Topic started by ARPITA (@ pcp02677103pcs.ewndsr01.nj.comcast.net) on Thu Apr 22 15:40:58 EDT 2004.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Does anyone know how to make the food served in Dhabas. I have never been to one, but some of my college friends who have say it tastes good. Since I do not have any dhabas close to where I live, I wanted to cook some one my own. Thanks.

Responses:

• From: Funcook (@ dialin-159-51.tor.primus.ca) on: Fri Apr 30 00:21:14 EDT 2004
  
  Hello Arpita!
  
  Not sure what Dhaba means literally, now that I think of it.
  
  Although the foods have been there for ages, its primary purpose was to cater to the needs of the travellers on the highways. Popularly frequented by the rough speaking Truck Drivers of the North, from where the term originally arrives, the food tends to be hot, simple, cheap and fresh.
  
  A menu probably lies tucked somewhere with the prices in bold. And funny messages (as I've heard like "Oh Dear/ come near/ cold beer/ served here") like graffiti on the walls, adorning the place.
  
  Dhabas could also be selling beverages with spirits with or without the lawmakers ordain.
  
  However, the food as being spoken like an urban legend, is one thing that holds its own in an altogether male bastion.
  
  Generally a place would be open in my opinion all day and night and probably more during entire nights.
  
  Any meat or vegetable cooked in a spiced up thin sauce without much fanfare, served hot with fresh Tandoori Rotis with some fancy places also selling kebabs.
  
  The term Dhaba has been captured by the elite for their own flavor of the Road side foods, thereby socially solemnising the joints. Some on the outskirts of major cities and towns have probably their own fan following including the glitterati.
  
  Yes Dhaba foods are great, because in my opinion, the authentic ones have no leftovers. Hygiene may not be observed religiously, but certainly followed unknowingly.
  
  Food eaten in a feudalistic surrounding probably satiates the tummies of the callous.
  
  Making dhaba food at home is making home food at home - that would be me - and eating it with both my hands sitting on a lazed out bench in the backyard. Ummm!!
  
  Funcook
  
  

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