Sep 15, 2014 12:48 PM
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Vada Pav – What most looking from outside would call the Indian Burger. And they would be right. At the same time, they would be wrong. A burger is a burger. But what sets the vada pav apart is the soft fluffy pav bun, which no burger can match, and the vada itself – tangy, spicy with each bite. Not to mention the chillies which burn, in a good way. So how come it’s only been the preserve of street side carts of dubious hygiene standard till today?
Well, that’s what the founders of Goli Vada Pav must have thought as well, and they were right, for their business chain is now worth more than Rs. 200 crores.
Where you find them and the outlets
Goli Vada Pav outlets I have seen in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. But they are there in more than 150 cities. I have mostly seen them as kiosks or small hole in the wall outlets, with no option for seating. I guess they did this to keep the prices down, but in some places, the garbage bin is within close vicinity of the kitchen, and casts a bad impression of the hygiene levels. But hey, at least it is no more than your local neighbourhood food cart, right?
The Range – More Burger than Vada Pav
The range of Goli Vada Pav consists of 7-10 vada pavs(depending upon location). They also sell soft drinks and different flavoured kulfis as well. Having only tried their vada pav offerings, my review is restricted to those items in the menu.
First, a proviso; Goli Vada Pav’s vada pav’s are closer to the McDonald’s McAloo Tikki burger or KFC Pototo Krisper than they are to the traditional vada pav. For starters, they do not use the pav bun, but rather, a typical burger bun. The patties are also somewhat generic and fast food-ish. Still, they hope to differentiate themselves via the different sauces and types of patties available. Also, given that it’s a Vada Pav place, all the items are vegetarian.
1. Classic Vada Pav(Rs. 25) – The cheapest item on the menu and also the best. While it does come in a normal bun, the patty at least bears a resemblance to the traditional vada, in terms of taste. The level of spiciness is good, and you can augment it with the fried chillies they keep at most outlets(I must mention, in the open).
2. Mix Veg Vada Pav(Rs. 40) – The McAloo Tikki Clone. Apart from the difference in sauce(Mc Aloo Tikki uses Veg Mayo while this uses chilli and imli), they pretty much taste alike. The McAloo Tikki is cheaper by Rs. 10.
3. Cheese Vada Pav(Rs. 40) – Basically the classic vada pav with a slice of cheese. Kids my like this. I don’t.
4. Cheese Mixed Veg Vada Pav(Rs. 55) – Same as item 2, with cheese.
5. Aloo Tikki Vada Pav(Rs. 35) – The patty is like the mixed veg, but made of aloo only. Tastes like a veg burger only.
6. Schezwan Vada Pav (Rs. 35) – Combining two popular flavours, and it works in a nice, weird way. It is basically the classic with the schezwan sauce, which adds extra spiciness and nice Chinese street food flavour. Also comes with cheese(optional).
7. Masala Vada Pav(Rs. 35) – Only for the brave at heart. Basically the aloo tikka pav with extra chilli sauces. It really burns and you need to have water lose at hand. My stomach could not err… stomach it and I had stomach cramps the next day.
Conclusion
Goli Vada Pav wanted to move the vada pav away from its street origins to something more hygienic and upscale. They do succeed, and the flavours are good. But they are not fully authentic. Think of them as more of an Indian veg burger than a vada pav and you would be more accepting of them. As a quick snack on a tight budget, they make a very good option, as you can eat for less than Rs. 100. Keep in mind though, there is almost never any seating, and you can go to a McDonald’s and enjoy a McAloo Tikki Burger in a nice AC environment for the same price.
