They’ve now become quite conspicuous by their presence on city streets. There’s a flair with which the chef spreads dosa batter on a sizzling tawa even as dozens of people reel out their orders and specifications to him on a busy night. Then there’s the chef who beams a smile through the window at his customers as he carves up some meat to make that well stuffed shawarma with just the right amount of spice and salad. The year has been all about simple, wholesome yet delicious meals dished out right on the streets of the city, courtesy the numerous food trucks and bandis that popped up this past year.
From the friendly Parathawalla and Grills in Film Nagar, Yum Stop at Jubilee Hills and Gachibowli to the number of dosa bandis and bread omelette vendors across the city there has been something on offer for every kind of foodie.
These eating hot spots seem to have hit the target spot on and at any given time of the day they are seen busy whipping up fresh food for the hungry city folk queuing up for their share; a la the food trucks celebrated on the many travel shows on television.
And for those looking for a late night snack or missed dinners the search ends with the many kiosks that appear post 11p.m. with their bondas, sandwiches, maggi and dosas.
Sure an evening in a plush restaurant with some gourmet cuisine sounds wonderful, but nothing beats the piping hot food that one can grab on the go when hard pressed for time or while trying to save a few bucks. For those looking for some North Indian fare there is Parathawalla and Grills with its variety of parathas in vegetarian and non-vegetarian fillings served with a dollop of fresh curd and pickles. The food truck that started out being stationed at Kamalapuri Colony soon relocated to Film Nagar near the temple. Run by a retired NRI, the truck offers foodies a variety of parathas, shawarmas, kathi rolls and kebabs; all freshly made by their chefs stationed at the truck.
For those looking for some slurpy sambar rice or good old noodles and chilli chicken there is Yum Stop that has two trucks stationed at Gachibowli and on Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills. The bright yellow truck with its friendly staff caters to every kind of hunger – from wholesome breakfasts to bondas for those peckish evening pangs and lunch or dinner meal cravings. The truck offers everything from idly, dosa, puri bhaaji and vadas to Chinese dishes and South Indian meals for those looking for a bite to eat.
There’s plenty on offer for even the nocturnal foodie with several dosa and omelette bandis springing up after hours; right from the IT crowd frequented DLF centre in Gachibowli to the upmarket Jubilee Hills, Secunderabad and Nampally areas. These bandis offer everything from soft and fluffy idlys to crisp bondas to a variety of dosas like butter dosa, egg dosa, cheese dosa and upma dosa among other.
All served with a generous helping of coconut and tomato chutneys. The best part – these bandis continue serving till the wee hours of the morning; perfect for those working the graveyard shift or those looking for a bit after a night of partying.
For those looking for something different there’s also several versions of maggi being dished out – egg, cheese, masala and chicken – apart from the good old bread omelette.
