Where ‘idli-vada’ sells like hot cakes

Where ‘idli-vada’ sells like hot cakes
Aarthi R | TNN

Living on junk food and multi-cuisine, the traditionally simple South Indian idlis might seem like those ‘boring round and white’ food regime for many. But not at Veena Stores. Fluffy white idlis and crispy golden vadas with chutney at this small yet popular store, are still a hothit wooing many. And it’s been the stuff of local lore for more than 30 years.
At the outset, it looks like any small shop spotted along a busy one-way zone in Malleswaram. If not for the board or the crowd eating outside, anyone new to the area might take it to be a departmental shop. And there are times when the crowd here leaves you little leeway to go in and find out more. Squeezing between the hungry, happy groups with their plates, just their expressions and reactions can tell a lot about Veena Stores.
Barely measuring 10 ft by 15 ft, it was started in 1977 by S D Suryanarayana Hegde (now almost 70 years old) as a small coffee shop with the traditional idli-vada-chutney combo. It still measures the same, but there seems no measure for the crowd it gets in every day. “My father made a start with what he thought he could, and now I have taken it from there to ensure that it continues, says S Pradeep, the proprietor.
Today, there is a two-sided menu list with almost all the South Indian dishes listed and displayed at the shop: khara bath, kesari bath, bisi bisi pongal, puliyogare and the bisibele bath, to name a few. But, the hot idlivada-chutney still rules them all.
“It’s the only dish that still gets me here,’’ says Muralidhar, not looking up from his plate. A resident of Malleswaram, he makes at least one visit every week, like he has been doing for the past 20 years.“Earlier, I used to come here all alone, now I accompany many who are also regulars, he says, pointing to Anish M who works nearby.
Hemalatha (57) from New BEL Road first visited Veena Stores just last year. Now, she makes at least one or two visits a week. And its not just for the idlis or vadas, she says, finishing her plate of bisi-bele bath. “You can also try it out. It’s good,’’ she recommends, crushing her empty plate into the bin.
15th Cross, Margosa Road Malleswaram Phone: 080-23344838 Open from: 6.30 am - 11.30 am, 3.30 pm - 8 pm Price range: Rs 8 - Rs 20
(Send your suggestions to
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com with ‘What’s Cooking’ in the subject line) DOSA POLL
With reference to last week’s poll on dosa places on MG Road, very few voted for Hotel Brindavan (1), Shesh Mahal (2), India Coffee House (1) and Hotel Empire (1). Kaycees was a runaway winner with 22. Go ahead, check them out and decide for yourself.