Muchaaachos is a new restaurant in Miami that aims to bring the taste of South American live-fire cooking and the passion for fútbol to the city. The restaurant is the brainchild of Sebastian Aloi, an Argentine movie producer turned restaurateur. He collaborated with Leandro Cabanillas, the owner of Wynwood wine bar, Ruka, and Katie June Burton, a hospitality consultant and photographer, to open Muchaaachos. The restaurant features an open-fire grill and offers a parrillada experience. Fútbol, a fundamental part of Argentinian culture, is also celebrated at the restaurant. Muchaaachos aims to become a welcoming neighborhood spot for both locals and visitors. The restaurant occupies the former Las Vacas Gordas space in Normandy Isles.
“I am thrilled to share Muchaaachos with the city of Miami,” says Aloi. “With Argentina’s third World Cup win and Lionel Messi’s recent move to the InterMiami team, there has never been more excitement around fútbol and Argentinian culture in Miami than there is now. The team and I are incredibly eager to share an Argentine parrilla experience with the community and continue celebrating all things Argentina with the city. As for the name, it is rooted in the pride of the sport and for our country. We chanted Muchaaachos throughout our homes and the streets during the 2020 Qatar World Cup championship; it became our anthem and a part of who we are.”
The team at Muchaaachos enlisted the expertise of Chef Sebastian Benitez, originally from Argentina, to develop the restaurant’s menu. Chef Benitez specializes in utilizing fire in his cooking and has gained experience working in kitchens worldwide. He received training from Francis Mallman, a widely recognized Argentine chef renowned for his skill in open-fire cooking. Muchaaachos’ kitchen uses a Josper grill, which imparts a unique smoky flavor to meats and vegetables. This Spanish grill achieves perfection by combining grilling and oven techniques, burning 100% charcoal at high temperatures, and simultaneously allowing heat to emanate from all directions.
The culinary offerings are centered around grilled proteins, including skirt steak, cowboy steak for two, whole branzino, and half chicken. Vegetables also feature prominently on the menu, with options like charcoal oven-roasted cauliflower with bagna cauda and charred broccoli served with green goddess dressing or sweet potato with brown butter and chives. The restaurant also serves Argentine classics such as Housemade Chorizo served with chimichurri and salsa criolla; Fugazzeta, a mozzarella-stuffed pizza with charred onions; Choripan, a cancha-style sandwich with housemade chorizo, sliced tomato, and chimichurri; and Milanesa Napolitana prepared with prime beef tenderloin, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and hand-cut french fries. For dessert, guests can indulge in options like Dulce de Leche Flan or Chocomisu, a proprietary dish combining the classic Argentinian Chocotorta and the classic Tiramisu, featuring layers of chocolate and coffee-soaked ladyfingers with dulce de leche cream.
The culinary experience is complemented by a wine list curated by renowned wine expert Karina Iglesias. Iglesias, born in Argentina, was inspired to participate in the project because of her love for fútbol and the comfort foods of her country. Iglesias curated a selection that mainly features wines from Argentina, Spain, Italy, Chile, and Uruguay to pay homage to her homeland. She relied on her fond memories of gathering around the table with loved ones and always having a reason to celebrate to create a list of thoughtful producers. The wine list is a tribute to those memories, allowing guests to come together around the table to drink, eat, enjoy and create new memories.
The restaurant’s beverage menu features various classic cocktails and vermouths from Argentina and Spain. One of the house vermouths offered at Muchaaachos is La Fuerza, made in Mendoza, a region known for producing some of Argentina’s finest wines. La Fuerza is crafted using locally sourced Malbec and herbs from the Andes Mountains. The restaurant allows guests to order vermouth by the bottle with club soda, ice, and garnishes. This allows diners to create their own vermouth concoction to suit their taste. Those who prefer more potent drinks can try the Clarito, Argentina’s extra dry martini with a twist, or a Fernet & Coke served in La Copa del Mundo glass.
The 2,000-square-foot restaurant boasts 70 indoor seats and another 20 on its outdoor terrace. Its design embraces a minimalistic style while paying homage to fútbol with its aesthetics. The restaurant features artwork by Zoran Luci? showcasing famous athletes like Diego Maradona, David Beckham, and Lionel Messi. Fútbol references are woven throughout the restaurant, from the logo and menu design to the staff uniforms and bathroom decor, all carefully crafted by Burton.
Muchaaachos at 933 Normandy Dr. in Miami Beach is open from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are available via Resy. For more information, visit @MUCHAAACHOSMiami on Instagram.
Photo credit: Katie June Burton
