Chennaiites ‘order out’ a drive to simmer down

CHENNAI: With malls, parks and other recreational spaces shut for over 100 days now, Chennaiites now seem to be opting for drives and rides to satiate their ‘outdoor’ cravings. Restaurants along East Coast Road are witnessing a surge in the number of customers reaching the eatery to take away food parcels.

“Though we deliver food through delivery apps, customers, even from far off places, are coming to our restaurant to pick up orders,” said Navtej Singh, owner of Bhangra Punjabi restaurant in Kanathur.
Singh adds that all customers opt for a no-contact delivery.

“Most of them pay by online means and we leave food in the back seat of their cars. Evidently, people have understood the hygiene measures we undertake while preparing food, and the business is slowly picking up pace,” he added. 

Nasrin Karimi, who owns Shiraz Art Cafe in Neelankarai, also spoke about a surge in the number of persons visiting the cafe. “They all come for a pack of our Shiraz tea. Most of them are our regular customers as they are the most aware of our safety protocols,” she added. A few city residents, Express spoke to, said they were fed up of staying locked in, and so are opting for drives and rides in the city, without coming in contact with any one else.