There’s no lovelier surprise than stumbling upon a little gem of a restaurant while on your travels through Spain. Las Escobas’ (Calle Alvarez Quintero), claim to fame is that it is the longest continuously running restaurant in the same spot in all of Spain. Escobas translates to “broom” in English, and the story goes that a broom-maker began serving food to patrons back in 1386 and suddenly found that he made more money feeding people instead of making brooms. It has been an eatery in Sevilla ever since.
The good news is that it is favored by the locals, and is not a tourist trap considering it’s location right near the Sevilla cathedral. Las Escobas boasts some of the tastiest sangria in Sevilla, and it doesn’t hurt that it is at a rock bottom price. This fruit and wine concoction is a refreshing beverage to relax with after a hot day of sightseeing. I suggest you order by the pitcher as it ends up being cheaper — especially since it’s quite hard to stop at just one small glass. The stuff is delicious!
The best seats are right out front on the sidewalk, as it offers the best people-watching. You will see a number of changing specials on a board right outside the building. I suggest you do not hesitate to take up one of these offers as they provide a number of courses for two people at a very reasonable price. If you are seeking paella, this is the place to order it; and gazpacho soup is also a chilled delight on a summer day. Ox-tail stew is also a specialty here, so if you have adventurous taste buds, you should not hesitate to give it a try. However, ignore the salads on the menu as they are a bit uninteresting.
During lunch time, you will find it busy with local workers, so be sure to get there early. In the early evening, tapas are the hot item on the menu and there are often quite a few specials. The cheapest specials do not allow you to select your tapas, but provide you with a mixed array of the little appetizers that should satisfy most any palate. You can be offered anything from sardinas (sardines), aceitunas (olives), anchoas (anchovies) or even jamon serrano (ham).
In addition to making sure you check out a flamenco show while you are in Sevilla, you won’t regret putting Las Escobas on your itinerary, too.