Betty and Marcelo: A Family Asado in Palermo

Behind an unmarked door in a restored metal workshop is one of Palermo’s best dining experiences.

Betty and Marcelo is a nightly closed door asado experience/dinner party.

Join Betty (your host), Marcelo (your asador), and Veronica (their daughter) in an authentic Argentine asado.

You’ll sit at the table with a small group of fellow travelers, family-style. The parrilla is at the front of the room as if it were on a stage. It is the star of the show.

Betty (who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German) walks you through the meal, describing each dish and providing context and history to every aspect of the night.

Keep reading for a complete and honest review of Betty and Marcelo’s asado.

Betty and Marcelo: An Argentine Asado dinner Party

Why attend an asado experience like Buenos Aires’ Betty and Marcelo?

Throughout your trip in Argentina you will eat plenty of steak in parrillas. These Buenos Aires steakhouses will sell you memorable meals and excellent beef but they’re not showing you the traditional asado experience.

An asado is a ritual among family and friends. It’s a backyard barbecue but not like anything you have seen in other barbecue cultures like the US or Australia.

Asados take place every weekend – Friday night with friends, Sunday afternoons with mom and dad. The grill is always full of a variety of meats that come out in a very specific order. Veggies and salads are there but they’re simple.

Betty and Marcelo are faithful to the ritual. You’ll try a wide variety of cuts, cooked to perfection by Marcelo and explained in detail by Betty.

To try good steak, go to a parrilla.

To try great steak and get a deeper look at Argentine meat and food culture, book an asado with Betty and Marcelo. (Use code SOLSALUTE for a free gift with your meal).

Betty and Marcelo: An Honest Review

Wondering what to expect from Betty and Marcelo’s asado? Here is an honest review of the entire experience after attending their dinner twice.

The night kicks off early, with a 7 pm arrival time to their space in Palermo. The address you’ve been given is to a restored metal workshop with an unmarked door. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place.

Having a hard time with Argentina’s late dining schedule? With that 7 pm start time, Betty and Marcelo is a great option for those looking for an earlier dinner. But do keep in mind that you’ll be eating until late – the entire experience lasts between 2.5-3 hours.

Argentines dine slowly, savoring not only the meal but also their company. This is no different, you’ll arrive at 7 and be welcomed with a drink as you get to know the family and your fellow diners.

Marcelo will already be at work at the parrilla, nursing the fire and preparing the meat.

In asados, a variety of meat is served and in a very specific order. So you won’t be served a large platter of meat to pick and choose from, you’ll be served a slow and steady selection of perfectly grilled dishes throughout the night.

If the weather permits you’ll mingle in the patio with a welcome drink before moving inside for the meal. You’ll sit family style around their large dining table with Marcelo and the parrilla at the head of the room for all to watch the show.

Dishes come out in the traditional order, kicking off with an empanada and sausages before moving onto the meaty main course.

I’ll share the entire menu below. If it sounds like too much, don’t worry. Dishes are well paced and you will leave full, but not overly so.

• Starters of meat empanadas, chorizo, and morcilla (blood sausage)
• Matambrito (pork belly), colita de cuadril (tri-tip), and ojo de bife (ribeye)
• Sides include grilled vegetables and bread
• Sauces for your meat are traditional chimichurri and salsa criolla
• Dessert: dulce de leche ice cream accompanied by fernet with cola
• Argentine wines flow freely, featuring Torrontés, Malbec, and Cabernet.

What I love about Betty and Marcelo is that you have the opportunity to try (and love!) something you may never order off the menu in a restaurant. (Hello, blood sausage). So, give everything a try. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Do you play the piano? There’s a piano in the dining room waiting for you to entertain your fellow diners (waiting until you’ve had a few Malbecs typically helps). There was professional pianist and teacher at one of the meals I attended and he performed for us. It is a memory I won’t soon forget!

📸 The perfect shot: During the meal, volunteer to help Marcelo pull the meat from the grill and get a photo with him with their iconic apron on!

Then before you go, take photos in front of their epic mural! They had a local artist paint a Buenos Aires and asado themed mural in the courtyard, it’s picture perfect. Take a photo pretending to be at work at the grill or pouring the wine for a great memory.

Betty and Marcelo at a glance

Betty and Marcelo’s asado experience has been a quick success right from the start and having been twice, I can easily understand why.

They have curated a beautiful space and offer a high quality meal you won’t find elsewhere. As a family, they clearly love to be together and that feeling is contagious – everyone leaves the meal as friends.

🥩Click here to book your asado – use code SOLSALUTE for a free gift with your meal.

• Do they offer accommodations for dietary restrictions? Yes, they can adjust gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan, no pork or no beef, and allergy-friendly options.
• What languages do they speak? Betty, your host, speaks fluent Spanish, English, German, and Portuguese. The meal is conducted primarily in English but she will offer translations for additional languages as necessary.
• Their space and bathroom is wheelchair accessible
• 🥂Let them know if you’re celebrating something special!
• The meal starts at 7 and lasts 2.5-3 hours
• 🧉Want to try mate? They offer a 45 minute yerba mate experience as well!