When we first arrived in Avilés, this was dismissively described to us as the "Asturian…read moreMcDonald's". However, it always seemed to have customers, including locals, and we learned that mostly the complaint was that it was a chain that pushed a kind of kitschy Asturian image with its giant barrels, its sawdust, and the ostentatious buckets scattered around to be used when the waiters served cider in the peculiar Asturian fashion (note: do not empty your glass if you don't want them to immediately try to refill it).
So we tried it, starting with their selection of sausage and an excellent cheese from Asturias, and went on to try a torto heaped with peppers and chicken and a rapa (a kind of Asturian fried bread pizza, sort of) with roasted meat. Both were delicious. So much so that we returned soon after with friends, and sampled more of their food, particularly a delicious cachopo (an Asturian speciality, a sandwich of ham and cheese between fillets of veal, breaded and fried) and a collection of fried chicken breast pieces served with Cabrales cheese.
Lots of wait staff, all very attentive, good atmosphere. A bonus: they sell Asturian specialities at the front of the store, including a selection of cheeses and cured meat.
