Let down by Star Briyani, Ambur.
I have heard about Ambur Star Biriyani before, it got on my must to try places after seeing the episode on Sutralam Suvaikalam.
We were returning from Chikmanglur after the long weekend ride. In Bangalore we decided we will break once we reach Hosur, and we will hold our hunger until Ambur to try Star Biriyani. We reached there by 3 pm. The place was pretty packed. We had to wait for a table to be assigned. They assign tables on FIFO. Much relieved than to stare at half empty plates waiting for people to clear up. The first floor was A/C on paper, but to my disappointment, was not spread to all the corners.
We ordered 3 Mutton biriyani and a Andhra Tikka.
The server said Andhra Tikka will be late. I asked which other Tikka is ready, the response was all Tikka will be late by 20 min. I was fine, asked him to get the Biriyani ready, and we can have our Tikka join us half way. Then was the honest response. They do not have Tikka. That is a huge difference from Tikke will be 20 min late. We went for Chicken 65 instead.
Then our table was served.
First impression, the smell was tempting, quantity was too less for Rs. 175. First bite, it had a distinctive wood smoke flavor. Otherwise it was a regular biriyani. It was a disappointment after the 3rd bite. It did not live up to all the hype. I would rate Periyamedu Karim Mess Biriyani along with Star Biriyani. Karim mess taste is very similar, quality of rice and mutton is almost double.
After much of disappointment, I lost my appetite, finished the biriyani with a half filled heart and stomach.
Star Biriyani is a must try, so that you can compare and value other biriyani you would have tasted that do not hype so much.
Succeeded in finding and tasting the Original Star Briyani.
After a disappointing first attempt I wanted to try the Briyani in the original Star Briyani shop. Did some search online and stopped right opposite to Ambur Railway station and went to the opposite road. Then with some help, found the shop right on the service road. Click here if you are searching for the location.
This is a basic Briyani shop with no fancy menu. Cost in the Original Ambur Star Briyani from their menu:
Mutton Briyani: Rs. 180
Mutton Briyani (Parcel) : Rs. 180
Chicken Briyani : Rs. 170
Chicken Briyani (Parcel): Rs. 170
Chicken 65 (Boneless): Rs.90
Chicken lollipop: Rs. 90
Makkan Peda: Rs. 100
I see the taste is definitely different in this place. The taste of the ginger, ghee and mutton fat mixed in the rich Jeeraga Samba rice (Actual name, Jeerana samba) just melts in when the food is warm. I was definitely satisfied. Not comparable with the one I had before.
Chicken 65 and lollipop both tasted the same, you can select based on how you want to eat. Just pop it in (Chicken 65) or you want to rip it from the bone (Lollipop) 😉
After that, I also got a parcel for my mom and got a Makkan Peda (Rs. 100) box for my dad. It had 5 pieces in it. Already 2 gone and the taste is good 😉
If you are a true Briyani lover, I will recommend the Original Ambur Star Briyani if you are ready to step outside your comfort zone. This is actually from 1890 and definitely not a fancy imitations which happens to be the same management. The imitations serve an experience but not the actual briyani, over which the brand was built on.