The authentic guachinche season is getting under way in Tenerife, and Guachinche Francis has reopened with two things firmly on the menu: traditional ñames and white wine from its own harvest.
The food creators @guachinchesmodernos have already paid a visit. They went earlier than last year, having missed out on trying the ñames during their previous visit.
“Now you can enjoy some good ñames and white wine,” they said.
The ñames are the main attraction
Most people visiting Casa Francis seem to have one thing in mind. The ñames. Plenty of customers also leave with a bottle or two of wine to take home.
The creators ordered a portion during their visit and showed how it is served. If you’ve never tried ñame, its texture is apparently somewhere between a potato and a sweet potato.
Traditional Canarian food and wine from its own harvest
There is more to the menu than ñames, although they are clearly the star of the show.
The couple also ordered half portions of ropa vieja, carne de fiesta and salted fish with potatoes. The ropa vieja was particularly generous, and the dishes were accompanied by the ñames.
It’s the sort of traditional cooking that is easy to take for granted until places like this disappear. As the visitors put it, they hope the custom never gets lost.
Casa Francis serves its own white wine, and white wine only. Judging by the number of people leaving with ñames and bottles to enjoy at home, customers are making the most of the short season.
The guachinche is only open for a couple of months each year. It’s set up in a garage, with tables inside and a few more on the terrace. Nothing particularly fancy, which is rather the point.
Opening times and location
You’ll find Guachinche Francis at Paseo El Parque in La Guancha. It has a Google rating of 4.3 stars.
Opening is limited to weekends:
- Saturday: 11am to 7pm
- Sunday: 11am to 7pm
- Monday to Friday: Closed
If you fancy trying the ñames, or taking some home with a bottle of their own white wine, don’t leave it too late. These places don’t stay open all year.