I happened to lunch at one of the new 'Food courts' run by Haldiram's in Kolkata the other day, and I am glad to report that they are doing good business. It seems it's childishly easy to give the likes of Macdonald's and KFC a run for their money by just cloning them, even with an all-vegetarian menu. And given the clean, quiet ambience and airconditioning, the Rs. 75 you have to shell out for a standard (and adequately filling-) thaali is reasonable pricing indeed. May the tribe prosper.
Life is short, uncertain, precious... it should be fun, even the dying
Different strokes
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'I should not be thought to be serious only when I am solemn'... Bertrand Russell
About Me
- Suvro Chatterjee
- Durgapur, West Bengal, India
- I am 61, and for 22 years now a confirmed home-bird. I read, write, teach, counsel, listen to music, exercise, watch movies, have fun with kids including my own, have tried to be a good husband, think all the time, and generally endeavour to live the good life as I have understood it. It's tough, and it's been a long trudge.
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6 comments:
I've never quite understood the fascination for MacDonald's or KFC; although maybe those chains are actually better than the ones here (I'm quite sure that the chicken nuggets here from MoacDonald's would bounce back if one threw them against the wall; they're so tough)...I've not been to a KFC though. It's good to know that Haldiram's is doing brisk business. Rs75 for a thaali seems to be reasonable considering that those pricey coffee shops sell coffee for an easy Rs. 100.
Dear Sir,
I think readers of your blog would also appreciate reading about this documentary film on Macdonalds 'Super Size Me'.
I wonder how the Indian versions would fare.
Aakash
Vegetarianism in India is on the decline. It is much more fashionable to eat junk at KFC or MCD than enjoy a nice home cooked meal. India functions on only one principle nowadays. What is good enough for the US is more than good enough for India.
In Ray's 'Aagantuk', Utpal Dutt enquires about the status of legendary institutions like 'Ganguram's' and 'bhimnag'. Today's generation would probably expect him to enquire about KFC and MacDonald's.
Dear Suvro Sir,
You must absolutely try out a Keralite restaurant called 'Banana Leaf' on Rashbehari avenue, not too far from Mukundapur, the next time you are here. The price is only marginally more and the food is authentic South Indian and very hygenic. Please do try out their coffee too.
Sayan, many thanks for harking back to this old post. Remiss of me not to have acknowledged earlier comments for so long. Shilpi, yes, the price is what I found most attractive. Kolkata doesn't lack for grossly overpriced eateries! Aakash, that's an idea you should offer them, seriously: super-sized dosas, idlis, appams, pranthas, dhoklas, momos, the works. Anand, someday soon you will get the best cakes in Kolkata, and maybe the best rosogolla and sandesh in New York! And Sayan, thanks for the tip, but I go over to the Big Bad city so rarely that finding time to eat out is a rare luxury, unless something happens to be right on my way at the right time... this might change, though, and then maybe someday you and Rashmi will take me to dine at some places of choice?
Of course Sir, why not? It will be a great pleasure and a great honour. Maybe we can try out 'Bhojohori Manna' and 'Sholoana Bangali' too. I haven't gone there, but the price isn't as high as in say 'Oh Calcutta', I hear, where one can easily spend a few thousand and still not go away with a full belly.
Why do you say "this might change"? Am I reading something between the lines here, or is it nothing?
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