Casa Mingo, Paseo De La Florida 34, 28008 Madrid, Spain – 0034 915 477 918
Casa Mingo is a no-frills Asturian cider house in the west of the city. It resembles a barn and is filled with old tables and chairs whilst the walls are lined with hundreds of dusty ‘sidre’ bottles. Popular with Madrileños and tourists alike it is famous for cider, spit-roast chicken, chorizo and (I quote the Time Out Guide), “nose-bending” cheese.
Service is snappy and efficient but very friendly. We order a bottle of cider and it is presented and poured immediately; lime coloured, tart and thirst quenching it goes down a treat. Our food orders follow courtesy of the fleet footed waiters; spit roasted chicken to share (9.50 euros), a tray of salad (5.50 euros) and rustic, unprocessed ‘pan complêt’. The chicken is hissing and sizzling as we tear it apart with our hands and devour the tasty flesh. The skin is well done, chewy, salty and utterly delicious. Around us, chorizos, plates of Manchego cheese and desserts make their way to tables of canoodling couples, respectable, well-heeled Madrileños, families, business associates and groups of girls. Everyone is tucking in unashamedly and no-one seems to give a fig about salt, sugar, fat content, alcohol intake or indeed tobacco (you do have to go outside to smoke though).
For dessert we order another Asturian speciality, a plate of the ‘nose-bending’ Cabrales cheese. They don’t do ‘dinky’ here and a plate heaving with stinky cheese is slammed down. It is a hard, blue-veined cheese that is matured in the limestone caves of the Asturian coastline and according to Culinaria Spain was described by the author Benito Pérez Galdó as having a “pestilent aroma”. We manage half a plate along with another bottle of cider and our mouths tingle.
The whole meal for two people cost about £25 which is an absolute bargain. If you find yourself in Madrid Casa Mingo is a must.
Opening Hours
Daily 11am-12pm
