ICONIC ANNA’S CANTEEN AT ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGE TO SOON SERVE ITS LAST EGG BURMA TOAST
The alumni of St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai called upon the ex-students to come over to Anna’s canteen, to eat for one last time ‘egg Burma toast’ {A doubleomelette with two breads (stuffed with sauteed tomatoes, onions, salt and pepper)}, special Maggie and a chai. The call left most alumni in a nostalgic mode and sad that their favourite canteen man is being shut down.
The near three decades old cafeteria at is all set to wrap up its table services in next 48 hours as the autonomous educational institute management is more keen to revamp its canteen space ahead of celebrating its 150 years in 2019.
The canteen owner Uday Shetty (57), popularly known as ‘Anna’, cited health reasons behind wrapping his business. “I have been working to serve healthy food for our students and professors since 1991. Now, I will take rest at home. But I will miss them (patrons),” said Shetty modestly told the Free Press Journal.
Shetty leaves his Ghatkopar home at 6:30 am everyday, so that his patrons get their favourite breakfast and chai by 7:30 am. He hardly gets time to take a breather as the influx of his customers keeps him busy throughout the day. “I rest for a while after having lunch,” said Shetty, who returns home after calling it a day at 11pm.
Anna's exit has saddened many professors too. The Head of Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (AIHCA) at the college, Dr. Anita Rane Kothare, is one of the oldest patrons of Anna’s canteen.
“I have spent my whole life here at St. Xavier’s college where I completed my undergraduate and post graduate courses. I live in Malad and it is not possible for me to get my dabba in the morning. So, I prefer having tea, breakfast and lunch in this canteen since my college days. Anna has sacrificed his life in this canteen. The food quality is adorable, healthy and economical too. We cannot think of going outside this campus,” Dr. Kothare told the Free Press Journal while having her breakfast at the canteen.
“Now it is wrapping its table services, so I will face a lot of problem. I will have to search for a good restaurant which can give me homely food everyday,” lamented Dr. Kothare.
Anna served a vast list of nearly 400 veg/non-veg dishes including Italian, Chinese, Irani, Mauritian, continental, etc. at his canteen. The famous dishes among his patrons were cheese garlic toast, veg/egg burma, egg Mauritian omelette, maggie special, etc.
Though a majority of students are on a holiday, a few who hung around the college campus were surprised at this development. Most of the students, teaching and non-teaching staff members were unaware of the development which was a ‘major surprise’ for them. The post for this was put up on the St Xavier's College Alumni Face Book page.
“Last night I learnt that Anna is wrapping his table service from April 28. It is really very sad. I live in Kurla and my schedule is very hectic. So I prefer having food at this canteen. I have seen several faculties regularly having food here,” said Swanandee Nulkar, a student. “I have never heard of any complaint regarding his service or food. Anna customises the demands of his patrons,” said Nulkar, adding, “His canteen staff knows the exact amount of sugar I take in my coffee. And if I am stressed I would rather relax in the canteen.”
Another student Anish Ittoop said the sumptuous yet economical foods would give a nostalgic vibe to its multitude of patrons. “It is really sad. I will miss his ‘egg burma’ a lot,” said Ittoop.
Nulkar added the ones to suffer most will be the hostel students.“We used to have party here and hangout with hostel friends,” said Nulkar.
During leisure, the canteen staff would join students in sports too.