Ritu, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Cooking was always my passion and I love to experiment with food. As word spread, one thing lead to another and soon was catering food to large gatherings and occasions and ultimately ran out of capacity in my home kitchen about 8 years ago. At that point, friends urged me to go big and set up a commercial kitchen and move out of the home. June 2010, I found this warehouse in the center of Burlington town, add to which, there were no good Indian restaurants in the Burlington and adjacent towns. Being the IT hub of east, this area had a huge Indian population, which swelled significantly during the office hours.
Construction started in August 2010 and we opened the doors on January 14, 2011. Initial plan was to have a small take out business with a function room available for rental. Though we had seating capacity of 80+, we only set up chairs and tables for 30 seating. By the second week of operation, we had to rent a truck and go get additional tables and chairs to accommodate the huge crowds over the weekends. Rest, as they say, is history!
We are a pure Vegetarian Indian restaurant and many a skeptic gave us very little chances of making it. But I was convinced – fresh, home style, good food made with care, can never go wrong. In the past 3 years, we have been featured on the cover of Boston Globe magazine, selected by Improper Bostonian as best of Boston.
7 years in to it, I am convinced one doesn’t need to hide behind ambiance, liquor or other flashy accoutrements to make up for the lack of quality food.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been moments when I have pondered long and hard as it has not been an easy ride. When I started, I had 2 young kids at home – 14 & 6, husband a road warrior traveling 4 days a week for work.
Coupled with the usual challenges of long hours, staff turnover, balancing home life and coming up with fresh menu ideas and not stagnate – has been really challenging. Some days have been real tough but for each one of those, there is always that one customer who has a kind thing to say which makes it all worthwhile in the end.
Ritu Ki Rasoi – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in authentic Indian vegetarian, fresh, home-style cooked food.
I take pride in having changed the Indian restaurant business and introduce Wednesday night dinner buffet which introduces the diverse, regional cuisine of India to our guests and patrons. Food we present, is as authentic as it gets. We have had patrons tell us it is the best, authentic food they have ever eaten outside of India. Most food served in Indian restaurants around town is, like any other cuisine, tempered down to non-Indian palate – Not us!
When you have regulars driving 3hrs. from Maine and Vermont to come eat over the weekend, is testament in of itself. When people line up out the door on Wednesday nights, a school night, work night no less – need I say more?
Simplicity, uncompromising quality, variety and authenticity of our offerings is what sets us apart from others. As a woman of minority, I feel accomplished in having created a brand that is not only known locally, but far and wide.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Consistency, repeat business are the yardsticks by which I measure success.
When I see the same patron twice a day, 3-4 times a week says I am doing the right thing. We have guests who have been coming regularly for the past 5 years. Being able to do it over and over again is what I call success. Success in my business is not a destination, it’s the journey.
As a person once said to me – “We are only as good as our next mistake”. So until I make the next mistake, I am successful.
Pricing:
- Average spending per person ~$10
Contact Info:
- Address: 207E Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA 01803
(Behind Burlington Auto Supply) - Website: http://www.ritukirasoi.com
- Phone: 781-229-8349
- Email: imritu@ritukirasoi.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rkrasoi
- Twitter: @ritukirasoi
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g41485-d2263239-Reviews-Ritu_Ki_Rasoi-Burlington_Massachusetts.html
Image Credit:
Boston Globe magazine cover photo by Boston Globe
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