Many weekend diners are now driving out to the highways and packing in dhaba food. It's cheap, tasty, and the drive is an added attraction
Many weekend diners are now driving out to the highways and packing in dhaba food. It's cheap, tasty, and the drive is an added attraction
Recession-scared Bangaloreans haven't given up eating out on the weekends: they are skipping the posh restaurants and driving up to the nearest highway dhaba.
MiD DAY visited nearly a dozen dhabas on the city's outskirts and found all of them saying business had gone up in the last three months.
Dhabas price their food cheaper than restaurants inside the city. A panneer dish at a dhaba costs Rs 40, but inside the city, it starts from Rs 65 and goes all the way up to Rs 250. At five-star restaurants, the prices are much higher. Dhabas also provide an ambience that is free of urban clutter. It is easy for customers to stretch out and spend time at a dhaba, a luxury they can't dream of in city restaurants, where other customers are always waiting anxiously for a table.
New and running
Kanive Family Restaurant and Dhaba opened on Kanakapura Road just three months ago, and is doing well.
"Our customers are students and private sector employees," said Ramu, who works at Kanive, Tathaguni, close to the famous painter Roerich's estate.
The dhaba is also getting business from Vaishnavi Palace, a more expensive restaurant just a stone's throw away. Business spikes on Saturdays and Sundays because city folk, especially from the southern parts of Bangalore such as Jayanagar and J P Nagar, make a trip to the dhaba. "On week days, business comes mostly from people traveling on this stretch," said Ramu.
Techies are flocking to Siri Tandoori Dhaba near Konankunte Cross, and the waiters believe that's because it offers good food at prices that are reasonable.
Dhabas are simple and straightforward in what they offer, and how they bill it. By contrast, restaurants add to their menu service charge and service tax, which in many cases ups the price by almost a quarter.
Thus, if you run up a bill of Rs 100 at a restaurant, you will end up paying Rs 122 or so on the bill, and many, not realizing that the tip has been taken in the form of a "service charge", leave another tip.
Many dhabas don't have the licence to serve liquor. They run across the road and buy it from a store, and charge customers Rs 10 extra for that service.
"The good thing about dhabas is that you can sit and relax with friends in a place that is not cramped," said Sanjay, a dhaba regular who works in Banashankari. "And the food is reasonably priced."
Not Punjabi
Although dhaba culture is essentially Punjabi, Bangalore's dhabas are not run by Punjabis. Many of them have improved on the dhaba concept, which caters mainly to the truckers, and turned them into family restaurants.
On the Kanakapura Road stretch, a little after you cross Konankunte, you will find many dhabas, such as Queen's Court, Heaven's Gate, Green Park and Roti Land.
What's makes a dhaba
>>Initially dhabas were small food joints that served Punjabi food, especially the spicy and fried Punjabi food preferred by many truck drivers on the outskirts of the city.
>>Dhabas were characterised by mud structures and cots where drivers ate, relaxed, and perhaps caught a wink or two.
>>A wooden plank was usually placed across the width of the cot and that's where the dishes were placed. With time, the cots have been replaced by tables. But the food is still inexpensive.
>>A major attraction for techies, besides the tasty food and the inexpensive menu, is the drive out of the city.
>>M S Mohan, manager of Green Park Dhaba on Mysore Road, said, "Over the past few days we have observed that many college students and families have become loyal customers."
>>Steel plates and minimal or no interiors is what you will find at the dhabas.
Dhaba recommendations
Pallavi Dhaba
Hosakerahalli
Some Gowda C S, proprietor, says his cooks cater to the requirements of each customer individually. They even provide car service.
Avoid: Burnt kalmi leg piece
> Try: Chicken biryani and Chicken kadai masala
> Meal for two: Rs 175 Rs (veg), Rs 270 (non-veg)
> Ph: 98452 37457
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Eden Hut Dhaba
Sarjapur Ring Road
This nine-year-old dhaba proudly caters to the IT crowd, college students and families. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
> Ignore: The not-so-great ambience
> Try: Pepper chicken and butter chicken
> Meal for two: Rs 200
> Ph: 93425 71046
Sanjay Punjabi Dhabha
Yelahaka Road
Started in 1984, and perhaps the only dhaba that has become smaller over the years. Road widening has taken its toll. But owner Vivek R is not complaining. He knows his food is enough to bring the customers in.
> Beware: Hungry mosquitoes are waiting to suck your blood.
> Try: Mixed dal tadka and Sanjay special boneless chicken.
> Meal for two: Rs 200
> Ph: 2343 4252
Siri Tandoori Dhaba
Kanakapura Main Roadu00a0
Offers good variety on its menu, and could make your drive worthwhile.
Avoid: The liquor that they bring from a nearby wine store.
> Try: Onion pakoda and Chicken 'Kolehapuri'
> Meal for two: Rs 300
> Ph: 99029 25606
(Inputs from Tanu Kulkarni)
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