For Budget-Friendly Andhra Meals And Spicy Guntur Chicken Head To Polamma’s Mess

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What Makes It Awesome?

A humble joint in a narrow bylane near Forum Mall, Polamma’s Mess (there's one in BTM layout too) is perfect for when you want to tuck into a filling Andhra meal and spicy meaty dishes without spending too much.

The menu here is a mix of Andhra and Chinese food. Stick to the former and you’re in for an enjoyable meal. We ordered the Andhra meals that was served up on a banana leaf. For our money’s worth, we got a plate of steamed rice (the ghee’s kept on the table and you can help yourself to copious amounts of it) We were also served a roti, fried up aubergine, and a thick dal. While we did miss the usual pappu (lentils cooked with greens) that’s a staple at other Andhra restaurant, the thick, yellow dal was quite slurp-worthy. The crunch on the aubergine made it easy for us to polish it off. While it is a no-frills meal, it sure can fill you up.

We paired the meal with a plate of Guntur Chicken, that came recommended by the staff here. It turned out to be the highlight of the meal. The plate came piled with quite a few chunks of chicken. The meat was fried up in a thick, chilly-heavy masala that got our taste buds singing. Ambience wise, it is slightly rundown, as it housed at a run-of-the-mill building. Peeling paint and aging curtains are the only decor additions here. The place is sufficiently clean and you get plastic stools to perch on while you wait for your food.

What Could Be Better

We also had high hopes from the Prawn Biryani. But were sorely disappointed. We were served a biryani rice (with bits of chicken in it) and batter-fried prawns. It was too dry and lacking in richness to be called a biryani.

Pro-Tip

Students and office-goers love this place so you may have to put in a wait during peak hours. If you are obsessed with cleanliness, then you might want to give this one a miss. However, the generous portions at rock-bottom prices, the spice quotient is spot on, reminding us of why we love Andhra food and why wouldn't mind going back.