If there’s one dish that’s off-limits to many culinary purists, it’s the francesinha. But when two major brands decide to tweak the traditional recipe while respecting the ingredients, the result is worth paying attention to.
The modern brewery DOTE has joined forces with the smoked meat experts at KAU Barbecue to launch the Francesinha Pastrami Frenchie.
We went to try it, and the result is clear: some experiments are worth it.
A “no-surprise” (thankfully)
Knowing KAU’s track record for quality cuts and DOTE’s reputation, we sat down at the table with high expectations. The experience turned out to be, in the best possible sense, a “no-surprise”: we already expected it to be quite good, and the very first bite confirmed just that.
The real highlight of this limited-edition version is the filling. The traditional dish from northern Portugal combines top-quality pastrami, crispy ham, fresh sausage, ham, and mortadella.
The addition of smoked meats elevates the standard we’ve come to expect from DOTE, but what really caught our attention was the unexpected lightness of the francesinha, raising the quality of the dish far beyond what we expected.
The sauce, which is often far too sweet and cloying
The sauce on a francesinha is always a topic of debate. If, like me, you tend to turn your nose up at francesinha recipes with overly sweet and heavy sauces, we have excellent news: the addition of cucumber pickles (a signature element of the KAU universe) creates a remarkable contrast. The pickle’s acidity cuts through the sauce’s sweetness perfectly, creating a balance that wins you over from the very first bite.
On the side, the fries arrived crispy as they should be, perfect for soaking up all the sauce left on the plate.
The one detail that fell short: an egg that was a bit too “perfect”
Not everything was flawless in the experience, and if you’re a fan of comfort food, you’ll understand our criticism. The egg that tops the francesinha arrived at the table looking too “neat”—clearly fried using a round mold. An aesthetic detail, to be sure, but one that strips away the soul of a true Portuguese-style fried egg, where the irregular, crispy edges are, in our opinion, a must.
Verdict: Is it worth the €19.90?
With a listed price of €19.90, the Francesinha Pastrami Frenchie is positioned in a higher-end segment. However, the quality and intensity of KAU’s artisanal pastrami—which dominate the flavor profile—justify the price. We felt it was worth every cent.
In short, the fusion of national tradition and barbecue proved to be a winning combination. The Pastrami Frenchie is a highly flavorful experience worth repeating, but don’t wait too long, as it’s subject to stock availability.
Useful information:
Address: Av. da Igreja 24 B (Alvalade); Av. da República 51; Rua Barata Salgueiro 37A (Avenida); Rua Pulido Valente 3 (Odivelas); Av. Dom João II 43E (Parque das Nações)
Hours: daily, from 12 p.m. to midnight
Average price: €20–€25 per person
Reservations and menus: on the website
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