Street Cart · Chilean Hot Dog

Completo

Photo: Paul Lowry / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

A fully loaded 'completo italiano' is named for its colors, not for Italy — green avocado, white mayonnaise, and red tomato mirror the Italian flag.

A hot dog is piled high with mashed avocado, mayonnaise, and chopped tomato — and often sauerkraut and mild chili too — so heavily topped that the bun and sausage nearly disappear underneath. It's sold from street carts, kiosks, and casual walk-up counters throughout Chile.

Why it's made this way: The name 'completo' (complete) reflects Chileans' habit of stacking every available topping onto a simple hot dog, turning an inexpensive street snack into a filling, avocado-rich meal that reflects the country's love of palta.