Spain is on a quest to find its best bocata, and La Laguna might just be the home of the top contender. From April 29 to May 29, the first-ever I Campeonato de España de Bocatas (Best Sandwich Spain) is taking place, featuring 126 establishments from every autonomous community in the country, including four from the Canary Islands, with two based in La Laguna.
The competition showcases a diverse array of sandwiches, ranging from traditional to gourmet variations, including chivitos, pepitos, montaditos, camperos, bikinis, and more. Each region will crown its best sandwich, leading up to the national winner.
Local Contenders for Best Sandwich from La Laguna:
- Bocadillo Aldeano at Cafetería Majuelos offers a distinct mix of grilled cheese with a hint of cinnamon, braised turkey, black fig jam, and basil aioli for just €3.50. It’s praised for its flavorful balance of sweet and savory and stands out as one of the most affordable entries.
- Crispy Langoustines Sandwich at Como decía mi padre Gastro Café blends Spanish and Asian flavors for €7. It features crispy prawns coated in Japanese panko, a cabbage salad with sweet and sour sauce, fried onion, and spicy Japanese aioli, all served on buttered brioche bread.
Other Notable Entries:
- Class Action at Cervecería La Ruta in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, offers a European twist on the classic American cheesesteak with ciabatta bread, picaña beef, Monterey cheese, red onion, green pepper jam, mustard, and garlic butter for €14.
- American Guacamole at K-revuelto Fast good in Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura, serves up a toasted brioche sandwich filled with bacon, tomato, guacamole, egg, Monterey Jack, mozzarella cheese, and aioli for €8.50, known for its juiciness and flavor.
Judging and Prizes:
Customers rate the sandwiches based on bread quality, ingredients, presentation, and overall flavor. They also stand a chance to win €500, with an additional €500 available through social media engagement on Facebook and Instagram (@elmejorbocata).
A panel of gastronomy experts, including foodies, chefs, critics, and influencers, are traveling across Spain to sample all entries and provide their assessments. The combined scores from the public and experts will determine the finalists, who will compete in a blind tasting on June 4 in Oviedo before a professional jury, followed by an award ceremony.
The championship has already seen significant engagement, with over 5,000 votes cast in its first week.
