BANGALORE: Bangaloreans love to binge on food and believe in altering just about any food item, even if it’s the traditional south Indian food. Other than a formal dining place, you can also enjoy various delicacies in a food van that is spread across many areas of the city.Every morning, Kumar stocks his van with a large pot of pre-cooked rice, rasam, and chapatis and drives it along parts of Indiranagar, looking for customers. He also keeps a tray filled with pakodas, as well as eggs and bread to make omelette sandwiches at a moment’s notice. His van is equipped with a small stove on which he heats up the chapatis and fries the omelettes, served to customers on torn strips of newspaper.“I’ve been doing this for the last four years or so. Most of my customers belong to the labour class, since my meals are affordable enough. Sometimes, students also come and pick up lunch after school,” says Kumar. His is one of the many food vans which roams the streets of the city. Similarly, many vans are often stationed near office areas and markets, or driven around entire day, on the lookout for hungry passers-by.They serve a variety of eats, ranging from full-fledged meals to plates of pakodas. And, for office-goers looking for a quick bite between meetings, or students looking for a filling and affordable lunch, they’re often a blessing.When it comes to business, though, Kumar admits that he doesn’t always rake in good profits. “There isn’t any consistency in my earnings. I serve my meals cheap, but that doesn’t always mean I get more customers. I make just about enough money for my family and me to survive on,” he says.One of the reasons why people indulge in these food vans is because of its cost. One can buy a plate of rice, rasam and chapati at Rs 20. Mobile kitchens allow you to reach more customers because you can serve customers from different locations.99 varieties of dosasAnother such mobile catering entrepreneur is that of Sri Durga ‘99 varieties of dosa’ which is located at the CMH park at Indiranagar. People literally wait for ‘99 varieties of dosa’ to open at 5 O’ clock every evening and the place keeps teeming with people, but mostly its regulars, till 11 at night. The eatery operates from a cart that is fixed on to a tempo.99 varieties of dosa’ has been in the business in the city for the last two years now. It was started by Pradeep. Cooking is all he has ever known and when he relocated from Mumbai to Bangalore, he did not think twice before starting this eating joint. “I don’t want to move into a hotel and expand my business. I am quite content with this form and it is this informal setting that attracts people. I don’t think I would get the same response had I been housed in a hotel,” says Pradeep.There are no concerns about hygiene, for the dosas are made then and there as when an order is placed. “The batter is readied in the morning and the vegetables are bought fresh and then cleaned. Nothing is cut and kept. The preparations begin at 8 in the morning and we are on our toes till 11 at night,” says Pradeep. He avers that he doesn’t compromise either on cleanliness or hygiene.Among the varieties available are paneer dosa, palak dosa, mushroom dosa, Chinese dosa,etc. The dosas are priced anywhere between Rs 25 and Rs 125, depending on what you order. And Kamala Iyer, a homemaker confesses she really likes the taste. “I come here quite often and sometimes take a parcel home as well. It’s served hot and it’s quite different from what you get in other places. More than anything, it’s value for money,” says Kamala.Mobile catering business is a good business especially if you are an entrepreneur with love for food and cooking up some delicious food where people will never hesitate to drop in. Best thing about these food vans is that they are driven around and are not limited to selling at one particular location.
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