Try wholesome and pocket-friendly Bengali food at these messes in Chennai
The Hindu
Ahead of the Bengali New Year, we take a walk down a by-lane off Greams Road where a string of Bengali messes have been serving fresh and nutritious Bengali meals
It is 11am and TS Kolkata Mess is waking up from a slumber that resembles the unhurried countenance of Kolkata. This, however, is Greams Road, Chennai – where a line of humble eateries serving home-style Bengali food dots the sidewalk opposite Apollo Hospital.
Kailash Chandra Das, the owner of the mess, is from Odisha and speaks to his clients in crisp Bangla. “Many Bengalis come to the nearby hospital for treatment, and there is a demand for home-style meals ,” says Kailash.
As he speaks, one of his clients hollers: “Second batch maach kothay? ” (Where is the second refill of fish?)
The eatery was started almost 10 years ago. “Bengalis and Odias are the same for me. Like family,” he chuckles. The mess opens at 10am and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is devoid of a physical menu card, Kailash rattles way the names of dishes like a rapper.
A customer saunters in with a hospital file in hand, asking for the lunch menu. To this, he quickly responds, “Sabzi bhaat (rice and vegetables), mach bhat (fish and rice), dim bhat (egg and rice), mangso (chicken), rui (Rohu fish), bhola (Barramundi fish), telapia (St Peter’s Fish), chingri (prawn), aila (Indian mackerel), pabda (Catfish), and tangra (small catfish).”
The fish is sourced from the local market. “We serve freshwater fish because Bengalis relish it. Our fish meals are priced between ₹ 50-100 which makes it budget-friendly too,” says Kailash.
Kailash’s mess rubs shoulders with SS Anachi Mess - another eatery serving bengali thalis through the day. Saroj Kumar Das, the manager from Odisha, says, “Most of our customers come from Bengal, Assam, Guwahati, Tripura and Bangladesh. Our hot-seller is the vegetarian thali priced at ₹80. It comprises rice, dal, a vegetable-based preparation and chutney. Most customers opt for this with an accompaniment of fish or chicken.”
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Firefighters discover body at Air India crash site in Ahmedabad; medical students among casualties, identification process ongoing.
Senior police officers transferred after communal clashes in Maheshtala; BJP criticizes transfers, police claim routine, new officers appointed.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urges Tollywood to join Telangana's $3 trillion economy mission, emphasizing support for film industry growth.
Manipur unites in grief after Flight AI-171 crash, mourning loss of crew members from Meitei and Thadou communities.
Mahanti Fish Market in Vijayawada faces relocation proposal by VMC due to traffic issues, sparking debate among workers and sellers.
Flotsam from Liberian cargo vessel reaches Kanniyakumari coast, prompting pollution concerns; clean-up efforts under way.
Residents celebrate successful revival of B. Channasandra lake in Bengaluru through collaborative efforts, overcoming challenges and threats.
61 persons from Rajasthan stranded in Georgia seek Indian government's help amid flight suspensions due to Israel-Iran conflict.
Rare event in Hima Sohra, Meghalaya, where a visitor was killed, sparking a murder mystery and tourist safety concerns.
Chamundi Hills development under PRASHAD scheme progresses with State and Centre funding, enhancing amenities for tourists and devotees.
Supreme Court cautions against misuse of preventive detention, emphasizing it should not replace criminal prosecution or bail orders.
Telangana dairy industry seeks uniform 5% GST rate on flavoured milk for clarity, consistency, and fair taxation.
Hundreds of people gathered at Kondapalli Fort on the outskirts of Vijayawada at the break of dawn on Saturday to take part in the Yogandhra programme organised by the NTR district administration.