Tawakkaltu Chicken Stall

Our spot is right on Jalahalli K V Temple Street. It’s easy to find because the morning smells like fresh birds and there's usually a truck parked out front dropping off crates. The floor stays wet because we’re constantly washing things down to keep it clean, and the sound of the chopping block is pretty much the soundtrack to our day. People from around the neighborhood stop in while they are on their way home from work. They usually want a specific cut, and we just do it right there while they wait. It’s a small space, mostly just the counter and the back area where we keep the birds. We don’t have much in the way of decoration, just a few calendars on the wall and the tools we use every day. Sometimes it gets really crowded on Sundays, and the line goes out onto the street. We just keep our heads down and get through the orders. It’s honest work, even if it’s messy and loud. You get used to the smell after a few minutes. The temple nearby brings in a lot of people on festival days, so the street gets packed. We’ve been here at this location for a good while now and know most of the regulars by their first names or just by what they usually buy for their families. It’s just how life is at Tawakkaltu Chicken Stall. We sharpen the knives every morning before the first customer shows up.