Menu del Dia
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The Spanish
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Menu del Dia
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Pssst...I'm
going to let you in one of Spain's best kept secrets. You can enjoy a three
course meal with wine for the price of a snack, if you know these magic
words; Menu del Dia, which means simply Menu of the Day. Normally served
between two and three in the afternoon by just about every restaurant in
Spain, this afternoon delight is a great way to eat good food at a very
reasonable price.
It all started during Franco's time as a way for workers to obtain a
nutritious meal at an affordable price. Franco has gone, but thankfully Menu
del Dia lives on, and is in fact as popular as ever, but you have to know
about it to get it. Some restaurants advertise their Menu of the Day on a
chalk board outside the establishment, whilst others will happily bring you
the normal menu without mentioning the cheap option, especially if...how can
I put this...you're not a local.
Of course the standard menu may have a list of
dishes as long as your arm, whereas the fare on offer for Menu of the Day
may only provide a choice of three or four dishes for each course, but
there's usually something there to suit everyone. Let's get one thing
straight here; the food is not inferior or in any way less nutritious than
what's being offered from the main menu. The difference is the price, and I
promise you, I've never walked away from a Menu del Dia feeling hungry;
quite the contrary in fact. Don't forget that these meals were meant to feed
the workers, and still do, so don't be surprised if you find yourself
surrounded by a group of Spanish taking their lunch break.
A popular first course is a really tasty soup or a salad, but dishes are as
diverse as the restaurants which offer them, so there won't be a problem
finding something you like. A Chinese restaurant will have its own
particular version, as will an Italian or Indian, but most Spanish bars and
restaurants stick to what they know the locals will enjoy. Chicken, fish,
meatballs or pork usually come with chips, but that's no different to the
main menu. There's usually the choice of a pudding or coffee, but if you
want to pay extra, you can have both.
Although Menu del Dia is available nationwide, the cheapest place, according
to the Organisation of Consumers and Users, is Malaga, which weighed in with
an average price of €7.55 which is pretty good value for a hearty meal. The
national average is €9.50; still representing terrific value for money.
Apparently, this information was gleaned from a survey of one hundred
restaurants in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Seville, Valencia, Vigo, Zaragoza
and Malaga. I wonder who carried out the survey, and if he can fit through
his front door these days; nice work if you can get it.
The only problem with Menu del Dia is that you probably won't want to eat a
big meal in the evening, which could spoil your restaurant plans, but if
you're happy to eat your main meal in the middle of the day, and are looking
to save money, it's made for you, so the next time you're on holiday in
Spain, don't forget the magic words.
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