Mani’s Lunch Home Matunga – A Review

Mani’s Lunch Home started as  a pure South Indian Lunch home way back in 1932. It is one of the oldest pre-independance Hotels standing in Mumbai. The food recipes have been passed on to the generations and the food review happens because I was invited by my sister Geetha S to come and try the food once again after many years. The last time I had been here was way back in 1996. So it was an experience to taste food after 20 years.

Decor

Mani’s Lunch Home falls on the inside road drifting from the main road coming out of Matunga station and moves to the left. Since it itself is a Landmark, you won’t miss it even if you want to. The decor is very simple and moment you enter the Hotel, you see, inhale and feel south Indian food. The old wood tables and chairs tell that this place never gets time to revamp itself and is always crowded. Though it is a Lunch home, it is open full day for both Lunch and dinner…and of course snacks too. Please don’t look for posh wash basins and a washroom if you have come for it. A simple twin wash basin and a washroom behind it on one side is what Mani’s has.

Food

Being a South Indian Food joint, please don’t expect to get chaat, pani puri or Potato vada here. Instead look for Idli, Medu vada, Dosai and most importantly try the unlimited Veg Thali. If you are not a foodie then go in for a regular Thali. The regular thali has 2 bowls rice, 2 chapati, 2 Liquid and 1 dry vegetable, Sambar, Rasam, curd, achaar and Kerala Papad all at Rs.60/- The south Indian waiter keeps coming at regular intervals to give you refills. The white radish vegetable is awesome and so is the rasam.  They ensure you cant get up without a grunt after you are done eating. The food and the hospitality is simple yet homely, so you tend to overeat a bit. Once meal is over they insist you have a small glass of Buttermilk (Chaas) and then a slice of Mysore pak which somehow automatically melts in your mouth. A food blogger like me becomes happy when such food is served with so much love even when there is no Non-Veg served here.

Plus and Minus

The ambience is not so pleasant if you are looking at privacy with your group, but at the same time you can enjoy the arrangement if you are not fussy about seating and privacy. There is no Air-conditioned seating available. The Veg South Indian food is all what they offer and they know what they are giving the customer from last 82 years. That is the reason I could make out regular, repeat customers coming in along with new faces like me. Owner knows most of them and shakes hand with whomsoever walks over to the counter. There is no air, no attitude whatsoever of being the owner of one of the oldest Hotel of Mumbai which was adjudged the Country’s Best of Best Restaurant in Culinary Business apart from many other Awards. I would not put it as a minus at all but just a gentle suggestion for the management to keep the wash basin area equipped with Liquid soaps all the time due to some Oily food available there.

Mani’s Lunch Home: Plot no: 153/C, Mhaskar Building, Matunga East, Mumbai 400019.

Meal For 2:  150/-

Timings:  6.30am to 10.30pm.

Ratings:   Food – 4.5    Service-4.5     Decor 3.5

Uttpal K

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