Walking into La Fuenta Alemana in the middle of lunch hour, between noon and 3pm, can be overwhelming. The interior is packed and becomes standing room only during this peak time, but you too can order your lomito, with a side of local beer in a few easy steps – even if you don’t speak Spanish.
Finding La Fuente Alemana
There are two of them in the city, one in the Providencia area near the Pedro de Valdivia metro station and the other, further southwest by the Baquedano stop. They aren’t open on Sundays and a visit during the week around lunchtime ensures you’ll see the place in action. For a less hectic atmosphere, come around 2:30pm when things begin to slow down.
Entering “The German Fountain”
When you walk in, don’t stand in the line right by the door. That’s for people paying – make your way to the counter in the middle and sit down if there’s a spot. Otherwise you can stand and wait, people eat fairly quickly and spots open fast. Be prepared with your order, one of the waitresses will come up to you in a flash after you take your seat.
For good measure you can get a Kuntsmann, a slightly heavy Chilean beer along with your order.
Watching It All Happen
The instant your order is confirmed, a slab of chopped beef and pork will be thrown down on the grill in front of you, and the bread will be prepped with avocado. Within a few minutes a plate, barely big enough to fit your lomito, will be staring back at you with a fork and knife. Don’t be fooled though, most Chileans go in with their hands and might use the utensils to clean their plates.
Finishing Up And Paying
Once you’re finished, the common “check please” sign will be all you need to get your receipt. Take to the line you avoided upon walking in where you pay for your order. If you liked the service you can walk back to where you were sitting, say “gracias” to your waitress, and drop in a few coins in the numbered boxes located around the counter.
With you meal payed and tip left you can take a nice stroll up Avida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins Avenue or hop the metro to Plaza de Armas and visit La Moneda Palace. After a few active hours you just might be able to burn off some of your lomito, which will likely keep you full for days.