Aug 11, 2015 10:27 PM
5605 Views
(Updated Aug 25, 2015 10:38 AM)
This is one of the first kinda Hotels I came across when I first landed in then Madras(and now Chennai). I knew this hotel since 1997 or may be even before that.
Well it was those days when we were economically growing and only happen to visit smaller common hotels which were not well known.
And not only that Those were the days when Chennai was actually in a growing state from vintage to a new city and so, there were no enough Restaurants like Anjappar, A2B and so on. And if these were there, we couldn't afford them. But except this. I mean, This is the Saravana bhavan which we consider the best and affordable those days and so visit often.
Location -
Well this Hotel is situation just opposite to the T.Nagar's crowded Heart "Ranganathan Street". Well not exactly opposite to the street, but nearly opposite to the Entrance of the Street is on Right side of Usman road when traveled towards pothys. Anybody who had visited TNagar Often in 90s, will surely know about this Hotel. And I am one of them.
The Hotel -
Well I don't remember about the facts of hotel now exactly because the last visited this hotel was back in 2003 and never after that(Reasons stated Later).
But the hotel has 2 floors and 3 dinning hall I guess. Ground floor is Non AC and First has both Non AC and an AC hall.
The hotel entrance is like a cave-in and when we enter in, the first you will find is a Ice Cream Shop in the left and then is the weight machine on the right.
I guess there is no Lifts. Only one Stair goes up which is also always crowded.
the Ground Floor also has Sweet Stalls and the Sweets are very fresh all the times.
The Hotel Remains Crowded 24X7 a year.
There is also a Toilet right in front of the hotel, which also has Que all the time.!
The procedure for taking a Table -
No Doubt, HSB offers the best food of all times. the Tastier ever. And this is why, anytime we visit, we have gotta wait for atleast 15 to 20 minutes to Get a table. Its not only us but everyone else who visits here for food, has to wait for sure.
I mean as soon as we enter into the hotel, we have gotta find a table were we want to eat and just stand next to the table until the pre-occupants finish their food. And after them, we gotta take the table, order and eat, and the next occupants follow the same!
The Food -
In one word, may that be 1997 or 2015, its "Yummy". Well I am not sure about this particular hotel as of now, but food at any saravana Bhavan even today, my god, they still maintain the same taste all times, just like the Pizzas have their own secrets in their food.
The Foods I loved there, well what else - Dosa(all types), idly, Meals/thali and pongal vada. They still follow the traditional way to serving the food. I mean if its Idly, they serve it with Idly podi for sure!
Cons with this hotel -
1) NO Parking at all even for both bike and Cars. Previously the hotel had parking just for bike in the front, but now, not even bike parking is possible at this hotel. And that is why the hotel is only suitable for T Nagar shoppes and not for a uncommon visitor who just stopped by to take food!
2) The Hotel is crowded all the times. I mean from 9am to 11pm. And because of this taking food here needs a lots of patience, as you need to wait for longer time to take the food. Well but this might have changed today, so not sure. this is one of the reasons why I stopped visiting this hotel(Particular Branch) after 2003-04.
3) Because of the crowd, the hotel has a dirty ambiance most of the time. Well its not the fault of the hotel but this dirtiness is possible because of the crowd visits here.
Well can we change TNagar crowd, noise and dirt? I guess never.
4) Breakfast is offered only in Morning and Night. You can't get Dosa, idly, vada kinda stuff between 11:30am and 4pm.
Other Pros -
1) Serving is done pretty fast even if the hotel is heavily crowded and that is why people still visit this hotel.
2) The Sweet section is very tasty.. Much better and pure than Grand sweets or A2B. My mom loves the Ghee Adhirasam from here.
3) They still follow the Traditional way to serving the food. I mean no change in Food menus and practices.
4) Pricing is absolutely nominal and universal and that is why people still trust Hotel Saravana Bhavan.
Verdict -
Again, This is hotel where my memories still stays. I still feel being there. This is also one hotel, were though it is crowded all the times, you won't get disappointed because of the food and hospitality they offer.
Now since today, many malls have come, our visit to Ranganathan Street and even Usman road have almost become nil. And thats why I don't visit this HSB branch anymore.
So I am not sure the present condition of the hotel.
