Restaurants gear up for Ramzan-Telangana rush today

Ubiquitous during the month of Ramzan, haleem attracts people of all faiths and segments to restaurants who spend nearly eight to nine hours preparing this dish originating from Iran.

Hyderabad: The month of Ramzan is around the corner and restaurants across the city are all geared up to prepare and offer mouth-watering haleem.

Ubiquitous during the month of Ramzan, haleem attracts people of all faiths and segments to restaurants who spend nearly eight to nine hours preparing this dish originating from Iran.

It was first introduced in the city by the management of Hotel Madina located in Madina Building in the old city and gradually different restaurants started preparing it during Ramzan. Haleem is prepared using chicken, mutton or beef meat, ghee, wheat, spices, dry fruits and other ingredients. A plate of mutton haleem costs between Rs. 220 and Rs. 270 in restaurants across the city.

Mohd Majeed, owner of Pista House, said ingredient prices have increased significantly over the past year, as have workers’ salaries and transportation costs. “However, we are not going to take a long hike. A decision on the price will be taken in a day or two and we guarantee that it will not affect our customers,” he told Telangana Today.

Syed Irfan of Subhan Bakery said, “A plate will cost Rs. 9,999. 270. We use all premium ingredients to prepare haleem.

Majority of the restaurants prepare three varieties of haleem during the month of Ramzan and sell them at competitive prices. Nowadays, both new and old parts of the city have an equal number of restaurants preparing haleem.

“In all our branches, haleem will be available. We have partnered with food aggregators and people can also order online,” said Mohd Irfan of Shah Ghouse Hotel.

There are other popular restaurants like Sarvi, Paradise, Bahar, Bawarchi and Dine Hill that prepare and sell haleem during Ramzan. Some hotels have already started selling to allow people to taste and recognize their products.

The haleem industry provides seasonal employment to thousands of young people who work in different sections of hotels. The temporary kitchens set up by the city’s major hotels employ around a hundred people while an equal number work as salesmen at the counters. E-commerce also provides income opportunities for food delivery managers.