Shubham Bhojnalaya & Restaurant

Running a bhojnalaya near the Chittupur Gate is always interesting. Shubham Bhojnalaya & Restaurant is right there in the Lanka area of Varanasi. Being so close to Banaras Hindu University means we see a lot of students all the time. They are usually looking for something that tastes like home food without spending too much money. We try to keep the place clean, but it’s a busy part of the city, so there’s always people moving around outside. The kitchen is usually small and we are always making fresh batches of dal and rice. It’s not a quiet place. You can hear the rickshaws and the chatter from the street all day long. We have been at this spot for some time now. Some people come in for a quick lunch between classes, and others sit down for a longer dinner in the evening. We don’t have a big staff, just a few of us making sure the food gets out. It’s a simple setup with basic wooden tables. We don’t do much advertising; people just walk in because they are in the neighborhood or heading towards the university. It’s practical food for everyday people. Sometimes we run out of certain items if it’s a really busy day, but that’s just how it goes here. We just want to serve a decent meal to whoever walks through the door and needs a break from the sun.