Thattukada or wayside eateries are where experimental and creative dishes are born on a regular basis. Be it the famed street food hubs in India or a humble makeshift eatery on the road side, the cooks here often experiment with flavours and ingredients, creating something that is extremely mouthwatering. The thattu pizza is one such dish that was created at a regular wayside eatery opposite the Manakkal temple on the route to Tanur in Malappuram. Even though the dish is called pizza, its base is made with good old dosa. Besides, the fish pollichathu which is loaded with flavours is their highlight.
This wayside eatery may be quaint, but the dishes that are prepared here can give any gourmet dish cooked in the kitchen of a luxury hotel, a run for their money. Compared to other wayside eateries, the dishes served here are quite unique too. Fresh fish baked in spicy and flavoursome masala is a superhit dish here. Fish like mackerels, Indian salmon, red snapper and hamour are mostly used for preparing this dish. Marinated fish is wrapped in banana leaf and then baked over coals. This is served with hot dosas that are soft enough to soak up the delicious masala.
Meanwhile, the thattu pizza is a unique dish that was ‘invented’ here. Beaten eggs are spread on thin dosa crepe and then topped with shredded chicken, bell pepper and carrot. You need to take a big bite to enjoy the various flavours and textures of the ingredients. Interestingly, the thattu pizza is quite big and can be enjoyed by two persons. The thattu pizza which costs Rs 250 is definitely one of their most successful dishes that lure foodies from all over.
The fish dishes are priced as per their size. Mackerel pollichathu may cost Rs 80 while the red snapper costs Rs 400. The price of the hamour dish may go up to Rs 400-650 depending upon its size.
Most wayside eateries focus on serving the best variations of porotta, beef, tapioca and pork dishes. However, fish dishes are served only at a few eateries. So, if you are game to try some unique and interesting dishes at a wayside eatery, then do not hesitate to visit this joint.