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Which is why every year, for the past five years, she's opened one of her restaurants for a free Thanksgiving brunch buffet. Because, as she says, "We all deserve to be happy and pampered this time of year no matter what."
Her Thanksgiving tradition started with Little Kebab Station, her first and smallest restaurant in 2011, and over the years, the rest of her locations followed.
This year her special buffet -- which includes dishes from all of her "Littles" -- will be served at Little Drunken Chef from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dishes include turkey (of course), mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, chicken tikka masala, ham, dinner rolls, mimosas, apple pie, rice pudding, and more.
Saran welcomes anyone and everyone. No reservations are necessary.
"Our doors are always open," she said. "We have people who come in, who are really well off, but they celebrate Thanksgiving with us because they're alone.
"One customer comes here because his daughter really enjoys being here. We have the whole year to make money and this is a day that me along with my awesome staff give back with our whole heart."
Saran says the day is part of community building and something she looks forward to year after year. "If, as a team, we can change how a person feels for a few hours that is what is true happiness," she said. "A smile on someone's face makes it all worth it for me."
Despite the good will, Saran said she does not need volunteers (she gets this request a lot).
"All I ask is that people simply spread the word, so that anyone who might need our company and food on Thanksgiving would hear about it."
Saran, who was profiled in an earlier Daily Voice story HERE, is also especially grateful to her team, especially the long term staffers, because they all donate their time to this event.
"They could be with their friends and family instead, but they choose to be here," she said. "Whether they give us 10 minutes, half an hour, an hour, or the full event, I appreciate them all."
Little Drunken Chef is at 36 Main St., Mount Kisco, (914) 242-8800.
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