Going Local at El Tambor in Bogotá

Every Sunday afternoon, the winding road from Bogotá to Calera looks like an anthill. Thousands of Bogotenas leave the crowded city to spend family time in the fresh air surrounding Colombia’s capital. El Tambor Restaurant is a popular option, claiming to have “Los Parilladas más Famosas“, The Most Famous Barbecues. Some 650 seats on a grassy hill offer a view of the rural surroundings. While there is limited indoor seating, the majority of the action takes place outside. Going to El Tambor is like going on a picnic without having to bring your food.

Take your pick from picnic tables with parasols or, even more rustic, boulders that function as tables and tree trunks serving as chairs. There is plenty of room for kids to run around and dogs are welcome. On weekends and holidays, there is live music but at an un-South American volume (read: you’ll be able to carry on conversation without shouting!). 

El Tambor serves comida criolla, typical Colombian dishes, with regional specialties, but rather than offering a menu with meals, El Tambor serves its food as finger food. Almost everything is prepared on a parrilada, a BBQ. And as Colombians love meat, you will find lots of it: chicken, morcilla (black pudding), or chicharron (pork). Pastrons also love the especially tasty chunchillo (cow intestines) and succulent lomo (beef).

And vegetarians and vegans need not stay away! Among the plant-based dishes you will find fried yuca, barbecued corn on the cob (mazorca), papas criollas, plantain, guacamole, envueltos (a sort of cake made of corn flower with cheese and raisins, steamed in corn leaves) as well as some of the best arepas in Colombia. The latter comes in two versions: salty arepas or sweet arepas with corn.

Here’s how it works: while you’re standing in line an attendant will give you a sheet of paper listing all picadas (or fritanga) and you fill it in while waiting. Then you pay, get a pager, and while waiting you can order drinks at a separate bar (limited to soft drinks and beer). When the pager goes off, you pick up your food, served in a basket, at the counter. No cutlery, no plates. It’s as simple as that. El Tambor is not a place for those who don’t like to eat with their fingers.

If you’re craving something sweet, head to the dessert counter. Try the meringue topped with guanabana and strawberries. Or head for the ice-cream counter where lollipops in a large quantity of flavors are all neatly displayed. Those who are not into desserts but love a cup of coffee or tea, will be able to fulfill that craving as well.   

So there it is: a perfect way to go local.