Breakfast Lore
Short observation on the breakfast spot I go close to my office.
On the second day of a new year, what I felt was the coldest night. I had just completed my night shift, finished the last task for the day, locked the system, and headed towards the lift to get on my bike and have breakfast from a place near to the office.
The breakfast spot is a two-wheeler with heat boxes that pack the items he has to offer. He halts at a crossroads not far from office but it is a five minute walk from our office building. The guy running the stall usually dresses in the same manner, a tailor stitched shirt under his fat wool knitted sweater, paired with beige track pants. He has one earbud plugged in his ear at all times and the other is open to listen to orders.
Set under an umbrella hanging from the top of his moped, he carries multiple items - Dosa, Uthappam, Upma, Mysore Bonda(not the regular size but the mini ones), Idly, and to go with these he even provides 4 types of chutney.
I particularly love the bonda with two varieties of white chutney made from peanuts, one is liquid and a bit subtle in taste with every spice perfectly added and the other one is solid chutney, almost a paste like consistency, with green chilies added as if to remove the cold from our ears.
These two along with the pudina chutney - compliments the Mysore bonda which he servers 6 pieces per plate and that taste… early in the morning is such a relief from the cold as if the spice wraps a blanket around your face.
As soon as the mix of chutney with the soft, oil fried bonda go in, the cold crispness around the mouth and nose fades first, then the spice kicks in and leaves us craving for more for the heat it gives out.
When I first went to have breakfast at this place, I asked how for the price and it shocked me - He said “Any plate you have in full is 20 rupees.”
No overselling, no underselling, straight answer and back to his work.
He was serving me what I consider a muffler around my ears in just 20 rupees.
I asked him when does he start preparing for him to be here so early. He mentioned his family including his mom, dad, and brother lend a hand and prepare all these before 4 am. Then go to sleep once he starts to bring them here.