Pune and 'the pattice culture'

Pune, a cozy city nestled amongst beautiful small hills, known for its rich history, heritage & food! When we hear Pune & its food, we predominantly hear Pohe, Misal, Vada pav, Sabudana khichdi & of course the beautiful tea, to which the Puneites fondly call Amrutatulya Chaha. A beverage akin to Elixir, aka Amrit! Haha, isn't it fascinating; this kind of comparison! No doubt Pune is a Pohe ani Chaha (Pohe and Tea) city. At every nook and corner, we can find tasty Pohe, Vada pav & tea stalls.

But very few know that Punekars (read it as local name to Puneites) have this deep, sincere love for bakery; and particularly for the 'Pattice', famously known as the 'Puff'! Yes, the veg/egg/chicken puffs that we find in all places in India, they are called 'Pattice' in Pune & Patties is spelled as Pattice again only in Pune! There is this less-known Pattice culture that has been completely ingrained in Pune. And why I say culture is because there are communities, families, friends who follow this ritual of Sunday breakfast of Pattice. This definitely began in the Peth(old city) area, where bakeries like Hindusthan, Santosh were born. 

Santhosh che Pattice 

On all days, the Pattice will be the most favourite and sold mid-time snack with tea, however Sunday mornings have a special importance, as the bakeries start their service early around 7ish in the morning and there will be this big queue to get the Pattices parcelled. And it's not only restricted to Sundays now; the bulk number I mean. A guest is home, friends came for a surprise visit, just getting bored. Be it any tiny occasion like this, you'll see people taking away the Pattice parcel from the bakeries. The number of Pattices on an average per customer will be anywhere from 5 to 50! The size is relatively small; thus gives you the pleasure of eating the initial bites of that lovely, crispy, flaky crust of that just out of oven fresh, hot Pattice more number of times.   

There is another speciality of these places & Pattices. (No one really calls Pattices, to be honest. 1 is Pattice & 10 are also Pattice. No one really says, 10 Pattices parcel pls. But the spell&grammar check in my brain is correcting it every time.) Unlike other conventional bakeries pan India, these bakeries always have the live counter of Pattice; like Dosas. Would you ever see stack of dosas and being served as per orders? No, right!? Dosas are always made live and served fresh & hot. Likewise once you order, you will always see your Pattice coming from the big oven set up inside & then getting passed through the window to eventually reach the customer. Usually other bakeries either have that equipment of keeping things hot and the pattice or I should say 'the puffs' are stored in it or some simply microwave and served! 

Pattice Bakeries in Pune stand out. Wow! the more I write about it, the more I visualize, miss & cherish the memories of eating Santosh che Pattice in Pune!      

Listing few bakeries that I know are the best for Pattice. Do pay a visit whenever you're in Pune. I guarantee, you will come back again & again! :)

1. Santosh Bakery 

2. Hindusthan bakery

3. Green bakery

4. Poona bakery