The FARANG Speaks 2 Much

22 Responses to “Madrid Bar review”

1. 1 Penfold Sep 21st, 2007 at 1:41 am

   pizza here is awesome
   1 large pizza and a belly full of large changs for 2 of us weighed in at about 700-800baht and it was stunning.
   had similar meal at the 'posh pizza' place in my town in UK and it ran us for 5000baht and was nowhere near as good
   this place just cant be beaten for the 'calm before the storm' when your ready to hit 'the pong'
   View all comments by Penfold

2. 2 KhunJ Sep 21st, 2007 at 7:11 am

   The Madrid is successfull because they treat the customers with respect.
   The girls never demand drinks.
   View all comments by KhunJ

3. 3 werewolf Sep 21st, 2007 at 10:41 am

   I visited Madrid for the first and last time on Sunday night last.  I went with a friend.  We ordered a pizza each.  The waitress didn't write down the order and came back to check the ingredients with us twice.  She still managed to screw up my friend's order, putting on ingredients he was allergic to.  He just sent it back. 

   I wish I'd sent mine back!  Dry cardboard crust, tasteless sauce, and the pizza was barely warm when it hit the table.

   This was the worst pizza I've eaten in the last 4 decades (and I've eaten some shocking pizza in the past).  The beer, like the pizza, was slightly above room temperature.

   The only thing they did right was not trying to charge my friend for his pizza.

   I can't imagine why anyone would want to go to this place.  I certainly will NEVER go back.
   View all comments by werewolf

4. 4 KhunJ Sep 21st, 2007 at 10:46 am

   The pizza is just OK.
    30 years ago it was the best but now there are a couple hundred Italian restaurants in town that make the real thing. 
   View all comments by KhunJ

5. 5 Bangkok Bad Boy Sep 21st, 2007 at 11:06 am

   @werewolf: You win some, you lose some. I’ve been there more times than I can remember, and never had a bad meal.

   I would say though, that if you vow never to visit a bar again after just one bad experience, you’re going to quickly run out of places to go!
   View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy

6. 6 werewolf Sep 21st, 2007 at 12:21 pm

   I don't want to get in a pissing contest about Madrid (especially as I've been there only once). I will only comment that while you're right about running out of bars I don't think I'm likely to run out of restaurants in Bangkok. 

   Sunday night was bad enough that I'd feel stupid giving them a chance to get any of my money again.  I'll be quiet now.
   View all comments by werewolf

7. 7 Bangkok Bad Boy Sep 21st, 2007 at 12:34 pm

   No worries, we should report all experiences, good and bad. Sounds like I've just been lucky, and you just… haven't.

   I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but our man Pants Elk had a similarly disappointing experience on his first trip to Madrid.  I had to practically drag him back for a second try, where he was very pleasantly surprised, and glad that I did.

   But you're right - no shortage of places to eat in Bangkok!
   View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy

8. 8 Pants Elk Sep 21st, 2007 at 2:48 pm

   Huh? Someone mention my name? Yeah, I'm glad I went back - GLAD, I tell you YAHAHAHAHAAAAAAARGH!

   Because the first time was truly shit, and I got an aged bargirl miming she was dying of thirst at me all night, too. The main drawback seems to be the attraction the place holds for Americans who like to think of themselves as foreign correspondents, talking way too loud and well, just being Merkin.

   (At present, I'm holed up In Patong, which is like Sukhumvit-on-Sea, or, I imagine, Pattya Lite. No shortage of comely bargirls willing to separate an old fool from his money, but all a little amateurish compared to the wonders of the NEP.)
   View all comments by Pants Elk

9. 9 Penfold Sep 22nd, 2007 at 12:35 am

   @ELK i couldnt agree more with the loud american comment - when i was there this american brother rolled in, and was tipping 300lbs of lard if he was an ounce talking way too loud, and 2 dickish americans in suits talking cringeworthy broken english to there 'hosts'

   its weird to have such wildly contrasting reports on a restuarnt, fingers crossed i never hit them on a bad night
   View all comments by Penfold

10. 10 KhunJ Sep 22nd, 2007 at 6:26 am

    Lets just hope the English don't discover the place.
    View all comments by KhunJ

11. 11 Wayne Sep 22nd, 2007 at 8:39 am

    I have been going to the Madrid since 1984. The food is good the beer is cold the girls are not pushy and range from 18 to 50
    I am glad it has not changed U can get a good Steak Sandwich
    and fresh french fries much better than Macdonalds.
    I dont eat Pizza but my son does and he ses its great.
    Good place to recuperrate ,
    Wayne
    View all comments by Wayne

12. 12 psi100 Sep 27th, 2007 at 9:01 am

    Back in early '90's we used to have our Saturday morning Directors meetings there, Shit on a Shingle was a popular favourite. I used to park my car outside (this was way before street vendopr time). Once (ok many times) I went for a soapie at a massage place nearby; came back one time to find a market constructed around my car and one really pissed off vendor … got the car out tho had a few scratches …
    View all comments by psi100

13. 13 Combover Sep 27th, 2007 at 9:47 pm

    I fear for your midriff 3B. I like pizza as much as the next man, but every single bite of the week seems to be burgers, pizzas, nachos…

    You may be yung and hanshum now, but how long before you look in the mirror and see just another nicotine stained, beer sozzled, man-boobed, porky sexpat?

    And I know what I'm talking about. Mirrors are persona non grata in Casa Combover.
    View all comments by Combover

14. 14 Bangkok Bad Boy Sep 27th, 2007 at 9:50 pm

    Heh. It's too late for me. Save yourselves…

    Nah, I eat Thai, Chinese, Japanese, whatever. I just don't get quite as excited by the local stuff.  There's a lot of bad Western food in Bangkok, so I'm usually pleased when I find a source of decent-tasting stuff…

    Just for you, try the Thai food stalls on Sukhumvit 38, just around the corner from Tulip massage. Some great stuff…
    View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy

15. 15 Combover Sep 27th, 2007 at 10:36 pm

    Great! So the Tulip girls can soothe my bumhole after I get dysentery from the skewered chicken down the street.
    View all comments by Combover

16. 16 John Sep 28th, 2007 at 12:42 pm

    When I lived in Bangkok the Madrid was a regular stop of point. It was a great place, no stunning women but a good laugh all the same. And yes I would agree, it was the best pizza in town
    View all comments by John

17. 17 Larry Oct 8th, 2007 at 11:06 am

    I hope you guys keep posting anti-US comments, perhaps it will discourage other rif-raf from visiting. Although it won't be much good for Daeng's business!
    View all comments by Larry

18. 18 The Heckler Oct 9th, 2007 at 8:35 pm

    I've been to the Madrid half a dozen times or so and quite enjoyed the fare, however, I would never cross the threshold with the intention of finding suitable companionship inside.

    As for the street food on Suk Soi 38, it's all in all great stuff.  Eaten there loads of times and have never suffered unduly.  My favorite is the khao tom muu gop at the far end on the right.
    View all comments by The Heckler

19. 19 OJ Nov 11th, 2007 at 12:54 pm

    I was there yesterday and thought i was a really nice breathing space among all the stress that is Patpong. A great place for starting an evening out. And yes, i really enjoyed the pizza too.
    View all comments by OJ

20. 20 lil leroy Nov 13th, 2007 at 9:21 am

    BBB, nice call.  After living four years in Bangkok and working within walking distance of the Madrid, I never made it over there until a couple of weeks ago.  I'm now becoming an after work regular.  Each time the pizza has been outstanding - even rivalling that provided by all the new Italian joints around town.  I took your advice and tried the Madrid Special last night for the first time - it set off a chain of events that I'm still trying to put together.  All I know is that I ended up at Sharks with a check bin close to 800 baht and a few minutes later in a ST room with one of the bar's many lovelies.   Damn, I might just do the same thing again tonight!
    View all comments by lil leroy

21. 21 DB Dec 6th, 2007 at 9:07 pm

    My wife and I were away for the US and we had Thankgiving dinner at the Madrid.  Many thanks to Jenny and her gourmet cooking talents.  Cheers.
    View all comments by DB

22. 22 Adzadel Dec 8th, 2007 at 2:22 pm

    Leroy,,, That sounds like 1 hell of a pizza,,,, you eat it and look what happens,,, Like they said in the movie,,,"ill have what hes having"
    View all comments by Adzadel