Chaiiwala Dalston

"Originally from New Delhi, Chaiiwala’s fast food-style, Indian street food cafes are designed with speed (and tea) in mind. The Dalston branch is perfectly functional, if aggressively lit, and there are a few big booths whether you’re popping in at lunchtime, or having a late dinner—up until 2am. But most people are plugged in here during the day. The menu is vast and though excellent on paper, the cheese and masala beans toastie is a limp disappointment. While the Bombay sandwich with soft aloo potatoes is nice enough for around £3. But some fiery chutneys wouldn’t go amiss. Food Rundown photo credit: Jake Missing Cheese & Masala Beans Toastie If the top of your mouth has ever suffered third-degree Breville burns from a lava-like cheese and bean toastie then, like us, you may have high hopes for this one. Unfortunately it’s tepid, not noticeably spiced, and a total let-down. photo credit: Jake Missing Bombay Sandwich There’s some good stuff going on here. Pleasantly spiced aloo potatoes. Crunchy chunks of white onion. A vivid coriander relish and channa too. It just needs to be much hotter, temperature-wise. Still, not awful for a few quid." - Jake Missing