Bismillah Hotel

Bismillah Hotel is located on Mathura Road in Ballabhgarh, right near the Grain Market. Being on such a busy road means we see all sorts of people, from truck drivers to families traveling to Agra or Delhi. The shop stays open for long hours because you never know when someone will be hungry. It is a bit of an old building in the New Azi Colony area, but it serves its purpose. We have a big counter at the front where we keep the sweets and snacks. The tea is always on the stove, bubbling away. I’ve been working here for a long time, and I’ve seen how much Ballabhgarh has changed around us. The dust from the road is a bit of a problem, so we are always dusting the tables and the benches. We don't have air conditioning, just the big fans on the ceiling that hum all day long. It can get quite loud with the traffic outside, but you get used to it after a while. Most people come in for a quick meal or a tea break before they continue their journey. We don't have a fancy menu card; we just tell people what we have cooked for the day. It’s a practical place for practical people. My nephew helps me with the cash and the orders. We just keep things moving and try to stay on top of the work. It is an honest living.