In my early days in Chennai, I was amused by people saying - Shall we go for chat? -pronouncing it as 'chat' !! Now the word is not as mispronounced and there are many eateries which offer you good chaat.
But true authentic bhel lovers will find the murmura ( puffed rice ) here too thick- it is more the jaalmurri kind.
Here are some of the outlets that we like:
Madras Bhel puri- in T nagar- a small little stall in the lane beside Naidu Hall and Raymonds- the guy makes a delightful bhel salad
Kailash Parbat- the most recent one to open in Chennai - helps relive my Bombay days- they even made me sukhi bhel or at least attempted to!
Ajnabee- In Egmore, with lots of Gujju farsaan as well
Shree Mithai- Best at Chetpet but available at other branches
Mansukhs- in T nagar and Alwarpet, more known for their Rajasthani thali
Street shop- Nungambakkam- Outside Karishma boutique
Makkhan chor- a taste of Mathura- Cenotaph road
Gangotree- multiple branches, we like the T nagar one a lot
Cream Centre- St Marys road and Nungambakkam- Fantastic stuff- you can even opt for a chat platter
Just revisited the OTBT series I had done long ago and my old write up on Chennai street food for Metro Mela (the pics that have been updated seem irrelevant though) .
As for juice, go here :
Gream's road Fruit shop
Haji Ali Juice Centre off Greams Road
Aavin stalls offer yummy buttermilk called "more"
The juice shops at Kovai Pazhamadir- all branches
Also try out these local juice shops:
- The juice shop opp Kirtilals in Alwarpet
- The juice counter at the Petrol bunk next to Pizza Hut Nungambakkam
- The roadside coconut water guy
- and the Neera that you get occasionally
Keep the creative juices flowing! It is so energising !
12 comments:
Long time lurker, first time commenting...I love the Greams Road Fruit Shop. Every time Im in Chennai, I havvvveee to go visit. I wish they would expand their business to Bangalore.
Now you've made my mouth water...and here we are trying to avoid eating paani puri from the street guy near our building :)
i love ajnabee. what wouldn't i give for some hot samosa, followed by a pack of their ghatias. with chili pickle. yum!
Wow!! hope u get to do such a post on bangalore very soon!! :)
n thanks for the awards.. its up here
http://mindfull-meanderings.blogspot.com/2009/07/awards.html
same as starry: mouth watering!
thk u for all the lovely placces...its been a while since we ve been to chennai
OMG, artnavy, this post brought back mouth-watering memories! My favorite chaat haunt was Canopy at Alwarpet jn., right by the Anjaneyar temple there - mainly 'coz it was walking distance from our house and near the bus stop where I got off every evening... not sure if it is still there... and the one in Luz corner - forget the name - was inside the little complex by Gani I think...
Thanks for the award, artnavy!
My fave was Sangeetha's at Numgambakkam. And Sudha's for chaat, next to Dasaprakash. And the prasadham at Parathasarathy Kovil. Yummy. Esp their athirasam.
Thanks for the award Art! Will do a "creative" post soon.
Aey! I am like 1 week old to Chennai, and this is very helpful. How about listing shopping places for kids and women...appreciate it. tx
Do keep adding on your favourites to this list so I can check them out as well... :-)
I know I'm really late out here, but better late than never. I just loved this entire series of posts. Even though I was staying in the boondocks, (Gummidipoondi) I was close enough to Chennai to develop a lasting love for this beautiful city.
I hope you find your stay in Bengaluru as fruitful and enriching as your stay in Chennai has been. Knowing you, I'm sure it will be. When do you shift?
U were right, I did like this. Although it would have been awesome if I had some of that bhel while reading :) Joining the ranks of those who r looking fwd to ur B'lore version. If you do find some place for decent sukhi bhel, please please let me know ! I knew a marwari family in koramangala who were running a 'side business' in the evenings out of their garage with their maharaj dishing up chaat incl. sukhi bhel, but sadly they closed down long back :(
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