Sep 28, 2011 06:33 PM
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(Updated Sep 28, 2011 06:33 PM)
About Murthal
Murthal is located on National Highway No. 1 and is on the outskirts of Sonepat(Haryana). Located at around 60 Km from Delhi on the Delhi-Ambala road, this place is the virtual dhaba capital of India. Although a couple of Haveli restaurants have also come up in its vicinity(on the lines of Jalandhar and Karnal Haveli), but it is the 30-odd dhabas that really hold the fort.
About Dhabas
A Dhaba *is just about an ideal eating joint of the Indian masses while travelling. Though *Dhaba *culture is also prevalent in most cities catering to budget customers, but it is on the highways that the *Dhabas *really come into their own. The fundamental difference between a Dhaba and a restaurant is that a *Dhaba would almost always give you an earthy, ethnic feel whereas restaurants are generally over-draped in formality.
Highway Dhabas come in various types and sizes. You have mega-sized dhabas catering to the top-notch clients and then you have real budget dhabas who have truck-drivers as their niche customers. The conventional Dhaba lay-out comprising tables and chairs arranged under corrugated-sheeted roofs, left one-side open(generally facing the parking). Most of the mega-sized dhabas have separate AC enclosures in addition to the conventional lay-out.
Know thy Dhaba
The parking space in front of a Dhaba is generally the best indicator of the type of clientele that the Dhaba caters to. For instance, if the number of the luxury vehicles outnumber the jeeps and small cars, rest assured that the Dhaba not only has excellent décor and tidy washrooms, but also good quality food priced around 10-20% higher than what you shell out in a budget city restaurant. On the other hand, too many trucks are a virtual give-away that preparations are too spicy for your comfort, though the rates would be ridiculously low(so would be the hygiene!). Then there are dhabas with a lot of state transport buses parked outside. Such Dhabas are generally average on quality and low in terms of comfort(read décor & wash-rooms). Such dhabas are notorious for selling spurious soft-drinks and mineral water. Potato chips and a cup of tea / coffee is the only thing one should limit himself at such dhabas. Too many Innovas, Xylos and Boleros generally indicate that the dhaba is offering free meal to the driver, who in turn, is making the dhaba-owner earn at the expense of the unsuspecting travelers.
Dhabas of Murthal
Major players in the dhaba belt at Murthal are Gulshan Dhaba, Sukhdev Dhaba, Hari Dhaba and Ahuja No. 1 Dhaba. While travelling from Delhi towards Ambala/ Chandigarh, all these Dhabas are situated on the left side of the road.
Gulshan Dhaba at Murthal
Gulshan dhaba *at Murthal is the best and perhaps the oldest of dhabas in the region, having come up in the 1950s. It operates on 24 x 7 basis and is a gastronomical delight with its varied vegetarian preparations. Though it has had to re-locate recently by about 1 km due to construction of a flyover which bypasses its previous location, it hasn’t lost any of its clientele. Rather, the new location has superior ambiance with a fine AC hall. The CCTV cameras at the parking area are also an impressive addition, as is a number of sweet-meat and gift shops that encircle the main *dhaba. The washrooms(a big factor when one is travelling with family) are bigger and better.
But then, it is not ambience alone that one seeks at a Dhaba. It is the quality of food and Gulshan doesn’t disappoint on that count!
Breakfast at Gulshan
Gulshan is the virtual king when it comes to preparing aalu-pyaaz ka paranthaa, which is by far the most popular choice in the region. Though generally considered a breakfast preparation, paranthas *are prepared round-the-clock with most motorists lapping them up even at odd hours. The seasonal *Gobhi parantha and Mooli ka parantha are a big hit during the winter season. All paranthas are tandoor-baked and are devoid of even a drop of oil. They are, though, served with a huge dollop of white butter on top. The health conscious clients make it clear at the time of placing their orders that the butter should be served separately and not on top of the parantha, so that they may limit the intake of fat.
Quality of curd is also top-class, though lassi may be too creamy for one’s comfort. Following the meals with a cup of masala tea may be a preferred option. Each parantha costs around Rs. 25-30, price inclusive of the liberal dollop of white butter. Tea at Rs. 12/-, Curd at around Rs. 40/- and you have a sumptuous breakfast at just under Rs. 100/- per head which is very comfortable for the pocket.
Major meal at Gulshan
For major meals, Gulshan is again one-up with his dal makhani, paneer and mushroom preparations. Come winters and sarson ka saag *with make ki roti* rule the roost. Gulshan’s preparation of Kadi pakoda *is also fairly unique. South Indian and Chinese preparations are also available, though I haven’t tried them in the 3 dozen or so visits to the *Dhaba. A wholesome major meal followed by equally wholesome dessert would cost around 120/- to Rs. 150/- which again is very reasonable.
Evening snacks at Gulshan
Evening snacks include jalebi, bread cutlets, samosas, tikki and other deep-fried stuff. However, evening time during travel only means ‘late for lunch by 1-2 hours’ and therefore it is never a bad idea to savour conventional preparations instead of deep-fried stuff.
In the end, I would say that Gulshan is a reputed and trustworthy name in the realm of zayke ka safar. It is very fulfilling, has reasonable ambiance and is reasonably priced. It provides an effective break in midst of a long journey. A few final tips:
