After having spent several weeks in Morocco I recently experienced a first- Moroccan BBQ.
I was on a bus ride from Fez to Chefchaouen when the bus pulled over mid-way for its scheduled stop. Usually, on bus rides, I’m accustomed to grabbing a quick sandwich or bag of chips. This turned out to be a welcome change.
The locals quickly lined up at a butcher counter and began calling out orders. I stood back to take it all in and figure out what the process was.
I quickly learned that everyone was buying fresh meat and taking it to a nearby grill to be cooked. As soon as the meat hit the flames the entire rest stop began to smell amazing. I excitedly jumped into line to take part in the Moroccan BBQ.
I pointed at what the group ahead of me had ordered and indicated in my best horrible broken Spanish that I only needed enough for one person. “Carne por una persona, por favor”, I told the butcher. He quickly weighed and passed to me what looked much like a seasoned hamburger patty. He collected his payment of 20 dirham/$2 USD and took the order of the person next in line behind me.
I carried the plate to the nearby grill and the cook separated the meat into small breakfast sausage-like pieces. Next, he filled a double-sided metal grill with the meat and placed my order in line.
Not 5 minutes later the man called out to me to collect my order. I paid the grill fee of 5 dirhams/0.50 USD and carried my plate back to my table. The fifty cents covered not only the cost of grilling but also a half loaf of fresh bread.
Moroccan BBQ was honestly one of the best road stop meals I’ve ever had. It was way better than the usual convenience store garbage I’m used to shoving down my throat before jumping back on the bus.
If you ever find yourself at a setup like this don’t let the huge dead pig hanging in front scare you off. Jump in the line, use your best terrible attempt at whatever language you think might help, and grab some Moroccan BBQ. You’ll be glad you did.
Visiting other destinations in Morroco? Check out our other delicious guides:
- Marrakech Food Tours: Best Walking Food Tour of Marrakech, Morocco
- Falling for Marrakech
- Chefchaouen: The Blue Pearl of Morocco
Wow, what an amazing experience! So much of our rest stop convenience food these days, we wouldn’t know where it came from, but I guess you knew exactly where your food came from that time.
Yes, for sure! Even though it was a bit much to see all the meat hanging out front at least you know it’s fresh!
I would absolutely love this very authentic experience. We went to someplace similar in Istanbul with a local and we were delighted as it is one of those things we would never have known. The food looks so good 🙂
I had no idea before I visited Turkey how much I love Turkish food– it was amazing! What was your favorite thing there? Did you try the mussels stuffed with rice that you squeeze the lemon over? Those were my absolute favorite.
Wow, what a great experience. It is always wonderful to have those unexpected moments, where you connect with the locals and surprise oneself with new tastes and flavors. Thanks for sharing your awesome story. That’s the beauty of travel and being open 🙂
I agree! Not just a great foodie experience but cool to do like the locals do also.
I lovvveeee BBQ but have never tried Moroccan BBQ! My mouth is watering. Thanks for sharing!
Happy travels 🙂
Thanks! This was really good. Hopefully I get a chance to find another one similar before I leave. I want to some of the other cuts of meat also.
Affordable and looks delicious. Other than the hanging pig the BBQ experience in Morocco looks like a must do when you are visiting there.
The hanging pig lends itself to authenticity, lol! A definite must try.
What a fantastic experience!
I could not think of anything better. How amazing to have a bus stop and be able to be part of such an incredible and local experience. I would take this over a bag of chips and a toilet stop any day.
For sure! I’m actually hoping to find another one before I leave Morocco soon. I think this is the first time in my life I’ve wanted to eat from a rest stop lol.
Great experience. How did it taste? What was that little mound of spices next to the grilled ground meat?
It was really delicious! I think the seasoning was cumin– that seems to be a regular seasoning found on most tables here. I learned this the hard way when I thought I was peppering my salad and it turned out to be cumin I was putting all over it.
It looks super good . . . the meat but also the bread 😉
The bread here is really good also! There’s so much of it– especially at breakfast.
Fresh food cooked right away is always the best kind! Such great value too!
YEP! I’d be straight onto that for suuuure! Yum yum! Looks so flipping good!
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yum! looks like such a delicious event!
Sher
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What an interesting way to eat during a stopover. And that moroccan bbq looks really yummy, I want to try it myself. And for the portion, I think the price is cheap.
That is the best road side meal ever, So cool how they have it set up and looks awesome. And you get bread!
Wow. That’s probably the best looking roadside meal I’ve seen! Presentation game is on point.
Thank you! It was really delicious also. I was much impressed with it for a roadside meal.
Since I am from India, I am quite used to seeing meat hanging out in the butcher’s stall as the system is similar here. People prefer fresh meat and want to see if the butcher is being honest with them or not, great write up on Moroccan BBQ. It’s highly underrated, the cuisine is much more than tagines and couscous!
What part of India are you from? I spent 6 weeks in India but it’s such a huge country I feel like I barely saw any of it. Many people there were vegetarians. The food in India is some of the best in the world.
Thank you! I appreciate you saying that.
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