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As Secunderabad celebrates its bi-centennial, we revisit some of its best street food joints

Photo:K. Gajendran

FOOD MANIA Youngsters digging in at Friends Corner

Many living on the other side of the Tank Bund would vouch for the fact that Secunderabad has a diverse fare to offer as a gourmet's paradise. Right from the biryani of Paradise to the kathi rolls and sandwich of Sangeet, not forgetting the new entries such as KFC, Pizza Hut and Subway, the city rains manna. Amidst these delectable hubs are popular eateries that have made a mark when it comes to street food. Metro Plus takes a look at these popular hubs that dish out delicacies for a song.

Dimmy Paan Wala, Sindhi Colony

The area in front of the betel shop comes alive towards the evening as connoisseurs drop by for a relaxed bite after a long day. This place offers not just pani puris, cheese sandwiches and ragda patties. Paav bhaji the way it is made on Chowpatty, Kachhi dabeli — the delectable Gujarati bun layered with peanut mixture and butter, and well barf gola for that slurpy finale is what the hub promises.

Bombay Chat, James Street

Some time ago this street was `the destination' for chat buffs. A row of eateries offering chat, bhel and jalebis was a pit stop for people driving over from as far as Nampally. Now a few bundis here keep the tradition alive. And there is the Bombay Chat Wala along with a juice shop next door for all things khatta meetha. The fare is not expensive and the chutneys here are ones to die for, many regulars opine.

Dosa, Sindhi Colony

Opposite the Food World is the pesarattu and onion dosa bundi that whips up a filling breakfast or tiffin. The place is choc-a-bloc with executives and students coming over for a quick bite before they hit the road. An adjacent fruit juice store offers healthful juices that are value for money. And that makes for a wholesome breakfast. New addition here is the Fatafat Chinese fast food near the Food World. Here's some multi cuisine fare by the street.

Friends Corner, AOC Centre

Every foodie's delight, Friends corner is known not just for its mouth-watering chat items, but also for its yummy desserts. The twin shop, located a five minutes drive from Ghamshyam super market, is quite popular amongst Secunderabadis especially because of its location. Started as a juice shop by Badruddin about 14 years ago, the chat shop for added only four years ago. Though the juice shop open at 9.30 a.m., the chat place starts only after 1 p.m. Their milkshakes, faludas and pav bhajis are quite hot properties.

Marwari Chat Corner, Parklane crossroads

Two brothers started this little chat corner about two and a half decades ago and the baton has now been passed on to their sons and newphews while they sit and stroke their Chowdhary mustaches and supervise from the sidelines. The Marwari Chat Corner consists of two little portable stalls that sells a limited number of chaat items, each with it's own special ingredient that make's its taste unique from other chat wallahs. Mouth watering Papari chaat with channa dal, Bhel puri with kairi for that tangy taste and Kachori chaat with dahi and hot and sweet chutneys. Each dish is quite filling and costs Rs.10-- a small hike from the Rs. 4 it used to cost 20 years ago. The taste of their chaat too remains as good. Something even your grandparents can vouch for!

Pizza Den, Vikrampuri main road (opp. Food World)

This place is relatively new, but is now a landmark of sorts on the Vikrampuri main road. The size of the joint itself is roughly that of a pan dabba, but the serpentine queues, smell of freshly baked pizza and the number of cars parked there willl be more than enough to guide you to the place. Pizza Den opens only after 6 pm and last order calls are made at 10 p.m. Weekends see the place swamped with people perched on their scooters and on their car bonnets, eating whole pizzas! Pizza Den serves only vegetarian pizzas, two types of grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream sundaes with only two flavours as its base- vanilla and chocolate.

After a trip or two to MNC pizza joints, regulars realise what's this place is worth and come hungrily back.