The décor at Pal Dhaba is very rudimentary. Not exactly Khatiyas but not much beyond. Units of 4 chairs and a table pepper the restaurant floor giving the view that food is the clear value that is to be expected. The service is well like that of a typical Dhaba, do not expect to be waited on. A decent amount of arm waving will be required to get the waiters attention even if the restaurant is not exactly packed. The service is also slightly on the slower side. The other slightly economy driven aspect was the refusal to serve onions at the table. The rising prices meant that one had to order onions for Rs 20 a plate! Otherwise you had to do with the mooli (or radish) and the ubiquitous green chutney!
The food was delicious, as is expected in a Punjabi Dhaba. We ordered Masala Chicken and Mutton Keema Kaleji, with some Roti. The Chicken Masala was basically a form of chicken Kassa with a bit more Garam Masala than usual, it went down very well with the roti and served to warm the body in the Punjabi winter. The Keema Kaleji was good without being exceptional, basically a few pieces of mutton liver mixed with some mutton keema. The only issue I had with the dish was that the liver and the Keema did not go add anything to each other and may have been tastier as separate entities. The rotis were warm and soft, like Punjabi rotis should be. Overall a great meal, the place would be highly recommended to get a typical Punjab dhaba experience in Chandigarh.
A meal for two at Pal Dhaba without drinks will cost you approximately Rs 350/-
How to get there: Pal Dhaba is in Sector 28 in Chandigarh. Impossible to miss once you approach the main market.
