It’s almost 6pm, and like every other year, streets across Chennai have come alive with vibrant food markets and irresistible fragrances of all things Iftar. Ramzan street food not only brings together different communities to celebrate the festival of fasting and feasting, but also gives an opportunity to enjoy sinful delicacies that are specially cooked and made available only at this time of the year. Here are some of the hotspots:Mannady StreetA tad steep on the pocket but worth every penny, if you find a spot to stand, that is. The trick is to arrive early. While shops start cooking by 4:30pm, crowds start gathering by 6pm. By 7pm the entire lane is decked with twinkling lights and festive chatter, and a sea of people all united by one love – food. The sheer variety of street food here will blow your mind – from special Irani tandoori chicken and bun shawarma at pioneer eateries such as Hatimy’s and Firdaus, to colourful chicken items including crispy chicken, candy chicken, chicken pizza roll, kurkure chicken and chicken kebab sticks. Spicy prawn cutlets are a hot favourite. “We love cool drinks and desserts at the end,” says M K Shafeeq, who comes here with his family. “My kids love badam milk, egg pudding, and fruit custard. The best is the Mohabbat-ka-sherbet,” he says.TriplicaneTriplicane main road gets lined with makeshift carts selling chicken, mutton and beef delicacies, from kebabs to biryani during the Ramzan season. At the junction of the road leading to the Big Mosque, Tamannah Biwi takes out piping hot chicken cutlets in a big flat ladle out of the boiling oil, crisp and fresh at four cutlets for Rs 20. Next to her is Kaniammal selling green, white, pink and yellow sherbet, priced at Rs 25 each. “All are made in fresh milk, with soaked chia seeds. People want to eat and drink healthy food after breaking fast these days,” says Kaniammal. A few feet away, people gather around a cart where mutton samosas are being fried. “We have been putting up this stall every year for ten years now. Ramzan has just started, but my sales have picked up, thanks to Allah. People come out of the mosque and gather at my shop,” says Wahid, the owner, as he offers us a plate of complimentary samosa.RoyapettahThis area is most famous for haleem – a delicacy that is usually available only during this time of the year. One can spot several big and small haleem joints on Peters Road. A pretty little cart, complete with fairy lights, ‘Mazedaar Haleem’ near New College right on the main road throngs with customers. Mohammad Ali, owner partner, tells us, “We launched this Ramzan but we’re selling well. Haleem boxes range between Rs 110 to Rs 850. Apart from haleem, our cheesecake is also popular. We open at 3:30pm and wrap up only around 9:30pm.”Fisherman’s SignatureThe biggest draw for Haleem for all Chennaites. Though the main branch of Fisherman’s is at Egmore, people of all religions gather at various branches of this eatery to savour haleem in this season. The makeshift eating space is chock-a-block with customers, some even stand and have their favourite dish. Haleem specialist cooks Sheikh Riaz and MD Aamir have been specially brought down from Hyderabad for the season. “We sell nearly 250kg of haleem a day in just one branch. On Sundays it goes up to 300kg. We are known for our haleem in Chennai for the last 22 years,” says Riaz. Aamir adds that the shop throngs with customers till 11pm.
