House of Idlies — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

Idlies Outlet is an ambitious venture, adding a dot in the the map of increasing vegetarian outlets in Chennai. Many might have given positive reviews. I wanted this review to indicate more negatives, so that the biz owners of this restaurant do something for sure to rectify them.

It is just a 10-seater, 6 seats and 4 high-stool seats with running table-strip. Waiting time can be much, if the outlet becomes more and more popular.

Most of the staff working in the restaurant, particularly the waiters give an unclean impression with unkempt hair and a haggardly look.

When I visited by 9.30 AM today (28.04.18), I found only a single waiter taking order and doing the serving as well, running between the kitchen and the dining room. He was looking tired and not showing that eagerness, and he looked unkempt as well with ruflled hair.

The wash area, where you find the Wash Basin gives an impression that the owners really want to cut corners and grab the patronage of the customers, dishing out terms that have a weakness for the quintessential vegetarian customers in the neighbourhood. It STINKS and you get an impression of being put off the moment you enter the Wash Area. It has the toilet as well, barricarded just by a screen. If you go for washing your hands before coming back to the dining room, the stink-experience can put you off, developing a bit of resistance in you, "why the hell you wanted to experiment this outlet?"

The kitchen is overcrowded with 5-6 working in it. Though I won't comment negatively on the hygiene part of the kitchen, for I couldn't get a sharper peek into it, I won't give positive feedback on the kitchen as well. It needs more cleanliness.

Food: I had a plate of 2 Podi idlies. Though it was served with an elegance, the idlies cut into 8 pieces or so (each) in a design, making it easy to take each piece and gulp down, the topping on the idlies were tasting more like Paruppu Podi (பருப்பு பொடி) and less Chilli Podi (மிளகாய் பொடி). The layer of the Podi was thick, mixed in oil, and it gave the taste of Paruppu Podi, mixed in Idli. It challenges your understanding of Chillies Idli (மிளகாய் பொடியில் கலந்த இட்லி). Poondu Kozhambu was fine. But then, you get put off, when you find that the outlet is yet to stabilize the serving grammar. I had to press a bit hard for getting spoon. If I don't ask for, I am pretty sure they won't give.

7, Cost-wise, it is OK. A 2-idli plate (Podi Idli) with about 20 ml of Poondu Kozhambu costs Rs.60/-.

I could see that the outlet is more patronized by people making home delivery order, evidenced by the delivery boys from Swiggy stepping into now and then, with quick turn-around time.

The outlet doesn't have a decent-size Sign Board in the entrace. You need to slow down, enquire in 18th Avenue (where it is located) and reach the venue. Of course, the GPS helps you. :-)

Hygiene-wise, I will give them 1/5. Food:2.5 ; ...

I got converted. A hardcore fan of Sangeetha/Geetham restaurant has stopped visiting the place since the time I have eaten at House of Idlies. My taste buds can’t get enough of its breakfast mini tiffin, chilli parota, morkali and many other variety dishes.

The prices are super reasonable. My whole family can have a healthy tasty meals within the budget. Even when I order from swiggy, the cost difference compare to other South Indian restaurants is sensible and affordable.

If I am able to host 30-40 ppl in my home for festivals/celebrations it is only because I use ‘House of idlies’ as my catering service. They customised the menu according to my requirements and the food is always on time and hot!

The staff and the head chef are always warm, smiling and welcoming at the restaurant.

I live with 3 oldies and in case of any emergency I put my trust in ‘House of idlies’ for lunch meals. My grandmother cherishes the paruppu sadham and matka thayir sadam with keerai vadai. The taste caters to every age group that’s main USP of this place.

Since I recently became a new mother, I am hungry most of the time and the only place I feel safe to order from is ‘House of Idlies’,

The food is crafted in a brilliant way where it’s traditional in taste yet contemporary take on the look so even a kid would relish in it.

My international office colleagues cannot get enough of this place. I had invited them for a company lunch at House of idlies’ and they have literally taken out their iPhones and captured every dish and gave positive reviews.

I’m a lazy wife when it comes to cooking so when we ordered as a family from ‘House of idlies’ I never feel guilty of eating outside food because the taste is just like eating home cooked meal.

Thanks to ‘House of idlies’, I feel more rooted to my Tamil culture and proud of its recipes which is unique and most favourable to the climate that we currently live in.

Big gratitude to Mr. Umesh and his staff for making this beautiful venture possible.

Keep...

Situated at the corner junction of Raghavaiah Road and Bazullah road one floor above ground level, located just opposite a sweet shop and above an ice cram shop. Plenty of parking space for bikes and cars all along Raghavaiah road. A few iron steps and a pleasantly coloured sign beckons. Tastefully decorated in black, orange and white, we three found ourselves greeted at the door. Two lines of 4 seater tables with a long table at the far end and kitchen with glass wall to one side. We found a cosy corner and looked around. A couple was busy on their laptops with coffee cups lying around, another writing away furiously. It wasn’t lunch time yet but my companions were fresh out of the gym and very very hungry. We tried the podi idly, sambar rasam, seppankizhangu roast (I’d love to partake of this dish every single day!), mini meals and the ‘full kattu’ meals, paanagam, blueberry soda, lemon flavored soda and buttermilk. We stayed 2 hours chatting away and slowly relishing every dish. Worth the visit. Worth every penny. Vathakuzhambu saadam deserves special mention. Restaurant gets filled by 130 and there’s people waiting a little while later. We vacated realising we kept people standing. Fact that my visit day was amavasya and many Chennaities partake only home food and this little cozy restaurant was filled speaks a lot. Didn’t take photographs except a selfie. Affordable. Cozy. No wheelchair accessible entrance. Wheelchair accessible parking available. Don’t require reservations except large groups. Washroom available. Hand wash area clean. Restaurant...