Food review: Game for a Mumbai Burger with a twist?

How do you convince a Delhiite like yours truly to indulge in a meal, which is typically relished by a Mumbaikar? You remind them of the charm of biting into a street-side dish, which is a complete no-fuss item best consumed as you wait for a cab, get a pair of shoes mended by a cobbler, or even attend a phone call as you sit in your car.

Once the nostalgia sets in, especially in the pandemic when eating at a street shack seems like a dangerous hobby from the past, you present Mumbai’s most loved pao to the foodie in question. That’s how we ended up with a handful of paos from Al Karama’s O’Pao. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the pao with a spicy potato preparation (Pao Bhaji) but well, what’s the big deal about the pao for a snack? Let’s find out.

The first bite had to be of the Vada Pav, the good ol’ classic. The bun was pillowy and soft, the potato dumpling was mild in flavour; it was the layer of mint-coriander chutney on the inside that resulted in a burst of flavours in the mouth. For those who rightfully believe that this classic is not complete without a horn of green chilli, it did come with one. We quite liked the brand stamp on the buns i.e. the paos.

More nostalgia lay in the coloured fryums, which came along with the O'Mutton Khicha Pao, which was stuffed with delectable shredded, slow roasted bites of mutton doused with a desi creamy sauce. Do you enjoy a bit of fusion with the classic? If yes, then you could sample the O'Triple Schezwan Chicken, which interestingly comes with a topping of fried noodles!

It was hot, pungent and delectable pieces of chicken cushioned in a pao. The patty/dumpling/ball (call it by whatever name you please) for all the servings was crispy, golden and non-greasy. For the sides, we went in for the Kanda Bhaji, which disappointed us as it was soaked in oil and even dabbing it with multiple paper napkins didn’t help. The Cheesy Poppers were delectable creamy stuffed jalapeños ideal for a tiny treat. The meal was pocket-friendly and whilst the paos came in simple, hygienic cardboard boxes, the sides came in paper bags, which did spoil the experience a bit.

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