THE story behind bodega joan
It all started with Balbina Garrido and Joan BaLsells
The beginnings of "La única". Traveling back in time to Catalonia in 1942, we must remember that, in addition to the world being in the middle of a world war, Spain was just coming out of its own civil conflict. These were times of great uncertainty and control. In this context of Barcelona's history, Balbina -from Puertollano, Castilla La Mancha- and Joan -Catalan-, a young married couple, founded the winery "La única" to sell liquors, especially wines, ice, dry food, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
The 50's, The renovated Bodega Juan
During the renovation season at the Bodega, Joan and Balbina decided to convert the patio and the apartment in the building they had bought into part of the bodega, added some tables and started serving drinks in the premises. The locals liked the tables and the place went from the hustle and bustle of shopping to the hustle and bustle of card games and dominoes.
After enlarging the place, the workers of the city came to eat with their own lunch boxes, which inspired Balbina to start serving the first hot dishes such as tapas, omelettes, fried eggs and pork loin.
60's, 70's and 80's
While the rest of the world was deeply involved in the space race, the swinging steps , Oscar de la Renta dresses and the beginnings of rock and roll, the 60's were very busy for the Bodega. After four decades of continuous service, Balbina and Joan decided to retire from the management of the restaurant to make way for their daughter-in-law, Genoveva Herrero, and José María Vazquez -who had been working at the restaurant since he was 13 years old and was practically another member of the family-.
More traditional dishes, such as tripe, snails and Galician octopus, also began to be included in the menu.
90's - Reopening
90's Reopening and officialization of the peña Barcelonista Joan Gamper. That group of colleagues who formed the first soccer team associated with the winery and to be considered a peña Barcelonista, reunited after 2 decades to officialize its registration with the World Confederation of peñas of Futbol Club Barcelona, in 1999. Bodega Joan was consecrated since then as an official meeting place to celebrate events and victories in unison of "Visca barça!"
80 years later... We continue!
Today, in the knowledge society, it is still a place to share with colleagues while watching a soccer match or enjoying hearty and delicious dishes such as snails a la Llauna, Galician octopus, a grilled veal chop or a variety of paellas.
Our amazing team
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