Prakash Shakahari Upahaar Kendra, Dadar, Mumbai

Traditional Maharashtrian snacks are delicious and commonly prepared in all households in Mumbai. Simple and easy to cook in no time, they are on the menu of many restaurants. But the challenge lies is getting all of them under a single roof. Not many can claim to achieve that. Today we will check out Prakash Shakahari Upahaar Kendra at Dadar which has an impressive menu of traditional Maharahtrian fast food or snacks.

Location of Prakash Shakahari Upahaar Kendra

This restaurant is located on Ranade Road. It is a prominent landmark, judging by the number of people visiting this place even in the wee hours of a Sunday morning. As Mumbai marches to a cosmopolitan food culture, Dadar remains one of the last strongholds of simple Maharashtrian food. The restaurant is located right on the busy main road, so expect some chaos, once the day begins.

About the restaurant

This place is simple no frills, sit eat and go types. Dining hall is small and chaotic. Waiters are running around in a frenzy. Tables are not too huge and spacious. If you are single, be ready to share a table. Might apply even for a couple! The restaurant is bright and airy, but it is not air conditioned. The entrance is dominated by a stall which sells some packed snacks. The outside is simple and spartan and the entire outside noise is straightway transferred inside which adds on to the already noisy interiors.

Menu and the food

Menu is deceptive at first. I mean what could go wrong in snacks preparation. The problem lies in preparing the dishes in a restaurant settings. Not an easy task. But somehow they do it at this place with ease. Thats why all the rush.

Go through the menu card carefully. The waiter will approach you only once. He will not have time to describe the dishes on the menu. He is used to attending to people who know what they are ordering. If you have missed your first window of opportunity, no problem. The service is fast and you can always order again and again. The food will arrive at the same speed and consistency. The portions are adequate too. You can always stuff yourself with more.

The special items on the menu is Misal and Sabudana Wada. Misal is an interesting concoction of the lot of items mixed at the point of serving and to be consumed immediately with a type of bread called pav. Sabudana is Tapioca Sago which is nutritious and also popular during fasting periods among the female folks of Maharashtra. The white pearls fried to a crisp along with a mixture of mashed potatoes and peanuts and spices. This preparation takes a lot of time. Kothimbir Wadi or Coriander Cakes is another not to be missed item. Do not forget to finish off your meal with a glass of Piyush. A word of caution, this drink is heady and sweet.

Not withstanding the deceptive nature of menu, all the dishes are not easy to prepare. It involves time consuming and precision steps with no mistakes allowed. Cooking it in bulk and serving it to customers as they order is not an easy feat. Top marks to Prakash Shakahari Upahaar Kendra.