Sambhar Phiniwala

Our place is down Gheewalon Ka Rasta in the middle of Johari Bazar. We specialize in phini, which is a lot of work to make properly. It’s all about the thin threads and getting the sweetness just right without it being too heavy. We spend hours in the back working on the dough and frying it in big vats. It’s a traditional way of doing things and it’s very hot work. The shop is small and usually smells like ghee and sugar all day long. We don’t have a lot of space for sitting, it’s mostly just a counter where people buy their boxes and move on. During the festival seasons, the line can get pretty long and we almost can’t keep up. We are just a small team, mostly family members who have been doing this for years. We don't have a big sign or any bright lights. Most people know where we are just by the smell or by asking around the bazar. It’s a very old part of the city, and our shop fits right in with the old walls and narrow lanes. We don't bother with fancy packaging, we just wrap it up so it stays fresh. It’s a simple business focused on one thing we know how to do well. Most of our day is spent watching the dough stretch and making sure the fire under the oil doesn't get too high.