Now, pay more for extra onion with pav bhaji

Be ready to pay around Rs3 more for every extra helping of diced onion or shallots you ask for at the neighbourhood Udupi. AHAR the umbrella organisation which has over 8,000 restaurant owners as members across the city has said that hoteliers have no choice.

“As the cost of this bulbous root is now hovering over Rs40 a kg we have no choice but to charge customers for extra onion helpings,” said AHAR president Narayan Alwa who added, “We are still not raising the prices of items we serve.”

He pointed out how the recent price rise of both the onion and its botanical cousin the garlic have left hoteliers struggling to even break even.

“Garlic is selling for Rs280 a kg and making most items on the menu without it is impossible,” he said. According to him, unlike garlic there is a continuous demand for diced raw onion as an accompaniment to fast moving dishes like pav bhaji or vada pav.

He hoped that customers who saw how the prices of both these bulbs was upsetting their home budget will understand the extra charge.

Shaji Devassy, a Malad resident, said he will now cut down on eating out as it has become expensive. This bank executive told DNA about a mall which is using the onion shortage to push up its overall sales.

“The mall is offering onions at Rs10 a kg if one shops for Rs1,499,” he said pointing out how he had himself availed the offer.