Prakash Hotel, Dadar W, Mumbai

Prakash Hotel in Dadar just off Shivaji Park is home to landmark authentic Maharashtrian snacks and snack meal replacements. It meets all requirements of being a true-blue foodie joint; a 'chowhoundish mecca' if you will. And how is that so? For starters there is usually a wait at peak hours to get in. Spot a seat and grab it before its gone! Its drab no-frills interiors are the epitome of form and function; whirring ceiling fans on top and uniformed waiters whizzing about with Germanic efficiency. Then theres the attitude; and loads of it. Within a few seconds of you sliding into your coomunal bench seat, the waiter stops by giving you the once over; by now, ideally you are expected to have made up your mind and declared your order; the menu laminated to protect it from spillage is at hand but most regulars don't seem to ever take so much as a peek at it. The waiter rattles out the order to the open kitchen and within a few minutes, slam dunks the order down to your table. The 'Sabudana wadas' (spicy sago fritters) are top of the heap; a sole reason to make the trip. The crust of the 'wada' is fried to a perfect crunch; every single sago seed deep fried to perfection with intermittent groundnut and fried chili adding to the pleasure. And yet, somehow it doesn't seem over the top greasy. The accompanying chutney is a masterpiece in itself; quite different from any you've had; a nutty concoction of spice tempered ever so slightly by the abundant groundnut a la chunky mode. Make sure you order the extra chutney in advance. You are going to want it. 'Crack' open the crunchy shell of the wada and the uncover soft sago seeds glistening and studded with nuts all perfectly cooked and spiced. Combine the outer shell, the steaming insides and a bit of that chutney into a single bite; and you are in heaven.

Their 'Batata vadas' (or potato fritters) and 'Misal' (spicy curried lentils topped with a spicy trail mix, lime and chopped onion) are all good and recommended; the vadas come with the same superstar groundnut chutney that raises the mediocre to great though the vadas are capable enough to make it on their own. Their sabudana khichdi has got to be good; after all, its the base used for their signature dish! Also popular at meal times are their Masale Bhaat, Puri Bhaaji; a bit watered down but good nevertheless.

The misal is served in a tiny plate; crunchy farsan bits scattered on top of the soft spicy curried lentils topped with chopped onion and coriander. A small squeeze of the accompanying lemon, toss it all up once or twice using the larger plate offered and you are good to go! All of the above is typically washed down with their signature 'Piyush' a sweet yoghurt based drink(actually liquid shrikhand); possibly the only drink they have on offer besides water!

Prakash Hotel,

Gokhale Road,

Dadar W Mumbai 400 028