The francesinha: Portuguese heart attack on a plate

Back at the beginning of June, Emilio and I decided to get away from Madrid for the weekend, and we chose Porto as our destination. Located in northern Portugal, Porto is so charming and laid back that you'd never guess that it's Portugal second largest city. It's particularly famous for its port wine - you can visit several bodegas around the city.

The famous Dom Luis Bridge over the River Douro

Porto is also famous for the francesinha, a heavenly creation that will unfortunately probably take a couple of years off your life. But it's ok; it's worth it. This typical sandwich of Porto is sort of their take on a croque-monsieur except, well, more artery-clogging (and way more delicious). It's made with several types of meat (typically different types of Portuguese hams, pork, and sausages) between two pieces of bread that are then covered with melted cheese and lastly, a tomato-beer sauce. Think that's it? That it can't get more unhealthy?

Believe me, the picture does it no justice.

Wrong. Served alongside it, drenched in the same tomato-beer sauce, are French fries. Down it with a Super Bock (one of the country's most popular beers, produced near Porto), and you're likely not to want to move for the rest of the day.