East Gaterr Food Tips 1 - Maami Mess in Kumbakonam

Kumbakonam is a land of so many ancient temples. Kumbakonam always stands unique and is a place where many traditional practices are still actively carried out. Throughout the year, footfall of tourists and pilgrimages are always high because it is a Punya Kshetram. 

Two things that comes to our mind when we talk of Kumbakonam is ancient temples and the famous Degree filter coffee. I’ll write about the famous Filter Coffee later. But what about the food? When such footfalls of pilgrimage comes to places like Kumbakonam, they prefer Pure Vegetarian food. Mostly Vegetarian food is available inside the temples, which is Prasadams, already offered as Neivedhyam to different Bhagavans in various temple. But again what’s the scenario when we come out of the temple?

You would normally assume that a ‘Temple Town’ like Kumbakonam will have many places to enjoy some good vegetarian food. But in reality, there’s ONLY ONE place in Kumbakonam which serves you pure Sattvic (No onion and Garlic) food, owned and maintained by a ‘one woman’.

 

Meenakshi Maami at her desk

Meet Mrs.Meenakshi, the woman who has been single handedly running “MAAMI MESS”, for the last 42 years! Maami Mess, is a simple homely restaurant, located at Gandhi Park North (TSR Big Street). No fancy interiors, no big boards, no cozy tables and air conditioners. It is a small restaurant, which you might easily miss if you are driving fast on that way.

Maami Mess is unique in its way. Serving pure Sattvic food, as mentioned earlier, on a banana leaf. Healthy and hygienic food at amazingly low price that one could expect. One full Thaali of unlimited food only for 70 rupees! The Thaali includes rice, Curry, kootu, pickle, Sambar, Rasam, VathalKuzhambu and curd. Everything served traditionally on a banana leaf.

They also serve morning breakfast like Idli, Dosa and coffee and night dinner like Adai, Chappathi etc.

All the employees of Maami Mess are women. They must have been inspired by Meenakshi Maami herself. After having a satisfying lunch, I met Maami at the counter. She was seated on a little wooden chair behind a table. On the table was a black slate and piece of chalk. She still keeps accounts the traditional way without any modern gadgets like calculators etc. Beside her table is a little shelf filled with images of Bhagavans and Kanchi Paramacharya. From that corner where she sits, she supervises the Mess.

There are a lot of places that go by the same name. It is easy to get confused or fooled. Many of these new restaurants are obviously using the brand name of this Maami Mess. So be careful and watch out.

Next time you are on a yatra to Kumbakonam, you know where to get excellent, pocket-friendly Sattvic food. Head to Maami Mess. I have posted the images of Maami mess and Meenakshi Maami for your reference and I have tagged on the location as well.

Happy Eating!!!

Yours East Gaterr