From the ghee filled rich Pongal to the crisp
Rava Dosas, this place has it all. Well, Mylaporean's know this place better
as Rayars Mess, situated close to the Kapaleeshwarar temple.
Kicked
off in 1940 by Sreenivasa Rao, who came down to Chennai
from Villupuram in search of a job, now the mess is taken care of by Kumar
Rao. Veteran stars like Nagesh, Gemini Ganesan, Thenga Sreenivasan and
relatives of MGR used to be regular customers of this mess. "Even today,
cine artists like S.Ve.Shekar, Vivek and TV artists come here occasionally
and give a hand on our dishes," says the proud owner.
Only Tiffin
items are served there due to place and time constraints. The mess functions
from 7.00am to 10.30am in the morning and reopens at 3 in the evening. The
items served are chuda chuda Idlis, Pongal and Vadai. During evening,
delicious Rava Dosas, Bonda and a sweet is served. Not to foget, the special
Madras filter coffee.
On Sundays, the place is crowded by Marwadis
who come here specially to taste the yummy idlis and sambar. Says Kumar,
"The space is little here which can seat only 16 people , but I have been
getting customers for nearly decades ranging from IT employees to a coolie
worker "
With Idlis and Dosas costing only Rs.8 and Rs.10, the
specialty here is that, this mess retains its customers and makes them visit
it more and more. Reason? Individual service and good quality food says
Shanmugam, who stays in Perungalathur, but never mind coming all the way to
Mylapore to have food and then drives back to his office.
In fact,
this mess has become a heritage building in Mylapore as the popularity and
the good name has not been lost.
Rayars Mess:
Address: 31, Arundale Street, Mylapore, Chennai-4
Phone Number: 044-2467 0519
Anitha.R