The Taiwanese know how to use space - especially when it comes to small businesses. A quick wander through Ximending, Gongguan or Shida reveals that shopkeepers can and will use every available nook and cranny to sell anything from food or the latest clothing to knick-knacks and gewgaws. As storefronts go for a premium in these bustling areas, landlords are willing to rent every available ping to anyone who wants to try their luck.
Though some complain about overcrowding or - in the case of restaurant stalls - hygiene concerns, the consumer benefits from cheap food.
Take, for example, Biff's Pitas, a street stall that opened one month ago and has seen customers lining up to dig into some of the tastiest pitas in town. The owner, who calls himself Biff Cappuccino, is a Canadian who has lived in Scotland, Nigeria, Ireland, Uganda, the US and has spent the last two decades in Taiwan.
PHOTO: NOAH BUCHAN, TAIPEI TIMES
Biff's is located in front of an alley off Shida Road beside a Wellcome supermarket. There is no room for tables or chairs - besides a small space behind the grill for cutting chicken and fresh vegetables. Shida Park (師大公園) is right across the street. Low overheads mean paying low prices for healthy and delicious food.
"My father had a tradition where he would never cook the same meal twice in one month," Biff said. "He loved to experiment preparing foods from different countries." Though the menu at Biff's is fixed, he said he applied his father's ethos by experimenting with his cooking methods before arriving at his current creations, which reflect his interest in Asian flavors.
Five choices of filling are available for Biff's whole-wheat pitas: Madras curry chicken; Xinjiang cumin chicken; fennel seed chicken; Sichuan-style chicken; Mexico jalapeno chicken; and Thai tam yam chicken. One sandwich costs NT$55; two go for NT$100. Toppings include fresh cucumber, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream. The proprietor says he can make his sandwiches as spicy or mild as the customer wants.
My favorites are the Madras curry chicken and the Mexico Jalapeno chicken, extra spicy. The pitas are a bit on the small side but, at NT$55 for one, it's hard to complain. If one doesn't fit the bill, order a side of potato wedges (NT$35) or potato wedges with basil sauce (NT$50). If that isn't enough, order another pita.
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