About Bombay Eats

Bombay Eats, located at 1763 Freedom Drive in Naperville, is a restaurant owned by Ali and Falguni Dewjee from Chicago. They have been in business for four years in Naperville and 16 years in total. The business is described by Ali Dewjee as Indian fast casual, allowing customers to customize their meals akin to the Chipotle experience. Ali co-owns the business with his wife, Falguni.

Origins and Evolution

The enterprise began as Bombay Wraps in 2010 in the Loop, marking the introduction of Indian fast casual dining in Chicago. Initially, it offered a straightforward menu consisting of four meat items, four veggie items, a few sides, and drinks. The concept took inspiration from the vibrant street food culture of Bombay, which Ali fondly remembers from his childhood. Over time, the restaurant’s offerings expanded to include rice bowls, salads, and sandwich rolls, combining familiar forms with new flavors.

Naperville is the first location launched under the name Bombay Eats. Additional locations are found in the Loop, Streeterville, and Lakeview in Chicago, catering to a diverse mix of tourists, locals, and business professionals.

Business Operations

Bombay Eats operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and closes on Sundays to give staff a respite, consistent with the city locations. Recently, the restaurant introduced the BombayRito, aiming to provide value for customers amid rising inflation.

Background of the Owners

Before founding Bombay Eats, Ali Dewjee built a career in consumer packaged goods marketing, including a 12-year tenure at PepsiCo where he worked on innovation for Quaker Oats. His experience in product development, packaging, and pricing provided valuable insights for the restaurant industry.

Entrepreneurship is a shared heritage for Ali and Falguni, both of whom grew up around family businesses. Ali’s background includes growing up in his mother’s beauty salon in India, while Falguni’s father ran a popular Indian dessert store.

Insights and Challenges

Ali Dewjee finds joy in hosting and serving, noting that it’s a genuine passion of his. He points out several challenges faced by the business, such as the impact of COVID-19, difficulties in hiring, and pressures from inflation on food and labor costs.

While the Naperville location experiences softer traffic due to its strip mall setting, many customers express happiness about Bombay Eats’ presence, having recognized the brand from its initial Loop location.

Future Plans and Community Impact

The unique format of Bombay Eats continues to advance the Indian restaurant scene. With a small staff of four working in shifts, Ali often finds himself coordinating between locations across Chicago.

Looking ahead, there’s interest in expanding within Chicagoland, with potential sites like Evanston, Hyde Park, and Schaumburg under consideration. Franchise inquiries are frequent, and Ali plans to continue growing the business.

The greatest stories come from introducing food and culture, which Ali considers a profound source of pride.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Ali underscores the importance of managing various aspects of restaurant operations beyond food, including financing, people management, marketing, procurement, and customer service.

Reach out to Steve Metsch, freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun, at [email protected] if you know of a business that should be profiled.