Pappu On The Highway

Location: Delhi-Agra Highway (NH2)

Dhabas are one of the best things about North India highways. Imagine going out with friends in the middle of the night and stopping  for parathe and chai . Or travelling between cities and stopping by for a hearty punjabi meal. Having food in the open at a dhaba during winters adds charm to the whole experience. This is something you cannot do down South.

The highways are dotted with clusters of little dhabas. Some great and some well … meh. Someone not familiar with the dhabas might land up at a very okay-ish kinda place and ruin the experience. So, all you lovely people reading this post, let me enlighten you.

The Delhi-Agra NH-2 was the most frequently travelled by me. It was mostly on the weekends with a bunch of friends. Stopping for food was a must.

The first choice from the plethora of dhabas for us was the Pappu Dhaba located midway between Delhi and Agra. Now you have to understand that there is loads of competition among these joints so there can be variations of pappu dhaba. So, be careful and go to the Asli Pappu Dhaba. That’s the authentic. Be prepared to wait for 10-15 mins for a table and another 15-20 mins for food. You might get lucky someday ;-)

Speciality here are the Parathas! You can order Tandoori or Tawa. And choose between Aloo, Gobhi, Paneer, Mix Veg., Onion, Mooli etc. etc. Huge in size, very rich in taste and soaked in ghee …  it’s how I can best describe them. Add a dollop of butter on top if you may :-p. They go very well with Dal Makhani and Curd. Of course a plateful of Tandoori rotis and Paneer are the people’s choice at any dhaba. And after all the food is eaten and gone, a glass of Chai is something you shouldn’t miss. Check out the menu on the left.

Easy on your pocket and great in taste, dhabas make up for one of the best gastronomical delights in northern India. I simply love them and always always visit one on my trips to UP/Delhi.

Some other great dhabas on NH2 are: Haveli (on way to Chandigarh), Gulshan (Delhi-Agra), Murthal (on way to Chandigarh), Sureya (Delhi-Agra, near Palwal), Akashdeep (Delhi-Agra, near Sikandara)

So HOMP at Pappu ... 

'V' for Veg.

Location: Thailand

If you travel to Thailand and worry about finding vegetarian food ... I have some news for you ...

The place for you is Burger King. The burger is awesome, way better and filling than a McDonald's. Thai McDees do not serve veg food anyway.

Better still they have veg. sides too ... who is a fan of hash browns? They are wonderful and the quantity they served amazed me. Fries again are grreat. I felt better than those of McDees again. Both these crispier and munchier! :-p

Apart from the usual ketchup they also serve another chilli sauce and that adds another refreshing change to the regular. It makes you go 'tchaa'!

They should open outlets in India soon :-/!

And yeah ... Subway serves Veggie Delight. so that's another good option.

They were a great help during my trip to Thailand! :-)

Both joints are dotted all over Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket so no need of carrying an overload of Mathris and Achar ;-)).

Ek Plate Idli

Location: Malleshwaram, Bangalore

Another one of relatively unknown joints for having the most amazing south indian breakfast is the 'Veena Stores'. Its immensely popular among the residents of that area or people like me who know about it :-). Its  a humble little shop in  Malleshwaram where cooking happens at the back and the front is the sale counter.

It starts serving at around 06:30am in the morning and I would say 6:30-7:00am is the best time to go there unless you are willing to stand in a queue for your breakfast.

The best bet there is the 'ek plate idli' (rice cake). Served piping hot along with mint/pudina flavoured coconut chutney, gives it just the right amount of originality with a difference ;-). And they are the softest idlis I've ever had! :-)

The Vada ( Indian Donut ;-) )  again are Hot, Crisp and fluffy..  you ought to have one of those!

The yellow-ed and ghee-ed (soaked in ghee) Khara Bhaat/Upma again is a grreat bet. Again served piping hot, it becomes a nice complement to the idlis.

They serve tea and filter coffee but nothing amazing here ...

All you early birds ... rise 'n' shine ... visit Veena! :-)

Gobble the Street! ;-))

Location: Bangalore (V.V. Puram)

One of the best places to experiment with street food, this place is similar to the Khaogalli in Mumbai.  A treat for the taste buds, a paradise to chomp on the local southy flavor. It’s called Food Street! A must visit for Rocky and Mayur (HOMP).

Raw Mango (kairi) and sweet corn masala chaat to get you started with a sweet tang

Idlis so light and feathery you can easily wipe off 8-10

Rice roti with an edge … and Ragi with a notch

Davengiri butterrr dosa cooked golden and crisp

Throw in some north Indian chaats for a twist … not recommended though

Finish off with the matchless, unparalleled, awesomessst Gulkand, Fruit, Ice Cream dessert … im sure you’ll be left wanting for more …

Oh and the the VV Bakery is famous for the Masala Bun …

And there lots to explore and devour on the go J Sharing a few glimpses …

Arre aap bhi lijiye

Just eat away ...

Dessert to die for ... and we thought Gulkand was just used in Paan (Beetle Leaf)

Khaye jao aur Shivanna ke gunn gaaye jao

So Long people … till then Happy Eating! J