What happens when you cross the suckling pig meat with the creativity of the most clever chefs in the country? What happens is that Paquito is back, that lamb sandwich that has nothing classic about it, even if it sounds like your uncle’s name. From June 6 to 30, more than 200 bars and restaurants in 15 Spanish cities join the Paquito Route, which this year signs its most ambitious edition. Madrid, of course, is in it.
A snack that looks like it has been around forever
This invention is not new, but its scope is. The idea behind Paquito is simple: to turn lamb (suckling lamb, kid or national lamb) into a street food attraction . From there, each cook does what he wants: there are Paquitos in Andalusian mollete, in Italian focaccia, in French brioche or even in taco format with Mexican winks.
Where to eat a Paquito in Madrid
In Madrid there are about twenty places with proposals for all tastes. From the most traditional ones, such as El Campillo or La Posada del Nuncio, to gastro temples such as La Barra de Santerra or La Raquetista (in its two locations). Attention also to those who are playing hard: in Charnela Ponzano, for example, the Paquito becomes a bomb that mixes crusty bread, larded lamb and a dressing reminiscent of North Africa.
- Barra Alta (c/ Lagasca, 19).
- La Raquetista (c/ Doctor Castelo 19 and Juan Bravo 41).
- Caíño (c/ Ibiza, 35).
- Taberna Puerto Lagasca (c/ Lagasca, 81).
- La Barra de Santerra (c/ General Pardiñas, 56).
- Terzio (c/ General Pardiñas, 25).
- Marzeah Taberna (c/ Príncipe de Vergara, 202).
- Barmitón (c/ Cava Alta, 13).
- El Campillo (Plaza del Campillo del Mundo Nuevo, 8).
- El Tarantín de Lucía (c/ Santa Isabel, 5, first floor, stall 42).
- La Mercantina (Tirso de Molina Market).
- La Tramoya (Tirso de Molina Market).
- Avi Leña (c/ Martín de los Heros, 6).
- Charnela (c/ Ponzano, 8 and Avenida de los Andes, 25).
- La Posada del Nuncio (c/ Nuncio, 4).
- La Posada del Nuncio 2 (c/ San Rafael, 2, Alcobendas).
- Asador Fuentelabrada (c/ de Valparaíso, 10, Fuenlabrada).
The Interprofesional Interprofesional Agroalimentaria del Ovino y el Caprino de Carne (INTEROVIC) is behind this initiative that, beyond the gastronomic game, has a clear objective: to bring the national lamb to new audiences and formats. And if it is between bread and bread, so much the better.
Other sandwiches in Madrid
In Madrid, the concept of “sandwich” has expanded far beyond the classic bread with filling, ranging from gourmet creations to international fusions. In places like Revuelto, Döggo, Moñetes or Apura, we find reinterpretations as disparate as Korean sandwiches, signature hot dogs, sweet Italian panini or Peruvian sanguchitos.
Although some use sliced bread and others brioche, they all share the same idea: the sandwich is a constantly evolving format and many of these ideas are covered in this article.