Another popular plato in Spain is tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelet), a hearty lunch dish eaten across all parts of el país. You can find tortilla de patatas in most Spanish cafeterías, often enjoyed alongside an Aquarius or Nestea, two popular Spanish soft drinks.
One of my favorite aspects Spanish food culture is el café. I wasn't much of a coffee drinker back in the USA, but in Spain it's very common to grab a coffee with compañeros del trabajo (coworkers) during a break in the work day or spend hours chatting with friends at a local cafetería. The school I work at doesn't have a traditional school cafeteria like in the United States. Students typically eat lunch at home after the school day around 3pm. Rather than offering school lunch, IES Pedra da Auga (my school) has a small cafetería, where students and teachers can purchase un café, Cola Cao (a Spanish beverage that resembles American hot chocolate), bocadillos (sandwiches), and other small bites.
Truth be told, as a young profe (teacher) living and working in España, I typically eat at home, cooking my meals from ingredientes I buy at el supermercado. Often, I buy los productos frescos (fresh produce) at fruterías, small stores that specialize in selling fruits and vegetables. Rather than eating out, I often invite friends over to my piso (apartment) for dinner, cooking a hearty plato vegetariano for everyone.
