He couldn't get inexpensive Indian food to eat. Dealing with strangers throughout his working day, he needed a place where he could meet other cab drivers and exchange a few words.

What was more important was that there were few public restrooms.

"When I was driving a cab, and I had to use the bathroom, I usually had to stop at gas stations, of which there are very few," said Singh in Hindi. "And often the restrooms were not clean and they had no toilet paper."

So, when in 1993, he decided to start his own business, he knew exactly what would work. A cab-and-curry restaurant where city drivers can pull over, have a quick bite, and also use the coveted little room.

Singh's Punjabi Deli at Houston and First Avenue offers relief to cab drivers, as well as six different vegetable curries, rice, Indian bread and seven desert items.

At 9 p.m. on a recent evening, Mohammed Rahman walked into the Punjabi deli, nodded to Singh, and headed straight for the bathroom.

A few minutes later he emerged, ordered his standard $3 bowl of curried chick peas, and commented on the importance of Singh's store for cabbies who rarely get a chance for a break.

Kulwinder (right) is a former cabbie himself. PHOTO: Kalyanaraman

"If you want to take rest, how can you support yourself and family," he asked, shuffling out of the door and back to his cab.

The deli is open 24 hours. Singh, who immigrated to the U.S. from Punjab in 1974, says that besides cab drivers and students, other New Yorkers looking for inexpensive Indian food also come to his restaurant.

A few others walking by the shop also drop in sometimes, their curiosity kindled by the strong smell of curry wafting over the sidewalk near the basement deli.

Referring to his deli which was crowded even at 11 p.m., Singh said, "It is all God's grace," and added the customary Sikh salutation, "Sat Sri Akal," which can be loosely translated as "God is Eternal."