Chocolatería San Ginés

Doing touristy things is just that... touristy. Sometimes you've just got to be the tourist. Whether you're in Madrid on vacation, studying abroad in Madrid for a semester, or spending the rest of your life here, it is absolutely obligatory you make at least one stop here during "la madrugada". There are certainly far better chocolate y churros to be found in this magnificent city, but none with quite the nostalgia and fame as this.

During the time of Franco people were not particularly amused or having a lot of time. He would shut the city down pretty early and people had to stay at home, wjich for Spaniards is practicly a death sentence. But Chocleteria San Gines would not give up. They are located in a street corner by the palace and even though right now there is a large red iluminated sign, take that away and it is pretty discreet. The people of Madrid would practicly risk there lives to eat some Churros and Choclate during the night. So why shouldnt we? It is open 24 hours a day (which is not very common in Madrid) and you are very welcome to pop in and dip some Churros at 6 am after a long night. The only problem is that it is kind of expensive, so if you ran out of money in the party, you'll need to give it up. but for a hot choclaty bite of history, it is worth the 6 euro...

I always get hungry writing a post about food, but I figured it was about time to tell everyone about churros y chocolate (pronounced “choco-latté”). Churros and their sweet counterpart are as much a part of the Spanish cuisine as Paella, Tortilla Española, Sangría, and Jamón Serrano. However, churros can be tricky, so I have taken the liberty of doing the research for you. A “churro” is nothing more than a golden wand of fried dough. In fact, if you asked me, it’s pretty boring which is why someone came up with the idea to serve it with chocolate. With that being said, Spaniards traditionally just have the churros plain or dip them in their coffee. I’m convinced the chocolate is just included as a way to market them to tourists… Either way, the best churros are served warm and with hot chocolate. I made the horrible mistake my first two times in ordering churros from some random café and they were served COLD! Do not fall for this stunt. Cold churros are gross – there is nothing appetizing about cold, greasy, fried dough. If you are going to break your diet, make if worth your while. Everyone, let me introduce you to La Chocolateria San Gines – one of the original homes of churros y chocolate. Now I can’t go so far to say that San Gines has the best churros y chocolate in Spain (and by Spain I mean Madrid), but it is by far the best I have had to date. I can assure you that the Zanardi family will be making a trip when they get to Spain. San Gines’ recipe for success is keeping it simple. The have fresh HOT churros, rich-creamy chocolate, and they are located right by La Plaza Mayor – how much more Spanish can you get?! Another important thing to understand is that Spanish chocolate (in this sense) is very different from how we think of hot chocolate in the United States. Spanish chocolate is very rich and creamy – in between the consistency of our hot chocolate and hot fudge, which makes it great for dipping. Drinking it straight is another story. Enjoy, Blake blakezanardi.wordpress.com

Chocolatería San Ginés is famous in Madrid for its "churros con chocolate" served in traditional Spanish style. Photos of celebrities enjoying San Ginés cover the walls for a truly authentic experience. Open all night, this place is usually packed during the hours of 4-6am as club-goers crowd in for a snack as they wait for the metro to open after a night of partying. Order your food first and then scope out a table - lots of extra seating downstairs! Prices are fairly cheap and location is convenient, right off Puerta del Sol. Whether it is for a traditional Spanish breakfast or in the late-night hours in attempt to prevent a hangover (it works!), San Ginés should be at the top of any Madrid visitor's list.

Churros con chocolate is typically a breakfast item in spain, but in madrid it is also an after-bar item too. I can't even count the times we ended up at chocolateria at the end of the night crowding in with all the other kids coming from the clubs. I used to love late-night pizza but late night churros and chocolate is a whole other world. Even if you are in madrid for a short time, you should really try to make it here.