RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK
A PERSONAL REVIEW OF RESTAURANTS AROUND THE WORLD

CASA PACO
MADRID, SPAIN

This is one of the most famous restaurants for steak in all of Spain.  And unlike at most American steakhouses, the cooking method here is not broiling but boiling!  They do it in hot oil.  And here the steaks are priced by weight.  Once brought to your table they come still sizzling away on an ultra hot platter.

Before you even enter this restaurant you are tempted with a small tapas window and bar at the entrance.  There you can nibble on some small appetizers and enjoy a beer (in a really small glass).  Also check out the pictures of some of the famous diners who have sampled this place.

Curious Little 4 or 5 Ounce Beer Glasses at Tapas Bar

Above and beyond their famous oil boiled steaks, Casa Paco also can hook you up with grilled fish, lamb and other selections.  And be sure to try a cup of fish soup before your meat arrives if you haven't filled up on tapas.

This is a fairly large restaurant with two stories and interesting nooks and crannies.  While I felt some air conditioning coming from somewhere, our party all glowed red with sunburn on this hot summer day and it was a bit on the warm side although nothing like the day's high temp of 104 (F)!

Casa Paco Tapas Bar -The Restaurant Entrance is Just to the Left

Please keep in mind that this is a very popular restaurant and if you don't make a reservation you might be turned away.  Even with a reservation if you come traditionally late (they don't even think about eating in Spain until 10pm) you may face long lines and may need to nibble away at the tapas bar to keep hunger away before your table comes up.  The earliest you can dine in the restaurant here is 8:30pm.

While we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Casa Paco I don't think that Morton's of Chicago, Ruth's Chris or Don Shula's has anything to worry about when it comes to competition!

The restaurant is located at Plaza Puerta Cerrada, 11.  Again, be sure to secure a reservation.

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OUR TAKE ON SOME OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD BY CUISINE