Every cuisine around the world has at least one dish that transcends socioeconomics, politics, race, religion, and everything else that divides folks because it’s just so dang tasty. In the U.S., that dish might be mac and cheese. In Argentina, it’s Choripán.
Named after its two main ingredients, chorizo sausage (chori) and bread (pan), Choripán is simple, portable, and can be found in Argentina wherever there’s a crowd: sports games, parks, festivals, even political protests. But if you’re not planning a trip to South America anytime soon, you can savor this delicious sandwich at Puerto La Boca in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.
How good is it? Let us count the ways:
1. The meat
The chorizo sausage used in Choripán is traditionally made with a combination of pork and beef, including fatty cuts like pork shoulder, pork belly, and brisket. Of course, Argentinian sausage makers don’t limit themselves to tradition, and you can easily find chorizo made with lamb, wild boar, or other alternative meats. Before grilling over hot coals, the sausage is butterflied down the middle in a style called Choripán Mariposa.
As for the seasonings, chorizo sausage tends to vary depending on the country of origin, so while you might expect Choripán’s sausage to be spicy like Mexican chorizo, it’s actually quite mild, with subtle spices and seasonings that let the meaty flavors shine. Popular seasoning blends for Argentinian chorizo include oregano, black pepper, nutmeg, and non-spicy crushed red pepper. White wine is also often used for flavoring, especially selections from Argentina’s famous wine country.
2. The bread
Bread can make or break a sandwich anywhere in the world, so the best “Choripán Argentino” uses freshly baked, toasted bread with the inside scooped out to make way for the fillings. If fresh bread isn’t used, a Choripán will dissolve into crumbly mess, which is why Puerto La Boca’s Choripán features a fresh baguette with a warm, crusty outside to keep the sausage and fillings intact.
3. The fixings
Choripán is delicious enough as a two-ingredient meal (meat and bread, a match made in culinary heaven), but adding a variety of fixings allows restaurants and food carts in Argentina to put their own personal spin on the sandwich. Some popular options include pickled cucumbers or cabbage, spicy peppers, salsa, and of course chimichurri, which makes everything more delicious. At Puerto La Boca, we opt for simplicity, serving our Choripán with a simple accompaniment of lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.
Elevate your lunch options at Puerto La Boca
If you’re looking for a fresh lunch alternative and the best lunch specials in the downtown/Little Italy area, Puerto La Boca offers an array of authentic Argentinian cuisine to ignite your taste buds, from our classic entraña from the grill to our traditional empanadas and chimichurri sauce. Come discover this popular South American sandwich for yourself!
