Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting

Come hungry and ready to help. This four-hour evening in Mendoza brings you into Fede’s home for a hands-on Argentine asado, with empanada making, fire building, local wine, and a terrace view toward the city and mountains. It feels less like a restaurant meal and more like being invited to a friend’s barbecue.

I like the small maximum of five people, which gives the evening room for real conversation. I also like that you do not simply sit down to a finished dinner: you help prepare the empanadas and build the fire before eating. The main consideration is that the terrace requires two flights of stairs, and bad weather can move the meal indoors.

The price is $89 per person, with food, wine, beer, fernet, dessert, and a guided cultural experience included. That is not a budget dinner, but it can be good value if you want a social evening and a lesson in Argentine food rather than another meal at a city restaurant.

Key Points at a Glance

• Help make the empanadas: You prepare homemade empanadas while the coals heat, then eat them as the first course.
• Learn the fire first: Fede explains how to build and light an Argentine asado, including the wood used.
• A full grill, not a small tasting: Expect morcilla, chorizo, pork matambre, beef, and other generous servings.
• Local drinks from start to finish: Wine accompanies the meal, with beer available and Fernet with Coca Cola for the final toast.
• Rooftop setting: The terrace offers city and mountain views, though rain or cold sends the meal to the living room.
• Very small group: The activity accepts no more than five people, making it better suited to conversation than a large food tour.

What Makes This Mendoza Dinner Different

Mendoza has no shortage of restaurants serving steak and Malbec. The appeal here is the setting and participation. You are not just ordering an asado from a menu. You are learning how the meal comes together, from the first flames to the last drink.

The host, Fede, is repeatedly praised for making people feel at home. His style appears warm and involved, with plenty of conversation about Argentine culture, food, wine, and daily life in Mendoza. That personal element matters. A meal in someone’s home can give you a better sense of local habits than a polished dining room designed for quick service.

The small group helps. The maximum is five people, so you are likely to have time to ask questions and talk with the other diners. Solo visitors may find this especially useful, since the evening naturally creates a shared table rather than leaving you alone with a plate of steak.

You should also expect the social side to be part of the value. Several people describe meeting couples and families from other countries, with the evening turning into a long conversation over food and wine. That is a strength if you enjoy making connections. It is less ideal if you want a quiet, private dinner.

Starting With Fire and Homemade Empanadas

The evening begins at 8:00 p.m. at Av. Ejército de los Andes 346 1b, in central Mendoza. While the coals are getting ready, you help prepare the empanadas. This gives the first part of the experience a useful rhythm: you have something to do, something to eat, and a natural chance to get acquainted.

The empanadas are more than a snack before dinner. They introduce you to one of Argentina’s best-known foods in a practical way. You can see how they are assembled and prepared, then eat the results while waiting for the grill. It is a simple lesson, but it makes the meal feel shared rather than delivered.

Fede also teaches the basics of building the asado fire. That can include the wood used and the way the coals are prepared. For anyone curious about Argentine barbecue, this may be the most valuable part, because the fire controls the cooking and sets the pace for the entire evening.

Do not expect a rushed start. An asado is built around patience, conversation, and gradual cooking. You might spend a fair amount of time around the fire before the main meat arrives. That is part of the point, but it may test the patience of anyone expecting a fast four-course meal.

The Asado Grill: Morcilla, Chorizo, Pork, and Beef

The advertised meal includes homemade empanadas, morcilla, chorizo, pork matambre, beef, and dessert. The portions appear generous, so this is an evening for arriving hungry. The food is served over time as the grill is ready, not all at once.

Morcilla is Argentine blood sausage, usually dark, soft, and strongly flavored. It is an important part of the traditional grill but not everyone enjoys it. If you are cautious with unfamiliar foods, ask Fede what to expect before trying it. Chorizo is a more approachable first taste, with a savory sausage flavor that fits naturally between the empanadas and larger cuts of meat.

Pork matambre gives the meal another texture and flavor. Beef is the main attraction for many people, and the experience is built around the Argentine way of cooking it slowly over coals. The food is not presented as a formal tasting menu. It is a generous home-style meal, with the pleasure coming from the fire, the timing, and the company.

The dessert also deserves attention. One family specifically praised the homemade dessert, and it is included as part of the meal. The exact dessert is not specified, so you should treat it as a pleasant surprise rather than plan around a particular dish.

Vegetarian diners should ask for the veggie option in advance. The standard menu is heavily meat-based, and the available alternative is not described in detail. The same applies to dietary restrictions. One diner with gluten intolerance received thoughtful accommodation, but you should contact Fede before the evening rather than assume every need can be handled at the last minute.

Wine, Beer, and the Fernet Finish

Wine is central to the experience. Mendoza is Argentina’s leading wine region, and tasting local bottles alongside an asado makes practical sense. Fede is also described as an accomplished winemaker, and one evening included a handmade red with plenty of personality.

The wines are meant to work with the food, not simply fill your glass. You may taste several options and notice how different wines change the flavors of sausage, pork, and beef. This is not presented as a formal sommelier class, so I would approach it as an informal introduction to Mendoza wine from a local host.

Beer is also available, which gives you another option during the long opening period around the fire. The final drink is Fernet with Coca Cola, a classic Argentine combination and, for many visitors, the most unusual part of the evening. Fernet is bitter and herbal, while cola softens it with sweetness. You should try it at least once if you are open to local drinking customs.

The alcohol is one reason to plan your return carefully. Uber is readily available, and public transportation is nearby. The activity ends back at the meeting point, but the late 8:00 p.m. start and four-hour duration mean you may be leaving around midnight.

Dining Above Mendoza

The terrace is a major part of the appeal. You can eat with a view of Mendoza and the mountains, giving the evening a sense of place that an indoor restaurant cannot match. One solo diner described the mountain backdrop as a highlight, while another still enjoyed the evening after rain forced a change of plans.

The terrace is reached by climbing two flights of stairs. That detail is easy to overlook when booking, but it matters if stairs are difficult for you. The experience is described as suitable for most people, yet the stair access should be considered before you commit.

Weather can change the setting. If it rains or becomes too cold, the dinner moves indoors to the living room. You lose the rooftop view, but not the meal, fire lesson, wine, or conversation. A rainy evening may feel less scenic, though the indoor setting can still preserve the home-based character.

The host’s family and dogs may also be around. One solo diner warmly remembered meeting Fede’s wife, their baby, and four small chihuahuas. If you like a lively home setting, this adds charm. If you prefer a strictly private or quiet dining environment, keep in mind that this is a real home, not a purpose-built dining venue.

How the Four Hours Usually Feel

The evening is long enough to unfold naturally. You arrive, meet the group, and begin with the fire and empanadas. Wine and conversation fill the waiting time, followed by the sausages and larger cuts from the grill, then dessert and the Fernet toast.

Four hours may sound lengthy for dinner, but an asado is designed for a slow evening. The schedule gives you time to take part, ask questions, and talk with the people around the table. Several diners found that the time passed quickly because the conversation kept moving.

The tradeoff is that you should not book this on a night when you need to be somewhere else soon afterward. The start time is fixed at 8:00 p.m., and the listed duration is approximate. Give yourself a relaxed night with no firm late plans.

The activity returns to the same meeting point. The central location makes it relatively simple to reach, and both Uber and public transportation are available. You will need to arrange your own ride to and from the address.

Is $89 a Fair Price?

At $89 per person, this costs more than an ordinary restaurant dinner in Mendoza. But comparing it only with a plate of steak misses what you are paying for.

The price includes a substantial meal, homemade empanadas, several drinks, local wine, dessert, and Fernet. It also includes several hours of hosting and instruction. You are paying for access to a home setting, a small group, and the chance to take part in the preparation.

I think the price makes the most sense for someone who values conversation and participation. If you only want the cheapest way to eat beef and drink wine, a restaurant will likely be better. If you want to understand how an Argentine asado works and spend an evening with a local host, the added cost is easier to justify.

The strongest value comes from the personal attention. With no more than five people, Fede can involve everyone in the fire and empanada preparation. A large group would change the mood and reduce the chance to ask questions.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would recommend it to couples, solo diners, families, and small groups who enjoy food with a social side. It is particularly well suited to anyone visiting Mendoza for wine and wanting a meal that connects wine with local cooking customs.

Solo visitors should give it serious thought. The small group and shared preparation make it easy to join the conversation, and the evening may provide a welcome break from eating alone.

Families can also fit well, as long as everyone is comfortable with a late dinner, stairs, meat-focused food, and an adult drinking environment. Children are not specifically discussed, so ask about suitability before booking for young children.

Vegetarians and people with food restrictions should contact Fede ahead of time. A vegetarian option is available on request, and gluten-free accommodation has been provided, but the exact alternatives are not listed.

You may want to skip it if you need a short meal, dislike shared social settings, cannot climb two flights of stairs, or want a guaranteed outdoor view. The terrace is weather-dependent, and the evening is built around an unhurried home dinner.

Practical Details Before You Go

Confirmation is provided at booking. The meeting point is Av. Ejército de los Andes 346 1b, M5521JNA Mendoza, Argentina, and the activity begins at 8:00 p.m. It ends at the same address after roughly four hours.

The experience is near public transportation, and Uber is easy to find. Since the evening includes wine, beer, and Fernet, using a ride service is a sensible choice.

The terrace requires two flights of stairs. In rain or cold weather, dinner takes place indoors in the living room. The group is capped at five people, and most people can participate.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should You Book the Mendoza Asado?

Book this if you want more than a restaurant meal. The best parts are the hands-on fire and empanada preparation, Fede’s warm hosting, the small group, the generous grill, and the mix of Mendoza wine with a traditional Argentine home dinner.

I would treat the rooftop view as a bonus, not a guarantee. The core experience still works indoors, and the food and conversation are the main reasons to go. Ask about a vegetarian or dietary option before booking, plan your ride home, and leave the rest of the night free.

For food lovers, solo diners, and anyone curious about Argentine culture, this is a strong choice. It offers a personal evening that can turn a good meal into one of your most memorable nights in Mendoza.

FAQ

Where does the Mendoza asado experience begin?

It begins at Av. Ejército de los Andes 346 1b, M5521JNA Mendoza, Argentina.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 p.m.

How long does the dinner last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

What food is included?

The meal includes homemade empanadas, morcilla, chorizo, pork matambre, beef, and a local dessert.

What drinks are included?

The experience includes wine, beer, and a final toast with Fernet and Coca Cola.

Is a vegetarian option available?

Yes. You should ask for the vegetarian option when arranging the experience.

Does the dinner always take place on the terrace?

No. If it rains or becomes too cold, the dinner takes place indoors in the living room.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of five people.

Is transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes. The location is near public transportation, and Uber can be found easily.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.