The busy road leading towards Car Street is difficult to navigate. But amidst the noise and hustling of vehicles on a narrow street, the smell of fried food makes it a must-go destination for foodies in Mangalore.
Home to the city’s Goud Saraswat Brahmin community, the road is a hotchpotch of things that form the city’s gastronomy tradition: Biscuit Rotti, Podi, Chattambade, Pathrode, all crisp, crunchy and tongue tickling.
Terming it the home of street food, K. Ajith Kumar, of ‘Hungry Forever’ a food-reviewing group says, “Deep fried food is tasty. The menu changes according to the season and suits the local palates.”
Among the most famous joints is Rajesh Baliga. ‘Balli’s Podi’ that has been in Car street for three decades, and has been featured in the popular tv show Highway on my plate .
“Baliga is the Badshah of Car Street,” says Pratheek Kotian, a regular customer, who chomps on the delicacies. This is the usual scene at every joint on the street While Jackline Noronha makes it a point to take her Dubai-based cousins to the street for a slice of the city – Zoologist Ganesh Pai says the food here was both suchi and ruchi (clean and tasty).
Even when Western Fast food chains are coming up across the city, Car Street seems to be getting more popular by the day. U. Ganesh Prasad Shenoy, a hotelier says, “Earlier, these snacks were prepared at home. However, with people following busy schedules and with the products being easily available in the shops, preparing it at home has been reduced…the demand ensures that the eateries are open throughout the day.”
