Read between the slice

Using the working definition of a sandwich — anything wedged between two slices of bread — Mumbai's khau gallis give birth to bizarre avatars

This year celebrates the 250th anniversary of the sandwich. If you are posh, you'll like them itty-bitty cucumber ones with the crust taken off. If you are hungry and side with the Americans, you'll go for a classic BLT or ham-'n'- cheese. But if you are a Mumbaiker, you'll like it strange — with chocolate, mashed raw banana or even noodles packed in. We rounded up Mumbai's four disturbing sandwiches invented in its many bylanes, and dared to take a bite.

Jain grilled sandwich

Where: Balu's Classic Fast Food

What lies inside: Raw banana, tomatoes, capsicum

Street food is democratic in the way our thoughts are not. You belong to a particular sect that has dietary restrictions? No worry. Mumbai's entrepreneurial spirit will tap into this niche to draw out the monies. Balusaheb Gaikwad's Jain Sandwich is devoid of root vegetables because the community shuns all food that grows underground. You can't tell the difference between pre-cooked raw banana bhaji and potato mash. Sandwizza at Santacruz, Andheri, Vile Parle and Malad also makes a Banana Crush Toast that is essentially raw banana bhaji taken to another level of surprise. It's yours for Rs 50.

Samosa grilled cheese sandwich

Where: Balu's Stall, Opposite Starcity cinema, Mahim

What lies inside: One samosa, chutney and cheese

Balu's Classic Fast Food has been serving this mash since 1990 at its mothership outlet in Saitan Chowki. The stall at Starcity opened six years ago. There's not much to reject about a crisp potato packet smashed with chutney between two large triangular slices of bread. The delight is in the textures.

Maggi grill sandwich

Where: Outside St. Xavier's College side entrance, Dhobi Talao

What lies inside: The noodles, capsicum, chutney and cheese

Vinod Jadhav says you can sell anything in Mumbai: "Sirf dimaag chahiye." His seems particularly, what shall we call it? Warped? The two-tiered sandwich is a union of two crucial elements of the student diet — spicy noodles and cheese — topped with sev, served at 25 bucks. He also grills cubes of Cadbury dairymilk chocolate with butter between two slices of bread. Dessert for lunch?

Daal pao

Where: Guru Kripa Snacks, Sindhi Camp, Chembur

What lies inside: Three types of daal, chutney, slice onions

Lala Dal-Paovala migrated to Sindhi camp in Chembur and has been selling the daal sandwich for more than 58 years. You get a choice of kadak or naram pao, into which is poured hara moong, akkha moong and chaana daal. Onions and chuntey finish off this Pakistani breakfast. Lalchand Jagwani's family mans three vending stations, but the original haath-gaddi sits parked under a peepul tree outside Lalchand House.

Mitali.Parekh @timesgroup.com