Nana Mess

Nana Mess is situated on Sri Devi Karumari Amman Street in Kalapet. We are right across from Pondicherry University, so we see a lot of students every single day. The building at No 314 is where we do all our cooking and serving. It’s a simple mess, not a restaurant with a big menu or waiters. We usually have the same few things every day, like rice, sambar, and a couple of side dishes. It’s the kind of food people eat when they are away from home and need something filling and cheap. The morning starts early with peeling sacks of onions and potatoes. My family helps out with the cooking and serving. It gets very crowded during lunch hour when the classes let out across the street. Sometimes there isn't enough space for everyone to sit, so people just wait outside on the street. We don’t have fancy decorations or air conditioning in here. It’s just some wooden benches and a few ceiling fans. The 605014 area is a bit quieter in the evenings once the university students go back to their hostels for the night. We spend the late afternoons cleaning up and getting ready for the next day. It’s a routine we’ve had for years. We aren't trying to be the biggest place in Pondicherry. We just want to make sure the food is ready on time and that there’s enough for those who come by.