Today we’d like to introduce you to Mohammad Patel.
Mohammad, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was brought up in the Food Industry, Working at my parent’s restaurant in Milwaukee, WI from the age of 12. Years went on, things happened and soon enough at the age of 20 I decided to move into Chicago. I have been responsible for this operation for the past 5 Years and I’m only looking to get bigger and better as my days go on.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth? In this Industry? Not Possible. It has not been easy. But it has certainly been rewarding. I may only have a decade worth of experience but I’ve been through it all. From working 100+ hour weeks to disappearing from my own company for days due to stress and pressure. But every day, every minute, I just keep building and keep getting stronger. There have been too many days where I wanted to quit, sell my business, or simply just run away. But dedication showed me, with time anything is possible.
The biggest struggle I had was when I decided to go back to school. It took me a year and a half to finish. But every school day was a struggle for me, Some days I was waking up as early as 5:00 am Driving up to 150 Miles a day then working a full shift at Anmol and getting back home at Midnight.
After 3 Months of doing this, I thought I had lost all energy, but soon it became a habit and now I can say that I have finished my degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College while managing my own restaurant
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Anmol is different from all its competitors down the street in every way possible. From the moment you call into the end of a catering event when we pack leftovers from the event. The smaller details about our work are what separates us from the rest. In fact, the word Anmol means Unique in Hindi, and we live up to that every step of the way.
We do specialize in South Asian Cuisine, concentrating more on Barbecue Items, with lots of fusion Items and Signatures dishes, it’s pretty easy to identify that this is not your ordinary Indian restaurant.
What we are known for is Catering! Yes! I know! We look like a small company, but we are everything but that. Last year we catered over 1000 Events for the year and this year we are forecasting a little over 1200 Events for the year. Catering to all the states throughout the Midwest parties up to 1000 guest, with 7-8 Events happening on a busy night, We do just about everything Weddings, Birthdays, Live Barbecues, Corporate events, Fundraisers even Setting up Food Stalls at Six Flags.
All in all, after going through so much what gives me the sense of pride, is not only that we made someone’s night by providing excellent food or giving them exceptional service. It’s the point where I know that my team has my back! I know that my team has put their trust in me. Knowing that almost 100 families are living off of the employment made by Anmol. That feeling is unparallel to anything else, it gives you a true sense of Leadership at the same time shows you what humanity can do for one another
What were you like growing up?
Hahaha… This question just made me laugh.
I had a bit of a rough Childhood, not for any reason but myself. I was that kid who was always screaming, yelling, hitting and disturbing everyone. If I think of it now I think I might have had ADHD or maybe I was possessed, Not exactly sure. But what I do know is that I caused a lot of pain to my parents and my siblings, I have sent everyone in my family to the hospital (except my dad) from causing them physical pain. I was the youngest child for a very long time, so even thou I had a lot of love around me, I had no control over my actions.
I always had an Interest in building and creating, I would always be drawing in class, or making buildings with my blocks, then breaking them all down… lol But I knew at a very young age, creativity is my passion and as a teenager I had decided I will use my creativity to Introduce a South Asian Fusion Cuisine to the world. That is a promise I made to myself and have been working on for a very long time.
Pricing:
- Average Check for Dining In $15-$20 Per Person
- Average Price for Events $20-$30 Per Person
Contact Info:
- Address: 2858 W Devon ave
- Website: www.eatanmol.com
- Phone: 773-508-5050
- Email: chicago@eatanmol.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anmol_restaurant/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnmolBBQ/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/anmolbbqchicago
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/anmol-barbecue-restaurant-chicago-2
- Other: http://www.pictame.com/user/chef_patel/507609215
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
