I am probably the world's biggest fan of kebabs and kebab rolls and frankies and Holy Crap, I'm craving the tangy, crunchy, spicy, stuffed goodness already...
Point being. I love the stuff, but I am also very demanding of my rolls. And I have noticed that my side of town is rather roll-friendly. Which made me want to proclaim the beauties of the hidden roll-vendors as far and wide as I possibly could do.
Obviously, we have BADEMIYA'S rolls. I mean, you can't ignore the man, he does brave the late hours and provide us with yummy nourishment. Personally, I also believe that the man might charge a tad more for his rolls than is strictly required. Also, his marketing gimmick is beyond unfair. You don't waft the scent of succulent meats cooking at your customer and then charge them. But I will still eat from Bade's when I'm flush. You can't beat his beautifully cooked and marinated meat. There was a time when he also sold beef, but that time was well over 5 years ago. Or is it 6?
Anyway. Diagonally opposite him, we have GOKUL'S HEALTHY BITES. One tends to ignore him in the mad rush towards Gokul's and towards the cigarette shop which flank it. But when you relax a little or get drunk enough, the realisation hits that there is one Healthy Bites there to eat from. Who is marginally cheaper than Bade's. Who also makes one helluva roll. Long-term popularity stands as proof of this; I am not shooting my mouth off about this, mind you. His combinations are not strictly tandoori roll combinations, but they taste amazing enough for you to forgive them their sins.
I cannot be talking about rolls and not mention TIBB'S FRANKIES. Situated in a little Parsi eatery; Aga Brothers, this little stall has been serving up amazing frankies for a long time. However, recently (I mean, like, a couple years ago), the man who used to make the most phenomenal frankies has left and been replaced by some cranky woman. Now because of the inherent brilliance of the ingredients of the frankies, the taste doesn't suffer. I merely miss a time gone by when they were amazing and tasted like the guy who made them really liked making rolls. I know it's a ridiculous thought, but that's what it is, okay!
Oh and there is also PICCADILLY'S. I am well aware that a Shawarma is not a roll in the sense that a tikka-roll is a roll. However, it is a Lebanese roll. Now deal with it. So Piccadilly serves some pretty great shawarmas. Stuffed beyond belief, really consistently rich tastes and it really feels good to eat. Also, hello... So healthy! I mean, it's not even fried!
Can I count the bhurji-pav/omelette-pav guy at the Gokul's corner as a roll place? You know what, why not? It's a loose definition, but it'll do for the purpose (which is that someone goes out there and eats the food the good man is creating). So the anda-pav guy. He makes a mean masala-scranbled eggs (for those who don't know, that is the definition of a 'bhurji') and omelette. It's the perfect pre/post-alcohol meal. Leaves your funds intact either for the booze or for many other outings in the month.
Maybe it's the feeling of being outdoors and eating something that's been freshly prepared for you in front of your eyes. Maybe it's the camaraderie you share with the other hungry people around you. Maybe it's the lovely, wafting smells of many spices (and probably a ton of dirt, but who cares, it's all getting cooked)...
Either way, these food-makers are my all-time favourites. Despite the high costs, I end up revisiting. And again and again and again...
Aah, now I want some of everything!
Point being. I love the stuff, but I am also very demanding of my rolls. And I have noticed that my side of town is rather roll-friendly. Which made me want to proclaim the beauties of the hidden roll-vendors as far and wide as I possibly could do.
Obviously, we have BADEMIYA'S rolls. I mean, you can't ignore the man, he does brave the late hours and provide us with yummy nourishment. Personally, I also believe that the man might charge a tad more for his rolls than is strictly required. Also, his marketing gimmick is beyond unfair. You don't waft the scent of succulent meats cooking at your customer and then charge them. But I will still eat from Bade's when I'm flush. You can't beat his beautifully cooked and marinated meat. There was a time when he also sold beef, but that time was well over 5 years ago. Or is it 6?
Anyway. Diagonally opposite him, we have GOKUL'S HEALTHY BITES. One tends to ignore him in the mad rush towards Gokul's and towards the cigarette shop which flank it. But when you relax a little or get drunk enough, the realisation hits that there is one Healthy Bites there to eat from. Who is marginally cheaper than Bade's. Who also makes one helluva roll. Long-term popularity stands as proof of this; I am not shooting my mouth off about this, mind you. His combinations are not strictly tandoori roll combinations, but they taste amazing enough for you to forgive them their sins.
I cannot be talking about rolls and not mention TIBB'S FRANKIES. Situated in a little Parsi eatery; Aga Brothers, this little stall has been serving up amazing frankies for a long time. However, recently (I mean, like, a couple years ago), the man who used to make the most phenomenal frankies has left and been replaced by some cranky woman. Now because of the inherent brilliance of the ingredients of the frankies, the taste doesn't suffer. I merely miss a time gone by when they were amazing and tasted like the guy who made them really liked making rolls. I know it's a ridiculous thought, but that's what it is, okay!
Oh and there is also PICCADILLY'S. I am well aware that a Shawarma is not a roll in the sense that a tikka-roll is a roll. However, it is a Lebanese roll. Now deal with it. So Piccadilly serves some pretty great shawarmas. Stuffed beyond belief, really consistently rich tastes and it really feels good to eat. Also, hello... So healthy! I mean, it's not even fried!
Can I count the bhurji-pav/omelette-pav guy at the Gokul's corner as a roll place? You know what, why not? It's a loose definition, but it'll do for the purpose (which is that someone goes out there and eats the food the good man is creating). So the anda-pav guy. He makes a mean masala-scranbled eggs (for those who don't know, that is the definition of a 'bhurji') and omelette. It's the perfect pre/post-alcohol meal. Leaves your funds intact either for the booze or for many other outings in the month.
Maybe it's the feeling of being outdoors and eating something that's been freshly prepared for you in front of your eyes. Maybe it's the camaraderie you share with the other hungry people around you. Maybe it's the lovely, wafting smells of many spices (and probably a ton of dirt, but who cares, it's all getting cooked)...
Either way, these food-makers are my all-time favourites. Despite the high costs, I end up revisiting. And again and again and again...
Aah, now I want some of everything!
