Vik's Chaat Corner - Indian, Berkeley

2390 4th Street
Berkeley CA 94710
(510) 644-4432
Parking: street parking

http://www.vikschaatcorner.com/

Last Visited: February 7, 2010

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

Chaat means 'to lick.' As their menu describes, these road side snacks were served on a leaf and were so good that you couldn't resist licking the last morselfs from the leaf before discarding it. When friends first told me to try out Vik's I was told to expect street food or snacks, so keep that in mind as you look at the menu containing various specials like puris, dosas, biryanis, kebabs, and more. I remember going to Vik's a couple of years back. They have since moved two blocks south of the old warehouse (and it really was a very basic warehouse with little style) to a newly remodeled location which they affectionately refer to as the Taj Mahal.

The new location contains a grocery store (stocked with plenty of different spices) and also has a new, fresh modern design with a new flow for both ordering and picking up food. First, you order from the main counter which has a menu overhead and several registers to take your order. This counter also contains a glass case displaying all of the wonderful desserts available. Upon ordering, you approach the condiments and utensils counter to pick up all the environmentally- friendly sporks (yes, that fork/spoon combo utensil) that you might need. Find yourself a table in the large dining area and listen for you name to be called from the sound system. It's a casual do-it-yourself environment, so if you're expecting service here, you'll be sorely disappointed. Also, everything comes in paper trays and plates, so it's kind of like going on a picnic.

If you're like me, you're more curious about how the food is being made. I headed to the kitchen area where there are signs designating the various locations of food pick-up depending on the type of food being ordered. It can feel chaotic, but trust that your order will come up eventually.

- Plain Dosa - A dosa is basically like a crepe. This thin pancake is golden on one side and soft on the other side. It's rolled and served with sambar (a lentil stew/soup containing vegetables and made with a tamarind base) and chutney. I really like the other dip it's served with because it has a texture similar to hummus (I love hummus). You can also choose to get potato or vegetable filling as well. It's excellent hot, but with all the running around to get the next item, it cooled very quickly. $5.75

- Bhatura Cholle - You can see a lot of people eating this giant round puffy bread (bhatura). It's made with fermented white flour and served with spicy garbanzo curry (cholle). Unfortunately, I don't know the spice combinations well enough to describe it in detail except to say that it's good. It's quite a lot for one person to eat, but great for sharing. It's not exactly what appears to be low in cholesterol - if you watch them cook it, you'll see how the bread is deep fried until it expands to this size - fun to watch. I could eat it alone even without the curry. $5.75

- Lamb Baida Roti - Roti is a whole wheat flat bread cooked on the griddle. Stuffed inside is spiced minced lamb. This was probably my favorite dish because of the great flavors and slightly crisp outer crust. It also reminds me of having a Chinese curry beef pastry because of the similar texture of the meat inside. A dipping sauce comprised of mint and yogurt also comes with the roti. Very good. $6

- Chicken Biryani - Biryani is a rice dish that comes with meat still on the bone. Here you can see the tender meat over long grain

basmati served with a side of raita (flavored yogurt) which cools your palate. This is a great comfort dish, but don't forget about the bones in the meat. I found this dish to be fairly filling - if dining alone, it's a good choice. $6.25

During my first visit, I tried the samosas and they too were quite good.

One thing about the old warehouse system that I liked before was that your meal was given to you all at once. With this new system where certain areas of the kitchen attend to the dish of that area, you'll find that you may need to approach the counter multiple times which means your food is getting cold while you're away. If they could return to having your entire meal ready at once or if someone brought it to your table, I would be a happier camper since the food that has arrived already could be enjoyed while waiting for the items still to come.

The food is very fresh overall and it's definitely quite an interesting cultural experience if you're unfamiliar with the chutneys and dipping sauces. As long as you are willing to try something new, you'll enjoy the great flavor combinations and interesting textures and possibly get to try a few items that are new to you. Also, you'll find some weekend specials and of course, they have kulfi, a personal favorite of mine. Kulfi is a rich ice cream that you'll have to save room for to end your meal properly. And don't worry, they also have a glossary for all the words you may not be familiar with. Vik's makes for a great casual dining experience.