Chachee’s Chai Cafe
Big-box stores dominate the stretch of Scarborough’s Golden Mile just east of Warden, along Eglinton Avenue East, but south of that intersection is a mini treasure trove of independent eateries. One of them is Chachee’s Chai Cafe at 69 Lebovic Ave., a chai bar run by siblings and lifelong Scarborough residents Maisara and Zubair Memon.
The cafe, originally called Chachi’s, after their dad’s “Happy Days”-inspired childhood nickname, is becoming Chachee’s to avoid confusion with another Chachi’s chai spot on the west coast.
“We felt like there was a lack of representation for the second generation of South Asians,” says Maisara. “We wanted the stuff we grew up with at home and stuff we’d find in Canada.”
For the duo, that means extrasaucy butter chicken poutine and giant masala chicken cheesesteaks sharing a menu with classic karak chai (a rich and creamy masala chai), faloodas (an ice-cream shake with basil seeds, vermicelli and jelly) and third-wave espresso drinks.
Since opening in March 2020, the cafe has grown popular with area students who needed a place to study and hang out, as well as with night owls seeking a post-dinner coffee.
“During the evenings, it’s super busy because people want to get out, try new things, and just socialize,” says Zubair.
The Memons opened a second location in Pickering in 2022, and are working on a third in Mississauga.
“In Scarborough you’ll find more of the OG (halal restaurants) that came up in the ’80s and ’90s,” says Maisara. “Whereas Mississauga has more fusion and younger people opening up (restaurants).”