A video of Mehaboob Alappuzha entertaining his customers with singing: As vehicles zip through the National Highway at General Hospital Junction in Alappuzha, ‘Surumayezhuthiya mizhikale...’, the soulful, evergreen MS Baburaj-song fills the night air with melody. Mehaboob Alappuzha croons the number even as he dips sliced banana pieces in batter and gently slides them into spluttering oil in a wok. As the banana fritters turn golden, he breaks into another golden oldie, Ilaiyaraaja’s ‘Unnai ninachen...’. Mehaboob is at work at his no-frills, late-night joint along the busy coastal stretch connecting major towns in Kerala. As commuters stop to sip piping hot tea and bite into snacks to break the tedium of the drive, it is music for their ears as Mehaboob entertains them with his songs. That’s the package deal at this outlet, which is among the many on this road that remain open throughout the night. “I ensure that they don’t leave without listening to my songs,” laughs Mehaboob.