Lunchboxr exclusive: Cheesesteak Tikka Masala
In which we pester the Biriyani Cart guy to attempt fusion cooking
A couple of weeks ago, while waiting to order a combo tikka masala plate, another customer at the 46th and 6th Biryani Cart ordered a cheesesteak. My first thought was how dull. My second thought was, the guy's desi food is really good, so maybe the cheesesteak is, too. I asked Ben whether he'd ever tried the Biriyani Cart's cheesesteak. Nope.
It was my turn to order. Lightning struck.
"I'll have a cheesesteak tikka masala," I says.
Pause. He laughs. "Ha. No way."
"Really!"
"No, no. Sorry. I can't."
So I had my laugh, ordered the combo tikka masala plate, and went back to the office. The seed, however, was planted. I could see the gears turning.
Yesterday I went back and ordered biriyani. As I paid, I asked if I could get a cheesesteak tikka masala yet.
He laughed. "What, with the cheese and onions, and... ?", with gestures at the raita and sriracha and chutneys.
"Exactly!"
Big smile. "Come back tomorrow! I'll do it!"
And so, without further ado...
It's not quite what I was angling for, which would have been a cheesesteak (i.e. thin-sliced ribeye) with the raita, sriracha and chutneys, but this was mighty good in its own right, the marinated, grilled chicken mixed with melted American cheese and griled onions and given those same sauces.
Since the bread doesn't get as soaked with sauces as the rice would have, I do think this needs a bit more sauce or veggies for wentess and intensity, but even as it is, I'd definitely order it again.
I think I'm going to recommend it as a regular menu addition. One nagging question given that I'm still curious about an Indian-spiced steak-based cheesesteak is what the two items would be called in order to disambiguate them. Cheesesteak tikka masala for the steak version and chicken tikka cheesesteak tikka masala for the one I got today?
No matter. Here at Lunchboxr global headquarters, we have other experiments planned. Watch this space!
Remember: At Lunchboxr we strive to bring innovation to office-worker takeout so that you too can enjoy a tasty cheesesteak tikka masala.
posted by: steve on Wed April 09, 2008 at 02:07 PM
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Ben said...
Wed April 09, 2008 at 02:19 PM