Crispy Fried Opinions’ Top 10 Dishes – Best of 2023

Wish you and your family a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2024!

End of another year, and here’s a list of what I consider the top 10 dishes I had this year, that I would readily go back for! As always, this is not about how pricey it is, or how the wholesome experience was. If I liked a dish so much that I’d go back for it at the first possible opportunity, it would have found its way to this list!

However, like every year, sieving through a hundred posts on my Facebook page and website is not an easy task. 🙂

I have consciously not listed places like Erode Amman Mess, Prems Graama Bhojanam, Courtallam Border Rahmath Kadai, Andhikkadai, Geetham, Sangeetha, et all. They ARE all my favorite places and I have made multiple visits to these places this year. That said, including them would fill up 6/10 slots. Hence, I have tried to list places where I am not a regular visitor!

A small shop dishing out tasty Ghee Pongal and wonderful Medhu Vadai making people throng the street is none other than Gomathi Mess, in Mandaveli! Gomathi Mess, in Mandaveli!

One of the finest Nool Parottas I have eaten till date is from Sahib’s Biryani, and I would certainly recommend this along with their Chicken Salna. Absolutely wonderful ! ‘Nool’ Parotta in the truest sense.

Welcome Hotel, Purasawalkam needs no introduction at all. One of the iconic places in the city that is famous for the Sambhar poured generously over the Idlies and Vada, in a mug. In a way, similar to Ratna Cafe and Sri Lakshmi Sagar for the way Sambhar is poured, but distinctly different in taste! Sambhar Idli is definitely a must-have dish here!

An elaborate Andhra meals served on a Plantain Leaf is a sight to behold and an experience to cherish! Starting with Pappu podi and ending with Majjiga is a journey to relish! National Lodge, Sowcarpet is a name that clearly is a winner by miles!

Chap Chay – a colloquially used Chinese Term is a mix of vegetables, noodles and meats tossed together with your choice of sauces for a quick and healthy meal. This is exactly what we loved in Chap Chay, The Raintree, Alwarpet. From going around and choosing the ingredients to getting it prepared and served, it was a wonderful experience which I’d certainly like to repeat!

One of my favorite dishes when trying Thai cuisine is the Thai Green Curry with Chicken. When it comes to Thai cuisine in Chennai, Benjarong, Alwarpet is a name that pops up unanimously in everyone’s mind. This dish is so comforting that I could have it any time of the day!

A fantastic Breakfast Platter at Writer’s Cafe, Taramani would certainly be my choice on a lazy weekend! The breakfast platter had bread toast, Hashbrowns, potato wedges, baked beans, chicken sausage, eggs to order, and a dip. Absolutely tasty!

A chicken dry dish has to find its way to this list, a chicken lover that I am. Pachi Mirchi Karivepaku Kodi Fry in Old Mirchi Biryani, Velachery is one of the dishes that I totally love ! The name translates to Green Chillies Curry Leaves Chicken Fry. The punch from the Green chillies, and the flavor of curry leaves blend so well to make this dish a wonderful one!

Parotta with Chicken Kurma in Hotel Safari, Royapettah is one of my favorites that I would eat any time. The very flavorsome Kurma gets its wonderful aroma and taste from the mix of coconut and Green chillies! An absolute winner!

Chicken Platter in Crystal Bar, Hotel Ranjith, Nungambakkam would definitely be on this list as this is a combination of three of my favorite dishes which I would anyways order separately – Pepper Chicken Legs, Afghani Chicken, and Chilli Chicken! To serve them all on one plate is going to be a sure hit with the chicken lovers! Totally loved this on my last visit!

If I were to add just one more dish to this list, it would be a dessert – Ais Kachang from Nasi and Mee, Nungambakkam which was one of my most recent visits. Totally loved this dessert and would certainly go back just to order this!