McDonald's & Francesinho

I’m not really a fan of American fast food culture, but who doesn't love the all American hamburger with french fries. Here in Porto we found the world's most elegant McDonald's restaurant, in fact so elegant, it is referred to as the Imperial McDonald's. In lieu of the golden arches the entrance is graced with a bold eagle statue and the interior walls are covered with stained glass, and mirrors, all beneath glass chandeliers.

The menu is pretty much what you would expect with one exception, soup. This addition caters to the Portuguese love of soup, and there are four soup options available: vegetable, cabbage, pea or spinach and garbonzo bean. If soups are not your thing, you can always order a side of baby carrots!

Ok, with the possible exception of soup and carrots, the McDonald's fare may not be the healthiest, however, Porto has its own version of heart-attack on a plate, the Francesinho. This sandwich, which translates as little french woman, consists of two thick slices of bread filled with layers of ham, 2 types of sausage, cheese, and steak, all covered with more melted cheese, a fried egg and special Francesinho sauce. All this, and of course, a side of fries!

Now I happen to really love the Francesinho sauce, a beer and tomato based concoction with many variations and secret recipes. I was first introduced to this tangy sensation when I ordered a breaded pork cutlet alla francesinha at Taberna Santo Antonio, a small corner restaurant with no name over the entrance and a limited daily menu. This cutlet certainly satisfied my persistent craving for schnitzel, but with the added bonus of the francesinho sauce, it was a marriage made in Porto.