Bar Emilio

This is my favorite place to eat in Rota! Domingo is the owner and cook. He is very nice and all his food is so fresh. He has so many options you can eat here everyday. Beer is cold also.

Wir haben gezielt nach dem Lokal gesucht und wurden nicht enttäuscht! Netter Kellnern, frischer Tomatensalat, Fischfrikadellen– total lecker, Gambas im Olivenöl gegart — Spitze! Preiswert und gut!

El Bar Emilio se encuentra en la esquina de la conocidísima calle Mina con Prim, y es uno de los restaurantes más populares de esta vía. Tiene pocas mesas en el exterior, porque esta zona de la calle es más estrecha, por lo que sentarse aquí puede ser un poco «agobiante» especialmente en los meses de verano, cuando el ajetreo de la Mina es bastante alto.
Pero restando este inconveniente, Emilio es un bar al que bien merece acudir en más de una ocasión para darle un buen repaso a su menú. Los pescados, tanto a la plancha como fritos, vienen frescos del día y se nota. Las raciones salen muy bien servidas, de modo que ojo con pedir más de la cuenta, a riesgo de terminar dejando bastante de sobra en el plato. Son famosas sus tortillas de camarones, y también las ortiguillas fritas, que no suelen tener todos los días porque les llegan recién cogidas y «vuelan» en cuanto aparecen en el menú.
Los precios son asequibles, y se puede comer, y bien, por unos diez euros por cabeza. Algo más si tienes bastante hambre y quieres tapita extra y quizás un postre. Muy recomendable el sitio.

I pass by this place so often it should be my home, but unfortunately I have entered just a very few times. Each time it’s been great service and mood. Easy to find on calle Mina but in summer, this tiny little walking street is packed with filled chairs and the sweet smell of fried fish and garlic! Recently walked in and had some tapas with some visiting american friends. I saw that they had tortas de camarones and since I like that, I ordered a few for myself and my friends who don’t speak spanish. It was done fast and served piping hot. The first thing I noticed was that they were smaller than the normal size I’ve had in other places. That thought was quickly forgotten after I bit into it. It was so delicious! I have have this in many places, and in Cadiz, Vejer, Jerez and throughout Rota. I have tasted them prepared home-​style cooked at friend’s homes, but this was the BEST I have ever tasted! Most I have eaten previously were larger but flatter, which — when fried — makes it more crispier but also with less flavor. This was smaller but thicker, and the taste is unlike I’ve ever tasted, plus I noticed they didn’t use the tiny shrimp/​camarones complete with antenna, head and shell (they are so small you don’t even taste it) but real shrimp but just a bit bigger. All of their food I have tasted on one occasion or another, and I have been happy but these tortas de camarones will keep me coming back! They make their own and not purchased elsewhere which most places do — thank goodness for that! Outside seating available. No place to park within half a mile. VERY busy in summer. Remember that spanish lunch & dinner hours are different: lunch: about 2 till 4 dinner: about 8-​ish till I have no idea. IF you arrive right at 8pm, expect to wait as the kitchen gets prepared. This is worth waiting for!!!