“Mine is Raju Ki Chai, not Rani Ki Chai,” clarifies , partner of Raju Ki Chai restaurant on Cawasji Patel street, in the heart of the city, at Fort. It has the charm of totally lip-smacking old Bombay street food. A bright, colourful small place with bakdas outside to look into the street, RKC offers a huge variety of snacks and teas. Moreover, the old songs playing on a music system like the old radio, offers an old world charm.
Interestingly, Ali and his partner Dev Sanghvi are on various social media platforms and connected with the food delivery companies, giving people the option to order online. Ali was once in the Information Technology sector for a decade; who knew he would end up in the restaurant business, offering street food, teas and their taste in a hygienic manner. “I used to go out for tea to the different tapris with the office crowd. One thing I would notice, the chaiwalas would brew the same tea leaves the whole day, just rinse the cups and then I thought, why not start my own chai restaurant,” says Ali.
Nutella Grilled Sandwich |
The main reason he planned this quaint, colourful and bright corner is for people to connect over affordable food and tea. Those who call for three cups and more are given a discount of Rs 5. There is RKC Special, adrak chai and most interesting, a Jain chai. They offer a combination of ginger and lemon grass or elaichi, adrak and lemongrass. For a sugar sceptic like me, I would recommend the Kesari special chai, it is out of this world. Up for some adventure? Try the Tibetan coffee, served with a dollop of Amul butter floating on it.
Just as the restaurant was showcased on Instagram, the entire day young collegians throng the place for its super spicy Maggi. In fact it comes with a challenge printed on the menu: ‘Eat this in 3 minutes? It’s free’. Among the original items, there is aloo bomb, puchka pizza – rather tasty, chilli cheese bun – which you wish wouldn’t end, and Nutty Nutella open toast – to die for. The RKC special toast is tasty and the cheese veg grilled sandwich has grated cheese full on dil se.
(Raju Ki Chai, Shop no. 4 , Kamar building, Cawasji Patel Rd, Next to Akbarallys, furniture, Mumbai 400001)