How El Coto restaurant won over Newcastle customers 20 years ago - and keeps them coming

As the popular El Coto in Newcastle celebrates its 20th anniversary year, Johanne Bean sums up - in one word - the secret of that recipe for success.

The co-owner and chef, who set up the Spanish restaurant in April 2004 says its "consistency" is the key. When El Coto opened its doors, serving up traditional tapas and paella dishes, customers fast discovered this was the real deal and they've remained loyal as that focus on authentic Spanish food, served in rustic surroundings, hasn't changed.

And Jo, who now spends a lot of her time in Spain, credits long-time staff, some of whom have worked there for around 18 years, for maintaining those standards. "We’ve been able to provide a consistent quality of food and service, making it feel like a family," she says.

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The idea for the first restaurant was born when head chef Jo was working in La Tasca on Newcastle Quayside - believed to be one of the city's first Spanish restaurants - and met colleague Antonio (Toni) Almiron, who is from Spain, and his partner Claire Elwell who is also one of El Coto's co-owners. Claire and Toni also run El Torero on The Side - a Spanish restaurant which opened even earlier, in 2001 - but back then this was Jo's first venture.

The passionate foodies wanted their own restaurant and found the place to do it on the site of the old Barn Again restaurant in Leazes Park Road, not far from the football ground which makes it a tempting option for passing fans. And there the no-nonsense menu of fresh, home-made tapas capturing the flavours of southern Spain - which is daily from 12noon onwards - made an immediate impact and ever since has held its own in a constantly-changing food scene - and even a changing world, as it withstood all the challenges of the pandemic and lockdown.

For some years they ran a branch of El Coto in Durham but that has now closed and the focus is upon the city original, while across the city Claire and Toni's El Torero enjoys its own loyal following. And El Coto won't change, says Jo. Its menu, with its meat, fish and vegetarian dishes made from ingredients sourced from Spain and locally-bought produce, keeps all its old customer favourites.

They take care to ensure that even that rustic look of the restaurant is unaltered, down to keeping the same tables and chairs. "It's exactly the same!" says Jo.

Clocking up two decades is as real accomplishment and, while the owners maintain close connections, Jo is at the point now that she is happy to leave their capable team of chefs doing what they do so well, although she will fly over from Mallorca, as she did recently, to head up the kitchen - like in the old days - when the head chef takes some holiday.

Jo says: "We feel it’s a massive achievement to be still going strong 20 years on. From day one we have had a great following of happy customers - and match days are a fantastic atmosphere: we are packed out."

For more about the restaurant and its weekday tapas special offer see here.