To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. – Buddha
INTRODUCTION
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It was summertime in 2001. One of my friends was giving a treat to many of us. I was working in India at that time. One of my friends mentioned that we all go to “Dhaba express”. I was a bit skeptical and voiced my opinion, as I have heard a lot of rumors about the dhabas and cleanliness of the same. Almost all of them tried to convince me and one of them said I will change my opinions about dhabas for sure, if I visit this place once. Given the trust I have for them, I literally convinced myself to tryout the Dhaba food for a change. My earlier visits to few dhabas were not very convincing.
ABOUT THE DHABA
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Dhaba express was opened in 1999 Nov, by an ex-oberoi chef from a village in Punjab. He also owns “Sachin Da Dhaba” in Annanagar, Chennai. Dhaba Express in located in a posh locale of Chennai, namely Cenotaph Road. Given the locale and the surrounding scene, this restaurant is wildly popular amongst everyone. As per the vision of the proprietor, the idea is to serve economical, nutritious, freshly-cooked Punjabi khana, which is agreed by many. They also cook food with less oil and butter, making it a good to eat, even on a daily basis.
The Dhaba has three different options, namely
Second class non A/C – This is in a red-brick walled courtyard shaded by some 50 foot Ashoka trees to chill you out, with a waterfall. There is another part under a roof too. Here everything is very economical and somewhat quickly served. The wait time for this is fairly large, especially on the weekends and primetime of the night.
First Class non A/C – This is under a partly covered semi-circular arena in the front yard portion of this locale. This option comes with better choices and menus at a costlier price. This is more like a restaurant type of ambience with waiters waiting for you to serve with good food. This section has 'khattiyas', comfortable stone benches, and 'Tarzan' tables. The food here is served in thalis and tumblers of brass and steel.
First Class A/C – This is in the main mansion and is on three different floors. The tables are very low, like rajasthanvi style bamboo bench-seats. The menus are of a different style and of costlier option. The lighting is great and is lowly lit, to give you an ambience of a different fashion.
MENU - stars
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The menu is fairly great and is of variety of options. Depending on your choice and wallet, you can be fairly assured that you have a wide variety in all the sections. There are crowd favorites such as Aloo & Gobi Parathas, Lassis, Punjabi Chicken, Kadai Panneer, Sarson Ka Saag etc. For First Class A/C, you have additional choices, as they take time to prepare and the customers spend more time there.
One good thing about this place is that all the food served here is freshly cooked. The chief chef & proprietor makes his own fresh garam masala which gives a distinctive flavor to all the dishes in the menu.
You also have a ginger pepsi, which is a mix of Pepsi and spices from the dhabha
QUALITY OF FOOD - stars
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This is excellent. I have eaten at many places. This place is fairly good with a great, freshly prepared and healthy food. They prepare their own masala and is prepared daily. The cook/farmers handpick the vegetables daily and you can definitely feel it whilst eating. I have been to this place many times since then and never felt anything bad about the quality of the food. It is always excellent.
AMBIENCE & DECOR - stars
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What else would you ask for in a hot and humid chennai, during summer, besides a gentle breeze of air coming from tall ashoka trees? What else would you look for in a dhabha environment besides a homely, Punjabi dhabha like look for art?
The team at Dhabha express has converted an old mansion into an excellent place to eat out and have a good feeling about
TIME TO SERVE - stars
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I felt that the time to serve is justified largely by the quality of the food being freshly served. After all, this is a restaurant and not a fast-food chain. In First Class Non A/C & Second class sections, which are fairly busy most of the times, you are served rather quick.
WAIT TIME TO GET-IN - stars
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As this is located in a prime locale and a posh area, given its popularity, the wait time is just unacceptable sometimes, except for first class A/C section. (I have been to first class A/C most of the times to give treat & to other sections sometimes)
VALUE FOR MONEY - stars
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I certainly feel that you get the value for money and more, depending on the section you are in. In Second class Non A/C, you have a tandoori roti, for as low as 5 Rs. You also have Jal-Jeera and other stuff which are quite nice.
OVERRALL RATING - stars
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This restaurant is a class act and is a model to be emulated. I only wish they open branches of same quality and service.
MY FAVORITES
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Jal Jeera (Pepsi with Jal Jeera)
Rumali Roti
Gobi Paratha
Sarson ka saag
Malai Kofta
Just try these out, they are simply outstanding, they are the best. To be frank, I have eaten some of these while attending functions at my Punjab friend’s houses and feel that “Dhabha Express” is the best, in these cadres.
CONCLUSION
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If you want healthy, nutritious food at a nominal price, served in a nice ambience with a care for your stomach and respect for your wallet, so that you can eat it every day and not hurt your stomach or your pocket, Dhabha express is the place to be.
Don’t forget to pay a visit to this place, if you are visiting Chennai. Nice place. TWO THUMBS UP
I Hope you liked the review. Do comment, if time permits.
KALIL
No man is lonely eating spaghetti; it requires so much attention. -- Christopher Morley
