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Originally Posted by SS-Traveller Most saddening experience this time: I lost faith in a Dhaba that I frequented for the last 20+ years, and recommended to everybody. Long story that I'll come back with soon! |
My favourite eatery on the NH2 since the last 20 years and more, was at Govindpur (JH). The New Khalsa Hotel, it is called. They served lovely non-veg fare,
parathas, chicken curries, and a lot else besides. Seating was basic (though they had a family room), no air-conditioning, but the service was prompt and always with a smile.
We looked forward to stopping here for lunch. All morning, as we drove through BR & JH, we salivated thinking of the feast we would have there during lunch. And finally we were there at 1 PM, hungry enough to eat a whole rooster each. We decided to forego the
parathas, opting instead for a plate of chicken
dopiyaza, a plate of chicken liver curry fry, and
rotis.
The food took longer to arrive than what we expected. In the meanwhile, we sized up the gentry there. There seemed to be a change in the demographics. No truck drivers. No long distance travelling family types. Most seemed to be local folks, chatting and drinking beer(!) - not something we have seen before. Seems the place had become more popular as a bar than as an eatery. Well, the food ought to be good...
One mouthful of chicken got me salivating. My mouth was on fire. My nose was on fire too, and poured out mucus in an endless stream. My eyes hurt and watered. I have never, ever, had so much of chillies in any food in all my life. My family was suffering worse than I was. And the waiter who dumped the food on our table so unceremoniously, was nowhere to be seen. Thinking the liver dish would be better, we tried that. And it was equally supersaturated with chillies.
Now, mind you, I have eaten traditional Andhra food fairly often in the past to know that it has a lot of chillies added to it. But Andhra food is like Cerelac compared to this stuff. Send this to the Army, and they can replace the gunpowder in their cannon shells with this. And the shells would still fire clean across Pakistan and land in Afghanistan.
The waiter was back. Nonchalantly tells us that no one else is complaining, so this stuff should be fine. Well, we had to eat - after all, we were seriously hungry. A clean bowl was called for, and Bisleri poured into it. The pieces of chicken & liver were washed in water, and consumed. Still tasted nice and spicy, I can tell you! The young Sardar at the cash counter said they have a new cook, and the regular clientele likes what he makes. No apologies.
Not that I am going back to ask again...