There was a time when you pass through the station road, you would have noticed Red Fire Brigade vehicles parked in ready condition. It was one of the landmark of Station road for years. Just outside the fire brigade compound used to stand a tiny cart, the owner barely managing the crowd of customers. That was the Usman Bhai’s bhaje (pakoda) tapari.
Ever smiling and calm Usman Bhai always busy in preparing or serving Bhaje to the customers. How ever might be the rush, he himself used to prepare the raw material. His hand had a distinct taste.
Now the fire brigade building has renovated and you may never see the shining red vehicles. In the same way Usman Bhai also has to shift to a shop.
Though regular customers still miss the tapari, Usman Bhai and his bhaje remain unchanged.
The hot mirchi (salted fried chilly) and pav accompanied bhaje are inseparable. Patrons eat 4-5 mirchies with a plate.
Location changed but popularity of Usmanbhai remain unchanged. Now he can accommodate more customers.
The popularity of Usman bhai is such that in every exhibition in Aurangabad, he has been invited to keep his stall. Once I asked him that already he is having so many customers, what is need to have stall in exhibition. Humble Usman bhai replied that “the stall is mainly for ladies who visit the exhibition. In his regular tapari, due to crowd, it very inconvenient for ladies to buy Bhaje. In exhibition, ladies can come to his shop and see/taste his fresh prepared bhaje.” It is 100% true. If you visit his stall in any exhibition, you can actually see 90% of the crowd on his stall are ladies.
How to reach : Usman Bhai’s tasty bahje stand on Station road. It is in Jay Towers, Ahilyadevi Holkar Chowk, Kokan wadi. Recently he has shifted to a hotel building in front of Fire brigade.
Operating time : Normally 10 AM to 5 PM. Though best time to eat is 1 PM to 3 PM, if you are ready to skip the lunch.
Aurangabad 