It always kind of makes us cringe when the vada pav, Maharashtra’s street food staple, is flagged as the ‘Indian burger’. A combination of boiled and mashed batata or potato, herbs, chilli, ginger and garlic fried in besan or gram flour, destined to be sandwiched in the unsweetened ladi pav, complete only when the salted mirchi and lasooni chutney hit the back of your throat and make you tear up – it is quite certain that the vada pav is very much its own glorious entity. There’s even a World Vada Pav Day – we promise we’re not making this up – celebrated on August 23rd.
The Homegrown team has eaten its fair share of the bite-sized tear-jerker over the years but not nearly enough to make a strong claim. So we crowd-sourced input from just about every trusted foodie we could to come up with a list of Mumbai’s best vada pav destinations, many of which just happen to be rather famous already.
I. Kirti College Vada Pav or Ashok Vada Pav Stall
Run by Ashok Thakur, this is probably the most popular vada pav stall in the city. Located near Dadar’s Kirti college, it opened its doors to hungry folks 35 years ago after the owner wasn’t able to get a job in the navy and we doubt he ever imagined it would become such a rage. Ashok Vada Pav Stall hasn’t stopped promptly handing out vada pavs ever since. Open from 11AM to 9:30PM, they make only one type of vada pav, which they sell thousands of daily customers at Rs. 15. “I have tried to keep the same quality,” Thakur told DNA. “I use 40 materials to make the chutney and batter. And I can guarantee that I make vada pav of the highest quality.” This stall also boasts of a clientele including Shabana Azmi, Madhuri Dixit, Sonu Nigam, Jackie Shroff and Sushmita Sen, he reveals proudly.
Where: Off Cadel Road, Kirti College Lane, Prabhadevi, Mumbai-400028
II. Graduate Vada Pav
Located outside Byculla station, this small stall has been around for 17 years and is rarely spotted empty, with 2000 customers flocking to the stall daily. Their range of chutneys like chilli, garlic, coconut and tamarind, has become a perennial hit and the family-run business has been consistently catering to the fast-paced Mumbaikar’s need for a quick snack, since opening shop. “Most of our customers are in a hurry and are looking for a quick bite. If we put a proper shop, we will lose some important customers. Our main aim is to feed the people in this fast-paced city,” says Sagar Namdar, 22, nephew of Ramesh Pawar who set up the stall.
Where: Outside Byculla (West) station, South Mumbai-400008
III. Aaram Vada Pav
With a legacy of 70 years to its name, the stall fills its vadas with fried chillies and onions, boasting of a clientèle including political heavyweights like Bal Thackeray and Rajiv Gandhi. You know that if the snack from here had Balasaheb sold, this is going to be vada pav at its most authentic.
Where: Capital Cinema Building, Opposite CST Station, South Mumbai-400001
IV. Anand Vada Pav
The spicy vada pavs served piping hot here have Mumbaikars trailing in all day, with students in particular swearing by this stall located opposite Mithibai College.
Where: Opposite Mithibai College, Vile Parle West, Mumbai-400056
V. Samrat Vada Pav
Chopped coconut pieces added to the batata mix give this vada pav a twist that has customers coming back for more.
Where: Nehru Road, Parleshwar, Vile Parle East, Mumbai-400057
VI. Gajanan Vada Pav
Like Kirti Vada Pav, this stall also sticks to the original vada pav as its only dish, with a delicious chutney of besan and chillies making it the complete experience.
Where: Vishnu Nagar, Thane
VII. Jumbo King Vada Pav
We have to admire this chain of restaurants for their sheer dedication to the vada pav. Having sold their 100 millionth one in April, 2014, they have capitalized on the street food dish like no one else, since their conception in 2001 in the suburbs of Mumbai. By infusing contemporary flavours and appealing to a larger market, these guys are targeting a ‘young India, for a generation that’s always on the move’ and look forward to more ‘cities embracing vadapower’. Their 60-odd bustling stores are now located scattered over 12 cities. More ‘vadapower’ to you guys.
VIII. MM Mithaiwala
It’s hard to keep your eyes on the prize at this shop located near Malad station, but the vada pav here is extremely famous and its vantage location ensures plenty of footfalls throughout the day. Plus, the lassi here is as famous as the vada pav and it makes for a delicious and filling snack.
Where: MM Mithaiwala, Opposite Railway Station, Malad (W), Mumbai 400064.
IX. Annapurna Sweets & Farsan
The vada pav here eyes Mini Punjab across the street haughtily, with people coming in to pack bundles of the dish, with the flavourful mint chutney with chopped coconut a consistent favourite amongst patrons.
Where: Delux Mahal Building, Opposite Hotel Mini Punjab, Pali Hill, 33rd & 16th Road Junction, Bandra West, Mumbai
X. Shivaji Vada Pav
Started by a certain Mr. Nainar over three decades ago, this stall – a brand in itself – is now being run by his son, Anand Nainar. Mr Nainar has witnessed the rise of the vada pav’s price from under a rupee to the Rs 15 that it’s sold at today. Making over a thousand vada pavs a day, the stall has expanded their menu to include dosas, sandwiches and more dosas but the main attraction endures. They have even won awards, presented by Shabana Azmi and Jackie Shroff, in the past, much to Mr Nainar’s joy.
Where: Outside Mithibai college, Vile Parle West, Mumbai 400056
Words: Aditi Dharmadhikari