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Of all of the sandwiches, tapas and avenue meals of Madrid, few are as beloved as Bocadillo de Calamares. So simple as this deep-fried calamari sandwich may appear, it has layers of taste and complexity you can’t discover anyplace else in Western Europe.

Not solely is bocadillo de calamares deeply ingrained in Madrid’s small plates tapas tradition. It’s additionally served as a avenue meals and even an off-the-cuff lunch in sit-down eating places. So, I believed I’d take a more in-depth take a look at all of the other ways you possibly can get pleasure from this must-try sandwich in your subsequent Madrid meals tour.

What’s a Bocadillo de Calamares?

Bocadillo de calamares is a quintessential Madrid delicacy that’s deeply rooted within the metropolis’s culinary heritage. This beloved sandwich began in Madrid and is assumed to have gained recognition because of the abundance of inexpensive squid imported from coastal areas. It shortly turned a working-class staple that tabernas and avenue meals distributors supplied to feed the hungry plenty.

A basic bocadillo de calamares appears easy at first look. It’s evenly breaded, crispy fried calamari squid rings, nestled inside a crusty bread roll. It’s sometimes served plain or with a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Nonetheless, numerous tabernas, eating places, and tapas bars may also embody sauces like garlic aioli or spicy brava sauce to punch up the flavour.

The standard bread is a crusty loaf with a delicate, absorbent inside, just like a baguette. But yow will discover bocadillo de calamares served on every kind of rolls and artisan breads. Particularly in widespread tapas bars that attempt to discover artistic methods to concurrently down-size the sandwich, whereas elevating its taste.

The Cultural Significance of the Bocadillo de Calamares

Bocadillo de calamares significance goes past merely being an ingrained a part of Madrid’s meals tradition. It additionally holds a particular place in Madrid’s culinary heritage, because it represents the simplicity and heat of town’s cultural roots.

Nowhere in Madrid is the bocadillo de calamares extra celebrated than close to Plaza Mayor, the center of town’s historic middle. The sq. is surrounded by small eateries, tapas bars, and tabernas which have served this basic sandwich for many years.

Very like churros are a morning indulgence, and jamon is Madrid’s beloved artisanal ham, the bocadillo de calamares captures the essence of Madrid’s avenue meals scene. It’s unpretentious, flavorful, and deeply rooted in custom.

Greatest Locations to Eat Calamari Sandwich in Madrid

There are too many tapas bars, taberna, avenue meals stalls, and high eating places in Madrid serving bocadillo de calamares to say in a single article. The next are simply a few of my favourite picks and well-known hotspots within the metropolis. 

Bar La Campana

Picture credit score: Bar La Campana

You’ll discover Bar La Campana close to Madrid’s iconic Plaza Mayor the place it’s change into a staple for locals and vacationers who’re looking for an genuine style of Spanish meals. It has a energetic but informal vibe that’s good for choosing up a fast chew.

Bar La Campana is well known for its signature bocadillo de calamares. The squid rings are exceptionally tender and fried to an ideal golden brown earlier than they’re nestled in a crusty baguette roll.

Purists will inform you that their bocadillo de calamares is finest when served plain, because it permits the standard of the calamari to shine. Nonetheless, I believe it’s even higher with a young squeeze of lemon and only a contact of garlicky aioli painted on the highest of the bun.

I additionally recognize that the bocadillo de calamares at Bar La Campana is affordably priced at round €4. Then you possibly can select any sides and a drink for a little bit bit additional.

Bar La Campana (€4–10) – C. de Botoneras, 6, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain.

Los Bocadillos

Los Bocadillos has a number of nice places in Madrid, however the one present in Calle del Marqués de Urquijo in Madrid’s Argüelles neighborhood is arguably the most well-liked. The realm is thought for its vibrant ambiance and closeness to the Temple of Debod and Parque del Oeste.

The bocadillo de calamares at Los Bocadillos is a real standout. You will get this iconic sandwich with the classical evenly battered and fried calamari rings served in a recent baguette. Portion sizes are beneficiant, and so they usually supply home specialty sauces so that you can discover the squid sandwich’s taste potential. The menu additionally contains different choices equivalent to bocadillos with meat and fish fillings, catering to various tastes.

I additionally recognize the inexpensive pricing, with the bocadillo de calamares solely costing round €4. Making it an effective way to refill with out breaking the finances.

Los Bocadillos (€4–10) – C. del Marqués de Urquijo, 1, Moncloa – Aravaca, 28008 Madrid, Spain.

Mercado de San Ildefonso

Picture credit score: Mercado de San Ildefonso

Mercado de San Ildefonso is thought for its stylish meals stalls, making it a high culinary hotspot for Madrid’s trendy avenue meals scene. A number of distributors supply distinctive takes on the bocadillo de calamares, with artistic twists on the basic, equivalent to flavored aiolis, artistic garnishes, and optionally available gourmand sauces.

This market has an particularly energetic, and trendy ambiance, unfold throughout three totally different flooring. Whereas it doesn’t have a conventional meals courtroom, the Mercado de San Ildefonso has ample seating.

Mercado de San Ildefonso gives a staggering array of culinary choices and worldwide dishes, the bocadillo de calamares is among the hottest. There are tons of distributors providing their very own artistic twists on the sandwich in addition to sides, sauces, and artisanal buns. It’s an incredible place to benefit from the artistic potential of the calamari sandwich whereas selecting up substances to make use of in your trip rental kitchen.

Mercado de San Ildefonso (€5–15) – Calle de Fuencarral, 57, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain.

How A lot Does a Bocadillo de Calamares Value?

The common price for a bocadillo de calamares in Madrid sometimes ranges from €3 to €8, relying on the placement and the portion dimension. Avenue meals stalls and informal eateries are more likely to supply a full-size model of the sandwich for round €4 to €8. Whereas upscale tapas bars eating places or gourmand eateries would possibly cost as a lot as €10 to €15 or extra.

Sources:

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Madrid. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Greatest eating places in Madrid. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/best-restaurants-in-madrid/

Mercado de San Ildefonso. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.mercadodesanildefonso.com/

Instagram. (n.d.). Bar Los Bocadillos. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.instagram.com/discover/places/520093/bar-los-bocadillos/

Instagram. (n.d.). La Campana. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.instagram.com/lacampana.oficial/?hl=es