A doormat emblazoned with the word ‘traitors’ invites you to ‘trample on’ the faces of Spain’s socialist government, including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
‘Wanted for high treason against the state,’ reads one poster, bearing a picture of the PSOE leader, while another declares him: ‘Mafioso, corrupt, criminal.’
Welcome to Asador Guadalmina, often dubbed the most controversial restaurant in the country due to its incendiary propaganda.
The eatery’s walls are plastered with anti-PSOE messaging, including one poster which mocks the interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska for being gay.
Two mammoth signs attacking the PM and his ‘nasty’ ministers have even been erected on its roof, making sure drivers on the A-7 motorway get a taste of the owner’s ideology.
Jose Eugenio has been running the Asador for decades, and has attracted national media attention for his anti-government campaigns – specifically anti-left wing governments.
The San Sebastian native first grabbed headlines in 2011 for refusing to comply with Spain’s new anti-smoking law.
He openly allowed smoking, put up signs opposing the ban and organised a petition.
The Junta de Andalucia proposed a €145,000 fine and ordered a provisional closure after inspections confirmed the habit was still permitted indoors.
After the closure, Jose announced he would ‘acatar la ley… por imperativo legal’ (comply with the law by legal imperative) and the restaurant later reopened in compliance.
Almost 15 years later and Jose still has a chip on his shoulder, it seems, using up the majority of his business’s wall space to criticise Spain’s left-wing leaders.
Despite the risk of alienating prospective clients, the Asador is routinely packed out.
The restaurant offers two dining options; its tapas bar and a more formal sit-down service (although you can still order tapas if you opt for the latter).
It has an unrivalled selection of ‘pintxos’ and its tapas dishes are, I must admit, delicious.
The meatballs were delightfully rich and just the right amount of sweet, as were its patatas aliñadas (a kind of potato and onion salad with tuna).
The baby lamb chops were cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of crisp, and the oven-baked spider crab wasn’t bad either.
Unlike other restaurants, its desserts are not merely an after thought, with its apple tart a famous local dish in its own right.
But despite its quality food, the Asador’s political propaganda leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
It’s a shame that many people will, quite rightly, not feel comfortable eating there.
Read more Costa del Sol news at the Spanish Eye.
Why will people feel uncomfortable? its regularly full of Spanish people! We have been going regularly for years.. And most days you will see Guadia Civil in there having snacks and drinks.