Coffeehouses hold a noteworthy spot in popular culture. Think of popular sitcoms and you will often find a coffeehouse link. For instance Central Perk from Friends and Café Nervosa from Frasier.
Similarly in Pakistan, chai and doodh pati are probably our alternative to the west’s coffee. It can be safely assumed that chai is Pakistan’s most admired beverage. With chai dhabas enveloping our land, this delish trend is raring to go.
Recently, a local chai dhaba came into business at Khadda Market, DHA, in Karachi. Within days of its opening, the dhaba has gathered a considerable reputation through word-of-mouth and Facebook marketing. Apart from that, the chief reason why the dhaba has shot to fame is due to its distinctive name, Gull Butt Dhaba.
Saad Afridi, the owner of the Dhaba, spoke to The Express Tribune about his decision to choose the rather controversial name.
“There are two reasons why I decided to name the dhaba after Gullu Butt. Firstly, it was satirical as the name Gullu Butt has achieved enormous currency amongst the masses over the past few months,” explained Saad Afridi.
“Secondly, one thing that happens at all chai dhabas is that men of all ages gather over there and talks of bringing about change overnight and becoming Turram Khans in their own minds. And Gullu Butt was just another Turram Khan who shot to fame due to his notoriety.”
In this offbeat business venture, Afridi is partnered with two of his friends, Akhlaque and Jamshed Irani. Like most ideas, their plan to start their own dhaba was conceived while fueling on chai at a dhaba.
Afridi, who is a commercial pilot for the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by profession, shot down any comparisons to the popular Sattar Buksh Café in Clifton (the name of which is a parody of the popular coffee chain Starbucks).
“Sattar Buksh is completely different as it is a cafe compared to our chai dhaba. They have done a remarkable job by starting a successful coffeehouse in Karachi and as a business, we would love to replicate their success,” exclaimed Afridi.
Even the menu at Gullu Butt Chai Dhaba will inspire (a few laughs) wirh the political revolution-themed eatery, serving dishes like the ‘azadi chai’ and ‘inquilabi paratha’ and if that wasn’t enough, the staff plans on billing their customers in a unique fashion.
“Keeping in accordance with the theme of the restaurant, we have this plan that when the waiters present customers the bill, they’ll say, Sahab Isteefa de dein (Sir, give your resignation),” Afridi laughed.
Despite its roaring popularity, there is a fair chance that the dhaba might lose its charm as the political puns that they are banking on may get irrelevant with the passage of time “I don’t think we will need to reinvent ourselves because such political personalities always remain relevant ,”said Afridi
He was hopeful that despite opening a chai dhaba in a relatively affluent area such as Defence, it would attract people from all spheres of the city.
“The chai phenomenon spreads all across Karachi. And we are not just serving chai and parathas but will also be serving BBQ items at night and plan on introducing dishes such as Biryani for lunch so that people from all walks of life can visit the dhaba. Above all, the chai dhaba will be open 24/7 to entertain customers,” Afridi assured.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2014.
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