Burger trolleys have disappeared from Connaught Place

The famous burger trolleys of Connaught Place (CP) in Delhi are no longer around. Once a popular choice for cheap street food, they seem to have disappeared over the years. Despite the presence of air-conditioned burger restaurants, the old open-air carts have been replaced by various other street food options. A stroll through CP today shows no burger trolleys. These metal carts used to offer a variety of snacks, including burgers, patties, sandwiches, and more. Vendors would typically run these trolleys, sometimes with help from a younger person. Each trolley often had a menu painted in red and might feature religious symbols or messages. Shaukat Khan, an ice-cream vendor with 40 years of experience in CP, says the burger trolleys left the scene a few years ago, even before the pandemic. Some wonder if anyone misses them, given that there are many other street food choices available in CP. Although there's diversity in snacks like golgappa, bhelpuri, and ice cream, the distinct burger trolley is missed by some. Initially, burgers were sold for just 10 rupees and were prepared in bakeries nearby. Vendors reheated them on coal stoves before serving. One former favorite spot for a burger trolley was across from Palika Bazar, but now it hosts a momo stall. The change reflects a broader shift in the street food landscape of Connaught Place.