I decided to explore a restaurant in the RagBaj area with a friend i had a business meeting with. After passing two restaurants without Wi-Fi, we arrived at The Goan Belly, which my friend mentioned had been closed for renovations about a month ago.
One notable aspect was the absence of background music, making it an ideal spot for a conversation.
The Wi-Fi initially showed a speed of 1-2 Mbps but later stabilized around 30Mbps. The internet was okay, though not the most stable.
I appreciated the concise menu, and the prices were surprisingly low compared to those in Palolem, aligning more with the rest of Goa’s pricing (Palolem is known to be quite pricey).
I started with the butter chicken accompanied by two butter chapatis. The dish was pleasantly good, with the gravy being slightly spicy as I prefer.
The portion was generous, containing a good amount of chicken. Although the chapatis were smaller than usual, they were tasty. It’s advisable to get at least two chapatis for each Indian dish.
Their menu boasted ‘Thick milkshakes‘, so I specifically requested one. They informed me it would be medium-thick and suggested adding ice cream to thicken it.
Unfortunately, the final product wasn’t as thick as I’d hoped. Moreover, the cocoa powder used seemed of lower quality, resulting in an overly sweet milkshake that I couldn’t finish. i shared my opinion with the owner.
The staff at The Goan Belly were constantly cleaning and maintaining the restaurant, clearly dedicated to keeping the place in top shape. Their commitment to customer satisfaction was evident, making them quite communicative and friendly.
Next, I decided to try the Crispy Chicken Burger. This choice was inspired by a friend’s suggestion to review more schnitzel burgers, which are among his favorites. I was asked if I wanted cheese on the burger, to which I happily agreed.
The burger was served with a modest portion of simple yet tasty fries, and the salad was enjoyable as well.
Interestingly, the burger felt more like a crispy chicken toast, as it seemed the entire sandwich, not just the buns, was toasted. This added a nice level of crispiness.
I requested extra mayonnaise, which they gladly provided. The addition of cheese was a great touch, and they were generous with it. The schnitzel was indeed crispy, though a bit thin for my preference, making the portion feel slightly insufficient.
I shared my feedback with the owner, suggesting a slight price increase from the very reasonable 179 rupees. I recommended adding an extra chicken patty or at least offering a double patty option to enhance the dish.
and the owner shared more images to share with you.
Overall, my experience at The Goan Belly was positive. While not the ideal spot for nomads due to the tall tables and scarce power outlets, the food and service were commendable.