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Punjabi Dhaba
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Pakistani Indian, Pakistani [Edit]
225 Hampshire StCambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood: Inman Square
(617) 547-8272
- Nearest Transit:
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Hampshire St @ Cambridge St (83, 91)
Hampshire St @ Inman St (83, 91)
Cambridge St @ Hampshire St (69)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 11:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
398 reviews for Punjabi Dhaba
Review Highlights
"My personal favorite is the chicken tikka masala."
(in 48 reviews)
"This is the biggest perk of living in Inman Square."
(in 22 reviews)
"Mango Lassi - sweet yogurt drink."
(in 26 reviews)
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398 reviews in English
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Review from Ray N.
Boston, MA
1/19/2012
Best Indian food in the Boston area, hands down. One of my favorite restaurants for sure.
I usually get the chicken tiki masala plate with a side of naan and I don't talk while I eat it (too good to concentrate on anything else).
If I had a complaint it would be that I live in JP and the restaurant in all the way in Inman. Too bad for me.
It's take out place, so perhaps not necessarily the best place for date night or something fancy, but you won't be disappointed by the food! -
Review from E K.
Waltham, MA
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Excellent food - tasty and authentic. I like the 'serve-yourself' atmosphere, and the staff were extremely friendly. They play bollywood MTVs in the background, which I thought was interesting and fun. Some people may not like it, and these people should seat themselves up on the 2nd floor.
I would definitely go again. DEFINITELY! :) They make your food after you order it, so it might take some time, but I would wait for good food anytime. :) -
Review from Aboud Y.
Cambridge, MA
12/28/2011
This place is the real deal, Holyfield.
Just good, affordable, lip-smacking Indian/Pakistani food. The setting (and lack of delivery) will prevent me from eating here that often but I can safely recommend to anyone who wants a tasty and authentic meal. -
Review from Sarah W.
Somerville, MA
2/9/2012
A fantastic place for eating out on a tight budget in a casual environment. I wish someone had taken me out here on a first date, because it's such an interesting and delicious experience. You order and pay at the counter, then hover around watching weird Indian music videos while you wait for your food. The food comes on big metal cafeteria-style trays. Everything is delicious. You go upstairs, try and find a spot to sit, and enjoy.
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Review from Soumendra N.
Woburn, MA
2/6/2012
Excellent chicken tikka masala! Food is almost as good as Punjab in Arlington but for a lot less dough. The mango lassi was sweet and tangy. The naan was fresh and fluffy. And the samosa was hot and yummy.
I was disappointed by the tandori chicken which was dry (I don't know why they put that horrid powder on it), so skip that and get the curry specials instead. No butter chicken on the menu but the chicken tikka masala is just as good.
They take cash only.
Be brave and eat those raw onions. You know you want to. -
Review from Ryuji S.
Boston, MA
2/2/2012
The quality of food varies depending on who is cooking. My favorite guy is the short guy with balding head. Sorry, I don't know his name, but I always try to say hi! and thank you! to him personally so that he takes my order when he is on duty. When he is taking break, I order a simpler dish that others are less likely to screw up. So about the only issue is the consistency of their recipe varying among cooks, which might be due to the culinary diversity of India. But once you know who cooks better to your taste, it is manageable, and my favorite dishes are best at Punjabi than most other restaurants in the Boston area, disregarding the price. Many people told me to try Dosa Factory, but Punjabi is better, at least for my regular orders anyway. Try methi paratha (bread with dark green leaf) or lamb curry at both places and see which is better.
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Review from Ron W.
Revere, MA
2/8/2012
Punjabi Dhaba was the WORSE QUALITY FOOD I have ever sank a fork into. I am from Revere and my wife is Desi from Lahore and we went into this place yesterday 2/8/12. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala (CTM) and my wife just ordered the chicken tikka w/naan and raita. After hearing about this place from my friend telling us how good it was and we were in the area we decided to stop in for lunch. Anyway my chicken tikka massala came out fast but when I sank a fork into it the chicken was stringy very discolored and it fell apart on the tray and fork. It didn't hold its shape. This is A CLEAR sign that this chicken WAS NOT FRESH and had been from a batch cooked a couple days ago. It may had been heated pot one day, stored in the fridge overnight and added to the next day's batch of CTM and maybe married again to another batch from the previous day. The point is the meat was foul and not fresh. I couldn't eat more than a couple bites it was so rotten. My wife's chicken tikkas were taken from a stainless steel container in a cold salad bar style fridge and reheated in a microwave oven. They were old, cut up, dried pieces of thigh meat that we asked if it was thigh or breast and we were told breast meat. Again the same rotten meat taste it present, in the hardened over died surface of each piece. This food was SO bad we just left everything on the table and realized we wasted $20 on DOG FOOD.
My wife who is Desi from Lahore asked me how people can rave and eat from Punjabi Dhaba and my response is we (gorras) don't know anything better and they haven't all been to India or Pakistan to try authentic food. These people haven't had real Desi style food and I have. I STRONGLY URGE ANYONE TO STAY CLEAR OF PUNJABI DHABA because the food is not fresh and about a half hour later found myself vomiting in a toilet at Dunkin Donuts. (not lying)
If you want to try something much better. I recommend SS Market on 66 School Street in Somerville. You will not take this place for a restaurant because it is not. It's a convenience store with an attached Pakistani kitchen run by another Pakistani guy named Irfaan (that serves THE BEST Seikh Kabobs (ground chicken, spices like a sausage) baked in fresh in tandoori oven on skewers. Their chicken tikkas come in boneless and with bone and are cooked fresh right in front of your eyes. They make the freshest naan right there and also has a variety of real desi style curries. The only reason we went to Punjabi Dhaba was because the SS was closed that day for family emergency.
If you want to clean your inner gastro intestinal system and want to flush it out eat at Panjabi Dhaba. Just be sure to be near a toilet for the next few minutes after you eat. My stomach is still churning from yesterday. -
Review from Ashish J.
Boston, MA
1/22/2012
Have had dinner here a couple of times
Both visits were disappointing
The decor is nothing to talk about, it seems more like a take out place
I had the paneer tikka masala and one of my friends had the chicken tikka masala and the gravy was the same in both those dishes
It seemed to have a lot of color in and didn't taste good at all
The food was barely warm on both occassions -
Review from Bailey Z.
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Punjabi Dhaba has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. It's easy to see why the chicken tikka masala is one of the most popular dishes. The chicken was tender, juicy, and one of the best I've had for a tikka masala. The tomato sauce was amazing. The garlic nan is worth the extra $2.50. I loved the tangy chutney side dish. I also tried some of the lamb saagwala (spinach puree), which was equally as delicious. The cubes of lamb were tender and the sauce complemented the nan just as well. Those metal trays remind me of prison food, but if that's what they serve in there, lock me up! Lastly, I learned two things tonight:
1. Don't mistake the yogurt on the side for kheer rice pudding like I did. It was not meant to be saved for dessert.
2. Don't wear a white shirt when eating a dinner that has a creamy tomato sauce. -
Review from June H.
Sunnyvale, CA
11/29/2011
So. Many. Onions. I ordered the #14 on the full meal menu area (no onions mentioned in the description) and the main plate area had green peppers and peas and ONIONS. The side to my right was ONIONS. The side to my left, oh what's this?...looks like pickles...Why yes, they are PICKLED ONIONS. Top left side is the regular white yogurt stuff. I'm not sure if there were onions in that.
No weird aftertaste besides the onion one, so not bad. Still, not a place I would visit of my own volition. -
Review from Lilly L.
Cambridge, MA
1/14/2012
Great Chicken Korma and Sag paneer. I have tried many Indian restaurants in the area and this staple is by far the best price and most traditional in flavor. I highly recommend this place. The upstairs area is a great spot to just eat and relax.
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Review from Shireen T.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2012
Delicious, affordable and fast service. Awesome take-out place. No ambiance but none needed when food is this good.
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Review from Amanda S.
Brooklyn, NY
12/20/2011
By far the best Indian food I've ever had.
I think about how much I miss that chicken korma on a weekly basis. Not only is it the tastiest Indian food I've had, but the portions are large and naan is INCLUDED with the meal. Everywhere else I've been charges extra to add naan.
I usually got take out, but the few times I ate there were a blast. The food comes out on metal cafeteria trays. Its crowded, but that adds to the atmosphere. There are extra tables upstairs that I think many people are unaware of. Oh, and they play Bollywood movies and Indian music videos non-stop on the TV. -
Review from Steven L.
Cambridge, MA
12/20/2011
Very good Indian food. Just as good as anything you get at a more upscale Indian restaurant.
It's great for take out. Not as great to sit in because it is very small and there is no "ambiance" but I am like the honey badger and don't give a s..t.
Just take it out and go home and enjoy.
Chicken Korma is delish. Naan fab. -
Review from Robin L.
Somerville, MA
9/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
THE PEOPLE WRITING NEGATIVE REVIEWS ARE ALIENS. Really. "Small portions?" Are you a Conehead, expecting to "consume mass quantities"??? :D
I love this place, love the third-world atmosphere, LOVE the excitement of their spicy food. "Spicy," mind you, not merely "hot." Wonderful flavors that bring me back to life when I have been too busy to cook and am sick of all other takeout food. The prices are amazing and the location is perfect for me--halfway between work and home. Can't go wrong!
The only problem I've ever had is making up my mind what to get. Every time I order something, I see something else that I want. That's what keeps me coming back! -
Review from JD H.
Medford, MA
11/4/2011
Got the Saag Paneer. It was delicious!
Had to wait awhile because the place was hoping at lunch time on a Saturday. Inexpensive and delicious.
The rice was a little overcooked but it could be because I did take out. All the food that went buy looked amazing.
The bread was super crispy and soft at the same time. -
Review from Ed M.
10/17/2011
Dinner for two with sodas ended up costing less than $30? Yes please.
The place was packed so we found space at one of the tables upstairs to eat. The wait was not too bad, probably 15 minutes or so on a Friday night. The added bonus for time wasting was the Bollywood music videos. We each went with something from the "Dhaba Specials" menu, (Korma and Karahi if you must know), which came with rice and a warm nan among other things on a metal tray, similar to a school cafeteria tray.
I think we found our new favorite place for Indian food, we couldn't find something bad to say about the place. Loved it. Will return. -
Review from Yumi H.
Fremont, CA
12/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
We ordered the Dhaba Special Lamb Curry, Saag Paneer, Naan, and Mango Lassis to go. I remember we walked back to my friend's apt in the rain and we were very excited about chomping on this goodness ASAP. I also remember finishing my mango lassi before getting back. That was a special night b/c one of my best friends called to say she just got engaged and made me a bridesmaid. The lamb and Paneer were both very good!
Listed in: Boston Bound!
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Review from Lisa B.
Boston, MA
9/10/2011
Ah, Punjabi Dhaba... You are close to my boyfriend's apartment, have cheap Indian food, and make it in 10 minutes or less.
This isn't a good date restaurant since it's meant to resemble/operate like a roadside food stand, but it's solid Indian takeout for a reasonable price.
My only complaint is that they go VERY light on the non-liquid parts of the curry. Very little chicken/shrimp/paneer. -
Review from David C.
7/11/2011
You have to know what you're getting into when you go to eat at Punjabi Dhaba, and that is definitely not a fine dining experience. That being said, this tiny little street corner restaurant has the best Indian food in town--and I actually quite like eating there, what with the giant metal lunch trays your food is served on and the bizarrely entertaining Indian music videos playing in the background. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, then there's always takeout.
Highlights for me include the "for two" combos and the shahi paneer. Few places make paneer with a flavor rich and tasty all its own. They simply rely on the sauce to excite the palate. This is not true of Punjabi Dhaba, who makes the best tasting paneer I have ever had. Their sauce is pretty damn good too. Five stars all the way! -
Review from Mike W.
Somerville, MA
9/25/2011
So with the mixed reviews I was a little nervous about this place. It's been hard to find good Indian food so I decided this was worth the shot since it's walking distance from my new place. It was DELICIOUS!
I walked in and the line was up against the door. All the tables were full with patrons eating yummy Indian food. I made it up and the guy at the register was jovial. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and a side of paratha. Decided to take it to-go as there looked to be some people waiting for tables.
10 minutes later I was heading home. For those that complained about portions, that was definitely a fluke. I had 5 large pieces of tender chicken. The chicken fell apart as I cut it with my fork. The sauce was yummy and perfect when mixed with the tasty rice. The paratha was good, not drowned in butter, but never really keep when you wrap it. Next time it's garlic naan for me.
Overall a great experience and some of the best Indian food I've had in Boston. Minus one star for limited seating, but definitely 5 stars on food and service. Would it be wrong to go back today for a second day in a row?! -
Review from Jason C.
State College, PA
9/8/2011
5 stars are reserved for a life changing experience. I give 4 for great food. This place is open late, and has a wide variety of cheap delicious curries.
We ordered a garlic naan, chicken saagwala (spinach), daal punjabi (lentils), and Baingan Bhartha (eggplant and peas)... all fantastic, and provided 5-6 servings.
some seating, good for one or two, if feeding a group maybe do take-out. -
Review from Chad H.
Somerville, MA
9/10/2011
This place is awesome for takeout. Though I wouldn't recommend eating in, since its cramped and always crowded.
They go a little lite on the meats, I think I got 4-5 shrimps in my $9 curry. But still tasty. -
Review from Jolene S.
7/17/2011
A great value--good place for takeout (esp. when it's 10:45pm and the Ginger Kitchen waitress won't serve you because the kitchen closes at 11--boo to you, lady).
Cash only. -
Review from Sarah G.
Cambridge, MA
8/19/2011
I was very disappointed. I ordered chicken curry to go. I felt like the portion of chicken curry was very small. It had tons of rice but rice is really cheap...really cheap. I would not describe this place as a "great value" in any sense.
Cash is the only payment accepted. -
Review from Steven D.
Cambridge, MA
8/28/2011
Cheap and cheerful and probably the best curry in the Boston area (Zagat agrees).
That said, the curry is still not great (I write as a Brit, to qualify that as you will). -
Review from York R.
Somerville, MA
10/11/2011
If there is better Indian food in/around Boston, I haven't found it.
Punjabi Dhaba is far and away the best/most affordable Indian in the greater Boston area, period.
Try the Chicken Dal Masala. Get the special curry platter. get anything. I've never had a single dish at Punjabi Dhaba that wasn't outstanding.
It is cash only, but there are two ATMs visible from outside.
If it's too loud for you downstairs, go upstairs. It is often quiet and slightly cooler up there.
It's a great place. -
Review from Noshii R.
Cambridge, MA
6/29/2011
If I could I would give it some negative stars.
So, where shall we begin...I've been going to the Dhaba since I moved here a few years ago. Out of what is available here, its decent Punjabi food.
HOWEVER, you have to literally go there and tell them what you want while making eye contact with the cooks in the back (they are not really in the back...they are right there).
My issue lies with pick-up orders. So, I just got a pick up order and ITS HORRIBLE. What part of make it spicy don't you freaking understand?
Also, when you repeat my order back...puleez do it in a normal speed so that I may understand you...as I speak Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi...so if I CANT understand what your repeating--I have no idea how anyone else can.
The order was for goat vindallo, chicken byriani, and lamb curry... "EXTRA SPICY...with lots of garlic and ginger..."
What I got was a generic order of Indian food that might as well be a frozen food dinner.
Also, when I order goat, that means i would actually like to have some goat meat...NOT JUST BONES!!!
The chicken byriani, was bland...a mixture of steamed rice, peas, and a hint of chicken curry---minus the chicken---plus ketchup???
Honestly, the food should not lack quality so much as so that eating it actually becomes a regretful experience....
I guess this is why they accept cash only---as I have a feeling half of their clientele would call up their credit card company and cancel their payment for delivering the most horrible food!!
Unless you dont know anything about Punjabi food, you should not go here AND its not that cheap...there are much better places in the same price range. -
Review from Christine W.
Kendall Square/MIT, Boston, MA
11/9/2011
This is one of my fav restaurants around-affordable AND delicious!
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Review from Daniel G.
Whitefish, MT
Updated - 5/9/2011
Update:
One of my dear friends is traveling around india and he told me that indian mcdonalds is surprisingly good. So I will have to retract my indian mcdonalds comment and think of a new metaphor.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/22/2011
I went to investigate the good reports I have heard about this place, apparently the good reviews… Read more »
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Review from Erica K.
9/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Totally underwhelmed by the blandness, crispy naan, and prison trays. Not to mention, it looks like it used to be a check cashing place. I'm going to go so far as to say that it's because of the recession and plethora of poor college kids too, because I know it wasn't for the food. Also, never mind their menu because you'll find out at check out that a lot of those items are no longer even on the menu. I wasn't too happy about this either because I top every Indian meal off with Gulab Jamun. Not only did they not have it, but they didn't have any dessert! Except for the mystery pan (dun dun dun). Yeah, their dessert was some sort of dough concoction in a disposable tin foil pan that sat next to the dirty nasty cash register. Yum...so yeah, never again.
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Review from Josephine L.
Boston, MA
5/2/2011
3.5 stars.
My Indian friends insist this is by far the most authentic Indian food in the city (well, Punjabi food) and I don't doubt that's quite possibly true. I plan to be back to try more as the prices are quite cheap and I can't resist an ethnic hole-in-the-wall that gets authenticity raves from people of that ethnicity. But for now, I'm underwhelmed.
Chicken Karahi was dry and kind of watery, without enough sauce to mix with the rice. The tandoori chicken was quite good, but not the most tender or flavorful I've had. The naan was the scene-stealer. Hot, fresh, fluffy, thick and delicious--it was like eating a cloud that hovers over India.
To be continued.... -
Review from Blair H.
8/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Every time I go, I order something I've never heard of, and it blows my socks off. I'm running out of socks.
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Review from Sarah K.
San Diego, CA
6/24/2011
I had one horrible meat experience here that involved really unappetizing shish kabob-like things. But that taught me a valuable lesson--i can really enjoy Punjhabi Dhaba if I completely avoid meat dishes. To be fair, the prices are really really cheap, so I am not shocked that the meat is a bit iffy.
Tip: if ordering for pick up, wait a solid twenty minutes at least before you wander over, they are always busy. And if ordering in person around dinner time, don't be alarmed if your food takes forever despite seemingly nobody being in front of you in line--its the take away orders.
to Punjhabi Dhaba: I loved your pani poori the one time you had it! Please bring it back! -
Review from Matthew G.
Cambridge, MA
5/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
HIgh quality local counter-service Indian restaurant. Still affordable and has some of the best Indian food in an area full of delicious Indian food.
I get the Malai Kofta combo (with chutney, nan, and rice) for $9.95 + tax. -
Review from Lena N.
4/8/2011
There are so many reasons that I love this place. Cheap amazing Indian food. The portions are huge. They always have Bollywood playing on the TV.
There is not much here for atmosphere so it's definitely a low key kind of place. I wouldn't recommend taking a date here unless your date appreciates delicious food over ambiance.
And you will probably end up smelling like curry once you leave this place... but just think of it as a great way to retain the good memories from the meal. -
Review from Alex W.
Boston, MA
10/17/2011
Cheap, super delicious Indian food. Order at a counter and get it in around 10 minutes. There is a reason it has so many awards displayed.
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Review from Tim N.
Columbia, MD
10/11/2011
The front of the store shows numerous "Indian Restaurant of the Year" awards from various publications and various years. It is well-deserved.
I wouldn't choose an Indian restaurant as my first choice of cuisines, but if I lived near this place I would eat there often. (I'm not from Boston.)
I had the Chicken Masala, and it was out of this world. Mango lassis were great. Everyone in our party was very pleased.
My only small complaint about this place is that they don't appear to have much seating, and I imagine it gets busy here at peak dining hours. We were there around 4pm, so seating was not an issue for us. Probably a good reason to order take-out from here, if you have a choice. -
Review from Monta L.
Cambridge, MA
12/1/2010
Punjabi Dhaba used to be my meal plan, when I used to live around the corner. I loved the Anda Paneer (Egg & Paneer cooked in a yogurt-tomato sauce), which is now $3 more expensive. Personally, I have issues paying $8 for boiled eggs and paneer, but I still occasionally return for the dish. Also, don't expect consistency- as you may order the same dish 10 times, but it'll turn out a little differently depending on who's cooking it.
For those sensitive olfactories---
Considering adopting the use of a Punjabi Dhaba jacket in the winter, for your coat will smell like Indian food for a whole week upon stepping into the establishment. No kidding. -
Review from James K.
Somerville, MA
Updated - 1/8/2011
This place has lost its fastball.
I've had two disappointing meals so far and I am ready to call it quitsville on this joint. It sucks because they used to be really good, but their overall food quality has gone downhill like Jenna Jameson and Jonathan Papelbon.
Vindaloo is now boring dreck. Tandoori chicken is drier than my beer league softball mitt. Naan is like eating my pillowcase. Samosa was really good...on opposite day.
RIP PD. RIP...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/1/2010
This place is solid. Not the best (I'll give a nod to India Palace in Union Sq or Diva in Davis),… Read more »
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