New Ashok Restaurant

New Ashok Restaurant sits right there in Shahpur, Ahmedabad, just opposite Lala Kaka Hall. It’s been a while since we set up outside the Shahpur Gate and the area has changed so much over the years. Most mornings start early with the sounds of traffic and people heading to work. The building isn't fancy or anything, just a regular place where you can sit down and have a meal without too much fuss. Sometimes when there's an event at the hall across the street, it gets really packed and we have to move the tables around to fit everyone in. It gets very hot in Ahmedabad, especially in the afternoons, so we try to keep the fans going as much as we can to stay comfortable. The walls have been painted a few times but the vibe stays the same. People from the neighborhood know us well. They stop by to chat or just grab something quick. It’s a lot of work keeping things running every day. We don’t have those big fancy menus or uniforms. It’s just us doing what we do. The road outside is always dusty because of the construction that seems to never end near the gate. You can hear the scooters and the occasional rickshaw driver yelling. We just keep the doors open and wait for whoever comes in next. It isn't a quiet place, but Shahpur never really is. We just focus on the food and making sure the plates are clean for the next person who sits down.