Basheer Fathima Kalyana Biryani

You will find Basheer Fathima Kalyana Biryani at No 41 on Adhithanar Salai in Pudupet. If you know Chennai, then you know Pudupet is the place for auto parts and old machinery. It’s a very loud and busy area with a lot of dust from the road. We make Kalyana Biryani, which is the traditional style you see at weddings. We cook it in large pots every morning so it’s ready for the lunch crowd. I’m usually there early to see the rice and meat being delivered. The smell of the spices is very strong and you can smell it from down the street. Our shop is quite plain, with just some steel tables and plastic chairs for people to sit. Most of our customers are men who work in the nearby spare parts shops and want a heavy meal before getting back to work. We don't spend time on fancy plating; we just serve the biryani hot. The floor needs a lot of cleaning because of the nature of the food, so we are always mopping. We don't use any of those delivery apps; people just come to the counter and buy what they need. It gets very warm inside when the sun hits the front of the shop, but we have some fans going. It’s a simple place for people who want real biryani without any nonsense or high prices.