No trip to Madrid is complete without eating a couple —or three— deep fried squid sandwiches, or bocadillo de calamares as you may find them at almost every bar and restaurant in Plaza Mayor and its surroundings, the Mecca of the most famous sandwich in Madrid.
Plaza Mayor is one of the most touristic places in Madrid, and you know how difficult is to eat well and at a reasonable price in this kind of places full of tourist traps! Most of the squid sandwiches you will find in Plaza Mayor will not taste great: the squid rings are fried in too used oil, the bread will be soggy and the calamari chewy; I’m sure you won’t want a sandwich like this.
La Campana is my favorite place for bocadillo de calamares in Madrid: the bread is OK, the fried squid is tender and it doesn’t taste or smell funky. Order a couple of different sandwiches and eat them at the bar or take them away and enjoy the vibrant scene of Plaza Mayor.
Pork belly or fried chorizo with fried Italian peppers sandwiches are another 2 favorites of mine.