WHY...
When I finished my military service—a period as unforgettable as it was unnecessary—I knew without a doubt that I wanted to strike out on my own. And that’s how the idea was born to open a café called the DIPLODOCUS. Although everyone would soon just call it “El Diplo,” because, as they say, brevity is always best.
It was a place where you could find combo plates, hamburgers, and specialty sandwiches. We also served fresh juices to suit every taste: with milk, with or without alcohol, depending on how adventurous you were feeling that day.
But over time, beer took center stage. The 10-liter mugs shared among groups of friends became a true icon. We even broke the record at the time: 2,000 beers in a single day. It was quite a spectacle. The place was buzzing with energy and good vibes (ah, the magic of alcohol…).
French fries and the trip to Belgium
And how could I not mention my beloved French fries. On my first trip through Europe in my first car—an R4 (the legendary “four cans”) bought secondhand and louder than a Cold War jet engine—I discovered that in Belgium, french fries were practically a religion.
Back when fast-food chains hadn't yet arrived here ,, at Diplo we were already serving them with a generous spoonful of homemade mayonnaise that I made myself, with real eggs, lots of love, and a little bit of the good kind of cholesterol. They were so irresistible that on weekends, the lines were almost a mile long
The Beginnings and the New Chapter: La Brasa del Diplo...docus
But it wasn't easy: few tools, little money, and no experience. That said, we had hope and a whole lot of enthusiasm. In fact, I did the renovation work on the space myself.
It was in 1983 that the Diplo opened its doors. Those were intense years, full of stories that have remained etched in the memories of many people… especially those of us who’ve had gray hair for quite some time now (those of us lucky enough to have them, of course).
Now, together with my son Gener, we wanted to revive that spirit and bring it to our beloved town by opening the restaurant LA BRASA DEL DIPLO…DOCUS: a restaurant serving delicious grilled cuisine made with quality ingredients, designed so that everyone can enjoy themselves at a leisurely pace, savoring unique flavors and sharing good times, whether alone or in good company. A place you can trust, where you’ll feel well taken care of and enjoy the best experience.
We've set out to make the best charcoal-grilled chicken in Lleida and to be the second-best charcoal-grilled restaurant in the province. Which isn’t too shabby, is it?
We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it. Because it’s part of our family DNA.
Well then… so be it!
With sincere thanks,
Gener Romeu & Gener Romeu Jr.
