Bugus

What a cliché way to start a Unilocal review, but Bugus, the employees, and the patrons hold a special place in my heart.
For three months, every morning, I would make my way to the Gondomar bus station, where Bugus is located. Every morning, I would have a café solo, study a little, and make small talk in my horrible Spanish with the employees and other patrons of the bar. After class, I would meet with friends to play futbolin [1] or to enjoy a beer and good conversation before heading to Vigo or Nigran.
As the days went on and I became a «regular» at this cafeteria, the employees and other patrons became my friends. It was no longer about getting an incredibly strong and delicious café solo or the perfect clarita, but realizing that although I came to Spain by myself, I was far from alone. One particular employee is so warm and friendly with all of her patrons, myself included. My last day in Spain, she treated me to endless claritas, and fed me a dinner of empanadas, slices of tortilla, and mini bocadillos. She saw my jacked up manicure one day, and right then and there, fixed it for me at the bar. Where else in the world can you find a place like this? And for the grand finale: one of the patrons, who I took the bus with every day, spared me the 25 minute uphill walk and drove me back to the house. At Bugus, it is not only about the bar, but about the community.
But the bar itself is great and the quality of the food is surprisingly good. I could eat an entire tortilla espanola here if you allowed me — although it is rich, the balance of potato, onion, and fluffy whipped up egg is perfect and perfect with a glass of Mencia or a beer. And whenever I see a chorizo bocadillo in the display case, I have to exercise discipline and self-​control. The employees pour the wine generously, make an awesome clarita, and will surprise you with a little more Ballatine’s than you expected.
For me, Bugus is a reminder that home is a relative concept. It also made me even more aware of the warmth and hospitality of the people in Galicia and that it’s possible to spend a tiny bit of money and receive an experience that trumps anything in the trendiest bars in Madrid or NYC.
[1] There is also a pool table, but we are convinced it’s not level. Either that, or we’re horrible at billiards.