Eat like a Lion at Pampero in Cali

A thing that can be hard to find on a budget in Colombia – really anywhere in Central and South America – is a good steak. The exception being in Uruguay and Argentina. First of all their cuts of meat are different here. As an example, my all-time favorite cut, the ribeye, is almost impossible to find. A cow is a cow right?
Second, they have a tendency to beat the meat as flat as crepe and grill it as dry as a shoe sole. Part of the reason is the demand. Most Colombians like their meat well-done and if you by some stroke of luck you manage to find a juicy, tender, medium-rare steak in Colombia, it’s probably going to cost you an arm and a leg.

In Cali, the exception to the above is Pampero, an Argentinean steakhouse, with an Argentinean owner. A local favorite, this little chain with 3 restaurants, serve what is probably the biggest and best steak in Cali at an unbeatable price. It won’t cost you more than $20.000 pesos (US$8) and if you add a home-made limonade to that, your bill will still be below ten bucks.

One of the specialties is the massive “churrasco”, a 600gr. (1 1/4lb.) cut similar to an entrecote. It’s thick and comes with a fatty edge. For me, the best thing on the menu though, is something I have only ever seen in Uruguay, the “asado de tiras” or grilled cow ribs. They are delicious. Not as tender as a tenderloin, but with a natural fat marbling that gives it lot more flavor. For the full experience make sure to top it off with chimichurri – the Argentinean salsa made of finely-chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, and vinegar.

The salad and potato that come as a side are nothing special, but at least it comes with something. In Argentina those things usually come as extras.

The plates are big, but they offer half portions of most their steaks to those of you with less of an appetite. The service is usually pretty good and the shaded outdoors patios (At the Granada location) make it a good spot to enjoy a beer in the afternoon breeze.

If you have the appetite, try the grilled chorizo as a starter – great for sharing.

I really like Pampero. It brings out the inner caveman in me. I only wish that they would remove the TV’s, as I feel they inhibit people from being completely present.

Check it out –  they open every day at 11:30am for lunch and from Monday to Saturday they open at 6:00pm for dinner as well.