One of the great joys of eating out and eating well in Spain is that wonderful place, the tapas bar. Said to have been introduced by General Franco to curb the Spanish worker from suffering from the effects of a drink at lunch time, he is said to have ordered that each beer or cerveza served should be accompanied by a small amount of food and some bars started to vie with each other to see who could supply the best or most varied tapas in their bar. Very quickly people were being selective not on the best beer, but rather who had the best tapas in town. Although most bars do offer tapas, for some this is no more than a piece of cheese with one or two pieces of bread. In others you have a wide range of tapas from beautiful fish dishes to enticing meat dishes that have been prepared on the premises.
A fabulous example of a tapas bar is to be found at La Linea on the Spanish/Gibraltar frontier, called Jimmy´s Bar. This is a place recognised by all nationalities as a place to go and eat, and indeed people from Gibraltar regularly take the short drive to go and have an evening out at very little expense. You will probably have to queue at the door before you can place your order, but believe me it is well worth the wait. When you have finally made it to the bar you place your order from the raw food on the counter, and are served your beer or wine. Whilst your fresh food is being cooked you need to try and locate a vacant table. You will be hard pressed to find any vacant seats, such is the popularity of the place, but if you stand next to someone who looks as though they might be finishing you will find that people are very obliging, and will quickly gesture you to take your place at the table. This is definitely not a place that you can linger after you have eaten because other people will want to follow your example and enjoy the lovely food. The message really is one of enjoy, then move on.
When ordering try not to over-order because the helpings are generous in their size, and Jimmy has been known to prevent someone from over-ordering as he knows when enough is enough.
Very near the Bull Ring in La Linea
For those with a GPS 36°10’7.11″N 5°20’49.20″W
Jimmy´s bar is not typical, and although many bars offer good tapas few if any reach the dizzy heights that this one achieves.
The Capri Tapas Bar, in Velez Malaga, is a very different type of bar that specializes in fish dishes with an impressive range of fish to choose from. Spotlessly clean, you can either sit up at the bar itself or take a more leisurely meal at the back where it is more like a restaurant. What is nice about it as with many bars you can choose to have a tapa or a medio ration which is at least twice much food so if you really fancy a more substantial quantity of food you can decide. You will be give bread and wine or beer to go with the food and both are of good quality. This bar is very popular with the local population as well as visitors in the know. Good parking is nearby leaving you only a short walk to total enjoyment.
Calle del Alcalde Barranquero
For those of us with a GPS 36°46’54.31″N 4° 6’29.53″W
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This post was written by editor on Monday, October 6, 2008
Good to hear Jimmy’s is still open. My girlfriend’s son might be getting married in Gib next year. If so, I am going to recommend we all try to go to Jimmy’s for a night out.
Last there about 5 years ago with work. Can still remember the fantastic food, fabulous service and reaaly good prices.