The cafe on SN Ganguly Road in Ranchi. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Aug. 10: True, a lot can happen over coffee. Ask Madras Coffee House on SN Ganguly Road that’s over 50 years old.

For over five decades now, this Chennai Express has offered lip-smacking hospitality — filter coffee, dosa, idli, south Indian thali and so on — that’s authentic, tasty and light on your pocket.

From 8.30am to 9pm, Madras Coffee House is always packed with office goers, students, shoppers and people on the move who’re looking for a tasty tuck-in. And, if you want to grab lunch, prepare to have to queue up.

Ask Madras Coffee House loyalists what’s so special about this place when some of the biggest food franchises have come to town to woo the Ranchi palate and see answers fly in thick and fast.

LIC employee Ranjit Kumar Srivastawa, a regular visitor, said: “I have been coming here since the past 27 years. The taste of dosa and filter coffee is amazing. Original, that’s what I can say.”

It’s not just GenEx, GenY is equally enthusiastic.

Marwari College first-year student Kriti Sharma, polishing off a dosa, agreed: “It’s authentic dosa and sambar. Service is homely and rates are good. It’s a cool place.”

Interestingly, the 35-seater coffee outlet was opened by late Shiv Ram Aiyer, who came from Trichur, Kerala. “My granddad had opened this coffee house with just a shed. When it became popular, a concrete structure came up. I don’t want to change its interiors as it keeps the old flavour intact. From time to time, a fresh coat of paint is applied,” said its present owner Shiv Kumar.

And in an age of coffee makers and numerous flavours and foam hearts floating on your cuppa, this is still one place where you get the good old-fashioned beverage.

“We prepare the original filter coffee the way it’s made in homes across south India. No machines. A cup costs Rs 15,” cafe owner Kumar smiled.

Ruplal Karmakar, who has been is serving food and coffee to guests for the past 30 years here, chipped in: “Yahan par jo milta hai wo kahi nahi milega (What you get here won’t be available anywhere else).”

It’s called simplicity.