We already know how expensive airport food can be; from tea and coffee to dosa, noodles and sweets, everything costs quite a bomb when you buy it from the airport. But have you ever paid more than Rs 300 for some pani puri? An X user who also happens to be the co-founder and COO of a popular beauty brand took to the platform to share the pricey pani puri he spotted at the airport.
He shared a snap where plates of ‘Elco’ pani puri, dahi puri and sev puri could be seen behind the glass counter of a store featuring eight pieces of puris each and each plate was priced at Rs 333. “Real estate is expensive for food stalls at the CSIA Mumbai airport - but I didn’t know THIS expensive,” the X user wrote.
As most people know Elco is a popular pani puri centre and restaurant in Bandra and while streetside pani puri and sev puri can cost your around Rs 50, a plate of Elco’s pani puri can cost you anything between Rs 80-120. However, the Rs 333 tag seemed too much for Elco-style pani puri even if it was served at an airport. Needless to say, X users weighed in on this matter with hilarious reactions.
“The value of that last Sukhi Puri at the end just went up!” commented an X user. “Must be imported ones,” joked another. Someone even tried explaining why the pani puris have a three-digit price tag. “System drives the price points . Its airport share, maintenance charges, operation, utilities bills, salaries, at the end the shop will make only 33 rs out of 333,” they commented.
Some other X users shared hacks which can help people find cheaper food alternatives in and around the airport. “Little known but at the Uber pickup area in CSIA- P4, there is a stall that sells Vada Pav for 20 Rs and Cutting chai for 10 Rs. Same real estate but a few floors below. Excellent taste,” wrote a netizen.
“Airport food fares are disproportionate to the quality & quantity of food they offer - knowledge derived after many such experiences. If you can hold your hunger for 3-4 hrs (domestic flight), good enough. Else carry some munchies,” wrote another netizen.
“On top of that, #GST! Mostly, I prefer to finish my tea coffee or snacks munching before entering the airport. If you travel with family most of the time, you may end up paying more than the cost of one-way airfare. Why can't airport stalls think of pricing based on footfalls?” another X user asked.