On the way to Toledo on the A-42, as it passes through Torrejón de la Calzada, the huge facilities of Desguaces Latorre appear at kilometer 24. There, among thousands of vehicles out of use that rest lined up in a space of about 10,000 square meters, is located one of the restaurants with the most original views of Madrid.

The data would not cease to be somewhat anecdotal if the elegant dining room on the second floor of a modern building next to the scrapping office had not become in recent years a gastronomic destination in Madrid. Every week, thousands of locals come there, especially on Saturdays, to taste their menus at super-adjusted prices. The quality of their cuisine is such that they have just been recognized by the Repsol Guide with one of their solets.

For a couple of months, at the head of Restaurante Desguaces La Torreis Manuel Sandonís. He receives METRÓPOLI in the impeccable kitchen in which he has several elaborations on the fire. The dining room is still empty; They don't open until 13:30 p.m., but he and his team of four have been there since 8 a.m. (as always Monday through Saturday) to start preparing meals, an average of 85 and 90 a day, according to the chef.

The 30-year-old, disciple of Pepe Rodríguez, from El Boíllo, a restaurant where he worked for nine years, has written down in an agenda the menus of the whole week: four starters, four seconds and a variety of five or six desserts each day. He puts special effort into it, in thinking about each dish, so that the place remains one of the best in the area. "During the week it is full of regular customers, workers from the surroundings, people who come from the neighboring hospital Infanta Cristina, and lately people who have heard about us also come and come exclusively to eat here. Since the mention of the Repsol soletes we have noticed more people, "he says.

Chef Manuel Sandonís in the kitchen of the restaurant Desguaces La Torre.

Luxury menus at popular prices

The menu of the day costs 18 euros. And it highlights traditional dishes, especially stews. "They are my specialty (and weakness)," Sandonís says. On the menu there are always tripe, oxtail, cheeks, as well as fish, a good mushroom stew (in season) and garden products. To this traditional homemade cuisine the chef adds an avant-garde touch, such as an air, a crunch, spherifications ..., especially in his tasting menus, "and all at a price of an industrial menu".

On Saturdays they have another audience, families and people who can not come during the week, so they prepare two more elaborate (and more expensive) menus, but always with the same maxim of traditional homemade cuisine with modern touches. The weekend menu costs 30 euros and includes a gastronomic appetizer, two starters in the middle, a first course, fish, meat, drink and dessert. On Thursdays they post on their Instagram profile what this Saturday menu will consist of.

White asparagus, mixed with a siphon-toasted corn foam and a reduced leek broth.

To try the tasting menu offered on Saturdays (56 euros) it is necessary to book 24 hours in advance. It includes four appetizers, 10 courses and two desserts. "Our philosophy is that people eat very well, of good quality, at a not too excessive price." This proposal is changed every four months.

It is recommended to book in advance, since on Saturdays the dining room is full (capacity 75 people). "In fact, we've had a season when you had to order a table up to three weeks in advance," says the chef. I suppose that, in addition to the food, what also attracts the public is the novelty of eating with views of the scrapyard and the Toledo road; It's a weird thing, but people get a lot of attention."

Manuel with two other chefs from his team.

The restaurant of Desguaces La Torre was inaugurated ten years ago, when it was decided to make a dining room to offer its customers, visitors and employees a quality service in the form of a menu of the day at a reasonable price. In a modern building, the cafeteria was installed on the ground floor, where breakfast, sandwiches and portions are served, and the dining room, on the top floor, which was designed by Ruarte Contract, a design and interior design firm.

Interesting facts:

Restaurants Desguaces La Torre (km. 24 of the A-42 Ctra.

Phone: 646 657 764

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 13.30 to 16 h.

Menu of the day (Monday to Friday): 18 euros

Seasonal menu (Monday to Friday): 26 euros

Set menu on weekends (Saturdays): 30 euros

Tasting menu (Saturdays): 56 euros

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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