'A la carte': Gravy not a right in restaurants, rules Kerala consumer court

IANS May 22, 2025 267 views

A Kerala consumer court has made a groundbreaking ruling that restaurants are not obligated to provide free gravy with meals. The case originated from a dispute at the Persian Table restaurant in Kochi, where a customer demanded complimentary gravy with his parotta and beef dish. The restaurant owner argued that providing free gravy would increase operational costs and impact business sustainability. This verdict establishes a new precedent for restaurant service standards, giving eateries more flexibility in their menu offerings.

"We incur a hefty monthly salary bill, and if we are to give gravy for free, it will cost us more" - Persian Table Restaurant Owner
Kochi, May 22: A restaurant owner in Kerala's Kochi heaved a sigh of relief as a local consumer court near here ruled that gravy need not be given for free to customers.

Key Points

1

Consumer court sides with restaurant over free gravy policy

2

Legal battle sparked by customer dispute over beef and parotta

3

Ruling establishes precedent for restaurant service charges

4

Restaurant argues additional gravy impacts business viability

The legal battle started when a person in November last year ordered parotta and beef - one of the state's most popular dishes and available at most eateries - at a restaurant here.

As the parotta made out of maida is flaky, many people prefer to have gravy with it to make it soft and enhance its taste.

In most places, restaurants and hotels also give gravy separately when the beef dish ordered is dry.

At some places, the gravy given is prepared with an onion base, while at some other places, the beef dish is prepared as a curry itself.

Recalling the incident that led to a long legal fight, the owner of the 'Persian Table' restaurant said initially the person who ordered for parotta and beef did not ask for gravy.

"Later, he said he wants gravy also. We said we normally don't provide gravy, but if the order is for beef with gravy, we provide it. He began an argument, and we made our stand clear. Unhappy with our stand, he left," the restaurant owner said.

"We later realised that he had registered a complaint with the local authorities, and they also came to inspect us. With nothing happening, he then filed a petition before the consumer court," the owner added.

"Now the verdict has come, and we are happy that the court understood our logical reasoning on why we were not able to provide free gravy. We incur a hefty monthly salary bill, and if we are to give gravy for free, it will cost us more and it will not be a viable venture," the restaurant owner maintained, expressing his happiness that the court ruled in their favour.

With this new ruling, gravy cannot be demanded as a right for those arriving at hotels and restaurants.

Reader Comments

Here are 5 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article:
R
Rajesh K.
Common sense prevails! As a foodie who loves Kerala parotta-beef combo, I understand both sides. But expecting free gravy when not ordered is like asking for free chutney with dosa - it's the restaurant's call. Good judgment by consumer court 👍
P
Priya M.
While I agree with the verdict, many small restaurants in Kerala do provide gravy as part of their service culture. Maybe the customer was used to that practice. Still, taking it to court was too much - could've just gone to another restaurant na?
A
Arjun S.
This is why we can't have nice things! One greedy customer ruins it for everyone. In Mumbai, we pay extra for everything - even for that one extra green chutney packet with vada pav. Kerala restaurants are actually quite generous in comparison.
S
Sunita R.
As someone who runs a small eatery, I completely understand the restaurant's position. Food margins are already thin, and such demands can hurt small businesses. Maybe they could mention 'gravy charges extra' on menu to avoid future confusion?
V
Vikram J.
Interesting case! While the court's decision is correct legally, I hope this doesn't make restaurants stop their traditional hospitality. In South India, we're known for our generous servings and extra items. Let's not become like Western restaurants where everything is charged separately.

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Tags:
Kerala Consumer Court Restaurant Rights Food Service Kochi Dining Legal Dispute