If you find yourself wandering through Fuengirola, you will eventually hit the Plaza de la Constitución. This is the heart of the town where everyone goes to see and be seen. Right there in a very strategic spot sits La Abuela. The name translates to the grandmother. This is a clever marketing trick because nobody wants to criticise a grandmother. It is perfectly placed to catch tourists who are overheating after a long day of doing absolutely nothing on the beach.
A mountain of frozen choices
The first thing you notice is the variety of ice creams on display. They have a rather nice selection of flavours that look like colourful clouds. You can find the usual classics like vanilla and chocolate. They also have more adventurous options that look very pretty in the glass cabinet. It is the kind of place where you spend ten minutes staring at the tubs while the person behind you gets increasingly annoyed. The presentation is definitely designed to make you stop and stare.
Mixed reviews and personal tests
If you look at the internet, the reviews for this place are a bit of a rollercoaster. Some people treat it like a holy shrine of frozen dairy. Others complain about the service or the prices as if they expected a five star meal for a few euros. However, it passed my own personal test rather well. The texture was smooth and it did not melt into a puddle immediately. It seems that many of the grumpy reviewers might just be having a bad holiday.
The grandmother network
You might notice that the name La Abuela pops up in other parts of Spain. There are several shops with this name in places like Seville or Marbella. This leads to the question of whether it is a massive network or a franchise. It is indeed a brand that has expanded across the country. They aim for a traditional look even if the operation is quite large. It is a bit like a chain restaurant but for artisanal ice cream. They have managed to keep that small shop feeling despite being a widespread business.
Location is everything in life
The success of the Fuengirola branch is largely due to its brilliant location. Being on the main square means they do not have to work very hard to find customers. The customers literally walk into them while looking for a bench to sit on. You can grab a cone and watch the world go by near the church. It is a classic holiday experience that is hard to ruin. Even if the service is sometimes a bit hurried, the view of the plaza makes up for it.
