Karthick calling all food-lovers

CHENNAI: Next to Hot Chips on 12th Main Road, Anna Nagar, is Karthick Tiffin Centre. It’s hard to miss when you pass by Blue Star, as it is located near the traffic signal. In spite of numerous restaurants mushrooming across the main road, the tiffin centre maintains its old charm. Started by Vijay Kumar 20 years ago,  young hotel management students now run the hotel on lease. “We observed the hotel for one year. Though we passed out from different colleges, we all wanted to do something in the hotel industry. We spoke to Vijay Kumar, who leased  the hotel seven months ago,” says Mohammad Yusuf, who is in charge of food and control. This small hotel offers a variety of dishes. “Three people can eat at just Rs 100. Our hotel is open from 6am to 11.30pm,” says chef Guru. “Customers visit us again and again just for the taste of food we serve,” he adds.A plate of parotta with kuruma and spicy chutney costs Rs 22 and a plain dosa set costs Rs 18. “We offer cauliflower dosa, tomato masala dosa, green peas, aloo masala dosa, butter and podi dosa for Rs 24 each,” says Mohammad.  The hotel also serves idiyappam and kichadi (Rs 20 each). “Our ulunthu vadai (`7 per piece), cauliflower dosa and vadakari (Rs 14) are famous among the customers,” he says.Though I tasted only vada and cauliflower dosa (could’ve been fried better), I felt my stomach was full. The tiffin centre doesn’t offer coffee or tea (a must for any South Indian after having tiffin) and will suit only those who can balance their plates in their hands. Though there’s no seating facility, the hotel seems to have its share of loyal customers.Karthick Tiffin Centre is at C 44, 2nd Avenue, 12th Main Road, Anna Nagar.