Vik's chaat house-review

Went to Vik's chaat house on Saturday with Cousin K. It's the most famous chaat house in the Bay area and was established in 1989. In fact, the first thing I heard when I got to Berkeley was Vik's chaat. I must admit, I shy away from most chaat places abroad simply because they are rarely authentic or good. I have also found that most places with big reputations, especially Indian restaurants are the worst ones. Take Aziz in Oxford for example - I don't think I have ever tasted worse gajar ka halwa and sabji's in my life. Chutney's in Oxford is another example of a much hyped restaurant serving awful food. The only place in Oxford where I have had decent Indian khana is Cumin's, which on my last visit there also seemed to have lost its much appreciated authenticity.

So, I stayed away from Vik's till today. I walked in expecting mediocrity and prepared to be disappointed. The first thing that struck me was the absolute lack of decoration and attempt to manufacture an ambiance. I was pleasantly surprised that the place is a warehouse with tables scattered around. The ambiance is generated entirely by the constant murmur of conversation. There is no table service, you look around and wait for a table to get free and then sit down. Reminded me very much of chaat places back home,like Nathu's.

There is no pretensions to gourmet service or food. This is a chaat house, so don't expect anything fancy. The menu is meant to be fast food and simple. I was slightly disappointed that their chaat menu was very limited and they seemed to have more south indian dishes and things like biryani,fish fry and chicken tikka. It did seem that this was their submission to market forces and competitors.

I ordered a dahi papdi chaat and a masala dosa, just to taste both cuisines. I was very surprised by the quick service. The dahi papdi chaat was good. Nothing great and to rave about but definitely good. The green chutney was very good although I was not very happy about the number of puris per dish. The masala dosa was pretty standard and ok. The sambhar was much better than the one I had at the Udipi Palace although the chutney was a bit weird. I don't understand why they can't serve simple coconut chutney instead of trying to make it fancy. On the whole, I was satisfied with my food. Cousin K had a gobi paratha which he said was ok, while Mrs. K had chicken biryani which in my opinion did not look very appetising and fish fry which looked horrible. The prices are very reasonable - 10$ for a couple of dishes is a very good deal.
My only problem is that its a pain to get to if you do not have a car..but this is America, I forget.
Here are some more reviews of the place.
http://www.vikschaatcorner.com/press/sfchron_viks.htm
http://blogs.kqed.org/food/?p=36

I wasn't overly impressed,but also not disappointed. I suspect my expectations were so low, that I was bound to be impressed. It won't be the first place I go to for a dinner, but definitely worth a return trip some Saturday or Sunday afternoon for a taste of their dahi batata puri.I would definitely take someone on their first trip to the Bay area there. (Damn..now my mouth has begun to water thinking of imli chutney..I am getting chaat craving!!!). What impressed me the most was the complete lack of pandering to their own reputation. Mr. Chopra who runs it must be a shrewd businessman who recognises his market and its extent. It's like Swati in Bombay, we used to love going to it..stand outside, eat food while standing outside. Service through a window. Cheap food, good tasty, finger-licking stuff. Then they tried to expand their menu, become posh and increased prices concomitant with their reputation and I can't stand the place anymore. The food is not worth the money you pay.

As an aside, the best two places I have been to yet has been thanks to G and hubby.
Komala Vilas is brilliant. They have a lunch menu which is unlimited south indian food and its like eating home made food. Its great. I loved it and its very cheap. 10$ for unlimited lunch is good. It's like the Matunga restaurant, Appa loved.

The other place, I dont the name of is inside a grocery store in Sunnyvale or Fremont. Its a chaat place and is basically a corner of the shop and serves the best pani puri..like chowpatty pani puri. These two aunties make the stuff and its excellent.

Ok, enough food talk. My stomach is grumbling and I should be off to bed. Tomorrow is the first day of welcome week and their is free breakfast if I can wake up before 8am.