If you have already read about the street foods of Ahmedabad among the pages, then follow a word of advice. After you have had your fill of kachoris, samosas and dhoklas, wash it all down with a cool glass of lassi. And of the places that serve this delicious cold drink, Farki holds top spot! No doubt about that.  Farki's lassi is thick, pre-set in small glasses and kept chilled which is the best way to have it. It is almost like a creamy slush (that best describes it) and a fresh batch is made every few hours. At Rs. 10 a glass for the malai lassi, it is a drink that everyone enjoys and a healthy option. In all, there are 17 varieties of lassi, from mango, to khus, kewra and rose flavours. The Rajwadi lassi made with dryfruits and the Mawa Masti are the costliest at Rs.  30 a glass. 

Ahmedabadis like all things sweet and lassi is high on their popularity charts. Chinubhai Farkiwala used this fact to advantage when he started Farki 40 years ago. The shop had a smaller display then and fewer varieties. Today, Farki has two branches, one at B.G. Towers, outside Delhi Gate and one near the Krishna Baug Bus Stand, both centrally located and therefore, crowded through the day.

Chinubhai's sons Kirit and Dilip run Farki. Over the past few years they have created a larger menu adding to the few lassis that their father started out with.  And the names of the drinks? They are another story. Fancy yourself having a Shaadi.com or a Gold Maal flavour? There are kulfi candy bars, faloodas, 11 flavours of matho, which is a delicious curd, sweetmeats such as sohn papdi, barfi, kaju katli and a special Farki Halwo at Rs. 160 a kilo as well.

There is  a very great demand for paneer here. At Rs.140 a kilo it might seem steep, but it is value for money. "Do try the Kesariya lassi," urges Kirit. It is he, who thought of the ingenious names for the desserts and along with brother Dilip, managed to make Farki so popular. "All the credit goes to my father," says the young man modestly, "it is he who started it all." That is true, but to have taken it forward on able shoulders and place it several notches above the rest is something. Today, the duo handle huge party orders too, for it is said that no one in Ahmedabad will have a celebration that does not have a Farki drink or sweet in it. "We open at 8.00 in the morning during all seasons, winters too," says Kirit. "You will be surprised to see how many people want our lassis at a time when people generally avoid cool drinks."
 
People stop by and pick up Farki lassi to take home. But what most patrons do is have their fill of thali or snacks and then come here and wash it down with Farki's Makhaniya lassi. Can’t  think of a better idea than that!

Farki
Delhi Gate,
Opp B.G. Towers,
Shahibaug,
Tel: 079 65233255