PIM you are a Godsend!!! Where is Taste of America located or are there several stores? Sanchez Romero is ridiculously expensive. Of course being located in Las Rozas/Majadahonda also explains why.

I don´t miss too many American foods, my semi frequent trips back home seem to satisfy whatever "need" I may have...but it´s great to know that the store exists and carries AUTHENTIC things! My fave PB is Skippy although "Mom´s prefer Jiff".

I am surprised with Nestle being a Swiss company that has a variety of products in the Spanish market that Nestle´s chocolate chips aren´t available here.

I do believe snickers are now available here as are Kit Kat, M&M´s and I think Twix bars. What I would do for a Skor bar however...

Other less "American" items that are a little more challenging for me to find are soy sauce (it´s not readily available at my corner market. I usually find it in one of the hypermarkets like Carrefour)...patis (or nuk mam? a fish sauce used in Filipino and Vietnamese cooking)...bok choy (Chinese vegetable) and dried rice noodles. Oh well, can´t have everything! At least I have cochinillo, cordero and tortilla española!!

[ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Taste of America is on the Castellana a few doors down from Serrano's ABC mall.
You can get a HUGE jar of soy sauce for a couple of euros at one of many asian markets along with other asian spices, sesame oil, fish oil, cooking utensils, etc. I got an amazing wok there for about 1800pts. There are tons around Bravo Murillo around the Tetuan area (on the right side) if you don't have one near you- I guess you wouldn't in Segovia .

Madrid's Taste of America (<-pseudo-website with photos) address/info is:

C/ Serrano, 149
28002 - Madrid

Telephone: 91 - 562 16 32
Fax: 91 - 562 02 78

SEE the address in photos HERE via the QDQ.com website. According to the map therein, it's a LONG walk from La Castellana. Maybe they've moved??? Or maybe the address I've posted is old?? Pim, what's its current location?

[ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

The one in Pso. Castellana by the ABC shopping centre has been closed for over a year now (it used to be "my store") the building was sold so we had to get out of there. Now there's only the cramped store at Serrano 149, by the Plaza de la Republica Argentina in what is called the 'colonia de El Viso' or just 'EL Viso'. (It's just so full of stuff from the two stores now).

Mama Chula (and others), here's an idea, when I worked at Taste....I used to prepare a lot of gift certificates as presents, for visiting relatives of Americans living here; that way, they have whatever amount of euros you decide, to spend on precisely the things that they may crave at one particular moment.
I realize it looks like it, but I'm not trying to publicize the store! Really, ha, ha!


Have a nice weekend everyone. Chica, I'll see you tonight!

[ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: pim ]

Hey, CaliBasco--Here's a recipe for Samoas (which, strangely, are called Caramel DeLites or something like that out here): http://robbiehaf.com/Recipes/G/75.htm

They are my favorites--especially frozen, when they'll nearly break your teeth!

Can't wait to stock up on the real thing during the cookie-sale season!
Tara

oops, just goes to show how long it's been since I've needed a Mt. Dew fix! I used to walk by after work and be drawn in just thinking of Mt. Dew! (I'm off the dew now)!
Pim, I know your not there anymore but how do you think the business has been since they've changed locations? I suppose some would walk miles on their knees to get ahold of the goods they sell.

Nevado --

Thanks for the lead on the Asian cooking ingredients! I think I live in the only town in Spain where there ISN´T a Chinese restaurant yet (El Espinar). Segovia might have an Asian store, but I am in Madrid almost every day so it´s easier for me to go there!

Pim, MM and anyone else I might have forgotten, thanks for the Taste of America address.

Good luck Mama Chula on your food shopping!

Thanks everyone for all the valuable information and helpful suggestions. I like the idea of a gift certificate from Taste of America and I may do that. I will, however, still be bringing some of his favorites with me.

Chica, I would be more than happy to bring you a nice big bag of Nestle's chocolate chips. My son's apartment is in Madrid near the Plaza Mayor and I will be there until April 12th maybe we can arrange something. Please email me and let me know if you would like me to do that.

Madrid Man, this is such a wonderful web site, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed it since I accidentally surfed in last Saturday night!

Saludos,
Mama Chula
P.S. thanks to those who find my name cute. I chuckled when I came up with it and then I worried that people might find it conceited of me. But hey, I AM kinda cute for an old lady!

Anyone in need of a top steak needs to visit La Cabana on Ventura de la Vega.My mouth is watering as I type.With regard to other American essentials....Mc Donalds are everywhere!

Mama Chula --

Thanks for your kind offer! I will actually be heading "home" (they say home is where the heart is, and my heart is in Spain and the USA!!)....in March for a short visit and plan to stock up then!

Enjoy your visit with your son!!!

chica