Dhabba Express

Teynampet, Chennai

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Thanks for being with me …….. Now can we move on to the Review ?

Chennai has a vast anthology of Tamilians, Keralites and considerably a greater percentage of North Indians. In Chennai, there are many restaurants providing very good and healthy food, but to be above-board, at most of the restaurants in Chennai, the North Indian esp. the Punjabi varieties of food unfortunately have a South Indian touch ! Imagine eating a Butter Naan with a South-Indian Koottu and a stuffed Paratha with Sambar ? But, a real Punjabi Food is available at Chennai, at the DHABBA EXPRESS !

“Asli Punjabi Khana……………” Yeah, Straight from the Highways of Punjab (as they advertise) the Dhabba Express serves delightful Punjabi Food. Being a regular customer, the Dhabba is the ideal destiny of the cost-effective, nutritious Punjabi food ! Imagine enjoying Butter chicken, Tawa Paranthas, Rotis at never before rates ….. Also, is it not fun enjoying a Veg. Buffet Lunch for just Rs.55/- and the Buffet dinner for Rs.60 – That too ‘Unlimited’?

Situated at No. 9, Cenotaph Road, Teynampet, one of the Posh areas at Chennai, the Dhabba Express has become a Landmark in these 5 years !!

Why My Rating 4/5 : As this area possesses lot of office complexes, schools, colleges and a market, the Dhabba is in a prime Milieu and has a good transportation.

The two-wheeler parking is situated in the left wing inside the Dhabba which could accommodate around 75 vehicles at a time. But cars are required to be parked at the side-roads outside the restaurant.

Why My Rating 2/5 : The major problem of late, is that, the four-wheelers parked on the side-roads are being towed by the Police and it is a daily occurring scenario at the Cenotaph Road ! So due to the increasing number of customers, Dhabba could consider expanding their area to facilitate car parking too.

For the cool winter evenings, you could choose a dinner at their cement benches with an embrace of the cool breeze from the Ashoka trees’.   But the AC dining hall is generally more recommended for the hottest climate of Chennai. It is equally a great experience to dine with fun at their Non-A/c buffet Hall marvelously decorated with rattans & bamboos all over. This hall is also decorated with beautiful & colourful lights with a background Punjabi music, which adds to the beauty of the place.

Why My rating 3/5 : It is due to the pitiable maintenance of the open dining place. The trees and the adjoinings unquestionably require better maintenance. Sometimes during Luncheons, the music instead of pleasing the ears keeps piercing the ears !!

But in general, Dhabba does have a beautiful homely atmosphere.

Why My rating 5/5 : The variety of Food ranges from Veg. / Non-Veg. Starters, Machi Bazaar (yummy fish varieties), Subzi Mandi, Lazeez-E-Handi, Mutton delights, Chatpata Chinese, Ande-Ka-Fanda, Punjab-Di-Fasal, Chawals, Biriyani Funs and the Meethe-Meethe Sapne !!

Every category has at least 25 different mouth-watering varieties. I am sure the Foodies would already be aware of the Aloo Tandooris, the Makhanwalas, Gobi varieties, Achari Murgh, Mirchi Punjabi chicken masalas etc. & so I am not going into the depth of describing their Menu …….

……. But what are the Specialties at Dhabba ? Just read on …

•Pepsi : What’s new in a Pepsi ? Hmmm… yes, at Dhabba even Pepsi is different ! But How – you get a delectable Pepsi Jal Jeera Drink here and also, Pepsi mixed with appropriate ratios of the Punjabi spices ! These drinks are exclusively available only in Dhabba.

•Kulfis : Yummmmm…… the Kulfis of Dhabba – they are really really delicious ! At a cost of Rs.22/-, you could never taste such a yummy Rajasthani Kulfi anywhere else. It is a must for all the visitors !

•Paan : What’s new in a Paan ? Yes, at Dhabba you get different varieties of Paan like the Sweet Paan, coconut paan, saada paan and the spicy paan. The paans cost Rs.9/- & they are really luscious I say !

Some of the other special tastiest varieties at Dhabba include :

Non-Veg:

•Dragon Prawns

•Dragon Fish

•Amritsari Macchi

•Punjabi Chicken Masala

•Mutton Pepper Fry

•Chicken Tikka Bemissal

•Anda Aloo Curry

•Murgh Malai Kebab

•Chicken Lollypop

Veg :

•Cauliflower Manchurian

•Chilly Garlic Potato

•Makki Roti

•Romali Roti

•Amritsari Kulcha

•Laccha Parantha

•Golden Fried Baby Corn

Most of the aforesaid are my favourites at the Dhabba ! If our requirement is properly specified, then you could be sure to be served the best food.

•The Veg. Lunch Buffet during week-days (Monday to Friday) sometimes contains half-cooked Subzees which is the least anyone would wish for.

•The unpleasant rocking Punjabi music stabbing the ears.

•Better cleanliness required at the Open Dining Place and improved maintenance of the Trees / Garden is necessary

•Better Ventilation to be facilitated at the Non-A/c Buffet Dining Hall

•Extra Plates should be made available during the Buffet.

On an overall, the Dhabba Express is a good restaurant serving ‘Asli Punjabi Khana’ at very easy-on-the-pocket rates. Do check out this fabulous dine-in and cherish a Punjabi Feast !! A new branch of the Dhabba has also been started a year ago opposite to Thousand Lights Mosque and another branch is functioning at Nungambakkam in the name of ‘Sachin Kaa Dhabba’.

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