Alright so I finally made it to Monk Barcelona last month after seeing so many Insta reels about it. Gotta be honest – the hype train pulled me in hard. Booked a Tuesday slot because weekends were packed three months out. Showed up starving at 12:30 sharp thinking I’d beat the crowd. Nope. The line already snaked around the block like a damn amusement park ride.
The Wait Situation
Stood there sweating for 55 minutes checking my watch. Pro tip: their online queue system’s a joke. Got notifications saying “15 more minutes” four times while shuffling forward slower than airport security. Saw three people bail before reaching the door.
First Impressions Inside
Place smells insane – like fried chicken had a baby with Spanish paprika. The vibe? Industrial chic meets chaotic cafeteria. Concrete floors, exposed pipes, those tiny wooden stools everyone complains about. My butt still remembers those stools two hours later. Seriously who designs seats worse than economy class?
Ordering Fiasco
Counter service moved quick once I got there. Worker recommended the namesake Monk burger and kimchi fries. Card machine died right after tapping – cue five minutes of awkward digging for cash while people behind me sighed loud enough to hear in Madrid. Got handed this buzzer thing vibrating like an angry hornet.
The Food Verdict
PROS:
- That damn chicken burger slapped hard. Crispy juicy patty with some magic gochujang mayo
- Kimchi fries actually lived up to hype – spicy, crunchy, stupidly addictive
- Craft beer selection surprised me – local IPA paired perfectly
CONS:
- €18.50 for burger alone is robbery – add fries/drink pushing €30
- Noise levels required sign language – concrete walls bounce sound like a drum kit
- Saw two tables get cleared before people finished eating
Wildcard Moment
Halfway through my burger this German tourist at the next stool starts ranting about portion sizes. Manager comes over comping free churros like a hostage negotiator. Tasted amazing but felt like a bribe. Watched the same scene play out at three other tables – seems like their standard damage control.
Final Takeaway
Worth going? Once? Maybe. Instagram definitely oversold the “experience” part. Food’s legit top-tier but everything else feels engineered for turnover not enjoyment. Left feeling like I’d run a marathon – exhausted, poorer, but with taste buds throwing a party. If you go? Load up on snacks before, bring earplugs, and for god’s sake pad your wallet. That stool trauma is permanent though.