Mandal Snacks – Manicktala

It was a sudden plan to visit Manicktala and it is not required to mention that I went there after getting some news about hidden gems. I am fond of chops and cutlets. Just beside Chhaya Cinema Hall of Manicktala, I found a hidden gem selling these chops and cutlets since last 60 years. 

Basically, this is a shop which has no shutter. Just few cupboards fixed on the wall but serving hot and fresh cutlets and chops to their customers.

I was having a talk with the current owner, Laalkomol Da. He is a very decent guy, with a smile on this face every time.

He mentioned :

This shop started 60 years back. My grandfather started it, then my father took the responsibility and now, I am looking after this shop. We do not write the name of the shop anywhere because people know it as Mondal Snacks and we are very popular in this area.

The whole point is to provide quality snacks to every customer, be it old or now and we sell the items at the cheapest price in and around Manicktala.

He was right. I did not find any signboard and neither I found a snacks bar which is cheaper than this, at least in this area. They mostly sell non-veg snacks but also kept few veg snacks. Let’s check the menu below :

After going through the whole menu, I carefully decided to try one item each which will have a fish, an egg and chicken so that I can compare the quality. Hence, the first order was a Chicken Breast Cutlet which came for 35 INR.

The Chicken Cutlet was fried once I placed the order, hence it was served hot along with some freshly-cut salad and the quintessential Kashundi, also known as mustard sauce. Oh man! is the first expression I had after having the first bite because I was not expecting this quality, to be honest, at just 35 INR. The coating was neither too thick nor too thin but the filling was great. I finished this in no time and ordered an Egg Chop.

This was even better! They use half an egg but the potato coating along with the egg, which is used as the filling is simply brilliant and it shows the expertise in terms of the taste. A brilliant deal at just 10 INR/piece. Here also, the coating was neither too thick nor too thin but the filling nailed it all.

It’s time to have some fish. I was alone and thought of having something not to heavy after the Chicken Cutlet and the Egg Chop. Hence, ordered a Fish Finger. 20 INR/piece. Are you thinking that they offer Basa for their fish items? You are wrong! I was also surprised to see fresh and pure Bhetki to be used for all the fish items. I was curious and even asked Laalkomol Da about the fish.

He replied brilliantly :

If someone is using Basa as a fish for snacks, half of the taste is gone for a toss there itself. You are cheating if you’re not using Bhetki. We will never be using any other fish, if it is for snacks. That is why, you will not see items like ” Chingri’r Chop (Prawn Chops) or anything else in the menu.

I was impressed with the straight-forwardness and the honesty. There are still few businessmen in this city who looks after taste to give the best customer satisfaction rather than the sales volume which is money. I was ordering these things one by one and Laalkomol Da was enquiring “Kemon laglo? Ar ki khabe bolo?“

By now, I was full. Laalkomol asked me to try a Fish Butter Fry since it is one of the best-selling items. I politely replied back that there is always something for the next time. I will surely bring my friends to this place. This hidden gem should be known to all. I have fixed my menu too for the next time : a Fish Butter Fry (definitely!), a Fried Chicken, a Mochar Chop/ Veg Chop and Egg Devil. Even if you have one item from veg, chicken, fish and chicken section, it will not cost you more than 110 INR. Check out the snap below :

Things to know :

1. This snacks bar is located just beside Chhaya Cinema of Manicktala Junction and just beside Chhaya Chanachur.

2. The shop remains open on all days from 4 PM to 10 PM.

3. You may politely ask for a permission before taking snaps or videos and I’m sure that you will not be denied.

4. Take-away is available but it is better to have the items hot.

5. Only cash payment is available.

6. Nearest Metro Station is Girish Park.

For location, check out Google Map (I was also a bit surprised to see that I was the first reviewer of this place on Google Local Guides!)

Coming back real soon with a new blog!

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Blog and Image Courtesy : Foodie Dibyajit