From the ever popular tikkas and tandooris to the chocolate-plated golas, we bring you some of the best (and quickest) bites in the westcoast
Mumbaikars are always on the lookout for that perfect bite on the go. Our penchant for all things flavoursome, convenient and pocket friendly is second to none. And while it's assumed that every food joint maintains acceptable hygiene standards, the reality is well a bit distorted. So, join us on a tour across westcoast to sample some of the most delightful and interesting fare available, albeit with a focus on hygiene.
Perpetually donned in white, Dubey Mewalal cuts a serene figure in the dwindling light of dusk. Serving crispy, piping hot jalebis since 1984, his tiny stall has been my greatest discovery. One can savour a pack of 250 grams of jalebis for a meagre Rs. 40. To ensure quality and hygiene at his stall, Mewalal chooses to offer only one item on his menu. "I prepare everything from scratch and in a limited quantity, and I never sell leftovers, as jalebis lose their flavour within six hours," he explains, beaming with pride.
Where: Near Mumbai Tawa, Esic Nagar, Andheri (W)
On a sunny holiday, it is a common sight to watch kids and their parents revel in flavoursome golas at this popular haunt. Ranging from Rs. 40 to Rs. 80, the menu at Gogola offers more than 20 variations of golas, kulfis, milkshakes and much more. Butterscotch gola (Rs. 60), mango malai gola (Rs. 70) and creamy chocolate plated gola (Rs. 80) are Gogola's bestsellers.
Sachin Jain's Gogola was set up in 2008 with the idea of treating Mumbaikars with traditional yet hygienic golas. Biswajit Seal, Associate Director, Gogola, informs, "Our flavours are healthy, fruit based and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) certified." He adds, "We use only bottled water and make golas with gloves on."
Where: 16th and 30th Road Junction, Palinaka, Bandra (W)
When Rajinder Singh, a retired navy officer, was awarded a stall on Linking Road by the Government of India, he landed up with the perfect opportunity to showcase his love for food. And that's how Jai Jawan was born.
Today, Jai Jawan has branches in Khar and Lokhandwala, which are popular midnight eateries. Its biggest crowd-pullers are the Punjabi Fish Fry, Punjabi Prawns Fry, Tandoori Chicken (Rs. 150 for half size) and Paneer Tikka. Megha Iyer, a Lokhandwala resident, says, "Never have I experienced stale food at J.J. The butter chicken is an absolute must try." When we inquired into the hygiene and freshness factors at Jai Jawan, pat came the reply, "We buy fresh ingredients every day for the masala (a family secret) in which we marinate the meat. Never do we use the same masala the following day. During monsoon, we use frozen fish and prawns due to lack of fresh ones," explains Gurdish Singh, son of Rajinder Singh.
Where: Anand Hi Anand, Royal Accord Building, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri; Linking Road, Bandra (W); 14th Road, Khar (W)
Offering sumptuous and high-quality Indian food on the streets, Mumbai Tawa is often described as having a relaxed yet professional service. "Mumbai Tawa offers clean, hygienic food that can be relished on the streets. What more does a Mumbaikar want?" asks Shikha Dhar, an Andheri resident. Their kathi rolls and biryani are the most sold items. "We concentrate on hard core live cooking where customers can witness the hygiene standards themselves," informs Amit Verma, Director, Mumbai Tawa.
Where:Next to D. N. Nagar Police Station, Andheri (W); 7 Bungalows, JP Road, Versova; Near Bhoomi Classic, Link Road, Malad (W)
Ajay Pal along with his six friends started the business of serving homemade kulfis five years ago. "The kulfi is cooked for about four-five hours, refrigerated for another five hours and then sold within two days," Pal shares. Today, their humble cart offers blissful flavours like Choco Chip (Rs. 25) and Kesar Pista (Rs. 30). "Mango and strawberry kulfis at Pal's are our go-to desserts," says Nidhi Golecha, a MHADA resident.
Where: Opposite Heera Panna Mall, Oshiwara
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