I entered St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai as a bright-eyed, 16-year-old. I left the college as a slightly disillusioned 21-year-old. Don’t worry, this is not a sob story. The very opposite, in fact. I have many fond memories from college including the people I met there over half a decade, and its splendid architecture.
My friend circle wasn’t the only thing that expanded in college though, it was my palette too. Since food is such an essential part of how we interact with a place, I want to talk about some of my favourite snacks available in and around college. All of these were available in the canteen or in close proximity to my college:
Anna’s Egg Burma
Just as St. Xavier’s College is an institution, so was Anna. Google tells me his name is Uday Shetty, but no-one called him that. His side of the canteen serving desi, home-cooked meals was a constant source of comfort for me (even though I very much lived at home).
His famed egg Burma sandwich was known for its mouthwatering combo of bread, eggs, finely-diced onions and spices. I am glad it helped me get over my ridiculous, caste-based preference for vegetarian food. The special Maggi and sheera Anna served were also yummy and filling.
Dilli Chaat
I am not sure such a thing exists outside Mumbai, or the St. Xavier’s College canteen even. Whatever be the case, this tangy goodness with aloo and chana was my go-to from the chaat counter. It was a curd-based one and I always asked for an extra dollop and more papdi.
Given that I was a regular, I was always readily obliged. I don’t know why but it felt like such an accomplishment when I first realised that the chaat wale bhaiya already knew my order before I could even ask for anything.
Chocolate Sandwich
There was once a sandwich man, who would sell many kinds of sandwiches behind the second gate of college. The main gate would be open, but the other one was used rarely and almost always shut. He would set up shop beside it and pass neatly packed sandwiches through the railings of the metal gate.
His chocolate sandwich was a favourite of mine, and many others, because he would melt a good, ol’ Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bar and spread it between buttery, toasted bread. Then he would cut it into four, neat pieces and wrap it up in a silver foil. I remember gobbling it up hungrily as I hated sharing my chocolate sandwich.
Roadside Ganne Ka Juice
There is nothing like a cold glass of sugarcane juice, nimboo maar kay, to quench one’s thirst and revive one’s spirits, on a humidly hot day. There is a small shop selling ganne ka juice on the footpath adjacent to the college. Its sweet taste was only matched by its sweet price, as one could opt for a smaller glass at a reduced price.
Kyani’s Keema Pao
Kyani’s was not the only Irani joint near my college, but it is certainly one of the best ones to have stood the test of time.
Its waiters took their job seriously and made you wait endlessly. You had to be friends with one of them or somehow manage to catch their eye, before they finally made their way to your table. Also, they would waste no time in asking you to leave if you were being loud or keeping new customers waiting.
With mirrors all around and old furniture, sitting my butt down at Kyani’s would instantly transport me to an older Bombay. Their keema pao, bhurjee pao, bun maska and egg rolls have given me life after many-a-terrible hangovers, ngl.
I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I liked their caramel custard, still do! More adventurous friends of mine would call for their raspberry soda when the mood struck them.
Police Canteen’s Batata Vadas
This place acquired the name because a lot of cops would visit it to eat there. Officially, its name is Grant House, but no-one calls it that. It’s small, homely and reasonably-priced.
From Andhra chicken to Malvani fish, they served a mixed fare, and so, it’s hard to peg the place down as this or that. They are known for their keema pao too, though I would usually go there to munch on their snacks such as batata vadas (potato fritters) with some chai.
Cannon’s Pao Bhaji
Haters will say Sardar’s pao bhaji is the best, but I don’t care because Cannon has a special place in my heart. It was always busy, always bustling. Its location (right opposite CST station) ensured a heavy footfall throughout the day. Customers would queue up horizontally as its staff kept serving all of us, as and when we asked for more.
I was always fascinated by its massive, circular pan with paos carefully stacked, on top of each other. A man would douse them in butter and hand it over to the nearest tai, who would then bring it to the customer’s plate.
Last but not the least, a special mention to Ahar’s onion uttapam and Mao’s chopsuey. Let me know in the comments below if you have visited any of these places, or had any of these dishes.