Chocolatería San Ginés

If you are going to Spain, you will soon see that Spaniards love to eat sweet things. They put a lot of sugar in their coffee, they have many confectionery and pastry shops and you will be able to find a lot of their typical dishes with a sweet note, such as egg yolks mixed with sugar from Ávila. Besides all the others, you will be able to find fried sticks being offered to you in majority of places. They are called churros and it is something that many people have for breakfast there.

Churros

So: what are churros made of? Like in all the recipes, there are several variations of the dish but basic ingredients are only three: water, flour and salt. You can also add butter, baking soda and many other addings. You mix those ingredients in a bowl (you can add more water/flour until you get a dense mixture). Once you have done that, you squeeze the dough out of the star-shape attachment similar to the one used for cream, only wider. If you do not have it, you can just roll it and then cut into smaller ovals - they will be just as good. Afterwards, put them in a frying pan and let them get that golden brown color. Then let them cool and sprinkle them with sugar.

You can get churros with many different toppings and dippings but the most classic are the ones covered in sugar and dipped in chocolate before eaten. In Mexico it is common to use cinnamon instead of sugar. You can also get them with caramel, nuts and there are plenty of other options as well.

I tried to make my own churros at home once. I did not fry them but I baked them on a tray instead. They were a bit burned on the outside and a bit raw on the inside so I would recommend you to use the fryer. Still, we ate them all.

Churros: Source

Chocolatería San Ginés

Chocolatería San Ginés is the most famous place in Spain that sells churros. Its location is a bit hidden so people coming there know what they are looking for. Still, it is in the center of Madrid. If you take a walk from Sol through Calle Mayor you will see a bar100 Montaditos on your right. If you turn right before that bar, you will arrive to the entrance of San Ginés, reminding you of its tradition going back to the age of 1894.

The local has a retro atmosphere you can notice already at the front door colored with green and ocre and parts of a streetlight on every side. Remember, the real entrance is not through the first door you see (which are closed and locked), but through the ones you will see once crossing the corner.

The entrance: Source

You will see a small menu glued on one of the walls. But really, most people do not need it as the most typical order is: ''A portion of 6 churros with chocolate, please. '' Besides that, people also order thicker churros, coffee or some other sweets. You pay when you order and take a place inside or outside waiting to get served.

And what makes those churros so special? They are so crunchy and delicious you simply have to try them. And the chocolate is really good and in a perliquid state. So what you should watch out on is not getting chocolate stains on your clothes. If you are like me and are not really a morning person, you can afford them in the afternoon or like many young people after a night partying as the bar is open 24 hours. Indeed, a sweet way of finishing the night.

Churros with chocolate: Source

Being so popular, the bar attracts people from all over the world, including celebrities. Every time a famous person enters San Ginés, they take their photo. It is a tradition ongoing for many years that led to the walls of the chocolate shop covered in black and white photos. You can try to find some you know. I have not heard for most of them before as there are many spanish actors, directors, writers etc. and my knowledge of those people is very limited. But I recognized Audrey Hepburn, Penélope Cruz and Pedro Almodóvar.

Famous people: Source