How to order Pinxtos?

[Karen Schoenfelder]

This may be a silly question, but I have never been to the eastern part of Spain and we will be walking starting in SJPP in a couple of months. I understand that you can get Pinxtos in certain regions at the beginning of the Camino Frances until about Burgos.(from what I have read) How do you know what to order? Do you just point to choose? Please help me out and tell me some of your favorite ones and how to know what to order. Thanks!

 

[SabsP]

This may be a silly question, but I have never been to the eastern part of Spain and we will be walking starting in SJPP in a couple of months. I understand that you can get Pinxtos in certain regions at the beginning of the Camino Frances until about Burgos.(from what I have read) How do you know what to order? Do you just point to choose? Please help me out and tell me some of your favorite ones and how to know what to order. Thanks!

Indeed , when your Spanish is limited just point to the pintxos.
Especially Logroño has a great culture for exquisite pintxos.
Every bar more or less has its own specialty.
Be aware that ordering more than one in the same place to leave the toothpics on your plate. The waiter/ bartender will count them to make your bill.

For more info...

How to eat pintxos like a Basque, according to Andoni Luis Aduriz

With The World’s 50 Best Restaurants preparing to celebrate its awards programme in Bilbao in June 2018, we explore one of the most characteristic and unique features of Basque gastronomy: the ‘haute cuisine in miniature’ phenomenon called pintxos. Mugaritz chef Andoni Luis Aduriz gives us his...

www.theworlds50best.com

Pinchos - Calle Laurel de Logroño

www.callelaurel.org

Calle Laurel - Visita Logroño

Web oficial de turismo del Ayuntamiento de Logroño (La Rioja).

www.visitalogrono.com

My favourite is Bar Angel for the mushrooms.

 

[Pafayac]

Pinxtos

Pinchos (or "pintxos"):
- pimientos del padrón
- morcilla
- pan con tomate
- chorizo (take care to the prononciation with tonic accent on "cho" and "zo" with the tongue on the upper teeth).
- and so on...
I would like una caña tambien, gracias !

 

[henrythedog]

This may be a silly question, but I have never been to the eastern part of Spain and we will be walking starting in SJPP in a couple of months. I understand that you can get Pinxtos in certain regions at the beginning of the Camino Frances until about Burgos.(from what I have read) How do you know what to order? Do you just point to choose? Please help me out and tell me some of your favorite ones and how to know what to order. Thanks!

‘Uno de esos porfa’ [point]

It’s pretty obvious what things are.

You know you’re somewhere good for pintos/tapas when there’s essentially one item on the menu.

 

[WalkinRon]

Speaking of chorizo...

I had an hour before dinner would begin but the bar was serving the tables out in front of the restaurant, so I ordered a whiskey on the rocks and pintxo de tortilla. I had made some notes from my guidebook so when my drink came, I pointed at the word: "Txistorra" and the waiter nodded. A basket full was served with a baguette--delicious! After a second drink and some agua con gas I was full before the restaurant opened for dinner!!

 

[John Sikora]

Yep, one of the best bargains in the world. Just point. As said before "uno de esos" works just fine. I don't remember where exactly, but much of Spain you can still get pixtos. I know in Galacia you can. There are some really great pixtos stops in Santiago. One called the "Cathedral" I believe (someone can please correct if wrong), has a nice sit down patio in the back.

 

[dick bird]

You can say what you like. If it´s a good pinchos bar, they won´t hear you anyway. Just point. And smile.

 

[Giovy]

I don't remember where exactly, but much of Spain you can still get pixtos. I know in Galacia you can. There are some really great pixtos stops in Santiago. One called the "Cathedral" I believe (someone can please correct if wrong), has a nice sit down patio in the back.

In Galicia (or any other part of Spain except País Vasco) you may get "tapas".

 

[Rickcrna]

Get the ones freshly cooked. Avoid the ones piled on plates sitting on the counter top. You’ll thank me later for this suggestion.

 

[Pafayac]

You’ll thank me later for this suggestion.

Thank you !
(I prefer to thank you when your suggestion is fresh, I don't want to take the risk that it sits a long time on this forum page)

 

[Dennis Pack]

Ask the bartender

 

[pjacobi]

Ordering food in your non-native language is an important travel skill. I'm glad that I had already practiced this skill on previous trips to Europe, prior to walking the Camino.


-Paul

 

[SabsP]

You can say what you like. If it´s a good pinchos bar, they won´t hear you anyway. Just point. And smile.

And do not be shy to gently touch someone on the shoulder to get to the front of the bar! Hearing optional indeed

 

[JabbaPapa]

Just beware of those trying to sell you a tapa as if it were a pincho.

Sometimes, a pincho can be free, whereas a tapa will be so more frequently (the most basic tapas are a few olives, crisps/potato chips, peanuts, patatas bravas and so on).

Nevertheless, the go-to starting pinchos are : un(o) pincho de ... tortilla/jamón/queso/chorizo

The most basic pinchos are just larger portions of what would otherwise be a tapa. The more elaborate ones require a journey of discovery.

 

[Bobbymogs]

This may be a silly question, but I have never been to the eastern part of Spain and we will be walking starting in SJPP in a couple of months. I understand that you can get Pinxtos in certain regions at the beginning of the Camino Frances until about Burgos.(from what I have read) How do you know what to order? Do you just point to choose? Please help me out and tell me some of your favorite ones and how to know what to order. Thanks!

One of the funniest parts of "The Way" movie. ...tapas vs pinchos!

 

[WalkinRon]

One of the funniest parts of "The Way" movie. ...tapas vs pinchos!

Agreed!! (Because this is exactly what happens to us curmudgeons no matter where we go).

 

[KathyRugg]

Indeed , when your Spanish is limited just point to the pintxos.
Especially Logroño has a great culture for exquisite pintxos.
Every bar more or less has its own specialty.
Be aware that ordering more than one in the same place to leave the toothpics on your plate. The waiter/ bartender will count them to make your bill.

For more info...

How to eat pintxos like a Basque, according to Andoni Luis Aduriz

With The World’s 50 Best Restaurants preparing to celebrate its awards programme in Bilbao in June 2018, we explore one of the most characteristic and unique features of Basque gastronomy: the ‘haute cuisine in miniature’ phenomenon called pintxos. Mugaritz chef Andoni Luis Aduriz gives us his...

www.theworlds50best.com

Pinchos - Calle Laurel de Logroño

www.callelaurel.org

Calle Laurel - Visita Logroño

Web oficial de turismo del Ayuntamiento de Logroño (La Rioja).

www.visitalogrono.com

My favourite is Bar Angel for the mushrooms.

Oh, those mushrooms! I dream of them!

 

[SarahTheKiwi]

My hearing is terrible in loud places, add in some foreign language / accents and I'm a bit scared of what I'll get, or that I will offend someone. Thanks for the question Karen. Looks like I'll be doing some research!

 

[dick bird]

I'm a bit scared of what I'll get,

It´s not usually a problem, pintxos are displayed so you can see what you want and point. Local people will do this because (as I said) bars can get very noisy and the wait staff won´t hear you anyway. Just remember to make eye contact and smile.

 

[DJames]

Point and say “joe key-air-oh s-toe por fav-vor”

If it looks good try it. I think the bartender gets tired of trying to explain each one to the peregrinos.

The thing that was unappealing to me is when they zapped it in the microwave.

 

[SabsP]

Point and say “joe key-air-oh s-toe por fav-vor”

If it looks good try it. I think the bartender gets tired of trying to explain each one to the peregrinos.

The thing that was unappealing to me is when they zapped it in the microwave.

I do not want be rude but your phonetic translation is not quite correct.

" The zapping " in the microwave is quite a common thing and imho not unappealing. How would the bartender / waiter be able to work otherwise? In a goodselling place that is the way to quickly heat the fresh food.
You might have noticed how swiftly freshly made food is brought in from the kitchen to the counter / display?
You might also have noticed the thermometer that is placed in the chilling cabinet to monitor the temperature.

 

[Anhalter]

Pinchos (or "pintxos"):
- pimientos del padrón
- morcilla
- pan con tomate
- chorizo (take care to the prononciation with tonic accent on "cho" and "zo" with the tongue on the upper teeth).
- and so on...
I would like una caña tambien, gracias !

I think all of those are actually not pintxos.

 

[VNwalking]

I think all of those are actually not pintxos.

For those who are confused and to forestall further bickering, there is this.
Now can we continue to talk about how to order them?

 

[JabbaPapa]

For those who are confused and to forestall further bickering, there is this.

Its "Unfortunately, you won’t get a free pintxo anywhere. Although not very expensive, pintxos are always paid for" is not 100% true.

 

[DJames]

I do not want be rude but your phonetic translation is not quite correct.

" The zapping " in the microwave is quite a common thing and imho not unappealing. How would the bartender / waiter be able to work otherwise? In a goodselling place that is the way to quickly heat the fresh food.
You might have noticed how swiftly freshly made food is brought in from the kitchen to the counter / display?
You might also have noticed the thermometer that is placed in the chilling cabinet to monitor the temperature.

It was suppose to be lighthearted but sorry to offend. Thank you for the Spanish lesson.

Sorry but it reminded me of a microwave dinner.

 

[JabbaPapa]

For those who are confused and to forestall further bickering, there is this.

There's one point in the article which highlights what's IMO the central difference between a pincho and a tapa :

tapas are normally shared <<------->> pintxos are eaten individually

Everything else really is secondary IMO, but this gets to the heart of it. Whilst still bearing in mind that the simplest tapas are a little plate or bowl of crisps/potato chips, olives, peanuts, roasted nuts, etc., you can get a tapa anywhere in Spain, even in the hearty of pintxo territory.

 

[Stivandrer]

You can say what you like. If it´s a good pinchos bar, they won´t hear you anyway. Just point. And smile.

I have tested this.... pointed, smiled vigerously, and ordered in Danish.
You simply cannot remain hungry....

 

[David61]

I think all of those are actually not pintxos.

I think the only defining point of "pintxos" is they pin it to the plate with a cocktail stick

 

[KariC]

‘Uno de esos porfa’ [point]

It’s pretty obvious what things are.

You know you’re somewhere good for pintos/tapas when there’s essentially one item on the menu.

Aww, first time I've seen "porfa" outside of Chile! Love that expression!

 

[pjacobi]

Skip the explanation! Just order something and assume it is good. Go for the adventure!


-Paul

 

[henrythedog]

Aww, first time I've seen "porfa" outside of Chile! Love that expression!

If you (OK, I) learn Spanish as an additional language it’s possible to end up speaking it like a well educated child from the 19th century.

Spanish, as currently spoken in Spain, is far more casual, truncated and colloquial than the textbooks would indicate; so ‘Por favor’ becomes ‘porfa’, ‘fin de semana’ ‘finde’, ‘para mi’ ‘pa’mi’ and so on and so forth.

 

[Pafayac]

Spanish, as currently spoken in Spain, is far more casual, truncated and colloquial than the textbooks would indicate; so ‘Por favor’ becomes ‘porfa’, ‘fin de semana’ ‘finde’, ‘para mi’ ‘pa’mi’ and so on and so forth.

I wanna know if it's the same for other languages, bro ?

 

[pmusial]

It is important to check that the bar/restaurant has pintxos before sitting down and ordering drinks. I’m travelling alone but I would eat with other pilgrims who schooled me on how to order. Also the waiters are smart and want to help you get what you want. Many don’t speak much English but everything works out fine. I’m usually pleasantly surprised when the check comes.

 

[henrythedog]

I wanna know if it's the same for other languages, bro ?

Clearly.

 

[David61]

If you (OK, I) learn Spanish as an additional language it’s possible to end up speaking it like a well educated child from the 19th century.

Spanish, as currently spoken in Spain, is far more casual, truncated and colloquial than the textbooks would indicate; so ‘Por favor’ becomes ‘porfa’, ‘fin de semana’ ‘finde’, ‘para mi’ ‘pa’mi’ and so on and so forth.

Getcha. Nuff said

 

[JabbaPapa]

Spanish, as currently spoken in Spain, is far more casual, truncated and colloquial than the textbooks would indicate; so ‘Por favor’ becomes ‘porfa’, ‘fin de semana’ ‘finde’, ‘para mi’ ‘pa’mi’ and so on and so forth.

That is extremely variable regionally and even locally, and these sorts of dialectalisms either will or won't be typically used here or there.

In some pueblos in the heart of Castilla, even the rudest peasant can be proud of his "pure" Castilian, and speak it with great correctness.