I am slightly confused with Shankar’s Fry. Should this come under the hidden gem category or the regular listing? It’s not as known as its counterparts at Sadananda Road or the cafes in Bhowanipore. But, considering the crowd it gathers during business hours, it’s difficult to call it hidden. Welcome to Shankar’s fry- South Kolkata’s friendly neighborhood fish fry kiosk.
Location
If you stand near Triangular Park on Rashbehari Avenue, you may ask someone to guide you to the city Style outlet. This small kiosk is just beside that, at the corner of the lane. It’s operational on all days from 4-9 PM. But please remember to reach early. Items here have a strange tendency to run out of stock. There is no ambiance as such, it’s only a take-away joint. But what it offers, is prompt service of hot tasty fried items.
Please check the location on Google map here
Items from Shankar’s fry, that I like
Once you reach shankar’s Fry, please please try their Fish Fry and Fish finger. No, though I am finicky about having Bekti for any damn fish-y items, they serve Basa. But the fish quality is fantastic and never gave me any reason to complain in last so many years. The fish is reasonably thick and the coating, quite decent and tasty. It’s the same with their fish fingers as well. And though I’ve tasted better products elsewhere, seldom I have come across better value-for-money items.
Jewish immigrants were the ones to introduce fried fish to Europe. What they did was brilliant. they simply put a fish fillet in batter and fried it. Some potato fries were given with it as well and the dish was named Fish and Chips. Probably they didn’t use salt in the batter to avoid the lack of crispiness. And the item was a runaway hit. In 1860, fish and chips got introduced to England and in 1925, there were almost more than 30,000 shops selling the item.
Must-try items at Shankar’s Fry
Definitely go for their Fish Pakora and Chicken Pakora. They are simply brilliant. I know youé tasted chicken Pakora everywhere. This is an item, which nobody claims proudly to love, but end up ordering. Shankar’s Fry took them to a different level altogether. Even if you tend to ignore the Fish Fry, never ever miss these. The outer coating is super thin and it’s full of flesh- meat or fish. It’s perfectly seasoned and is served straight from the frying Kadai. Also, do not, I repeat, do not miss the homemade Kasundi (mustard sauce) there. It’s quite strong and in this cold weather, are quite enjoyable.
Now, here’s a story about Fridays and fish. And please remember that it’s a story or fable. In 16th Century Europe, not having meat on Fridays was standard practice. The reason being the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on a Friday. But nobody liked having vegetarian food there. And then they twisted the rule a bit. Instead of the meat, they started having fish on Fridays and bingo… the battle was won.
Specialties at Shankar’s Fry
Now for the specialties at Shankar’s Fry. they serve something named as chicken Cheese Fry and Prawn stuffed Fish fry. And both these items are damn interesting and must-have. Some coriander-smeared cheese is stuffed in between two flattened chicken slices- batter fried and sold. You can actually feel the molten cheese oozing out on your first bite and it’s pure love. DO NOT miss the item there. The second item is loved by all fish-lovers. Mashed prawn is stuffed between two decent fillets of fish and it’s deep-fried. The result is amazing. The flavor of fish is mixed with the aroma of prawns is simply killer. DO NOT miss it, at any cost.
shankar’s Fry is one of your friendly neighborhood shops, which has stood the test of time for last almost two decades. You won’t get something here, that is best in Kolkata- but a lot of items are better than most of the famed places. and most importantly, they are served at a pocket-friendly affordable price. So try out the place and let me know your preference there.
You can check Shankar’s fry on Foodka Youtube channel here…
Bon appetit !!!
I can be reached at inddrajit.lahiri@ymail.com
