Have you ever tried a “frenchy” ? No? You definitely need to come to Porto, Portugal. But if you thought you were going to taste a french national, you are soooo wrong! Here you have our francesinha:

The first francesinhas

Once upon a time, some say, during the period of the French Invasions, the French soldiers used to eat sandwiches of mixed meats and a lot of cheese. One main ingredient was missing: the sauce folks of Porto poured over the sandwich. But in fact it most probably is only 60 years old, when an ex-emigrant, Daniel David Silva, then working in the Restaurante a Regaleira, created the francesinha based on the french speciality croque-monsieur.

What is it made of?

Take 2 slices of bread.  On top of one slice put a lovely grilled  thin steak – alternatively use roasted meat, cooked ham, sausages (cut through). Cover with the other slice. Cover it fully with a layer of cheese, let the cheese melt a bit and then cover it with the sauce:  fry onions (at least two and minced) in olive oil until they are golden; ad garlic (also minced),tomato (raw, very mature or canned), a light beer, pepper, a bit of salt let it all cook slowly 30 minutes later, give it or take, reduce it all to an even sauce. And there you are a delicious francesinha. The sauce can be improved as you like it, you can ad carrots, red paprikas, you name it!)

Where can you eat a francesinha?

Café Pontual, Rua do Almada Its a regular cafe in Porto, but the owners came from the late Café Luso, where you could eat probably the best francesinha in town.

Capa Negra, R. Campo Alegre 191, Porto This is one of the most famous in town for this speciality, its open until quite late and always serving delicatessen of the kind.

But nearly every café in town offers it, nowadays you can even find vegetarian variations of Francesinha.

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1. 10 Restaurants in Porto