Make a date with Uncle J over a waffle and juice

To many visitors, Panjim, the capital city of Goa, is akin to a mint that oozes taste depending on how it is chewed. And, that taste takes an entirely different direction when one walks into Uncle J’s, at the corner of the roundabout that leads to the church.

“I found it strange when I noticed, on the menu outside, that waffles and juices were being sold inside. It was unexpected in a circle where most things Goan are on sale,” says Rehaan, as she sits with her Nutella Waffle on the church steps.

Uncle J’s sticks out just at the base of Panjim’s majestic Mary Immaculate Conception Church, the steps from which began many touristic trysts with Goa’s destiny, with God and good food.

If atop sits divinity, below abound places that serve the flavours of Goa, and Uncle J’s stands as one such place that is unique and not so startling.

“When I was first thinking about what to start here, I thought of waffles and juices because that was the niche missing in this arena that has a huge footfall of tourists,” says proprietor, Jonathan Braganca.

Braganca is a Goan who likes to serve the best without compromising on quality and pricing, and that is why Uncle J’s attracts most of who come to visit the Church Square in anticipation of a destiny with quality.

Uncle J’s is a small outlet, but that does not matter because most of Braganca’s guests order, go around sightseeing, and return to pick up their order.

“Space has never been a problem because this is basically a takeaway,” Braganca admits.

“There are few shops that do waffles in Panjim, and to find one just at the footstep of the church was amazing. Even better, the waffles here are in the shape of sticks instead of squares. They are easier and crunchier to eat,” says Elizabeth as she walks towards the garden to share a juice and a waffle with her colleague.

“Waffles are something many tourists are used to having. The concept of eating waffles may be new amongst Goans, but it is picking up fast. I think the palate of locals differs from that of tourists. Goans have an exquisite taste. They are more demanding,” reasons Braganca.

“Juices sell well at Uncle J’s. And, from amongst the juices on sale, orange juice is the pick of most. All my fruit-based juices are made from fresh fruits. I don’t add sugar, unless requested, and we do cold pressed orange juice,” says Braganca.

Uncle J’s opens at 11 am and closes at 11 pm, and sees a huge tourist footfall from midday to 4 pm, and as it nears the time for the Angelus bell to chime, there is a shift with locals dropping by for juices or waffles.

“We cater to tourists in the first half, and to locals in the second. We have families coming for waffles or juices after dinner and that is what keeps us open late,” explains the owner.

If it’s not a waffle that is going to get you to trundle over, a juice should and if orange juice does not tickle your taste buds, try kokum soda for another date with Uncle J’s.