Why Mumbaikars Queue Up Daily at This 86-Year-Old Vada Pav Icon Near CST

Aram’s legendary batata vada keeps Mumbai’s soul fed, and now it’s gearing up for a grand expansion

Every evening around 6 PM, just across the buzzing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), a familiar scene unfolds. A snaking line of Mumbaikars, from college students to corporate professionals, assembles with one common craving: the hot, crispy vada pav from Aram.

Founded 86 years ago, Aram is more than just a snack joint, it’s a living piece of Mumbai’s culinary history, rooted firmly in the Maharashtrian ethos. What started as a modest eatery has grown into a beloved institution, still serving up golden batata vadas nestled in soft, slightly oversized ladi pavs that Mumbaikars swear by.

The Aram Legacy: From a Single Stall to Expansion Dreams

Today, Aram seats 48 and serves thousands daily, yet the soul of the place remains unchanged. The no-frills setup keeps the focus on food and speed. At the evening vada pav counter alone, a five-member team operates like clockwork to meet the insatiable demand.

Rajendra Zavre, who has been part of the Aram family for over 30 years, fondly recalls how Madhav Sir, now in his 90s, still visits to personally distribute Diwali bonuses to the staff — a touching gesture in an age of automation.

Last year, a minor renovation gave the space improved lighting, ventilation, and induction-based cooking, thanks to the vision of Bijal Tambe, wife of current owner Kaustubh Tambe. But this was just a warm-up.

A New Era: 25 New Outlets in the Pipeline

Aram is now preparing to open a second outlet later this year, with a 25-outlet expansion plan over the next three years. Franchise requests have flooded in from across the country, thanks to the eatery’s growing popularity with everyone from everyday commuters to celebrities and politicians.

As the baton prepares to pass to the fourth generation, Kaustubh’s children are showing interest: while the elder daughter pursues law, the younger two are already dreaming of taking Aram into the future.

More Than Vada Pav: A Celebration of Maharashtrian Cuisine

Beyond the iconic vada pav, Aram also offers classics like:

• Kothimbir Vadi – crispy, herby fritters made of coriander and gram flour
• Thalipeeth – a nutrient-dense multigrain flatbread
• Zunka Bhakri – a spicy gram-flour sabzi served with rustic jowar roti

These additions have helped Aram keep its roots strong while evolving with the tastes of modern-day Mumbai.

Aram isn’t just a place to eat, it’s a ritual, a memory, a moment of comfort in the chaos of the city. And for thousands of Mumbaikars lining up every day, that first bite into a vada pav is not just food. It’s home.

(Source:- Loksatta)