Standing Room Only

Maybe the proprietor of Brahmins’ Coffee Bar is a student of management guru C.K. Prahalad and his theory of core competency. Because the menu has only four items—idli, vada, kesaribaath and kharabaath. And with these it’s been doing flourishing business for over 40 years.

It’s a tiny place, and you could easily miss it, except for the queues outside.

People rate their idlis as the best in Bangalore, even better than the legendary Mavalli Tiffin Room nearby. They’re transcendentally soft, topped with melting benne (butter) and swimming in Brahmins’ Coffee Bar’s famous liquid coconut chutney. (Sticking to the theory of core competency, they don’t serve sambar). The vadas are also good, with an interesting touch of carrot, but if you’re not here by 7.30 am they’re gone. Then there’s chow-chow baath, a greedy combination of kesaribaath and kharabaath.

There are no chairs here; you just stand and eat. But first you’ve got to jostle your way through the crowd, buy your coupons, collect your order, and weave your way out, carefully balancing your plates. Despite the hassle, it’s been voted Bangalore’s favourite idli joint. Prahalad is right. Focusing on core competency obviously pays.