Guachinche

"Guachinches"

“**Guachinche”** is the name given to a type of tavern in the Canary island Tenerife.

A “guachinche” is a cheaper restaurant where the wine comes from their own harvest, the menu is limited and the food is homemade and apparently only there to keep the winery. Guachinches arise in sheds, garages, gardens, etc. Usually, a piece of cardboard or paper serves as a menu and trestle tables, oak barrels and boxes up to serve as furniture.But do not let the rustic atmosphere discourage you; good, healthy and tasty food is served

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** History ** These establishments have their origin in the stands that many farmers and ranchers set up at certain times of the year to sell their products (especially Malvasía wine) directly to the English buyer and then to local customers. Probably the word "guachinche" (Tenerife) or "bolinche" (Gran Canaria) derives from the English expression __ "I'm watching you!” __ which used to indicate the English buyer who was prepared to test the products of the earth. Thus, farmers understood __"Is there a guachinche?”.__

** Characteristics ** At first, "the guachinches" corresponded to a room of the family home where the winemaker's wike took some food left from the family kitchen to accompany the "dog of wine" (colloquiallism), an activity which has become increaingly popular.

Traditional foods "guachinches": >
 * Stews home
 * Chickpeas with ribs
 * Gazpacho rabbit
 * Salted ribs with potatoes and pineapples million
 * Bubango (zucchini) stuffed
 * Potatoes with gravy
 * Meat feast (pork marinated diced)
 * Goat
 * Fish fritters (battered fish)
 * "Old clothes"
 * Cod

Desserts:
 * The puff pastry
 * Bienmesabe
 * "Rice with milk"
 * "Quesillo"

Sometimes, we can find tropical fruits (mange, bananas…)







** Are they legal? ** In recent years the guachinches cuisine has been restricted because of complaints of the "legal"restaurants and bars, which were hurt by competition, because normally guachinches were not regulated. Currently there is legislation, and this kind of places open their doors at certain times of the year, in order to dispose of the wine harvest (usually from November till the wine is over, or from April ...) and they pay taxes, and are subject to health regulation by local councils.

Do you like guachinches??
If you want to visit a guachinche you can look here: guachinches' map of Tenerife



Other things in a guachinche