Laxminarayan Pavbhaji Center

Down here at Behede Complex on Paud Road, we are right in the middle of the Kothrud bustle. It isn't the biggest shop, but we manage. My day usually starts with a mountain of chopping. There are onions, potatoes, and plenty of other vegetables to prep. Once the big flat tava gets hot in the afternoon, it stays like that until we close at night. From down the street, you can hear the metal spatula clanging against the iron. This place gets loud sometimes. Between people stopping by after their shift or those just passing through Glenridge 1, there is always someone at the counter. Traffic outside on Paud Road can be a real mess, yet inside it just smells like melting butter and spices. Since we only have a few tables, many folks just stand around or take their food away. When it rains, the floor gets a bit muddy and I have to keep wiping it. That’s just part of the routine. My hands usually have a garlic smell that won't wash off. We didn't bother with fancy decorations. There are just some basic lights and the menu taped up. Weekends are the busiest, with families and students all packed in together. Keeping up with the orders is a challenge sometimes. There might be a wait when it's full. Most people are patient though. It is just a local spot we have run for a long time. The noise of the buses never stops, so we just keep mashing the bhaji until the gas runs out.