Silver Talkies Culture Trail: CTR, Bengaluru’s Must-Go Destination For Mouth-Watering Benne Dosas

Want to dig deep and know more about Bangalore’s iconic Shri Sagar Central Tiffin Room (CTR) in Malleswaram that has been famous for its delicious Benne Dosas? Silver Talkies’ new series, Silver Talkies Culture Trail has lots in store for you. 

What could drive two non-foodie young chaps into a family restaurant business that was never their passion? For Sandesh and Ganesh Poojari, it was their dad, Sanjeeva Poojari’s wish that made them drop everything and carry the legacy of an iconic restaurant after his untimely demise just two years ago. As we launch our new series – Silver Talkies Culture Trail, we bring you the story of Shri Sagar Central Tiffin Room (CTR) in Malleswaram, Bengaluru’s must-go destination if one wants to enjoy the perfect crackle of yummy Benne Dosas and the delicious bite of Mangaluru Bhajjis.

Sandesh and Ganesh Poojari who have been fulfilling their father’s dream after his untimely demise

Ramakrishna Holla established CTR in 1952 and handed it over to Sanjeeva Poojari about 40 years back. “During the 70s when my dad took over, we started selling Dosas at just one rupee fifty paise, and a cup of coffee would cost around 50 paise. Over the next few decades, CTR stood the test of time, has evolved to be one of the best brands for Benne Dosas, has made some amazing friendships, both with the staff and the customers and is continuing to win hearts of many,” says Sandesh Poojari who had been visiting the restaurant with his father since he was in Grade VII.

What began as a tiny one-storied eating space has now expanded into two spacious floors with the majority of staff working there for more than 45 years. The magic butter that makes the Dosa crackle from outside and melts inside your mouth comes from a secret village in Karnataka which has been supplying butter for CTR since its inception. The Poojari brothers have maintained the old tradition of no holidays and serving their customers on all days. It is open 365 days, right from 7 AM till 12:30 PM at the noon and from 4 PM till 9:15 PM in the evening with a few hours’ breaks in between.

The mouth-watering Benne Dosas from CTR

“My dad spent around two and a half years to master the art of making the perfect Dosas that you see today. It was my dad’s own recipe that has given Benne Dosa the perfect size, the right amount of butter, the perfect thickness and the perfect crackle that melts in one’s mouth. My dad used to travel every day to this secret village which shall remain a secret obviously to get the butter for the Dosas till he was alive. The chef who had assisted dad during the initial years is now the chief chef. He is 55-years-old and has been with us for more than four decades now,” says Poojari whose day begins with visiting the shop to make sure the quality of the food, hygiene, cleanliness is all maintained well.

The best lesson the Poojari brothers got from their late father? it was the art of making the staff and the customers their own family. Going down memory lane, Sandesh Poojari says: “My dad would never consider the staff as his employees. He would always behave with them like his own brother. We have learnt how to make the staff feel like our family members and that’s how we continue to present the tasty Dosas together. For dad, his customers were above everything. This is how our loyal customers have become our family friends.”

This is how the CTR looked 14 years back

CTR boasts of septuagenarian and octogenarian customers who travel to Bangalore from the USA and come straight to the restaurant from the airport to dig into the dreamy Dosas. There are others who make sure to pack these Dosas for their wives and family members and fly with them overseas. “While we have received offers to open our outlets in London, Germany, Auckland and more, we have never shown much interest. We believe that CTR is Bangalore’s wonder and one has to fly down to the garden city to taste our Dosas,” says Sandesh Poojari who is firm about maintaining the golden legacy of Bengaluru’s favourite CTR.