vada kadai & murku kadai in chennai

Link’s started in a small way at Purasawalkam. Today, it is famous for its range of quick bites

This small outlet opposite Dharmaprakash in Purasawalkam never seems to have a problem drawing a crowd. Link’s, as the eat out is called, is filled with regulars, who don’t mind standing outside and eating.

“I have been coming here regularly for five years now,” says Vikas, a resident of Vepery. He says it’s the cheese muruku sandwich that brings him here.The menu is characterised by quick bites, including pani puri, various kinds of chaats, pasta, pizza, sandwiches and desserts.

It is however its murku sandwich which has a big fan following.

Harshad A. Sheth started the outlet in 1998 to serve chaat items for the North Indian community. “I started by selling ice golas and sandwiches. We started out in a small way at the same location and have grown over years,” he says. However, a packet of extra murku changed things around here. “One of my suppliers gave me his extra murkus for free. I placed veggies and spices between the two murkus and tried it. It tasted fine. I then gave samples to some customers and they liked it too. It has been our staple since then,” he says. They serve a host of items and have hired people to help them out. 

The owner did not bother to give this eatery a name. Regulars just call it ‘vada kadai’. We report on the astounding success of a food joint that thrives on simplicity.

Eateries operating from a cubby hole can command a massive and loyal following, to the bafflement of experts in the food industry. There is one such eatery at Big Street in Triplicane, which has been around for over a decade, and functioning without a name. The regulars just call it ‘vada kadai’ in a reference to what the eatery is famous for. It is also known for the kichadi it serves in the morning and the kuzhi paniyarams and suyyams in the evening.

It serves idli, medhuvadai, kichadi and chaptis in the morning at a nominal price. “We use only refined oil and good quality dhal. Also, our masters ensure that they use only fresh oil and batter every day. In order to attract health and diet-conscious crowd, we use ingredients such as kezhvaragu, samba godumai, kambu, and other cereals while making kichadi. We serve only vegetarian food and our customers throng the shop in the mornings especially for this healthy breakfast,” says B. Balasubramaniam, the owner of the shop.

In the morning, preparations sell out in three hours from the time of opening (7.30 a.m.), says the owner, adding that the eatery is patronised by IT professionals and other office-goers, families and bachelors living nearby. The shop reopens at 3 p.m. and closes at 10.30 p.m.

In the evening, the chefs get busy again, this time to prepare and serve paniyarams, suyyams and bajjis. Sometimes, the crowd is difficult to manage, says the owner. At such times, he doubles as a server.           M. Tamaraiselvan, a regular and an employee at the Secretariat, says, “I prefer this shop every day because it is affordable and offers sumptuous food at just Rs. 20. The evening varieties are offered at just Rs. 5. Most of the time, I take parcels to the office.” The shop is located at No.83/40, Big Street, Triplicane.

Balasubramaniam can be contacted at 9790928482.