Got to try the new takeaways in my new area
Okay, so central town is small, and there really is no need to try out new takeaway places, but there is definitely a want. My favourite takeaway in town is a place called Vetkoek Den who specialise in Indian food, served with vetkoek. (An Afrikaner fried dough bread) as well as the more traditional roti.
I am very loyal so I feel kind of torn, as I have been buying from Vetkoek Den for 20 years and I know that lately the exodus from town central has affected them too, but I don't want their staff to walk all the way to my new shop either! Anyway, they have taken their annual three week leave where they actually close the shop for that period, so I asked the barber when I took my son there, to recommend the best takeaway place in my shop's new location.
He obliged, and asked me to mention he had recommended them! I went to collect a menu and their prices are pretty much the same as the other places, though slightly cheaper than Vetkoek Den. My favourite, above all else, order from Vetkoek Den is their chicken curry roti roll so I had to try the new place's roti roll. I also ordered potatoe samoosas as they were very reasonably priced. It was really too much food...but then, is there ever such a thing as too much food?!
The samoosas (also spelled samosa) were quite delicious. Samoosa's are a triangular shaped fried pastries with varied savoury fillings. In South Africa they tend to be very hot, and if they are not hot enough for your taste they get served with hellfire dip! The samoosas in this picture are actually really small and the dip is in a tiny container. Even so, you can't do more than dip the corner of the samoosa in the dip, because well, hellfire! Six potatoe samoosas cost R20 ($1,60). They were very tasty and well made.
The chicken curry roti roll was alright, but not the work of art I have come to expect, being spoiled by Vetkoek Den. To be fair it was a lot cheaper too. I usually pay R50 ($4) at Vetkoek Den, but at the new place I paid R35. ($2.80). The taste was different, but not bad at all, but the roti let it down. Rotis are a soft flatbread, and either you can make them...or you can't. My daughter @yogidream.scapes is a talented baker and she says they have a mind of their own. You can make them in the same way on two different days, and one day they will be good, and the next day, not as great. Also the roti set off my trypophobia, which has been very bad lately.
One side of the menu.
Overall I was impressed with the new place's service and prices. I did pop in yesterday to collect a menu and to surreptiously inspect the premises. There are many takeaway places in town, but I would rather ask people such as the barber, who has been in town forever, where they order their food from. I will explore some of their other menu options soon. I do love a good biryani, so that will be my next choice! I think I will continue to support Vetkoek Den, but rather go and collect the food so as not to inconvenience their staff. I always prefer to choose local takeaways as opposed to the big chains like KFC or McDonalds.
@onetree
