Spanish Food - Food in Spain

United States
December 8, 2006 4:49pm CST
I spent a semester studying abroad in Spain. Here are some of the observations I have made about Spanish food and drinks. The food: They cook with a lot of olive oil, eggs, potatoes, and tomatoes. The Spaniards don't eat out very often. When you go to restaurants you mostly see tourists. In the restaurants they put bread on the table but charge you for it whether you want it or not. If you ask for water they give you expensive bottled water. If you just want a pitcher of tap water ask for "una jarra de agua". Many restaurants will have a menu del dia (combination dishes) that are usually fairly inexpensive and come with 2 entrees, a drink (bottled water, wine, or soft drink), and dessert. There are bars at every corner. People go around 7pm for merienda (snack) and later for tapas (appetizers). They stand up and will spend a long time there talking with friends but usually only go through one drink. There are beer machines (like Coke vending machines) on the streets. Sometimes beer is even cheaper than average bottled water. I think the drinking age is supposed to be 18- but who knows. What did you think about the food in Spain?
3 responses
• United States
9 Dec 06
I like food in Spain. I cant tell you what my favorite is though. Its all good. I went to Spain last summer for 21 days. It was a great experience.
• United States
9 Dec 06
wow! 21 days. that's a long time. where did you go?
• United States
12 Dec 06
21 days! I've got that beat. I was in Seville for 88 days!
• United States
12 Dec 06
I like Spanish food when it's done right. I, unfortunately, lived in a "residencia" in Seville where the landlady was a horrible cook. I basically lived on a steady diet of calamares fritos or bocaditos de jamon (and small bottles of Coca-Cola) from sidewalk cafes on El Paseo de Las Delicias.
• United States
9 Dec 06
no surprise, most latin american countries are like that. Costa Rica being a main one.