Michael Jordan visited Madrid, went to a concert with Bad Bunny…and left behind a quote that has already skyrocketed the fame of a burger joint in the Salamanca neighborhood:“The best burger of my life.” The former Chicago Bulls player, considered by many to be the greatest basketball player in history, took advantage of his stay in the capital to try a burger at La Bistroteca (7 Espartinas Street and 10 General Pardiñas Street), and his comment has cemented the success of this restaurant, which in 2021 won the award for best burger at the Spain Quality Food and Beverage Fair, Salón Gourmets.
Jordan traveled to Madrid to attend, as a special guest, one of the first concerts of Bad Bunny’s residency at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. At 6 feet 6 inches tall and with his aura as a sports legend, it was impossible for him to go unnoticed: cameras, cell phones, and social media were flooded with images of the former shooting guard at the stadium and, shortly thereafter, at various key spots around the city, such as the Ramses restaurant, across from the Puerta de Alcalá.
But beyond the front-row photos, the anecdote that has made the rounds in the media has the flavor of aged beef and brioche: Jordan decided to make a reservation at La Bistroteca, a gourmet burger joint on Calle Espartinas, just a stone’s throw from the Golden Mile. There, he ate like any other customer, without any special requests or unusual displays, according to the restaurant itself via its social media accounts.
La Bistroteca: a signature burger joint in the Salamanca neighborhood
Founded in 2016 by Vanessa San José and Alexandra Galvis, La Bistroteca was born with the idea of elevating the burger to the realm of signature cuisine: meticulously selected ingredients, recipes crafted down to the last detail, and a bistro atmosphere. Over the years, word of mouth and awards like this one have established it as a Madrid staple for those seeking high-quality burgers, far removed from the classic image of fast-food chains.
The Espartinas location—the one Jordan visited—is characterized by a warm and casual interior, with an open bar and a kitchen where the grill and the meat are the true stars. The menu combines classics, original creations, and less common options (Asian influences, carefully balanced spice levels, homemade sauces), but one name stands out following the NBA star’s visit: Bistroemmy, the burger Michael Jordan chose. The recipe centers on 175 grams of 100% Galician beef, dry-aged for 30 to 40 days, topped with 12-month-aged cheddar cheese, crispy smoked bacon, fried onions, and Emmy sauce—a blend of smoked butter and Korean chili peppers—all served on a brioche bun.
