Ode to the calamari sandwich
Few things are as transversal in Spain as a squid sandwich (well, maybe the croquettes or the Russian salad).
On the coast we tend to see it as a beach snack, terrace overlooking the sea and summer but there is no first visit to Madrid without a stop to try the ** Brillante ** or the ** Campana **, to which you will return from time to time, confess it or not, if you decide to stay in the city.
And many inland towns and cities have made this humble sandwich an emblem of bar gastronomy.
So here is our tribute to this simple preparation that has given us so much joy and has saved us so many lunches. And the ones that are left.
The power between breads
** OR EIRONCIÑO, OURENSE **
It is curious about the province of Ourense with the product of the sea.
because although it is the only one of the four Galician provinces without a coast you can't talk about how the octopus is prepared in the extreme northwest if you have not tried the one in O Carballiño , which has a few restaurants with very good seafood, such as O Pingallo .
And because on the route of classic bars in the historic center of the capital, O'Eironciño has defended for years fried squid as one of its hallmarks . His sandwich has a legion of fans.
Fried squid sandwich from O'Eironciño
** BOCANEGRA, A CORUÑA **
Some time ago the **gastronomic website El Comidista** spoke of him as one of the best sandwiches in Spain.
We don't know if it is or not, but his proposal with pan de cristal, freshly fried squid and lime flavored mayonnaise It draws attention, accustomed as we are unfortunately to mazacote and battered breads with which we could go over the gotelé of a wall.
Extra crunch for a sandwich in which the usual proportion of squid with respect to the bread is modified, making the filling gain prominence.
Sandwich of squid fried at the moment and with mayonnaise flavored with Bocanegra lime
** GELÍN BAR, SANTANDER **
Santander and the squid rings is a serious thing, to the point that the squid sandwich does not enjoy the popularity here that it has in other parts of the country because, having a good squid and a good fry.
Who needs bread? Even so, there are examples, some of them very good, such as the Bar Gelín, known as The King of Rabas , one of those that the people of Santander insistently recommend when you ask.
WAREHOUSE 1900, BARCELONA
It has been there since the Adrian brothers (the Adriàs from elBulli. Don't act interesting, they sure sound familiar to you, even though cooking isn't your thing) opened this tribute to traditional taverns with their partners.
Y What would a winery be without its cured meats, without its anchovies and, of course, without its squid sandwich? Go ahead, try it, enjoy and don't say again that the Adrià only make food that you don't understand.
** TEST , ALICANTE **
The good vibes they have managed to create Carl and Danny in this place a few kilometers from the center of Alicante makes this unusual calamari sandwich we love it to the point that we can't imagine this list without this non-snack.
Calamari, crumbled ink bread and chipotle and orange sauce give shape to this proposal that shows that, in addition to a good atmosphere, there is a lot of cuisine and a lot of bar culture here.
The calamari sandwich, that brilliant object of desire
** GOOD FRIENDS, ELCHE **
Small squids, wonderfully battered, with their legs very crispy served in a generous sandwich (even in its small version) that has become an icon of this traditional bar where the lunch and tapas culture of a lifetime they continue to command.
MADRID: THE CLASSICS
Those of us who are from abroad have arrived at some point in Madrid and someone has taken us to try a squid sandwich . If you are from the coast at first you may not understand at first the fervor that some feel for them, but the truth is that you end up repeating.
Alone, with mayonnaise, with brava sauce or a few drops of lemon are the complement perfect for a well shot cane. And the truth is that in this classic version there are many to choose from. Casa Rúa, Sol Mayor and La Campana have the highest number of recommendations in the Plaza Mayor area. El Brillante is not lacking in any ranking and others like the Gago III by Bravo Murillo They also have their fans.
Sol Mayor squid sandwich
MADRID: UPDATE
An updated version of this Madrid classic could not be missing . And it's not that there is only one, but the one they prepare at John Barrita, the project with which the chef **Javi Estévez (La Tasquería) ** pays homage to the sandwich, is really worth it: ciabatta with a touch of garlic, well-fried squid and dots of white and black mayonnaise and spicy sauce . The squid sandwich, in Madrid, is also this.
** THE THREE BBB, SEGOVIA (MADRILEÑO STYLE) **
In Castilla y León, a good part of the squid sandwiches are from the Madrid family: thick crumb bread, good size squid rings and the option of mayonnaise.
The one they prepare at Las Tres BBB falls into this group. Good frying, no excess oil and the addition -not negligible- to take it in the heart of one of the most beautiful historic centers in Spain , with the spectacular head of the cathedral in front of you.
**MARVI BAR, VALENCIA**
We love the usual bars, the bustling bars and the waiters who transmit optimism. And that, precisely, is what is in the Marvi, a place worth eating, having lunch or spending the afternoon having a snack. A sample? The squid sandwich with broad beans that they propose for lunch. Let's see who doesn't face the rest of the day with joy after something like that.
** ENTREPANES DIAZ, BARCELONA **
Careful sandwiches in a pleasant atmosphere. The traditional tavern and bar sandwich, brought up to date, finds its Barcelona headquarters in Entrepanes Díaz. And one of the house specialties is, of course, the squid sandwich, which here is light and well resolved frying, and served with mayonnaise in its ink and a pinch of chopped parsley on top.