VIPS; Spain’s Version of American Food and Diners (nachos with hummus??) 

 

Something that quite surprised me when I first moved to Spain was the presence of a Spanish-brand Family, American diner called VIPS. I wasn’t expecting the presence of American food in Spain and at first glance, it truly looked like you’d been transported to the United States, but with a large Spanish clientele. However, once you take a closer look, you realise that VIPS isn’t that American after all.

I do find it quite interesting that such an America concept like the Family Diner has gained popularity in Europe, as I hadn’t seen anything of the sort before. Being from Europe and only having been to American Diners a limited amount of times while visiting the US, I found this quite compelling and wanted to check it out.

What is VIPS actually like then?

The menu does look quite American with Burgers, meats, pancakes or eggs benedict for breakfast and chips (fries) or nachos as side dishes. There are also some more European or international options such as lasagna, pasta or rice dishes.

 

 – The “Nacho Experience” –

When I ordered these supposedly ‘Murican dishes, though, I quickly realised that they weren’t very convincing at all. On my very first visit to this Diner, I ordered nachos and although the crisps looked normal, I was quickly intrigued by the sauce. I had been expecting guacamole or some sort of Mexican salsa, but this sauce was white and lumpy with a pinch of pico de gallo on top in a way that was inviting me to taste it in order discover it’s true identity. Upon tasting, to my greatest surprise, I realised that it was…

hummus?

No, that can’t be right… Hummus mixed with pico de gallo to accompany nachos? I’d never heard of something like that. I decided to taste again.

Those are definitely chickpeas, I can sense an olive oil aftertaste and possibly some parsley… That was hummus mixed with pico de gallo. Not a match made in heaven, I’d say, it wasn’t disgusting, mind you.

– If VIPS is an American-style diner, they must have pancakes, right? –

They sure did!

On a more recent visit, after having enjoyed my burger quite a bit I decided to get some pancakes as a dessert. 

*You could get stacks with up to maximum three pancakes which proves the American experience, doesn’t it?*

However, as I asked for maple syrup, they didn’t seem to have any and the pancakes weren’t served with butter either, instead, they were offered with a big dollop of this strange, sweat sort of “whipped cream”, I think it was. Despite all of this, the pancakes were quite good in the end (not as good as in the US of course!)

VIPS isn’t bad though, it’s just a bit strange

I’d like to specify that I’m not saying all of these things to criticise VIPS whatsoever, I actually think the pancakes are good and The burgers are tasty. I wouldn’t say the same thing about the hummus nachos, though. 

I just find it interesting to go to a fake American restaurant with such bizarre foods as it’s just not something I’d ever experienced before!

I’m used to seeing fake Chinese or Japanese food everywhere, but never American. You do get American style burger places a lot in Europe, but they tend to simply be normal burgers without all this strange stuff to accompany it and I’d also never been to an American diner in Europe which is why I just find it so fascinating to be honest. 

Whether you think you’ll like it or not, I would recommend VIPS (even though it’s maybe not the best) simply to experience the Spanish interpretation of American dining, especially if you’re from the US, like that you can truly tell how authentic it is.