📝 The Full Story
This corner really makes Madrid a thing in the Mission. Beautiful place, great owners, and the kind of bar you end up trusting with a whole afternoon. Spending a lot of time in Madrid, Barcelona, Granada and San Sebastián, you develop a love for the passion of Spanish food. And finding that same character in their owners, that love for making a tortilla taste good and caring for the bread and the vermuts, that's what makes El Chato a place where you feel in España. It's a natural wine bar. Go for the tapas, the tortilla española, and the wines. They're just amazing. I really enjoy the navajas, and their jamón and cheese selection. Ask for some chatos so you can try more of what they have on the menu. The owners' passion shows in the food and in a list that leans on small European producers. The tortilla is simple, soft inside and golden at the edges. They serve that tortilla as a pintxo on grilled bread with piquillo and allioli. Get pan con tomate with it, and spread the tomato yourself. The toasted jamón sandwich with melted cheese and piparras is the other plate I keep in the middle of the table. During the World Cup this was a great community for following Spain. Locals and Spaniards hanging out, sharing an Estrella, calling the goals, passing around tortilla de patata and their vermut. They have a great non-alcoholic one for those early matches. The team is friendly. Trust their recommendations from the wine stand. On a sunny day (the Mission gets better weather than the rest of the city) you can hang out outside. That corner doesn't just feel Mission. A friend said it could be Roma in Mexico City, Castellana in Madrid, Palermo Soho in Buenos Aires, or Providencia in Chile. There's a vibe in the corner. Feels like a slice of Madrid in the Mission, with warm hospitality and flavors that actually hold up.
What to Order
1 of 3
Tortilla Española
The simple, deep version you want: custardy inside, golden at the edges. They serve it as a pintxo on grilled bread with piquillo and allioli. During the World Cup it kept getting passed around with vermut and Estrella.
Also order
Navajas
Galician razor clams from the conservas list. One of the dishes I keep coming back for.
Jamón and Cheese
A proper Spanish jamón and cheese selection. Get the toasted jamón sandwich too: melted cheese, piparras, paprika, chips on the side.
Vermut
Their vermut is part of the afternoon. They also have a great non-alcoholic one for those early World Cup matches.
Estrella Galicia
The beer that shows up when Spain is playing. Share one with the table while you call the goals.
If you're visiting El Chato
What are 'chatos' at El Chato?
Chatos are small glasses of wine, a traditional way to taste and explore in Spanish bars. Ask for some so you can try more of the natural wine list, which leans on small European producers. Trust the recommendations from the wine stand.
What should I order at El Chato?
Go for the tapas, the tortilla española, and the wines. The tortilla is custardy inside and golden at the edges, served as a pintxo. I really enjoy the navajas, the jamón and cheese, and pan con tomate. Ask for chatos. Get vermut, including the non-alcoholic one if you are there early, or share an Estrella.
Does El Chato have non-alcoholic drinks?
Yes. They have a great non-alcoholic vermut, which is what you want for those early World Cup matches.
Is there outdoor seating at El Chato?
Yes. On a sunny day you can hang out outside on the corner of Bryant and 21st. The Mission gets better weather than the rest of the city, and that sidewalk is part of the vibe.
Is El Chato a restaurant or a bar?
El Chato is a natural wine bar that serves excellent tapas. It is the kind of bar you end up trusting with a whole afternoon: come for the wine, stay for the tortilla española, and let the corner do the rest.
