Remember the taste of railway mutton curry, the salty, watery, spicy mutton cubes in red gravy, served along with rice on steel plates by waiters in train compartments? Recall the veg thali, the egg toast wrapped in butter proof paper for breakfast or the cutlets. The Anglo Indian flavoured Indian Railways menu is now a matter of nostalgia. It has been replaced by flavours and style of the day. Rail travel has morphed and so has food associated with it.

Kochi-based CGH Earth group which has diversified into In-flight catering has now, in collaboration with IRCTC, begun Food Stop Diner, a swish, pragmatic, quick and clean eatery at South Railway Station in Ernakulam. Their maiden outlet, they are set to further take the brand to other railway stations and to National Highways.

On Platform No. 1, Food Stop Diner can be accessed from outside the station and from within. Both side accessibility facilitates easy to and fro passage for passengers looking for quick takeaways or to have a bite at comfortable distance from the trains.

The décor is business-like, sans frill and flounce. The menu has variety, taste and style. The in-house brands—Curry Tree, Asian Street, iBar, Tiffin and ChaiA— offer a range of choices to suit the needs of commuters. There’s Keralan dishes and North Indian repast in Curry Tree, while Asian Street dishes out Oriental fare. Tiffin serves South Indian delicacies, and ChaiA offers the 4pm snacks with tea. But it is the iBar or the Idly Bar that is catching attention with its bucketfuls of idlis and vadas dunked in sambar and served as takeaways. This food parcel seems to be one of the most popular takeaways.

“We are categorically not fine dining, gourmet here. We are solid, hygienic and safe food,” states Jose Alex Mathew, Manager, Operations, adding that food for commuters has to be non fussy.

Hence, fried rice with a sweet-sour accompaniment, neatly delivered in red food tray, is a popular choice from Asian Tree’s self-service counter, or grab a chicly packaged idli-vada takeaways from iBar; if it’s only a small bite one is looking for then there are biscuits and sandwiches, if the train is delayed and there is time on hands then one can indulge in veg and non veg South and North Indian meals.Kaapi,chayaand cold beverages can be savoured along with snacks- puffs, pazhampori , muffins, samosa, cutlets and such.

With an ambiance that is chic and casual, and a menu that is smart and pocket friendly (under Rs. 150), Food Diner Stop is chugging in a fresh style of dining at the train station.


We are categorically not fine dining , gourmet here. We are solid, hygienic and safe food