Why this popular Dadar eatery’s new addition of a Marathi thali is worth every penny

The Marathi thali

Dadar's 50-year-old culinary landmark, Prakash Shakahari Upahar Kendra, famous for its affordable Maharashtrian cuisine, has a wholesome addition to its menu - a Marathi thali (Rs 160). This writer reached the restaurant during lunch hours recently, to find the venue abuzz with customers across demographics. We waited for nearly 10 minutes before we secured a seat.

Patrons indulge in their meals at the 50-year-old Maharashtrian eatery in Dadar. Pics/Devanshi Doshi

The menu card has only one kind of thali with limited portions. "We began serving this soon after the COVID-19 lockdown," a server informed us. It has been a bestseller among regular customers since then, he added. The thali was served to us within five minutes of placing the order. It included three chapatis, two bowls of sabji (aloo gobi and aluche fatfate bhaji), amti dal and rice and dessert. The portions were small, enough to serve one patron. While we enjoyed the spice in aloo gobi, the aluche fatfate was a tad too sweet for our liking. The chapatis were paper-thin; one can also call for puris instead.

Piyush

For dessert, we were given an option to choose between kheer and pineapple sheera. We opted for the latter, which was a delicious mix of sweet and sour. Next, we ordered half a glass of (Rs 45) piyush. The smooth and creamy consistency of the drink made for the ideal fuel before we set out for our work day. Overall, patrons will find the thali healthy and reasonably priced. The charm lies in its rustic simplicity that reminds us of ‘ghar ka khaana'.

Prakash Shakahari Upahar Kendra
AT Gokhale Road, Dadar West.
Time 12 pm onwards (for thali)
Call 9920979029

Brahmin uta on a banana leaf

No limit to taste
Indulge in this South Indian thali Brahmin uta (unlimited), which is served on a banana leaf and includes roti, sabji, rasam, sambhar, rice, banana, butter milk and more.
At Shri Krishna, Nana Chowk, Grant Road.
Call 2233627326

Meat-ing point
From egg thali, to mutton and chicken thali, this restaurant finds a place in the hearts of hardcore meat lovers.
At Malvani Chaska, Traffic Office Building, Ghatkopar East.
Call 9619718130

From Rajasthan to Mumbai
Famous for its Rajasthani thali, we love their flavourful dal bati churma. Do not forget to make the most of their Tuesday thalis that are served at half the regular price.
At Rasotav, Shastri Nagar Road, Andheri West.
Call 7208027824

Surmai thali. Pics courtesy/Instagram

Flavours of the sea
Choose from a wide range of seafood thali from crab, pomfret, surmai, prawns bangada, to chicken and mutton.
At Nav Kayastha Pangat, Navpada, Vile Parle East.
Call 7738258886

Also check out

Swad Thali
At Navpada, Thane West.
Call 2542 4751

Shagun Hotel
At DB Road, Mumbai Central.
Call 23071816

'''' Exceptional, ''' Excellent, '' very Good, ' Good, Average. Prakash didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals