When we pulled up to Indian Dhaba, I was skeptical, as the restaurant resides in a somewhat seedy neighborhood, situated between a pizza joint and a nail salon. Although it doesn't look like much from the outside (or on the inside for that matter), the food was spectacular.
Intrigued by the name, I decided to do a little research and found out that dhaba is actually defined as "roadside diner." A dhaba is typically a shed-like building in which the food is cooked, surrounded by charpoys (day-bed-type seating) where the food is served. While dhabas in India typically cater mainly to truckies and long-distance travelers, Indian Dhaba in Brighton is perfect for the college student short on time and cash.
The inside is small and cozy, with rich clay-colored walls adorned with ornate Indian relics. The seating is limited, with three small tables and a counter that looks onto an open kitchen. The menu was overwhelming to me, with a variety of soup and appetizer offerings, two pages of entrees, additional combination platters, and daily specials. The variety of vegetarian options was particularly impressive. As vast as the menu was, they had detailed descriptions of each dish, which was extremely helpful to my friends and I who have limited knowledge of Indian cuisine. The most exciting part of the menu for us was the prices. The majority of entrees were between $8 and $9 (insider tip: All the entrees are at least a dollar cheaper at lunchtime).
I was glad to be there with friends because with so many intriguing options, I wanted to try them all. My friends and I decided to order three entrees to share. We ordered two traditional chicken dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala, which is simply chicken cooked in a thick tomato sauce, and Chicken Curry, which is chicken cooked in curry and herbs. We also ordered Aloo Matar, a vegetarian dish consisting of potatoes, peas, onions, tomatoes, and spices. We also selected a side of naan (Indian pita bread of sorts) for dipping. When we ordered, we also got to pick how spicy we wanted each dish to be, which was comforting (not wanting to be too adventurous).
There was no wait service for such a small space, so we ordered at the counter and had our food ready in under 10 minutes. Each dish was served in a small white soup bowl with an accompanying plate of rice. The entree was probably 70 percent sauce, 30 percent meat, but the sauces were so flavorful I did not mind being shortchanged on the meat. We enjoyed pouring the somewhat spicy sauces over the plain rice and we dipped the garlic-flavored naan. The meat was tender and flavorful on both the chicken dishes, and the Aloo Matar was a little less flavorful but was a nice compliment to the other dishes.
While Indian Dhaba lacks the class of a fine-dining experience, it seems the ideal place for takeout with friends or a quick lunch on the go. If you are looking for authentic-tasting Indian food on a time crunch and a budget, this roadside stop is definitely for you. B+
Indian Dhaba
180 Brighton Ave
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 787-5155
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