That home video is of me, Allie Lazar, 4 years old, in 1989 at my grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary (yes, I was a large kid). Ever since a young age, growing up in the mean streets of suburban Chicago, I’ve been a good eater — intensely devouring all things edible like a possessed chubby demon child. Since I’ve always spent my days eating, cooking, dreaming about food and travel, reading and writing about food, and planning my next meal, it was only fitting to channel this food obsession in the form of something a bit more socially acceptable: make it into a profession. Plus, working in food is a legit excuse for never going on a diet.
Here’s my story: I came to Buenos Aires in 2006 to study Political Science at the Universidad de Buenos Aires during a semester-long exchange program, and five ten fifteen (!) years later I’m still here, crazy enough to have fallen in love with this wonderfully chaotic country. I started writing Pick Up the Fork food blog in 2009 as a hobby to document my love-hate relationship with food in Argentina, attempting to liven up traditional restaurant reviews with a little bit of honesty and a lot of bit of silliness. Living far away from home isn’t always easy, but writing helped me work through my homesickness. My hobby turned into an obsession, which eventually transformed into a profession, and here I am, still on an endless quest to eat delicious things and find interesting stories behind those foods.
I have been grateful to see lots of hungry people enjoy and use the blog, and have received chubby praise for my Buenos Aires food expertise with features in publications like the New York Times, Rolling Stone Magazine, New York Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, The Travel Channel, The Food Network, BBC, and the Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil and Street Food. I even helped President Obama and Justin Trudeau choose restaurants when they were in Buenos Aires! (I’m sorrynotsorry, but I had to throw in that humble brag because, well, it’s the OBAMAS!!)
Professional Experience:
For nearly two decades I’ve traveled around the world eating, drinking, writing, and telling stories about food and culture. I’m currently the Head of Content and Story Producer for YesChef, we make documentaries and cooking classes about great chefs around the world (think Masterclass meets Chef’s Table). My writing and photography have appeared in publications like The New York Times, Bon Appetit Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, Eater, The Guardian, Food & Wine Magazine, Saveur, New York Post, National Geographic, Vice Munchies, Lucky Peach, Serious Eats, La Nacion, Clarin, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Roads & Kingdoms, BBC Travel, New Worlder, Travel + Leisure, The Infatuation, among many others. I’m the former Food & Drinks editor of Time Out Magazine Buenos Aires (RIP), and back in the day hosted a TV series about restaurants in Buenos Aires. Sometimes I organize customized Buenos Aires food tours when food-obsessed travelers come to Argentina, work as a fixer when production companies come to film in Latin America, and offer consulting services for restaurants, hotels, and the travel and food industry.
From street food vendors to top chef tasting menus, I don’t think I’ll ever stop my endless voyage discovering the great foods in Argentina and around the world. I hope you enjoy reading my labor of love and find it useful, because I sure have a blast (most of the time) eating and writing. And if you don’t like it, go suck a chorizo.
Yours Truly,
Allie
P.S.
– All of the reviews are my honest opinion based on personal experience, even if you think they are wrong. You don’t owwwwwn me, restaurant owner, chefffff, Yelp elitist, or press dude.
– I took all of the photos on the site (unless otherwise noted), so please don’t steal them. Or if you do, give me credit for being the fab photog I pretend to be.
– I’m also one of THOSE PEOPLE who post photos of food (and maybe sometimes cats, dogs, and Seinfeld references). So feel free to twatme, likeme, and insta-assme on da worldwide social media webz –> @pickupthefork
– Questions, comments, complaints, all welcome. Feel free to tell me if you want to be my new best friend…. or if you think my drivel is full of shit. I just may not respond.
Comment below or shoot me a fax —> imhungry@pickupthefork.com
Paulo says
Hi Allie,
Me tope de casualidad con tu blog after watching “Someone Feed Phil” on Netflix. I’m originally from Buenos Aires but I’ve been here on the West Coast for about 15ish years.
No te puedo empezar a contar la melancolía que me trae to watch your reviews and see so much of Baires I had no freaking clue existed.
I’m forever thankful that someone like you le encontrara la vuelta para mostrar lo bueno que todavía existe en Argentina mas allá de todas las pelotudeces and nuckleheads that keep the country always at the edge of extinction (that might be a bit alarmist, but if you know Argentinian, emotions aren’t a mellow thing).
Cheers y seguile sin aflojar.
Pedro says
Que necesidad de escribir así campeón? Más tiempo afuera que vos y emigrado antes de terminar de criarme y no tengo esa manía estúpida de hacerme el internacional… Quizás no te guste tanto buenos aires si en miseros 15 años te olvidaste de tu idioma…
Juan says
Es difícil de entender como escribió? sí, pero es su problema? también
Peti says
Ufa que mala onda, mientras no se haga daño, cada uno con la suya y listo.
Bill Hui says
Hi Allie, I being following a your IG posts – Any Argentinian restos in NY/ NJ area that have the high quality meat one can get from Argentina or where I can get a Choripan thats authentic but suprisingly good quality.
Graciela Rapan says
I was going to share the site with my friends in Buenos Aires, but some of them don’t speak English. It’s a pity that there is no translation available, at least for the link to help the restaurants and local shops
Richard Gilmore says
Imagine our surprise when Sandy and I decided to watch episode 1 of Street Food Latin America Buenos Aires and there, on screen, appears my beautiful 2nd cousin. Loved the episode and truly enjoyed your spirit and exuberance, especially at the Boca futbol game. Made us want to return to your city. Hope this finds you safe and healthy. Congratulations on a successful career.
With love
Cousin Ricky
Peter says
Google chrome browser will translate the text
Catarina says
Hi,
I am going to Buenos Aires in January (2020) and I have read a lot about Puerta Cerradas but all articles are from 2018 and older. Is the concept still running?
Geoffrey Blythe says
I am a chef traveling through South America and will be in BA for the next few months. I would love any suggestions! Thanks
Marcos says
Me wife and i saw your videos in Contar Plataform Pick up The Fork, we really enjoy it ! You look trully and your comments are hilarious ! Keep that way :)
Chelsea says
Allie,
Your photos are fantastic, your food shopping guide gives me life, and I really just can’t with your videos. Thank you for doing what you do!
But where can a girl get some good Mexican food around here!? I’m dying. Pls send help.
Sincerely, a fellow escapee of the USA,
Chelsea
Rachel says
Ulua is a new opening and pretty decent!
Claudio Valerio says
A qué dirección de correo electrónico les puedo enviar información para que publiquen sobre el origen del asado de tira en Argentina?
Mike H. says
Hi Allie,
I’ll be in BA for 3 nights in May and I’ve been perusing your various articles on your site and others by you. I’m curious if you’d be able to narrow down my dinner options with some advice. I like new and exciting food with boundary-pushing formats. I am indifferent on price but I don’t need to go to the highest priced place just to say I did.
– Must visit: Don Julio
– Need to pick 2 of the 4: Chila, Mishiguene, Tequi, Aramburu
– Or something else I’m missing?
Really appreciate any advice.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Mike
Christopher Ulbright says
Hi there,
Are you still actively updating pickupthefork or have you moved on to other endeavors? I’ve been reading your site for a few years now. I recently relocated to BA with my wife and daughter so I’m paying a bit more attention to your reviews. I’ve found pickupthefork to be quite helpful and also enjoyable to read.
Cheers!
Eretz cantina israeli says
Hola , queriamos invitarlo a visitarnos
Laura Ann Lambert says
Hi Allie,
Sitting down to a quiche and coffee at Cocu Boulangerie, Palermo. (Recommended by my Uber driver, Diana who brought me to my apartment from the airport. Reluctant to start off eating in a French patisserie in BsAs but it was a local recommendation.)
Looked up at the menu and was completely out of my depth.
Immediately began googling my way out of ignorance. Serendipitously came across your blog and saw Pizzeria Guerrin mentioned. (Which Diana also said was a spot not to be missed.)
Safe to say “pickupthefork” is going to serve as my guide to eating out over the next couple of days before I move on to Puerto Madryn. Namely for this description of an empanada; “a doughy pocket of love filled with all your hopes and dreams”.
Thanks for doing the legwork.
Laura Ann