Remember, these are only the places I managed to get to, representing not a splash in the ocean, a fart in a hot tub, a mullet in a trailer park, a...you get the idea. Consult your Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Lets Go, Fodors, Local Shaman for dozens of other options. Sometimes, I wish I had.
St Martin
Parilla Mendieta - I had heard so much about cheap Argentinean meat that I was salivating by the time I got to my first restaurant, which happened to be this upmarket eatery with hot waitresses, cheap beer, and oh, I think I'm going to enjoy Argentina. The large sirloin, medium, was done to perfection. On Calle St Martin.
Bariloche
El Refugio del Montanes - Without the line-ups, El Refugio serves up the best, and largest steak I found in my short stay in Bariloche. The staff are friendly, letting you warm your hands on the grill if neccesary, the pesto dip rocks and it's more frequented by locals than tourists, always a good sign. On Calle St Martin.
El Boliche de Alberto- The Stepho's of Bariloche, a parrila with hour long line-ups for tender meat and snappy service at a great price. Personally I found El Refugio worth the few pesos more, but the Bife de Lomo at Albertos was outstanding too. Go before 9pm and you should avoid the line-up. On Calle Villeges
Rock Chicken- A fast food joint with enormous portions at ridiculous prices. The chicken milanese (schnitzel) was the size of a large plate, and the array of condiments always appreciated. On Calle Rolando
Crocodillos- Although its your typical tourist restaurant, the place has a $7 peso lunch of the day that has outstanding value. On Calle Moreno
Buenos Aires
There's so many places to eat, that in the end, all I couldn't get past the Parrilla Libres, the all you can eat buffet/steak fiascos. They are all over the place, and the quality is about the same, as is the price (about $3US for everything). Except for Grants (Ave Las Heras) in Ricoletta, the grandaddy of Libres, with its enormous steaks, personalized chefs, and choice selection.
Peurto Iguazu
Color - good meat, average tourist prices, on Cordoba.
El Quincho - more of the same, value in the set menus. Pretty much every place you go will have the same menu at more or less the same prices, which consists primarily of grilled meat (add a sauce to your peril) and potatoes (fried, mashed, whatever). Off Cordoba.
St Martin
Nuams - Buddy's probably going to hunt me down, because this is an Israeli secret. He has a deal with the other hostel that he gets all the Israelis, seeing as he is one, and there is a huge menorah in the driveway. What you get are fully furnished, modern apartments for about $7US a night, and alot of Hebrew. "We want non-Israelis!" says Iris, but I practically had to whip out my pecker to join this club! About 100m from the bus station, Cnel Diaz 1120
Bariloche
La Bolsa De Deporte - Friendly, sociable, clean and fun youth hostel with all the amenities. Had a great stay, loved the kitchen bar, and the place to plug in. Elflein 385. http://www.labolsadeldeporte.com
1004 - The other popular youth hostel, this one on the top floor of the ugliest, tallest building in town, with great sunsets and amenities. It's either La Bolsa or 1004, everything else is just silly. You can't miss the building, on Calle San Martin. http://www.lamoradahostel.com
Buenos Aires
Leave your sanity somewhere else and prepare to consume alot of booze with minimal sleep at the Milhouse (Hipolito Yrigoyen 959), fast gaining a reputation as the most insane youth hostel in South America. Young, energetic staff, constant music, cheap bar, DJ's twice a week, mayhem. Stay for a few days and find somewhere else for the sleep, but check back daily for the itiniraries on the white board, and the latest shipment of pumped-up gringos looking to party.
Telmotango - a quiet, peaceful little hostel just off San Telmo, where you can hear yourself think and get a good nights sleep and not have to queue for the internet and get a piece of birthday cake from the staff. Chacabuco 679.
Peurto Iguazu
Hostel Inn - On your way to the Falls, you'll pass a number of hotels on Km 5. The one with the best pool, and the pool bar, and the one you'll say, "hey, that looks cool" is a youth hostel. Converted from an old casino, the Hostel Inn has huge open spaces, hammocks, friendly staff who speak English, a DVD player, foozball, pool and table tennis, internet (when it works) and a restaurant with value grub. A little out of town, but worth it if you can spend the day by the pool.
Bariloche
Wilkenny- A huge Irish bar that turns into the town's hot spot after midnight. Techno and rock blare as hot waitresses serves up pints to a crowd of gringos and locals. Expect dancing and fist pumping, and Latin American music towards the sunrise. On Calle San Martin
Aquas Blancas- The best rafting company in town, so I'm told, so I experienced. Great guides, equipment and the BBQ at the end of the day is a just reward. Costs about $150 pesos ($50US) for three hours all inclusive. On Morales.
http://www.aguasblancas.com.ar
Buenos Aires
It's Party Central in BA, hundreds of bars and clubs to choose from. I wish I could remember them, but it's all fuzzy. Avoid Club 69 though, I hated the unneccesary attitude. Tuesdays La Cigales is jammed. Most bars and clubs only get going after 1am, and stay up until 6am or later on weekends. Drink lots of Red Bull. And speak to the locals if you want to avoid buses of gringos coming from hostels the Milhouse. Then again, that's alot of fun too.
Say Hueque - An agency catering to backpackers and budget travelers. Rafael and his friendly staff offer day and week trips to attractions throughout Argentina.
Futbol - It's either River Plate or Boca Juniors in BA, and watching a home game is an authentic Argentine experience. While the crowd goes completely ape, you really hope Boca or River win so they don't go ape on you. There are tours, but you can also catch cab or bus and buy a $10 peso ticket.
