To all Tasty Food loving Gujaratis – from the soul of my stomach
To all Tasty Food loving Gujaratis – from the soul of my stomach
By Himanshu Acharya
Ahmedabad, DeshGujarat, 15 January, 2010
By default, Gujaratis are food loving guys. They are always in mood of exploring new food spots and at the same time they don’t let go their original or you can say their fixed food spots. So keeping in mind the same, here I will give you some very popular food spots across whole Gujarat, not only in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar. Readers are not only encouraged but requested to add their choices to this list for greater good. I mean please do comment more and more below this article and add more and more good places for food from all over Gujarat. Let’s do it together both increase sales of these guys and our west size (tummy).
Let’s start it with in traditional style, from holy place called “DAKOR”:
You all may have heard and tasted “MAGANVALLABH NA GOTA” from Dakor,, yes that’s very spicy in taste, very big, dark and served with curd opposite the Main temple in DAKOR. Many ladies buy “GOTA no LOT” from Dakor and later prepare that item at home. But Dakor’s taste journey does not end at this single place. I want to inform you about some other exiting food spots in Dakor.
There is one place called VADABAZAR in Dakor where there is one old temple under Banyan Tree, exact adjacent to that temple there is one traditional Gotawala called “CHETAN GOTAWALO”, who opens his shop only during morning hours of 8 to 11. But his Gota is excellent, I visits Dakor generally 4-5 times during a year, and till date I have hardly tasted MAGAN na gota 2-3 times but I visit CHETAN GOTA center each time without fail.
Second one is “BAHERA BOBDA’s VATIDAL NA KHAMAN”. This one is my most favorite food spot here as here you can find soft and very spicy Khaman. This person is totally Deaf and Dumb, he only talks with us in terms of finger pointing. There is a price list there, we have to point our finger toward 250G or 500G and he will pack accordingly. I can bet with you guys, you may buy Khaman from this place first because of soreness, but you will surely buy second time because of its taste. This place is near temple Gaushala, just ask anybody around the main Mandir and one would definitely show you the way, it is very near to main temple. If you go from Ahmedabad, both places come before the main temple.
I am from Gandhinagar and now would talk about peoples favorite food spot in this town.
In sector-21, there is one Saurashtra Pharsan House, in main Shopping Center. It is very famous and anyone in sector-21 can show you the way. Try here SAMOSA with his special Dalwali chutney. I have tested samosa at more than 100 places, but this one is unique in taste. I generally visit this place once a week. Specially Hot Samosa with chutney is really cool around 9AM.
In sector-6, near Gh-2 petrol pump, there is one Rickshaw standing after 4PM everyday, his VADAPAV and DABELI are excellent. He uses special garlic dry chutney for Vadapav. His Vadapav is 1000% times better than original Mumbai VADAPAV. I can tell you the same as I am currently staying in Mumbai for more than a year and eat Vadapav regularly.
In Sector-22, Panchdev ni Panipuri is good, this panipuiriwalo stands opposite famous Panchdev Mandir, and his panipuri is highest TIKHKHI(spicy) and tasty among all. Please note that many Pani puriwalas stand there, but you go to one where there is maximum crowd.
There is a TRIMANDIR (Dada Bhagvan one) near Adalaj chokdi. There is a restaurant in the Mandir premises, but go for BHOJANALYA of Mandir itself, which is some 200-300 meter away from Mandir, you can get the passes from Mandir office (near shoe stand), it is relatively very cheap (15-20Rs). They give very simple food but taste is really good, it is worth tasting once. You can use this facility if you are coming or going from Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway.
For Ahmedabad, I would like to hear from readers. But I can’t stop myself referring one very good spot for Ganthiya lovers residing in satellite, Bopal (new Ahmedabad).
Sanand is just 13KM away from Sarkhej, but this will be worth for food lover specially Ganthiya lovers. In sanand, on the main road itself (right side corner), near the Gadhiya Lake (talav), there is SAURASHTRA GANTHIYA HOUSE. His Ganthiyas are as usual but main thing is his chutney (capsicum crushed chutney and special power on the Ganthiya), which again I bet you will never find in original Saurashtra also. This one is my most favorite. You will surely not go to GANTHIYA RATH near to your house again once you taste this one.
If you are Amdavadi, then you may surely be knowing Mother Dairy located near Indira Bridge(Bhat). Here I suggest you to go for AMUL PIZA, which is originally made in the same mother dairy as this dairy is affiliated to AMUL. Once you taste this 40 Rs or higher pizza, you will surely forget US pizza and Pizza hut. I remember there was very small outlet outside the dairy gate some 3-4 years ago and they used to sell daily 40-50 pizza when they started. Today they sell nearly 400-500 pizza during weekdays and during weekend this toll touches to 1000 as well. It remains open during 8 am to 11 pm. Specialty here is their OWEN, which is very large and chain operated. You might have tasted Amul pizza somewhere else also, but then also I suggest you to taste it once at this place. Believe me, it’s different.
Now moving towards the Saurashtra region, there are many hotels on Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway. There is one in Chotila called LALA RAGHUVANSHI KATHIAWADI HOTEL, which serves real Kathiawadi food, specially in dark hours. In one thali they cater Rotla, Kadhi, Khichdi, special Wadhvani marcha, and lot many other things. It requires 2-3 people to finish one thali. Taste is very good.
Now in Rajkot, there is one famous BHELWALO on Yagnik road, rest readers have to add.
Now this one is from Kutch region, on the way to MATA NO MADH, just before the same (almost five kilometer before) on the turning there is one DHABA type hotel. Location is really good; some says District Collector also likes to eat here during the official visits in this region. Food is like full thali and chhas(full dish and buttermilk) with some very good sweet. There is a small hill exact behind the DHABA.
In Surat, LOCHO is famous but I like it least.
But you can find Fresh NEERO (one stage before it becomes TADI), near the SURAT railway station. There is one place called Neera Bhavan on first floor of building, where you can have fresh Neero in early morning also. Actually morning is the best time to have Neero. It tastes like carbonated Nariyel Pani.
There is also one shop (Jalaram Khichdi House) where you can find varieties of only KHICHDI on Rander road, near new Pani ni tanki, near Sahaj store.
In Vadodara, don’t miss kachori of MANGAL BAZAR. You should have taste it once. Also LILO CHEVDO is all-time famous, but you should beware of fraud one. Go for original JAGDISH, it really matters here in this case.
In Nadiad, near Santram Mandir, towards Dakor side, just opposite to one theater, there is one shop (I think its name is Yashoda), where you can find very good dry KACHORI (tuver wali – small round one) and SEV KHAMANI with special chutney.
In Khambhat, you might have heard about Khambhat’s HALVASAN and Suttarfeni, these both things are good here. But I would like to draw your attention towards one special thing which got enormous appreciation wherever I carry it (in Pondicherry also people like it). There is one shop called RK Chavana mart, which only sells PAPADIYU CHAVANU, I again bet you will not stop after eating one bite of this Chavanu. Be sure to go for original RK only which is situated at PITH area, near Zanda Chowk. Friends of mine who are reading this post will surely remember it.
In Ambaji, there is Mandir trust run Bhojanalaya, which is the best place to have a food there. It is situated on the main road.
In Surendranagar, Sikander ni SING (groundnut) is very famous on main bazaar road. Other thing is Rajeshwari Farsan’s SEV-MAMRA which is exported by them.
All above things are personally tasted by me at particular place, and not only once but frequently/whenever I got chance. I am sure real food/junk food lover has definitely read until this line and he will also write his favorite one from his own city in the comments.
But Above all, best food in the whole world I have ever tasted and tasted until writing this post is My Mother (who forgets salt, chilly and many thing frequently now because of age), my SAS (mother in law) and my wife’s had cooked food. I am saying this not only because of affection towards them, but really taste-wise they cook everything better then all above. Especially mother’s Undhiyu, SaS’s Punjabi dishes and wife’s Alu parotha, Dal dhokli (generally we eat once in a week) and many more things.
Aamir Khan can only tell you “AAL IS WEL”, but I will give the same by saying that “ALL ARE WELCOME” to my home for testing. Please populate this comments list so that this post becomes precious posts ever till date. Add maximum places so that everyone can be benefited.
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Jeeyo bhai! i too am from gandhinagar. great to see someone is interested in enlisting our good spots. for most people, gandhinagar is a little too bland.
Thanks…મોઢું પાણી પાણી થઇ ગયું …!!!
Vadodara,
1)Alkapuri’s Bombay Sandwich…..
2)O.P.Road– Maruti Soda (A great spot to have Soda till late night…..Good Family people also come till late night)
3)O.P.Road— Gokul Farsann (Famous for Fafda)
4)Urmi Char Rasta–Durga House (Famous for Samosa)
5)O.P.Road — Bhailal Shivlal (Famous of Khaman)
6)Alkapuri—Aamantran (Gujarati Thali)
7)Alkapuri—Woodlands (Good view of Alkapuri and good Punjabi food)
8)Alkapuri—Paras Paan (Famous for many variety of Paan)
9)Alkapuri—Mahavir Ice cream (Good Icecream and Shakes)
So on
I used to have these food about 12 years agoVisit Vallabh Vidyanagar…Anand(Mazada’s puff), Bhel-chatney puri Nr Sardaar patel’s statue, V.V.Nagar, Bhurjee/Omlette nr B. & B. polytechnic opp. kamla bhavan, Yaadgar bhurjee/kheemo at borsad bus stand, Famous Bhel house nr bus station, Valsad,
I furgot the name of item which you can find nr Surat railway station–made from potetos(vadapau probably), Vijay’s kheemo at Valsad Art college on Tithal road.
A few places on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway. NH-8.
Kamat- near Manor. for Batata Vada and Missal.
Parsi Dairy- Near Talasari. Famous for Pakoda, Gajar No Halvo. other pure ghee sweets.
Pappilon-Vapi. For Thali, Kathiawadi mix varieties, Snacks, Tea.
Kapadwanj na barak na gota. People visiting from Bombay and Delphi specially take “Sharbat” from this village of mine.
Gr8..thanks maja aavi gai….specially again remembering g’nagar 21 sector’s Saurashtra farsan’s Samosa and Dahi chutney…but bhai…how can u forget Lakshmi Bakery’s (sector 21) famous Veg. Pattice…..??? Please try that the next time you go to G’nagar…..
thanks everybody now i am in south africa really i am missing our gujju food item here and when u people is explain about chatni kathiyawadi gaathhiya etc. really my mouth is full with water and this april i am coming to ahmedabad so i dicided to eat only in outside and i use this all adress when i will visit to these place i will try to taste there
thanks jay gujarat.
REMEMBER, WHAT EVER YOUR TOUNGE LIKES , YOUR STOMACH WILL NOT LIKE IT…
THIS MEANS YOU ARE INVITING MANY PROBLEMS FOR YOUR BODY, SO ENJOY WITH CONTROL…. IF YOU CONSUME THIS KIND OF FOOD , MAKE SURE THAT YOU DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND DO NOT EAT NEXT DAY AND GIVE TIME TO YOUR STOMMACH….
JAY SHREE KRISHNA…..
how am I going to enjoy my life…….because always someone tells us… do this do that … do not eat this … that …. I guess every individual knows wht is right and wht is wrong so I guess someone should shut up.
Oh … god please forgive these so called health conscious people…
p.s. Do not scream. ( writing in capital letters means screaming or insulting another forum member. Please do have some respect toward other forum member)
TO whoever had been to vallabh vidhyanagar,
Sahil na puff yummy,R.p.T.p saame bakery na puff yummy,khaudhra gaali nu chinese oh my my; Avkul nu punjabi food,The best .I have not tasted better food than that. lari wala ni chanadal,dungri and limbu yummmmmmmmmmm.
I used to Love the cream Roll of one place you won’t believe how good they were. You won’t find it here.
I can not control my taste buds now.
Anyway good to see people are still fond of indian food
To Kent,
Go Watch “3 Idiots” you will learn something. I already knew but had great time.
SAARI UMRA HUM MAAR MAAR KE JI LIYE;………………………………………….JINE O JINE DOOOO
GROW UP MAN
For ahmedabad
(1) Pani-poori @Mahalakshmi cross roads and from Prakash @ Bhattha.
Recently I had pani poori near vastrapur lake. These guys wear paghdi and traditional dress. ‘paani’ of pani-poori is available in 5-6 flavours.
(2) ‘Indore chat’ na samosa (dont eat without chutney.) There was one stall at Mahalakshmi char rasta. No idea about other places.
(3) karanavati ni dabeli
(4) vadapav – Vijay Char Rasta, Navrangpura, Amdavad – opposite Barista
(5) Jalaraam ni chhas @Swastik char rasta
(6) Fafda (we eat on Dussera) @Mohan on VikasGruh road. Its chutney/kadhi is superb!
(7) For daal-vada.
Long time back there was a stall near sharda-mandir school. I dont know if it still exists. Since students of school were not allowed to go outside, girls used to climb on wall to get daal-vada. Its open only in morning.
There is one more stall near gandhigram station (near gujarat college).
I feel they are spicy but most people like them.
(8) Near ambavadi polytechnic char rasta, below ‘kasab’ saree store, one outlet sells fantastic ‘coco’.
In category of descent restaurants these are my favourites.
- Vishala for typical gujarati food
- Sankalp for South Indian food (all branches are good except C G road)
- Freezland for sandwich, pav bhaji, bhel etc…
Rajkot:
* Sadhana Bhel (Gondal Road) – Best and cleanest of all the Bhel word wide
* Sanali Pau Bhaji (Near race cource)
* Bhagat na penda
* Rasikbhai no chevdo (some where close to Dharmendra road)
* Gordhan ni Lili Chatney (The best Chatney, only a few people have this receipe) I wish I had it in USA
* Anil na Samosa (some where near Bus Station)
* Girnar theater ni sandwhich (I think Girnar is now closed)
Post Lili Chatni Recepie if any one has it….
Well guys.
if you want some unique road side stuffs. here are some from bhanvagar.
lucchu na ghatiya. gogha circle – The guys is really famous for it. give. tickha gahtiya wieth bread pieces and chutney.. taste really good
dilip na gathiya, bateta, — been on high court road.. dont miss this guy. who sells masala (bateta) potatoes , and gathiya pav.
potatotes will be different on every road you go sold in hand droved four wheeler(lari). with either fried papad or bhoongla. they taste awsome.
punjabi samosa.. are best in top3.. distributed all over the city by the mfg.
.
olo rotlo during winter nights at the jewel cirlce. is really pleasing with curd.
Surendra nagri samosa at gogha circle. are small triangle shaped samsoa with brittle cover.
toothi na bahiiay at vartej are good stuffed bahija.. it takes an hour to get your hands on those during rain.
samosa’s and other fried stuff behing the appolo hotel, opp ST bus stand.
Another stuffed bhajiya nr university gate. i gues he has a shop of his own now..
..
THese bhajiya are made up of stuffings inside, chillies, tomoatoes, and potatoes.
During rains you will find a lot of deep fried food stuff on the four wheelers
peopel waiting in que.
For summer we have.
Syam ice cream pyali wala at sardar nagar. .. really good ones. never found anythign close to it in other districts i have travelled so far.
ice dish wala at yasvantrai has it own unique taste..
and how can i forget the famous
J .B. golawala (cresecent circle) whose golas i have been eating since my childhood…
you can get good taste of ice-cream pyalis are nilambaug cirlce and crecent and elseweher too but these spots are hot favourites.
Each circle has these special panipuri wala. who makes dahi puri, sev puri etc.. they are really good to taste too..beside there is alwasy these bhaiyaas panipuri wala roamin on raods.
Anytime of night you can get pav bahji at talav(rupam chow) .
The undhiyu during diwali is prepared in every district . but i preferred the ones. from my city. they are less decorated with dry fruites and more in taste.;)
Non -veg lovers too there are lot of places..
specially the samosa / kabab and petis. that we get. at gali near barton libraby.
and the whole of sandhiyawad..
people say such junk food not good for health.
but well which gujarati cares for health when it comes to taste..;)
There a lot much much more Which i dont remember now.. or cant write them all.. else i hardly know them by name but they all carry a wonderful taste..
gathiya’s , jalebi, gogha na khaman …. list goes on and on…
In Nadiad.. the Shops’s name is “Yamuna” (Not Yashoda).. and i totally agree with your opinion for it.
Hi, there is a Rekliwala in Madhapur ( Bhuj ), he always stands near the Rishaw stand on the main road near the bus station…he makes amazing samosa’s and kachori. Two young men..great cooks!
Also in Madhapur, we have “chnadu”, he’s been making dabeli for as long as i can remember, but you have to get there early, becuase once it’s gone…it’s gone……Enjoy
In Saurashtra,
1. Virpur no Prasad (on the way from Rajkot to Junagadh)
2. Modern ni Lassi (Junagadh – Kalwa chawk)
3. Ishwariya Post (Rajkot – Ishwariya Mahadev Temple)
4. Thakar ni Gujarati Thali (at both place Morbi & Rajkot)
5. Lala Raghuvanshi (Chotila) (as mentioned by Acharya ji)
6. Ram aur Shyam na Dish-Gola (Rajkot)
7. Kavo (near Somnath Mandir – Junagadh)
Hi,
Please somebody help me…
About 35-40 years ago…I had a lila nariyel in patis from Navsari, Gujarat.
The best patis I ever tasted.
any body knows the name of this shop?
They made the best lila nariyarni patis.
Please post the name of the shop/address/phone…
thanks.
~Dee
Hi,
Guys also try Live Dhokla at Gandhinagar of Pooja Parlour at Sec 21 gandhinagar very Tasty serves with oil Green & Garlic Chuteny, South indian Joint at Ahmedabad you can Also go at Kaushal located At Paldi Good Dosa compare to Sankalp, You also get Good jalebi At Oswal Income tax
Wrote much about saurashtra and its dishes but didnt mention about Jamnagar, th special Maaraj na vanela gathiya near ST bus stand, Umiya Bhajia, Lakhu bhai Ragda wala, V Rashik paun bhaji, Madras hotel ka Masala Dosa, Luxmi Hotel na Puri Shak,Chandi bazar na Ghugra, and lot of hotel serving delicious Gujarati Thali
Hi,
Guys Can Anybody post it about Surat, Bharuch, Baroda & Nadiad
Plaese if any one can share
In nadiad I love U S PIZZA