The people of Argentina are as passionate about football (soccer) as Kansas Citians are about our Chiefs. Their Lionel Messi is our Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones rolled into one. They are loud and proud and they are on their way to Kansas City.
“We sing and shout and dance and wave flags,” says Isolina María de la Vega, a native of northern Argentina’s Tucumana province. She and her husband, Daria Jerez Leavy, own Los Hornos, an Argentinian restaurant on Ambassador Drive near the Embassy Suites.
Borrowing a line from a Ted Lasso character, “Fútball is life,” she says.
“I’m so excited for everyone to experience Argentine football,” says Cristina Worden, a native of Buenos Aires. She and her husband, Gary, own Piropos, the popular fine dining destination in Briarcliff.
“They are not quiet fans,” she adds with a smile.
Argentina is the reigning World Cup champion and one of four teams that chose Kansas City as its base camp during the six-week tournament. Their first game against Algeria will be at Arrowhead Stadium on June 16.
But neither Isolina nor Cristina will be at the games. These two entrepreneurial women, along with their husbands and staff, will hopefully be too busy at their restaurants to attend the games.
Los Hornos and Piropos are both authentically Argentinian, but they offer very different dining experiences.
Los Hornos, which refers to the oven in a family home, is in a strip mall near the airport. Empanadas are available fresh or frozen to enjoy at home. Milanesa, Lionel Messi’s favorite food, and soccer balls are sold alongside a selection of candies from Argentina. A picnic table in the courtyard is preferred seating in nice weather.
Piropos, which translates roughly to a poetic compliment to a woman, offers one of the most romantic nighttime views of the Kansas City skyline. Just ask Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, who dined here early in their relationship. Elegant artwork and antiques set the mood for flavorful steak and seafood served on white tablecloths and fine china.
Piropos is celebrating 25 years in business. Los Hornos has been in business in Kansas City just four years, but Isolina’s family has operated a restaurant in Tucumana since 1989.
Many who experience Argentine cuisine for the first time are often surprised by the vast selection of entrees with distinctive European influence. Italian, French, Spanish flavors and recipes are common.
“We are a big immigrant country, which contributes to our rich, diversified cuisine,” says Cristina.
Both restaurants import spices and other ingredients from Argentina, such as aji molido, a local chili powder, and a variety of salts from the region.
And while both restaurants carry a large selection of Argentinian wines, the owners agree that Argentines are big beer drinkers. Quilmes Beer is a national icon that must be consumed while watching the World Cup. But if you’re interested in a cocktail, ask for a Fernandito, a mixture of herbs and Coca-Cola.
Both restaurants have been featured in national news coverage from Argentina. Los Hornos has a 10’ X 14’ television in the courtyard that will carry all World Cup games.
Piropos has one small monitor in the dining room near the hostess stand that shows a live shot of the obelisk at the Plaza de la República in downtown Buenos Aires. If you find yourself in Buenos Aires, wave to the folks back home in Kansas City.
While Piropos is expecting several high-end groups from Argentina, Los Hornos is expecting fans wanting to share their passion with like-minded, energetic sports enthusiasts.
Many of those fans are expected at Los Hornos on June 14 when Isolina and Daria host a banderazo. The word translates in English to “flag.”
Starting at 5 p.m., fans and supporters will fill the parking lot in front of Los Hornos, everyone wearing Argentine football (soccer) jerseys and waving the light blue flag with sunburst that is the national flag. They will sing and shout and later gather on the patio to re-watch the 2022 World Cup when Argentina beat France 4-2. It was their third World Cup championship.
If the owners of Piropos and Los Hornos have their wish, 2026 will be the fourth World Cup trophy awarded the people of Argentina.
Los Hornos, 1004 N. Ambassador Drive, 816-768-3288
Piropos, 4141 N. Mulberry Drive, 816-741-3600, piroposkc.com
“I’m so excited for everyone to experience Argentine football."
“We are a big immigrant country, which contributes to our rich, diversified cuisine,” says Cristina.