Udipi – Continuing the Vegetarian Tradition : Newest Location, Fourth in Successful Chain of Restaurants
By Kalyani Giri
Last updated: Jan 09, 2009

HOUSTON: The ancient temple city of Udupi nestles on the west coast of Karnataka in South India. Most notably, it is home to the sacred Lord Krishna Mutt founded in the 13th century by the Vaishnavite saint Madhwacharya. Udupi is also the domicile of Manipal, the worldfamous center for academic learning.

For aficionados of vegetarian cuisine however, the storied Udupi name conjures up the redolence of piping hot Udupi dosais, sumptuous ghee-permeated bisi bele huli anna, and spicy coconut-infused gojju. Eight years ago, Udupi visited this city…and stayed in the guise of a proud son of that far-off land, Satish Rao. Very eager to share the bounty of the authentic Udupi style of vegetarian food, Rao along with his wife Sangeeta opened their first Udipi Café on Richmond Avenue in 2001.

While still in its infancy, the flagship restaurant (now operating on Highway 6 in Sugarland), commanded a personal visit from domestic diva Martha Stewart who conferred Udipi Café with the Best of Houston Award.

This past week, the years of toil and myriad sacrifices paid off as Rao launched the fourth branch of Udipi Café on the bustling 4632 FM and 1960 W, arguably becoming the only restaurateur with four successful working establishments in Houston– certainly no mean feat to have accomplished in less than a decade. “When I’m asked how I managed to do this, I always give thanks to the community for putting us at the top,” confided Rao. “It’s not a one-man show, my family and my employees are an integral part of the process, we continue to work hard and challenge ourselves to do better,” added Rao with a congenial smile.

On December 31, the new location of Udipi Café formally opened its doors for business and was teeming with an enthusiastic luncheon crowd poring over a buffet featuring traditional South Indian nutritious home-style food. Couples with children, groups of young people, and families lent to the warm ambiance of the restaurant.

Decorated in earth tones, the newest Udipi sprawls over 6000 sq. feet. Cozy recessed rooms within the general dining arena can seat up to 16 guests. An adjoining banquet/ party hall can accommodate 150 comfortably. The restaurant located on a thriving commercial corridor, has ample parking space.

For now, Satish Rao is content and has no plans to expand his business interests; his hands are full dividing his time among the four restaurants – the new eatery, Udipi Café and Krishna Chaat House both located on Hillcroft’s Little India, and the Udipi Café in Sugarland. Rao’s wife is an astute businesswoman who supports his efforts and keeps track of the Udipi accounts.

Rao has 73 employees that efficiently man the various locations. The restaurant also caters extensively at events locally and in other states in the US. Udipi Café has maintained its high standard of excellence over the years and has a strong client base in the local community.

The restaurant has been the recipient of many awards. The Houston Press’s food critic Rob Walsh named Udipi Best Restaurant for the years 2001 and 2002. The Upper Kirby Magazine that operates out of the restaurant district of Houston hailed Udipi the Best Buffet in Town out of 100 others listed.

Udipi also made the Business Journal’s Reader’s Choice Award for 2003, while the Jewish Herald proclaimed that Udipi had the “best dosas in town”. In 2008 Udipi also received kudos as the authoritative annual treatise Fearless Critic’s Best Vegetarian Restaurant and was number 7 out of a list of 100 restaurants cited on the Most Delicious index.

Udipi Café is located at 4632 FM 1960 West. For more information call 281 397 7200. For other locations of Udipi Café, call 713 334 5555.