Kottu use to be the favourite take-out food, but as sure as the times are changing, so is fast food becoming the new kottu. Sprouting out all around Colombo and the outskirts are fast food outlets that are competing with each other by whipping up innovative recipes at prices that won’t affect your purse.
One of the newer fast food outlets that have gained a strong following since it came up three months ago, is ‘Chicken Deli’. With simply eight items on its menu- burgers, submarines, french fries, hotdogs and BBQ or grilled chicken legs, drumsticks and wings, the little outlet becomes a beehive swarming with people of all ages in the evenings.
What’s special about ‘Chicken Deli’ that’s got customers frequenting it every evening? Let’s start with the burger patty. Made to a special home-made recipe, owner Senarath Arambepola prepares the patty mixture himself each day before opening up the outlet to ensure quality and freshness.
“I came up with the patty recipe by accident,” Senarath reveals with a smile, “I enjoy cooking so one evening when I had some guests over I came up with this patty recipe and it was a huge hit.” Having stumbled on the recipe that’s got people returning to the outlet regularly, Senarath has decided to keep it a secret.
What he does share is that the food served at Chicken Deli is Halal, going on to mention the products he uses by name to assure his customers.
“We don’t compromise on quality -the food is prepared just as an order is made so that the customers are served food that’s freshly made and hot. I don’t believe in freezing food and heating it up before it’s served.” A burger takes about 10 minutes to prepare according to Senarath, though he admits it can take a few minutes longer depending on how busy they are at the time.
In fact, he encourages people to call ahead and make their order so that they may pick up their meal just as they arrive at the outlet. Since the ‘Chicken Deli’ sprang up barely three months ago, they haven’t got around to making deliveries as yet.
The ‘Chicken Deli’ is also quite popular because of its competitive pricing. The BBQ or grilled chicken wing is available for Rs. 40, the popular chicken burger costs Rs. 150 and the chicken Brockwurst hotdog costs Rs. 125. In fact the highest priced item on the menu is the BBQ or grilled chicken leg which is delightfully priced at only Rs. 200.
Currently however, the ‘Chicken Deli’ is located in Kohuwela. “Seeing how successful this outlet has become in just a few months, I hope to open a few more Chicken Deli outlets,” he says, adding that he’s looking into opening an outlet in Nugegoda in soon. After which he plans to expand by opening outlets in the main cities. They won’t be located in the hub of the city but just outside the city limits because I want people to enjoy the meals and not be disturbed by the noise and bustle of the city.”
The Chicken Deli outlet is at Sunethradevi Mawatha, Kohuwela. |
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