CNN goes big on a little piece of Durban
LITTLE Gujarat in Durban has been named by CNN as one of the best street food places in the world.
And while the little shop in Dr Goonam (Prince Edward) Street has over 300 customers daily, among the reasons for its success is great customer service.
Johnny’s Rotis (Sunrise Chip and Ranch), in Moses Kotane (Sparks) Road, Overport, and Afro’s Chicken in South Beach, also made the CNN list.
Little Gujarat opened in Victoria Street in 1989 before moving.
Now there are two restaurants on the same street run by brothers. Hitesh Bhatt is at 107 Dr Goonam Street and his brother Tejaf Bhatt is at 43 Dr Goonam Street.
Hitesh, the older brother, who remains in the first shop, said since the news broke customers had been coming into the shop “all excited”.
“It is great news that people enjoy our food. We are affordable and our food is prepared by chefs from India.”
Hitesh said Tejaf decided to open his own shop down the road, which he runs with his wife, Bhumika Bhatt. “It is a family business started by my dad who is now retired and is 75 years old,” said Hitesh.
Customer Mohanlall Dhukey, 74, said he started frequenting the shop years ago. “The food is well done and affordable.”
Asked what was his favourite meal, Dhukey said: “most of the food”.
Another customer, Mohammed Ahmed, said he had been eating at Little Gujarat for over 10 years. “I love all their curries and snacks. You can’t have a favourite, all are good. Most importantly, they are reasonably priced. If you have between R20 and R25 you can enjoy a good meal.”
Bhumika said their secret was customer service. “We try our best to make sure customers are happy, more and more every day.”
And while the store may be little, she said they had between 200-300 customers walking through their doors daily.
Fresh food was their top priority: “We make about 200 quarter bunnies every day.”
She said customer favourites included masala dhosa and sweetmeats, but their most popular item was their special masala tea, at R7.
CNN’s story, “World’s 23 best cities for street food”, describes Durban as southern Africa’s reigning street food champ.
They attribute this to the lovely year-round weather and the Indian influence.
CNN says Durban is known for its curries and describes Little Gujarat as a “humble but revered institution that remains true to the classic tea room takeaway.
“It’s vegetarian-only, and offers the distinctly Durban bunny chow – a hollowed out half-loaf of bread filled with curry, like an edible takeaway container.”