Exploring Best Street Food Places and Destinations in Chennai

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Vanakkam and welcome down south in the most happening city of Tamil Nadu. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the place to be if you are looking for some of the best street food destinations in Tamil Nadu. Chennai or Chennaipattinam has always been known for the kind of food that is available here and it is the right place for foodies that are not really interested in all that glamour and glitz that top end restaurants and hotels offer. Of course, I found that there are good number of people here that also prefer high style food and dining experience, but if you are tight on budget you can find many food stalls that can offer you the right kind of food experience while you are on the move. Here we take a quick look at the top must visit street food destinations in Chennai. ni readiya irrikiya?

Monteith Road, Egmore

Alsa Mall is quite popular in Chennai and so even if you are not a local resident here you can easily find Alsa Mall on the map or you can ask the locals around you guide you to it. When you are at the mall take a look around and you will find some great food stalls that can offer you the right food without burning a hole in your wallet.

While you can take a look at each food stall and decide what you want to eat but Balaji Sandwich stall is something that you need to look out for as this one is an exception and not just any other sandwich stalls that you find in Maharashtra or anywhere around the country. You can try Chilli Cheese Toast, Chicken Cheese Toast and other popular sandwiches here, but if you are on a shoestring budget you can try simple vegetarian sandwiches here that start at around Rs. 8/- only, I believe that is 13 US cents, so the price factor is surprisingly low. The sandwiches are crispy, cheesy and includes vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, potatoes, and onion. Although, these sandwich stalls do not have tables and chairs where you can sit down and enjoy your sandwich, but they will offer you a stool to sit down

Anna Nagar

No trip to Chennai is complete without some idlis and dosas and if you are craving for some extraordinary delicious South Indian styled idlis and dosas then head to Anna Nagar which is popular for some really cool idli shops. First you can get your hands on Murugan Idli Shop which is popular for idlis and dosas and for different chutneys are that served along with it.

No matter what your taste buds favor Murugan Idli Shop is something that will satisfy you completely. If that is not all for you head to Second Avenue near Nilgiri’s Supermarket and find Kartik Idli Shop that offers idlis, dosas, and great pongal that can offer you the right meal especially when you hit this shop early in the morning. Idlis are basically moulded rice cakes that are healthy and these idlis are served with coconut chutney and sambhar which is a vegetable stew combined with tamarind flavor. When you combine idli with coconut chutney and sambhar it can offer some delicious flavor in your mouth. If you are visiting Kartik Idli Shop at night you can also try your hands on the best kurmas and parathas.

Besant Nagar

This location is definitely going to impress all fast food lovers that love to eat while they are on the move. Besant Nagar has some of the best fast food stalls and shops that can offer tons of food which is a gastronomic delight. You can find here Tibbs Frankie, Burgerman and Peta Wrap.

While Tibbs Frankie is popular in many parts of the country Peta Wrap looks like a small auto rickshaw stand that offers delicious wraps like Channa Wrap, Lebanese Falafel Wrap and even Chicken Kebab Wrap. All the stalls and shops here offer vegetarian and non-vegetarian items so you can customize it as per your preference. The wraps have a hint of spicy chicken flavor to it especially if you are buying the chicken ones.

Vepery High Road

Yummy chaat items have magnetic qualities I guess, because the moment you see them or smell them around you can hardly think of anything else, unless of course you are not a fast foodie. Vepery High Road is the street food destination in Chennai if you are looking for some fine pani puri and yummy chaat. Pani puri is not just popular across India, but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. It consist of hollow round puris that are filled with chickpea gravy locally called ragda or boiled potatoes, tamarind chutney, and spicy chili water. So, basically, each puri acts like a container in which all the stuff is added. When you are ready, you pick each one and place the entire puri in your mouth and bite it. This will release a mixture of sweet, spicy, and slightly salty taste and textures in your mouth.

When you are here look out for Keshav Chaat House that has been delivering some great chaat items to the people of Chennai for many years now. The pani puri is tempting and delicious and when you are done find Hot N Cold just few adjacent to it for some coolers that go hand in hand with spicy chaat items and they complete your fast food meal journey with a cooling effect.