Jay Sullivan
Google
There’s a kind of quiet respect I have to give to any establishment that can generate this much buzz around a sandwich.
Not since Jared sold us all on the virtues of Subway has a place selling sandwiches generated this much hype over putting fillings inside a bread roll. To their credit, Bo de B is making much better sandwiches than Subway.
We arrived before they opened and I joined the initial group of 3, by the time the first staff arrived, it had grown to 10 or so people. As they lifted the roller doors, we got our first glimpse of the “cash only” sign.
I had to leave and get some cash, when I returned instead of being at the front of a group of ten, I was at the back of a queue of 20 people. I messaged the people who told me I had to come, and they re-assured me that it was worth the wait.
As we waited, one of the staff came up and down the line repeating it was cash only, unlike me, those who left, I didn’t see come back. By the time I’d finished my sandwich and left I’d estimate at least ten people left because it was cash only. They obviously don’t need the money, or the benefits of being a cash only business outweigh it.
I asked the Bo de B guy if he knew where to get cash out, all I got was a simple “no”, this was repeated by other staff when others asked.
There are some ATMs in the area, so I found it weird they were so obsessed with being cash only, but then didn’t want to help people to find it. I assumed from this that they must really believe in how good their sandwiches are, and how keen people are to get one.
Standing outside next to a construction site that has apparently uncovered some ancient city ruins, you will have time to think about time. I could smell refuse from nearby garbage bags on the opposite corner of the street, the other dominant smells on the street outside were urine and weed. There were even a couple of guys smoking some in the line, I assume hoping the munchies would kick in around the time they got a sandwich.
It’s a lot to ask of a hungry person in 33 degree heat. As the 40 minute wait mark came, I messaged my friends again “are you sure this is worth it?” They said it was, so I stayed.
Once inside, the service was friendly, as they went about their business with a geriatric efficiency. As they open and close the under counter fridges, sometimes without taking anything out, 80s hits like ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and ‘Jessie’s Girl’ blare through a speaker, so they raise their voices and laughter to be heard over it. It all somehow suits the vibe, and seems to work well for them. They even sell merchandise, but my experience left me not needing to buy the t-shirt.
The sandwiches themselves are good. Nicely baked bread, good amount of fillings, and overall a satisfying enough experience. I was told I “had to” get the patatas bravas, which are also good. I wouldn’t say necessary - but if can jag a table inside and feel like them, order them.
I am very willing to admit that having stood outside baking in the sun longer than their bread would in the oven, and with the long queues, the cash-only thing, the competing street aromas, and the hype, that I was expecting something closer to “great” than “good.”
We got the beef and the chicken and shared half each, they were both okay.
I love getting recommendations, but it’s not a revelation or a revolution, but it is a good sandwich. If you’re in Barcelona and feeling like a sandwich - Bo de B makes a good one.
But don’t take my word for it, if you’re reading this you know what to expect, so: bring cash, manage your expectations, aim for an off-peak time, know that there are only a few tables inside and there is no guarantee you’ll get one. Potentially you will be wandering around eating your sandwich on the streets of Barcelona, so maybe stake out a place you can sit nearby.
Bo de B absolutely delivers a good product. Anyone generating any buzz deserves it in the hospitality game.
Would I go again? Maybe. Am I glad I went once? Always
