A food stall run by Uttar Pradesh native Shakeel has become a major highlight for visitors at the ongoing Patna Expo in Bihar. The shop offers a distinctive seven-variety fritter assortment on a single plate priced at 60 rupees. Featuring an array of onion, cauliflower, spinach, potato, paneer, green chilli, and traditional dal kachri pakodas, the pocket-friendly platter is drawing significant attention from food enthusiasts browsing through the exhibition grounds.
Menu Selections and Transparent Pricing
The stall provides clear choices catering to varied tastes and appetites. The signature mixed platter, which comes generously filled with all seven pakoda varieties, is sold at 60 rupees. For customers seeking an exclusive dairy option, a separate plate containing six pieces of paneer pakoda is offered at 80 rupees. To complement the freshly fried snacks, hot tea is also served at 20 rupees per cup, allowing visitors to enjoy a complete evening refreshment while touring the event.
Distinct Ingredients and Custom Seasonings for Each Variety
Shakeel prepares individual batters and ingredient profiles for each fritter rather than relying on a single generic base, ensuring that every piece provides a distinct culinary profile. The spinach fritters incorporate fresh spinach, coriander leaves, fenugreek, and gram flour. In contrast, the onion and cauliflower varieties combine chickpea flour with sliced onions and chopped green chillies. The crunchy kachri fritters are prepared using soaked Bengal gram lentils blended with fresh coriander and chillies. To maintain a consistent standard, the vendor exclusively uses branded packaged spices across his preparations, enhancing the specific flavours of each vegetable item.
A Nomadic Livelihood Across Regional Fairs
This culinary enterprise is mobile, operating across regional exhibitions and traditional gatherings throughout the year. Shakeel arrived in Patna after wrapping up business at an event in Bhagalpur. Once the Patna Expo concludes, he plans to travel next to Ranchi, followed by an upcoming fair in Jamshedpur, and later set up operations at the historic Sonepur Mela. From an earnings perspective, Shakeel explains that after accounting for all supplies, logistical expenses, and daily operational costs, a single fair typically yields savings between 20,000 and 25,000 rupees. During particularly busy events, the net margin occasionally rises to between 30,000 and 40,000 rupees, though travel schedules generally limit his circuit to two or three fairs per month.
Sales Recovery Following Rainy Spell
Business activity at the stall initially faced disruptions due to unseasonal rain in Patna, which thinned foot traffic across the open exhibition venue. However, as the weather cleared, visitor numbers rebounded sharply. The stall is now seeing steady consumer interest, with attendees lining up to sample the 60-rupee mixed pakoda plate and pair it with 20-rupee cups of tea.
