Shankar Lal Snacks Ezra Street The shop has a name — Shankar Lal Snacks. But nobody on the Ezra Street area would recognize it by that name. To the customers, it's their favourite Gujarati shop that sells mouth-watering mixture. A tasty concoction of eight ingredients including chura, badam, papri et al, the shop is run by brothers, Ramji and Lakshman Singh. The duo insists that this mixture won't taste good without the papaya chutni they serve with it. "We open the shop at 6 am as many people like to have papri for breakfast. But after that, it's our mixture that sells most." No wonder this tangy-flavoured snack has been a hot seller for the last 90 years. 

Podder Chanachur Girish Park It's hot! It's spicy! The chanachur that you get at this little shop near Girish Park is very popular with the locals for its unique blend of spices and to-die-for taste. Podder Chanachur, which has been selling a variety of munchies since 1965, also caters to house parties and birthday parties for kids. KC Podder, the owner of the shop, says, "Our chanachur tastes like no other in the city and that's why people love it. It was my dad who started this business 50 years ago. Over the years, we have introduced a variety of chanachurs — of different tastes and flavours. But it is our Jhal Chanachur that still tops the charts. We get huge orders for birthday parties as well." Yummy, we say! 

Sabitri Dalmoot Store New Market Remember Feluda, Lalmohan babu and Topshe buying dalmoot from a particular shop at Hogg Market? Yes, this 125-year-old shop used to be Satyajit Ray's favourite haunt. Even Sashi Kapoor and Mohan Agashe had a good time munching dalmoot here, while shooting for Kissa Kathmandu Ka. Ajay Keshri, who has inherited the shop from his grandfather, feels that it is the exclusive taste of their Agra Dalmoot and Meetha Chanachur, which had made them so popular with the clients. "All thanks to the legend, Satyajit Ray, for making this place immortal. But then, other people too have been appreciating our chanachur for the last 125 years. Whoever tasted our Palhari/Meetha Chanachur (Rs180 per kg), has always come back for more," claimed the proud owner. 

The Sanjay Savourites Golpark The Sanjay Savourites Pvt Ltd opened shop in 1981. There was no looking back ever since. According to RN Chaurasia, the owner, people's taste for chanachur has undergone a considerable change over the years. "Earlier our customers liked it hot. Now, the customers have become more health conscious. So, I make it less spicy," he informed. The mixture, which is their specialty, comprises bhujia, badam, dalmoot and some special masalas that make the item different from the rest. 

Ujjala Chanachur Rashbehari Avenue They've been selling chanachur for the last 80 years and have since then retained the No.1 spot. The shop, situated on a lane beside the Kalighat Temple, has no fancy showroom. But their product speaks louder than words. The Prasads happen to be the third generation of owners, catering to their loyal customers. The youngest of the Prasads, Ankit, who's currently managing the shop, said, "We never felt the need to expand our business or come up with more varieties. For people love what we've been serving for ages now. It costs `240 per kg and our customers don't mind that." 

Bom Bhole Chanachurer Dokan Haatibagan If you are walking down the Haatibagan area, all you need to do is ask a local. And all hands will point to one direction — Bom Bhole Chanachurer Dokan. This small savoury store is perhaps the only one that opens at 8.30 pm and remains open till 1 am. Also, the mixture has all the ingredients to suit the Bengali palate. It's spiced up with chopped ginger and chilli. Then a dash of lemon juice is added for flavour. "I inherited the place from my father. But when I got a job, I left it to my brother who looked after it. The arrangement suited us well. But after he decided to pursue a career of his choice, I took over the responsibilities once again. Now, every day, I start shop after returning from office. It's my only passion," Subir, the owner, shared. The man, who doesn't even own a cell phone, is a devotee of Lord Shiva (hence, the name). And it has almost become a ritual of sorts that whoever passes by the shop, greets him with 'Bom bhole'. Subir greets them back with a smile. How about that! 

— Compiled by Madhusree.Ghosh@timesgroup.com