Vada Pav....pride of Mumbai

 I am a Mumbai brand of street food since 1966, celebrating it's 55th year....I Am

"VADA PAV”   

It was a time when south Indian restaurants were under stress from locals. Not eating idli dosa required an option and there the germ of my existence took birth. Shri Balasaheb Thackeray appealed to Maharashtrians to become entrepreneurs the way South Indians had by setting up Udupi restaurants. Dadar the hub of "marathi manus" was my birth place. Ashok Vaidya first introduced Vada pav at Dadar....the first mashed potato ball mixed with chilli, garlic, spices and coriander was made, dipped in besan (gram flour batter with added soda-bi-carb for puffy look) and lightly slid in hot oil for deep frying. 

The golden yellow colour that I took to was the gift of Ashok.

That day till today I have been satisfying the hunger not only of crores of Mumbaikar's but I flew n spread all over India and in foreign countries like UK, Middle East and became a part of Indian snack menu.

Today I am among top five popular street foods and if, while on the streets someone feels hungry at odd times many times it's 'Me' who they remember...." "चलो वडा पाव खाते हैं".

For the poor or labourer or salesperson or  person short on cash I, The Vada Pav is what they look forward to calm their hungry tummies.

The moment I dive in the kadhai or frier, my aroma pulls the young n old, rich n poor like pier piper and they can't resist to take a bite. They line up, scramble, wait patiently for their turn but don't give up till they cradle me in the paper plates with hot spicy red coconut dry chutney.....and यम्म्म आहाहा sounds are made while I am slowly, lovingly and sometimes hurriedly gorged upon accompanied by hot Tea (Chai) 

Stalls, restaurants have become popular only selling me..... मामा काणे at Dadar, रमाकांत at Khopoli, Diwadkar at Karjat station, दत्त snacks at panvel (all these since 1970), shri Krishna Batatavada  near Chabbildas, Batatawada Samrat in Santacruz. I was always available at all railway stations            throughout Maharashtra, at every nook n corner of Mumbai. My popularity continues Ashok Vadapav near kirti college, Anand Vada Pav outside Mithibai College in Mumbai and all over Maharashtra with"जोशी वडेवाले", Foodmall on Mumbai Pune Expressway, Jumbo King ...it's an unending list.

Be it a light morning bite or a evening snack with office colleagues or a "वडापाव चाय" party   I am affordable for all pockets. 

You will be amazed that the star Hotels cash on my "Mumbai Vada Pav" name in thier menu by charging anything between Rs.300 to Rs.450, the foreign tourist happily enjoying Me! With the change in cuisine trends I am being sold as deconstructed Vada Pav and I was amazed at the innovation...spiced mashed potato , garlic chutney in starch pouch, cooked besan mix all to be mixed and spread on pav and eat. It did taste 90% like Vada Pav.

Some broad recipe outlines of my different variations (besan coating same)

1.Original - potato, ginger garlic, green chilli, corriander, turmeric.

2. Highway - same as above with addition of dhania jeera powder and curry leaves.

3. Green masala - corriander, green chilli, garlic, mustard seeds, curry leaves. 
4. Home style - potato, ginger garlic, green chilli, corriander, turmeric, mustard seeds.

Shapes can be round ball or flat patty. Deep fried.

I, VADA PAV thanks millions of fans across the globe for being with me. Jai Maharashtra !