BARC[Eat]LONA

In a huge city, how does one decide where to eat? As a foodie,  this is a battle I face weekly.  Barcelona has countless restaurants with every cuisine imaginable! It is impossible to try them all (even though you may want to), so you better grab a bite at the places worth mentioning before your time is up. Splurging on a fancy restaurant is always fun, but sometimes you just want to grab a quick bite on those nights when cooking is unbearable or when it is 2:40, you are starving, and your class begins in five minutes.

Here are a few of my favorite spots that are definitely worth checking out:

Cheap & Delicious

Anauco Gourmet
Address: Carrer de València, 428, 08013 Barcelona

Looking for a mouthwatering burger? This is the spot for you. Located next to La Sagrada Familia, this restaurant has a great ambiance and amazing food. Aside from the food, the hospitality is unlike any other restaurant I have been to thus far. The owner's name is Daniel, he is super nice and very informative about Barcelona! Daniel gave me a list of places to check out while abroad and so far his suggestions have not let me down. When you are there, make sure you order the tequeños! These super cheap "crispy sticks" taste similar to a mozzarella stick but a million times better.

Suggestions: 

• Nachos with guacamole
• Tequeños-"Crispy sticks very popular cheese in Venezuela and Colombia, accompanied by special sweet and sour sauce of the house"(http://www.anaucogourmet.es/)
• Guianese Burger
• Goat Salad

Tlaxcal
Address: c/Comerç 27, 08003, Barcelona (frente a la Estación de Francia) 

Mexican is by far my favorite cuisine, so finding this spot was a dream come true. I only really miss three things from home- Chipotle, Target & my puppy. My guacamole and taco cravings finally vanished and have been fulfilled by Tlaxcal. Make sure you go for LUNCH to get the full experience. For 11 euros, you will get an appetizer, a drink, a main dish, and a desert! They also offer awesome sauces (sweet&spicy) that you can add any of their dishes. This is definitely a place to check out if you are in El Born or any of the surrounding areas.

Suggestions: 

• Cheese Fondue
• Guacamole
• Beef Tacos
• Brownie

Santa Piadina
Address: Plaza de Sant Pere 11, 08003, Barcelona

If you are looking for inexpensive food to take on-the-go, check out Santa Piadina. This Italian "sandwich" shop is located in the small winding streets of El Born and is only 10 minutes walking distance from CEA's main campus. These sandwiches are similar to our version of a quesadilla and they are filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, nuts, and cheeses. This is not a sit down restaurant, but they do have high tables that you can stand around and eat. Santa Piadina's late hours also make it a great spot for a midnight snack.

Suggestions: 

• Cecira
• Ham & Brie
• Banana and Nutella

Bo de B
Address: Carrer de la Fusteria, 14, 08002, Barcelona  

I am not huge on sandwiches, but this is probably "the best I've ever had". You can get a sandwich with chicken, beef, seafood or cheese and once heated, you fill the sandwich with fresh ingredients of your choice. The best part is that each sandwich is around  4 euros and they are HUGE! Bo de B is easily missed due to its small size. It is located in Barri Gotic near the sea and super close to the popular brunch restaurant, Milk. You will usually see a long line out the door, but don't let this discourage you from going. The line goes pretty quick and trust me, its worth it.

Suggestions: 

• Plate assortment
• Beef Sandwich

Brittany Stark is the Spring 2015 CEA MOJO Blogger in Barcelona, Spain. She is currently a senior at The University of Massachusetts Amherst.