In the scheme of things relating to ideating, creating, executing, and selling, one can only go so long a length when it comes to catering to the tastes of the roadside-sandwich-bred Mumbaiite! By this what I mean, is that the roadside sandwich-wallas who have been catering every kid, teen, and adult for years now is devoid of the innovation cycle, purely coz the stuff still sells as it is, something that serves as a mid-meal hunger relaxant.
Two variants have existed thus far, in this race; a toasted or grilled masala sandwich, and a toasted or grilled regular sandwich with the works of uncooked vegetables, chutney, and butter.
What is then surprising, is the fact that H. Paramesha sandwiches has been brave enough to dig his hand in, usurp a plethora of variants, and SUCCESSFULLY market it to enforce his dominance in the heart of Mumbai. Located in an off-the-radar hideout, a single visit will most definitely entrench the map in your head, the credit for which goes into the sweat and soul (metaphorically speaking) that goes into making the sandwiches and up-selling the same.
H. Paramesha is always on-guard at this outlet, and some of his famed offerings (out of the 30 odd on his menu) include:
1) Paramesha Special - mushroom+paneer+cheese+corn (is a must have)
2) Balaji Special - haven't figured it out yet
3) Paneer Cheese Chilly - slices of bland paneer cubes+cheese+chilly (is also a must try)
4) Masala Grilled - the regular variant
5) Cheese Chilly Toast -
6) Pizzas
Lack of water is complemented by the choices in juices to wash down your spicy sandwich:
1) Strawberry Juice - pulp + loads of freshly cut strawberry
2) Mulberry Mango Juice - pulp of mulberry with a dash of mango pulp: dark red and yellowish orange in colour
And for those, who are hungry still, have a bread butter or a jam cheese toast. Although, please bear in mind that even these, like all other sandwiches are double layered, i.e. they include 3 slices of bread..and fillings in between!
All sandwiches come in brown bread / white bread variants and are served with tomato ketchup + green (really spicy) chutney + orange (spicy) chutney. Also, each sandwich is preloaded with oodles of butter on the top!!
Hygiene is of acceptable standards given the fact that they work out of a dry area, and are located inside a shop, as opposed to open air vendors.
Two things are extremely noteworthy:
1) the PACE at which these fellows churn out sandwiches is mind-numbing...peak hour rush is dampened by their efficiency
2) the HOSPITALITY - Mr. Paramesha makes sure to always up-sell the sandwich that you order; given the choices available, if you are hesitant in your selection, he shall MOST DEFINITELY be halfway on his way to make you eat his Paramesha Special Grill.....also, he remembers all his customers even if you aren't a regular
Each of his grilled sandwiches hover around the Rs. 50/- mark, which may be a higher notch for a roadside shop, but is filling, even for lunch, nonetheless.
They are happy to deliver within a radius of almost a kilometre, at least.
Wishing him all the luck, for keeping up the pace and promulgating the goodness of things in food, to maintain the zest and flavour, defined by the life and nature of an urban city that is MUMBAI.
chirag_09
