Barua & Dey Fast Food Centre — Restaurant in Kolkata

Been 14.05.21. Had Pantheras (Rs.40/-) Fish Fry (Rs. 55/-). Nostalgia apart, comparing the present day rate of mutton(₹720-740/kg) and the size of the item(5" x 2.5“) the cost doesn't justify the quantity of mutton used in the Pantheras. 25gms of minced mutton (cost of which is Rs.19) could easily be afforded inside an item of Rs.40. The mutton inside the Pantheras (generously guessing) was only between 5-8 gms. So in a way they are making good money considering that they aren't incurring any expenses for the upkeep of the shop or it's decor with insufficient lights and a dusty/smoky interior.

Keeping in mind North Kolkata's culture & it's focus on quality rather than show-business, my humble suggestion to the shop owners would be if they could please be a little more quality oriented if not customer oriented.

Having said that, where in today's world will you be able to buy a mutton snack for as low as ₹40/-? It's only possible in this quaint little place locally known as 'Mamar Dokan'. Editing:Been on 17/06/21again. Right after reopening post lockdown. Fish fries not available, no other mutton items available except pantheras. Had Chicken cutlets priced at ₹50. Taste was good again but quantity of chicken inside the cutlet was too little. Somehow they manage to build up the cutlet (size 4.5" x 3") with some chicken & other stuffing which isn't chicken. It's a Rip off. Chicken is ₹220/- a kg today so 150 gms of chicken (₹33) can easily be afforded in the cutlet. Edible Oil is now ₹150/Ltr (up from ₹85) in retail market, but keeping in mind that a fixed quantity of oil is used for all items, it shouldn't be a reason for...

A small fast food joint of 84 years old at the corner of a turning of Gaurimata Sarani, Syambazar, Kolkata, has the quality to surprise you with it’s Pantharas. This centre is popular by the name of ‘Manar Pantharas er dokan’ (Mamar’s Pantharas shop). The shabby look of the shop doesn’t attract you at a glance but after having their Mutton Pantharas (Raju Borua has stopped selling fish Pantharas for a time being) I promise that you will just fall in love.

In the year 1935 some North Kolkata Babus opened “Theta Pheta Club” for playing cards at Nayaratna Lane, Shyambazar. They appointed Mr. Nakul Chandra Barua as the cook for the club’s kitchen. He was a cook of Great Eastern Hotel. He started preparing this unique snacks ‘Pantharas’ (might be he was inspired by some similar Anglo Indian dish) exclusively for the club members. After independence as the Babu culture and the zamindari system was faded out the Theta Pheta club stopped functioning within few years. Then Nakul Barua shifted the kitchen from the club-building and started his independent food joint at the same lane and it became popular among the local people. Now the shop is known as Borua and Dey Fast Food Centre as is now being run by two families, Borua and Dey. They sell Chicken Breast Cutlet, Fish Fry and Chicken fry along...

Pet Name: Mama r dokan Known for : Mutton Pantharas Items available : Only 10 types, pure non veg Pocket pinch = 40 - 70 Must try : Mutton Pantharas, a lost resemblance of the Chinese spring rolls ,it has mutton fillings with fish fillet coated deep fried in bread crumbs but don't expect much fillings inside since mutton is too costly and they only charge 50 a piece , just enjoy the evening snacks

Also try : Fish Fry, they are damn fresh

Insider info: They don't offer sauce or kashundi or chutni , just pure fry with onion salad. So carry your homemade kashundi

History: In 1935, some North Kolkata babus opened ‘Theta-Feta Club’ for new-age Bengalis and appointed Nakul Chandra as a cook in the club’s kitchen. He was a retired cook of the Great Eastern Hotel and started making pantheras for the club’s members. After independence when the club culture started dying out, Nakul Chandra Barua began his own business. The snacks joint came to be known as Barua and Dey Fast Food Centre. Nakul’s son Bidhubhushan Barua continued the business with his partner Phatik Chandra Dey, and today, it is the only hole-in-the-wall food joint in Kolkata that has kept the heritage of pantheras making alive.

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