Can Chan Chan

Cuisine: Mexican

Average price per person: 60€

Environment: 9/10

Food: 10/10

Service: 7/10

Other: Pet-friendly, Gluten-free options

Website: www.canchanchan.es

Recently, Can Chan Chan collaborated with one of my favorite cocktail bars in Madrid, 1862 Dry Bar. Roberto Ruiz, the chef of Can Chan Chan prepared 3 tacos that were paired with 3 mezcal cocktails. Through this collaboration and after trying those delicious tacos, we decided to visit Can Chan Chan. The restaurant serves chef’s Roberto Ruiz view on Mexican cuisine with Spanish influences.

Roberto Ruiz was the person responsible for Punto MX, the first Mexican restaurant in Europe that received a Michelin star. The restaurant closed during the pandemic and I didn’t have the chance to visit it. However, if the food was similar to what we sampled in Can Chan Chan, it is easy for me to understand why the same chef had a Michelin-star establishment. 

Location/Environment

The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of the mall El Corte Ingles in the “posh” Salamanca neighborhood.

The modern setup is outlined in the space’ design and the international hits music, that gives a lively vibe to the restaurant. I liked the environment although some people might consider the music a bit loud.

Menu

The menu is relatively small and everything is based on authentic Mexican flavors. Apart from the à la carte options, there was also a tasting menu with 6 dishes and 2 cocktails included in the price. Can Chan Chan also had a gluten-free options menu.

Service

I have mixed feelings about the service. One of our servers did not speak English, which was surprising for a restaurant in that neighborhood and with these price points. Not an issue for me as we had locals in our group and the rest of the staff was able to explain everything in English. 

We also found some of the other staff members’ responses to be a bit curt, especially at the beginning of the meal. 

The main issue with service was that we ordered a dish from the gluten-free menu and when we were served, we were told by the server that the dish contained gluten. This dish was part of the gluten-free menu.

They apologized for the confusion and told us they would make us a gluten-free version. Towards the end of the meal, the chef, whom we met at the 1862 Dry Bar event came out to check if we enjoyed our lunch and we noted this. He immediately investigated the matter and actually, the dish was correctly presented as gluten-free in the menu. The server had made a mistake while serving us by noting that it wasn’t.

Confusion over allergens is a serious issue in service. However, I appreciate that they tried to remediate and the chef wanted to ensure that we had a clear explanation. To be fair, if we hadn’t met him recently and were a random group, I can’t tell if we would have gotten the same attention.

Can Chan Chan – Food

Once we ordered our drinks, we got a small ball of tortilla chips and two dipping salsas, one with jalapeno and one with spicy red peppers. 

The jalapeno one tasted fresh, aromatic and a bit acidic. The one with red peppers was wonderfully spicy. I love spicy food and many places in Madrid have only mildly spicy options. In this case, it was right to the point that it remained pleasantly spicy, without being overpowering.

As a starter, we got the guacamole with pico de gallo, served with mini chicken flautas. The flautas were crispy mini rolls filled with chicken and the dough was somewhat similar to what you would get in a hard-shell taco. All the elements were tasty, and dipping your flautita into the guacamole/pico de gallo combination, was really a treat.

Next up we had a scallop ceviche with pickled jalapeno chili sauce. Very fresh and with great acidity, the texture contrast was enhanced with avocado, as well as thinly sliced onion and radish. Everything was perfectly seasoned and overall a great dish for those who enjoy any type of ceviche.

Moving on to the tacos, first, we opted for the softshell crab and pork tacos with avocado and jalapeno sauce. This taco was full of flavor. The pork was perfectly cooked and was soft and tasty, while the whole softshell crab also added great texture and taste (not to mention the visual aspect). Adding the fresh avocado and the acidic jalapeno sauce, this was a fantastic combination.

The grilled sirloin with chipotle chili and green tomatillo sauce was also a good option. I would have preferred the meat cut differently, for example in stripes or cubes instead of a whole slice. Nevertheless, a very balanced dish with the acidic tomatillo sauce and nice texture from the fresh pico de gallo. 

The taco with the potatoes al pastor with chipotle chili sauce, onion, cilantro and pineapple, is proof that even vegetarian dishes can be something to crave. The potato was cut into small pieces and had all the spices that you would get in al pastor taco. Finally, the pineapple added an extra note of authenticity.

For dessert, we opted for a tabasco chocolate cream with mango ice cream and guava sauce. A top dish, with one of the smoothest chocolate cream/mouse I have ever tasted and there was only a mild undertone of spice. The mango ice cream was refreshing and was cutting down the richness of the chocolate, while the guava sauce added a sweet and fresh taste.

Drinks

In terms of drinks, I opted for a Margarita Maracuyá, which I recommend if you enjoy slightly spicy cocktails. The classic Margarita was also very well prepared if you don’t want to be adventurous.

We also decided to go for a mezcal after the meal. For me, the highlight was the trolley that they would bring to your table to decide which one you prefer. From premium well known brands such as the Don Julio 1942 and Clase Azul, all the way to bottles from smaller Mexican producers, there are options for every taste. Highly recommended if you are a mezcal or tequila enthusiast.

Conclusion

Can Chan Chan was relatively pricey for a Mexican restaurant, although higher-end pricing is not uncommon in most restaurants in Salamanca neighborhood. Still, one of the best and most interesting Mexican restaurants I have ever visited. Definitely worth a visit if you are a fan of Mexican cuisine (I think everyone should be) or you just enjoy bold flavors. 

Visit: March 2024

Address: Calle Serano 47 (El Corte Ingles) 3rd floor, Salamanca, 28001, Madrid