Alfredo's Barbacoa — Restaurant in Madrid

Not Worth a Third Chance

This was my second (and definitely last) visit to Alfredo’s Barbacoa, and unfortunately, it confirmed my doubts. I ordered the 4th of July Super Alfredo Burger, supposedly one of their recommended options, but it turned out to be a poor choice. The patty was just a dense, medium-hard ball of ground beef — lacking both flavor and juiciness. The baconaisse and crispy onion did little to elevate it, and I honestly can’t even recall if it had cheese. For a +€17 burger, I expected much more. Even the bun was underwhelming — a basic sesame seed bread that didn’t stand out in any way.

I also tried the coleslaw, which was just okay, and finished with the oreo cheesecake, which was overcooked and dry — far from the creamy richness one would hope for.

After two visits and 2 years apart I felt the same way, disappointed. I can say this place just doesn't live up to the hype. There are far better burger spots in Madrid for the price...

The place is original, it looks like a small town Texas Burger, full of flags and pictures, with a few Spanish references. If you look for a fancy burger or some food fusion, keep walking. But if you look for a good old fashioned US burger, that's your place. The food is tasty, and the fries and sweet potato fries are delicious. The biggest issue for me was that the chef has forgotten a plastic under the meat of my burger. So, when I had a bite, I pulled this plastic with my tooth out of the burger. Quite a disagreeable experience. I have a strong stomach so I have just put it aside but I imagine other people could have throwed-up. I just told the waiter to tell the chef to be cautious with this. No effort made on the bill for this bad experience, we paid the burger full price. The mini pudding was good. The mini cheesecake tasted like supermarket food. The garlic bread with cheese made with burger bread was funny...

Alfredo’s is an icon in Madrid. And rightfully so. The food is absolutely delicious. Is it ‘American’ as they claim? Who know?! Even the ‘Americans’ can’t agree on what is the right way to do their own burgers or meats or bbq. The meat in their burger was high quality. The bbq sauce they add is finger licking good, and I wish they added more, or sold bottles of it. The bread and meats, on the down side, were oddly burnt (as they’d say, charred) on the outside which was a surprise. After the first couple of bites it grew on me. The cheese nachos were tasty and had cheese which you could taste, not the classic American plastic cheeses which lack identity. The coleslaw was also very good with a sharp mustardy bite which can be lacking in European restaurants. The service was quick. The staff, however, were very curt and I wish were...