Experience a Three-Course Meal at a TRUCK STOP Diner in SPAIN!

[@richardhaughton4303]

Some 40 years ago my wife and two children stopped at a roadside truck restaurant just outside Madrid, we had enough money for a meal for the kids, however, a table close to us heard my wife order food for the kids only and told the waiter to give food to my wife and I, what a wonderful gesture, never forget that kindness 😊

[@frankreynolds4547]

We came back from France 40 years ago. I'd parked the car in a side road near Hammersmith station and needed to buy petrol to get home to Bristol. We had about £7 left and could just about afford the pizza and chips takeaway from a local Greek restaurant for me, the wife and daughter before we continued our journey home. The smartly dressed owner I presumed came to the door to welcome us inside, embarrassedly I explained we could only afford the takeaway and did not require a table. He said that was not a problem and insisted we sat at a table, we had food and drinks and the use of the toilet, the Bill came to £7 , the generosity was priceless! Never forgotten.

[@TomBartram-b1c]

"To my wife and I" is like "should of" Really annoys me. Grrrrrr!

[@frankreynolds4547]

@@TomBartram-b1c don't tell I, tell Eee! 🤷😉😂

[@TomBartram-b1c]

@@frankreynolds4547and why take pity on someone who can fritter money driving Europe? Buy your own frkun lunch. Fek I need a lie down

[@frankreynolds4547]

@@TomBartram-b1c bless, and this time get up on the right side 🍻

[@johncrowe5993]

Pick up those wonderful lamb chops and chew off every speck of that delicious meat. We've had some of the best lamb chops and roast chicken in the world in gas stations and truck stops in Spain. It's simply unbelievable to Americans what the Spaniards serve up in simple establishments like this. To our fellow Americans, don't be afraid to try the food in a gas station (!); it's not the crappy hot dogs and packaged sandwiches you get in the US. Indeed, it'll amaze you. If you happen to find a place along the road that serves morcia (blood sausage) don't hesitate to try them. The first time I encountered them (in Spain) I probably wouldn't have eaten them had I known what they were. Now I order them anytime I see them on the menu-- in the US mainly in tapas restaurants run by Spaniards.

[@skeptigal4626]

I love the Spanish truck stop cafés.

[@samcadwallader2899]

Menu del dia. Always the best. I've had some unbelievably good meals going back 20 years from today. One was so good I including unlimited wine that I ended up buying a hotel room for the night at the princely cost of 14 euro. Extremadura is very cheap. This back in 2016. Still possible to get a menu including bebida for 12 in Extremadura and other provinces down south now.

[@jacquesblignaut7844]

When it comes to spare ribs and lamb chops, my go-to utensils are my fingers, whether it's a roadside diner or a Michelin restaurant.

[@RobertReid-kc9se]

Definitely

[@petek5523]

Agree!! 🎉

[@maskedavenger2578]

I enjoy looking at the snooty disapproving expressions on the pretentious snobs dials , when I stuff the bread rolls with chips and chunks of steak down my gob , in fancy restaurants . 😎

[@karenlloyd1705]

Yep, every time

[@bernicegardner4019]

Hi Stu, when I moved to Murcia in 2004 Menu del Dia was 4.50 Euro including a bottle of wine and bread. The starter was always a lamb hock which just fell off the bone. I was just about done after that but it is only good maners to push through and show willing. The meals were always well cooked and fantastic value. We are back in the UK now, I miss those days greatly.

[@joeterra.t]

You're paying about £45-50 for that same meal with worse quality in the UK right now. It's insane.

[@blurayffan66]

...so what is 4.50 in 2004 adjusted for inflation?...and 20 years later in 2024...bet it's more than the 15 odd Stu paid.

[@karenlloyd1705]

​@Ilar-en7lg we were paying €5.50 for menu del dia in 2015

[@pattheslut]

@@Ilar-en7lg I visited the Basque Country in 2004,and I remember paying 8 euros for a menu del dia in the restaurants in Guernica,in Bilbao,it was a couple of euros more expensive at the restaurant we ate at,but we got an entire bottle of basic Rioja wine with the meal.

[@CharlieMcowan]

When I moved to Spain, I lived very near to a restaurant described as the cheapest in Barcelona in the book 'Europe on a Dollar a Day' 2 courses, dessert, bread and a glass of barely drinkable wine, but the food was plenty and tasty 47 pesetas the regular 54 pesetas the "special" menu Roughly €0.25 euros

[@catherinemori4496]

What a great deal! We did a truck stop back in 2000 on our first visit to Spain and it was delicious! I remember some fantastic scrambled eggs. A couple of days before, going the other direction, we had stopped at a gas station and restaurant. We were stunned at the offerings: little dishes of cuttlefish etc. top quality, too.

[@inigovisiers2270]

Years ago hitching a ride a lorry driver told me to stops where you see trucks and before order the meal pay a visit to the toilet. If the toilet is clean that’s a good place to eat too.

[@susanthomas7567]

My Mum always said if the toilets are clean,so is the kitchen!

[@johnfinbarr1160]

Here in Malpica, Galicia, it’s 12 euros, you’ll get fish for starter and main course, desert, coffee and a glass of wine.

[@chrissierichards6802]

When we travelled round the world we always ate where the locals ate. If it was busy it was good xx

[@terryross1754]

They used to publish a list of excellent (otherwise unrated) diners and lodgings in Spain, once a year - I think in El Pais ? I had a fantastic lunch at a truckstop near Bilbao in the 80's. Dirt cheap.

[@nigeldawson5960]

I'vce had many good meals at truck stops in Spain. Must be lucky.

[@juvenalsdad4175]

Looks very good, and reasonably priced. I used to drive a lot back and forth from southern Spain to the UK, and always found the Spanish road-side eateries much better quality than France or the UK.

[@anthonyferris8912]

@juvenalsdad4175 We wouldn't expect anything less from you...🤣😂😆

[@anthonyferris8912]

@juvenalsdad4175 Unlike Stuart, who says finding a decent roadside eatery is not easy.

[@louaceveu1925]

Last April in Asturias, Spain. Arroz a la Cubana (Cuban rice with eggs) The sauce was delicious, fresh mussels in a red sauce with a side of French fries, dessert, coffee and a bottle of wine with Casera (Sweet sparkling water to mix with wine if you want), 12 Euros. In California, where I live, we will be talking about $60.

[@geoffhobster5814]

used to live in Mazarron about 10 miles away country restaurant lamb lunch menu del dia perfecto

[@bernicegardner4019]

Hi, I also lived in Mazarron from 2004 until 2021 I miss everything about Spain (except the bureaucracy) I would go back in a heartbeat if I could.

[@baztess8281]

Great video as always Stu, you can’t really go wrong with the truck stops in Spain 🇪🇸 always fantastic meals imo and reasonable prices too.

[@jamesbeech8643]

Hi Stu, we often stop at the windmill stop just after Albacete, normally first thing in the morning on the way to Santander, tostada and coffee which is always good but sometimes we have a croissant La plancha with jam. Parking is also good. Love these videos.

[@realcalgal1150]

Stu, that was a very nice meal. It was well priced. You can rarely find lamb on any menu in the US unless you are in a fine dining establishment. To find “ chuletitas ” at a truck stop here would be a miracle. It would be a “Breakfast all day menu” or burger and fries. Buen Provecho !!

[@blurayffan66]

Had a menu on the seafront in Almeria City last March...7.99 and it was delicious. Lovely city and people too.

[@TheDirkdams]

In my working life as a test driver and suspension engineer for Toyota and Subaru Europe we stopped always where truck drivers go to eat ! Cheap and good

[@manueloval5108]

Exactamente! Esa es una muy buena costumbre, aquí en España!!

[@lanzknecht8599]

A tip i got from Spaniards: if you find trucks from Galicia (Lugo, Santiago de Compostella, Pontevedra Ourense) parked in front of a restaurant - go and eat there! Galicians are famed for their love of food - and large portions.

[@andrewdavies8954]

looked good, my only comment ,am a bit surprised the one drink was not included in the menu price

[@andreaschwartz4082]

I should not have watched this before dinner :D It looks like a very good deal, and the landscape in front of the Parada wasn't half bad. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alanfletcher5720]

Great review.Decent price.

[@Bettys_Eldest]

We had a couple of touring holidays in northern Spain about twenty years ago. We would either have the menu of the day at lunchtime, or get a room at one of these truckstop hotels and have the menu in the evening. The menu would usually be around 6 euro at lunchtime or 8 in the evening for three courses, unlimited bread and an unlabelled bottle of wine. Evening meals would be noisy but friendly and usually end with entertaining interactions with the other customers, despite a lack of common language. As with the Relais Routiers we often use in France these places will always have a large car park, and the quality can usually be judged by the number of trucks and white vans parked at around 1:00 pm.

[@phil7710]

Would love to have you out in Loja. Great rest stop on your way to Granada.

[@DuncYo]

Yes loving it Stuart!! Locals know the score hehe

[@Barcaboy65]

Am quite enjoying your food vlogs Stuart, industrial estates and truck stops good reasonably priced no nonsense food when traveling 👍

[@paulstandley600]

South of Alicante here inland a bit from Torrevieja & near Elche. 3 course Menú del día is really big around this area and average prices range between 11.90 and 13.50€. usually includes a soft drink, glass of wine or a cańa. sometimes get a dessert AND a coffee. Around here, a menú del día at the weekend goes up to between 18€ and 20€ typically.

[@welshtoro3256]

Yeah, that meal would have cost £10 - $11 euros in a similar place in Andalusia. I don't think there was anything special about it either.

[@m.m.7514]

@@welshtoro3256and unfortunately around 35-40 euros in Madrid, where I live at.

[@AlexMontgomery-i7s]

I’m with some others. Pick up the chops and gnaw them!

[@amandaroberts5111]

Those places are great!

[@Drewacct]

Looked wonderful!!

[@123seanaway]

Great value meal. I have only one found a roadside cafe in Spain that I wouldn't eat in. The rest were great. Spotlessly clean, great food, great service, great value..

[@beefovbd2]

terrys truck stop sounds perfect for a full english

[@bobkennard8863]

Pan de la Calatraba is different in every restaurant. Usually the house speciality. My favourite.

[@mogsya3367]

a few years ago we used to drive to and from England/Spain. Whilst in Spain we usually stopped off at a "truck stop" and haven't found a bad one yet.

[@TheMRmatt007]

Before the euro in northen Spain el menu del dia cost 900 pesetas vino y casera y cafe incluido.

[@chrissierichards6802]

Very good xx

[@harriettt9857]

Pan de Calatrava is a dessert from Murcia ! It’s just like a flan ( Spanish flan) with pieces of Magdalenas or sponge cake . Very easy to make n delicious

[@RodgerMoore-m3r]

We used to go truck racing in Madrid jarama circuit , We loved to stop at truck stops especially in France with limitless wine, we stopped at Irun to have steak and chips Spanish food always looks ruff and ready but I like it. There were plenty of shops with it being on the frontier, we bought 3 sombreros toy gun holsters and toy cap guns walking round the shops shouting 3 amigos , the locals thought we were nuts , banditos loco 😁😎

[@sutoffee]

So I thought Stu was an Englishman then her mentioned Australia and I am like yes he is an Aussie 🤣 Great video and who knew, I do now and I want to try them now 😊✨️🥰🌏

[@diegodejuan4825]

"Sopa castellana" is my favourite in winter. I love it!! I relate it more to Northern Castilla (Castilla León, north of Madrid and on a higher and colder plateau) than Southern Castilla (Castilla-La Mancha). It looks more reddish than that one.

[@baltarbb4969]

Esa relación puede ser su experiencia u opinión personal, pero en La Mancha es plato muy muy habitual.

[@diegodejuan4825]

@@baltarbb4969 No digo que no se pueda comer en La Mancha o en toda en toda España, pero el origen de la sopa castellana es Castilla La Vieja.

[@phil7710]

I’m always the person waiting for another to pick up the rib/lamb chop before i dig in myself.

[@MikeS29]

I would have picked up those chops and made them ready for a natural history museum.

[@blurayffan66]

My limit for a menu is 11-12 euros but in this case Stu with those tasty looking lamb chops I think you got yourself a good deal.

[@janetlombardi2314]

It looks quite good, Stiart. Not badly priced, really. 😊

[@highflyer1965]

Absolute bargain mate! Those chops looked lovely. Thanks for sharing the experience 👍

[@allandonovan4620]

IMHO it’s perfectly in good taste to use your hands when bones are involved.

[@paulgooderham]

Thank you, Stu.

[@pasiego6753]

I have never seen a menu without a drink, water and wine at least.

[@raula.3693]

Times are changing

[@pasiego6753]

@@raula.3693 yeah, and thats why menu prices are going up, but no drink is nonsense.

[@welshtoro3256]

That's right. I think Stuart should have gone somewhere else. I think $15.10 for that meal is a rip-off.

[@jeffforbess6802]

Maybe that’s why it’s empty?

[@GoldStandardGlobal]

Loving the travel vlogs Stu. Nice, relaxed and how your working day should be, worth popping into Cuenca😉👊 Nice meal mate, best regards Marco 👊

[@johncornish7414]

Another great video. 😊

[@PIGGY789]

Another great video Stu everything in that menu looked very tasty i could just eat a bowl of that soup now and lamb chops are one of my favourites, i think your menu was great value.

[@patrickstarnes2355]

Good thumbnail 👍 Normally the food review channels put the gaping mouth image to show shock, they all do it 😂 But Stuart's gone for the ” What the hell is that?!! " Look 👍 I would have payed the extra 2 euros for the lamb also. What about mint sauce? I love a bit of mint sauce with my lamb.

[@terrytay1774]

Just eat n stop chatting!

[@richt71]

Another great food vlog Stuart. That lamb looked really good! I lived on the menu of the day during the week when I lived in Lanzarote. There was 4 local restaurants I rotated around. You could get a filling lunch for 8-10 euros 13 years ago.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Menu del dia without a drink...never come across one in nine years of enjoying them country-wide.

[@andrescasado5975]

Strange

[@Stebs_Paintings]

You can't beat a decent bread and butter pudding. I said 13, and the wife said 10 euros.

[@gaholliday]

Enjoy the food!

[@BillCameronWC]

Good video, as usual. Based on my experience of eating menu del días over the years, occasionally at parking/lorry areas on longer journeys, and allowing for inflation, I assumed it would be around €15 or a little more 😉👍. I’m in the UK but have driven all over Spain, France etc so I know what to expect. A similar meal in the UK would probably cost £25 to £30 pounds currently, although it probably wouldn’t be so nice 🤣.

[@petek5523]

You gotta use your hands when eating things with a bone in, I doubt anyone watching would cause a fuss 😅😊

[@zanetaylor3540]

Going to pile on the weight doing these vids!😂😂😂 Notice the Spanish diet seems to be very high in Carbs, Frying and Bread. Keep an eye on ya Ticker mate! Love you work!!

[@pattheslut]

The thing is,in Spain,people walk around more.

[@hokicoki]

People that think 15 euros is too expensive are only looking at the price not the quality. In my experience of rural and city menu del dia priced at 11 euros inc drink will be of poor quality and i would avoid.....Everything has gone up around the world and, its definitely worth paying a bit more in Spain as well.

[@Carol_in_Spain]

Was the soup hot. I always find soup on the menú del día to be just lukewarm. What was on the menu without paying extra for the lamb?

[@neme7827]

El pan de Calatrava puede ser un plato común en Murcia, pero evidentemente no tiene su origen allí. Es originario, como su nombre indica, de la comarca del Campo de Calatrava que está en el centro sur de la provincia de Ciudad Real y que coincide con la zona donde se asentó y desde la que se extendió en tiempos de la reconquista la Orden de Caballería de Calatrava. Los caballeros calatravos luego pasaron a bastantes territorios en Andalucía, sobre todo en Jaén y la Orden tuvo una encomienda en Abanilla, Murcia. Por cierto, en el video, mientras comes, el logotipo que hay en el servilletero que tienes a la derecha de la imagen es una Cruz de Calatrava, símbolo de esta Orden.

[@itsecman]

I always thought that Sopa Castellana was a garlic and egg based soup, but you didn't mention the garlic. Was this one different? Also, I heard someone say that lamb is expensive in Spain. Would you agree?

[@neme7827]

La sopa castellana también se conoce en España como sopa de ajo. Lo que le sirven en el video no parece sopa castellana o de ajo, ya que este no lleva fideos, sino que suele lleva pan y ser de un color más rojo debido al pimentón. La sopa que aparece en el video debe ser una sopa de cocido o una sopa de picadillo.

[@philOKC]

Did you leave a tip? (propina)

[@chrissierichards6802]

Bread and butter pudding. UK.

[@FraserBailey-jm5yz]

I guessed 17 euros, so pretty close.

[@bradcobb3418]

my guess was 15€, here on C del sol we pay between10 and 16€ for 2 courses plus drink Inc bread

[@RobertReid-kc9se]

What is fairly clean? It’s a truck stop cafe clearly serving very good food. It’s not a two star restaurant for goodness sake

[@nicolad8822]

In France my brother in law looks for a congregation of EDF vans to decide where to lunch.

[@billybooger1]

Pick those chops up.

[@MegaMillie2000]

Lived in Spain for 11 years and my Spanish neighbours showed me how to eat Spanish food and if it’s got a bone in it you pick it up and eat it.

[@pattheslut]

When it comes to roast chicken pieces or chicken wings,you eat with your hands,none of this knife and fork nonsense :)

[@RobertReid-kc9se]

Lamb chops are made to be eaten with your hands. Why do you not?

[@tessp.l1284]

In Spain, you start off with the knife and fork, and then in a casual setting, like a truck stop or at home, you pick them up with your hands, but never in a formal setting, where they even eat fruit, like a banana, with fork and knife. That bathroom looked very clean to me for a truck stop, but no drink included, well, very unusual!

[@coffermartin77]

Just wondering Stu, does it come naturally for you to say " Buen provecho" whenever you pass some diners in a restaurant? I noticed some diners that walked passed you that said it to you. Now, what would one do if you passed 50 diners? Would you have to say "Buen Provecho" to all of them?

[@andrescasado5975]

No

[@andrescasado5975]

Only a couple

[@andrescasado5975]

Que aproveche

[@snacklofter]

👍

[@wayinfront1]

That's a bargain price for a very nice meal, obviously kitchen coked and not just microwaved. At most establishments here in the U.K. drinks are not included in the price of the meal, so I couldn't understand why you were having a little moan about that. I reckon for an equivalent meal here in U.K. you'd have to fork out 50% more, and that's without the bottle of mineral water. Truck stops here wouldn't come up to this standard.

[@simonmcintosh6565]

not easy to find a decent place to eat in Spain? Ok. I've lived in Spain for 40 years and I've always thought the opposite, but I am far south so maybe its different.

[@Littlebella114]

If you didn't get the lamb chops what else was on the menú?

[@DS-fo4ed]

In the uk it would be 30£ per person

[@hannahroberts6295]

Pancetta in the soup? Don't you mean jamon? After all you are in Spain not Italy. But I guess us Aussies are used to pancetta. Could have done without the view of the urinals at the end. Otherwise a good review.

[@phil7710]

The drink not included is unforgivable

[@wokeupandsmellthecoffee214]

lacking mint sauce but still a great meal with the lamb chops.

[@tessp.l1284]

Mint sauce is for mutton chops,

[@MartinVSmith6334]

Paid 20 Euros, no soup or dessert for about the same lamb chops with suds and peepers in Rota last night.

[@girldoes289]

Hola! Do you have a Spanish passport after years of living in Spain?

[@ellieramseyer]

Looks like a bread pudding.

[@almaknack9543]

Opening hours?

[@ellieramseyer]

Do you traditionally tip?

[@welshtoro3256]

it's not expected for a meal like this.

[@philOKC]

Did the sopa have fideos?

[@remediosruedaanaya4249]

La sopa castellana no lleva fideos.

[@phil7710]

Give me a heads up and i can make you a great New York cheese cake.

[@pablogonzalez8304]

No Salad?

[@ellieramseyer]

Why do Spaniards not serve salads or vegetables with their meal?

[@welshtoro3256]

Spaniards eat plenty of salad and vegetables at home but it's a bit different when you dine out. There was probably a choice of salad in the first course of this menu.

[@pattheslut]

When I visit the Basque Country,if menestra de verduras,which is a vegetable stew, is on the menu,I will order it,when done properly,it is quite delicious.

[@243380]

las chuletas se comen con las manos apurando bien el hueso

[@benjamindejonge3624]

No bread?

[@seanflewin9803]

Bargain

[@chrissierichards6802]

There lamb are not big enough xx Pick it up xx

[@Kamilla-x7h]

No sauce or dressing?

[@welshtoro3256]

Nope. I thought it was pretty bland.

[@welshtoro3256]

I've got to be honest. I think $15.10 euros is steep for what you got. Sopa Castellana is nothing really. A cheap and tasty peasant dish. They'll have a gigantic vat of the stuff and it costs next to nothing to make. I can't think of any reason why you should pay a $2 euro supplement for the chops which weren't presented in any special way. A typical menu pudding and you had to pay for the water which is most unusual. You would get that meal for $10 euros in a roadside stop in Andalusia. It's the sort of menu that's getting increasingly on my nerves and it's becoming more commonplace. It's completely plain and just tossed out without any passion or care. For $15 euros you should be getting a lot better than that and I have had a lot better than that in many roadside stops.