24/08/2017
From a Royapettah mess to a global chain
From 1954, when it was begun as a small mess in Royapettah, to its present form with over a dozen branches in India and four abroad, the restaurant has come a long way. During their initial stages one cooked, one served and that’s how they began. Non-vegetarian was the only fare — spicy fish, prawns, chicken, mutton and all their parts — liver, kidney and brain. It was a mix of Chettinad-style cuisine and what they were used to from their village.
Ponnusamy Hotel's History in years :
1954
Ponnusamy Hotel started off as a small mess on Gowdia Mutt Road, Royapettah
1981
The land the restaurant stood on was bought
1986
First phase of renovation took place
1989
Founder A.R. Vellupillai dies
1990
The hotel began serving Chinese fare
1992
It expanded with several more branches across the city
2005
began its first international branch in Dubai
There is even a song written by ‘Pattukottai’ Kalyanasundaram on Ponnusamy Hotel -
‘Puzhal eri neer irukka, poga vara car irukka, Ponnusamy soru irukka, poveyno Chennaiai vittu thangamey thangam’ (There is water from Puzhal lake, there is adequate transport, food can be taken care of by Ponnusamy hotel. Will I ever leave Chennai?)
Source and old photo credits - The Hindu
Madras Memoirs
