Mandeep Puri

By: Mandeep Puri

May 29 2011

Category: Hangout Zone

1 Comment

You may not get the best yummy food, but for those looking to eat something different late nights, there is a lot that you can explore.North Indiaoffers great eating options meant not only for a typical Indian meal, but also Chinese, Thai and Italian even after 12.

While Pandara inNew Delhiis known for late night delights, night food streets atChandigarhand Phagwara have a lot to offer. The ‘holy pool of nectar’ –Amritsarhas the famous Beera Chicken, whereas the ‘Manchester of India’ –Ludhianahas the 60 years old Paratha Wala.

I have made an effort to get some famous places together which range from the famous roadside stalls catering to students and office goers to some high-end outlets where everyone wants to go.

Pandara Road, New Delhi:

Delhihad strict time limits for restaurants and bars, butPanadara Roadis an exception. Usually one can’t anything decent after 10 or maybe 11 in the night, butPandara Roadhas always been hot favourites during late nights. A small market block has several good restaurants that stay open up to 3 in the night.Pandara Road has a number of Restaurants around the area where almost 700 vehicles turning every day.

Gulati (1958), owned by Parveen Gulati, Gulati holds 52 years of legacy of delicious non-vegetarian food and today, quality is coupled with great ambiance and décor. You will love to come here again and again.

Chicken Inn (1960) is one of the junctions where one can easily look out for food even at 2 o’clock in the morning. The Chicken Burrah and Reshmi Kabab one can’t afford to miss, whereas stuff like Kadhai Chicken, Rahra Chicken, Palak Gosht, Chicken Bharta, Paneer Butter Masala, Rogan Josh, Kashmiri Pulao are some other mouth watering dishes that they offer.

ICHIBAN (1994) is a junction that offers not only the Chinese, but also Thai, Japanese and Italian food. The Kaeng Phat Thai Red Curry, Fish Sushi and Tori Udon are though spicy but delicious.

HAVEMORE (1959) is one of the oldest Restaurants of the area, HAVEMORE has been awarded with awards like Best Butter Chicken, Best Non Veg Food. Their specialty includes Chicken Botti Kabab, Mutton Burra Kabab, Butter Chicken, chicken Rarda, Brain Curry and a lot more.

Pindi (1959) was once known for Cholle, Pinki now serve both Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian food. Its Reshmi Kebab, Kashmiri Kebabm Fish Tikka is a must try, while Pindi Channa is his speciality.

Directions: Pandara is near to the India Gate, towards Golf Course. This is in between the Zakir Hussain Marg andShahjahan Road.

The ‘Night Food Street’ (2008): Chandigarh

The ‘Night Food Street’ has given wider options for the city’s university students, youngsters and the residents offering different cuisines from North Indian food and South Indian to Chinese, Continental, Italian and Oriental that can tickle one’s palette.

The Tandoori food that includes Tandoori Chicken and Kababs are available, and so is the evergreen South Indian food like Dosas and Idlis. Besides these, the Night Food Street also offers the cuisines of states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, including south Indian, Chinese and continentalfood.

The Night Food Street, which remain open from 7 p.m. to 7 am have eight stalls to offer the food lovers anything at a very affordable prices, with tables and chairs lined up right outside the shops.  The Sher-e-Punjab restaurant has attraction like Mutton Keema naan, Rajmah rice and Karahi Paneer with parantha

One can choose from Indian, Chinese and Continental delicacies and you will find a lot of options under these. The lights keep this part of the town forever young. You get both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes here. Besides, it’s an economical choice when it comes to food. The area is located close to Punjab University and PGI. Therefore, you will see a lot of young crowd here. Apart from students, attendants of patients at PGI are also seen savoring the food.

While, Pasta Sizzlers offers mix pasta and veg sizzlers, the Dragon Chinese Flavoured has special Hakka noodles and a large variety of Chinese stuff , which are most relish by his customers. Once you done with the outdoor dine, you can special kulfis at a very reasonable price. From pista, chocolate, kesar, pineapple, mango, the kulfi counter has every flavour for you.

Direction: Just opposite to PGI (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and adjoining to Gate 1 of Punjab University, Sector 14,Chandigarh.

Pandit Ji Di Hatti (1950): Ludhiana

The ‘Manchester of India’ –Ludhianabesides garments have a very famous Paratha Wala, which is serving the people since last 60 years. Pandit Ji Di Hatti is a small Dhaba opened 24/7 offering all sorts of Parathas with almost 150 to 200 people visiting every day. Started by Late Pandit Ramnath, the Dhaba is known looked after by Suresh Pandit and is now most popular among the little eateries.   “We are open 24/7 since last 60 years”, says the owner.  One can taste a selection of multigrain parathas like paneer, mouli, mater and methi. They also serve stuffed aloo parathas, onion parathas, and paneer parathas. The food is definitely not classy, but it is served up steaming hot, with pickle and dahi.

Directions: From the Ghanta Ghar, the road that takes you towards the Chaura Bazaa.

Neeta Chicken: (1998): Phagwara

One can’t go pass this junction, while you are driving down fromLudhianato Jalandhar. Neeta Chicken Corner opens from 10 in the morning to 2 in the night. However, one can witness people gathering at the billing counter mostly after 7.

With four junctions on the main highway, Neeta offers some yummy non vegetarian food. While the first has Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kabab and Tangri Kabab, the second has Butter Chicken and Karahi Chicken. The third offers Chicken Roasted and Chicken Afgani and fourth has different varieties of Fish.

From youngsters to families, people from all age group prefer eating late nights at Neeta. You can choose to eat out in open or maybe sitting inside the vehicle. Families can opt to sit and eat at either of the corner, the place that is occupied with plastic chairs and tables. Moreover, the non vegetarian food grabs a good company with the presence of two liquor shops at either side of the junction.

Mostly, people from near city town, especially Jalandhar visit Neeta once a week.   “Abhinav Vij, who is a regular earter at Neeta specially drop down from Jalandhar once or maybe twice a week. “ The quality that Neeta has is unmatchable, he says.

Direction: On the Nation Highway 21 betweenLudhiana and Jalandhar facing the only Cinema in Phagwara.

Beera Chicken (1970): Amritsar

Beera’s chicken atManjithia Roadis known for its tandori style Tandoori Chicken, Keena Nan, Mutton Tikka. Beera Chicken is on from 4 in the afternoon and shuts down by 12 in the night. “We believe in quality and not quantity and prefer closing by 11 or maximum by 12”, says Balbir Singh, the owner.

Beera Chicken is one of those dhabas (restaurants) who achieves fame through word of mouth and is known for its mutton and chicken dishes that represent true Punjabi culinary. However, here you can’t enjoy the food in open, but yes one can order sitting in the car, beside opting for take away.

People come to this dhaba from far off places just to taste the food. Chicken at Beera Chicken is so soft that it can be taken off the bones with mere two fingers. However, if you drop in late, you should be lucky enough to get to taste his luscious non vegetarian.

Ramandeep Singh, a bodybuilder travels from Attari thrice a week to this place, while an elder gentleman is visiting Beera Chicken since 1983. “Go to Google and look for Beera Chicken to know more about him”, he whispered while having a Tandoori chicken.

Direction:Manjithia Road,Amritsar.

With such a wide option, visitors visiting and moving around the North can easily tickle the mouth watering tandoori delights, evergreen south Indian food, yummy Italian and Cheese as night food  has everything at a very affordable rates.

Happy Eating…