THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With restaurants remaining shut down during the strike, students and workers who live in paying guest facilities had to flock to hospital canteens, bar hotels, and jail cafe to satiate their hunger on Monday. The managing staff of a four-star hotel told that the rush was higher than usual at their restaurants and bar.
“Many who came to the bar wanted food quickly than a beverage. Our happy hours are not applicable to food, but still, there were many orders, unlike normal days. The seat occupancy in the afternoon was high for a working day,” he said while catching an elevator to the rooftop restaurant. Nadeem Shah, an Idukki-based man employed at a tyre shop had breakfast from a hospital at Killipalam. Two canteens inside the same hospital swell with outsiders. “The quality was a bit low today, but then we have no other option. I generally eat from Thatt-ukada in the evening and I hope they open late night,” said Mr Shah.
The Food for Freedom cafe run by jail department also experienced heavy turnout. The sale of jail chappathis, meals and various chicken delicacies doubled at a cafe run by jail authorities. A parcel counter near CHH road, Nandavanam was among the few budget eateries to open up but they had only meals to offer for customers.
