As I walked along, I spotted some food stalls selling prawn vada, crab, and fish. Not a huge variety, but hey — perfect for that “let’s eat something crunchy before dinner” mood.
Then came the main event — Aluthkade! I booked a PickMe (that’s basically Sri Lanka’s Uber) and zoomed off. It’s THE place for foodies — imagine an entire street that wakes up in the evening just to feed hungry people till sunrise.
You’ll find everything — chicken BBQ, naan, biryani, burgers, submarines, sandwiches, juices — basically, food heaven with traffic!
I started simple — a sausage spiral on the go. Then came the eye-catcher — a cheese chicken burger with cheese served in a syringe! Looked like something out of a food science experiment. Taste-wise… meh. The bun was okay, the fried chicken was okay — basically, a good-looking average burger.
Then I tried a BBQ chicken leg with naan, salad, and mayo — and that combo was pure perfection ๐ฅ A total must-try if you’re there!
I had dreams of tasting the bamboo biryani, crab curry, prawn curry, and mutton too — but my stomach threw up the “no vacancy” sign. Still had a tiny spot left though… for a chilled Ice Milo!
If you’re in Sri Lanka and don’t drink Ice Milo, you’re missing out. That cold, chocolatey magic was the perfect ending.
Full stomach, happy heart — that’s how I left Aluthkade. ❤️๐☕️
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So, this time my food radar beeped in Trichy. And instead of going behind some air-conditioned “fine dining” palace where they charge you extra for tissues, I wanted something home-style. You know – the kind of food that feels like it’s cooked by a loving grandma… or at least by someone who knows what salt is.
Enter Aara Mess, a small little joint tucked away on TVS Tollgate Road. From outside, it looks like the kind of place where you’ll either discover hidden food gems… or hidden stomach problems. But hey, I’m brave.
Now here’s where the comedy starts. I opened the menu and realized it was basically a “missing persons list.” ๐ต️♂️ No chicken dishes (seriously, a mess without chicken? That’s like a biryani without rice). And in the mutton section, the only survivors were intestine fry and liver fry. Great. Basically the parts of the goat even the goat didn’t want.
But foodies don’t back down. So I went all in and ordered:
The non-veg meals were a pleasant surprise though – they came with two veg dishes (to trick you into thinking you’re being healthy), and a trio of gravies: mutton, fish, and chicken. The mutton gravy and fish gravy were solid, proper mess-style flavor bombs. The chicken gravy? Let’s just say it tasted like the cook made it while scrolling Instagram. ๐ฅฑ
Now, let me talk about the hero of the day – the Nethili karuvadu thokku. My god! ๐คฏ Absolute game-changer. Spicy, tangy, bold – the kind of dish that makes you sweat, cry, and still want another bite. Honestly, you could walk into Aara Mess, order just this thokku with rice, and walk out a happy soul.
The mutton intestine fry was actually tasty, though the pieces were slightly bigger than I expected. Felt like I was chewing on goat cables. Still, flavor-wise, no complaints. The fish fries were excellent too – fresh, perfectly fried, and coated in that masala that whispers “homemade” with every bite.
So, what’s the verdict?
๐ Aara Mess is not for the menu explorers (because half the menu is MIA).
๐ But if you want simple, no-nonsense, home-style food with a couple of gems (hello thokku ๐), then this place is worth stopping by.
I walked out full, slightly amused, and already planning my next trip back – just for that karuvadu thokku.
⚡ Final thought: If you’re the kind of person who wants butter chicken and naan – stay away. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys intestine fry and fish masala that slaps harder than your mom’s chappal, welcome to Aara Mess. ๐๐ด
Now, let’s talk stay. We booked ourselves into Pepper Nest Homestay – a 5-acre pepper farm with a house big enough for 15–20 people. Basically, you can bring your entire extended family, your neighbors, and maybe even your milkman, and there’s still space.
๐ก The setup:
Main building → 2 double rooms downstairs, 3 double beds upstairs in a hall (extra beds? No problem).
Separate container cabin → perfect for that one friend who snores like a tractor.
Wooden & A-frame cabins → still under construction, so you can brag that you stayed there before it was cool.
๐ฝ️ The dining area? Built on a platform with a killer view. And yes, there’s a campfire spot too – for when you want to roast marshmallows… or just gossip about your relatives.
๐จ๐ณ Food? Oh boy. They have in-house cooks who whip up food just the way you like. Since there were 20 people, they even summoned a Biryani Specialist from outside. That’s right – a man whose sole life mission is making chicken biryani and dhalcha. Legend. ๐
Lunch → Chicken biryani, chilli chicken & boiled eggs. Absolute food coma.
Dinner → Chapatti + chicken curry = happiness on a plate.
Breakfast → Idly, parotta, veg kurma, and mutton kulambu. Eating parotta with hot mutton kulambu in chilly weather? That’s not breakfast, that’s therapy. ๐คค
Sure, there’s no fancy sightseeing or adventure sports here. But you know what? Sirumalai IS the activity. You come here to do nothing, eat like a king, and breathe fresh air that doesn’t come with a GST bill.
✅ Best for: Groups, families, friends, and that one stressed IT guy who wants to fake “work from home” but actually “chill from hills.”
๐ Sirumalai – the only hill station where your blood pressure drops, but your biryani intake shoots up! ๐๐
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Just a tiny mess with a big heart — Dharani Mess sits quietly on the Annur–Mettupalayam highway, just 2 km from Annur, feeding hungry souls with some seriously tasty mutton and kudal (intestine) curry every single day.
Sundays here are a festival for meat lovers — think mutton head curry, mutton brain fry, and country chicken joining the party. But I went on a weekday, so my luck wasn’t fully loaded — just mutton and kudal for me. Fewer dishes, but oh, the taste!
The kudal had that peppery punch that wakes you up better than coffee, and the mutton was soft, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Pairing them with hot, fluffy idlis? Pure heaven. The only heartbreak — no parotta here! And trust me, those curries with parotta would have been legendary.
We also tried dosa — decent enough, but mutton and kudal were clearly the showstoppers.
If you’re passing through, this is one homemade-style breakfast you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
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Naturally, I slammed the brakes and went in.
They actually had other combos for ₹50 and ₹70 (budget kings, take notes ๐), but I went for the full ₹100 combo — because I’m a foodie, not a coward.
Now what did this glorious 100-rupee meal include? Hold your breath:
Naatukoli soup ๐
Mutton kola urundai ๐
Naatukoli chicken fry
Chicken liver fry
Karuvaadu (dry fish) thokku ๐
Fish fry (Nei Meen)
Chicken Chinthamani ๐ฅ
Egg poriyal ๐ฅ
Unlimited rice, chicken kulambu, fish kulambu AND rasam!
Yes, I triple-checked. They weren’t joking.
Let’s talk taste. ๐
The naatukoli soup? Pretty solid – not watered down like some places that serve "chicken-flavored hot water."
Mutton kola urundai? Nicely done. In most hotels, one piece of this costs ₹25 minimum. While it didn’t have that full-on Dindigul or Madurai punch, it was still yum.
The naatukoli fry? No complaints – chicken fry was tender and it had a kick.
Fish fry (Nei Meen)? Fresh, flavourful, and masalas were bang on.
Liver and egg poriyal? Hit the spot.
The karuvaattu thokku had a soft sweetness with mild spice – surprisingly addictive.
But the star of the show? CHICKEN CHINTHAMANI! ๐ Absolute flavor bomb! I wanted to ask for more, but I remembered I had paid only ₹100 and calmed down. ๐
Kulambu and rasam were both satisfying – spicy enough to clear your sinuses and your stress.
Sure, portions were small. But come on… ₹100 for 8 non-veg items and unlimited rice?! This was a feast disguised as a budget meal. Taste was on point, and for the price — it’s a no-brainer.
If you’re anywhere near the Tiruchengode–Namakkal road, skip that boring biryani stop and try this gem.
Trust me, your tummy and wallet will both thank you! ๐๐๐ธ
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๐๐ฅ HUNTING KOCHAI KARI IN COIMBATORE – A FEAST FIT FOR A FIGHTER! ๐๐
This time, my food radar beeped all the way to Coimbatore, and guess what I was hunting? Not gold… not treasure… but something way rarer — Kochai Kari! ๐
Now, if you don’t know what Kochai is, buckle up. It’s not your average chicken. We’re talking about the meat of a fighter rooster – bold, muscular, and textured like mutton. Think Rocky Balboa… but in feathers. ๐ฅ๐ The taste? Oh, way better than your regular country chicken. But here’s the twist: if it’s not cooked right, your jaw will get more workout than your biceps! ๐ช๐
So I landed at Kochai Kudil, tucked away in Kallapatti, Coimbatore — a humble joint that specializes in this warrior meat, along with our beloved country chicken classics.
Since it was a sleepy Monday, the dish count was a bit low (even chickens need weekends off, right? ๐๐ค). But I wasn’t leaving empty-handed. I ordered whatever they had — meals, small onion omelettes, and of course, kalakkis (because no Tamil meal is complete without some messy love ๐๐ณ).
The Kochai Kari Kaatu Varuval showed up with swagger — well-spiced, perfectly cooked, and tasty. But honestly? I’ve had even better Kochai elsewhere (just saying, no offence, Chef ๐ง๐ณ๐).
But hold your forks — the Sangagiri Naatukoli and Pallipalayam Chicken totally stole the show! ๐ฅ Spicy, juicy, and downright delicious. These country chickens came to the fight with more flavor than the Kochai!
With all that meat teaming up with hot rice, my lunch turned into a proper love affair. ๐
Only downer? The Naatukoli Thanni Kulambu didn’t hit that emotional note. But hey, the Pachapuli Rasam came in like a tangy savior. ๐ฅน๐
Verdict? A solid lunch. My tummy was happy, my heart was full, but my wallet… slightly lighter than expected. ๐ธ๐
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This time, I landed in Dindigul – and you know what that means… it’s Biryani time! ๐๐
I checked out a place called MUJIB BIRYANI, which isn’t just famous for its mutton biryani, but also for some seriously drool-worthy side dishes!
This legendary spot actually started way back in 1992 from a humble thallu vandi (roadside cart). The branch I visited opened about 6-7 years ago – but the taste? Still epic!
Here’s what I shamelessly devoured:
Mutton Biryani (obviously ๐)
Mutton Kola Urundai
Mutton Chops with Egg
Nattukozhi Idicha Kari (country chicken smashed & spiced up)
Nattukozhi Uppu Kari (the showstopper ๐)
The biryani even came with a surprise Kesari sweet – and let me tell you, it was a nice sweet touch after all the spicy action.
The mutton was juicy, the flavours were rich, and yes, I went for a second plate because the biryani was that good! No regrets. ๐
The mutton chops + egg combo? Total game changer.
The nattukozhi idicha kari had a nice smoky, spicy punch.
And the uppu kari? It blew my mind. Easily the best side dish of the day!
A totally satisfying lunch – a full tummy and a happy soul. ๐
Watch till the end to see if I managed to walk out or had to be rolled out.
Price List;
Mutton Biryani 1/2 - 286 inr
Mutton Plain Biryani - 171/-
Kola Urundai - 29
Mutton Nenju Chops with Egg - 171/-
Nattukolzi Idicha Kari - 200/-
Nattukolzu uppukari - 157/-
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#itaste#เฎுเฎเฎฒ்เฎเฎฑி#dharapuramเฎจเฎฃ்เฎชเฎฐ்เฎเฎณுเฎเฎฉ் เฎாเฎฒை เฎเฎฃเฎตு - เฎเฎ்เฎฒி, เฎชเฎฐோเฎ்เฎா เฎฎเฎฑ்เฎฑுเฎฎ் เฎுเฎเฎฒ் เฎเฎฑி - iTASTE
Oh, you’re expecting a location link? And prices, too? How adorable. Unfortunately, I won’t be gracing you with those details, because this place? Yeah, it didn’t exactly win my heart. Or my stomach.
Let’s rewind a bit. So, my friends and I were on a noble quest to reach Kochi via Dharapuram. Somewhere along the way, our stomachs started growling like underfed lions—it was breakfast time. We weren’t looking for just any place. Oh no, we were looking for a NICE PLACE. You know, one where the food doesn’t come with an emotional support goat.
My friends had a very specific craving. Not just for breakfast, but for mutton kudal. Intestines, for breakfast. Because clearly, toast and eggs are for amateurs.
So, like the brave culinary explorers we are, we pulled up at this visually convincing spot called Kongu Parotta Stall. It had “good food” written all over it—probably with invisible ink.
We ordered the works—idly, dosas, parottas, and of course, the main event: kudal, both in its gravy-soaked glory and fried form.
Now, kudal usually comes with a light, goaty smell. Acceptable. Expected. But this one? This was beyond goat. This was “I may have been sitting here since last week” kind of aroma. It gave off strong end-of-the-world buffet vibes. Honestly, I felt the kudal was on the verge of walking off the plate and filing a complaint against itself.
I spared my viewers these juicy details in the video because I still want people to trust me. But no, I was not thrilled. And apparently, neither was my friend Anguraj, who took one for the team and bravely downed the kudal like a champ… only to later battle a mysterious stomach upset. Could it have been the food? Who knows. We’re not doctors. But the timing? Impeccable. Really makes you think.
Maybe it was just bad luck. Or maybe the goat was getting revenge from the afterlife. Either way, we left that place with full plates and shattered dreams.
So, the moral of the story? Sometimes it’s better to stay hungry… than to let your breakfast turn into a horror sequel titled "Return of the Stomach Ache" starring Anguraj. ๐๐๐ฝ️
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๐ด Azhagana Village Vibes & Naatukoli Delights in Namakkal! ๐๐
Stopped by this roadside gem in Namakkal — right on the highway! This place is all about that claypot country chicken craze… and of course, we had to taste it all! ๐
We started off with Naatukoli Chinthamani and Naatukoli Ingi Poondu... hmm, not bad, but didn’t blow our minds. But wait for it... the real heroes were the Naatukoli Thanni Kulambu and the Thick Kulambu – absolute soul food! ๐คค๐ฅ
Then came the stars from the sea – or maybe a nearby pond ๐ – the Para Fish and Jelebi Fish. Tawa-fried to crispy perfection, though we felt the masalas could’ve done a little more dancing on our tongues. ๐๐ซฃ
But hold up… here’s the twist – Omlette Kuli Paniyaram! Yes, you read that right. It was crispy, fluffy, eggy magic in every bite! ๐ฅ✨
Overall, it felt like a wholesome village-style feast straight from grandma's backyard kitchen! If you’re cruising along Namakkal highway with an empty stomach, this is one tasty pit stop you don’t wanna miss! ๐๐ด
Watch the full video and tell us – would you try the Jelebi Fish? Or are you team Thick Kulambu? ๐๐
