Last June, I had churros y chocolate at San Gines Chocolateria. I must confess that I didn't especially care for it, but I think it was me, not San Gines. I am returning in April with my 16 year old son who is eager to try churros y chocolate. Where would you recommend I take him?

We are also HUGE fans of Valor chocolate (my husband has instructed me to bring home a case of Valor dark chocolate bars) I bought my Valor at the Corte Ingles.

Thanks in advance, fellow chocoholics.

Then you need to go with him to the Valor shop/cafe near Gran Via and down from Corte Ingles-Calle Postigo San Martin 7!
there are 3/4 other locations but this one is the most central-Enjoy!

Chocalatería San Ginés is , without doubt , the most famous place for Churros con chocolate . I´ve only been 3 or 4 times but I love it ! However , many establishments in Madrid offer the same . You may have seen on the Shout Box that I´m asking fellow board member ( LaDuque ) about a place we went to last year . It specialised in chocolate and I´ve heard good reports ( if she can confirm it´s the same ) that this place is great . Keep an eye on the shoutbox as well as the thread . Has your son been to Madrid before ? I´m sure he´ll have either a great return visit or a great new experience !!

if you can,go to " Casa Manolo" Calle Jovellanos nº 7,near thyssen- bornemisza museum,excellent churros in the morning

Thanks. I'm going to start making a list. He has not been to Madrid before. I am also thinking about what a 16 year old boy would like, but I'll post more questions about that later. For now, I just want suggestions for churros and chocolate. Someone (and I noticed MadridMan also talks about them) Mentioned "purras" (or "purros") I think the reason I didn't like the churros is because of the "grease" factor. Would purras (or purros) be better?

"Porras" would actually be worse with regards to the "grease" factor - and only because they retain more because they're bigger than "churros". "Porras" don't really "taste" greasy but they are greasy to the touch whereas "churros" are not (so much). I have "porras" for breakfast once a week and that's probably a good limit.

Saludos, MadridMan

"Porras" are larger versions of churros. The word means stick.

I like to get my porras at Los Pinchitos on c/Espartero just off Plaza Santa Cruz. They go through enough to keep them fresh and they serve their chocolate out of giant urns!

teachertraveler8 .. I´ll have to try and find the thread , but another board member came over some time ago with his 16 year old son ( from The States ) and asked the "community" what he could show his son that would be of interest to a 16 year old . Myself , MM , this guy and his son eventually went to see a bullfight with dinner afterward in a stand up bullfighting bar . His son loved it ( shocked I think too ) but the experience was great for him . I understand , however , that it´s not everyone´s "cup of tea" as we say in the UK . Is he interested in soccer at all ? Maybe this should be transferred to a different area of the message board ......

Relatives live in el Barrio de Asuna just off Avda de Logroño near Barajas Pueblo. In Barajas Pueblo, on the Plaza, is Toribio's Churreria, where I have seen many Airline crews having breakfast before flying off to wherever: not just Spain flagged airlines; Lufthansa is well represented. It's open from 5:00AM to 11:00AM most days.

When in Spain, I always leave room in my luggage for a couple of tins of Paladin Chocolate drink powder.

What is Paladin Chocolate drink powder? Do you mix it with milk or water? The best chocolate drink mix I've ever had is called "Luxembourg chocolate". Is it possible to try Paladin somewhere?

thanks!

The name of the quaint chocolateria was Chocolat and was located in the Huertas neighborhood, I did a little navigating, and found it. It's on the corner of Calle de Santa Maria and Calle de San Jose in Huertas. I don't know if it is still there, as my friend's shop is no longer there, so I can't ask him.

MM or Steve, will you let me know if it still exists.
I have a photo of chocolate and churros and oj, but don't know how to post it.

Yeahhhhhh Thanks Laduque ... That was what I thought it was called . Teachertraveler8 this place is so nice .. Just a regular neighbourhood bar on the corner of a street . Incredibly friendly waiters and , i´m told , great churros con chocolate ! I´ll check later to see if it´s still there ... I´m sure it is but I´ll check anyway .

First, sorry to hear your friend's shop is no longer there. Was it for the crisis? Probably so.

Also, next time I walk through Huertas I'll look for "Chocolat" if you'll give me/us the address.

As for the photo, first you have to have the photo hosted somewhere, including on Facebook. Once you have the direct URL to the photo you can post it here by using the instructions/icons after clicking on the "Switch to Full Reply Screen" button below the text editor of this thread.

Saludos, MadridMan

Our hostal is in Huertas, I think. (Hostal Jaen) Oh, I'm so excited to try this. Thanks so much everyone for all the help and information.

Why do you booking at hostels? and not in hotels .. I don't understand ... is the cost?

Last June, I stayed at the Hostal Persal and it was really lovely. The Jaen was recommended by some other travelers on this website and it is a bit less expensive. I will be traveling with my son this time, so my expenses are double. (two subway passes, two tickets into the museum, two lunches, two dinners...) I find the Hostals to be very nice and equal to lesser-priced hotels here in the US.

Before I got my apartment I alwyas stayed at hostales and never at hotels . My only wish was that the room was clean , had a decent bed and a private bathroom ... I mean , how much time do you spend in a hotel room !!! It´s just a base . I´m glad , teachertraveler8 that you had a good experience at Hostal Persal.. i´ve never stayed there but it always looks nice when I walk by it .
Gazpacho : I was at the supermarket earlier and couldn´t resist this photo :

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-...5_8188363_n.jpg

Hehehehehehe Plenty of horchata here ... and yes , teachertraveler8 , the best is from Valencia ,

teachertraveler8 . If your hostal is in Huertas then you´re 100% near to a flamenco bar called Cardamomo .. Gypsies go in to do jam sessions .. THE most amazing music .. Only problem is you have to get into Madrid time .. The live music will not normally start until about 1am .

Well, if I stay on EST, it will be 7 pm for me.