Olé! Spain Delishop is open in Santa Ana

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When a friend in Orange County alerted me that Olé! Spain Delishop had opened in Santa Ana, I made a note to check it out next time I was nearby. Over the weekend, I had the chance to visit the spare, simple cafe and shop.

Shelves are lined with hard-to-find products imported from Spain — nyora peppers (essential for an authentic romanesco sauce), olives, anchovies, olive oils, vinegars, saffron, paprika, paella rice, beans, nougat, cookies and more. There’s a case of imported cheeses carefully marked, Spanish soft drinks, bottled sangría and at the very back of the space, a refrigerated case stuffed with all sorts of Spanish charcuterie, most from La Espagnola Meats in Harbor City. You can pick up jamon serrano, butifarra, Vic sausage, Pamplona chorizo and many more examples of Spain’s extensive sausage and chorizo repertoire.

A board lists bocatas (Spanish-style sandwiches) — and they’re terrific. Made on a perfect crusty loaf, “La Española” features jamon serrano, dry-cured sausage, Manchego cheese and velvety piquillo peppers, while the ‘Catalana’ loads on Vic sausage, Pamplona chorizo and butifarra sausage. All of the five sandwiches on offer come with olives and capers.

Owners Sarah and Javier Bañuelos also have a few tapas and make a traditional tortilla, the Spanish omelet laced with potato, to order.

All in all, a fine spot for a quick lunch or to pick up Spanish ingredients for a recipe.

Olé! Spain Delishop, 136 W. MacArthur Blvd. (at Main Street), Santa Ana; (714) 966-1087; www.olespaindelishop.com. Open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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-- S. Irene Virbila
Twitter.com/sirenevirbila