Maidan Canteens – Scoring Food Goals

Team Chronicle

There is something about Calcutta’s cafes and restaurants that have caught the public imagination. The slightly laid back air, comfortable sofas, the underlying current of sophisticated casual urbanism infused with the flavours of the city is attractive. Then there are those places, equally ambient, which hold appeal for the die-hard loyalists. These are the decades-old club canteens serving delicious food prepared in-house, for the brewing hunger of those souls in town who hanker after more rustic wholesomeness.

Canteens have always been considerate about our wallets yet never compromised on the taste or hygiene. Around 15 of these humble places are found in and around the Maidan. They were born with the sports clubs of the area. Some are owned by the clubs themselves, serving the locals and taking care of the players’ diet.

East Bengal Cafe Lounge
Football and cha – the heart of Calcutta. Cups of hot tea blended with the even more heated conversations. Scrumptious food is served in the modernised cafe lounge, CafÃ. Soccer freaks of all age groups hover in the Maidan area during matches and for practice sessions. The eatery is located in the East Bengal Club tent. A typical football club experience is promised by its glistening trophies and red and yellow shimmers. Delectable savouries, mouth-watering soups, flavoursome wraps washed down with tall icy drinks are served as you watch the big screen projection of your beloved game, Football. This one’s a must-repeat.

East Bengal Club
Leslie Claudius Sarani, Maidan, Kolkata 700021
Timing: 7 am to 6 pm, Contact: 9874842817

Must Try:
– Cream of Chicken Soup
– Chicken Club Sandwich
– Vegetable Wrap

Mohun Bagan Athletic Club
A walk down memory lane offers inevitable glimpses of the legendary conflicts between the sabuj-maroon jerseys with those of the lal-halud. The eateries however play their game in peaceful co-existence. The Mohun Bagan Athletic Club is solicitous of the players’ dietary requirements, serving nutritious food since the time of Bhupendra Nath Bose. Initially restricted to the members and players of the team, the canteen has finally extended to include the locals and fans. Starting from 7 am they serve soul recipes of Calcutta including fish fry, piping hot chicken steamed momos, chicken sandwiches, mutton stew and fish roll. The Special Players Meal is available from 10 am to 12 pm on each day of practice at the Mohun Bagan Club. Mutton and Chicken Biriyani score goals during the peak season of cricket and football matches.

Mohun Bagan Athletic Club
Gostho Paul Sarani, Maidan, Kolkata 700021
Contact: 033-22487545, Timing: 7am to 7 pm

Must Try:
– Fish Fry
– Egg Curry Rice
– Chicken Sandwich
– Mutton Stew

Khidderpore Club Canteen
Under the patronage of Shishir Ghosh and Laxmi Ratan Shukla, the Khidderpore Club Canteen has been operating for seven decades now. The cooks have been with the club for over 45 years. Office goers and upcoming sports personas are regulars. Starting from the mainstream butter toast to the nutritious mutton stew this canteen can accommodate 30 hungry souls at a time. This one’s a ‘frequently-visited’ at the Maidan tent; its mutton chunks in stew – a guaranteed crowd-puller.

Khidderpore Club Canteen
69 Maidan Tent, Kolkata 700021, Landmark: Near B.C. Roy Market
Contact: 9674270269
Timing: 12 pm to 7 pm
Closed: October 1st – 15th

Must Try:
– Moghlai
– Chicken Stew
– Fish Fry
– Mutton Stew

City Athletic Club Canteen
Ideal for a chilly winter breakfast and the city’s adda sessions, this canteen has been more than meeting expectations. The City Athletic Club Canteen is more than 50 years old. Its creaking wooden benches have proven tough enough to carry the load of charged-up excitement over team fates.

Able to accommodate upto 20, this canteen has served Dada Saurav Ganguly and other dignitaries. A place synonymous with time-honoured traditions, the Psicose Rui Posto, served with rice will leave you licking your fingers.

City Athletic Club Canteen
Mayo Road, Dharmatala, Kolkata 700021, Contact: 9433359316
Timing: 7 am to 8 pm
Closed: 1st to 15th October

Must Try:
– Rui Posto
– Chicken Stew
– Fish Fry

Central Excise Club Canteen
For a healthy-tasty meal, look to the Central Excise Club Canteen for a timely rescue. An infusion of seasonal spices makes even the ghugni a classic, while the mutton and chicken stews are finger-licking delicious. The ghugni is delicious and sits well on your tongue with toast. The chicken stew here is one of the showstoppers with a succulent piece of chicken breast cooked to perfection melting in your mouth. The chicken pakoras with minced juicy shredded chicken and outer crisp batter-fried shell served with tangy kasundi is an all-time favourite. Patrons regularly queue for their lunch during office hours. The full meal can be wrapped up within Rs 100.

Central Excise Club Canteen
Leslie Claudius Sarani, Maidan, Kolkata 700021, Timing: 7 am to 7 pm

Must Try:
– Chicken Pakoras
– Chicken Stew
– Mutton Stew

Taltala Institute Canteen
Catering to a loyal clientele for more than half a century, the rickety wooden benches of Taltala Institute Canteen has witnessed much. History has been made time and again on the fields outside and the excitement and sense of commitment has spilled over onto their food. The stew can only be described as soulful with ample portions of sliced carrots, papaya and beans along with effervescent soya chunks. The pepper seasoning, the dollop of butter spread over the accompanying toast affords an almost carnal pleasure. They also serve amazing fish chops. Some members in this canteen have worked here for over 40 years and are of the opinion that the peak season of their revenue is during the cricket matches, when customers battle for a seat out of the meagre 20, the canteen boasts.

Taltala Institute Canteen
Maidan, Kolkata 700021,  Timing: 6 am to 7 pm
Closed: 1st to 15th October

Must try:
– Vegetable stew
– Chicken Stew
– Fish Chop