I visited the ‘Wetherspoons of Spain' – jugs of beer cost £1.50, lunch is £1 and there's 350 of them across the country

The Sun

2 days ago

SITTING outside in the sun with a cold beer in hand, I've nabbed a prime spot for lunch to watch the world go by.
Nothing screams summer holiday in Spain like an al-fresco feast of tasty tapas, but this place is especially good because it's an absolute bargain that most Brits don't know about.
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If, like me, you love a bargain bite in the local Wetherspoons at home, then you need to head to this cheap chain in Spain where your Euros will go a lot further than in most places on the continent.
It's by far the cheapest place for tapas and a beer that I have ever stumbled across and the best news is, there are 350 of these bars across Spain.
Cheap as frites
100 Montaditos has been dubbed the 'Spanish Wetherspoons' for its affordable prices, decent food and community vibe.
However, most Brits would walk right past without even knowing they are missing out on a cheap-as-patatas-fritas feed.
A 'montadito' is a classic tapas dish in Spain, which is essentially a mini baguette sandwich. They are often served alongside beer or wine in tapas bars around Spain and make for a very tasty lunch or dinner.
100 Montaditos originated as a small cafe in Seville, famous for its small plates of sandwiches, but has now expanded across Spain and the Spanish islands because it is so popular.
With a limited holiday budget, I headed to the 100 Montaditos in Majorca, which is on the Spanish Plaza in Palma.
The location could not be more central, it's right opposite the Cathedral and has a patio with outdoor seating.
The bar looks small from the outside, but stepping inside, there is a huge kitchen and dining room, so it's handy if you need an air-con break from the hot weather too.
It's a hot day, so I order a pint, which in Spain comes in a frosted pitcher.
These are known as 'turbo-sized' and at 300ml, are slightly smaller than our UK pints, but plenty for me at lunchtime.
Drinking local Spanish beer, Cruzcampo, meant the refreshment cost me only €1.50 (£1.30).
Considering Palma in Majorca isn't known for being a cheap holiday destination, I couldn't believe my luck.
A glass of wine here is the same price, and you can get a Vodka and Coke for £2.70.
I couldn't believe my eyes when the bartender gave me a cone of crisps too. You get these free of charge when you order a drink.
With prices in Spain on the rise, Brits have been complaining that cheap holidays on the continent are not as budget-friendly as they used to be.
But this place is just like a British 'Spoons. Everyone inside was chatty and friendly - as much as they could be with the language barrier.
It's very laid back and you can tell a lot of locals have been frequenting the place for years.
Of course, being named after the famous sandwiches, 100 Montadidos has a good menu of food too, and it's just as affordable as the beer.
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There are 19 different 'classic' sandwiches, ranging from chorizo and cheese to bacon butties, and they are only €1 each. The slightly more 'fancy' options have Gran Reserva ham and smoked salmon, but even they only cost €1.50 (£1.30).
Every day they have a 'EURO MANIA' deal, which is a large version of the sandwich of the day for only €1 (86p) - an absolute bargain!
One of these is more than enough for me at lunch, but even if I was feeling peckish, ordering two would hardly break the bank.
I can't believe you can eat for so cheap in the middle of Palma.
If you don't fancy sandwiches, there are nachos, Spanish omelette and calamari, all for only €2 (£1.73) each. A bowl of chips is €1 (86p).
Sarah from Cardiff in Wales, who was in 100 Montadidos with her friends before a night out, said she was stunned by the prices.
'It's cheaper than Wetherspoons in Cardiff!' she said. 'We'll probably come back for chips after our night out if it's still open.'
Before they left, I joined them for a celebratory shot of tequila. At only €2 (£1.73) each, I better not stay too long or I'd be totally sloshed for the cost of one pint in London.
The atmosphere is not as authentic as in some of the more traditional tavernas and bars in Mallorca, but it can't be beaten on price.
Especially for a few shots ahead of a night out like Sarah and her mates.
The only disappointment was that they don't have the classic Thursday curry club but the cheeky barman said maybe they might do Paella instead one day!