Under the shady branches of the huge Peepal tree that stands on the sides of the Palakkad Highway in Madukkarai is a humble tea shop. When the clock strikes 6.30 in the evening, like birds flock to the tree, locals flock to the stall for a plate of hot and crispy Pakoda.
For forty seven years, Mani Vilas, also known as Madukkarai Mani Pakoda stall has been filling the appetite of the locals, who love a hot evening snack with a cup of tea or coffee as the weather turns cooler in Madukkarai.
The tea shop was started in 1970 by Sami Kutti Pillai, a migrant from the native Kerala. Back then, the shop provided breakfast, lunch and even dinner. However, over the course of the advent of modern restaurants and bakeries, the want for a crispy old time snack has certainly reduced amongst people.
57-year-old S. Mani, son of Sami Kutti Pillai took over the shop in 1998 and has been running it ever since. Though he is not able to get it back to how it was in the good old days, his secret ingredient and success mantra, the Pakoda (pakka vadai in Tamil) is a huge hit in Madukkarai and people never miss a mouthful.
Unlike the crispy onion Pakoda that is very common, the type he makes is opted by many in other places for its softness. But Mani has given it just a crispy twist which is loved by the people. It is served hot with a spicy tomato and chilly chutney.
“I make regular changes in my recipe. I sometime add spices like star anise, elaichi and cloves. People have always appreciated the small changes,” he says.
Mani runs the stall along with his wife and has now renamed it Prasanth Vilas, naming it after his son M. Prasanth. He also supplies tea to nearby complexes offline.
People on the other hand, deem it inevitable to spend time at the Pakoda stall. “We go there almost daily and our day is never complete without Mani Pakoda. The shop is in the centre of the town and it also helps us meet our friends. It is a good spot to hang out,” says T. Gunasekaran, having a bite.
But, it has not been happy selling days recently for Mani as bakeries have taken over most of his business. Usually I make up to two kilos of Pakoda a day, not it has reduced to one. Patronage has also come down largely and only those who have been here for a long time know the stall and come,” ponders Mani.
Yet, his situation has not reduced the taste of his Pakodas that are nothing less than love at first bite.