Completos – Chilean hotdogs. They are found ubiquitously on the streets of Santiago, most notably on Pio Nono in Barrio Bellavista – even late into the evening. They are a simple and humble food, but represent a staple for any partygoer in the city.
They are found in a several varieties – the standard being the clásico. It is a standard hotdog – vienesa and bun – but then topped off with sauerkraut, a heap of guacamole (or palta), and a generous helping of mayonnaise. Any variety of things may be added to this concoction, including cheese, tomatoes, and a wealth of sauces and flavored mayonnaises.
For example:
- Tomate & Mayo, as the name suggests, includes just tomatoes and mayonnaise.
- Italiano includes palta, mayonnaise, and tomatoes to loosely resemble the Italian flag.
- Dinámico is a standard Italiano with the addition of sauerkraut.
- Choripán is like a deluxe version of a completo. It is literally a chorizo on bread, typically marraqueta. Any of the aforementioned condiments may be added to a choripán, for a flavor explosion.
Not only are completos delicious, but they are also easy on the wallet. They can range from $300 CLP to $1200 CLP ($0.60 – $2.50 USD).
For some of the best street completos, try Pikachu on the corner of Pio Nono and Dardignac – they have an excellent variety of flavored mayonnaises.
Your first time eating a completo may be challenging. The sheer girth of the thing may intimidate those faint of heart or with bad knees. Be brave. If you can manage to walk and polish off one of these things, consider yourself a pro. Chileno, even.
For more mouth-watering details, check out this article from This is Chile.
– Adam Fleischer –
