Tren Patagónico features regional cuisine via sibling-run restaurant car

Siblings Ayelén and Eduardo “Bebe” Calvo Cristaldo have transformed the restaurant car of the Tren Patagónico into a mobile gastronomic experience representing the Río Negro province. The train service covers 830 kilometers between Viedma and Bariloche, offering a menu that highlights regional flavors such as Línea Sur lamb, seafood from the San Matías Gulf, Alto Valle wines, and Andean products.

Ayelén serves as the concessionaire and waitress, a role that requires navigating the moving floor of the train to serve passengers. Her brother, Bebe, is a professional chef who manages the kitchen, adapting cooking techniques to the constant motion of the rails. The project originated from Ayelén’s experience running a kiosk at the San Antonio Oeste station, where she identified a demand for a culinary service that reflected the local territory.