Good Food 

The place that started it all for Maggi lovers, Good Food has 28 different kinds, of flavours including Tomato, Chicken, Chicken Schezwan, Masala, Double Cheese Masala, Butter Curry, Chicken and Cheese and more! The Butter Tomato Maggi is my personal favourite.

Mahendra Kolhe

You also have the option of choosing between normal, medium and spicy. This place also serves a variety of sandwiches and pastas. Cold coffees, chocolate milkshakes, iced teas and hot drinks complement the snacks.

For aliens ‘bored of Maggi’, there’s also the option of omelette pav, cheese omlette, kheema pav and bun egg for Rs 25 to 50. Wooden benches and tables give this place a charming, old-world look, but the stern, unfriendly demeanor of the owner (fondly known as ‘Maggi uncle’ by regulars), the long wait for one plate and exorbitant amounts charged are a few turn-offs.

Location: Law College Road next to Barista
Price: Masala Maggi Rs 35, Cheese Masala Maggi Rs 50, Double Cheese Chicken Maggi Rs 90

  Maggi Point 

Hidden in a bylane, Maggi Point offers a mouth-watering assortment of Maggi dishes. Here, you have Anda Maggi, Bhurji Maggi, Butter Maggi, Omelette Maggi, Half-fried Maggi and Cheese Maggi, with every type prepared in a different wok.

The basic ingredients are a generous tadka of tossed tomato cubes, chopped onions, coriander leaves and Maggi Masala, to which they also add chilli powder and salt, topping it off with grated cheese, butter or omelettes. Maggi Point, much like the brand it advocates, promises and sticks to a preparation time of two minutes, a definite thumbs-up.

However, a more abundant helping of cheese on my noodles would definitely have reduced the overpowering heat of the masala which made me instinctively head for a glass of chilled juice at the stall next door. You cannot be finicky here, with their plates covered in a thick ring of oil and the previous customer’s plate being washed right in front of you.

Location: C Lane, North Main Rd, Koregaon Park
Price: Rs 40 for a plate of Cheese Maggi

  Chai 

This newly-opened eatery is already a haven for Maggi and chai lovers. With a comfortable seating and wacky posters on the walls, this place offers different Maggi preparations with other bakery items and tea.

The Vegetable Maggi comes with a generous helping of carrots, peas and tomatoes. The best part is, you can order for the dish of your choice simply by selecting preferred toppings from among butter, cheese, mayonnaise and other vegetables for an extra charge of just Rs 10-15.

The Chicken Maggi, adorned with sausage pieces, is worth a try as the pieces blend well with the masala. Just add a dollop of butter and you are good to go! Also available are rolls and frankies, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian at just Rs 50.

Location: NIBM Road
Price: Masala Maggi Rs 30, Chicken Maggi Rs 40, extra toppings Rs 10

  Nescafe kiosks 

Primarily popular amongst students, the Maggi here is offered in a thermocol bowl, to be relished with a plastic fork. Sitting under a tree, savouring the hot dish with the occasional sip of a refreshing glass of cold coffee or iced tea, is rather romantic, all in all.

Each strand of the noodles can be separated out, showing the maker’s precision in water measurement — but some butter would sure have made it tastier! However, repeated trips to this place reveals inconsistencies.

The kiosk located next to the Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC) is closed most of the time, but when not, one can snack on only Masala Maggi here, despite the variety mentioned on the menu.

Location: Near BMCC, Pune Central, Gold Adlabs
Price: Rs 20 per plate of Masala Maggi

  Ranade Canteen 

The canteen guy is humble and so are the choices available — you’ll mostly have to make do with regular Masala Maggi. The preparation is light and will leave you asking for more.

The place is mostly open and has a modest blue ‘patra’ roof. Consider yourself lucky if you manage to secure the comforts of a plastic chair and stool with your hot Maggi. With the canteen surrounded by lush green trees, this place will definitely remind you of your college days.

The chai and biscuits are must-haves too! This place is a good visit during the rains, as the whiff of the wet mud and the chill in the air will magnify the happiness served with a hot plate of Maggi.

Location: Ranade College Campus, FC Road
Price: Rs 20 per plate of Masala Maggi