A hot dog stand preserves its 1955 recipe in Buenos Aires

Alejandro Corrales manages Los Panchitos del Sol, a hot dog stand in the Galería del Sol shopping center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He took over the business from his father, Manuel, who founded the establishment after moving from Asturias, Spain. The shop moved to its current location in 1980 after the previous mall closed, and it has maintained the same recipes and flavor profile for nearly 70 years.

Corrales focuses on maintaining the specific quality of the hot dogs, which he cooks using steam. He emphasizes the importance of the German sausage, homemade mustard, and fresh bread. While the business serves modern customers, including younger people who visit for the traditional experience, Corrales avoids using delivery apps or expanding into a franchise to ensure the food remains at the correct temperature and quality. The shop serves as a point of cultural continuity in a changing city center.

Many customers visit with their children and grandchildren to replicate a tradition started decades ago. Corrales employs family members and works with a small group of long-term suppliers to keep the production consistent. He keeps the shop decorated with items from his father's homeland, such as traditional Spanish lighters, to reflect the family's heritage.