Vada pav is a delicacy that is loved by almost everyone who has had a bite of it – from commoners and celebrities to even politicians and ministers! It’s pocket-friendly, convenient, and most importantly oh-so-fulfilling! And there’s a vadapav stall in Thane East that serves one of the best vada pav you’ll have in Mumbai-Thane. In fact, this humble vada pav has enchanted even Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Minister Eknath Shinde! Yes, we’re talking about Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav! Keep reading to know more about this vada pav stall that’s redefining this popular street snack.
Eknath Shinde Loves Ashtavinayak Katta Vadapav: Location, Menu, Prices, And More!
Location Of Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav
Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav stall is located in Thane East’s Ashtavinayak Chowk. This chowk is located just a few hundred meters away from Thane Railway Station (Central line) – so you can reach this place within just 7 to 8 minutes of walking.
Alternatively, you can take a rickshaw to reach Ashtavinayak Katta, but we’d not recommend doing so unless you are willing to pay the full fare for a ride that will hardly last for a couple of minutes.
Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav stall is easily noticeable, right across the clock tower that stands in the center of the chowk. So, overall, reaching and finding this viral vada pav stall is no tough feat!
Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav: Eknath Shinde’s Stamp Of Approval
The taste and reputation of this vada pav stall received a lot of praise and appreciation on the internet – attracting hundreds of food vloggers, influencers, and local foodies. The stall opened somewhere after the COVID-19 pandemic and has managed to garner a loyal fanbase in just a few years.
Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav’s reputation rose exponentially on the internet particularly due to their original tandoor vada pav! This unique take on the vada pav managed to generate quite a lot of buzz and curiosity as to how the vada pav would taste. And soon, news of this unique vada pav reached the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Eknath Shinde shares a deep connection with the people of the Kopri neighborhood, where this vada pav stall is located. In fact, he contested the Maharashtra state elections from the Kopri constituency.
So when he returned to Kopri to grab a bite of the Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav, he instantly liked it! As soon as he tried the vada pav here, the stall’s popularity blew up in multifolds! Within a day, Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav was hailed all over Mumbai and soon, hundreds of people frequented the stall to try their now-famous tandoor vada pav!
Tandoor Vada Pav: What Makes It Special?
Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav stall sells plenty of varieties of vada pav – from Peri Peri Vada Pav and Cheese Mayo Vada Pav to Nachos Cheese Mayo Vada Pav and Ashtavinayak Katta Special Vada Pav.
And if there’s one vada pav that we highly recommend trying out here is the Tandoor Vada Pav. The stall runners make about 50 to 60 vadas in a single batch, promising you piping hot vadas any time you visit the stall.
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Speaking of the Tandoor Vada Pav, they first grill the vada and drizzle BBQ sauce over it. Then, they assemble their vada over a soft bed of pav, fresh veggies, sauces, and cheese. And that just doesn’t end there! The vada pav is grilled again, lending it a great crunch and flavor. It is then slathered with chutney and served with a side of choora – fried bits of gram flour that usually break off from the fried vadas.
However, getting your hands on this vada pav (or any other variety) isn’t that easy! The stall is so popular that it is often crowded with hungry customers. Wait time here can usually be anywhere between 10 minutes to 30-40 minutes subject to availability and demand!
Eknath Shinde’s Favorite Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav: Key Details
Address: Shop no 3, Rajiv Gandhi Shopping Centre, Ashtavinayak Chowk, Mithbunder Rd, near Ashtavinayak Chowk, near Sadguru Gardens, complex, Thane East, Thane, Maharashtra 400603
Timings: 4 PM to 9 PM; Tuesdays closed
Price for two: INR 200 approximately
Summing Up
Thane is a blessing for foodies – and if you liked reading about this iconic food stall in Thane East, you must also read our guide on the best eateries in Thane West! Ashtavinayak Katta Vada Pav is a must-visit eatery that not only sells the OG vada pav but also vada pav with several twists – different flavors, sauces, and toppings. If you love the taste of the original vada pav, you might not like the fusions they’ve created. But if you are open to trying new things, you’ll definitely love their offerings
