Crunchy Tales from here and there: SNR Chips, Alathur, Palakkad

 

Crunchy Tales from here and there: SNR Chips, Alathur, Palakkad

Kerala may be the land of backwaters, elephants, and houseboats, but for those who know the place well,  it's also the kingdom of snacks—and few do it better than SNR. In this little corner of Palakkad, tradition meets taste in the most delicious way possible.

History of SNR dates back to 1947, when Shahul Hameed opened shop for banana chips as a small venture at Alathur. He hand chopped a local variety of banana (Nendra) and used home made coconut oil to make chips that not only tasted good but also found favour with gourmets of those times.  Story of SNR did not stop there. Packs of SNR banana chips caught attention of political heavyweights too and it started travelling out of he state as a souvenir. It is said that even Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was gifted a Pack of SNR banana chips by political leaders from Kerala.

A Pitstop You Won’t Forget`

While the original SNR Chips is located inside Alathur market  you’ll find an unassuming shopfront, usually buzzing with locals picking up their weekly stash of crispy banana chips, tapioca bites, or spicy mixtures. However, keeping up with times SNR has started operating from a modern outlet adjacent to the National Highway at Chithali also. The shop set to modern ambiance also serves tea, juices and snacks apart from its trademark SNR banana chips.

Step inside and you’ll be greeted by warm smiles and even warmer flavors. Made using locally sourced Nendran bananas and fried to perfection in pure coconut oil, these chips carry the unmistakable soul of Kerala. There’s no rush here—only the slow, deliberate art of making food that feels like home.

A Taste of Culture in Every Bite

Beyond its crispy offerings, SNR Chips is a slice of Kerala’s cultural tapestry. Every packet is a tribute to the land’s agrarian roots, its unhurried pace of life, and the age-old culinary wisdom passed through generations. It’s rural entrepreneurship at its finest—rooted in local produce, driven by community spirit, and wrapped in the flavor of nostalgia.

Why Travelers Love It

For the hungry wanderer, SNR is the perfect souvenir stop. Forget the factory-made snacks at airports—here, your chips come with a story, a face, and a place. They’re the kind of snacks that travel well, not just in bags, but in memories.

So, if you’re exploring Palakkad, don’t just chase waterfalls or temple trails. Make a crunchy detour. Walk into SNR Chips, grab a warm packet off the shelf, and take a bite. You might just taste the essence of Kerala—salty, sweet, and impossibly satisfying.

Sometimes, the best part of your journey is what you eat along the way…