I agree and understand what you’re saying.
We had a good resto focused on Malabari food in Toronto from around 2010-2015, which was affordable, and accessible, with a dedicated chef putting care into the food. Unfortunately, it has closed. That one was a convenient location, too!
With 2 places serving Keralan food in London, Ontario, they aren’t being run in a way where the dishes listed on the dine in or take-out menu are available. Some of the dishes that are available, or are offered as substitutions, aren’t listed on the menu.
With people who know the restaurant and the cuisine well, it might not be as much of an issue.
I haven’t been back, that kind of thing turns me off a bit.
I realize that indicates they are running on a shoestring budget , sort of in survival mode. If also reflects the slow economy in London, Ontario, which is in a different situation compared to the Toronto area. I suspect the people running the 2 restaurants did not have much experience running restaurants previously.
The place my Goan friend orders from is a Keralan take-out and catering spot in a strip plaza, called Manna Cuisine. I have to take a closer look at the menu to try some Keralan dishes. I have ordered Pan-Indian dishes from this place thrice, and the kitchen puts more care into the food relative to other places at this price point. Here was a take-out order from Manna Cuisine. I think Manna Cuisine and Massey’s (Pan-Indian ) are the only Indian restaurants in business in London, On, which I have visited 3 times or more.
I suspect there are some Keralan restaurants in Mississauga that are more consistent. I haven’t had as much free time to explore food in the Toronto outskirts lately.
There are also a lot of home-based cooks selling Indian regional food through IG. I have not tried any of that yet, and I’m a bit cautious about any home-based food from people I don’t know, but there is a market for that.
