Babu Shahi Bawarchi, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

Babu Shahi Bawarchi is a very intriguing eating place. This place is an Internet sensation. But some people might not find the food worthy of even a mention. So what is the reason for it featuring on thetimelock. Becasue, it is there. Eating places like these are well on their way to oblivion. Hence this is my mark on a piece of history of this great city.

Location of Babu Shahi Bawarchi

Babu Shahi Bawarchi is located within the premises of Matka Peer. It is religious place of worship where people believe that placing an earthen pot on a tree will make your wish come true. Babu Shahi Bawarchi is the last shop in the series of shops within the complex. Shop No 5.

Understanding Babu Shahi Bawarchi

This place was founded by a person named Babu Khan. His ancestors served as royal chefs. This person has a lot of choices to put his culinary skills to use. But chooses instead to try to serve affordable food to the masses. Profit is least on his mind. And he sets up shop in a location where the masses are coming in droves, the Matka Peer. Proximity to India Gate means a lot of travelers and tourists will also be visiting. He becomes popular as the person or shop selling biryani by the kilo. Recipe is consistent and unique, but the USP of this place still remained affordability.

Also the point to be noted here is that the person would have cooked magical flavors in his heydays. The same magic cannot be recreated by anyone. But the affordability factor is well taken care off. That too will continue for how long, no one knows. So yes, this place had its magic, and like all such places, the magic will wane.

About the restaurant and the food

This place still is good to place bulk orders. This also means that seating is very very limited and frugal. If you get your container, fine, else the biryani will be packed in polythene bags. The place is not good to eat. You will be in the company of stray dogs and crows. Flies will also be buzzing around, again depending on the season. So be careful, you all have been warned. I would recommend sticking to the basic chicken biryani. If the reports of the quality of the food of this place going down are true, least nothing wrong can go with Biryani. The biryani per say has very less spices. It tastes more like boiled rice with fragrance. But it is cooked to perfection. Same for the chicken. Chicken pieces are very tender.

Value for money. Rs 70 for a plate of chicken biryani. Unbelievable.

Service to the masses. Full marks to that.