Alankar Fast Food Centre — Restaurant in Goa

A food street which comes to life after 6 PM every evening, right in front of the Alankar movie theatre in Mapusa, it is almost as if the place shifts gears as dusk starts falling. Vendors spring into action, pre-preparing food – putting marinated whole chicken into an earthen oven, deep-frying the gobi manchurian, arranging the range of local breads on offer. Helpers start arranging make-shift plastic furniture – tables and chair – on the road. The entire street takes on a festive, hangout vibe and foodies start flowing in.

There is a magic to eating in the open and while many countries in Asia have a culture of food streets every evening, the Alankar food street was our first experience of one. It started with a gentleman called Sridhar Hazare who opened a juice stall and then expanded to include a Chinese counter and a tandoori stall. Today there are 6-8 stalls that offer Chinese, tandoori and Goan food along with fresh juices and milkshakes. The portion sizes are large-hearted and locals often packs food from here for dinner.

The center of operations is a youthful boy, also called Sridhar Hazare, the founder’s grandson. He is part of a committee that helps regulate business and manage government requirements. “There is trouble sometimes, when people drink and create a nuisance. But that is rare. Hygiene is a concern and the government keeps us on our toes regarding that,” he says when I ask him if there are any challenges to running this...

This is one heck of a famous street food area with many food carts and shops almostccc touching each other each serving a variety of cuisine. We have Chicken Tandoori, Chicken fried rice, Chicken Masala (Goan Or Chinese). Predominantly, Chinese dishes are available here such as Chicken fried rice. You can get your Ros Omelette, or Tandoori Roti or fruit shake topped with Ice cream. A variety of Chinese soups etc. The quality varies from vendor to vendor. However, most vendors will give a good amount of say 'Fried Rice' which is enough for two well eating individuals or even 3 people. The quantity is certainly good. Give It a try. Hygiene is a concern but the food appears to be...

In front of the now decrepit Alankar theatre, the triangular street transforms into food carts serving Indian Chinese, tandoori and shakes and dessert, from early evening well into the early hours of the morning. It’s all roadside, crowded and what I call “Ram Bharose” food, we tried the tandoori chicken which looked and tasted like it was a week old, heated and reheated and dry, and some noodles, greasy and insipid. Prices are cheap. Haven’t tried the desserts yet but after this one experience, guess I don’t have the courage to venture here again. It helps if you come here on a two-wheeler because parking for a car can be difficult to get and out of Goa number plates are never...