Pilgrims menu/menu del dia

[Bob008]

What are pilgrims menu and menu del dia like along the Camino Frances starting Sarria? Do they have non-meat options? Fish and seafood are ok, but no beef, pork, chicken, egg, etc.

 

[Tincatinker]

What are pilgrims menu and menu del dia like along the Camino Frances starting Sarria? Do they have non-meat options? Fish and seafood are ok, but no beef, pork, chicken, egg, etc.

Does that mean you’re a Peskytarian?

The short and easy answer to your question is yes. Just read the listed current days offerings and decide whether it meets your needs. Often the Primero courses will meet your requirements so just request “dos primeros”. If not move on and try again

 

[Anniesantiago]

If you want to know what the food options are, I have a couple of older blog posts with photos here. Prices are probably higher but the food is pretty much the same. I have one on dinner but can't find it right now:

Breakfast on the Camino

Lunch on the Camino

Tapas and Pinchos

Menu del Dia or Menu Peregrino

 

[Jarrad]

Don't forget Second Breakfast! A stop between 9 and 10 a.m. is necessary for cafe con leche and chocolate croissants or some other pastry. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, so I prefer the coldest Coke I can find on hot days and a Cola cao on cool days (it's a highly-processed sweet, cocoa drink that is probably about as healthy as the Coca Cola, but oh so tasty). Yes, I have great dental insurance.

 

[J Willhaus]

On the Camino, I think you will find most days you can get vegan or vegetarian meals without difficulty.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Don't forget Second Breakfast! A stop between 9 and 10 a.m. is necessary for cafe con leche and chocolate croissants or some other pastry. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, so I prefer the coldest Coke I can find on hot days and a Cola cao on cool days (it's a highly-processed sweet, cocoa drink that is probably about as healthy as the Coca Cola, but oh so tasty). Yes, I have great dental insurance.

Yes, Second Breakfast is a MUST!
Wait!
Maybe that's why I no longer lose 20 pounds each year on Camino?

 

[dbier]

Too bad you don't eat eggs...for me, Spanish tortilla and café con leche were my second breakfast of choice. Occasionally my lunch of choice .

Nom nom nom....

...and I'm ashamed that I forgot about my favorite breakfast option until I re read Annie's blog....pan con tomate!

 

[Itsnever2late]

Yes, Second Breakfast is a MUST!
Wait!
Maybe that's why I no longer lose 20 pounds each year on Camino?

There is a direct relationship between miles walked and food consumption/burning. Eating to excess is one of the main joys of the camino, that extra chocolate croissant and coffee before 11am equates to another hour of walking . So I confess to walking 10+ hours daily

 

[WisTom]

It's good that there are now vegetarian/vegan options on the Sarria-Santiago segment of the Francés. In small towns on the other caminos, if you say you're vegetarian, you're likely to get the same response as in Latin America - "Then just have the chicken."

 

[henrythedog]

It's good that there are now vegetarian/vegan options on the Sarria-Santiago segment of the Francés. In small towns on the other caminos, if you say you're vegetarian, you're likely to get the same response as in Latin America - "Then just have the chicken."

On being offered the only option on one of the few menu Peregrinos I’ve ever ordered. A grim looking ‘mystery meat’ empeñada.

Our hero (in Spanish, natch): ‘Is there a vegetarian option?’

Camarero: (after some thought): ‘we can cut one in half if you want?’

 

[Bradypus]

Camarero: (after some thought): ‘we can cut one in half if you want?’

Years ago there was a documentary series on BBC radio about a British man riding a horse across the western USA. In one programme he asked the waitress in a small town diner what she would recommend for vegetarians. She thought for a moment then said "Well honey, I recommend you get out of Wyoming."

 

[80yroldpilgrims]

We are walking our first Camino from Samos to Santiago next September. In a somewhat related question, I have moderate food sensitivities to dairy, beans and gluten especially if eaten day after day. Does anyone else and how have you dealt with that? I’m thinking of all the milk and cheese especially. I can eat goat/sheep milk cheese if that is readily available.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I found goat and sheep cheese all along the Camino.
I cannot eat wheat in the USA but have no problems at all eating it in Spain.
It's a different variety of wheat and they don't dessicate it with glyphosate (round up!), at least not everywhere because it doesn't bother me at all. If you can eat vegetables and emeat you'll be fine.

 

[peregrina2000]

What are pilgrims menu and menu del dia like along the Camino Frances

One thing to keep in mind is that the menú del peregrino will usually bear no relationshihp to the menú del día. If you are pressed for cash, the menú del peregrino will be cheaper, typically but not always with french fries and some fried slab of meat. You will get your caloric intake, but may not enjoy the meal much. I am absolutely not a foodie, but I will always spring for the menú del día, which is something that normal Spanish people will eat. It is not always great, but it is always a notch above the menú del peregrino.

 

[OZAJ]

Menu del dia for me. More expensive than the pilgrim menu, but usually MUCH better. It introduced me to the delights of a dessert of ice cream with whisky.

 

[Bob008]

One thing to keep in mind is that the menú del peregrino will usually bear no relationshihp to the menú del día. If you are pressed for cash, the menú del peregrino will be cheaper, typically but not always with french fries and some fried slab of meat. You will get your caloric intake, but may not enjoy the meal much. I am absolutely not a foodie, but I will always spring for the menú del día, which is something that normal Spanish people will eat. It is not always great, but it is always a notch above the menú del peregrino.

In that case, it's going to be menu del dia for me every day. I don't think I can deal with mystery fried meat.

 

[80yroldpilgrims]

I found goat and sheep cheese all along the Camino.
I cannot eat wheat in the USA but have no problems at all eating it in Spain.
It's a different variety of wheat and they don't dessicate it with glyphosate (round up!), at least not everywhere because it doesn't bother me at all. If you can eat vegetables and emeat you'll be fine.

Thanks Anniesantiago. I have heard there’s a difference in US wheat and European wheat but had forgotten that. I’m so looking forward to finding goat/sheep cheese on the way.

 

[donalomahony]

One thing to keep in mind is that the menú del peregrino will usually bear no relationshihp to the menú del día. If you are pressed for cash, the menú del peregrino will be cheaper, typically but not always with french fries and some fried slab of meat. You will get your caloric intake, but may not enjoy the meal much. I am absolutely not a foodie, but I will always spring for the menú del día, which is something that normal Spanish people will eat. It is not always great, but it is always a notch above the menú del peregrino.

%

 

[bullingtonce]

Does that mean you’re a Peskytarian?

The short and easy answer to your question is yes. Just read the listed current days offerings and decide whether it meets your needs. Often the Primero courses will meet your requirements so just request “dos primeros”. If not move on and try again

Why would you be asking his religion. Presbyterians can practice their religion freely and at will.

 

[Aisling1]

If you want to know what the food options are, I have a couple of older blog posts with photos here. Prices are probably higher but the food is pretty much the same. I have one on dinner but can't find it right now:

Breakfast on the Camino

Lunch on the Camino

Tapas and Pinchos

Menu del Dia or Menu Peregrino

Thanks for posting this. Great to have an idea what to expect. Buen Camino

 

[HeatherJourney]

Menu del dia for me. More expensive than the pilgrim menu, but usually MUCH better. It introduced me to the delights of a dessert of ice cream with whisky.

I’m a person who likes most foods, but as it will be my first time in Portugal and Spain, I really want to try the local foods. When planning a budget, I am guessing maybe $10 for the pilgrim’s menu and closer to $15 for the menu del dia. Maybe it varies from place to place, but do you think that’s a good guess?

 

[Tincatinker]

I've seen a Menu Peregrino at €15 and I've eaten and very much enjoyed a Menu del Dia at €12.

Always try to find a Menu del Dia. Get used to eating your main meal of the day between 1-3pm. In the sticks seek out the places with farm trucks, Foresters wagon and Guardia Civil jeeps parked outside and you'll eat really well. In towns and cities look for the places where the guys in Estate Agent suits (slightly shiny) and the Jubilados (the cheerfully retired) are hanging out. Again you will eat really well but you may have to esperar (wait) while the regulars get served first.

The Menu Peregrino exemplifies the Spanish sense of humour

 

[henrythedog]

I’m a person who likes most foods, but as it will be my first time in Portugal and Spain, I really want to try the local foods. When planning a budget, I am guessing maybe $10 for the pilgrim’s menu and closer to $15 for the menu del dia. Maybe it varies from place to place, but do you think that’s a good guess?

It’s about right.

The menu del dia will be genuinely local food in many cases, as it is aimed very specifically at local people.

The menu Peregrino, well … you might be able to detect that your patatas fritas are cooked in a slightly different blend of oil than at home.

There are honourable, and dishonourable exceptions to both.

 

[80yroldpilgrims]

I found goat and sheep cheese all along the Camino.
I cannot eat wheat in the USA but have no problems at all eating it in Spain.
It's a different variety of wheat and they don't dessicate it with glyphosate (round up!), at least not everywhere because it doesn't bother me at all. If you can eat vegetables and emeat you'll be fine.

Thank you for this info. That’s good to know.

Why would you be asking his religion. Presbyterians can practice their religion freely and at will.

i believe they meant pescatarian-meaning they eat fish

 

[witsendwv]

Years ago there was a documentary series on BBC radio about a British man riding a horse across the western USA. In one programme he asked the waitress in a small town diner what she would recommend for vegetarians. She thought for a moment then said "Well honey, I recommend you get out of Wyoming."

Here in WV- honey would have been replaced with darling- actually darlin!!

 

[Tincatinker]

i believe they meant pescatarian-meaning they eat fish

No. I meant Peskytarian as in people who elect complicated food aversions instead of being grateful for all God’s gifts. But I come from a background of having spent a hungry childhood when anything on the plate was very gratefully received. I have no issue with those whose cultural or ethical beliefs lead them to a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet. I’ll accept that my quip might be read as rude, unhelpful and even cruel but the OP doesn’t seem to have an issue with eating sentient beings or even stuff with a recognizeable face. Nonetheless I am sure and have assured that they will eat adequately if not exceptionally along their Camino.

I’ve only responded here because I hate to think that a quite good pun had gone to waste

 

[henrythedog]

No. I meant Peskytarian as in people who elect complicated food aversions instead of being grateful for all God’s gifts. But I come from a background of having spent a hungry childhood when anything on the plate was very gratefully received. I have no issue with those whose cultural or ethical beliefs lead them to a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet. I’ll accept that my quip might be read as rude, unhelpful and even cruel but the OP doesn’t seem to have an issue with eating sentient beings or even stuff with a recognizeable face. Nonetheless I am sure and have assured that they will eat adequately if not exceptionally along their Camino.

I’ve only responded here because I hate to think that a quite good pun had gone to waste

You have at least now been awarded a gender (and number) neutral pronoun. That’s the 21st century for you, like it or not.

And whilst I’m on, for fans of ‘clue’ which simply has to rule out all but possibly one of the moderators.

Irony. Vaguely metallic.

 

[witsendwv]

No. I meant Peskytarian as in people who elect complicated food aversions instead of being grateful for all God’s gifts. But I come from a background of having spent a hungry childhood when anything on the plate was very gratefully received. I have no issue with those whose cultural or ethical beliefs lead them to a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet. I’ll accept that my quip might be read as rude, unhelpful and even cruel but the OP doesn’t seem to have an issue with eating sentient beings or even stuff with a recognizeable face. Nonetheless I am sure and have assured that they will eat adequately if not exceptionally along their Camino.

I’ve only responded here because I hate to think that a quite good pun had gone to waste

I understood what you meant and I laughed because I am a non-peskytarian-- I eat nothing that comes from the water- no pescado ni marisco.

 

[David61]

I loved empanada de Atún, tuna pie, by itself, with a salad and/or fries.

 

[Frankybaby66]

Thank you for this info. That’s good to know.

i believe they meant pescatarian-meaning they eat fish

You think?

 

[TulasiPriya]

What are pilgrims menu and menu del dia like along the Camino Frances starting Sarria? Do they have non-meat options? Fish and seafood are ok, but no beef, pork, chicken, egg, etc.

I recently happened on this resource (via Reddit), which is a PDF of all the vegan and vegetarian options on the Camino.

 

[Bob008]

No. I meant Peskytarian as in people who elect complicated food aversions instead of being grateful for all God’s gifts. But I come from a background of having spent a hungry childhood when anything on the plate was very gratefully received. I have no issue with those whose cultural or ethical beliefs lead them to a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet. I’ll accept that my quip might be read as rude, unhelpful and even cruel but the OP doesn’t seem to have an issue with eating sentient beings or even stuff with a recognizeable face. Nonetheless I am sure and have assured that they will eat adequately if not exceptionally along their Camino.

I’ve only responded here because I hate to think that a quite good pun had gone to waste

I have to laugh at this comment as I am anything but a "Peskyterian" (and I happen to be a Presbyterian). I will eat anything that is not likely to have come from torture chambers (a.k.a. factory farms). Somewhat squeamish about eating fish/seafood and I rarely eat them, however, as far as I know, squid/octopus are all wild caught and some fish do come from fish farming, but not to the same scale of massive cruelty involved in producing milk, egg, cheese, chicken, pork, and beef.

And, let's not bring God into the discussion. God's gift cannot possibly include factory farms where almost all meat people consume comes from these days.

I, however, don't make any judgement about whatever people eat. It's a personal choice.