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Low Cost
by El Staff
Once upon a time, cheap was cool. It required
knowledge and slyness to get by on the minimum,
especially in the urban habitat. But nowadays,
the economic and the ecologic are like Cain and
Abel – they don't get along very well. The capitalist
"cheap" was fun until we were reminded that we
save céntimos on the backs of eight-year-old children
and seriously unhappy chickens. Still, salarios
are stupidly low and there are more businesses
than ever catering to Mileurista needs in times of
crisis. You'd be stupid to not take advantage every
once in a while...
Cinema Maldà
c/ Pi, 5
 In the old summer days, you could tell who was heading for
the Cine Maldà by if they carried a jumper. The place was
famous not only for the quality of its movie lineup, but also
for the strength of its air-con. These days, thanks to a very
thorough re-fit, it’s one of the most comfortable cinemas in
Barcelona – especially if you arrive early enough to get the
aisle seats (cinemas now being one of the many places that
put penny-pinching airlines charging for 'extra leg-room' to
shame). It also happens to be one of the best venues to catch
some of the finest festival programming around the city, or
on normal nights, four of the films you didn’t get round to
seeing in time at the mainstream cinema. And, if you get there
for the first showing at around 16:30h, check the poster outside
for one of the best cinephile deals in the city: 4 x 1 (see
cinemamalda.net for details).
// by Clare Gaunt
Low Cost Móvil
Plaça de la Revolució, 2
 Searching for the perfect mobile phone service provider is more
exhausting than IKEA on a Saturday afternoon. Like gym
memberships, the tarifas never fit (who wants free calls on
Mondays before 7am and Wednesdays after 9pm?) and the "all
inclusive" flat rate is way too expensive. The market is a fucking
mess and it all started when Telefónica lost its monopoly in
2007 and more and more low cost "no name" providers began
to spring up. But don’t think Pepe Phone and Simyo are the end
of the line. They are just the tip of the iceberg. There are
companies out there – YouMobile, MoviData and MásMovil –
that offer rates that compete with locutorio prices. Italy,
Mexico or China for 1 cent / minute? Put the right sim in your
cell and you’re talking. And because it's not that easy to find the
provider that best fits your needs, Dan and Miguel thought it
a brilliant idea to open a business that had the answers and the
sims. Talk to the guys. They might save you 50 bucks a month.
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Menjar per emportar
c/ Còdols, 7
 We're pretty sure that in Disney's Aladdin the opening song
mentions something about a diamond in the rough (yes, we
are just that cultured). Well, this place is the diamond in the
rough that is Barcelona. Welcome to the best and cheapest
food you’ve had on one of our grimiest calles. Farooq, the
owner, es la puta hostia. Mola molt. He's been here for 20 years
and opened up this place hace tres. He seemingly remembers
all of his clients by name (if they've given it) or by face (if
they've not). For 3€ he'll fill an aluminum take-away dish (it's
all take away, see restaurant’s name) with loads of nicely
spiced rice and then add on whatever else has been requested,
be it kebab meat, pollo al curry or ternera con patatas. He's
generous with the sauces (the picante actually pica) and the
accompanying vegetables look fucking beautiful. The environs
are spotless, because Farooq cares. He's open from 13:30
to 23:30 but don’t go too late cause homeboy sells out.
Urban Chicken
c/ Poeta Cabanyes, 16-18
 Fried chicken in Barcelona? Oh. Oh yes. And only upon further
inspection did we find out that Urban Chicken is so much more,
for so much less. Milton, the owner, es un Catalan con un
corazón cubano and a love of everything rebozado and fried
to perfection. "Paso la vida friendo." There’s one communal
table and plenty of bar space. Walls are decorated with sports
paraphernalia (most of the rugby shirts up on the wall have
been played in by Milton himself) and photos of restored
Cuban cars. Sink your teeth into tasty, tender fried chicken
strips called supremas starting at 0,50€ a pop. Or, go for muslos
(1€ each) or ¾s de pollo (2,50€). Bathe them in hot sauce or
homemade queso crema. Add a mediana or a hot dog for 1€
more (halleluyah!), or a cheeseburger for 2,50€. Maybe try a
"Chic 'N' Burg", named by the owner of Bar Rouge across the
street, or go for one of many Cuban specialties. Whatever you
do, dinner for 2 with beers is likely to set you back a lovely 10€.
Can Nabo
c/ Nou de Francesc, 25
 Bring all your friends. Offer to pay. Don't worry. You'll be fine.
This is probably as close to a soup kitchen as you can get
without, you know, needing to go to one. There are two real
options here: a 4€ menu from which you can choose two of
the 4 or 5 dishes listed, or a 6.50€ menu that comes with all
dem goodies included ("all dem goodies" does not mean
bebida). They also offer several purely pasta dishes such as
ravioli trufa fontina, ravioli 4 quesos or raviolis with speck
and queso (all 6€) if you’re in the mood for a larger plate of
one thing. The night we tried on the 4€ menu, the crema de
alubias was a nice-ish liquid bean puree. The second dish,
the risotto frutti di mare, was good enough. We tried the
6.50€ menu too, but, interestingly enough, it didn't really
compare. All the better for our low cost wallets. Welcome to
the Ryan Air of Barcelona dining.
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