Snacking On Jangpura’s Most Famous Ham Sandwiches

“Oh, do you want Novelty?”, a friend asked me hurriedly before hanging up the phone. I cannot tell you how disappointed she was when I told her, quite honestly, that I had no idea what that was. Determined to prove a point, she hung up and walked up to me an hour later with a plain box in her hand and a defiant look in her eyes. “Tell me these aren’t the best sandwiches you’ve ever eaten,” she challenged me. This was a year ago and since this fateful encounter (and tasting) I haven’t had a better sandwich. And there’s a large group of foodies in Delhi that wholeheartedly agree.

Novelty Dairy & Stores in Jangpura is a 59-year-old grocery store (or kirane ki dukaan) with a couple of secrets. Prepared at the back of the store, Novelty sandwiches have gained popularity solely by word of mouth and loyalists keep coming back to the tiny establishment for a taste of their non-vegetarian preparations. Their selection is limited to tuna, chicken ham and pork ham (my favourite is the chicken ham) but they’re all so good, nobody feels the need for more diversity. A generous helping of butter and their secret sauce, a mayonnaise that’s prepared in-house, a meaty filling between the fluffiest slices of white bread you’ve ever eaten–these deserve a place on the ‘Snack Hall Of Fame’. Whether you’re hankering for a quick bite between running errands or you skipped lunch again, these sandwiches will keep you going (and dreaming about them) for a long time after the last bite. For a truly uplifting experience, pair them with a bottle of Novelty’s delicious cold coffee. Those who live close enough to Birbal Road Market can even have these heavenly sandwiches home delivered but honestly I’ve never regretted making the journey especially to pick them up.

I wipe away the bit of drool that’s starting to collect at the corner of my mouth at the thought of Novelty’s perfect sandwiches, and think of home. I’ve eaten many a sandwich, in many a city, but this fuss-free, humble and hearty creation trumps them all. If you’re around, get a plate right now and celebrate the art of sandwich-making with Novelty Dairy & Stores.

Where: Shop No. 43, Birbal Road, Opp. Post Office, Jungpura Extension, Jangpura

Price: Rs. 80 for a plate of chicken sandwiches