Shankarlal Sharma Pudi Wale

Shankarlal Sharma Pudi Wale is located at 284 Chandpole Bazar. It is a different vibe than the other end of the street, but it’s still just as busy. We have a big setup for frying because that’s what we do. The smell of the oil is the first thing you notice when you walk up to our spot. We start the fires early because the dough needs time, and people start showing up as soon as the sun is up. The shop is mostly taken up by the big pans and the counter where we wrap things in old newspapers. It’s messy work and our hands are always a bit greasy. We don’t have fancy tables or chairs; people usually just stand around or take their food with them. The street outside is narrow and there’s always someone trying to push a cart past. We shout to each other over the noise of the frying and the traffic. It’s a lot of work staying on your feet all day in the heat. Sometimes we run out of stuff before the day is over and we just have to start cleaning up early. The walls are covered in soot from the years of cooking, and we just leave it be. It’s a real place, not like those shiny new shops in the malls. We just focus on the frying and the daily tasks.