Spice Dabba - "convenience" Indian food

This is a story of not judging a book by its cover. Not everything is what it seems! Because we just discovered such a random good find! First day of spring (not official first day but first day warm enough to go to the park) we went to the park. Sir Oreo ran around in mud like a crazy person, so he’s sufficiently tired and muddy. We, the lazy humans were just.. muddy and hungry. So on the way home I debated the realistic options of me cooking vs to picking up some delicious, spicy, satisfying Indian.Hubs wants to ritual something so by the time we get there we wouldn’t have to wait. Sure, we are millennials and we lack patience, obviously. Anyway, the selection on Ritual was not vast, I suppose a lot of places don’t participate in this area. Narrowing down to 2 places, we decided on Spice Dabba. Spice? Good! Dabba? Yay?!

Midtown traffic was horrible. Not only because everyone is on the road at this point, also the endless construction that goes on all- year- round. Finally I decided to park in a lot just next to a shoppers or dollarama, and hubby ran in to the shop to get the food. 15 min or so later, he comes back and with disbelief in his face… "my god" he says, "it’s just.. a convenience store". Haha, what? I have never bought convenience store dinner – well seven eleven maybe, but do hotdogs count? "What do you mean" I say. He continues to describe having a hard time finding the place, cuz the sign is neon and teeny. And, AND! There’s no visible kitchen, nor hot table, nor seating space.. nor washroom. Guy appeared from the back, and handed him our food in a paper bag. WHAT???

No! the logical part of my brain is judging this hard right now: How, HOW did they make the food and where is all the ingredients from??? But the empty stomach of mine was like: maybe the guy is this amazing chef who’s trying to make it. But didn’t have enough funds to open a shop and a restaurant, so he’s doing both in this shop. And all the ingredients are from his store and he’s just.. very.. totally.. vertically integrated (yes MBA brain). 

We drove home and feeling kind of unsure of the food. But I suppose hunger took over and also it smelled… so.. gooooood. Ok here we go, I said, let’s do it. Either it’s going to be the most amazing food, or we die and this is the end of the road. Well, I’m glad to report that it was not at all the end of the road, and the food was frigging amazing! Everything was pipping hot, flavorful, meats were so tender, and the portions are overfilled to the brim. It was just awesome! (note: I apologize for the lack of images - I was miss judgy-wudgy pants and didn't think I was going to write about this.. and, AND the food was honestly so awesome we ate everything. All I photo of was the left over container of byriani from the day after, which I brought for lunch.)

1. Garlic and regular naan: soft and crisp. I loved the slightly burnt bits and it was great to mop up some of the sauces with these
2. Lamb Byriani: wow the pieces of lamb were so soft, lot of herbs, bay leaves, cardamom, parsley on rice. We got mild and was very tasty.
3. Goat Vindaloo: we got spicy and the sauce was a bright orangy-red. Tomato and spicy, it opened all my senses. 
4. Goat Madras: it was so much ginger and garlicky yellowy and organge sauce. We got a mid version so this is not too spicy. 
5. check out more of their menu here  https://spicedabba.ca/ and yes do take-out because uh.. I don't think you can sit in a store.

So there you have it, I not only live to tell the tale - but I highly recommend this place. I didn't get tummy ache or off taste or anything. Convenient store or not, I am sold! What's also amazing is that companies like Uber and Skip the dishes and Ritual are really opening new opportunities for those who have a talent but not able to open a full-on restaurant. I think it's pretty amazing and inclusive.