| Balettan, Mattannur, Kannur |
At a time when restaurants everywhere are hiking the price of tea and snacks, his humble shop offers quality goods at an affordable rate. Balettan, who runs a small restaurant near Mattannur, Kannur offers tea at the rate of Rs.2.50 when in other shops it costs about Rs.4.50 or 5.00 and even in Government run Maveli hotels it is sold at Rs.3.50.
And all his snacks are on offer at Rs.2.50 per plate. ‘Puttu’ for Rs.2.50 is sufficient to appease one’s hunger. Perhaps that is why even houses in the neighbourhood approach him for their domestic needs.
The shop is open between 7am and 8pm. The item next in popularity after ‘Puttu and Kadala’ is ‘Avil and Pappadam’.
69-year-old Balettan’s shop was started by his father 75 years ago. Although a generation has changed, there is no difference either in taste or in menu, according to veteran customers.
The rice powder needed for ‘puttu’ is made at home and so also, the milk used in the restaurant. Being his own building, Balettan doesn’t have to pay rent for the establishment. These are the reasons why he is able to keep the price rise at bay, he says. His son assists him in the chores of running the restaurant
As he does not have any voracious ambition, he is happy with what each day brings, he says with an open smile.
Courtesy:
Deepika, February 19, 2010
Contributed by: Administrator
