Wraps - Kathi Rolls, Rajinder Nagar, Karol Bagh

“Yatha naam tatha gun” the hindi proverb defines the place well. The roll wrapped with value for money, taste and quality, and obviously food. The prices are just like awesome. The Egg roll starts at 30 and the variety ends at the egg butter chicken roll at 120. The cheapest available is mayonnaise as topping for an extra charge of 10. The roll is quite in size and not just a handful instead two handfuls. It is at par with a quick bite meal.

The place is located near Rajendra place, Delhi. When you are coming from jhandewalan on a Pusa road towards Karol Bagh, take a left turn towards Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. As you enter, there is a thin lane on your right, take a turn. Move forward 10 steps and the killer aroma of spice, oil, paneer and chicken will make you stop. If not, the cars and the bikes parked on the road will definitely not let you speed away. On your right is the right place to eat your roll.

Ordered a Butter chicken roll and was quite concerned about the quantity of chicken, but yes they defeated me. Each bite promised a gravy loaded onion and succulent mouthful chicken piece. I took a first bite, closed my eyes to concentrate and analyze the flavor, and was murmuring yummm… The taste was so amazing. Eating it all down was like flowing with the wind and the river; it was so smooth and I did not realize how and when I reached the last bite. Absolutely there is no compromise with the quality, quantity or taste. Each bite till the end insanely flavorful as the first one. Wow!!!

The ambience is natural, you have to stand on the road and have it. You can enjoy the pleasure of sitting in your car, or rest yourself against a standing bike free of cost, as there are no parking charges.The place is free of service charge, service tax and all such irritating charges on the food bill. You do not have to tip anybody. So in nutshell, “jo deekhta hai, wahi milta hai”. You pay only for what is on the menu.

This place is also a kind of handicraft workshop. You want to explore it, just order egg roll you will get a chance to witness it. The chef roasts chapatti from both sides on the tawa, and breaks two eggs on the top of this chapatti and starts the juggler show. The way he runs and mixes this egg yolk on the top of chapatti is amazing. Not even a drop spills outside the chappati. I bet many of us even cannot mix egg so well in a bowl as he does it on the flat chappati.

Variety is another positive. Lot to choose from, something for everybody. This place is sandwiched shoulder to shoulder between two similar joints, Art of spice and Chowrangee. The best part is all the three have exactly the same menu and price. Seems like a deal. They may be having a round table conference to decide on the price and menu.

The reason for low pricing is as these are no frills eateries. There is no cost involved in serving or presentation. Your roll is wrapped in a sheet of paper and is handed over to you with a tissue. There are disposable small size plates if you need a tomato or a chilly sauce and that too is optional only if you want it. Minimal human resource cost. Only three people manage the place and each one is performing multiple roles. The one at the cash counter is also the one serving. The chef and the cash person is assisted by a one more person, who is performing all that is required. His tasks range from placing tissues from the inventory on the counter to supplying stuffing to chef.

The positives are pricing, variety, quick serve and value for money. The ambience parameter is not applicable to them, as it is natural roadside. The negatives are hygiene; they do not score a lot on that but also not too bad.

All in all, a must visit place for a quick bite. Light on money but not on tummy. I feel, will enjoy more of this place in winters. Sizzling roll in a cold breeze a deadly combination.

Happy eating… J