tagliatelle and gnocchi to serve with fragrant meat sauces.

Sergio's journey to his own trattoria was long and fulfilling. Moving from Catamarca to Buenos Aires for his studies, he settled in San Martín de los Andes in 2006. Before opening his own business, he spent over a decade honing his skills at well-known local restaurants and creating unique desserts. His experience in industrial pasta production became a solid foundation for creating the authentic menu at Lo de Chacho.

In December 2023, the restaurant expanded significantly. The original tiny space was transformed into a full-fledged trattoria with seating for 25 people, where meat dishes and traditional Italian desserts were added to the famous pasta selection. Today, it is a thriving family enterprise where Sergio, along with his wife Natalia, continues to delight guests with the taste of real homemade food, preserving the warmth of his grandfather's recipes.

For a comfortable visit to Lo de Chacho Trattoria Gourmet, guests are recommended to set aside 1.5 to 2 hours. This is plenty of time to leisurely enjoy the atmosphere, watch the chefs' masterful work, and have a full lunch or dinner.

Since the restaurant is very popular with both locals and tourists, a bit more time might be needed during peak hours while waiting for your order. However, the quality of the dishes and the heartfelt service make every minute of the wait well worth it.

The operating hours of Lo de Chacho Trattoria Gourmet depend on the tourist season. During high season, the establishment is open daily, while in the low season, it usually operates from Monday to Saturday. Standard hours are: 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM for lunch and 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM (until 11:00 PM on Sundays) for dinner.

As the schedule may vary slightly, visitors are encouraged to check the latest information on the restaurant's official social media pages before planning their visit.

Exploring the surroundings after your visit to the trattoria can significantly enrich your experience. Key cultural and entertainment sites are concentrated within a few minutes' walk of the restaurant, allowing you to soak in the local atmosphere.