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If you live somewhere in Chennai’s IT Corridor, i.e. Adyar, Indira Nagar, Taramani or Thiruvanmiyur, then you have a reason to party. Hot Briyani, a venture of Food Delights, as an inaugural offer is giving out Chicken Biryani, Muttton Biryani, Chicken 65 or Vegetable Biryani FREE on June 12th 2007! So mark that date in your calendar and remember to order online immediately so that you don’t miss out on this wonderful offer.

Do note that they are also offering free home delivery. You also get to choose your delivery time as per your convenience which makes the offer even more better. So go ahead, order biryani from Hot Biryani and enjoy!

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 ‘Time Pass’. Time pass is nothing but cucumber pieces with Chaat Masala sprinkled over it. And here is the best part, the so called ‘Time Pass’ is on the house!

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.