Francesinha.
Forget about being healthy and dieting here. Francesinha from Porto is quite possibly the most unhealthy meal you can have in Europe. But I can assure you that it taste good 🙂
Because of my job as a freelance tour guide around the world, I frequently get to spend a day in Porto. Whenever that happens I have a little dinner ritual. It’s called Francesinha.
Francesinha is a giant toast. Usually with both ham, sausages and steaks in it at the same time. Then a lot of melted cheese and a fried egg on top. Egg is optional by the way, but who would say no to a fried egg? In the end you put it into a deep plate and fill that with a lot of sauce, usually made from beer and tomato. You also have the option to have the whole thing topped with bench fries. I usually say no thanks to that, cause french fries have no meat in them 🙂
Francesinha is the best comfort food you can have in Porto.
You can find Francesinha around Portugal, but it originates from Porto. So if you want a real Francesinha then go to Porto.
The sauce there is generally better, thicker and unhealthier in Porto. Just like it should be. Now that we have decided that tonight’s snack is something with 1500 to 2500 calories in it 🙂
It’s not really a fine dining thing, but more the kinda thing you eat in a casual place. One of these typical Portuguese restaurants/cafes, where you are sitting at a bar and watching football while you eat.
Porto is a very nice city in general. Home to Port Wine, you already have another very good reason to visit Porto. Porto is in many ways a great city for a bunch of guys. It’s a city with good football teams. You have the Port Wine, which is a real man’s drink.
There are more than 50 different tastings to choose from in Porto. You also have really good dining in town. And then you have Francesinha, when you just want to stuff yourself. Instead of doing that with yet another boring burger, then try a Francesinha. This is 20 times better than a gourmet burger if you ask me.
Porto is a nice city.
So my friends: Go to Porto and have a Francesinha. And don’t worry. It goes down well, with both draught beer and Douro wine 🙂
My name is Claus Andersen and I am on the road almost non stop and make a living from my travels. You are most welcome to leave a comment or contact me, if you have any questions about my blog, or about my travels.
I also have more blogposts about food and drinks around the world on this link.
How did I miss that during my visits to Porto?? Perhaps because I spent too much time on the Sagres beer and Porto wine. Now I have to go back again…..
What a great description for a great delicacy!
I would add that Porto’s locals are usually loud and rowdy, regardless of gender and particularly if watching football- usually with lots of swearing involved! They can be quite upfront and assertive and definitely not people pleasers and that makes them some of the most welcoming, fun and honest people you will find out there.
By the way, I am from Lisbon (alfacinha, as we say) and I will always love particularly the old city to bits, but Porto is contagious once you start walking and exploring those streets. I adore francesinhas but it has been years since I had one. Will definitely try to get one when I go there later this year. Last place I ate one was at Capa Negra and it was very good. The cervejarias are such a postcard for Portugal ❤️