Starting out as a very basic pit-stop for truckers on long, tough journeys on the winding highways of our country, today, the dhaba has evolved into a destination. In its new avatar, the dhaba on the road caters specifically to city people, who flock to it for the experience of a traditional style meal. The wholesome, usually North Indian/Mughlai-ish, food served on a thali, set with numerous vaati filled with assorted accompaniments, is almost always washed down with a tall tumbler full of either lassi, chaas, or juice. Whether you choose vegetarian or non-vegetarian foods, they would all have surely been stewed over wood-fires to draw out maximum flavour.
Lining the old Mumbai-Pune highway are numerous dhabas that will give you the "real thing" however, fret not, for we have a list of five you can choose from quickly.
One of the oldest joints around in fact, it is possible that Sunny Da Dhaba was the first on the scene on this particular highway. Since then, it has inspired many to step into the highway-dhaba business. Apart from the classic dal makhani and butter chicken rigamarole, try their paneer butter masala, chicken Kolhapuri, and tawa palak lahsooni.
This one is another legendary eatery in this part of the highway. Tony Daa Dhaba is famous for its use of desi ghee, turning its unique offerings, such as quail masala, emu tikka, and duck masala handi, into the finger-licking fare.
A true heaven for non-veg lovers, Bhajan Singh Da Dhaba is filled with customers gorging on its succulent chicken and mutton dishes. Choose from chilli chicken, mutton rogan josh, chicken achari kebab, and rock to 90s' Bollywood music playing in the background as you wait for your meal to arrive.
With its quaint but vibrant decor, The Kinara Village has good outdoor seating and is ideal for large groups. You must try their chicken gavran, paneer noorani kebab, chicken do pyaza, and vegetable kasturi masala.
Aficionados make special, well-planned trips to Shree Dutta Snacks. Some do this purely to keep on-the-level their intake of scrumptious street food. A few make their pilgrimage here for takeaways to be consumed picnic-style. Then come the rest, who stop over for a quick bite and to grab a parcel or two, for further travels. You can choose from vada pav and missal pav, to sabudana vada, kothimbir vadi, and finally, pohe. Gulp down some kokum sherbet, and you will be on your trip.