Sandwich Shop @ Alsa Mall, Chennai
I couldn’t name it any better because this shop doesn’t really have a name. Or probably, it has a name but without a board. Anyways, who cares? I’m talking about the roadside sandwich shops in front of Alsa Mall, which was once upon a time one of the most happening places in Chennai.
There are three to four such sandwich shops in the same row and all of them are pretty similar. All of them are around four feet by four feet, made out of wood and there is place for only one person to stand inside who prepares various types of sandwiches and toasts and another person standing outside who makes wonderful omelettes. Surprisingly enough, they have power supply and what’s more, there is a menu card too!
The sandwich shop that I am referring to in this post is the one on the right corner when you are facing Alsa Mall. This is the only shop from where I have eaten and hence I will recommend only this one and not the others.
Like I mentioned earlier, they have a menu card, well laminated and lists all their offerings like Veg Sandwich, Egg Omelette, Cheese Toast, Chilly Cheese Toast, Mixed Veg Toast, Aaloo Toast, Bread Omelette etc. All of these are reasonably priced, ranging from Rs. 8 for the Veg Sandwich to Rs. 13 for most of the toasts. I’m not sure about the egg varieties as I’ve never tried them. All the toasts are served hot and that makes them even more tasty. My favorite off the lot is Chilly Cheese Toast. It is probably the best Chilly Cheese Toast I’ve had ever. Damn tasty, trust me. The cheese melts in your mouth and the Lays tagline really suits it, i.e. ‘No one can eat just one!’ Anyone who goes there must definitely try out the Chilly Cheese Toast; otherwise you are definitely missing something in life.
Now, you may be thinking in your mind, “you say it is a roadside shop, in front of a mall, you haven’t mentioned any seating arrangements, where the hell will I sit or stand?” You can sit on the steps of Alsa Mall for eternity and no one is going to disturb you. As you wait for your order to be ready, you are given ‘
I clearly remember the first time I went there. My friends and I were debating on where to hangout. We were all short of money and therefore couldn’t go to Coffee Day, Planet Yumm etc. That’s when one of my friends mentioned about a certain ‘Sandwich Shop in Alsa Mall’. Since the others hadn’t been there, we all decided to check out that place. That visit led to further frequent visits and we used to spend close to 5 hours every time we went.
I’ve been going to this place for close to 5 years now and not only have I have enjoyed eating there every single time, but everyone who has been to that place have a similar experience to share.
The shop is open from 11 A.M. to 11 P.M. There is no address as such and it is very easy to locate. Just ask for Alsa Mall once you near Egmore and once you are there, just look for a really small shop with a huge crowd around it on the right and you’ve got it.
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I love this place. A great choice, especially if you want to eat lots and take it easy on your wallet. I pretty much have only the chilly cheese (its superb!).. but i go on to have about 4 or 5 of them (minimum) each time. The omelettes sandwiches are pretty good too.
A tip: If you have a lot of ppl. bearing down on you for a treat, then this is the place you should be looking at. Have fun!
oh! i almost forgot. narayanan says sitting on the steps of alsa mall to enjoy your sandwiches – but it doesn’t work out everytime. they’ve got a security guy to keep you from sitting on the steps. (i think they’ve hired him exclusively for this purpose, lol.). sometimes they even pour water on the steps to prevent you from occupying the steps. anyway, u cud sit in your car or on your bike as most do, but thats no reason to miss a bite of sandwich there!
Yeah i know.. But that’s not always. The last few times i went there, i did get a place to sit.
When I initially got to know Narayan, thats where he took me on a date
lol. I love the chilli cheese toast too. I guess thats probably everyone’s favorite. If not for him I guess I would have never eaten there. It is definitely worth a try. But if you are a health freak or cleanliness freak then I dont think you would wanna go there. Not that they are bad, its jus that the appearance may not appeal to ya.
ha ha.. couldnt agree more! the bread omlet there is the best u can get anywhere.. bin eatin there regularly for the last 6 months now.. every sunday!
but the sewage leak from alsa mall is driving customers away nowadays.. the 2nd shop is almost an island now..
wow!!! i completely forgot bout the place for sometime now.. but people do visit the place .. esp, the chiken toast is awesome!!!!
Hi Narayan…. I am Nithil, programme Producer, Southern Spice Music, I am doing a programme on the bread omelette shop u have mentioned i would like to contact you as soon as possible. Contact me in vis_images@yahoo.co.in
I would be grateful if u cud do it in a day r two b cos i have to plan the shoot for Tuesday,
Thank You
Hi Nithil,
I have sent you an email with my phone number. Awaiting your call!
Hi Narayanan…..I’m Bertilla, Reporter, NDTv-Hindu. I am doing a story about the bread omlette shop that you have mentioned and so i would like to get in touch with you for the same. Contact me in bertilla@ndtv-hindu.com
Please get back asap. Thanx. Tc.
Hi Guys,
I am probably the veteran here. But I know this place for a good two decades. I first went there when I was in Grade 11 (1989-90). Initially there was only one shop. One next to the bunk shop (which is in the right front as you face the mall). And later there came a couple more which is in between Alsa and Cisons.
Anyways, it was run intially by an old man. Forgot his name. The watchman at that time was Mr Babu who came from pudupet and had a great sense of humour. And later the hands changed and another middle aged guy took the shop. Even then, it was the only Sandwich shop out there. And by mid 90’s, the rest of the shops came around.
Great place. Whenever I am in Chennai, this is a must.
Thanks for all the posts. Rekindled memories.
Cheers…
Prem.
Hi All,
There is a huge silence and no post on this topic anymore….
I was also a huge fan of this shop. I was doing my engineering project here wayback in 2004. I was staying in the apartment which was very next to Alsa Mall. I was frequently having sandwich from our dear shop..
Now after a 6 Years Gap, I am back to Chennai again… I will be visiting this shop this coming weekend to taste the real good sandwiches… Hope they are providing the same good quality ones and also hope I can eat it sitting in front of the Alsa Mall….
Great memmories.
i used to visit this shop with my friends between 1990 to 1996 (then left overseas).
It was a great joint for teens. Come down to Alsa eat at the sandwich shop and hand out in Alsa mall Air conditioned.
Many Guys waited there to meet their girl friends and then shooted off with the Girl on their motor bike.
Eat sandwich wile you wait for your girl to show up.