It was with as much cuation as walking on ice that I agreed to the suggestion of visiting the mehana, Dedo Kotse. Whilst I had heard good reports, I am notoriously fussy when in comes to the oft touted (‘scuse pun) delights of a Banako mehana.
But today, I am so enthusiastic about Dedo Kotse mehana (restaurant) that I am sitting down and writing about that this gem of a mehana. I never recommend anything I don’t personally enjoy.
After two visits I have to reveal why I came back to Dedo Kotse
Downtown stroll
Dedo Kotse, Pork, peppers and potatoes
It is with some concern that with new restauramts being built up by the ice rink that fewer people seem to be making the stroll into town this season. The small streets off Pirin street and the sweet smells of real fires and home cooking and remind us all that we are in Bansko.
And happy to be here.
Walking past the Church square and onto the main square over to the far side you’ll see Dedo Kotse, next to a cafe. On fine days, you’ll see people outside on the tables taking shade under the wooden porch. People watching the many passers by.
Warmth of welcome
sharing... Dedo Kotse
A warm welcome and on my first visit we sat in a nice cosy enclave; next to a lively group of Bulgarian families on the adjoining table. To our right it turned out there were a couple of English guys. Already on their main course, they were settling into the evening with that post piste glow.
Or was it the beers?
No matter — they were happy. They had just stumbled into Dedo Kotse and were happy for sure.
Not so for a Norwegian group in the other corner. Enquiring, how come they come to Dedo Kotse the reply being “we always come here, love it”
And it’s not just the food that brings them here, more on this later.
Food is good
Sometimes I don’t have the energy to study a menu, and tonight was one of those nights. On both occasions we did not study the menu for long — we just asked for starters and a taste of the main course specialities. This turned out to be a sound idea.
The mix of salad of goats cheese, yoghurt cucumber mix and peppers made for a perfect dipping pleasure. Superb garlic bread.
Initial pangs of hunger now satiated.
The main specialities were a pork and peppers mix and yesterday’s lamb was sensational. Succulent falling off the bone.
Price is good
So whilst the quality was good, we were expecting to pay proper money for the quality. But on both visits we were left with a bill of approx. 24 lev a head. This price included drinks (Zagorka beer), a cabbage salad and soup as well as starter and mains. Our evening visit saw flaming rakia for all. Nice touch.
Post boarding/skiing hunger ordering here. Normal appetites the bill would have been less.
A veritable bargain.
Overall rating
Dedo Kotse, flaming rakia
My overall rating of 19/20 takes into account the value for money, service and food. The evening guitarist is a real pro and plays popular rock classics.
Superb fun when taking a group of friends.
This is not haute cuisine but simple Bansko food and fresh ingredients in place that you feel immediately at home in.
Open all year.
Address: Nikola Vaptsarov Square, 3
Tel: +359 899 981 890
Email: mehana_pri_dedo_kotce@abv.bg
Which is your favourite Bansko mehana? Please comment below.
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