Biryani that can drive anybody crazy

You can’t miss the matkas or earthen pots, hanging from various niches and corners at the Baba Matka Pir Dargah, next to the Pragati Maidan petrol pump, which is open for all. The history of the dargah dates back 779 years.

But that is not the sole reason why people drive up here in droves. The real reason is the famous Matkapeers Mughlai Foods Corner and anyone around will show you the way to it with a broad smile.

Metrolife visited the famous Biryani shop and spoke to owner Mohammad Shahid who is in-charge after his father retired 10 years back. The place counts amongst its customers, CM Sheila Dikshit. “Sheilaji ke wahan bhi humaare biryani jaati hain. Chicken biryani and Chicken korma, dono hi bahaut pasand karte hain woh.” The political boundaries blur as BJP’s Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and MLA Parminder Singh Marwaha of Congress, also stop by regularly.

“Our shop is 60 years old and our specialities are Chicken and Mutton Biryani and Chicken and Mutton Korma,” says Shahid. So, what drives people crazy? “We make our own ingredients and we use curd. Biryani can be very spicy and red meat is hard to digest. But, when you have it with dahi, it gets easily digested and the spices get toned down a little.”

And what kind of business does he have on an average? “We sell about 50 kgs of biryani and earn about Rs. 25-30,000 on an average a day,” says Shahid.

Apart from biryani and korma, this outlet is also famous for Seekh and Galouti kebabs. Chandeep Marwa, a teacher in British Council says, “I had been hearing so much about this place that I couldn’t hold myself back anymore. I loved the mutton galouti kebabs. They are so soft and juicy and can you believe it, they cost only Rs 15 a piece!”

Abhishek Kumar, a banker who is here from Gurgaon, only to eat says, “I was astounded to see the prices they are offering. The quantity is more than enough and the food tastes like heaven.”

Shahid is understandably very happy with the one outlet he owns. “Hum log toh yahan pe pujari hain matka pir baba ke. Yahan pe toh har ek ke mannat puri hoti hain. Bas ek matka charana padhta hai apni khwaish poori hone ke baad.” Well, now we know why he is so popular!