I have done quite a bit of going out eating over the years as always went along first with my Mom , then as a single guy , then with my Wife and kids, and finally with my young men. I am a good taster and love to eat and drink good stuff, but, also, enjoy bargains and good quality/price ratio restaurants. Therefore, I am condensing several posts into one on my foodie in Madrid !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
One of the thrills of coming to my Madrid is that I find myself with familiar goodies that have come down from grandparents and parents generations and could not get it. At that moment, we look for the best and buy , take home and do it ourselves!
This is the place I like to tell you in this post. Supermercados Sanchez Romero; remember the name. This is a chain of not so long back but a must when in Madrid. Glad to be able to visit every year at least once lol The above has been our experiences too since 1990 coming here for our needs in Madrid, simply the best, and the cafetería is tops. I am taking you up north along Paseo de la Castellana to lovely Plaza de Castilla (Castile square) in the Chamartin district. This is a huge local transport hub for Madrid and the province as well. It is one of my hangouts in Madrid ,and we love to shop by it, especially the gourmet grocery store of Sanchez Romero (many branches in Madrid) at Paseo de la Castellana 196 not far on right hand side to Plaza de Castilla. Closest metro Plaza de Castilla lines 1,9, and 10 or Cuzco line 10. From Cuzco stay on the right hand side of Castellana and from Plaza de Castilla cross over to your left side and walk down. They were born as a small specialized store in Paseo de La Castellana, which opened, in 1954, by Eduardo Sanchez Romero. The Supermarkets Sanchez Romero has everything you need for special days from exclusive gourmet products, high-end, national and international, which you will only find in their establishments. Last info as of 2023 they are owned by El Corte Inglés group. webpage: https://www.sanchez-romero.com/tiendas/castellana/
I know these brands from even my living in Madrid. VIPS is very well represented in Mexico (where I have visited them too!) ,and for good reason as you will see soon. These stores had a electronic/ high tech look and a cafeteria next to it. The concept was carried into Spain but recently they have been remodeled into just restaurants. Grupo Vips manages a total of seven chains on property or under franchise: VIPS (cafeteria-restaurant and store), VIPSmart, Ginos, The Wok, T.G.I. Fridays, Starbucks Coffee and Wagamama in Spain, Portugal and Andorra. In addition, the group has a sandwich, salad and other vending machine selling products, British Sandwich Factory (BSF). In October 2018, the Vips Group is acquired by the Zena Alsea group. They are family places with a nice menu and good prices where there is a blend of international foods. We tried the VIPS this time at the Calle de Alcalà 200 almost across from the Monumental Las Ventas bullring (see post) ! webpage: https://www.vips.es/restaurantes/vips-alcala-200
Let me bring you into the markets of Madrid, the ones many times overlook for the other famous one. Well been in the city I have been to several of them and love them all. It is the vibrant life of any city and these are tops.
The Mercado de Antón Martín (officially named Mercado Municipal de Antón Martín) is a food market located in the center of Madrid between Calle de Atocha (next to the parish Church of San Salvador and San Nicolás) and Calle de Santa Isabel (next to Cine Doré ). Close to the Plaza de Antón Martín. The project is not executed until after the Spanish Civil War and was inaugurated in 1941. In the 1950’s, after the remodeling of the area is built the building that it is currently shown. The Mercado de Anton Martin has three floors, in the first two almost fifty different sales posts are distributed: fishmongers, bakeries, butchers, etc. Being the third one dedicated to private activities, since the beginning of the 21C by the flamenco dance school of Amor de Dios (love of God) The exits of the market building unleash in the Calle de Santa Isabel and in the Pasaje Doré passage. Some of the market stalls are distributed along the Calle de Santa Isabel. Webpage: https://www.mercadoantonmartin.com/
The Mercado de La Cebada (Barley market) is one of the largest supply markets in Madrid. It is located in the Plaza de la Cebada no. 15, in the neighborhood of La Latina. In the location of the market there were since the 16C a set of outdoor stalls located in what is the Plaza de la Cebada. At this time the Puerta de Toledo was one of the entrance gates to the city and through it came the products that came from the provinces. The use of iron in its structures was a notorious feature. The works began in 1870 and finally it was inaugurated on June 11, 1875 by King Alfonso XII. Due to hygienic problems, the building was demolished in 1956, and a more functional-looking market was built in 1958. The current Mercado de La Cebada market has two effective commercial floors with an area of more than 6000 square meters. To the two mentioned floors , another one was added that acts as a warehouse and another one for parking (392 parking spaces). It is worth noting the six red domed roofs that close the building. As well as the large mural on the main monuments of Madrid made in 1962. Webpage: https://www.mercadodelacebada.com/
There you go folks , an every day feature of any big city and Madrid lucky to have a few nice ones and amongst them are these above. Hope you enjoy the foodie in Madrid post as I.
And remember ,happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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