Salem is bursting at its seams. The floating population is ever on the rise, particularly during the night hours round the year.
During weekends, Yercaud and Kolli Hills in the neighbouring Namakkal district attract a large number of visitors.
It is the roadside eateries that spring up in the late evening hours which bring life to the city. These eateries function from 7 p.m. and for the next few hours, people from all walks of life throng them.
The patronage for these night stalls is not without reason. With the prices of essential commodities skyrocketing, the lower and middle income groups struggle to make both ends meet. On their part, the hotels too have increased the price of food.
The Salem city accounts for many big restaurants and hotels, but generally, their food tariff does not suit people belonging to weaker sections. These roadside eateries cater to the needs of those living in the lower rung of society.
Roadside eateries function on the main roads and the sub-lanes in the Junction, New Bus Stand, Old Bus Stand, Agraharam streets, Meyyanur main road, Omalur main road, Tiruvakavundanur by-pass and Cherry road. Many of the eateries function from rented push carts. At many spots, vans converted into makeshift kitchens and store rooms could be spotted serving idli, dosa, chapathi and parotta during the night hours.
The working hours of these makeshift hotels are just a few hours till midnight, thanks to the restriction of the city police.
The main attraction of these eateries is the price and the quick time they take to serve people. An ordinary dosa costs only Rs. 10 and a set of four paniyarams too Rs. 10. They also serve butter dosa, podi dosa and tomato dosa . Some serve variety of dishes, including lemon rice and pongal .
The side dishes such as coconut chutney, tomato chutney and coriander chutney also provide added taste, says M. Kannan, a private firm employee.
Many youth from the central and western districts employed with the IT companies in Bengaluru converge in Salem city in the late evening hours before taking the bus for onward journey. For them, these eateries are favourite spots for dinner.
A majority of the owners of these eateries are economically and socially downtrodden. These eateries also give part-time employment to many poor youth. Though the business starts only at 7 p.m., the preparation begins right in the evening.
“We have a lot of regular customers and they wait even before the eateries open,” says K. Gunasekar, running an eatery on one of the Agrharam streets.
