Lets Poaka- for some porky affair

As far as I can remember, during my younger days, either people didn’t love pork as much as they do now (which I personally doubt) or they didn’t shout about it as we see now. But somehow, as a positive result, lots of new joints are coming up nowadays, serving some really kick-ass pork delicacies. And, thinking of it, my second realization is, the road from Gariahat to Ruby, Kasba is slowly becoming a foodie road. Some really neat pocket-friendly joint have come up recently. 

You can check my experience at Ming Dimsum by Pou Chong sauces in that vicinity here

Whatever, if you’re in the mood for some more porky affair, go a little further till you see the insanely large Great Eastern electronics showroom on your right. Just on the opposite footpath, lies this humble restaurant called Let’s Poaka (that is if you call a place with 4 rickety tools, a restaurant). 

You can check the location on google map here

The sitting is humble and do not, I repeat do not expect some fancy stuff. In fact being the fatso that I am, whenever I went, I always feared that the tool might break down with my weight. And whenever you go, you can see one person from the owner couple there, smilingly greeting the guests and the solo waiter cum manager.

Now, I always tend to talk to them before ordering on my own. So, when I started my usual rubbish, probably to stop me, they immediately suggested chilly butter garlic pork, “with extra chilly please” I shouted. Now, I know, it’s a strange unusual dish, but what the heck. But let me be honest, the dish literally surprised me. The pork was super soft, a subtle flavor of garlic was there and please check the oozing loving butter picture below. I literally finished the dish and held the dish up to swallow the butter- it’s a sin to waste it. Overall, for a few days, my loyalty has shifted to this dish from Roast Chilly Pork. 

chilly butter garlic pork

Okay, I have a big appetite and let me assure you, that does not include only edible food, rather many other juicy interesting things. And sensing this probably, they offered Bar-be-qued pork ribs with king chilly. It’s a complete platter and with garlic bread, mashed potato (better avoid) and sauteed vegetables (lovely it was), enough for one normal person. The meat piece was the highlight. It was juicy and perfectly done. Simply perfectly done. I am not a big lover for fat (barring one specific two-legged intelligent species),  but here, when the meat ended and fat portion started, was a bit difficult to decide, such lovely was the texture. The dish is just brilliant and at considering the pocket-friendly price, I somewhat say, it’s one of the best in town. 

Bar-be-qued pork ribs with king chilly sauce

Fat content in bar-be-qued pork ribs

On my next visit, I was craving for some home-styled pork curry. Now, barring swapan da’s shop near Garia station and few pork meat shops doubling up as pork curry sellers, getting a  good pork curry is next to impossible in Kolkata. And, these guys succeed here. Now, whoever has traveled to Assam will know this flavor. There is almost no sign of sweetness and chopped coriander plays a big role. And sadly, it doesn’t have potato. It’s just the same thing here, with the gravy having a confused identity of being watery and thick. With some steaming hot plain rice (I prefer to parcel it back home, and have it with some gobindo bhog chaler bhat), it’s sheer brilliance. Personally, I ask them to make it more spicy, and thakfully, they did so with chopped ginger, elevating it to a different level. Even, when I asked for some less fat pieces, they tried their level best- 4 lean meat pcs and 2 with fat. 

Pork curry with gobindo bhog chaler bhat

Lean meat pork curry

Pork curry

My final order was Bacon burger. And sadly, loot gayi gorment. It was flat taste-wise. Though I understand that at 50/- (yes, I am not stoned), nothing much can be done, but a few leaves of iceburg lettuce and a slice of cheese (even at 20/- increased price) would have changed the whole thing. Luckily, they welcomed the suggestion and I’ll go back again to see if they really welcomed it. 

Bacon burger

the dark underbelly (?) of a bacon burger

Overall, the place is simply fabulous and definitely worth multiple visits. If you are not looking for much of a luxury dining place or rather a take-away or at least some honest and good pork, this joint is definitely recommended. 

Bon apetit !!!

Comments and critics welcome. 

I can be reached at 9903528225 / indrajit.lahiri@ymail.com

Bacon burger