Francesinha

What is Francesinha?

Francesinha is a sandwich built from layers of toasted bread and several kinds of hot meats, such as steak, ham, and sausages like linguiça or chipolata. Melted cheese is placed on top, then the whole sandwich is drenched in a hot, spicy sauce based on tomato and beer. The sauce is usually red or orange, and its flavor can range from mild to fiery, depending on the cook. Francesinha is typically served with fried potato chips on the side. The finished dish is rich, filling, and eaten with a knife and fork.

Where does Francesinha come from?

The francesinha was created in Porto in the 20th century. Daniel David de Silva, after returning to Portugal from France and Belgium, wanted to adapt the French croque monsieur to local tastes. In 1953, he introduced the sandwich at A Regaleira restaurant in Porto, using Portuguese meats and a custom beer-and-tomato sauce. The dish quickly became popular in Porto and later spread throughout Portugal. Its name means 'little French girl' or 'little French woman', reflecting its inspiration.

How is Francesinha made?

To make a francesinha, slices of toasted bread are stacked with layers of hot meats, which may include steak, ham, and sausages such as linguiça or chipolata. The sandwich is covered with slices of cheese, then a hot tomato-and-beer sauce is poured over it, melting the cheese. Each cook or restaurant has their own recipe for the sauce, but beer is always included, and most versions use tomato and spices. The sandwich is served hot, often with fried potato chips.

How and when is Francesinha eaten?

Francesinha is eaten as a main meal, usually at lunch or dinner. It is served hot, often on a plate with a generous helping of fried potato chips on the side. The sandwich is eaten with a knife and fork, as the sauce makes it too messy to pick up by hand. In some versions, a fried egg is placed on top. It is a popular choice in restaurants and cafés, especially in Porto, but can be found throughout Portugal.

Kinds of Francesinha

There are many versions of francesinha. Some use different meats such as pork, chicken, pastrami, tuna, or cod, and vegetarian options also exist. The francesinha especial adds a fried egg on top. The pica-pau version skips the bread and serves steak pieces covered in sauce. In Póvoa de Varzim, a local form uses different bread and sauce, making a sandwich that can be eaten by hand. Each establishment often has its own unique sauce recipe.

What Francesinha means

Francesinha is closely tied to Porto and is seen as one of the city's signature foods. It is widely available in restaurants and cafés, with each place often priding itself on its own sauce. The dish has been recognized internationally, appearing in lists of notable sandwiches. While it began as a local specialty, it is now a familiar part of Portuguese food culture.

Questions people ask about Francesinha

Good reading and sources

• The foodie traveller on … why Porto’s francesinha sandwich is a gut busterThe Guardian, Article

• Francesinha on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data