The Idli Enigma
A culinary debate has erupted online, originating from a Bengaluru restaurant that has adopted a perplexing pricing structure for its idlis. While a generous
portion of four idlis is available for an economical ₹50, the cost escalates dramatically to ₹100 if one opts to purchase a solitary idli. This peculiar arrangement means a single idli is priced identically to two full plates, each comprising eight idlis, making the math behind this offering highly unusual. The establishment in question is reportedly Naveen Butter Dosa Camp, a venerable eatery located on Veera Pillai Street, near Commercial Street, known for its long-standing presence in the city. The viral phenomenon began when a photo of the restaurant's menu, humorously advising customers against ordering a single idli, was shared on Reddit, igniting a flurry of reactions and theories from internet users trying to understand this unconventional pricing strategy.
Decoding the Pricing
The internet's collective brainpower was put to the test trying to unravel the mystery behind the Bengaluru restaurant's idli pricing. Speculation ran rampant among Reddit users, with many offering humorous and logical explanations. Some suggested a satirical approach, with one user quipping, "Buy four idlis at 50 INR. Sell a single idli at 25 INR. Get a profit of 50 INR," implying a clever arbitrage. Others hypothesized that the restaurant might be preparing idlis in batches of four, and selling a single unit would lead to the remaining three becoming stale, thus justifying the higher per-unit cost for a solo purchase. Another user pointed out a potential loss of profitability, stating, "It's a waste of effort to sell single idlis at a cheap cost. Everyone will start buying single idlis. ROI won't work out." The possibility that the ₹100 idli might be a larger 'Thatte idli' was also floated as a potential explanation, referring to a specific type of popular, platter-sized idli.
Menu Hints and Parallels
Further insights into the restaurant's unique approach were revealed by a Reddit user who shared a snapshot of the actual menu. This menu explicitly included a notice: "please no single idly," reinforcing the establishment's stance against individual idli orders at the exorbitant price. This isn't an isolated incident of quirky restaurant policies gaining online attention. Previously, a restaurant in Kerala had also gone viral for its bold signboard declaring itself "completely non-vegetarian," showcasing a trend of eateries using unconventional communication to stand out. These instances highlight how restaurants, through unusual rules or pricing, can capture public imagination and generate significant buzz, turning simple menu choices into widespread internet conversations and shared experiences.
