@thefinelychopped on Instagram 21 April 2025
‘Visit Giani da Dhaba on the highway between Chandigarh and Kasauli. They have the best lemon chicken,’ said my friend Vaishali when I bumped into her at a cafe in Bandra the day before I left for Chandigarh. She’s a former Chandigarh girl who now lives in Mumbai.
I acted on her suggestion and stopped at Giani da Dhaba on my way from Kasauli to Chandigarh. It was packed at lunchtime. I managed to get a place thanks to the granny at the counter of this 45-year-old eatery. She kept a hawk’s eye on the tables and seated me when a place became available.
Service was super fast. You had to be sure about what you wanted when the waiter came, or he would dart off without taking your order! No one hurries you once you get your food, though this is not the place to sit back and read…or write.
Lemon chickens were flying across tables; their popularity was beyond any doubt. I ordered a half plate which contained a mix of six legs and breast pieces. They had used a small bird, which made the meat more juicy. The flavouring was lovely. Tangy, gingery, hot…a bit too hot for me…but do keep in mind that I can’t handle too much chilli heat.
I decided to try an AMT. Alu, matar, tamar; the waiter explained tersely. It turned out to be an inspired choice. If the lemon chicken was fiery, like Gul Panag, then the MTL was soothing, like Farida Jalal playing a Punjabi mum in a Yash Chopra/KJo movie. Its gravy was thick and mellow; slightly sweet and tangy. The potatoes were cut in the same way as they are in Bengali fish curries…a slim, half moon/ Both the potatoes and the peas were nice and soft in texture.
The lemon chicken and the AMT both paired perfectly with crisp and hot tandoori rotis. I called a for a lassi. It was thick, sweet & refreshing. It was served in a takeaway cup, unfortunately. Is a dhabbi lassi even a lassi if it is not served in a stainless steel tumbler?
I would definitely recommend a stop at Giani Da Dhaba if it comes your way as it has the warmth and craziness of a family-run place. And good food.
My sort of place!PPS: beer is available off the menu
PPS: The toilet was fundamental.
I didn’t have an audio mike when I recorded this. I wonder if a VO would have been better, though this is more in the moment.
#finelychoppedtravels #finelychoppedtv
(Indian food, Punjabi food, dhaba food, tandoor, roti)
