MADRID, SPAIN. Back in 1917, Casa Mingo obtained its first license for selling pollo asado and sidra. To this day, the grilled chicken and apple cider combo has survived the test of time. Even though the establishment has been featured in just about every tourist guidebook, the locals continue to come to Casa Mingo for their fix of pollo and sidra, too.
With two dining halls and two terraces, the restaurant can seat about 200 people. But don’t let that number deter you to assume that you’ll get a spot. Especially on weekends, the comedores fill to the brim, and once the sun comes out, the terrazas are packed at lunch and dinner, too. If you want to get a spot, arrive early (i.e. around 1 p.m. for lunch and 8 p.m. for dinner).
Once you’ve secured a seat, ordering is simple. Chickens are served whole (10.30 Euros; all prices are for sitting down at the table), and sidras come in 3/4 liter bottles (5.50 Euros). Note: Should one entire chicken be too much, you can also get the other half to go. Taking a bottle of sidra out, in turn, is not that common.
Coming to Casa Mingo and not eating chicken is like not coming at all. But if you are in the mood for something different, no need to despair. There’s croquetas de jamón ibérico (ham croquettes; 7.45 Euros), brandadas de bacalao (cod fritters; 7.45 Euros), empanadas de bonito (tuna empanada; 3.00 Euros) and more. A highly recommended appetizer to share is the asadillo y ventresca (roasted red pepper with ventresca, the best part of tuna; 8.00 Euros).
And if by dessert, you haven’t had enough cider, order a tarta de sidra (cider cake; 4.15 Euros).
You can get all of the above to go as well. Note that the prices will differ by a couple of Euros.
With your mouth watering, keep in mind that only cash is accepted at Casa Mingo.
CASA MINGO
Paseo de la Florida 34
28008 Madrid
Tel. +34 915 477 918
Metro: Príncipe Pío (L6, L10)
Open: 11 a.m.-midnight. Monday-Sunday.
Menu: click on “Nuestro menú”