‘The Queen of Suburbs’ is renowned for its bustling streets and is a perfect host to Portuguese architecture, sea promenades, street shopping, luxury boutiques, cafes, graffiti but the view of Bandra’s streets is incomplete rather colourless without popular street food stalls situated at every nook and corner, quintessentially attracting gourmands and adds much-needed masala to our lives. Street food is your ideal partner to reap the benefit of famous ‘Mumbai Rains’, chilling with friends or just tired after elaborate shopping as it is pocket friendly and full of flavours.
Rajender Medu Vada – Steaming hot idlis along with crispy, fluffy, delicious medu vada are popular South Indian breakfast items savoured with coconut chutney and sambhar. Rajender adds, “I sell idlis, medu vada, dal vada for the past 20 years. Customers come back for my chutney. Medu vada is the best seller and is priced at Rs 35 per plate”.
Where: Outside Amarsons, Linking Road, Bandra West
Jay Sandwich – Bombay sandwich is a popular snack which dates back to history. A plump toast loaded with veggies, green chutney, butter often toasted on coals in cast-iron maker blends well with the rush of the city as it is quick to assemble. Jay Sandwich for the past 32 years is serving college students & others offer a variety of sandwiches. Cheese Masala Toast is famous with patrons.
Where: Near National College, Bandra West
Rampal Yadav Bhel & Sev puri – Aromatic spices, tangy chutneys offer our palate a symphony of exotic flavours and textures. Rampal Yadav says, “I offer bhel puri and sev puri from years, the patronage is passed to me by my father. Sev puri is priced at Rs 40”.
Where: Nargis Dutt Road, Bandra West
Ranjeet Pani Puriwala – Of all the chaats, pani puri occupies a special place in every Indian hearts. Crispy puri filled with chickpeas, potato, tangy tamarind sauce and spiced pudina water. Ranjit adds, “Pani puri, Dahi puri, Masala puri, Bhel puri are my fast-selling items. The price ranges from Rs 20-40.”
Time: 3:30 – 9:30 pm
Where: Junction of Perry Road & St Andrews Road, Bandra West
Savita Chimbaikar’s Puri Bhaji – Piping hot puris right from kadai with mildly spiced aloo bhaji are sold by Savita Chimbaikar along with popular Maharashtrian breakfast items like upma, sheera, poha, paratha, etc. all priced at Rs 15. Ghar jaisa khana makes her unique.
Time: 7:30 – 11:30 am
Where: Opposite Usha Hotel, Chimbai Road, Bandra West
Bharti Chimbaikar’s Vada Pav – It is synonymous with the city of Mumbai, from factory workers to Bollywood stars all relish its taste. Fried potato patties squeezed in pav with chutneys are on the go snack. Bharti Chimbaikar says, “I make vada pav and various types of bhajiyas, spiced with 3 different chutneys chilliesnied by fried green chilies, everything ranges from Rs 6-15”.
Time: 5 – 9 pm
Where: Outside Usha Hotel, Chimbai Road, Bandra West
Ramu Dosa has been crown jewels of South Indian cuisine. Many variants of this flattened rice pancake are developed over time. Ramu says, “We offer 26 varieties of dosa for the past 20 years. The best seller being Jini Dosa, Mysore Masala & Chilli Cheese. It can be customized with cheese or paneer.”
Time: 5 – 12 pm
Price: Rs 80-140
Where: Gagangiri Apartment, Khau Galli, Bandra West
Momo Station – One street food which is pan Indian and has caught up everyone fancy is momos. Steamed dumplings filled with minced chicken, herbs and spices with spicy red chutney attracts food enthusiasts. Sunil Nandvikar adds, “I sell momos from 2012. Both veg and non-veg variety are available. Spinach corn & cheese is the best seller in veg and chicken Chowringhee in non-veg. Price ranges from Rs 80-100”.
Time: 5:30 pm – 12:30 am
Where: Gagangiri Apartment, Khau Galli, Bandra West
Raj Kulfi – One dish that aids us to relive our childhood memories is kulfi. A rich, creamy and milky dose of happiness on a stick. Raj Kumar adds, “We serve 7-8 flavours of kulfi for the past 50 years. Pista, kesar and malai are finished in no time”.
Time: 7 pm – 12 am
Where: Opp. Bank of India, Turner Road, Bandra West
Satish Sugarcane Juice – This instant energy booster is from freshly squeezed sugarcanes quenches our thirst in hot summer days, is great for digestion too. Satish sells various juices from many years but sugarcane juice tops the chart and is priced at Rs 25.
Where: Outside Elco Market, Hill Road, Bandra West
All street vendors were affected by the pandemic and were shut for months have reopened now and many do follow good hygiene, so come on foodies grab your bite!!
