During Mohali‘s (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar) visit, I stayed at my cousin’s brother’s home at Zirakpur.

One day, I was coming from ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminus) 17, Chandigarh to Zirakpur via CTU (Chandigarh Transport Undertaking) air-conditioned bus (fare – Rs. 35), I had the urge for a delicious Punjabi non-veg. meal as lunch but at a Dhaba.

As my cousin’s brother is a hardcore vegetarian, I thought of taking the help of my nephew (a non-veg.), who is from Chandigarh regarding any famous desi Dhaba in-around Zirakpur that serves authentic Punjabi non-veg. food.

The very first suggestion suggested by my nephew was – Lucky Dhaba situated at Patiala road.

He said – Lucky Dhaba is a landmark in Zirakpur. Everyone knows it. Here you can find one of the best non-vegetarian food. He guided me to get down from the bus at Zirakpur-Patiala Chowk to reach Lucky Dhaba (approx. 100 meters away).

I followed his advice and reached Lucky Dhaba (right-hand side, opposite Punjab National Bank).

Renowned location. Easy to locate but was confused as there were two Lucky Dhaba – next to each other.

The very first Lucky Dhaba proudly stated – Lt. Sardar Supinder Singh (1957-2008), Founder of The Original Purane Waley Lucky Dhaba – Punjab’s No 1 Dhaba Since 1987 for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Pride of 34 years. Saadi Zirakpur Vich Koi Branch Nahi Hai.. Veg/Non-Veg/AC Family Restaurant. Good food, Taste & Quality. Indian & Chinese. Online Order on Zomato & Swiggy. Lucky Dhaba – Real Taste of Punjab. Lucky Dhaba Sabse Purane Waley.

I decided to enter.

The Dhaba is very basic, not a place for fine dining. Nothing fancy but air-conditioned.

I saw they have two separate sitting arrangements. The ground floor is for family and upstairs to chill with friends.

I decided to visit the upstairs section.

A typical highway Dhaba with an astonishing Veg. & Non-Veg. Menu as follows:

Starter (Chakna) – Chilly Corns, French Fries, Fresh Paneer Masala, Peanut Masala, Chana Chaat, Pappad, Omelet

Tandoori Snacks (Veg.) – Paneer Tikka, Paneer Malai Tikka, Ajwain Paneer Tikka, Malai Chaap (3 pcs.), Tandoori Chaap (3 pcs.), Mushroom Tikka

Tandoori Snacks (Non-Veg.) – Tandoori Chicken, Fry Chicken, Afghani Chicken, Chicken Tikka (8 pcs.), Chicken Malai Tikka (8 pcs.), Tandoori Leg (1 pc.), Chicken Lollipop (6/4 pcs.), Chicken Seekh Kebab, Mutton Seekh Kabab, Fish Fry (8 pcs.), Fish Tandoori (8 pcs.)

Chinese (Veg.) – Fry Paneer, Cheese Chilly, Mushroom Chilly, Soya Chaap Chilly, Veg. Noodles, Veg. Manchurian (Dry/Gravy), Schezwan Noodles, Schezwan Fried Rice, Honey Chilly Potato, Chilly Garlic Noodles

Chinese (Non-Veg.) – Chilly Chicken, Chicken Noodles

Indian Main Course (Veg.) – Dal Fry, Dal Makhani, Yellow Dal, Rajmah, Aloo Zeera, Aloo Matar, Aloo Cholle, Sarson ka Saag (seasonal), Baingan da Bhartha, Masala Bhindi, Mix. Veg., Pindi Channa, Channa Masala, Kadhi Pakora, Malai Kofta, Cheese Tomato, Mattar Paneer, Shahi Paneer, Paneer Bhurji, Paneer Do Pyaza, Paneer Lababdaar, Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Tikka Butter Masala, Paneer TakaTak, Mushroom Kadhai, Mushroom Palak, Mushroom Do Pyaza, Matar Methi Malai, Kadhai Chaap, Methi Malai Chaap, Chaap Kali Mirch

Indian Main Course (Non-Veg.) – Egg Bhurji, Egg Curry, Egg Lababdaar, Gravy Plate, Butter Chicken, Masala Chicken, Methi Chicken, Gravy Chicken, Kadhai Chicken, Lemon Chicken, Chicken Do Pyaza, Chicken Kali Mirch, Achaari Chicken, Chicken Rara, Chicken Plate (2/4 pcs.), Chicken Lababdar, Chicken Saag Wala, Chicken Seekh Kebab Masala, Handi Chicken, Kadhai Mutton, Mutton Plate (2/4 pcs.), Palak Mutton, Mutton Masala, Mutton Rara, Mutton Rogan Josh, Mutton Do Pyaza, Keema Kaleji, Mutton Seekh Kebab Masala

Rice – Pulao – Biryani (Veg.) – Fried Rice, Zeera Rice, Veg. Gravy with Rice, Peas Pulao, Veg. Biryani, Mushroom Pulao, Hydrabadi Briyani

Rice – Pulao – Biryani (Non-Veg.) – Egg Fried Rice, Chicken Rice (4/2 pcs.), Chicken Biryani Dry, Mutton Rice (4/2 pcs.), Mutton Biryani Dry

Salad/Raita – Dahi, Boondi Raita, Mix Raita, Green Salad

Tandoori Bread (Roti/Parantha’s) – Tandoori Roti, Tandoori Butter Roti, Tawa Roti, Tawa Butter Roti, Missi Roti, Lachcha Parantha, Garlic Naan, Plain Naan, Butter Naan, Paneer Naan, Aloo Tandoori Parantha, Gobhi Tandoori Parantha, Paneer Parantha, Gobhi Tawa Parantha, Aloo Tawa Parantha, 2 Amritsari Kulcha + Chana, 2 Parantha with Chana, Onion Parantha, 1 Parantha + Half Dahi, 1 Tandoori Aloo Parantha + Butter, Mix Parantha, Aloo Stuff Naan, Choley Bhature

Veg. Thali (Dal Makhani, Mix Veg., Riata, Rice & 3 Roti)

Special Thali (Dal Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Raita, Rice & 3 Roti)

Non-Veg. Thali (2 Egg Bhurji, Mutton, Rice, Raita + 3 Roti)

Rajmah Chawal, Chole Chawal, Kadhi Chawal

Our Speciality – Special Thandi Kheer

Beverages – Tea, Milk Tea, Coffee, Milk Cup, Lassi (sweet & salty)

Butter, Bread Butter (2 pcs.), Bread Omelet

Ice Cube, Soda, Mineral Water, Cold Drink

A lot of dishes to try. Tough to decide what to request – a thought.

Finally, I requested – 1/2 Masala Chicken (Rs. 250), 4 Tawa Butter Roti (Rs 16 each), and Mineral Water (Rs. 20).

Onion Salad was complimentary.

Service was quick. No waiting time.

A good amount of chicken was served which was tender & juicy with typical Punjabi flavors. Best Masala Chicken (first-time experience) which was not too much spicy. They cook it very well.

Authentic and tempting.

The meal was delicious.

In short –  just awesome. Exquisite food in Dhaba style. A lip-smacking experience. Good for Non-Vegetarians. Do visit at least once. Nice budget-friendly Dhaba. Meal at a very reasonable, economical price. Value for the money spent.

Timings: 8:30 am – 12 Night (7 days open).

When I narrated my visit to Lucky Dhaba to my cousin’s brother, he said – it is very popular among booze lovers.

I wish my nephew told this to me. I may have a beer too. Anyway, maybe some other day.