Ashoka Indian Groceries

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One day, a regular buying spices for his curry heard an unusual announcement over the store’s PA: ‘Attention please! Ashoka has discovered a new kind of basmati rice that only blooms once every full moon.’ Curious, our regular asked to taste it. The owner smiled mysteriously and said, 'Only if you promise not to tell anyone.' Months later, everyone in town knew about the magical rice, but no one could ever prove its existence. Even the delivery driver swore he saw it bloom during the full moon—right next to the milk carton.

2. Late one night, a delivery driver pulled up outside Ashoka Indian Groceries and noticed something strange: the parking lot lights were flickering in time with a distant humming sound. Curious, he got out of his truck only to see that the entire storefront seemed to be glowing softly from within. As he approached closer, the glow turned out to be dozens of tiny LED bulbs on display shelves, synchronized to an old Bollywood song playing inside. The delivery driver ducked into the shop, expecting to find someone dancing around, but instead encountered only a sleepy clerk who explained it was just their new ‘nighttime mood lighting’ feature. Shaking his head, the delivery driver left, muttering under his breath about how some people never learn—only to bump into a neighbor later that week who proudly announced they’d been shopping there ever since “it started getting so cozy at night.”

3. Late one night, a delivery driver pulled up outside Ashoka Indian Groceries and noticed something odd: the lights were on, but no one seemed to be inside. Curious, he peered through the window and saw only rows of spices and empty shelves. Suddenly, an old tape recorder crackled to life, playing 'Jai Ho' from Slumdog Millionaire. Startled, the driver fled, never to return. But every now and then, locals claim they hear Bollywood music late at night coming from the store's empty aisles.

4. Late one night, a delivery driver pulling up outside Ashoka Indian Groceries heard a voice calling from inside: ‘Delivery here! But please, no rush—we’re making ghee right now.’ Curious, he peered through the window and saw an old man in a turban stirring something over a low fire. ‘Oh,’ said the man without turning around. ‘We make ghee every Thursday evening.’ The delivery guy nodded and drove away, muttering to himself: “Next time I’ll order earlier.”