Restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Chori
100Pearl PointsFast, affordable, and hard to skip.
About Chori
Chori on Thames is Palermo's most honest choripán stop — counter service, fair prices, no gap between what you pay and what you get. Walk-in friendly and consistent, it earns its reputation not through spectacle but through doing one thing reliably well. A strong repeat-visit pick for anyone already familiar with Buenos Aires street food.
The Verdict
Chori on Thames 1653 in Palermo is one of the harder tables to walk away from in Buenos Aires — not because it's difficult to book, but because the format is genuinely simple and it delivers on that simplicity without fuss. If you've been once and liked it, go back. The choripán format hasn't changed, that's the point. This is a counter-service spot built around one thing done well, the service model matches the price point honestly: you order, you eat, you leave happy. There's no pretension in the room and no gap between what you pay and what you get.
What to Expect
The space on Thames is compact and street-facing, with the kind of layout that prioritises throughput over comfort. Seating is limited — this is not a venue built for long lunches or leisurely group dinners. The physical experience is casual to the point of being deliberately rough-edged, which is exactly appropriate for the format. If you're returning after a first visit, the smart move is to arrive early or off-peak; the room fills fast during lunch service, standing outside with a choripán is part of the experience rather than a failure of planning.
Service here is fast and transactional, which earns the price rather than undermining it. You're not paying for tableside attention, you're paying for a precisely made sandwich at a fair price in a neighbourhood (Palermo) where inflated tourist pricing is common. That value equation is what makes Chori worth a repeat visit. Compared to the $$$$ end of Buenos Aires dining, venues like Don Julio or Aramburu require booking weeks out and a serious spend. Chori asks for neither.
For returning visitors, the practical upside is consistency: the menu is tight, the execution is reliable, you don't need to think hard about what to order. If you want more considered contemporary cooking in the same city, Anafe or Crizia are worth your attention. For a broader picture of where Chori sits in the Buenos Aires eating scene, see our full Buenos Aires restaurants guide. If you're planning a wider trip, hotels, bars, and experiences guides are also available. Argentina's wine country is a natural extension of any Buenos Aires visit, Azafrán in Mendoza and Cavas Wine Lodge are strong options if you're heading west.
Quick reference: Walk-in friendly, Palermo location, counter service, leading visited at lunch on a weekday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chori good for solo dining?
Yes — it's one of the more natural solo stops in Palermo. The compact, street-facing layout at Thames 1653 means there's no awkwardness in occupying a small seat alone, the throughput-focused format keeps things moving. You won't be nursing a table for two; you'll order, eat well, be on your way. For a longer solo sit-down, El Preferido de Palermo or Elena offer more room to settle in.
Can Chori accommodate groups?
Realistically, groups of more than four will find the space tight. Seating at Thames 1653 is limited and not designed for large parties — this is a counter-and-queue operation, not a booking-ahead group dinner. For groups, Don Julio or Aramburu give you the structure and space to coordinate a shared meal properly. Chori works best for pairs or small clusters who are happy to eat standing or grab whatever's open.
Is Chori worth the price?
Pricing varies at Chori; confirm via check the venue's official channels.
Where is Chori located?
Chori is located in Buenos Aires, at Thames 1653, C1414DDG Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Location
Thames 1653, C1414DDG Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Compare Chori
| Venue | Price |
|---|---|
| Chori | |
| Don Julio | $$$$ |
| Aramburu | $$$$ |
| El Preferido de Palermo | $$ |
| Elena | $$$ |
| La Carniceria | $$ |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
Also Consider
- Don Julio, Argentinian Steakhouse, $$$$
- Aramburu, Modern Argentinian, Creative, $$$$
- El Preferido de Palermo, Argentinian, Traditional Cuisine, $$
- Elena, South American, Steakhouse, $$$
- La Carniceria, Argentinian Steakhouse, Meats and Grills, $$
How Chori Compares in Buenos Aires
Chori sits at the informal, accessible end of the Buenos Aires eating spectrum, which means it's not competing directly with the $$$$ steakhouse and tasting-menu set. If your priority is a serious parrilla with full table service, Don Julio is the benchmark, but expect to book weeks in advance and spend significantly more. Aramburu operates in a different register entirely, with a creative tasting menu format that requires planning and a higher budget. Neither is a direct alternative to Chori; they serve a different decision.
The closer comparisons are at the $$ tier. El Preferido de Palermo offers traditional Argentine cooking in a more sit-down format at a similar price point, better for a longer meal or a group that wants proper table service. La Carniceria bridges the gap between casual and serious meat cooking, with a stronger parrilla focus than Chori and a slightly more composed room. For a mid-range option with a steakhouse format, Elena at the $$$ tier is worth considering if you want atmosphere alongside your beef.
The honest verdict: Chori is the right call when you want something fast, fairly priced, reliably good in Palermo without a reservation. It's not the right call when the occasion calls for a proper sit-down meal. Use El Preferido for traditional Argentine comfort at the table, La Carniceria for a more serious meat focus at a similar spend, Don Julio when budget is secondary to the full Buenos Aires parrilla experience.
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