Shagorika promises to bring "real Indian food to Albany"

Shagorika Restaurant, located at 1 Central Avenue. 

Mohammed Faroque doesn't mince words.

The owner of the Amina Bangla Bazaar on Central Avenue is opening a restaurant so that he can bring "real Indian food" to Albany.

In an area rich in Indian restaurants, you could say Faroque is throwing down the gauntlet. But he's comfortable with that.

Faroque says he took a survey of his customers, and they felt there was room for a restaurant that serves affordable Indian food, made with high quality ingredients.

So that's what he's going to do at Shagorika, the new Indian restaurant on the corner of Central and Lark Street.

Mohammed Faroque and Mayor Kathy Sheehan at the ribbon-cutting
celebration for his newest business, Shagorika Restaurant. 

"I asked people from my community what they are missing, and they say 'homestyle food,'" says Faroque. He will also try to make his food affordable, with prices ranging from $4.99 to $8.99 and a lunch special that will allow people to order anything on the menu for $5. "I don't want to do a buffet, but they can fill a container for $5," he explains.

Faroque will source a lot of the ingredients from his nearby grocery store, Amina Bangla Bazaar, just a few doors away at 21 Central Avenue.

It's a model that makes sense, and one that's used by another business owner on this block of Central Avenue. Vincent Douglas, who owns Hot Spot Jamaican and American Cuisine, with locations in Albany and Troy, just opened Hot Spot Caribbean Bodega earlier this year just a few doors down at 33 Central Avenue. 

Earlier this year, downtown business owner Chris Pratt, announced plans to open Steuben Place Market just across the street from his bar and grill, Pearl Street Pub. He also owns or co-owns three other restaurants downtown. Pratt will use the market as a buyer for produce for his restaurants and sell to other restaurants as well.

Faroque says he will be able to order higher quantities, making purchases more affordable, and he will also be able to get the high quality ingredients he wants.

Faroque is from Bangladesh, and says his cuisine will more resemble the food from his part of the world.

He moved to the Capital Region is 1999, and opened his market in 2007. He is committed to Albany, and says he was determined to keep his businesses in Albany. "This is like my area. It's my village," says Faroque. "If I can find some way to help people here, with healthy food, or cheaper food, I will. I lose nothing."

To see photos of the ribbon-cutting celebration held Friday, click here.

Shagorika is located at 1 Central Avenue, at the intersection of Central and Lark. For more information, please visit their website.