THE
STORY OF PACO MERALGO
– I see that there’s an interesting inn
here –said the squire as he looked over the gastronomic guide
of the most famous manufacturer of cartwheels in the kingdom-. And
it’s close by. Good wine, excellent casseroles and stews...
It’s the Paco Meralgo inn.
- So let’s go and get something to eat –said King Adolph
10th "The Belly".
The royal procession reached the inn where Paco, the innkeeper, received
the monarch with a glass of good red wine.
- Be thee welcome your Majesty. Drink this wine to calm your stomach.
As the wind was raising dust and the flies were causing much nuisance,
Paco covered the glass over with a slice of chorizo cured sausage.
- And this? –asked the King
- It is the “tapa” (cover) –answered the waiter
with satisfaction.
Adolph 10th " The Belly " knocked back his wine in one and
then wolfed down the slice of chorizo.
- What fine wine! What fine chorizo!
And before Paco could withdraw the King exclaimed: -Paco! Another
wine! But make sure it comes with a “tapa”! Eh?
From that time on a royal order, of obligatory fulfilment, forced
all of the kingdom’s inns to serve wine with a “tapa”
to all those that entered, whether it be for drink or food