I am an Indian who grew up in Malleshwaram, the old part of Bangalore in South India. The area has people from Mangalore, Mysore and of course Udipi. I grew up eating at Janata hotel, Veena stores, and CTR, all in my neighborhood. My tongue craves for that authentic taste here in the U.S.
Remember that moment that Anton Ego has in the movie Ratatouille, where he's reminded of his childhood on his first bite of the ratatouille? I had the same moment when I ate the food at Udipi Cafe. I didn't drop a pen, I shed a tear.
Very rarely do restaurants do that to me: take me to a different place.
And I'm glad I could feel that moment at Udipi Cafe.
I want to be rational however, and I'm not giving it the five stars because the ambiance isn't the greatest. Some brighter lights and spaced out seating can fix that though. Personally, I could eat on the sidewalk if the food is great, and I know that Udipi Cafe's food is right up there.