So the plan was wake up at around seven and leave by seven-thirty and be on the hills in the next hour. But, plans rarely go like clockwork. So it was delayed by a couple of hours. And by the time the hills were in sight, we were all hungry [ even though we all had breakfast] and my cousin would not stop raving about this highway side snacks place - Shree Datta Snacks. The place on the Mumbai-Pune expressway is a detour but one you absolutely have to take.
The place is surrounded by major franchise chains - Subway, Mcdonalds, KFC - as well as other food stores. And yet, this place is full to the brim. Families laughing and dining together, friends chatting, kids running around even as others walk in - all of them munching on vada pav or digging into sabudana khichdi and misal pav. When my brother got the order, we all carried our plates to side stand and started digging into our vada pav.
You know that's when I realized something. Nobody does it like the Maharasthrians. The batata vada before would be encased with thick, doughy flour and the bread or the pav is too dense and kills any flavor that you might have from the cutlet. And, a tart chutney that would make everything unbearable.
This order from this innocuous place was so, so different. My time in Pune was a revelation. When I had the first one - my taste buds found their new addiction. I mean I was having them every other day. And then when you have from this particular place, you know you have been changed. The mashed potato is spicy and is coated with crispy besan batter. And, there is something different about the bread here. It is soft and melt in the mouth. The dish is served with a spice powder and a chilly. And, once you have taken your first bite, you really fall into it - ravenous for more.
So, when you are on the road and want something quick and portable, stop at this watering hole and have yourself this snack with a hot cup of chai. It is totally worth it.
Location: Mumbai-Pune Expressway
What to try: Vada pav, Misal Pav, Sabudana khichdi
Rating: 5/5
The place is surrounded by major franchise chains - Subway, Mcdonalds, KFC - as well as other food stores. And yet, this place is full to the brim. Families laughing and dining together, friends chatting, kids running around even as others walk in - all of them munching on vada pav or digging into sabudana khichdi and misal pav. When my brother got the order, we all carried our plates to side stand and started digging into our vada pav.
You know that's when I realized something. Nobody does it like the Maharasthrians. The batata vada before would be encased with thick, doughy flour and the bread or the pav is too dense and kills any flavor that you might have from the cutlet. And, a tart chutney that would make everything unbearable.
So, when you are on the road and want something quick and portable, stop at this watering hole and have yourself this snack with a hot cup of chai. It is totally worth it.
Location: Mumbai-Pune Expressway
What to try: Vada pav, Misal Pav, Sabudana khichdi
Rating: 5/5
A place definitely worth checking out.:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful info.! :D
http://aficionadolog.blogspot.com/
McD can keep their burgers. Nothing can beat vada pav!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that. It was awesome!
ReplyDelete