Legitimate tapas are fast dying out in Madrid, so you have to be in the know in order to get the real deal. For one thing, you should never have to pay for tapas. The whole deal is: you buy a drink, you get free food. This way of thinking is honestly why I love Spain so much. Who doesn't love two euro drinks and free, delicious food!? Unfortunately, times are changing and the free tapas is becoming increasingly rare what with hip new bars and hoards of tourists.
Well, Tigre is the real deal. Here's why:
- You can see your food as soon as you walk in
This is important. Spaniards are ham obsessed, which isn't hard to figure out after walking around the city and seeing shops full to the brim with ham legs. When you go eat tapas you want to be able to see the ham you are about to eat. A tip: legs with black hooves are better. That's because these pigs only come from a certain region where they are pasture raised and fed exclusively acorns from a certain type of tree. Another fun tip: sometimes shop owners paint white hooves black to raise curb appeal. Not sure how this is helpful, just fun to know.
Look for the taparia with a black hoof in the window.
2. The floor is usually covered in cheap paper napkins
This becomes increasingly true as the night wears on and the bar becomes increasingly busy. Spaniards don't have time or space for that trashcan nonsense. Throw those guys on the floor like a local.
3. The menu doesn't have pictures
I know, I know. The pictures are pretty! And it's easy to order when you don't speak the language! Believe me, I love the taparia Indalo as much as the next exchanged student out to get some cheap beer and food. But the real deal will never use pictures.
4. The drink choices are limited
Here are your options: House white wine, House red wine, beer, sangria and tinto de verano. I LOVE tinto de verano, but at half red wine and half lime soda, it's basically just watered down wine. El Tigre actually breaks this rule because they also serve the biggest Mojitos you've ever seen for sooo cheap.
5. The later it gets, the fuller it gets
Spaniards are famous for their night life. If it weren't for siestas, I'd have no idea how these guys would get any sleep! Stop by a tapa bar any time after siesta until around 7, the tapa bar will be practically empty. But come nightfall this place will be hoppin! I certainly didn't mind stopping by around six to get my choice in eating area to watch the taparia slowly fill up with locals as the night dragged on.
6. Pay for Drinks, Tapas come Free
Ok, so we already covered this one. The special thing about El Tigre is that rather than choosing a small dish from a menu like most places, they choose for you and give you a giant platter filled with a selection of bread an ham, spanish tortilla, croquettes (which I think are nasty), patatas bravas, and more ham, and more ham.
Another thing that makes El Tigre feel so legit Madrid is the interior. There is no seating room in the dark interior, and you're likely to be standing at a bar underneath the head of the very animal you're eating!!
If you're looking for an authentic Spanish experience, grab a group of friends and hit up El Tigre.
