We started at our mother's stove.
Chennai Cafe began in Amma's kitchen. She cooked the food she grew up with in Tamil Nadu for a few families. They told their friends, and those friends told theirs.
She cooked it the way it is made in Chennai homes. The batter was ground and left to ferment overnight, the spices were roasted in small batches, and the chutneys were made that morning. Nothing came from a packet, and nothing was kept for the next day.
After a couple of years of cooking from home, we opened in Short Pump so we could feed more of our neighbors. The whole family pitches in, and Amma's recipes and standards haven't changed.
Authentic
Family recipes from Chennai, cooked the way they are at home.
Fresh that day
Batter, chutneys and sambar made every morning.
Homemade
Small batches, by hand, by the same family.