Leela's Kitchen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

My spouse and son were looking for an Indian restaurant in Cedar Rapids when they were there on a separate task, not food related, but they were going to be leaving about 9:30 or 10AM at the latest, and most restaurants were not open. This place does a traditional Southern Indian breakfast. We had traveled there two winters ago, and every morning we hada traditional South Indian breakfast—often called "tiffin"—it features warm, savory dishes made from fermented rice and lentil batters or semolina. Core items include fluffy steamed idli, crispy dosa, savory upma, and fried vada, served with coconut chutney, which is a bit on the bland side, and vegetable sambar, which can pack a punch. All of these were part of the meal, which they offered in a carry out package, and also featured a delicious lentil dal as well. Breakfast is not my favorite Indian meal of the day, but if you have a hankering for it, this is the place.