As the clock strikes 12 noon, they hit the roads and set up their stalls. Soon the aroma wafts across the locality and scores of people, including corporate employees, cab drivers and others throng these stalls to enjoy the delicious fare that is on offer.
This is a daily scene at different stretches at Madhapur, Kondapur, Kukatpally, Gachibowli and other places, which are replete with corporate companies and high-rise structures. Despite the presence of a few popular restaurants and hotels, mobile lunch stall owners are making a brisk business daily.
“Unlike the food offered in our companies, it is tasty and affordable here. We have a lot of choice as well,” says Manohar, an electronics showroom executive in Madhapur.
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A plate of ‘meals’ is priced at Rs.35 and customers get to eat rice, dal, curry, sambar and curd. Those who wish to relish chicken or mutton curries have to pay an extra ten rupees. Customers also have choices like lemon rice, vegetable biryani, fried rice and tomato rice. What’s more, the menu changes every day.
Vendors prepare the food at their homes and bring them to these areas in vans. The dishes are arranged on tables and customers can select the food and pay accordingly.
“At Rs.35 for a meal, it is well within my budget. In contrast, hotels and mess owners charge Rs. 75 per plate meals. Food offered is fresh and hygienic here,” says Rakesh, who has his lunch from a stall at Kondapur.
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With the stalls turning out to be a big hit, more people are jumping into the fray.
“We are a team of five, including a cook, a helper, a driver and two others. Business starts at 12 and goes on till 3 p.m. depending on the availability of food,” says Srinivas, a resident of Vijayawada, who has been operating one such stall for the last four years.