Pav Vada Contest Mumbai Winners

The results of the Pav Wow Contest was announced. Here are my opinions:


Winner
Nitin Patil, IC Colony

I am not sure whether I have had it here.
But I did have Pav Vada once on the busy street/khau gulli of IC Colony. It was quite OK -- comparable with any vada pav (hey, I think this is the correct term) you can have anywhere in Mumbai. Most vada pavs in Mumbai deserve a rating of 2.5 or less. In other words, they are all good!

1st Runner Up
Jain Sweets and Farsan, Kandivili

I have had this several times, albeit at least a year or two ago. As per the earlier note, this vada pav was no different, although the pav and the vada are slightly biggish. This is the case with most restaurants. Would rate a 2.5 and was good or pretty OK.

2nd Runner Up
Ashok Vada Pav, Kirti College, Dadar

I have had this several times over the year -- albeit, brought as a parcel. Of course, when it is not hot the taste factor just disappears. But my own feeling is that when it is hot it would deserve a 2.5.


After reading these reviews and contest don't try to find these joints. If you find a good joint in any neighbourhood, just try it. Most probably you will not be disappointed.

All of them have the same pav, the same chutney (the dry red lasoon powder), the same vada with very thickish coat, the same potato bhaji. In most places, they will give it to you hot off the oil, so they will really taste good (however, average they may be).

BTW, I regard Vada Pav as the most abominable fast food. No wonder it is called the Indian Burger. What the burger has done to USA, the Vada Pav will do to Indians -- make them all obese. In 2009, I think I had 1 vada pav! 2010 -- I am not even sure if I had a vada pav yet. In the years before 2009 -- I think I would have had an average of 1 per day!

The one at Santa Cruz East, opposite the Raheja Palace (?)/SVC Bank lane, was one of my favourite. (Not the one on the corner, but the one slightly inside on the left!) It is indeed my most memorable vada pav experience.

Karja vada pav too is quite famous and justifiably so. I do not know why, but I would give it a 2.6 or a 2.55!

Ramakant at Shil Phata, Khopoli is also famous as Ramakant or Khopoli vada pav. Here too, I would give it a 2.6 or a 2.55. Again, not sure why the bias? Hype? Too much of crowd? Always hot?

Where does Jumbo King stand in this rating? Er, 2.5 again. Or should I make it 2.6 because it offers you so many options.

What's wrong?
What's wrong with most of our vada pavs is that the bread is mostly stale, the vadas have a very thick coat, and by and large there is no real zing to the whole thing. The chutneys are the same and do not have the zing any more. I feel thicker the coat, more the oil absorbed -- so you are more prone to obesity. Why don't these guys make it paper thin? The taste would improve as you get into the bite immediately.

Innovations
At my neighbourhood bakery, they have a baked vada pav for Rs.20 a piece (it is next to the Konark Restaurant -- my favourite --Thakur Village, Kandivali East). I had expected a baked vada with the regular stuff. But this is just the potato filling within the pav! Technically, a bread roll, if you ask me. Indeed, it is a healthier version of the vada pav.

Favourite Memories of Vadas (NOT vada pavs)
Er, Happy Mother's Day, Mom. But my favourite vada was that made by my mother. Golden yellow in colour, a thinnish outer cover, and a very nice potato filling.

At Kallianpur (South Kanara), opposite RoboSoft and the Tile Factory, my best friend Ramesh (han, maska mar raha hoon -- but it is the truth) took me to a roadside vendor. I think they were priced at 0.50 paise each. I think I must have had some 25 -30 pieces. I think about 4-6 of them would make a regular vada. They were absolutely amazing in taste.

Abroad/Outside Maharastra
I don't remember having vada pavs abroad. Similarly, I do not remember having vada pavs outside Maharastra. It is called the Bombay Vada Pav and now the Mumbai Vada Pav. I am sure it should be available all over India.

If you have any favourite memories of vada pav or favourite joints let me know. Do put your comment on my Facebook page, if you are a friend.

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