Poli Bhaji Kendra

We are located in Dive Chawl, right off the Eastern Express Highway. It’s a bit of a contrast here because the big Viviana Mall is just across the way, all shiny and new, while we’re tucked into a more traditional corner near the Datta Mandir in Thane West. Every morning starts quite early for us, usually while the highway is still relatively quiet before the heavy rush hour traffic begins. We spend a lot of time in the small kitchen area. There’s always flour to be sifted and vegetables to be chopped for the day. It’s hard work and the heat from the stove really gets to you during the humid summer months we get here in Thane. We don't have any fancy decorations or a big glowing sign to attract people. Most of our regulars are folks living in the chawl or workers who need something quick and filling before their shift starts. You can hear the bells from the temple sometimes if the highway noise dies down for a second. It's a busy neighborhood. We focus on getting everything ready on time because people are usually in a huge hurry to get to their offices. Some days move faster than others. When the monsoon hits and the highway gets backed up, we see more people ducking in to stay dry for a bit. We just keep the lights on and keep cooking until the containers are finally empty. It’s a simple living for us. We aren’t trying to be anything other than a small spot in the chawl where you can get a basic meal without any hassle.