Adikalathu Original Nei Mittai Kadai

"Madurai" may remind one of various eateries like Amma mess or Kumar mess serving non-veg food delicacies. However, many may not know this town also got some of the region's best sweet and savoury shops selling from halwa to mixture varieties. Many who visit this town don't forget to buy the famous prema vilas halwa near railway station. But there are equally good sweet stalls famous among locals for the wider varieties of short-eats.

During a recent visit, happened to stop by "Adikalathu Original Nei Mitai Kadai" at East Avani Moola Veedi(means "street") near Meenakshi Amman temple. There are two shops with the same name. My inlaw guided me to the original shop which comes first on the right whilst walking from the nandi statue. It has a bright red name board on the front. I was told that they sell solid wheat halwa which can stay intact for upto 45 days. Immediately after asking for the price details, I was handed over with samples of halwa, kara sev and mixture on mandarai leaf topped on a paper. Initial bites tickled my taste buds increasing my curiosity. Halwa was pretty yummy, mixture was good as usual, but the kara sev was super spicy that I had to look for water immediately.

Packed some halwa (400₹/kilo), kara sev (300₹/kilo), dry jamun(5₹ per piece) for friends back home. I was forced to have another sample of sweet boondhi and some spicy sev. Except the sweet boondhi (may be little old), every single dish was yummy and delicious. Had to refuce the samples as I was about to go home for lunch. But again forced to taste a small, but soft and crunchy murukku. Staff were so friendly and never bothered to give samples whoever shows up to buy. They even kept a brass vessel full of water on side so that people can drink after consuming the samples.

Before I thought of finalizing the bill, saw some triangular packs of potato masala(8₹/pack) packed in mantharai leaf. People use to use this to eat along with fermented rice ("palaya sadam"). Available only during lunch time, decided not to skip the experience. Bought a couple of packs for lunch at home and started walking home. Do I need to say it got empty by the time I reach home. Taste was just awesome to describe...it was a spicy blast inside the mouth with cumins and onions dancing on the sides.

This stall is located just next to one of the oldest food clubs in the town "Jayavilas Sappattu Club" that serves one of the best non-veg food in the town. Only problem is parking as it's a crowded street.

Selvi Ammal Unavagam

Yet another homely meal at pocket friendly price. Happened to visit selvi ammal unavagam for lunch today. Whilst driving from Ramapuram arasamaram junction towards nesappakkam MGR statue, turn right on the street near Ibaco ice cream shop and you will see a crowd standing in front of a house, which is the "unavagam" means an eatery in tamil. It is an ordinary self service mess type eatery.

Only women were involved in cooking. One can see the open kitchen, just before getting the meal. Just after entering the gate, saw one guy standing before the displayed nonveg delicacies like fish fry, chicken, quail, country chicken, calamari(squid), mutton chukka. Thought of buying prawns chukka, however I was not lucky as it was not made today. Bought tokens for a meal(70₹) and chicken chukka(50₹) and then got the meal plate. And then had to find an empty seat to enjoy the meal. Chicken chukka was later served on the table.

Meal contains a bowl of limited rice, appalam and following items in small cups...drumstick sambar, rasam, butter milk, cabbage kootu, scarlet gourd. Initially started with sambar and veggies. Sambar was extra ordinary in taste. Not sure how they are getting that mouth-watering flavor. Veggies were not bad. Later indulged with rice mixed with chicken chukka which was little spicy, lot of pieces, low in oil. Ended the meal with rasam and then butter milk. Rasam was just ok. But buttermilk was thick and delicious.

After coming out, saw a small kiosk selling lassi and sugarcane juice mixed with various type of fruit/herbal extracts like aloe vera, mint, lotus, lemon, ginger, gooseberry. Washed down with a sugar cane juice with added ginger + lemon for just 20₹.

Not a place to go with the family as the ambience and seating is not that comfortable(what can we expect in mess?). But good to go for a quick homely meal or to get a takeaway.

Address:
4/2, 1st Street, Karpagambal Nagar, Ramapuram

Google Map:

Kovai Savitri Mess

Lonely and looking for a homely meal around Virugambakkam area late afternoon. Initially planned for Karuppiah mess, but later changed mind as it was little pricey. Drove straight towards kovai savitri mess located just next to passport office, near bharani studio. They have parking space just for 2 cars and few bikes. But I parked my car at the street side as it is a Sunday with no crowd on the street. On weekdays, one can park at the paid parking area at the next gate.

Opted for a fish meal(limited meals) that comes along with a big ayila fish fry. At first a big banana leaf was laid out, and then came a bowl full of fish curry. Cabbage poriyal(who needs it when there is a fish?), Paruppu payasam, rasam, buttermilk were served in small bowls. Payasam was heavenly. A medium size plate full of boiled rice and an appalam was served. Took some rice with fish curry and had it with cabbage. Fish gravy was optimum spiced, just like a home-made, with lot of shallots. Found a small and a medium sized fish on the gravy. Initially looked like matti, but had less bones. Meat was soft and delicious. Later heard it was kilichal fish(never heard that before).

Finally came the star ... fried fish(ayila). It was so big and yummy, and was lasting even after rice was over. Not much oil, not a spicy one, exactly what I was longing for. Yeah, I was fed up with oily and spicy chicken and mutton briyani.

Had some rice mixed with rasam at the end. And then had few fish left out, took some time to eat them all. Finally gulped the butter milk and successfully ended the meal. Surprising factor was the bill, it was just 150₹ for the meal with 3 fishes. Certainly a pocket friendly eatery.

They are open for breakfast and dinner as well, serving idly and dosa combos. If you're looking for grill or tandoori, then this is not a right place. But a perfect place for traditional and homely meal. Try out if you drive through Arcot road.

Address: Kovai Savitri Mess, Bhanumati Ramakrishna Road, Saligramam, Chennai

Google Map: