Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashika Mistry.
Hi Ashika, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The idea for Funkytown Chaat sparked during a trip to India while shopping for my wedding. Every single day, without fail, I stopped by a street food cart for Pani Puri—a crispy semolina puff filled with spicy black chickpeas, soft boiled potatoes, and dunked in tangy tamarind chutney and mint-cilantro water. It wasn’t just about the food—it was the experience. Standing by the cart, savoring each bite one by one—it lit something in me.
When I came back home, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I missed the flavors, the energy, the ritual of eating it fresh at the cart. That’s when the idea hit me: “what if I brought that same experience here—and this time, I’d be the one serving it?”
Food has always been a part of my journey. From my mom making fresh rotis for our local Indian store, to our family’s sandwich shop, to helping my mom run a successful Indian catering business—I’ve always felt at home in the kitchen. I knew deep down that one day, I’d run something of my own.
When I shared the vision with my husband, he was all in (he’s amazing like that). I already knew what I wanted it to look like—gold with pops of hot pink(don’t ask me why, but it just felt right), and a wallpaper covered in classic Bollywood movie posters. I even got to pick the films myself—they’re all my favorites. The name comes from my roots—Fort Worth, often nicknamed “Funkytown,” is where I was born. Chaat is a broad term for the bold, savory street foods of India, so together, Funkytown Chaat is a perfect blend of where I’m from and what I love.
Then one day, I stumbled upon a stainless-steel taco cart on Facebook Marketplace. The moment I saw it, everything clicked. We messaged the seller, tied the cart to the back of our truck, and brought it home for a full-on “glow-up.” With some color, creativity, and finishing touches like vibrant Indian umbrellas—Funkytown Chaat came to life.
We’ve kept the menu intentionally small but flavorful, adding a few extra items over time. But it didn’t stop there. I have a serious sweet tooth, and I wanted to offer something sweet to complement the spice. That’s how Funkytown Treats was born—a fun, stylish extension of the brand. My husband and I built the second cart ourselves (which was an adventure, but let’s just say I’ll stick to food over woodworking!).
I wanted this second cart to feel more modern and chic, so I carefully chose the colors and designed the sign myself. Bringing both carts to life has been a dream—one that’s let me express my creativity and love for food in ways I never imagined.
We’re still new to the scene, but we’ve already had the chance to meet some incredible vendors and become part of a vibrant, supportive community. This journey has been full of flavor, color, and heart—and we’re just getting started!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a business comes with its fair share of challenges, but we’ve always seen those as opportunities to grow and show up even better for our clients. One of the biggest hurdles has been balancing full-time jobs while building this dream from the ground up—but with careful prioritizing and a lot of passion, we’ve made it work.
The beginning wasn’t easy. Our chaat cart was ready to roll back in October 2024, but it took until Spring 2025 before bookings started to come in. That quiet period tested our patience, but it also strengthened our commitment. We kept pushing forward, trusting the process, and believing in the vision—and it’s made every milestone since that much more meaningful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Funkytown Chaat isn’t just a food cart—it’s a love letter to Indian street food and a celebration of culture, creativity, and community.
Inspired by my trips to India and my lifelong connection to food, I set out to recreate the iconic chaat cart experience I fell in love with—the kind where you stand by the cart, eat Pani Puri one by one, and savor each bold, flavorful bite. I wanted to bring that joy home to the DFW Metroplex, where I was born and raised, and serve it up with heart.
We specialize in chaat, a category of savory Indian snacks that are spicy, tangy, crunchy, and absolutely crave-worthy. Our signature item is Pani Puri, but we’ve added a few other delicious bites along the way to keep things fun and fresh.
What sets us apart is all in the details. From the gold-and-hot-pink color palette to the Bollywood movie wallpaper and colorful Indian umbrellas, every part of Funkytown Chaat is intentionally designed to reflect who we are—colorful, bold, rooted in culture, and full of heart. It’s not just about serving amazing food; it’s about creating an experience that sparks nostalgia, curiosity, and joy.
Whether we’re popping up at local events, markets, or private parties around the DFW area, our goal is to create moments that bring people together around food that feels exciting and authentic. And the best part? We’ve expanded!
We launched a second cart—Funkytown Treats—to offer Indian-inspired desserts, because we believe every spicy snack deserves a sweet finish. It’s the perfect extension of the brand and lets us bring a full-flavor experience to any event.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how Funkytown Chaat tells a story—my story—and connects with people in a real way. Whether you grew up eating chaat or are tasting it for the first time, we want every guest to walk away with more than just a snack—we want them to walk away with a memory.
We’re still growing, but we’re deeply rooted in passion, fueled by creativity, and driven by the dream of sharing the magic of Indian street food, one bite at a time—right here in the heart of the DFW Metroplex.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Resilience.
Starting a business—especially one built from scratch while juggling a full-time job—takes a lot of grit. There were moments early on when things were slow, when bookings didn’t come in right away, and it would’ve been easy to get discouraged. But staying patient, trusting the process, and continuing to show up with passion made all the difference.
That resilience also shows up in how we adapt, stay creative, and keep pushing the brand forward. Whether it’s reworking a menu item, improving the cart design, or finding ways to connect with our community, we’re always learning and growing. That mindset—of being flexible but never giving up—is what keeps Funkytown Chaat moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkytownchaat/
Image Credits
barcelonaloversph
