Cafeteria style eating with tasty food and fast, efficient service is what packs the locals and tourists into Bell Jumbo of Madurai. Finding a parking stall can work up an appetite as groups of hungry customers fight for limited space. However, parking attendants help keep cars moving in and out at a quick pace making sure not to lose any potential business.

Customers are faced with two dining options: A/C hall or non A/C. Some restaurants charge extra ( 15% and up) for the use of the A/C dining room, but Bell Jumbo does not. Inside the cool dining room are rows upon rows of perfected lined tables and chairs. It’s like walking into a cafeteria at any school except the diners are a eclectic mix of Hindus, Muslims, Jains and Sikhs. Not to mention the foreign tourists spilling in and out.

Several servers speedily walk through the organized rows dispensing orders of food, refilling water pitchers and clearing tables. Our menus were brought just as we sat down next to the wall lined with glass. Enough sun shines through these windows to keep the lights off. With so many choices on the extensive Indian, Continental and Chinese menu, our server had to wait a few moments to get our order. Waiting for the meal gives diners an excellent opportunity to people watch. Gazing through the faces seated around us was like pinning countries on the world map. European tourists far outnumbered any other location besides local Indians.

Orders were frantically pushed out of the kitchen as waiting servers picked up trays of hot, steaming goodness. Our meal of dal fry, veg biryani and raita was basic in concept but high on flavor. The temperatures were pushing 95º making a light lunch a smart choice.

You won’t find music overhead, no place mats or any other frills at Bell Jumbo at this Tamil Nadu favorite. High turnover, low cost and good food served quickly is the concept here and worth a repeat visit. Total Cost Rs 370 ($8.20)