10 Things I Hate About You ft. Eddie (Fast Eddie’s)
We met Eddie and chatted over tapas and drinks for our first-ever in-person Ten Things interview at Espai Puntal in El Born. Eddie runs our favourite burger spot in Barcelona (and the world), Fast Eddie’s. From the Virgin Islands, he arrived in Barcelona about a decade ago, working on yachts by day and in restaurants by night, before swapping the deckhand life for the kitchen.
During the pandemic, Eddie was broke, bored, and stuck in his flat—so, out of necessity, he started selling 20 chicken sandwiches a day. Word spread fast, and he quickly grew a cult following. Later, when a commercial space opposite the restaurant where he worked (Carlos and Matilda) became available, he struck a deal with the owner to use the kitchen while the space was empty. That’s where Fast Eddie’s really took shape, and he realised he should open a space of his own.
Cut to today, and Fast Eddie’s (founded in late 2021) is one of the city’s most beloved burger joints. He has even opened a second spot in Raval and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Eddie’s thoughts:
1. Something you're into right now
So lame, but I’m gonna say training.
2. Something you’re not into right now
Voice notes. I fucking hate them. It’s just fucking rude, it’s my pet peeve. I think it’s just an invasion of space. The only appropriate time for a voice note is 30 seconds or less.
3. Something you’re listening to at the moment
Paid In Full by Eric B. & Rakim
4. What’s your favourite drink?
Rum & Coke. It’s a bit of a teenage drink, but I just love it. We grew up drinking them, you know? It’s got to have a great amount of lime juice in there. You could just make a simple rum and Coke, and you know it would be good.
5. Who was your childhood crush?
Sporty Spice, because when I was really young, I was into sports, and she was also into sports. So it was like, she loves sports, I love sports. We have so much in common.
6. What’s your favourite restaurant in Barcelona (besides your own)?
It’s an obvious one, but I do love El Xampanyet. The food’s amazing, but also Laura, her dad, and the whole family are so hands-on and treat their regular customers well, even though they’re super busy and have a massive line always. When it comes to hospitality, they’re machines. It’s not easy to deal with that many people, keep them happy, be pumped, and make people laugh. I’m in awe of Laura and their family. The fact that it’s been the same family for almost 100 years is amazing. I also love METL and not just because they’re my friends. The quality’s just insane, and it’s just fucking tasty, man. I also get a bunch of free stuff there, so that’s not bad. We have an exchange, Juan eats burgers at mine, and I eat tacos at his.
7. One thing you can’t go without
My Omnium bike. Originally, I had another one, which I got a great deal on because my friend sold it to me. I fucking loved that bike. That one got stolen, and I never saw it again. I got a new one that also got stolen, but I got it back. It got stolen while I was away on a trip visiting my mom. I hate walking; I bike everywhere. I love biking, so I was quite depressed about it. I told the guy from MVP, the bike shop that sold it to me, that it was stolen. He said that we would get it back because it’s such a particular bike. I didn’t believe him, but he was like, “Man, we’re going to find it. We’re going to find it, bro.” So while I was in Colombia with my mom, he called me and said that he had found the bike tied to a tree about two blocks from my house. They called the cops, got the bike undone, and I got my bike back. And that’s still the same bike I’m using now.
8. Guilty pleasure
Taco Bell Crunch Supreme. It’s disgusting, it’s absolutely disgusting, but when you’re in the mood…No, it’s not even a mood. I have to be really hungover, and I have to be alone. My girlfriend’s never seen me eat it.
9. Go-to snack
I do like salt and vinegar crisps. That’s a classic. If I were in the U.S., I’d say Cool Ranch Doritos. On the island, we used to get Doritos from Puerto Rico. I don’t know what they’re doing with the Doritos because they’re covered in ‘dust’, man.
10. Last thing searched on your phone
I checked the weather in Bali.
