Uruguay's national dish put to the taste test ahead of England clash
England fans will probably be biting their nails during tonight's crucial World Cup match but supporters of opponents Uruguay will doubtless be chomping on their Chivitos.
Chivitos are the national dish of Uruguay and while the South American footballers might not be to Shropshire people's taste, their nation's steak-based delicacies certainly are.
A Chivito consists principally of a thin slice of filet mignon, with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, mayonnaise, black or green olives, bacon, ham and fried or boiled eggs - all served in a bun.
Like the hamburger it resembles, it is usually served with French fries and may have added ingredients such as red beets, peas, grilled or pan-fried red peppers and slices of cucumber.
The word Chivito literally means "little goat" or "baby goat" and legend has it the dish was invented in the former El Mejillón restaurant in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in 1946.
The story goes that a woman customer ordered baby goat meat, or chivito, having enjoyed the dish in Argentina.
But as the restaurant owner did not have any goat he served her toasted bread with ham and sliced filet mignon, seasoning it with different ingredients.
That proved a big hit and so the Chivito was born.
Staff at Ketley Cod in Ketley, Telford, offered to cook up some Chivitos and try them out on their customers ahead of the big game.
Garprete Bains, 27, manager of the Fourways shop, said: "It's a bit random but nice. I think it's a bit dry and needs some chilli sauce. I quite enjoyed it though.
"I hope we will win. It's always better when we win.
"It puts everyone in a better mood. I wish it was the World Cup every week."
Jenny Kerry, 25, a hairdresser and barber at Alan's hairdressing who lives in Lawley said: "It just tastes like English food.
"It's just your normal English butty. I wouldn't have thought it was from Uruguay.
"It's a bit like a full English breakfast I would have thought it would be more spicy or exotic."
Robin Cooper, 44, training manager for AGA Rangemaster said: "It's something you could quite easily make at home to watch the football with.
"Considering I don't like olives it's always worth giving new food a try."
Meriam Hough, 31, category manager at AGA Rangemaster: "It's lovely, but I don't think a lot to their chances if this is their national dish.
"It's a bit dry but great hangover food after a few too many celebrating winning the football."
