Neither poke bowls nor tourist paellas: this summer, roast chicken is once again the star of the show in Mogán and Maspalomas. With prices falling in many southern grills and skyrocketing demand from both foreign tourists and Canarian residents, this weekend classic has become the star dish of the holiday season, too.
The supermarkets in southern Gran Canaria that offer this product or takeaway food made with local animals, in the case of chicken, are Spar. HiperDino and Mercadona only offer sliced chicken packaged in Spain.
In the midst of the high season, roast chicken consumption has grown by between 10% and 15% overall, and up to 35% in tourist areas such as southern Gran Canaria. This is reflected in industry data collected by Maspalomas24H, which points to a clear trend: convenience, affordable prices, and guaranteed flavor.
Although roasters continue to pay around €4 for a carcass (averaging 1,3 kilos), many local businesses have decided not to pass this increase on to the final price. Instead of the usual €11-€12 in other regions, here you can find a roast chicken for €8,90 in some establishments in Arguineguín or San Fernando, which has boosted its popularity among families, groups of friends, and tourists looking for hot, uncomplicated food.
“We're selling 30% more than last summer. There are days when we have to run a second oven right from the morning. We're buying from locals, industry workers, and also German and Scandinavian tourists who are already familiar with the product and prefer it to any fast food,” explains Carmelo, owner of a family grill in Playa del Inglés.
Restaurants in Puerto Rico and Meloneras are also feeling the traction. Some have even begun to innovate: chicken in mojo sauce, with a touch of barbacoa, or accompanied by wrinkled potatoes and Canarian salads to appeal to both international and long-time islanders.
This "summer of roast chicken" is also having side effects: sales of single-serve soft drinks and wines are up, takeout orders are skyrocketing, and many vacation rentals are now recommending the best places to pick up "the chicken of the day" in their local guides.
While restaurant prices are rising, supermarket roast chicken remains a reliable and tasty option, bringing together locals, tourism workers, and travelers around a simple but shared table. In Mogán and Maspalomas, this summer the smell—and taste—of the oven.