The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Palate-friendly and light on the wallet too

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Friday, Dec 01, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Palate-friendly and light on the wallet too

Dennis Marcus Mathew

These destinations are now more than mere "stand, eat `n' run" outlets

TASTY TITBITS: Those seeking a quick bite gather around the tables at a tiffin centre in Koti. — Photo G. Krishnaswamy

HYDERABAD: A few years ago, these were just breakfast destinations for those rushing to office. Now tiffin centres, or `darshini' centres as they are popular, are more than mere "stand, eat `n' run" outlets.

With popular hotels and restaurants being looked upon with a suspicious eye as far as hygiene is concerned after the recent raids and roadside bandis not being up to the mark on the same aspect, tiffin centres are in the reckoning for the common man.

With their steaming idlis, golden-fried vadas, MLA Pesarattu, tomato bath, the distinctly different tea, tiffin centres are in a completely different zone for those looking for a fast bite. Hot and straight from the oven, they snugly fit into a reasonable food budget as well.

Fits the pocket

While a plate of two idlis comes for Rs. 8 - Rs. 10, a plain dosa is around Rs. 12-14. A plate of alu-poori is around Rs. 15 while a single tea is Rs. 3 only. Lunch and supper won't usually cost above Rs. 25 with a varied menu to choose from.

"It is not just the wide variety, but the cost factor and the speed at which fresh and hot food is served that has made tiffin centres popular. Most of the items we serve are not those that can be kept in a deep freezer for days together, so the question of stale food does not arise. And we clean the kitchen every day," says an employee at the Sai Fast Food and Tiffin Centre in Somajiguda.

Hygiene factor

However, there is one factor that could go against tiffin centres, with the exception of a few.

And that is the hygiene in their kitchen.

The exceptions clean the kitchen every day. There is one catch though that binds all tiffin centres.

Non-vegetarian Hyderabadis will remain in the wilderness since tiffin centres are hardcore members of the `ahimsa' contingent.

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