Located in the old Chaupati area of Balod, a humble yet immensely popular chaat and gupchup center has become the talk of the town. Operated by Manish Baghel, this food stall has built a strong reputation for serving delicious snacks at an incredibly affordable price of just 20 rupees per plate. During the monsoon season, the demand for hot, fresh samosa chaat skyrockets, while their signature dahi gupchup remains a year-round favorite among the local crowd.
A Legacy of Quality and Hygiene
The shop’s menu features a variety of snacks, including dahi gupchup, pani gupchup, samosa chaat, and khasta chaat, all of which are highly rated by returning customers. With a history spanning two decades, the business has successfully maintained a reputation for prioritizing both taste and cleanliness. Manish emphasizes that every item is prepared with strict hygiene standards, ensuring that no adulterated ingredients are used. This commitment to purity has fostered a deep sense of trust with their long-time patrons.
Building a Business from Scratch
The journey began roughly 20 years ago when Manish’s father relocated to Balod from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He started the venture on a small scale, but through consistent quality and distinct flavors, the stall eventually became a landmark of the city. Today, it attracts customers not only from within Balod but also from the surrounding suburban regions who travel specifically to savor the authentic flavors of the shop.
Balancing Education and Entrepreneurship
Having completed his formal education, Manish is now actively managing the business alongside his father. Throughout his years of schooling, he remained deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of the shop. He believes that effective time management allowed him to successfully balance his academic goals with the responsibilities of a growing business. The collaborative effort of his family has been a key factor in keeping the business moving forward.
Success in Sales
During the rainy season, the stall sees a significant surge in demand, particularly for the samosa chaat, with daily sales crossing 100 plates for this dish alone. Coupled with the constant popularity of dahi gupchup, the shop manages to earn approximately 2,500 rupees per day during peak seasons. According to Manish, the secret to longevity in the food business is simple: if a customer receives great taste, hygienic food, and fair pricing, they are guaranteed to return, which is the core philosophy that has sustained their shop for the last 20 years.
