An “Italian” sandwich here is Chile is a sandwich containing mayonnaise, slices of tomatoes and avocado, usually mashed. This of course has nothing to do with Italy itself, but refers to the fact that if you are on drugs, the colors of this sandwich vaguely resemble those of the Italian flag.
Anything can be “Italiano”. The combination works with everything unhealthy and can therefore be found in any place which serves greasy food, from restaurants to gas stations. And it’s great.
Of course… even though this is one of the best known food concepts here, a Chilean waiter is still likely to ask you “do you want mayonnaise with that? … do you want tomatoes with that?… and do you want avocado with that?” Just keep saying yes but under no circumstances must you attempt to change the formula. I have done the mistake twice now of trying to get them to add onions as well. “Just a little please”. They will ask you if you want raw or cooked onion. A reasonable question. But when your sandwich arrives, they will have covered it so completely in onion that you may not even find the rest of it.
Work with the menu, not against it.
A wonderful Churrasco Italiano at the Valle de Oro (Valley of Gold) restaurant. The photo may not be impressive but this was the best sandwich I have ever had in Chile.
A Wiener here in Chile is not a proper sausage like in Europe, but a long skinless cocktailweiner without taste. But not to worry. In this case it’s “Italiano” so the disappointing sausage taste is safely masked by a nice thick layer of calories.