Fanoos
Ratings
Food 6/10
Ambience 1/10
Service 2/10
Price: Rs. 100
Description
Fanoos is an iconic representative of college life in Bangalore. There are hundreds of well-heeled men and women around the world who long to visit the filthy (strangely stray-dog-free) lanes of Johnson Market whenever they are in town to sample some of the coal fired sheek kababs that Fanoos is famous for.
Chances are, most of those who actually do find some time in the evening to head across for a Jumbo Roll leave feeling vaguely disappointed. This is not a place for young upwardly mobile professionals who have gotten used to the pleasures of fine dining. And no matter how fond the memories of late night snacks might be, the reality of the filthy aprons, the onion salad fillings and the lime juice squirted out of a used ketchup bottle onto your roll takes some of the shine off the meal.
Unglamorous ambience notwithstanding, the rolls themselves are tasty in a way that is unique to the back streets of Bangalore. Nowhere else have I had rolls that taste quite like this. They come in several sizes – regular, Jumbo, Mambo and Rambo – the only variation being the extent to which the Romali Roti to meat ratio diminishes and you can add more onions or lime as you choose. They will also give you sheek rolls on a paper plate should you feel like dispensing with the roti entirely.
There is no place to sit. The shop opens for business at about 7:30 in the evening and by 8 the crowds gather and stay till about 10:30 at night. They do brisk business and you rarely have to wait longer than 5 minutes to get your order.
They do have a restaurant above street level where – in my dim and distant college past I recall partaking of a beef birayani that tasted wonderful but which I am sure I exagerate in my own mind. But that is not what they are famous for. If you have never been, it is worth a visit. The rolls will not disappoint you. And you can check one more Bangalore must-do off your list.
Getting There:
Fanoos is located on Hosur Road at one of the two entrances to Johnson Market. Head down Hosur Road from Richmond Road and its at the corner of the very first turning to the right.
Recommendations
There is only one thing you should have if you go to Fanoos – the sheek roll in any size that you fancy.
Ideal For:
Satisfying those wistful college cravings that you get every once in a while when the rat race really gets to you. Do not plan a family evening around this.
Anonymous Foodie 
A good friend of mine used to stay by Shoolay Circle and every evening, when they fired they grill, we’d be lead, nose first, to indulge in an obligatory roll.
But, don’t you find the quality has declined? Or maybe we’ve gotten older. Either way, I now find myself frequenting Shahi Kebab Centre on the Wheeler Road/Mosque Road T Junction. I find the rolls far tastier. But maybe it’s just me.
The junction of Coles Road and Mosque Road.
You are just getting old… they taste just the same as always. We were all just hungrier then…
Is Shahi Kabab Centre near Siddiqui Chicken Centre. Cos the latter is also really awesome.
Nope. Siddiqui is on St. John’s Church Road, right? Near the under bridge?
This is on Coles Road, where Sherlock Holmes pub is. You know?
I remember that beef biriyani! It was delicious and really cheap. Our favourite pastime was discussing the provenance of the meat and how Jimmy and Julie were no longer sniffing around outside.