Page 11 - CNLF2024

11

Good neighbors

Neehee’s and Pizzawala’s family are presenting sponsors

Family recipes, family owners and from Neehee's will be available, one
family values are the main ingredients booth at the north end and another at
at two of the most popular restaurants in the south end of the Heritage Park festi-
Canton and this year, for the first time, val grounds. In addition, the family is
the businesses are the presenting spon- hosting two “eating contests” Saturday
sors of the Canton Liberty Festival. afternoon on the amphitheater stage
The popularity of the two restaurants, where contestants can see who can
Neehee's and PizzaWala's, has evolved down the most Panipuris from Neehee's
into franchise stores in Michigan, Ohio, or Tandoori Chicken Wings from
Illinois and soon, Texas. That success, PizzaWala's in record time. The winner
however, remains rooted in the love of of the Panipuri competition will receive
genuine Indian food and the Canton free ice cream, in any one of Neehee's 24
community where the multi-genera- homemade flavors, for a year, while the
tional family has lived for decades. Darshan Patel PizzaWala's winner will receive free
“The community has been good to pizza for a year.
our family and we wanted to find a way pared from old family recipes. “It was so Patel said he is hoping to tempt mem-
to give back,” explained Darshan Patel, successful,” Patel said, “the decision was bers of the fire and police departments
28, the nephew of the four founding fam- made to open a larger restaurant.” along with some township officials to
ily members. Patel is currently the chief That decision led to the opening of participate in the contests, perhaps as
of franchise development for the busi- Neehee's in 2006. The restaurant offers judges.
nesses and also serves on the Canton more than the usual Indian food, Patel Patel said he and his family, uncles
Downtown Development Authority, explained, and features a “plethora of CEO Rikesh and COO Vrijesh Patel,
another effort, he noted, to be involved genuine Indian street foods from along with his aunts, Dipali and Krishan
in the community. throughout all areas” of India. Patel said Patel, were excited for the opportunity
The businesses have evolved from a the huge variety of menu items steeped to sponsor the Liberty Festival in their
small family grocery store serving the in Indian tradition is one reason for the hometown this year.
community in the early 90s. Patel, a life- success of the business. That success, he “We'd like to continue giving back to
long Canton resident, said his aunts and said, led to the opening of PizzaWala's in the community and we are excited to see
uncles were looking for ways to bring the same Ford Road complex as so many people attend the festival,”
people to the store and added a small Neehee's. Patel said. “Seriously, we really appreci-
café where family recipes for traditional Wala is an Indian word for vendor, ate the opportunity to be the presenting
Indian street food were available, pre- Patel said, “so we are PizzaWala's.” The sponsor. We want to give back.”
pizza is also unique with genuine Indian
spices and cheese, along with several
other items which make the menu as
unique as Neehee's. Both restaurants
are well-known for large portions of
exceptionally fresh ingredients, Patel
said. “We serve the best ingredients and
we are consistent” with flavors and
preparation.
During the Liberty Fest, each of the
restaurants will have a booth where
items from PizzaWala's and delicacies