Bachubhai Bhelwala

Bachubhai Bhelwala is our little shop at G-14 in Jolly Plaza, right on Athwa Gate Main Road in Surat. We are situated right next to the Girls Polytechnic College, so we see a lot of students coming by every day. It’s a small space, but we make it work. We’ve been making bhel and other snacks for a long time now. People know us for the quick bites we serve. There’s no fancy seating here, mostly people just stand around or take their food to go. It’s always a bit chaotic, especially in the evenings when everyone is out for a walk. We spend hours prep-ing the chutneys and chopping the onions and coriander. Everything has to be ready before the crowd hits. We don't have a big team, just a few of us working behind the counter as fast as we can. The noise from the main road is always there, but it’s part of the vibe. We’ve seen the area change a lot over the years, but we’re still here in the same spot. It’s hard work being on your feet all day, but seeing the same faces every week makes it worth it. We don't do any big marketing. Our name is on the board, and the smell of the spices usually brings people in. It’s just a simple snack shop serving the local community. We take pride in what we do, even if it’s just making a simple plate of bhel.