Thumbs-up to Murugan Idli Shop
The last time I went to Murugan Idli Shop was over a year ago. I went to the Besant Nagar one. I hated it. And from then on I have been telling every one as to how Murugan Idli Shop is a con and is no match to the likes of Ratna Cafe. But, the experience I had y’day at the Murugan Idli Shop on GN Chetty Road was indeed very very good. This friend of mine who had come down from China insisted that we go there and I obliged, though reluctantly. Athithi Devo Bhava. So they come first. It was about half past eight when we reached the place. The place was packed. We were asked to wait for 10 minutes. 10 minutes it was. Not a minute earlier or later, when we were directed in to our seats. The plaintain leaf to begin with was a welcome sign. I still prefer those to the melamine plates or the stainless steel ones. And no forks nor spoons. We started off with a Sakkarai (Sweet) Pongal, Ghee Pongal which we split and a Medhu Vadai to go along with it. The Sakkari Pongal was piping hot. It was delicious. Just had the right amount of sugar in it. Probably the only one which according to me comes even close to the one at Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane.
The Medhu Vada was huge. I hadn’t seen such big ones in recent times. Especially with the Saravana Bhavans believing that small is beautiful (they portions are like samples). Was very tasty too. There were 4 different kinds of chutneys. The regular coconut, there was the pudina, i still can’t figure out what the other 2 were, but I would assume it would be the Kara (spicy) chutney and the onion. The sambar was ok,nothing to complain about. The Ghee Pongal was good, only that it was all Pongal and no ghee. We then split an Onion Uthappam. Man this was quite good. The crispy baby onions sprinkled over in generous measure and the close to 5mm thick uthappam was a delight. The coffee was decent, a tad more milk in it I thought. We ended up spending about Rs. 93/- Worth I should say. Check it out, and I am sure you will like it. The service is quick, the ambience just ok and the food GOOD. I would give it 7/10.
Murugan is expensive. But Ill pay that much for that IDLI. You missed the Idli there ?
BTW, Ambience is never a factor to any of the South Indian hotels.. Just the quality of the food will get the marks.
Only i dont wish to take my friends there if we need a “sweet-long-talk-dinner”.. You cant spend a long time there.
I have been to the one at GN Chetty Rd a couple of times. I should say the food is good enough. And it is definitely cheap compared to saravana bhavan…
Everywhere is cheap compared to Saravana Bhavan.
I take European visitors there because having read about it in the guide books gives them confidence.
(though I have to say that their fresh jack-fruit icecream is fantastic).
However, I can never understand why the place is full of Chennaites, paying over the odds for small portions of South Indian food…
Murugan Idly Shop…..absolutely love this place…food is YUM….fresh,hot,clean……….quick service
Though I miss the Darshini’s of Bangalore….but MIS takes the cake …i mean the idlies here in Chennai…
in murugan idly quality is good ,but price is very high , even for 2 idlis rs 15 /- is very expensive , even though in kayaenthi bhavan quality hot idli is also avalible for rs 2.50 /- for 2 idlies.
nanda kumar
15 rs for 2 idlis?????
actually those idlis are worth it because of the different types of chutnis u get.
i also recommend the onion uthappam. it’s super tasty.
Vinod, I hate Murugan idlis (the idlis I mean) from the bottom of my heart. Don’t ask me why. The place is two steps away from my home but I never go there unless compelled to. Their idlis are lumpy and soggy, compared to the grainy and soft idlis of Ratna cafe. I even wrote a post, comparing the two, in my blog a few months ago. But you have written it very well :)