Milanesa sandwich facts for kids
The milanesa sandwich, called "Sándwich de milanesa" in Spanish, is a very popular food. People love to eat it in countries like Argentina and Uruguay. It's usually made with a white bread roll, like a short baguette. This bread is cut in half and filled with a big piece of "milanesa."
A "milanesa" is a lot like a schnitzel. It's a thin slice of meat, usually beef, that's breaded and fried. Besides the milanesa, the sandwich often has sliced tomato and lettuce. Sometimes, people add other yummy things. These can include sliced onions, ham, cheese, or even a sliced boiled egg or a fried egg. If you prefer chicken, there's also a "milanesa de pollo" version. This means the beef is replaced with breaded chicken. It's similar to a chicken escalope sandwich you might find in other places!
Special Sandwiches from Tucumán
In the province of Tucumán, Argentina, the milanesa sandwich is super popular! People there often call it "sánguche de milanesa" or "milanga." You can buy these sandwiches in special shops called "sangucherías" or from food carts.
Sangucherías are a type of fast food restaurant. They mainly sell milanesa sandwiches. They also offer other sandwiches, like the "lomito." A "lomito" is very similar to a milanesa sandwich. The main difference is that it uses a thin steak fillet instead of a milanesa. Most sangucherías are family-owned businesses. They usually don't belong to big fast food chains.
Why Tucumán Loves Them So Much
The milanesa sandwiches in Tucumán are special because they are always eaten warm. The person making your sandwich prepares it right in front of you. This way, you can watch them make it fresh! The lettuce in these sandwiches is always shredded into small pieces. People often add onions, which can be cooked or soaked in vinegar. Some also like to add "ají," which is a hot chili pepper sauce.
The bread used is soft, but it's usually toasted for a few seconds. This makes the outside a little bit crunchy. The milanesas are always fried. For a bit more money, you can add ham, cheese, and fried eggs to your sandwich.
The milanesa sandwich is so loved in San Miguel de Tucumán! In 2013, a local artist named Sandro Pereira even built a monument to this food. Sangucherías have been very successful in Tucumán. They compete well against big international fast food chains like McDonald's, Burger King, or Subway. Some sangucherías sell as many as 500 sandwiches in just one night!
There's even an annual event called "Expo Milanga." It happens every year on March 18th. This date remembers José "Chacho" Leguizamón. He was the person who started one of the most famous sangucherías in the city.
See also
- List of sandwiches
- Sándwich de milanesa para niños (in Spanish)
