Vadapav, the iconic snack from Mumbai that sees perfectly round shaped deep fried ‘batata vada’ that is tucked inside two pao (breads), topped with some chopped onion, green chillies, and special chutney is put in between the breads. This Vada pav in short gives the taste the real feel and taste of Mumbai.
The credit for inventing this rustic dish goes to Ashok Vaidya. Balasaheb Thackeray in 1960 appealed the Maharashtrians to be self-sufficient and be their entrepreneurs. In this whole quest Vaidya set up a stall outside Dadar Station which saw many taking that route everyday. He started with selling Vada and Poha and one day he tucked the vada in-between a Pav along with some chutney and the outcome was Mumbai’s favourite snack that we get to see Vada Pav. This became an instant hit. This snack saw an instant rice around 1970s and 80s when lot if mills around Mumbai were shutting down. Also, Late Balasaheb Thackarey happened to be an die hard Vaidya’s Vada Pav lover and was a regular customer and today August 23rd is observed as World Vada Pav Day.
Recently as Tamannaah Bhatia and director Madhur Bhandarkar start their final schedule of Babli Bouncer, she took to Instagram and posted a two picture of them having Mumbai’s favourite snack VadaPav!!
She wrote on Instagram to wrote “As #BabliBouncer wrap is inching closer, just want to say that it has been a treat to work with @imbhandarkar, just like this #VadaPav we shared to kickstart our third and last schedule !”
To which Bhandarkar replied “Thanks for your kind words @tamannaahspeaks Really appreciate your hard work and dedication in bringing #BabliBouncer to life. #ganapathibappamoriya🙏🙏”
Keeping with the trend of Vada pav lovers here’s our list of best in Mumbai.
Parleshwar Vada Pav Samrat
Located at Vile Parle East, this shop Samrat’s vada mix sees a little dash of coconut and this gives vada mixture the necessary twist and the extra texture. Tucked inside fresh pavs, this place also sees innovative Chinese bhajiyas that is served with fiery schezwan sauce.
Price for two- Rs 120
Aram Vada Pav
Located at Fort this one pricing is a good reason for someone to thrive for this Vadapao. Apart from the regular you also get some amazing grilled cheese vada pav. Served with some finger licking dry garlic chutney and sweet chutney, this place has maintained its taste and consistency for years.
Price for two- Rs100
Ashok Vada Pav
The so called inventor of vada pav, the Ashok Vada Pav at Dadar has also created another version of this delicious snack. Called the choora pav {as it sees a mix of choora with chutney and stuffs it in the pav}. For over two decades, his vada pav has seen the same consistency and taste. The mix of green and red chutneys, which is sweet and spicy taste is the USP of this place.
Price for two- Rs 140
Gajanan Vada Pav
This vada pav place in Thane, not only boasts about its Vada pao but also about its chutneys that is warm, spicy. Their Vada pao is served with these chutneys that is made from their secret recipes.
Price for two- Rs 120
