Casa Santiago - O Rei Do Choco Frito — Restaurant in Setúbal

"The King of Fried Cuttlefish"!

That's literally the name of this restaurant and i believe they live up to it.

While i was going out and about in Setúbal after a work appointment, i couldn't pass the chance of stopping by for some traditional fried cuttlefish, a dish who came to be one of the cities main attractions.

Casa Santiago was the best rated restaurant within the area i was located and i went in without hesitation.

Arrived early (around 12am) and i'm glad i did, because shortly after people started lining up outside hoping to get a table.

I was promptly presented with the menu even though the choice was obvious and previously established, something i believe the employees are well aware of.

The food was delicious.

The cuttlefish was cooked to perfection, well seasoned, with the right chewy texture, the fries were reminiscent of those home fried fries my grandmother used to make and frankly it really hit the spot.

Washed it up with some 7Up for a change as i always prefered "white sodas" to go with fish.

The desserts are somewhat basic, so i went with some Ben&Jerry's which is utterly overpriced, to be frank.

I was served by the same lady throughout my time there and she was very professional and attentive.

Don't be surprised if they start to fasten the pace of coming to your table asking if you need anything when you're finishing your meal. Without being impolite, they know how to prompt you to finish as they desperatly need tables for the new costumers. It's all good.

Certified "must stop"...

Food - cuttle fish was great but same sides like rice, salad and french fries. However when we went last Saturday the fries tasted horrible and the salad was just bunch of lettuce, tomato and onion stacked with no dressing at all. When we asked the mid age PT lady waiter for why ? She had all the excuses ready for it.

Service - sorry it’s a shit show. Especially the mid age PT lady waiter who attended us was a big joke and full of bla bla when you criticise them of making you feel not so welcomed as you are expat. Felt racism there sorry!

Atmosphere - the restaurant was full on Saturday . But again it’s a big hype. Fries cuttle fish and bunch of same other things served like other PT tascas. There’s no difference for them to be extraordinarily good like modern lisbon restaurants. Guest have to wait in the street before they get their seats. With this big nose the restaurant have, they should have seats for guest to wait too 😥

Not expat friendly at all. The PT middle age lady waiter who attended us made us feel, oh it’s your fault you are here. We are busy and we are always full. We don’t care about your request. lol 😂 never going to this shit show restaurant again!!!

Just everything was HORRIBLE apart from the fried cuttle fish.

Thanks Sourav Happy...

After seeing amazing reviews reaching nearly 3000 we went thinking it will be nice. We don’t live in Setubal but we usually go to Tasca da Fatinha (closed on Monday) or Leo do Petisco (opens at 19:00 for dinner and this place opens at 18:00).

All together the food was 1*.

The place is called king of choco but the choco was chewy, hard and not good quality. Chips/potatoes were soggy. Salad was the only thing fresh. House wine only in a bottle and too strong as I like house wine because it has less alcohol and is slightly sparkly.

The other thing that surprised us as we have eaten many times choco frito is sauce that cost 0,80 cents!

In general this place felt more like a fast food place which price wise also is not cheap for fast food quality. Not going to come back and going to stick to our favorite spots. Service is also nothing special, you’re in and out as they are...