Food Project 437, Northcote: Hot Indiano Vego Pizza ($10)
Ever wondered what it’d feel like to get kicked in the face by a pizza? Red peppers and tabasco are scattered between soothing tomato and mozzarella, ensuring an eye-watering delicious eating experience.
Diners Barbecue Heaven, Footscray: Famous Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani ($9.90)
Hyderabadi cooking is all about the careful blending of flavours and ingredients. Here, marinated chicken and a bold hit of curry bring spice and warmth to this traditional, hearty rice-based dish.
Encore, Abbotsford: Nachos Pizza (small $9.90)
There’s very little that can’t be improved by sticking it on a pizza. It’s genius, really: the pizza base becomes a crispy, smoky, edible plate, making sure none of your precious mozzarella, beef, salsa or sour cream goes astray.
Falafel Factory, South Yarra: Mediterranean Falafel Wrap ($7.50)
They should really change the name to Falafel Gallery: here every falafel is a work of art. Each crunching bite of fried falafel gives way to a yielding, meaty interior. A tangle of vegetables, feta and sauce add colour, texture and tang.
Tandoor N Spices, Brunswick: Tandoori Chicken Masala (half serve $10)
Really, what else are you going to order from a place that specialises in tandoor cooking? The tender chicken is made fragrant and vibrant by a homemade sauce. And let’s all take a moment to appreciate the genius of pizza naan.
Thai Culinary, Melbourne: Gado Gado ($9)
The name means “mix mix” and that’s pretty much what you get: a tumbled heap of potatoes, beans, spinach, cabbage and other veggies with tofu and boiled egg. The protein is bumped up even further by the rich, spiced peanut sauce.
SR’s Namasthe On Lygon Indian Restaurant, Carlton: Masala Dosa ($9.95)
Pure comfort food, this crispy rice-and-lentil pancake comes filled with soft potato studded with spices. It’s best enjoyed doused in the accompanying sauces (chutney and curry), which add a zingy sweetness.
Kanoodles, North Melbourne: Kanoodles’ Special Combo (small $9.40)
Here’s one for the dedicated carnivores: chicken, beef, roast pork and shrimp stir fried with egg noodles, vegetables and a special homemade sauce. The food is cheap, generous and produced with incredible speed.
Van Mai Vietnamese Restaurant, Richmond: Beef Pho ($10)
Warming but light, pho makes a perfect meal in any season. The lemon, fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables make the sweet, salty beef broth sing. It’s traditionally enjoyed with rare-cooked beef, but the aromatic, noodly soup is the real star.
Phat Brats, Fitzroy: The Phat Brat ($9.90)
The hot dog revolution is well and truly underway in Fitzroy, where Phat Brats serves up an inventive range of sausages in seeded, wholemeal or gluten free buns. The signature Phat Brat (bratwurst sausage, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, apple slaw) is a stand out.
