At 11:40 am Haryana Roadways bus started its journey to Panipat from Sector-17, ISBT, Chandigarh. Two tickets for Ambala Cantt, please. Rs. 50/- per person was paid.
At 12:50 pm we reached Ambala Cantt Bus Depot.
The total journey time from Sector-17, ISBT, Chandigarh to Ambala Cantt Bus Depot was 1 hour and 10 minutes.
The road condition is excellent.
The search for Asli Puran Singh ka New Dhaba begins. It is not easy to locate because there are many with the name Puran Singh ka Dhaba. We decided to buy a water bottle from a shop and inquire. The shopkeeper, an old man said – Puran Singh is no more, but yes, his wife runs the dhaba. She must be at the dhaba, and he guided us to the location. Soon we were inside Asli Puran Singh ka New Dhaba. We requested a Chicken plate. Served with Tandoori Rotis & onions. The very first chicken bite was narrating its current story – one of the best of the best chicken I have had in recent times. The gravy was very special, good enough to lick fingers one by one. We requested Rice.
The aroma is fantastic.
The total bill for two-person we paid was Rs. 300/- (Rs. 120×2 – Chicken, Rs. 40 – Rice, and Rs. 20 – Four Tandoori Rotis). It was a complete meal for lunch. It’s tough to describe in words as I am unable to do so but via visit – worth a visit. One should visit often.
Timings: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm (7 Days a week)
One of the Dhaba guys enhanced our knowledge further. He said – Keema is another best dish available. It was noted. Maybe another tour, another visit we will try the same but not this time as our stomach is full 100%.
More queries and the house of Late Shri Puran Singh – a two-floor building written on top – Asli Puran Singh ka New Dhaba Niwas shown. A displayed photo inside the Dhaba is nicely framed talking about the year Dhaba was established – 1949 with the photograph of the Late Puran Singh.
So for a newcomer in search of Puran Singh ka Dhaba I say – if you are coming from the Chandigarh side, remember that just before the Ambala Cantt Bus Depot there is a small lane between dhabas that goes straight towards the house of Late Puran Singh (next to Hotel Highway Inn). Enter the small lane, and walk a little, on the left-hand side with two openings is Asli Puran Singh ka New Dhaba. The best thing about the dhaba – it is not modernized and very-very simple by looks, recalling the old days.
After having a stomach-tight meal, we decided to travel back to Chandigarh via train, if not bus. Ambala Cantt Railway Station is on the other side of the highway. We walked and had two general class tickets for Chandigarh. Fare – Rs. 55/- per person. Costlier than the bus – a thought, and after reaching Chandigarh, I have to take a bus from Chandigarh Railway Station to Sector -17, ISBT. Another cost. I think the bus was a good option straight to Sector 17, Chandigarh. Anyway, the train was yet to arrive. More than one hour late. We had a few walks here and there trying to find out when Ambala Cantt Railway Station was built. But no information anywhere. How to pass time till the next hour or so? We decided to visit Halwai Bazar – famous for Kachori. Yes, my stomach was full, but to taste Kachori we have to re-visit again, so why not today? How far is Halwai Bazar – I question a rickshaw wala. 2-3 km – He said. Ok – Let’s go. Fare – Rs. 30/- for two people. Within 10 minutes we reached Pehalwan ji Khasta Kachori Wale shop. The look of the Khasta Kachori presents itself was describing the goodness of the taste. We order two plates. Tikki was in preparation. After delicious Khasta Kachori, we requested two plates of Aalu Tikki and then the last one – Gulab Jamun. Total – Rs. 50/- only (two Kachoris, two Tikki, and two Gulab Jamuns) though the cost was a total of Rs. 60/-. Rs. 10 discount for what reason I don’t know but was given. Thank you – said I. Food – No comparison. All are unique, best, and HOT as well. Another good finding. While returning from Halwai Bazar to Ambala Cantt Railway Station, we paid Rs. 20/- to a Rickshaw wala. Ambala Cantt good for food. I will visit again for sure. You should visit or stop too to taste chicken, keema, or kachori and maybe more… Click to watch this video and this too. Mount-watering, isn’t it?