IMO a thorough, fair and interesting review.

I haven’t been to Ayo’s for a over a year, having being sorely disappointed on the last visit with both the paella and the service.
My ración was just cheap cuts of chicken, a whole load of rice, one medium sized prawn and a prawn’s head! My partner did not very much better.
Luck of the draw as you say, but a closer inspection of the contents of the cooking pan revealed you would have to have had a great deal of luck to fared much better, and the front of house staff had perfected the art of avoiding any eye contact with customers who wished to do anything other than pay their bill.
In the meantime Antonio (ex of Ayo’s, albeit a long time ago) had come down from the hills and had taken over the El Breine chiringuito that you mention, on Playa Playazo.
I have lost count of the times that we have been there in the last twelve months by ourselves, with family, friends and business acquaintances but one thing is for sure - we have never had any cause for complaint, or even a small whinge for that matter.
His paella is by far and away the best in the area for the price (€5.90) and the staff are both friendly and efficient.
On the strength of your review I will give Ayo another try shortly, as I have a soft spot for both the place and the man himself, developed over a 25 year association.
I’ll wait for a few weeks until the maddening crowds have gone away, and come back with my experiences then if you like.

Jon Peatey

23rd August 2008