As a food enthusiast with an insatiable appetite for trying new and exciting dishes, I was eager to sample the vada pav at ASCC Chaat, located next to Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Unfortunately, much like the university’s less-than-stellar reputation, this vada pav left me feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed.
The “restaurant”—if you can even call it that—sits in the bustling college town, catering to the diverse tastes of students and locals alike. With high hopes, I walked in and ordered their vada pav, only to be met with disappointment.
To start, the pav bread was stale and dry, crumbling at the slightest touch. It was a far cry from the soft and fluffy bread one would expect from an authentic vada pav, which should act as a pillow, gently cradling the flavorsome vada inside. The pav’s unappetizing texture marred the overall experience and made each bite a chore rather than a pleasure.
As for the vada, the potato filling was bland and lacked any discernible flavor. It felt as though the chef forgot to add the necessary spices that give vada pav its characteristic zest and punch. The vada’s exterior, which should have been crispy and golden brown, was instead a dull shade of beige, devoid of any crunch. This crucial textural element was sorely missed, leaving the dish feeling one-dimensional.
To make matters worse, the vada pav was served without any chutney or condiments, which are essential for elevating the dish’s taste and adding some much-needed moisture. The absence of tangy green chutney and sweet tamarind chutney only served to highlight the dryness of the pav and the blandness of the vada. This omission felt like a glaring oversight, detracting from the authenticity and overall enjoyment of the dish.
The final straw came when I was charged a staggering $12 for this subpar vada pav. Given the lackluster quality and missing components, this price felt exorbitant and unjustified. For a snack that is renowned for its affordability and accessibility, the cost was nothing short of astonishing.
However, there was one redeeming aspect of my visit to ASCC Chaat: the $2 beers. This promotion seemed to be a popular draw, and it’s not hard to see why. In an area filled with college students, a cheap drink is sure to attract business. Unfortunately, the beers were not enough to compensate for the disappointing vada pav experience.
In conclusion, my visit to ASCC Chaat left me disenchanted and underwhelmed. The substandard vada pav, with its stale pav, flavorless vada, and lack of chutney, was a far cry from the iconic Indian street food I had hoped to savor. While the $2 beers might keep some patrons coming back, it’s safe to say that those seeking an authentic and delicious vada pav should look elsewhere.
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