Food Glossary: Casado

Casado is a typical Costa Rican meal available, and popular, for either lunch or dinner.  It is really yummy and a cheap meal and one of my favourite discoveries on my trip to Latin America.  The word 'casado' means 'married-one' and the dish gained this name by customers requesting a typical home cooked meal (similar to one their wife would prepare) which generally included gallo pinto, or separate rice and beans, plantain, meat, salad, possibly a tortilla or potato salad.  You MUST try!

Review: La Mansarda, Alajuela, Costa Rica

During our time in Alajuela we stayed in a small, quiet hostel ran by a local man who was really friendly and helpful.  It was fun speaking Spanish with him and he was a good source of local knowledge.  He recommended La Mansarda to us as a decent local place to eat, with good prices.

On arrival we were given a complimentary cocktail (we showed the card from the hostel) and we ordered two casados.  This was a brilliant recommendation as it was a fantastic casado.  I particularly liked the addition of the jacket potato – a first for us on a casado, but really tasty and reminded us of home!  I had pork and despite it always tasting fabulous I was still amazed at how well cooked and tender the meat was.

Again, this place was popular with the locals and had really friendly staff and a nice feel.  You probably wouldn’t really notice it walking past so people go there deliberately – another good sign I think!