Real Lassi of Ahmedabad!

Farki

If you want to have the real test of Lassi, then Farki is the best place in the city. It is more than 50 years old and has never stopped growing.

Poster showing journey of last 50 years

It has a big Ice Cream Parlor in Sahibaug and serves various kinds of ice-cream, milk-shakes, kulfi and Lassi. The Lassi of Farki has been the same in last 5 decades. They have added new flavors, but the originality is still intact. People who have grown in Ahmedabad are now in 50s become nostalgic while talking about Farki. It was not only an Ice-cream Center, but also a popular meeting point.

People throng this place eve in winter. During Summer time, the buzz around this place is most loud and you can always find this as a crowded one. Their food is not only tasty and mouth-watering, they prepare it under hygienic environment. They don't compromise on quality and this has always been the reason for their success.

Lassi

If you love Lassi, this is the perfect place for you in Ahmedabad.

Once & Forever - Foodies

It's different! Not just in one way, but in many ways!

A unique concept of selling food - Owner Nilay Vyas has named it "Foodies - Eat at Home".

Just as the name sounds, it will make you a foodie, once and forever.

Foodies, Mansi Circle, Vastrapur

This place serves food only for take away. Nilay believes that instead of waiting for an hour in front of any restaurant, just eat the food at home, without cooking at home. He delivers the food at home.

The food is so mouth-watering that it will make you go for more. It was less oily and spiced perfectly. I have already eaten on 4-5 occasions. They serve Punjabi & Chinese food. Only Vegetarian. Their price is very competitive. I liked everything about Foodies.

Just now i had the chance to interact with Nilay while i was at his counter to place my order. He is actually a Table Tennis coach, having experience of coaching at the state level.  His profile is quite interesting and i will cover him in my next post. He is friendly and quite gentle. I was pleased to meet him. It will be interesting to know more about him. 

Oh, the food from Foodies has arrived, i am going to enjoy. 

If you are feeling hungry, just call 079-30619400!

GolGappa, PaaniPuri, Puchkas or GupChuph

As the heading suggests, these all are just different names of the most delicious snack that is sold all over India. In Ahmedabad , each nook and corner has someone selling Paanipuri (the name used here).

MahaLaxmi PaniPuri

It was just a co-incidence that i found the eatery named "MahaLaxmi PaniPuri". I was just standing on the opposite side of the road when i found many persons gathered in almost round circle eating PaniPuri. At that time, i decided to visit that place one day.

Today, almost after 2months when i finally went to that place, i saw the same scene. People were waiting for their chance. I had to wait for few minutes. I found out that MahaLaxmi PaniPuri is 40 years old and owned by Chacha and Bhatija. They have a unique way to serve their delicacies. They don't serve on plate, but hand over directly into your hand. This surprised me.

They must be selling more than 2000-3000 PaniPuris/day. The timing is from 3-6pm only. But, i am sure, by the closing time, they must be through with their tasty stuffs. The salted, minted, spicy and flavored water was so tasty that i have already started missing it. I am surely going to be these as soon as i get another chance.

Their business model seemed so simple. Just make the best product and no promotion is required. Word of mouth advertisement is enough for MahaLaxmi PaniPuri. Their taste is their brand. Just try!

Ragda Patties - Get Blown!

Swastik Ragda Patties, Municipal Market

This Tuesday, when i was returning from office, it was raining heavily! When it rains, we feel more hungry, isn't it?

So, when my colleague, Parth asked "Have you ever tested Ragda Patties of Municipal Market?, i said "let's go"!

Soon we both were having the best Ragda Patties of the town. It cost's just Rs 30/plate and taste is mind-blowing. As soon as i tested the first spoon, i realized that i have never eaten such appetizing snack before. It was spicy, but not "tikha". It was hot and perfect for rainy weather. It was made in Amul Ghee. The eatery name is Swastik Ragda Patties which is at the left hand corner of the Municipal Market (MM) entry point. It is here from last 15 years. The eatery looks so simple. I have visited MM more than hundred times. But, now i grasp that we miss so many good things in life as we keep overlooking simplicity in life.

If you know any other such good eatery, please let us know. We will be happy to introduce more such eateries.

Garma Garam Bhajiya!

In Ahmedabad, rain is always welcomed by Bhajiya and Dalwada and what not! 

Gandhigram Station

Yesterday, it was a rainy day. It drizzled throughout the day. Weather was so romantic! All Ahmedavadis know that this is the best time for Gujarati delicacies. While i was returning home from office, in the afternoon, i was delighted to see a Bhajia Lari at roadside near Gandhigram Railway Station.

Methi ka Bhajiya

I was not surprised to see that though the seller was neither famous nor having even a shop was having a stream of customers. People from all age group from different social backgrounds were standing in queue for their turn. No one was worried about getting wet or whether the place is hygienic. Only thing that mattered was garma-garam Bhajiya. I had to wait for 15-20 minutes to taste those Bhajiya and i don't repent. I enjoyed those delicacies and never felt that it could be better. This is Apnu Ahmedabad and we live live King Size in our own style. Happiness cannot be bought by money, but we ourselves can find various ways to keep ourselves happy. So, are you going to eat or prepare Bhajiya today? It's raining!

Sweet Tooth!

Gwalia Sweets, Vastrapur

While i love all kind of sweets, but only few Namkeen Snacks impress me. Those who have sweet tooth or fondness for foods which are sweet, must be knowing Gwalia Sweets in Ahmedabad. But, what has made me a regular visitor to Gwalia Sweets is their Onion Kachori. No one, i bet, sell better Onion Kachori then that of Gwalia Sweets at Mansi Cross-road, Vastrapur. Though, it's famous for various kinds of sweets and snacks, it's Onion Kachori is unbeatable. It's oily, but without any doubt, it leaves the taste bud looking for more. I have eaten then many times and never been satisfied by eating just one. Their samosa is quite similar to Samosa which is made in Bihar, probably as the owner who started this sweet mart chain, first at the Stadium Circle in 1994, is from that state.

After successfully running their business there, they have also now become the most popular Sweet or Mithai Shop in Ahmedabad with various branches in different parts of Ahmedabad. During various festivals you will find people in queue ,waiting to buy sweets. The most striking thing about this sweet shop is that they have kept sweets belong to different states like Rajasthan, Up, Bihar, Gujarat, etc at one place. They also sell mava, dryfruit based sweets, cookies, pasteries, rabri, kulfi, etc

Vada Pav - You can't eat just one!

In Ahmedabd if you have not eaten Vada Pav of Shreeji Krupa Bombay at Vijay Cross-road, then you have actually not eaten the real Vada Pav. They claim to have introduced Vada Pav in Ahmedabad. The taste of Vada Pav is mind-blowing. I guarantee that you will not be satisfied by eating just one.

Shreeji Krupa Bombay Vada Pav

The owner Yashwant worked as a compounder at a hospital. In 1992, he started selling Vada Pav on the footpath outside the health hub. First, he started selling Bombay Vada Pav. But Amdavadis did not like it. Thereafter, he started selling Vada Pav dipped in oil and butter. That changed everything. He started selling more than 500 Vada Pav in a day and is a very rich man now. 


Rainy season has started and it's the best time to visit this place.

Cool Chhe - Kulcha

In Ahmedabad, i have eaten Chhole Kulcha at various places, but Oven Magick is the best place to have Kulcha with Chhole or Paneeer Ki Sabjee. Their Kulcha are very soft and puffy. I have savored them on various evenings on Sundays. They are excellent!

At Judges Bunglow Road

Their Puff are non-oily and taste just perfect. They also have many premier varieties of breads and other bakery stuffs. But, their specialization lies in making strikingly attractive Pastries, Donuts and Cakes. They sell Pizzas, Brownies, Confectionary, Desserts and Sandwich. They also sell non-veg foods.

They have home-delivery facility within the area of 2 km.

In Ahmedabad they have three branches. They have their main branch at Baroda and also have a outlet at Surat. They are in process of opening new branches by offering franchise.

Love at First Bite!

It was love at first bite. Some days back, a friend brought Kachori of Jai Ambe Sweets & Namkeen. I was surprised to see the way it was served. It was a dry Kachori, without any sign of oil, punctured in the middle for few 'light fried' peanuts spread in the middle. Without any doubt, i was very impressed with the way it was decorated. It looked very attractive. I have never seen such Kachori before. They also serve Kachori and Samosa with Chatni and Dahi. They are specialist in making Kachori and quite famous from last 10 years.

They sell other snacks, namkeen and sweets. They have two outlets, both near Ganesh Plaza at CG Road. No one can beat their Kachori!

Punjabi Lassi in Ahmedabad!

Shree Jay Jalaram Dairy Farm

Punjabis will be happy to know that in Ahmedabad, there is a place where Punjabi Lassi will fill them with nostalgia of their home-made Lassi.

Thakkar

It is Shree Jay Jalaram Dairy Farm, based at CG Road, near Ganesh Plaza which is owned by Jay Thakkar & Raju Thakkar. It has been serving Buttermilk (Chhachh), Punjabi Lassi, Faluda and various forms of Milk Shake from more than two decades. Being a Brand in the field of Chhachh is not only an achievement, but a very profitable proposition as any Gujarati lunch is incomplete without Chhachh.

One thing on the BillBoard is noticeable. While mostly "Milk Parlor" is the suffix in the name of shop selling Dairy products, here "Dairy Farm" is used. They serve their special Masala Chhachh in a very special way - they serve fresh Chhachh in glass bottle.

Shree jay Jalaram Dairy Farm is also known for  Sev Khamani and i myself found it very different and tasty. Instead of Khaman broken down into Khamani, their Sev Khamani seemed more like special kind of Namkeen "Halwa". It was delectable. 

Pani Puri ka Maja

RASRANJAN of University Area

Rasranjan Restaurant is a sweet and snack shop cum bakery which serves scrumptious and delicious variety of baked delicacies along with Indian sweets cum snacks as well.  

I heard the name "RasRanjan" for the first time, while i was traveling from Ahmedabad to Patna. I was offered dry Samosa of RasRanjan Restaurant by a family from Ahmedabad travelling to UP. They told me that Rasranjan is the best place to have sweets and Namkeen in the city. It happened 9 years back. But, i still remember their words that they used to passionately talk about RasRanjan. They even told me that several NRIs take packed Namkeen from here to foreign countries.

I later realized that RasRanjan was also the favorite food joint of my friend who is now my beloved wife, Payal. There are many fond memories related to RasRanjan and i can assure you that they serve the best Pani Puri in Ahmedabad. One drawback is that they have only one flavor, but that "special flavor" cannot be compared with any other. In last 9 years, they have opened new branches, increased price many times, made many new customers, become a bigger brand, but the flavor of Pani Puri is same. Some things should never change.

In Ahmedabad, where you will find Pani Puri being sold at each nook and corner, everyone has his/her on favorite place to eat Pani Puri. But, i am sure that you can't find more hygenic and tasty Pani Puri then that found at RasRanjan. 

Do Ankhyen Barah Haath! Real Vrs Reel Life!

I was awe-struck when i first time heard the story that there are prisoners of Sabarmati Jail who are selling Bhajia .

Story starts when Chandubhai Prajapati, an inmate in Sabarmati Jail, after being sentenced for life in 1983 for triple murder case, in his first month in jail, offered help to the jail authorities in preparing delicious Bhajiya and other savories.

SABARMATI JAIL BHAJIYA HOUSE

In 1998, the then jail superintendent V.T. Gautam proposed to the then IG (Prison) Vijay Guman that a tea and Bhajiya stall could be started outside the jail with Chandubhai's help. The IG approved the idea. Within few days, they hit a "gold-mine". Their Bhajia was a big hit. Today "Sabarmati Jail Bhajiya" is a household name. The cooks are convicts who have been handpicked for their good conduct. 

Their total annual business cross 1 crore and they have even started one mobile van selling Bhajias. Their success model has been copied by other jails in Vadodara and Surat.

Another Activity of Sabarmati Prisoners

Bhajiya is not the only thing the prisoners make. Bakery items is also in the list, handicrafts and hand-loom items like bed sheets, carpets, towels, colourful plain cloth, handbags is also get sold.

This real life story seems to be inspired by the movie "Do Ankhyen Barah Haath"  where the protagonist tries to rehabilitate prisoners who were serious criminals in order to bring them back into the society as a good human beings. No one is born criminal. Thus this noble idea must be applauded.

INAUGRATION

At the end, Chandubhai Prajapati who is the hero of the real-life story has started his own Bhajia business and is as popular as 

Sabarmati Jail Bhajiya House.

Ageless Kulfi!

RAJDEEP RESTAURANT

Kulfi or Qulfi is a popular frozen milk-based dessert which is often described as "traditional Indian Subcontinent ice-cream. Unlike Western ice creams, kulfi is not whipped, resulting in a solid, dense frozen dessert similar to traditional custard based ice-cream. 

In a city where Summer season is very long and maximum temperature is always ready to cross 40-45,  Ahmedavadis are fond of ice-cream and Kulfi. You will find an ice-cream parlor or milk parlor on every main road. 

Rajdeep Restaurant near Lal Darwaja is well known for selling mind-blowing Kulfi. Their Mumbai Chaupati Kulfi is very special and it has been strategically priced low. Since, it's in a busy area of Old Ahmedabad, they mint money like anything. They avoid to give the correct figure, but selling more than 1000 Kulfi in a day is not a big deal for them. They are into this business from more than 30 years. Once you have tasted their Kulfi, you will remember the flavor for ever.

Amazing!

DAS KHAMAN HOUSE

I have seen people standing in line for movie tickets, for entry into the stadium, students waiting to enter exam center or while people buy railway tickets. But, it's really amazing to see people standing in queue for their turn to order snacks.

Das Khaman, near Nehrunagar Circle, Ambawadi, is a Gujarati Snacks outlet which is famous for Khaman, Dhokla & Sev Khamani. It's 89 years old. On Sunday, one may have to wait for half an hour. It's popularity is all because of it's secret ingredients which have magical power. If you love Khaman, you can't stop yourself from becoming one more fan of Das Khaman. Their tasty food justifies the waiting time.

The most important P

MANOHAR CHORAFALI

People of all age, from different classes of the society, from different backgrounds can be seen eating Chorafali together. Manohar Chorafali is just a small counter specially selling Chorafali, but do a huge business of more than Rs 5000/day. Manohar Chorafali is selling this Gujarati dish from last 30 years and has this counter, off Ashram Road, behind Sales India from last 10 years. He has a huge customer base made of office staffs of nearby business houses. His fresh Chorafali does not need marketing.

MANOHARBHAI

Manohar is a lively character and prepares the dish himself. He also knows and understands his business well, so he keep things simple. He makes us believe that product is the most important marketing P out of 4 Ps (Product, Place, Price & Promotion) of Kotler. 

Samosa KIng!

MAHARAJA SAMOSA CENTRE

Small triangular flat Samosas served in Navtad Ni Pol became so famous that they became a brand name for such form of Samosas. It's flat and have different stuffing like aloo, chana dal and mutter with masala.

Maharaja Samosa Centre, near Sardar Patel Colony is 25 years old and is the most famous snacks outlet in Navrangpura. Whenever you go there, you will see a crowd of people enjoying the "mast" taste of Navtad Samosa with their trademark "Chatni". You will always find them fresh and mouth-watering. You will be able to smell the aroma in the surrounding area. It's special.

YOGESH KHAMAN HOUSE

In Navrangpura, Yogesh Khaman House is specialized in preparing Khaman & Khamani.
It is 14 years old and they are already one of the most respected snacks-counter in Ahmedabad. Daily sales of Khaman must be more than 50kg on an average.I liked their Sev Khamani and it really tastes wonderful.

These traditional snacks are treated as breakfast by Ahmedabadi and these counters do brisk business as they have huge demand.

Smart Cookie!

Imperial Bakery, Shahpur

Cookies or Biscuits are most commonly baked until crisp or just long enough that they remain soft, but some kinds of cookies are not baked at all. Cookies are made in a wide variety of styles, using an array of ingredients including sugars, spice, chocolate, butter, peanut butter, nuts or dried fruits. The softness of the cookie may depend on how long it is baked.

In Ahmedabad, there is a bakery shop which is more than 75 years old. Cookies of Imperial bakery have magical ingredients and they are loved by every Ahmedavadis. There are 6 branches and Mirzapur branch is the main. They have huge varieties of cookies in different flavors. They also serve Puffs and their Manchurian Puff is special. It's credible to keep serving cookies of so many types for such a long time while keeping the same taste. It's really a big cookie brand in Ahmedabad. 

Stuffed Triangle!

BeeKay Bakers, CG Road 

In Ahmedabad, one of the most readily available snacks is "Puff". You will find various varieties of Puff (eg Cheese, Veg, Paneer, etc) served in different ways. But, all vegetable Puffs have the same shape like a Triangle. It's cheap, tasty and a favorite quick bite.

On CG Road, at Swastik cross-road, BeeKay Bakers is a 16 year old bakery shop which is well known for serving the best quality Puffs. They have maintained the same quality. Their Puffs are fresh and it may be difficult for you to get satisfied with only one Puff. You will obviously love to have another one. They are also famous for Cakes & Pastries. 

Samosa Time!

Navin Chavana & Sweet Mart is a very famous sweet and snacks corner. It is located opposite Navrangpura Bus Stand. It is 51 years old and their Samosa and Papris are very tasty. Daily sales is more than 1000 Samosas. Their samosa has a unique test which you can't forget. It is slightly sweet. "Chatnis" served here along with samosa make them special. If Samosa is your favorite snack, then go for them.

Cheese factor!

If you want to eat the best Cheese Sandwich in Ahmedabad and you are in the University area, then you must eat at this road side Amul road-side food counter. Suresh serves fresh and tasty Sandwich of different varieties. He has a huge base of regular customers. Mainly students who are studying in near by schools and colleges enjoy his food. From tomorrow he is extending his working hours. He will be serving from 8am to 11pm.