In Latabod village of Chhattisgarh's Balod district, a small roadside breakfast counter has quietly grown into one of the busiest food spots in the area, moving well over 1,000 plates of hot snacks every single day. The credit goes to Cheman Chandravanshi, who runs the eatery along with his family near the local bus stand, turning a modest counter into a name that most people in the district now recognise.
Hot Snacks Right Next to the Bus Stand
The hotel sits close to the Latabod bus stand and stays open for breakfast from 8 in the morning until 8 at night, giving customers a twelve hour window to drop in. The menu is simple but consistent: vada is served alongside mircha bhajiya and aloo bhajiya, while chhota bhajiya remains a favourite too. Alongside the fried snacks, the stall serves tomato-chilli chutney, coriander chutney and a tangy kadhi-based chutney, giving regulars a familiar combination of flavours they keep coming back for, whatever time of day they walk in.
A Full Plate for Just Rs 20
What really sets the stall apart is its pricing. A full plate of breakfast costs just Rs 20, while a half plate is priced at Rs 10. Despite these low rates, the freshness of the snacks and the fact that everything is served hot straight from the pan has kept customer numbers high, with people from across the area making it a regular stop on their way to work, school or the local market.
Over 1,000 Plates Gone Every Day
The eatery sells more than 1,000 plates on an average day, and that number climbs further on Mondays, when Latabod hosts its weekly local market, and on Sundays, when the general weekly holiday brings extra footfall. Cheman studied up to class 10 before he stepped away from school to take charge of the family business full time. Today, every member of the family pitches in, from early morning preparation to closing up at night, running the counter almost like a joint household operation rather than a one-man shop.
A Business Built on Just Rs 5,000
The stall's roots go back roughly 15 years, when Cheman's father, Sohanlal Chandravanshi, set it up with an initial investment of just Rs 5,000. The venture started small, but steady hard work and the trust of loyal customers helped it expand year after year without any major outside funding. What began as a modest breakfast counter has since turned into a reliable source of income for the entire family, and the more than 1,000 plates sold daily now stand as proof that affordable pricing, fresh food and local flavour can still pull in big crowds even in a small town setting.
