| Place a Classified | Subscribe today | July 4, 2009 |
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A taste of India
POCATELLO - Customers at the Sinclair gas station on Yellowstone Avenue stop by for more than the typical tank of fuel, bottle of soda and occasional pack of gum.
Now they also come for a taste of India. Located in the corner of the convenience store, Sanju Choudhury owns and operates Sanju's Dhaba, the only Indian restaurant in Southeast Idaho. Choudhury first came to America in 1996 to visit his girlfriend, Renee, who lived in Idaho Falls. The two originally met in India when Choudhury, then a radio journalist, interviewed Renee on non-violence programs she was promoting.
The visit turned into an 11-year stay, Renee became his wife and Pocatello became their new home. The relocation was prompted by the couple's search for diversity often found within university towns. ''It's a friendly town. Everyone knows everyone,'' Choudhury said of Pocatello, adding that 70 percent of his restaurant's business has come through word of mouth, ''It's a helpful town. The community always supports me.''
He also says that about 60 percent of his customers have become a built- in clientele, which allows him to recognize faces and make new friends. ''I'm a natural friendship-maker guy,'' he said, ''I like to help people. I like to see somebody grow and help them achieve their goals.''
Along with great service, the quality of food has also been bringing people back to the restaurant. Interrupted by the arrival of a familiar customer, Choudhury smiled and asked the customer what he had thought of the food so far.
''Well, I'm back,'' the man said. ''I'm coming for more!'' Choudhury cooks fresh food every morning and never makes the same thing two days in a row. He says his dishes offer a healthy altenative to fast food and are popular among vegetarians.
His culinary skills, which produce popular dishes such as lamb curry, all began at home. ''Whatever I cook is a mom's kitchen recipe,'' he said.
Sanju's Dhaba has been doing so well that Choudhury is planning on moving the restaurant downtown in another month, an improvement that will initiate a name change for the eatery. ''Dhaba means small restaurant on the roadside, but now I will have a real restaurant on the roadside,'' Choudhury said.
He plans on calling his restaurant Sanju's Taste of India. But success has not always come easy. Choudhury remembers times in India when he had no food or money for days. However, he always thought positively.
''Nobody should lose hope in their life; there is always morning after night. It cannot be night, night, night,'' he said. Today, Choudhury has seen the results. The father of two daughters, 8-year-old Rani Tanisha and 2-year-old Devvani, Choudhury looks forward to the risk and challenge of opening a bigger and better restaurant. ''Life is not easy,'' he said, ''but life is juicy, realistic and colorful because it's not easy.'' By Carly Flandro For the Journal Article RatingReader CommentsSubmit a CommentCommenting RulesWe encourage your feedback and dialog. All comments are subject to deletion by our Web staff.
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