Hornillos Albergues - Paella Battles?

[Fletchonides]

I am looking into albergues from Burgos to Leon, which is our next leg, starting in early June. I have noticed that there are two albergues in Hornillos that appear to provide a communal meal, the Hornillos Meeting point and the El Alfar de Hornillos. Both appear to provide paella.

Between SJPdP and Burgos, I have yet to have a pilgrim meal with paella, so I am wondering if this is indeed the case that they both offer paella? Does anyone have experience of either albergue? Did one of them start and the other one decided 'We had better serve paella or all the pilgrims will go to the other'? Are there signs in Hornillos "our Paella is better than theirs"?

 

[SabsP]

I am looking into albergues from Burgos to Leon, which is our next leg, starting in early June. I have noticed that there are two albergues in Hornillos that appear to provide a communal meal, the Hornillos Meeting point and the El Alfar de Hornillos. Both appear to provide paella.

Between SJPdP and Burgos, I have yet to have a pilgrim meal with paella, so I am wondering if this is indeed the case that they both offer paella? Does anyone have experience of either albergue? Did one of them start and the other one decided 'We had better serve paella or all the pilgrims will go to the other'? Are there signs in Hornillos "our Paella is better than theirs"?

I don't know but I would be very suspicious about " fresh " paella in Hornillos, certainly not the region where you can find genuine paella.
It could be different of course but I would bet it comes from the deepfreeze. But I'm a foodsnob

 

[trecile]

I am looking into albergues from Burgos to Leon, which is our next leg, starting in early June. I have noticed that there are two albergues in Hornillos that appear to provide a communal meal, the Hornillos Meeting point and the El Alfar de Hornillos. Both appear to provide paella.

Between SJPdP and Burgos, I have yet to have a pilgrim meal with paella, so I am wondering if this is indeed the case that they both offer paella? Does anyone have experience of either albergue? Did one of them start and the other one decided 'We had better serve paella or all the pilgrims will go to the other'? Are there signs in Hornillos "our Paella is better than theirs"?

The albergue I stayed at in Hontanas also offered a communal meal with paella.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I don't know but I would be very suspicious about " fresh " paella in Hornillos, certainly not the region where you can find genuine paella.
It could be different of course but I would bet it comes from the deepfreeze. But I'm a foodsnob

hmmmm maybe, but OTOH a basic paella, even perhaps without certain ingredients not found fresh locally, isn't really that difficult to prepare, is it ?

Paella doesn't *have* to include certain seafoods ...

 

[Deleted member 36903]

How about San Bol? The paella does not include seafood but is freshly cooked by the hospitaleros/as and it is wonderful to sit at the albergue's huge round table and eat under that domed roof. Small place with a big heart and underfloor heating to dry your newly washed socks!

 

[Fletchonides]

I have learned with pilgrims meals to accept whatever they set in front of you.

Actually, I'm more interested in whether anyone has stayed in either albergue and can recommend one or the other. I had thought to stay in the one with a communal meal, but since they both seem to, I don't know how to decide.

 

[billmclaughlin]

Dinner at Meeting Point last fall was pretty good. I remember my new companions: Annie the toirtoise and Imelda and Julie from Arlington and the duo from the Twin Cities. There was also paella I'd call more solid than memorable.

 

[Mark Lee]

I have stayed at both albergues.
Of the two El Alfar is by far my favorite and was one of my favorite albergues to stay in while walking the CF. I had the communal meal at El Alfar, and the paella was homemade and was great. Came with salad, bread, wine and desert. Also the couple that run El Alfar are really cool. The albergue is their home. The pilgrim quarters are upstairs. Very hospitable place.
When I stayed at the Meeting Point I had dinner at a nearby cafe with some other pilgrims. I can't vouch for the food at the albergue.
Hornillos is a very small town along the CF, and very quaint. I didn't observe any rivalries between albergues.

 

[Fletchonides]

thanks so much.

 

[Mark Lee]

I do have to add that the paella I had in Hornillos was not the traditional seafood type that is best known. It was darker and had no seafood and had a lot of chorizo in it. Reminded me of jambalaya we have here in Louisiana, and I love jambalaya. Creole or Cajun style. Same with paella. More than one kind and depends on what's available.
Paella and jambalaya and other similar rice cooked with whatever else you can afford to put in it dishes, were a way for the poorer, working class to stretch a meal.
I personally don't think there's a wrong way or right way to make paella or jambalaya.
I had a great homemade paella at the albergue (Alea) I stayed in while in Ponferrada at the communal dinner they had.

and a couple more places I dined with the paella cooking up outside...

Mama didn't raise no foodie snob here. Put a big plate of homemade paella, bread and vino tinto in front of me and I'm a happy dude.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Foodie snobs and paella lovers should carry on past Carrion to San Nicolas del Real Camino, where Restaurante La Barrunta is famous for its paella and arroces. The family that runs the place is from just south of Valencia, (the home of paella) and they've got it nailed. I love the rabbit-and-snails paella, and the black rice paella. But there are all kinds to choose from, all of it home-made.
Not cheap, and not fast, but very memorable!

 

[SabsP]

Foodie snobs and paella lovers should carry on past Carrion to San Nicolas del Real Camino, where Restaurante La Barrunta is famous for its paella and arroces. The family that runs the place is from just south of Valencia, (the home of paella) and they've got it nailed. I love the rabbit-and-snails paella, and the black rice paella. But there are all kinds to choose from, all of it home-made.
Not cheap, and not fast, but very memorable!

I only had coffee there but had a look at the menu.Wow!

 

[C clearly]

Agree with @Mark Lee that El Afar is an excellent albergue, and the owners make you feel at home.

 

[Fletchonides]

Foodie snobs and paella lovers should carry on past Carrion to San Nicolas del Real Camino, where Restaurante La Barrunta is famous for its paella and arroces. The family that runs the place is from just south of Valencia, (the home of paella) and they've got it nailed. I love the rabbit-and-snails paella, and the black rice paella. But there are all kinds to choose from, all of it home-made.
Not cheap, and not fast, but very memorable!

Thanks Rebekah, that's just past your place, isn't it? Not sure I will be passing San Nicolas at the right time of day for paella, but we'll see.

 

[Karen Cap]

I do have to add that the paella I had in Hornillos was not the traditional seafood type that is best known. It was darker and had no seafood and had a lot of chorizo in it. Reminded me of jambalaya we have here in Louisiana, and I love jambalaya. Creole or Cajun style. Same with paella. More than one kind and depends on what's available.
Paella and jambalaya and other similar rice cooked with whatever else you can afford to put in it dishes, were a way for the poorer, working class to stretch a meal.
I personally don't think there's a wrong way or right way to make paella or jambalaya.
I had a great homemade paella at the albergue (Alea) I stayed in while in Ponferrada at the communal dinner they had.
View attachment 33395
and a couple more places I dined with the paella cooking up outside...
View attachment 33396 View attachment 33397
Mama didn't raise no foodie snob here. Put a big plate of homemade paella, bread and vino tinto in front of me and I'm a happy dude.

Hey Mark,
I'm from Nola too. Though I don't live there anymore. Jambalaya and paella are similar to except they don't have Tony Chachere's in Spain.
I also make Paella at home. Sometimes I use chorizo. I add saffron (bought in Spain) when I don't use chorizo. I think chorizo overpowers the saffron.
I made the garbanzo soup trying to imitate the soup I ate in Navaratte. Mine wasn't as good though.
I can make a mean shrimp ettouffee. Luckily, I can get fresh shrimp in coastal Georgia.
Glad to hear dey got sum yats on duh Camino!(Other than me)
Karen

 

[Fletchonides]

mmm, Cajun in Lafayette, beignets and muffuletas and po-boys and gumbo in New Orleans.

 

[Mark Lee]

Hey Mark,
I'm from Nola too. Though I don't live there anymore. Jambalaya and paella are similar to except they don't have Tony Chachere's in Spain.
I also make Paella at home. Sometimes I use chorizo. I add saffron (bought in Spain) when I don't use chorizo. I think chorizo overpowers the saffron.
I made the garbanzo soup trying to imitate the soup I ate in Navaratte. Mine wasn't as good though.
I can make a mean shrimp ettouffee. Luckily, I can get fresh shrimp in coastal Georgia.
Glad to hear dey got sum yats on duh Camino!(Other than me)
Karen

Yeah, I go through a lot of Tony's, ha ha.
I've tried my hand at making paella here at home, but it always comes out like a modified jambalaya, ha ha.
I haven't been to Valencia, yet or any of the other southern parts of Spain. Paella will rank high on my to do's....

 

[Mark Lee]

mmm, Cajun in Lafayette, beignets and muffuletas and po-boys and gumbo in New Orleans.

soft shell crab po-boy...oh yeah

 

[Jersey]

I stayed with a friend of mine in Madrid last May.
He told me he was going to prepare authentic Valencia paella for our tailgate party before the concert ( Springsteen )
The meat ( no seafood ) consisted of chicken & rabbit.
Well, I started to eat and said " the chicken is delicious "
He laughed and said " that is a piece of rabbit you are eating " lol

 

[Camino Ky]

I stayed at El Afar last year and loved it. Rooms were clean and organised. Paella was good, even had a yummy lemon mousse desert.

 

[IngridF]

Foodie snobs and paella lovers should carry on past Carrion to San Nicolas del Real Camino, where Restaurante La Barrunta is famous for its paella and arroces. The family that runs the place is from just south of Valencia, (the home of paella) and they've got it nailed. I love the rabbit-and-snails paella, and the black rice paella. But there are all kinds to choose from, all of it home-made.
Not cheap, and not fast, but very memorable!

Reb...should my feet stop at your door sometime in June and you have time to get away for a meal... my treat to go eat Paella in San Nicolas. Xoxo

 

[Karen Cap]

soft shell crab po-boy...oh yeah

I love oyster po-boys. Have you tried the pulpo? I had some in Palais de Rey. My husband (from Minnesota) could not watch me eat it. It was delicious!

 

[Robo]

Foodie snobs and paella lovers should carry on past Carrion to San Nicolas del Real Camino, where Restaurante La Barrunta is famous for its paella and arroces. The family that runs the place is from just south of Valencia, (the home of paella) and they've got it nailed. I love the rabbit-and-snails paella, and the black rice paella. But there are all kinds to choose from, all of it home-made.
Not cheap, and not fast, but very memorable!

Sounds Awesome! Do they do lunch? We might be able to stagger on to Sahagun afterwards...........

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Sounds Awesome! Do they do lunch? We might be able to stagger on to Sahagun afterwards...........

Their Menu del Dia is popular with local truckers and construction guys. If you want a paella at lunchtime, you do well to phone up in advance. (I'd provide a number, but I don't want to look like a shill for the place!)
...but if you do go there, tell them I sent you.

 

[Robo]

Their Menu del Dia is popular with local truckers and construction guys. If you want a paella at lunchtime, you do well to phone up in advance. (I'd provide a number, but I don't want to look like a shill for the place!)
...but if you do go there, tell them I sent you.

Sounds like a place to go ! Thanks.

 

[Mark Lee]

View attachment 33420
I love oyster po-boys. Have you tried the pulpo? I had some in Palais de Rey. My husband (from Minnesota) could not watch me eat it. It was delicious!

Of course. Had pulpo a few times as I got closer to Santiago. Good stuff....

 

[Jersey]

Hey Mark,
I'm from Nola too. Though I don't live there anymore. Jambalaya and paella are similar to except they don't have Tony Chachere's in Spain.
I also make Paella at home. Sometimes I use chorizo. I add saffron (bought in Spain) when I don't use chorizo. I think chorizo overpowers the saffron.
I made the garbanzo soup trying to imitate the soup I ate in Navaratte. Mine wasn't as good though.
I can make a mean shrimp ettouffee. Luckily, I can get fresh shrimp in coastal Georgia.
Glad to hear dey got sum yats on duh Camino!(Other than me)
Karen

I have a few Spanish friends that would be up in arms over folks using chorizo in paella.
Last year Spain went nuts when Jamie Oliver ( British chef ) posted his paella recipe that included chorizo on twitter.
They weren't too happy with Gordan Ramsey's chili infused paella either
LOL

 

[Karen Cap]

I have a few Spanish friends that would be up in arms over folks using chorizo in paella.
Last year Spain went nuts when Jamie Oliver ( British chef ) posted his paella recipe that included chorizo on twitter.
They weren't too happy with Gordan Ramsey's chili infused paella either
LOL

I also like paella without chorizo. It's a more delicate flavor. The chorizo is overpowering. My husband loves chorizo.

 

[Karen Cap]

Of course. Had pulpo a few times as I got closer to Santiago. Good stuff....

Oh yeah! I had some really good pulpo in Charlotte, NC at a place called Bisyro Le Bon. It's run by a family from Spain.

 

[Mark Lee]

I have a few Spanish friends that would be up in arms over folks using chorizo in paella.
Last year Spain went nuts when Jamie Oliver ( British chef ) posted his paella recipe that included chorizo on twitter.
They weren't too happy with Gordan Ramsey's chili infused paella either
LOL

those foodie snobs...

I mean what you gonna do if you ain't on the coast? Starve? Deny yourself the wonderful goodness of those type of rice based dishes?
Like red beans and rice down here. Another dish originating from the poor folks. Slow cook red beans, rice and whatever leftover pork cuts that were available that the upper crust turned their nose up at. Hours later it comes out delicious.
A poor folks food that the foodie snobs down here now critique on how to make, ha ha.

 

[Jersey]

those foodie snobs...

I mean what you gonna do if you ain't on the coast? Starve? Deny yourself the wonderful goodness of those type of rice based dishes?
Like red beans and rice down here. Another dish originating from the poor folks. Slow cook red beans, rice and whatever leftover pork cuts that were available that the upper crust turned their nose up at. Hours later it comes out delicious.
A poor folks food that the foodie snobs down here now critique on how to make, ha ha.

Mark you are preaching to to the choir lol
I believe the Spanish government is pushing rabbit on the folks if I understand my friend correctly. I would think through subsidies to the rabbit industry?
The first time I saw those rabbits in the meat counter, well, they looked like skinless cats to my untrained eye. lol

 

[Texas Walker]

I don't know but I would be very suspicious about " fresh " paella in Hornillos, certainly not the region where you can find genuine paella.
It could be different of course but I would bet it comes from the deepfreeze. But I'm a foodsnob

Feh. Paella can be made from scratch in many places. (There are also many, many places that appear to have a pile of different flavors from some central "paella factory" in the deep freeze--they have a menu with like 20 different flavors. Really?) My SIL made wonderful real paella in Miami, FL the year before last. I still remember marveling at the size and fatness of the garlic cloves he had found. None of that size available in S Texas, I'm afraid!
One of the two vegetarian albergues we stayed at in 2014 made a really wonderful and well-seasoned paella for dinner the night we were there. Vegetarian, of course. (We're not vegetarians, we're standard Texas carnivores, but we certainly don't turn down food just because it's different than what we make at home. "Tourists demand. Pilgrims give thanks.")
Buen camino to all.

 

[SabsP]

Feh. Paella can be made from scratch in many places. (There are also many, many places that appear to have a pile of different flavors from some central "paella factory" in the deep freeze--they have a menu with like 20 different flavors. Really?) My SIL made wonderful real paella in Miami, FL the year before last. I still remember marveling at the size and fatness of the garlic cloves he had found. None of that size available in S Texas, I'm afraid!
One of the two vegetarian albergues we stayed at in 2014 made a really wonderful and well-seasoned paella for dinner the night we were there. Vegetarian, of course. (We're not vegetarians, we're standard Texas carnivores, but we certainly don't turn down food just because it's different than what we make at home. "Tourists demand. Pilgrims give thanks.")
Buen camino to all.

My post was partly " tongue in cheek" ...therefore my " ".

Ultreïa!

 

[Mark Lee]

Back in June of 2014 I had a lot of time to walk the CF, so I stayed an extra day in Burgos. There was a festival/event taking place that day just on the edge of town. About a 20 minute walk. I don't remember what the occasion was, but wow it was crowded. They had several canopies/tents set up where food and drink was for sale. A couple of them had paella available and you could see the men cooking it up in big pans behind the canopy. If you wanted a plate you had to manhandle your way to the counter/bar. I mean one had to put manners aside, otherwise you don't get a drink or a plate, ha ha. Cup of wine or beer? Shove your way to the counter. Plate of paella or a big chunk of local chorizo? Do it again. The crowd and lines never let up, and the booze was flowing. We stayed for just a couple of hours or so, but when we left it was still going strong and probably was until the wee hours.
I forget the particulars about the paella, but it was good.

 

[Karen Cap]

those foodie snobs...

I mean what you gonna do if you ain't on the coast? Starve? Deny yourself the wonderful goodness of those type of rice based dishes?
Like red beans and rice down here. Another dish originating from the poor folks. Slow cook red beans, rice and whatever leftover pork cuts that were available that the upper crust turned their nose up at. Hours later it comes out delicious.
A poor folks food that the foodie snobs down here now critique on how to make, ha ha.

Red beans and rice seasoned with a ham bone. We used to have beans and rice every Tuesday! Good stuff.

 

[trecile]

None of that size available in S Texas, I'm afraid!

What??!! I thought that everything was bigger in Texas!

 

[Jersey]

Red beans and rice seasoned with a ham bone. We used to have beans and rice every Tuesday! Good stuff.

My daughters first husband was Cuban. OMG his mom can cook.
Rice & beans. Roast pork. Flan that would make your mouth water.
I was more upset over the divorce than she was lol

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The first time I saw those rabbits in the meat counter, well, they looked like skinless cats to my untrained eye. lol

That is why rabbits are sold with the heads on: the ears on them help confirm they are rabbits and not something else.

 

[Jersey]

A named brand supermarket in Madrid. Pretty sure they were rabbits but yes, get your point. A small market out of the way? Well, I'll skip the rabbit lol
Personally I prefer a seafood paella

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I remember San Bol well. Easter weekend in 2014 and Hornillos was full. It was baking hot and I had to walk on to San Bol. They were full too but made room for me on the floor. The paella was fresh the company brilliant. Lovely garden to sit in too.
Duncan

 

[Karen Cap]

My daughters first husband was Cuban. OMG his mom can cook.
Rice & beans. Roast pork. Flan that would make your mouth water.
I was more upset over the divorce than she was lol

Haha!

 

[Texas Walker]

My post was partly " tongue in cheek" ...therefore my " ".

Ultreïa!

My bad. Didn't notice your smiley. (It was 100F yesterday here, brains don't work so good just now. Even in the air conditioning. Reminds me of walking the first 3 days in 2015!)

 

[Pingüigrino]

Many people think they are eating paella, but they don´t. Paella is like a certain kind of "religion" in Spain, If you go to Valencia, you can understand why. Meanwhyle, look at this video.

 

[Tim Greig]

I stayed at the Meeting Point and enjoyed a hearty paella cooked in a single huge dish for all of us. Communal meals are the essence of the Camino, never mind whether it's authentic paella

 

[Jersey]

Many people think they are eating paella, but they don´t. Paella is like a certain kind of "religion" in Spain, If you go to Valencia, you can understand why. Meanwhyle, look at this video.

Rabbit and chicken correct?
That being said: I'm sure whatever it is Jamie Oliver made tastes pretty good lol

 

[Mark Lee]

Must be my southern redneck roots, but I can't say I had a single bad homemade paella in Spain, whether with or without chorizo. One would really be missing out if one thumbed their nose up at any of them. Ignore the foodie snob BS.
Come to think of it, I didn't have a bad bottle of wine or a bad beer either, no matter which brand or region.

 

[Jersey]

Cooking rice perfect every time is difficult, as is chicken.
Undercooked rice or chicken is inedible. Over cooked chicken and rice isn't so bad. Perfectly cooked chicken and rice is fantastic. That's why we will hear folks say sometimes " that's the best chicken I ever had "
For the Spaniards concerning paella it's not that differently made paella tastes bad or they won't eat it. They just don't want us to call it paella.
Here in the NYC area we are the same way concerning Pizza.
We also joke about the folks that eat at the Olive Garden or Red Lobster.
Not that the food tastes bad but it's just not the same as having a good slice or eating at a good seafood restaurant down the shore.
Mark it's like if the Spanairds made New Orleans Barbacue shrimp with olive oil instead of butter. Just not the same

 

[JabbaPapa]

Cooking rice perfect every time is difficult

It's easier to get it right in a risotto or paella -- once you've understood to keep enough moisture in your pan, the rice won't be the problem.

The difficulty, especially with paella, is ensuring that everything else is also properly cooked. Timing is everything !

 

[Jersey]

It's easier to get it right in a risotto or paella -- once you've understood to keep enough moisture in your pan, the rice won't be the problem.

The difficulty, especially with paella, is ensuring that everything else is also properly cooked. Timing is everything !

You are correct about the moisture. I now always add a little more water or chicken stock than the recipe calls for.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Cooking rice perfect every time is difficult

I think this is where @Robo 's now famous rice cooker comes into play!

One of my favourite cooking books is from Lucky Peach, and my go to recipe is a chicken and rice meal prepared in a rice cooker. A full meal in 1 dish: the rice cooker! And ready in 20 minutes. I am thinking that paella could also be made this way. I will have to give it a try. At least for the chicken and chorizo, if not the sea food, or at least not feom the start...

 

[Jersey]

I think this is where @Robo 's now famous rice cooker comes into play!

One of my favourite cooking books is from Lucky Peach, and my go to recipe is a chicken and rice meal prepared in a rice cooker. A full meal in 1 dish: the rice cooker! And ready in 20 minutes. I am thinking that paella could also be made this way. I will have to give it a try. At least for the chicken and chorizo, if not the sea food, or at least not feom the start...

The Spanish want to cut off Jamie Oliver's fingers for using chorizo.
They might start a war over a rice cooker paella LOL

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The Spanish want to cut off Jamie Oliver's fingers for using chorizo.
They might start a war over a rice cooker paella LOL

As a Spanish citizenself, perhaps I will start a modern day cooking revolution. I habe to say, I did enjoy the Jamie Oliver clip with the Tweets that were sent to him.

 

[Jersey]

As a Spanish citizenself, perhaps I will start a modern day cooking revolution. I habe to say, I did enjoy the Jamie Oliver clip with the Tweets that were sent to him.

I've seen several different English chefs using chorizo.
Maybe because of the rabbit?
Here in the USA it is very difficult to find rabbit.
And more difficult to find someone that would eat it LOL

 

[JabbaPapa]

I've seen several different English chefs using chorizo.
Maybe because of the rabbit?
Here in the USA it is very difficult to find rabbit.
And more difficult to find someone that would eat it LOL

Don't you eat rabbit in the US ? How strange !

 

[Jersey]

You can find rabbit if you look hard enough
but it's not readily available.
I will see it on the menu of a high end restaurant once & a while.
I'm in the Northeastern USA.
I would guess it might be eaten more often in the Southern states?
There are many people in Asia who believe we are strange for not eating dogs. It's all relative to where you live, your culture & how you learned & were taught what to eat.

 

[SabsP]

You can find rabbit if you look hard enough
but it's not readily available.
I will see it on the menu of a high end restaurant once & a while.
I'm in the Northeastern USA.
I would guess it might be eaten more often in the Southern states?
There are many people in Asia who believe we are strange for not eating dogs. It's all relative to where you live, your culture & how you learned & were taught what to eat.

Indeed like horsemeat.Not want to start a heated debate.Just to make clear that there are cultural differences.

 

[Jersey]

Last summer sitting outside a cafe in Madrid my Spainish friend and I were talking about different things that we eat.
I asked him if he ate duck. He thought I asked him if he ate dog.
He said " OMG how can you eat such a cute animal "
I told him there's nothing better than crispy duck. He's still thinking I'm saying dog. A lady walks by and stops at our table with a beautiful dog while all this is going on. My friend is asking me. " how can you eat him "
When we realized the mistake we both started laughing so hard it was about five minutes before we could continue drinking our beer.

 

[Jmay]

I am looking into albergues from Burgos to Leon, which is our next leg, starting in early June. I have noticed that there are two albergues in Hornillos that appear to provide a communal meal, the Hornillos Meeting point and the El Alfar de Hornillos. Both appear to provide paella.

Between SJPdP and Burgos, I have yet to have a pilgrim meal with paella, so I am wondering if this is indeed the case that they both offer paella? Does anyone have experience of either albergue? Did one of them start and the other one decided 'We had better serve paella or all the pilgrims will go to the other'? Are there signs in Hornillos "our Paella is better than theirs"?

Stayed at the Meeting Point last year and had a lovely vegetarian Paella prepared by

I am looking into albergues from Burgos to Leon, which is our next leg, starting in early June. I have noticed that there are two albergues in Hornillos that appear to provide a communal meal, the Hornillos Meeting point and the El Alfar de Hornillos. Both appear to provide paella.

Between SJPdP and Burgos, I have yet to have a pilgrim meal with paella, so I am wondering if this is indeed the case that they both offer paella? Does anyone have experience of either albergue? Did one of them start and the other one decided 'We had better serve paella or all the pilgrims will go to the other'? Are there signs in Hornillos "our Paella is better than theirs"?

We stayed at Meeting Point around this time last year and we had a lovely paella cooked by Laura & her brother. The company & atmosphere added to the meal.

 

[thejoker]

I don't know but I would be very suspicious about " fresh " paella in Hornillos, certainly not the region where you can find genuine paella.
It could be different of course but I would bet it comes from the deepfreeze. But I'm a foodsnob

I stayed at El Alfar on my last Camino Frances and really liked the place.
I can assure you that the paella is cooked fresh as on that day they took out the big pan and spent over two hours preparing the dish for all the pilgrims who opted in for the dinner and they were very happy to explain the process of paella making while the uninitiated watched and took photos.

 

[MJB]

We arrived at Restaurante La Barrunta late on a Sunday afternoon after a long walk from Carrion de los Condes. The food was terrific. After forging on to Sahagun we had a very good menu del dia for supper at the Restaurante Medieval San Fagundo. (Surprisingly inexpensive considering how grand it looks.) A great food day; harder on the feet.
A few nights later we had a vegetarian paella at the Albergue Monte Irago in Foncebaddon. After the long climb and a late arrival it tasted great, even if it was just a simple paella with rice, vegetables, cumin, coriander and turmeric. A day where good walking and good companionship make good food better.
For the day after your decision in Hornillos, the food at La Taberna in Castrojeriz is excellent.

 

[Walkerooni]

Had a fresh paella at El Alfar in 2018 with a great salad, wine, dessert. Also had a vegetarian paella at Mazarife, just past Leon. Both were wonderful communal meals. Had a full-on seafood one in Santiago. It was worth waiting for,

 

[trecile]

We arrived at Restaurante La Barrunta late on a Sunday afternoon after a long walk from Carrion de los Condes. The food was terrific.

What town was that in?

 

[thejoker]

What town was that in?

One of my favourite villages and halts for the day, with an absolutely fabulous albergue that is usually quiet, a lovely garden and delicious food in huge portions in both establishments, San Nicolas.

 

[nathanael]

I have learned with pilgrims meals to accept whatever they set in front of you.

Actually, I'm more interested in whether anyone has stayed in either albergue and can recommend one or the other. I had thought to stay in the one with a communal meal, but since they both seem to, I don't know how to decide.

simply that is why I don't do communal meals, have an allergy to eggs and therefore stay away, plus Spaniards use and eat much eggs products.

 

[Mettetäti]

I don't know but I would be very suspicious about " fresh " paella in Hornillos, certainly not the region where you can find genuine paella.
It could be different of course but I would bet it comes from the deepfreeze. But I'm a foodsnob

I agree with you totally! We tried
Only fresh paella we had in Castrojeriz in Albergue Rosalia, made by Javier. It was so good! Every other paellas came out of a freezer and microwave