Chettinad food and hospitality is a well-documented and much written about. We found an old eatery in in the lanes of Rasappa Chetty of Parry’s Corner that serves the cuisine of Chettiars and has been with the same family for decades. It is run by great-great grandson of the founder and prepares dishes with recipes that have been passed down from one generation to other. Thanjavur Military Hotel is a legendary place that attracts patrons from far and wide in the city.
For the uninitiated, the ‘military hotels’ were eateries started in cities where the military men could get their non-vegetarian food. They were extremely popular as a concept in Bangalore, back in the days.
Mutton kaima
Built on a property that has been with the family for almost 105 years, the family-run hotel combines traditional Chettiar hospitality with modern amenities. Thanjavur Military Hotel was formerly known as Kattayan Chettiyar Mess, named after the founder.
The restaurant serves delicious biriyani. The mutton version is referred to as pulav and one spoonful of it and you might feel you are in food haven! The eatery uses the old coal-fire cooking technique for most of its dishes and food is cooked in brass vessels. Another interesting thing is most of their dishes are shallow fried in tawa and not deep-fried.
Nattu Kozhi Fry
The kari dosai, where succulent meat pieces are embedded on a curry base is one of their most popular items. The lamb trotters, country chicken fry, prawn fry, crab fry, fish fry as well as brain and liver fry are all fast-selling items. It also serves excellent egg dosai, sura puttu and mutton vadais.
Mutton Dosai
To get your non-vegetarian fix, this is a perfect choice. They open the place as early as 8 am.
Location: Address and Map location
Timings: 8 am to 10 pm
