To provide some context for the story I'm about to tell, I need to explain why a white Anglo-Saxon…read moreProtestant from the beautiful state of Kentucky came to find himself in the tropical paradise known as Puerto Rico.
I happen to be a member of a church, which I will not name, in my home state. Said church happened to be providing a one-week youth mission trip with a reputable Christian organization. I was on that trip.
It was the fifth night of our journey when my group walked into a restaurant, the sign above the door displaying the name "Metropol" in bold lettering. This establishment was night and day compared to the first restaurant we happened to dine at. To start, Metropol's interior design was elegant--dark colors, well-placed lighting, and walls tastefully adorned with photos and artwork of the island's various attractions.
By contrast, Vaca Brava (located in Old San Juan) was rowdy, reminiscent of a Texas Roadhouse in the most unaesthetic and tasteless way imaginable. Other differences included the wait time, prices, and food quality, all of which were significantly better at Metropol.
It was within the walls of Metropol that I had the fourth life-changing dining experience of my life, and the most spectacular detail is this: it wasn't even my food.
No, though the dish I ordered (in fluent Spanish) was worthy of five stars, the sandwich that changed my life was ordered by Xavier. Any additional information about Xavier is irrelevant to the story. All you need to know is that, for the low price of five dollars, Xavier sold me a fairly large piece of el sandwich de bistec--a sandwich listed only in Spanish and tucked away in the "Special" section of the menu.
I truly believe that if I were to detail the full breadth and depth of the flavor that entered my body the moment my teeth punctured that soft bread, I would need to write more than any man has ever written. The combination of steak, cheese, and who knows what else that lay within the masterpiece I was tasting was enough to convince me that it could not have been crafted by human hands, no matter how gifted. No, this sandwich was something else entirely--something I can only describe as divine.
One bite was enough to make me close my eyes and sink back into my chair. The world fell still around me, and suddenly, everything was dark.
I drifted through this void for what felt like hours before noticing something bright swiftly approaching. As it drew nearer, I realized what it was: me. Or rather, me before entering Metropol. I watched myself for hours as I went about my daily tasks, living the only life I had ever known.
This vision of myself gradually began to fade, quickly giving way to what I can only imagine was my future self. In that moment, I realized that everything in my life had been leading up to this experience and that everything in my future had been decided by the simple fact that my youth leader chose to take us to this specific restaurant.
When I finally floated back into the body of my former self, there was no food left on my plate.
I will never forget this place. It has changed my life, and I hope it changes the life of whosoever happens to stumble upon this review.
Overall, pretty good food and fast service. Five stars.
