In Search Of The Elusive Dhaba Food - Part I
So the Terrainspotter team recently went, well once again…to Kasauli. Now the fun of going to Kasauli is exploring Dhabas all along the highway. In this new series inside ‘Gastronomic Delights'…we will explore some of the best Dhabas all along the Indian National Highway network. Hope you guys like the post…
The Hot Piping Parantha’s of Murthal : A small town in the Sonepat District about 50 Km’s from Delhi, it’s mandatory for anyone and everyone to stop at Murthal on the highway and have the piping hot Paranthas. There is huge competition overall with a number of Dhabas spread out on both sides – each claiming to be the best. The Terrainspotter team strongly recommends the Pahalwaan Dhaba or the Sukhdev Dhaba. The assortment of Parantha’s on the menu are :
- Aloo Parantha : Roti with Filling of Spiced Potatoes
- Gobi Parantha : Roti with Filling of Spiced Cauliflower
- Payaj Parantha : Roti with Filling of Spiced Onion and Potatoes

A satisfied customer with his stomach full and excess food packed at Murthal
There are many other Parantha’s versions like the Mixed Parantha and the Raddish Parantha’s (Mooli Paranthas) and each Parantha is topped with generous serving of White Butter.
(Note : Murthal Dhabas are strictly vegetarian, so don’t even expect egg dishes)
Murga Chowk at Karnal : Now Karnal is far more strategically important town than Murthal with some of the best Research Institutes in India located here. But we are talking food here, aren’t we! Located centrally between Delhi(126 Km’s) and Chandigarh(123 Kms), the equidistant location also creates the craving for food in the drivers mind. Since Murthal Dhabas are purely vegetarian, in case you want to taste authentic Punjabi Non Veg, rush to the Murga Chowk(The Chicken Street) of Karnal. The Terrainspotter team strongly recommends Shefali Dhaba, which for years has maintained its quality of good Chicken Curries and Mutton Curries!

The Original and Authentic Butter Chicken of North India

Indian Food is incomplete without Good Salad!

The Mutton Curry is to Die For at Shefali Dhaba

The great Indian Yellow Dal!
Pooran Singhji ka Dhaba at Ambala :About 60 Km’s before Chandigarh lies the crowded city of Ambala. Crowded it is, but it’s paying a visit to Pooran Singh Da Dhaba. Unfortunately after Pooran Singh ji passed away, 10 more Dhabas have opened up , all claiming to be the Original. Don’t rush into any of them, take your time and ask around in paan shops after taking a pack of cigerettes about which one is run by Mr Vishal Khatri. He is the son of Pooran Singh and the battered old Dhaba is the original one. The must tries here are the ‘Mutton Curry’ and ‘Keema Kaleji’ with the piping hot roti!The saying goes that so soft is the mutton at Pooran Sigh’s dhaba that one can break the bone from the middle with his/her fingers!
Shaan e Himachal Kebab Corner at Dharampur : Dharampur is an obscure place that falls in between Chandigarh and the beautiful Kasauli. Just before the turn towards Kasauli lies Shaan eHimachal….it is highly recommended to sit at evening time and try their Chicken or Mutton Kebas with Roomali Roti. For further kicks, there are two to three wine shops too nearby and you can enjoy your Hot Kebab’s in the Chilly evening air with a strong peg of Whiskey!
We will be continuing this series in the future too! Please feel free to add in with your comments!

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