I had been yearning to visit Zakaria Street since Ramadan began, but I was also dreading it due to the intense heat and crowds. The temperature that day had reached 50 degrees on the RealFeel index and there was a heatwave.

So, I carefully planned my excursion: I would go before Iftar, avoiding the peak crowd hours, swiftly purchase my food, and make a quick exit. However, things didn’t unfold as I had envisioned.

As I pen down these words on April 4, 2024, the heat was unbearable. It was perhaps one of the hottest days, with the temperature soaring to 37 degrees Celsius and the RealFeel readings peaking at 47 degrees Celsius. The air was thick with humidity and pollution.

I left home at 4:30 pm, hoping to beat the worst of the heat. But as we arrived at Zakaria Street, the atmosphere grew increasingly chaotic and crowded.

Nonetheless, I remained determined and had two culinary destinations in mind: Adam’s Kabab Shop, the original 107-year-old outlet, and Dilli 6. I had heard great reviews about both.

My first stop was Dilli 6. Despite its reputation for being crowded, it was surprisingly empty at that hour. However, my plans took a detour when I discovered they didn’t accept card payments or UPI. In this day and age, it seemed unfathomable. Nonetheless, I refused to be deterred so easily.

Undeterred, I sought out Adam’s Kabab Shop for their renowned Suta Kabab. Along the way, a kind gentleman offered us some Sirmal Paratha to sample from his shop, Haji Nadeem Ansari Shahi Sheermal. Impressed by its taste, we decided to purchase two.

After a considerable trek, we finally located an SBI ATM, withdrew cash, and returned to Zakaria Street. By now, the street was teeming with people and the heat was relentless. Despite the adverse conditions, I couldn’t resist buying some delicious Phirni from a roadside stall.

We also came across enticing stalls selling Halwa Paratha, but the combination of excessive oiliness and the oppressive heat dissuaded me from indulging. Nevertheless, the temptation lingered, promising a treat for a cooler day.

Upon reaching Dilli 6 again, I placed my order and paid in cash, only to be informed that I had to wait 15 minutes for my takeaway. Little did I anticipate that 15 minutes would stretch into over an hour of frustrating waiting, with repeated assurances of “just 10 more minutes.”

Reflecting on that hour evokes a sense of torment—it was unbearably hot and stifling. Despite purchasing water in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort, it provided little relief. Witnessing others enduring the same conditions, queuing up or dining in the sweltering heat, was unbelievable.

This invoice is a reminder of the tormenting heat, crowd, sweat and stickniess I had to go through for kebabs.

For those seeking adventure, provided the weather is more forgiving, Zakaria Street offers a unique experience. Yet, I can’t help but wish for cooler temperatures, digital payment options, and better organization. Otherwise, my earnest advice is to abstain. This is not an endeavor for the faint-hearted, nor even for the resilient—it is an adventure for the crazy, amid chaos.