Misal Puri. Pics/Datta Kumbhar

We stepped into Marutirao Misalwale to spot two foreigners gleefully mopping up the restaurant's signature misal with puris. That they were enjoying the traditional Maharashtrian snack, known for its fiery spice levels, without shedding a tear, perked us up. We settled in the no-frills 20-seater (with sharing tables) launched three months back in Lower Parel by Rahul Khamkar. He's the third-generation owner of Marutirao Misalwale, whose flagship outlet in Ahmednagar was started in 1983.