Calling the Chilean completo just a "hot dog" misses the point entirely: while an American hot dog usually has little more than ketchup and mustard, a completo is piled with toppings until it's nearly twice the size of the sausage underneath.
Where the Chilean completo comes from
Chilean completos have been around for some 80 years. As the story goes, the old soda fountain Quick Lunch Bahamondes, located at Portal Fernández Concha facing Santiago's Plaza de Armas, was the first place to sell this variation on the American hot dog in Chile.
Completo italiano: the most traditional
The completo italiano is the classic version, and its name comes from the fact that the combination of ingredients resembles the colors of the Italian flag: a soft, pan copihue-style bun, a juicy sausage, diced tomato, avocado and mayonnaise. It's by far the most ordered version at any soda fountain in the country.
| Type of completo | Main ingredients |
|---|---|
| Italiano | Sausage, diced tomato, avocado, mayonnaise |
| Dinámico | Diced tomato, sauerkraut, avocado, green parsley sauce, mayonnaise, chopped carrot/onion/pickle |
| Alemán | Sausage, tomato, sauerkraut, mayonnaise |
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See advertising formatsCompleto dinámico and completo alemán: the other classic variations
The completo dinámico adds diced tomato, sauerkraut, avocado, a green parsley sauce, mayonnaise and a chopped mix of carrot, onion and pickle -a considerably more complex combination than the italiano. The completo alemán, on the other hand, goes for a simpler mix with bold flavors: sausage, tomato, sauerkraut and mayonnaise, without the avocado that defines the other two.
Fuente Alemana, one of Santiago's completo temples
Fuente Alemana is one of Santiago's most classic spots for completos, known for generous, oversized preparations. One quirk of its version: instead of the traditional diced tomato, it swaps that ingredient for a thick, raw tomato sauce -a variation its regulars notice right away compared to the more standard completo italiano recipe.
How to order a completo if you've never tried one
- Start with the italiano if you want the most traditional, least risky version.
- Ask for it "a lo pobre" if you also want to add fries with a fried egg on top, a very Chilean combo that can be added to almost any dish of this kind.
- If you like tangier, more textured flavors, the dinámico packs the most different ingredients into one bite.
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See advertising formatsFAQ
What's the difference between a completo and a regular hot dog?
The main difference is in the amount and variety of toppings: while a typical hot dog usually just has ketchup and mustard, the Chilean completo comes piled with tomato, avocado, sauerkraut or other toppings depending on the type.
What's the most popular completo in Chile?
The completo italiano, being the most traditional and the one that combines the fewest strong flavors, making it the safest choice for a first-timer.
Where can I get a good completo in Santiago?
Fuente Alemana is one of the city's most classic and recognized spots, though practically any neighborhood soda fountain in Santiago serves completos as part of its regular menu.
