Memorable Meals

[HipRopelle]

Hi, my family is hiking the entire Camino Frances this May and June. We are all very excited. If you subscribe to the New York Times, there is this guest essay that was written just a few days ago by Andrew McCarthy and he writes very eloquently about what walking the Camino has meant for him and his family. It definitely resonated with me.

Anyway, I'd love suggestions from you veterans on any especially memorable meals that you had on the Camino. What might you recommend? What made it memorable in your mind? Was it the food? The atmosphere? The people you dined with? What made it something you might recommend to others as especially special? Looking forward to learning from your adventures.

Warm regards,
Jeffrey

 

[Marc S.]

A very simple meal with lots of chick peas, cooked in the albergue in Molinaseca, with some very nice people, after a cold and rainy walking day.

Memorable meals can not be recommended or be planned in advance.

 

[Roland49]

My picks, from SJPdP to SdC:

1. communal preparing and meal in Grañon (albergue parroquial)
2. communal meal with prayers in Casa Emmaus, Burgos
3. impromptu cooking session and meal with italian pilgrims in Carrion de los Condes (Esperitu Santo)
4. gathering of 50% of my "Camino-Family" in Bercianos (@ Bercianos 1900)
5. best value for money: Parillada Xacobeo in Triacastela (beef steak, vegetables, potatoes and a bottle of Crianza for 10€ and a litter of kittens in the patio)
6. Full "Camino-family" dinner in SdC: Pizzeria L'Incontro
7. Last, but not least: reunited dinner on the banks of the Douro in Porto (not intentionally, just pure luck).

Most memorable were 1, 3, 5, 6, 7

Hope you'll enjoy you walk and gather some outstanding experiences.

BC

 

[WalkinRon]

By far, my most memorable meal was in Villalcázar de Sirga! I recommend Mesón Los Templarios. I happened upon the Sunday dinner there purely by chance. I noticed many dressed up locals going into this restaurant and decided to check it out. The party inside was in full swing! The very kind mâtre d' recognized that I was a solo pilgrim and explained that they were fully booked up but gestured to a chair in the corner if I'd like to wait in case there was an opening. I think it became clear that I was willing to wait as long as necessary. Eventually he made some room on a utility table and set a place for me. I had their specialty, roast lamb, and the best time ever! There was singing and drinking and every course was delicious. The place was filled to the rafters with fellowship. They served me a traditional pilgrim's drink at the end of the meal. For me, this memorable meal was certainly not planned in advance. I'd recommend you get help from your albergue or hotel to make reservations as soon as you can predict what day you'll be in Villalcázar de Sirga.

 

[Anamiri]

Hi, my family is hiking the entire Camino Frances this May and June. We are all very excited. If you subscribe to the New York Times, there is this guest essay that was written just a few days ago by Andrew McCarthy and he writes very eloquently about what walking the Camino has meant for him and his family. It definitely resonated with me.

Anyway, I'd love suggestions from you veterans on any especially memorable meals that you had on the Camino. What might you recommend? What made it memorable in your mind? Was it the food? The atmosphere? The people you dined with? What made it something you might recommend to others as especially special? Looking forward to learning from your adventures.

Warm regards,
Jeffrey

The dinner we made ourselves pooling food supplies from pilgrims at San Martin albergue. Most of us had walked together from Leon, and had an impromptu lunch from shared items as well.
They do a pilgrim dinner there as well, and on another visit that was very memorable as well - both for the company as much as the food.
And the pilgrim dinner at Fonfria, they have a round house they serve the dinner in, and I think my husband had 3 helpings.

 

[WalkinRon]

 

[Rick M]

I have had a number of fine food experiences on Camino, but those were not the most memorable ones. It's the Company. Always the Company that matters the most.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

What made it memorable in your mind? ... The people you dined with?

The person I didn't dine with. I had just joined the Camino Aragonese from the Camino Catalan and I was staying in Puente de Reina de Jaca. A restaurant was next door and they had trout on the menu. I asked if it was caught wild and was told it was so I ordered that. I do not care for trout at all and it was the same for this one. Peg however once lived at a place with a trout stream in the backyard and is always looking for wild caught trout. She got a call that night and I'm still not done rubbing it in.

I just read the above to her and got a laugh. Also a long recounting of four or five meals she remembered. I'm ignoring them to tell of one more meal I had alone.

It was on my way to Finisterre. I got a so-so meal but the fries/chips were the best I had in two months. But I was really tired, physically and of fries. I mentioned how good the fries were but how I really didn't want to eat them. The waitress beamed and told me her mother was the cook. I had to go to the kitchen and awkwardly tell her that the fries were incredible even though she would find I didn't eat them all (I was really more tired than hungry). Fluency would have helped me with this but anyway I got some smiles from some ladies.

 

[lovelyshell]

I did a rest day in Portomarin and had two great meals there. I had a real breakfast - eggs, bacon, potatoes - at O Mirador. And I had an excellent paella at the bar right across from the church.

 

[Tincatinker]

The donativo, parochial Santiago in Logrono. Fry chicken wings until the fat from the skin starts to render; add lots and lots of chopped garlic. Keep stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan so nothing sticks to profoundly. Add lots of broken stale bread. Keep stirring and scraping. When it all starts to catch and brown and smells like hope on a dark autumn day throw in a shot of Orujo, some white wine if you have it, and enough water to make two bowls full for everyone present.
Serve with a smile, eat with relish

 

[WalkinRon]

Yum! I really really LOVE chicken wings!! My most important new vocabulary word: "alitas"!!!

 

[trecile]

Anyway, I'd love suggestions from you veterans on any especially memorable meals that you had on the Camino. What might you recommend? What made it memorable in your mind? Was it the food? The atmosphere? The people you dined with?

For me, it's usually the people I dined with, but I had a fantastic pilgrim menu solo at Albergue Los Canarios in Calzadilla de la Cueza. I had started out that day in Población de Campos, and had intended to stop in Carrión de los Condes, but arrived there early and decided to continue on to Calzadilla. I don't remember my first course, but the 2nd course was roasted lemon chicken and roasted potatoes with red pepper puree. The chicken was moist and delicious, and I was so happy to have potatoes that weren't French fries.

 

[lovelyshell]

I’m going to sound like a terrible pilgrim but at the time it just felt convenient but I stayed at Hotel de Pyrenees in SJPDP before starting my Camino and I ate at the restaurant there not realizing it was a Michelin Star restaurant but it was an amazing meal. Don’t judge me, I was nervous about venturing out in the dark!

 

[trecile]

I’m going to sound like a terrible pilgrim but at the time it just felt convenient but I stayed at Hotel de Pyrenees in SJPDP before starting my Camino and I ate at the restaurant there not realizing it was a Michelin Star restaurant but it was an amazing meal. Don’t judge me, I was nervous about venturing out in the dark!

I'm not sure what about this makes you a terrible pilgrim or why you would be judged for eating a good meal!

 

[Jarrad]

Sooo many memorable meals. One of many: Braised cow tongue as part of the pilgrim meal somewhere along the way in Navarre. Sounds terrible, but it was by far one of the best pieces of beef I've ever eaten. The nostalgia factor associated with that memory is high: I was in incredible company, the local red wine was delicious, and I drank enough that I slept soundly and without earplugs.

 

[mspath]

November 2011 at  La Curiosa, Calle del Párroco José Álvarez, 15, Mansilla de las Mulas, I enjoyed an outstanding daily menu for only 10€. It included creamed cauliflower with bacon, grilled salmon and scalloped potatoes, lemon pudding, rosé wine and coffee! Wow! The Michelin inspector should try it! However, the daily menu is NOT offered on Sunday and in all probability the daily prices have risen since 2011. Here is their 2023 web.

Of course on the camino It may be an "hospitalera full of heart" who makes an
unforgetable albergue meal.

 

[PhxRiles]

I'd say the communal meals at Murias de Rechivaldo (Las Aguedas) and Fonfria (A Reboleira). Las Aguedas because it was my first communal meal and interact with other pilgrims, and the setting at A Reboleira. Communal meals are often the best, simply for the opportunity to meet other pilgrims and learn why they're walking and learn more about them. Not to mention the food's great, too!

 

[Christine Leneghan]

Most memorable was definitely a communal meal at an albergue in the meseta with the hugest paella pan I’ve ever seen! The paella was also excellent as was the company!

 

[SuefromVegas]

I would say that the big tureens of soup in galacia with their wonderful crusty bread. The soups are made in broth of the meat of the day with their wonderful yellow potatoes and veggies and meat. A meal I dream about daily. And of course, paella, but only at the small out of the way restaurants. Enjoy your family time and Buen Camino!

 

[estorildon]

There are so many but they change year to year. The majority of the top ones I found were in towns in the Meseta which was a surprise. Look for places after 1pm for the menu de dia where the locals are standing outside waiting to get in.

 

[JAO]

Hi, my family is hiking the entire Camino Frances this May and June. We are all very excited. If you subscribe to the New York Times, there is this guest essay that was written just a few days ago by Andrew McCarthy and he writes very eloquently about what walking the Camino has meant for him and his family. It definitely resonated with me.

Anyway, I'd love suggestions from you veterans on any especially memorable meals that you had on the Camino. What might you recommend? What made it memorable in your mind? Was it the food? The atmosphere? The people you dined with? What made it something you might recommend to others as especially special? Looking forward to learning from your adventures.

Warm regards,
Jeffrey

These were from 2018, so the may not exist any longer:
Lovely fish dinner in restaurant in Roncevalles
VillaTuerta... Casa Magica... the owners made paella... and there was a small fountain with cool water where you could dip your feet.
Boadilla EL Camino... En El Camino Albergue had a great dinner, and a small swimming pool
Fonfria.. Albergue had a typical Castilian stew but plenty of it and salad. (Plus the first fresh-squeezed orange juice vending machine that I saw in Spain.)
An albergue in Castrojeriz catered to the many Korean pilgrims with a bimbambap dinner... I don't think its there any longer.
And, dare I mention the wonderful Parilla in Santiago, and the amazing fish restaurants in Finisterre (where I had seafood soup, scallops (literally off the boat), and a blackberry flan that I still dream about)

 

[Rick M]

An albergue in Castrojeriz catered to the many Korean pilgrims with a bimbambap dinner... I don't think its there any longer.

It is still there, and Orion is my Go-To stop in Castrojeriz. Beautiful garden, terrific facility, and run by two very lovely people. It helps if you like cats and dogs. A few weeks in, the need for spice becomes overwhelming, and a bowl of chili noodles for lunch is most welcome.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Braised cow tongue as part of the pilgrim meal somewhere along the way in Navarre. Sounds terrible, but it was by far one of the best pieces of beef I've ever eaten.

Agree; a great piece of beef!
I've only had cow's tongue once, but was surprised at how wonderful it was.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Anyway, I'd love suggestions from you veterans on any especially memorable meals that you had on the Camino. What might you recommend? What made it memorable in your mind? Was it the food? The atmosphere? The people you dined with? What made it something you might recommend to others as especially special? Looking forward to learning from your adventures.

Being a Camino veteran, but also a hiking veteran in general, I must say when you walk for weeks, almost all meals become memorable!
Sometimes I eat something after a long day out on the paths and I know I would not touch it under other circumstances, but out there it can still be the most wonderful thing on this planet. Objectively just warm, greasy calories with little or even bad taste, in that situation it is exactly what your body cries for – and you will love it

But then again, there is of course also really good food, and it does not always have to be in a fancy restaurant. I remember communal dinners in tiny albergues just being perfect on more than one occasion.

And sometimes it is just the company you are in which makes the difference.

Yes, I could mention that I had really nice tapas in a place in Pamplona, or just perfect fish in Fisterra and you name it ... but in the end, when you walk for weeks, you will have all sorts of experience and it will be an exciting blend of culinary emotions. Just be open and try things

I must admit, one strong motivation for me to go on a Camino is actually to experience a variation in food, surprises, good ones as bad ones ... and all so different from home.

 

[SabsP]

A memorable meal for me was my first shared dinner on my first Camino in 2011.This was in Obanos at Bar /Restaurante Gazolaz.
Lke others already wrote : more for the good company though food was certainly decent. Most pilgrims walked on so it was a small group of eight pilgrims who stayed in the albergue and decided to have dinner there.

Bar Restaurante Gazolaz in Obanos - Restaurant reviews

I recommend you to visit the restaurant Bar Restaurante Gazolaz. Find more about this place with Restaurant Guru App.

restaurantguru.com

A perfect town to spend a night in a private room is Logroño so you are able to spend some time in the evening at Calle Laurel and the neighbourhood.

Calle Laurel - Visita Logroño

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

www.visitalogrono.com

Bar Angel for their specialty pintxo : champiñón a la plancha.

Ángel - Calle Laurel de Logroño

Bar fundado en 1960 por Ángel Villanueva. En la actualidad lo regentan su hija y su nieto. Desde sus inicios […]

www.callelaurel.org

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Agree; a great piece of beef!
I've only had cow's tongue once, but was surprised at how wonderful it was.

Regarding tongue I am sort of traumatised ;-)

Many decades ago, when Russia was still a country one could travel, early post-soviet times, I was in a compound that used to be a holiday place for privileged Soviet politicians. Since the Soviet era was over, they had transformed this into a place for conferences and other events.
Well, once every week the food delivery truck would arrive, and it happened that mid-week the truck would come and that time it had mainly cow's tongue. So almost all dishes for days to come where something with ... tongue! The only thing tongue free was the dessert ... I really do not want to eat tongue ever again since

I only survived my lengthy stay thanks to the vodka ...

 

[Liam55]

The best meal was in Casa Susi in Trabadelo. Am planning the Leon to SdeC section in June this year and stopping in Casa Susi is a must!! Liam

 

[K_Lynn]

Memorable? The croissant I had in Navarette beside the cathedral. It was a proper croissant, not the crescent shaped buns I found everywhere else.
The bowl of cold watermelon in a cafe somewhere on the way to Pamplona. Perfectly ripe, juicy and flavourful and a joy on a very hot day.
A salad I had in Pamplona with the best tomatoes I have ever tasted.
An amazing chilled melon with jamon in um Hornillos?
A plate of grilled vegetables and beans in Sahagun.
Grilled shrimp in Muxia.

I have a food allergy that makes life difficult at times, so tapas and pinchos were useless to me.

 

[chinacat]

A communally prepared meal in the little donativo albergue on the hill in Estella; a communally prepared meal in Casa Magica; a wholefood, organic, veggie meal on my birthday, in Burgos; and tapas, in several locations.
And Irouleguy wine in SJPdP … might be my favourite wine ever
(and I can’t drink alcohol anymore )

 

[lovelyshell]

I'm not sure what about this makes you a terrible pilgrim or why you would be judged for eating a good meal!

Because I didn’t eat a pilgrims meal or stay at an albergue!

 

[SabsP]

Because I didn’t eat a pilgrims meal or stay at an albergue!

There are so many ways being a pilgrim!
Eating a menu del peregrino or staying in an albergue is not what it is about.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Because I didn’t eat a pilgrims meal or stay at an albergue!

Nah, you must try much much harder if you want to be a terrible pilgrim

 

[Camino Chrissy]

A very "memorable" experience for me on the Norte several years ago when I was still a newbie was this little story I've posted before. It gave me a laugh in hindsight, so decided to share it again...

"We had stopped in at a restaurant for an early lunch and were the only customers. They had no menus, and we knew no Spanish, so we nodded our heads to what the waiter proposed, having no idea what we had ordered, and even his charades didn't help us understand. He eventually brought out big bowls of brothy soup with soaked bread pieces. Thinking it was the only food we were getting, we were a bit disappointed, but devoured it all.

Eventually six courses in large tureens were served one at a time, which became very humorous to me as I never realized more and more food would be coming. Each course became more wonderful than the one before it, but unfortunately we'd filled up on the early ones, so became too full to eat much of the mouth watering meat dishes that came later.


We finally decided we'd better stand up to pay, worrying how much we were going to be charged for the huge meal. The waiter seemed totally surprised and said with a thick accent, "What...no flan?"

 

[Rita Flower]

Because I didn’t eat a pilgrims meal or stay at an albergue!

Nothing about that precludes you from being a pilgrim. The way I understand being a pilgrim is by allowing the Camino to provide. It sounds absolutely ‘pilgrimish’ to book into some private accommodation (because you can or need to or want to) for a night and then ‘accidentally’ get a Michelin meal.

 

[trecile]

Because I didn’t eat a pilgrims meal or stay at an albergue!

It's my understanding that the albergues were started to accommodate pilgrims who could not afford other accommodations. It's quite pilgrim-like to leave those accommodations to those who really need them.

 

[Rita Flower]

The most memorable food was on Portuguese before Porto - amazing octopus, fish, tiny snails, incredible pasteis de nata and other pastries.
On Via de la Plata when I was tired and hungry- very simple meals - ensalata mixta, meat (often very badly butchered) and chips and one time nutella mousse.
On Francés (2007) it was wonderful communal meals with all the pilgrims in an albergue, evening picnic dinners in the park with my first Camino family, and then wonderful lentil soups with my final Camino family.

 

[Bradypus]

It's my understanding that the albergues were started to accommodate pilgrims who could not afford other accommodations. It's quite pilgrim-like to leave those accommodations to those who really need them.

Not quite my understanding. In the early years of the Camino revival (mid to late 1980s) many of the smaller places had no hostals or similar private accommodation. Unless you had personal transport arranged to take you off-Camino to stay then the pilgrim refugios were often the only place to sleep no matter how deep your pockets might be. Most pilgrims then were much younger than the average today and students were in the majority.

 

[trecile]

Not quite my understanding. In the early years of the Camino revival (mid to late 1980s) many of the smaller places had no hostals or similar private accommodation. Unless you had personal transport arranged to take you off-Camino to stay then the pilgrim refugios were often the only place to sleep no matter how deep your pockets might be. Most pilgrims then were much younger than the average today and students were in the majority.

Thanks. Regardless of why the albergue system was developed, it's not necessary to stay in albergues to be a pilgrim. And I believe that if there is a shortage of beds the "pilgrim" thing to do is to leave the less expensive albergue beds to those who can't afford other accommodations.

 

[Chizuru]

Almost all of our meals were eaten in the company of our lovely and continually growing Camino family which made them incredibly wonderful regardless of what we ate, so I will focus on the food which is what I think you wanted in this post. The most delicious was a vegetable stew called Menestra Vedura at El Torretto in Puenta de la Reina. It has a wonderful vegetable that is like an artichoke but you eat the stem, not the flower called a cardoon. Another dish that is incredible is the special cheese in O'Cebriero which is served with local honey and their Galician soup was especially good. One hot day we arrived in Villamayor del Rio on the way to Beldorado and needed a rest. We stopped at Restaurant Leon and ordered a jug of Sangria which was by far the best on the whole trip, full of fresh peaches and other fruits. We also ate a Salad Russe there which was incredible. It is a potato salad with lots of vegetables in it. In Santiago, we had one of the best dinners that I have ever eaten in Casa Marcello. There isn't a menu, you just eat what the chef serves you and it was all incredible. A great way to celebrate the end of our journey and we were accompanied by our son who was about to leave us for a long sea voyage. Cheaper, but also wonderful was our lunch in San Jaime which did wonderful scallops and a fish platter.

 

[jeanineonthecamino]

I have two very memorable meals from my "COVID Camino" (walking right as Spain reopened). MANY businesses and albergues were still closed - making it a little challenging to find places to eat. Fortunately gronze .com was pretty accurate for accommodations - but too many bars were closed as I passed through towns, especially before 9am.

In one instance - I sought accommodation a municipal albergue over what was obviously the town bar hangout for locals. I was the only pilgrim - and the wife prepared me a special meal. Including pasta with clams. She went out of her way to take care of me and they were so appreciative to see a pilgrim stay with them - especially one from outside of Spain.

In another instance - It had been cold and rainy for a couple days already and this particular day I was quite miserable. I popped into what turned out to be a VERY cute little bar, that was also popular with the locals. I had a late breakfast and then I tried to check into the albergue a few doors down. It was locked and the locals who were standing outside the bar were trying to tell me something which I didn't really understand - but I realized they were telling me to stay put and they had sent for a young man to open the albergue for me. Again - they were obviously happy to see pilgrims returning. Later, I went back to the bar and in my broken Spanish I was asking the gentleman if there would be a dinner offered. He disappeared, returned, "sshhhhhh'ed " me (gestured for me to be quiet/secretive) - then gestured for me to follow him behind a closed door which lead up the stairs (making me just a little nervous haha). At the top of the stairs it turned out was a small dining room and he had asked his wife to prepare me dinner! When I was done - he made sure to invite me to return at 7am for breakfast. It seemed as if he opened his bar in the morning - just for me!

Both meals were obviously special to me.

Other than that... my most memorable meals were simply spent with other pilgrims, talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company.

 

[frannie z]

I’m going to sound like a terrible pilgrim but at the time it just felt convenient but I stayed at Hotel de Pyrenees in SJPDP before starting my Camino and I ate at the restaurant there not realizing it was a Michelin Star restaurant but it was an amazing meal. Don’t judge me, I was nervous about venturing out in the dark!

I don’t judge anyone fine meals in fine restaurants *** it’s what I love most and at 67 thankful that I can afford em!!

 

[Bogong]

Hi, my family is hiking the entire Camino Frances this May and June. We are all very excited. If you subscribe to the New York Times, there is this guest essay that was written just a few days ago by Andrew McCarthy and he writes very eloquently about what walking the Camino has meant for him and his family. It definitely resonated with me.

Anyway, I'd love suggestions from you veterans on any especially memorable meals that you had on the Camino. What might you recommend? What made it memorable in your mind? Was it the food? The atmosphere? The people you dined with? What made it something you might recommend to others as especially special? Looking forward to learning from your adventures.

Warm regards,
Jeffrey

24 March 2014. Pulpo at the semi-open family restaurant on the left entering Melide. Big plate of delicious vegetable soup then pulpo cooked I think with pimiento and eaten bit by bit with toothpicks. I had been told the place wss world famous and the simple meal didn’t disappoint. Don’t know if it’s still there or not

 

[Chizuru]

Thanks. Regardless of why the albergue system was developed, it's not necessary to stay in albergues to be a pilgrim. And I believe that if there is a shortage of beds the "pilgrim" thing to do is to leave the less expensive albergue beds to those who can't afford other accommodations.

That is certainly my feeling. I know that there are many who need the cheapest accommodation to be able to afford such a long time travelling and I mostly leave these to those who need them most though sometimes it is the only option in a town that is a suitable distance away. During the height of the season, I don't think that there are enough albergues to accommodate everyone anyway.

 

[Derek Booth]

"best value for money: Parillada Xacobeo in Triacastela (beef steak, vegetables, potatoes and a bottle of Crianza for 10€"

I totally concur with the above comment
4yrs ago today I completed my Camino Frances and the Xacobeo stands out, not only for the bar and meal but also their accommodation just up the street.

I returned with my wife a year later, just before Covid.

Up to then, she assumed that my time on the walk and especially my sleeping and eating opportunities had been basic in the extreme but after being into the Albergues Xacobeo and having a meal there, she totally altered her opinion.

 

[Mercian Pro]

Possibly our best meal on the Camino Frances was Comosapiens in Atapuerca just 20km before Burgos. That was in 2018 and hopefully it is still in business.

 

[Bradypus]

Possibly our best meal on the Camino Frances was Comosapiens in Atapuerca just 20km before Burgos. That was in 2018 and hopefully it is still in business.

It was in January. And the food was excellent. Nowhere else open in the village for food or drink at the time.

 

[SabsP]

Possibly our best meal on the Camino Frances was Comosapiens in Atapuerca just 20km before Burgos. That was in 2018 and hopefully it is still in business.

Still running.
Raving reviews.

MENU DEL DIA

DISPONIBLEJueves y viernes NO FESTIVOSTodas las verduras y quesos son de producción ecológica respetuosa con el medio ambiente PRIMEROS Ensalada de codorniz escabechada. Crema de apionabo, pancet…

comerenatapuerca.com

 

[David61]

The dinner we made ourselves pooling food supplies from pilgrims at San Martin albergue. Most of us had walked together from Leon, and had an impromptu lunch from shared items as well.
They do a pilgrim dinner there as well, and on another visit that was very memorable as well - both for the company as much as the food.
And the pilgrim dinner at Fonfria, they have a round house they serve the dinner in, and I think my husband had 3 helpings.

Fonfria was the one that sprang to mind for me. Good food and a great atmosphere

 

[Rita Flower]

24 March 2014. Pulpo at the semi-open family restaurant on the left entering Melide. Big plate of delicious vegetable soup then pulpo cooked I think with pimiento and eaten bit by bit with toothpicks. I had been told the place wss world famous and the simple meal didn’t disappoint. Don’t know if it’s still there or not

Ahhh. Pulpo. At the huge Zafra agricultural show - pulpo cooked/simmered in the open air kitchen. Served in a bowl and eaten with a tooth pick.
Sadly I was too full of pulpo to try the paella.

 

[ninao]

The dinner at Casa Susi was amazing! My favourite by far of the whole Camino

Grañon was also memorable, preparing dinner together in the parochial albergue.

Albergue Casa Domingo really stood out for the hospitaleros kindness - my sister and I asked if there was any possibility of a vegetarian option in advance and they said no problem. We had no idea what we would end up eating that night, but they cooked a small mushroom and rice dish separate from the main dish that had meat. It was delicious!

Albergue Orión in Castrojeriz - one of the owner's is Korean and we loved getting a home cooked Korean meal! A nice change at that point of the Camino, as a lot of menus can be very similar from place to place.

 

[Bradypus]

My first Camino. Summer 1990. A tiny bar right opposite the monastery in Samos. No signs but the beer crates outside were a giveaway! There was a charcoal grill going and when I asked about food I was offered lamb chops - brushed with oil and rosemary and slapped on the grill. Served with bread. Superb! Halfway through my meal the bar suddenly emptied with lots of chatter. I followed everyone into the street to see a young couple passing by with a donkey and receiving lots of cheers and good wishes from the customers! Definitely the most memorable meal of that first walk.

 

[J Willhaus]

Two places:
One was the bar/restaurant/albergue La Finca just outside of Fromista. The albergue is now closed as I understand. We had a communal meal at a big table prepared by the owners. Two large tureens of lentil soup and I don't even remember what else I ordered! There were a few Australians, an Italian, a couple of Frenchman, four or five Americans. The Frenchman had been in China before it reopened in the 70's and he and the Chinese-American from Chicago were shouting a conversation from different ends of the table in different languages about the experience. One poor Frenchman who was a baker was trying to translate from the middle of the table. Lively and fun. The food was hot and delicious, but the company was even better...

Restaurant Casa Barrunta in San Nicolas del Real on the Meseta where Phil and I stumbled upon a Dodge Car Collectors club meeting. Old Dodge Chargers and other models of various vintage years etc. parked up and down the streets of the little town. The owner of the restaurant advised us to come back at a certain time later after the meeting and we had the most fabulous meal. Phil had tripe soup for a starter (he didn't know what tripe was and he loved it anyway) and then we had a melt in your mouth pot roast for the main course. For dessert, Phil had ice cream with whiskey poured over it. Enjoyed the discussion with the staff and owner who wanted to know why we would come all the way from the US to stay in and eat at their tiny town. Again great meal, but mostly about the people we met...