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India is a land of cultural heterogeneity. There are many sights to see and sounds to hear across the length and breadth of the country. Majestic monuments stand tall, covered with intricate stone carvings that tell a tale of the region’s past. They make visiting the country a must for all types of tourists, and the country has a vast network of highways to help any tourist reach these hotspots easily. But the logistics of touring are incomplete without adequate fuel for the vehicle and the gut. But don’t worry about the latter in this vast country, for it offers a delectable and reliable solution in the form of the Punjabi Dhaba.
This roadside eatery is the epitome of the country’s tourism slogan, "Atithi Devo Bhava," meaning the guest is like God. They are also like the glorious architecture that showcases the best of the culture the country has to offer. They provide the ideal rest spot for weary travelers and go about introducing their taste buds to the culinary culture of the land, specifically the native food of the state of Punjab. It could be a humble shack by the roadside or a full-fledged restaurant with all sorts of creature comforts. But what they all have in common is that they can be relied upon to refuel your body and fill your senses with the wonderful experiences they have to offer.
How the dhaba became a phenomenon
The specific origins of the Dhaba are unclear, but what is known is that they came to be on the stretch of road connecting Kabul, Afghanistan, to places in northern India like Amritsar and Delhi. Because of this geographical identity, local north Indian cuisines became the norm, with Punjabi specialties thrown in for good measure. It was named the Grand Trunk Road by the British during colonial times, but this stretch is believed to have existed since the fourth century, assisting trade and wars.
While these food stalls served all types of people, their most prominent patrons since the twentieth century have been truck drivers. They offer this demographic the cheap, fast, and filling food they need to sustain long-distance driving. And adding to the Punjabi leanings of dhabas is the fact that a majority of the truck drivers on this stretch are Punjabis.
Their desire to have roadside food that resembles home-cooked dishes is why dhabas tend to start with the word "Punjabi," wherever they may be situated now. Once the popularity of such stops became apparent, other entrepreneurs in the space saw the opportunity and seized it, leading to the mushrooming of these joints all over the country.
The low cost of setup and operation also played a crucial role. A small thatched hut with a couple of wooden tables and benches is enough to establish a presence on the roadside. The kitchen can have a wood-fired oven for the rotis and a gas stove with a portable cylinder to make the other dishes. Add a counter with some biscuits and smoke for sale, and you’re good to go. Set it up on a busy stretch of highway, and you can reap big rewards for a long time.
It’s the combination of these factors that has made the dhaba a famous food hub for people all over the country. Some even offer a cot that truckers can use to sleep on en route during a stopover
The all you can eat grubbery
Of course, there’s no leaving out the one other aspect of the Dhaba that makes it a crowd pleaser—the food. Fans of dhabas swear by them to such an extent that they refuse to eat anywhere else. The reason is that the authentic taste offered by their favorite Dhaba is unrivaled by even five-star restaurants. And the low price of the meals makes these food spots seem like they are offering an all-you-can buffet on the cheap.
The menu includes typical Indian flatbreads like roti, kulcha, and naan. They usually come in the form of plate meals, or thalis, along with the curries of the day and other sides like raw onions and chilies. The more elaborate dhabas offer a choice of other dishes, like rice items and curries. You can have them as thalis (plate meals) or ala carte. There may even be some extras, like sweets, depending on the establishment and region.
There is one famous Punjabi dessert that many dhabas carry: lassi. It is made by churning curd with sugar, salt, and spices as desired. It may be served at room temperature or cold, with the latter being the better option. It is a must-have drink for any tired traveler as it counteracts the spices while refreshing you with its sweet or spicy taste. Oh, and there's always chai (tea) and, in some cases, coffee, because no trip is complete without it.
Everything is prepared using local ingredients and traditional methods to give it that authentic, home-cooked taste and feel. The decor reflects this as well, with traditional paintings interspersed with advertisements on occasion.
Throughout its history, India has been a welcoming place for all types of travelers, tending to their every need wherever they may be in the vast and varied landscape. Punjabi dhabas manifest that philosophy, feeding and supporting hungry travelers across the country with an experience that reminds them of the goodness of home.
