Gastronomic Revival in Buenos Aires Countryside

Carlos Keen and Tomás Jofré, once on the brink of becoming ghost towns, have revitalized their economies through a thriving barbecue scene. These culinary destinations offer a variety of asado experiences and are popular weekend getaways for tourists from Buenos Aires.


Gastronomic Revival in Buenos Aires Countryside

Today, Carlos Keen and Tomás Jofré are two destinations experiencing prosperous moments, but four decades ago they were on the verge of being forgotten when the train stopped passing through their lands in 1992. This situation halted their population growth and put them at risk of becoming two ghost towns. Fortunately, they managed to reinvent themselves thanks to the grill and gastronomic boost.

In Carlos Keen and Tomás Jofré, located in the province of Buenos Aires, one can enjoy a good barbecue with choripán, accompanied by offal, provoleta, French fries, and fried empanadas. Both destinations have outdoor grills and offer all-you-can-eat and à la carte menus for all tastes. It is important to make reservations in advance, as they tend to have high demand during weekends.

In Carlos Keen, places like Los Girasoles, Lo de Cacho, El Molino Restaurante, and San Carlos stand out for their grills and delights. Meanwhile, in Tomás Jofré, La Escondida, El Rancho de Don Julio, La Casona de Tomás Jofré, and Los Naranjos offer exquisite barbecues and family service.

Less than an hour and a half from the City of Buenos Aires, these two gastronomic towns that were previously at risk of disappearing can be found. Today, they are considered benchmarks for stake barbecue in the province of Buenos Aires. Tomás Jofré and Carlos Keen, with 119 and 500 inhabitants respectively, are ideal for weekend getaways due to their proximity to the CABA and the main urban centers of the AMBA.

Carlos Keen is located 86 kilometers from CABA via Ruta 7, while Tomás Jofré is 104 km away, making them highly sought-after tourist destinations. In Tomás Jofré, the possibility of enjoying a stake barbecue stands out, offering a unique gastronomic experience in the region.