Review for Desi Punjabi Dhaba
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars
99 Punjabi Dhaba is a hidden gem that brings the vibrant flavors of Punjab right to the heart of California. From the moment I stepped inside the modern looking dhaba it looked quite different from the traditional roadside dhabas in India or Pakistan. The colorful decor along with the vintage brass utensils set the perfect tone for an authentic dining experience.
The menu is a love letter to Punjabi cuisine, offering a delightful mix of classics and lesser-known regional dishes. The Butter Chicken was an absolute standout—creamy, rich, and perfectly spiced, with tender chicken that melted in my mouth. Paired with their fluffy, freshly baked Naan, it was a match made in culinary heaven. The Sarson da Saag and Makki di Roti were equally impressive, capturing the earthy, soul-warming essence of Punjab’s countryside. For vegetarians, the Amritsari Chole was a spicy, tangy delight that had me scraping the bowl clean.
What truly sets this dhaba apart is the heart and soul poured into every dish. The staff’s hospitality is unmatched—friendly, attentive, and eager to share stories about the food’s origins. The owner even recommended a refreshing Masala Chai to round off the meal, which was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the vibe is lively yet cozy, making it ideal for families, friends, or even a solo meal. Whether you’re a fan of desi flavors or new to Punjabi cuisine, Desi Punjabi Dhaba is a must-visit. I’m already looking forward to my next trip for their Tandoori Platter and a tall glass of Lassi!
Highly recommended for anyone craving an authentic, heartwarming Punjabi...
Read moreWow. I have no words for how amazing this was 😭
Was looking for an early dinner and expecting to settle for Taco Bell on a holiday, but noticed this was open and decided to give it a shot.
It's a very sweet family run dhaba at a rest stop on the way to Sequoia national park. Nice service and atmosphere with a cool whiteboard mural about the history of Traver. Bonus kurtas and Indian snacks at the store if you want.
But the food. Oh my god. We ordered a homemade chicken curry, tawa roti, amritsari kulcha, samosa chat and a mango masala soda. It all came out reasonably fast.
The mango masala soda was mildly sweet and refreshing, and hit the spot on a hot summer day.
Then we tried the samosa chat, and it was beautiful. By far the best I've had in North America. Then the kulcha chole came out, and I don't know what to say, they're magicians with chickpeas. The kulcha came topped with generous amounts of white butter.
I ordered the chicken curry and roti because I was feeling a little queasy from eating pizza for breakfast, and I felt great after eating it. The roti was soft warm and topped with ghee. The curry was light and fresh with cilantro mixed in, and was definitely made with ghee instead of oil - the home style label is completely true. The pieces to curry ratio was generous and I ordered more roti to go for later. We felt full but not weighed down.
Fyi, spicy here is an Indian medium.
This already feels like the best part of our trip and I'm excited to eat here again on the...
Read moreWent here on a Saturday afternoon right before lunch. Parking was easy to find and the place wasn't busy.
When I entered I was greeted with a TV that was playing continuous Sikh prayers with a 90's seating benches and faux wooden tables. The older gentleman that assisted me was very nice, but there was a language barrier. One thing I'd highly recommend is looking at the menu before you get here, because most of the plates are in Punjabi, especially the vegan plates. There are plenty of options.
I ordered Chili Chicken, rice, garlic naan and a mango lassi. Everything is sold separately if you get the small plate. The gentleman told me to take a seat while the food was being cooked. When I got my plates each item was served in small, silver bowl with a paper plate on the side to serve it on. The Chili Chicken was fricking delicious. It had a stir-fried texture with loads of flavor, hot spices and oily. The rice is just your typical jasmine rice that balances the complex flavors of the main dishes. The garlic naan was good. The mango lassi had a thick, yogurt texture.
Overall, the food exceeded my expectations. There was even a woman that came in visiting from Washington and said this was her second time coming here. You definitely taste the home cooking and flavors of the plate. I'd probably suggest pricing the plates to include rice. There is a separate credit/debit card price, which drove my tab up to $30. With all that said, I'd highly recommend checking...
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