Know Your Chilean Sandwich Types

The completo is a type of hot dog eaten in Chile. It is usually served with ingredients such as avocado, diced tomato and mayonnaise. In this form it may be known as an "italiano" (Italian Completo) or Tomate-Palta-Mayo (TPM [Tomato-Avocado-Mayonaise]). With the common addition of sauerkraut, known locally as chucrut, it may be called "classic completo". Ketchup, mustard and Aji chileno are the typical condiments.

Chileans love to each sandwiches, frequently called sánguches. These aren’t small sandwich bites or plain, boring peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Chilean sandwiches have history, character, personality, flavor, and can be so big you need a fork to eat them.

Sandwich Shops

There are various restaurants, cafes, or “soda fountains” (fuentes de soda) that specialize in favorite Chilean sandwiches. At Donde el Guaton, for example, you can get a massive sandwich that fills an entire plate.

Classic Chilean Sandwiches

When you see a menu at a cafe or restaurant, you may encounter some of these classic Chilean sandwiches:

Barros Luco – thinly sliced beef and melted cheese sandwich named after Chilean president Ramón Barros Luco who always asked for this sandwich at his favorite eatery

Barros Jarpa – a ham and melted cheese sandwich named after President Barros Luco’s cousin, Ernesto Barros Jarpa who frequently requested this sandwich variation

Lomito – pork sandwich often served with mayo, sauerkraut, tomatoes, avocado, and more. The lomito is probably the most famous Chilean sandwich

Chacarero – typically a thinly sliced beef sandwich usually topped with green beans (porotos verdes) in addition to tomatoes and chili pepper. I’ve also seen this sandwich with chicken or pork.

This is one sandwich if you can believe it??!!

Bread Types

You may also get to choose the type of bread for your sandwich. Typical choices include frica (a round roll), molde (from a loaf baked in a pan), or marraqueta (kind of like French bread). I’d recommend you try the frica bread.

Sandwich Variations

Building on the basic sandwich, you can get a variety of toppings to customize your sandwich.
For example, you can ask for a sandwich clásico, completo, or italiano, all with different ingredients.

Clásico – just the sandwich

Completo – “complete” will include everything but may vary based on location. Be prepared for tomato, avocado, mayo, sauerkraut, and more.

Italiano – sandwich topped with avocado, tomato, and mayo.


Whatever you get, it will be tasty. Enjoy!