Casa Guedes

Casa Guedes is a sandwich shop on Praça dos Poveiros in Porto, in the area near Bolhão and the Avenida dos Aliados, and is known across the city for its pernil sandwich. The pernil is slow-roasted pork leg, pulled or sliced and served warm in a bread roll, traditionally with a sharp, creamy local cheese and a spoonful of mustard. The shop has a loyal following among Porto residents, and its modest, no-frills style has helped it become a stop on many food walks through the centre. The menu is short. The pernil sandwich is the main order, and a version with cheese is the best-known; beer or a soft drink is the usual accompaniment. Portions are filling, and the bread is soft with a crisp crust, so the sandwich is messy but satisfying. The room is small and functional, with a counter, a few tables and a constant stream of customers, and the mood is quick, loud and local rather than relaxed. Service is fast, and many customers eat standing or take the sandwich away. No reservations are available, and queues form at midday and after work, so arriving mid-morning or mid-afternoon reduces the wait. The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7pm and is closed on Sundays. Prices are low and a sandwich with a drink costs less than a typical sit-down lunch in the centre, making it popular with students, workers and budget travellers. There are other branches in the city, which share the same menu, so visitors can try the sandwich at whichever location is convenient. It is a short walk from the Mercado do Bolhão and the São Bento station, which makes it an easy stop between sights.