‘Desi Food Truck’ tickling many a palate in the Big Apple

NEW YORK - Do you crave for Indian food in the streets of New York? The ‘Desi Food Truck’ is the answer to your home-food woes.

Down the Fifth Avenue and at the intersection of 27th Street, Alamgeer Elahi has set up his very own idea of an Indian restaurant - a yellow van marked with Bollywood posters on the outside and adorned with Pakistani tribal art.

Walk a little closer, and your senses get invaded by mouth-watering dishes - be it rice and dal or a fiery biryani.

The dal and rice, with pickle, raw onions and tomatoes on the side, is sure to get the feeling of nostalgia running and his kati rolls come wrapped in traditional lachha parathas, a multilayered unleavened bread made with lashings of ghee, or clarified butter.

“I’ve had the kati roll here before and it’s phenomenal,” The Wall Street Journal quoted Anand Kumar, who is a second-generation Indian living in Manhattan.

Seybou Diallo, a banker who works on Fifth Avenue, said the cart was “convenient, especially when I need to grab a quick bite and rush back to work.”

And it’s not just that the food is tasty. It’s economical too.

“Many people don’t have time for relaxed lunches here. And many would rather spend less,” Elahi said.

Elahi is in his forties and originally from the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, where his parents moved from Pakistani Punjab. He has lived in New York City for 18 years, during which time he’s dabbled in the mobile-phone business, real estate and food.

Elahi is particularly enthusiastic about serving young partygoers.

“You see parties finishing in the early mornings, especially in the weekends, and a lot of hungry people at the end. We’re open till 6 a.m. on the weekends,” he said.

He also has big weekend plans to serve Kachchi Biryani, made with goat, a Hyderabadi special which needs to be slow cooked for 3-4 hours. (ANI)