Punjabi Dhaba - Bakersfield

The truck has a small, limited menu and is run by a family. Since I was on the road with a destination, I placed a to-go order for dal makhani and roti, and was informed that the wait time would be around 20-25 minutes. To pass the time, I also ordered an aloo parantha, which I received in just 10 minutes and really enjoyed. Once I finished the parantha, I returned to the truck, where my to-go order was ready. I paid in cash, as it was the only payment option available, and then continued on my way. I had the packed food for lunch and was pleasantly surprised to find the roti was excellently made (finding well-made tawa roti can be rare). The dal makhani was also authentic and delightful. Because of my positive experience on the first day, I stopped by again the next day on my way back to LA to grab a to-go order of chana masala and more roti. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the chana masala; it was too oily and lacked flavor compared to the dal makhani. I wouldn't rate it highly—it definitely didn’t deserve five stars for the quality of the food, though I will say it is genuine Punjabi cuisine. In terms of pricing, the food was not inexpensive, with prices comparable to those in LA. However, if you're looking for authentic taste, this place delivers. I would recommend it if you're traveling along this route and craving Indian food. That said, I don't think it's worth going out of your way for, despite what some might suggest (no offense to anyone, that's just my personal opinion).

It's a cash-only establishment. After placing my order, I was given a pager and instructed to wait in the dining area. When my food was ready, it was served on paper plates and in plastic cups, with plastic utensils—no complaints here, though they do need trays. Diners who ordered larger meals had to make multiple trips, which seemed a bit inconvenient. Since I was dining solo, I chose to keep it simple with just the curry and bread, and I'm glad I did. The Chicken Curry was cooked to perfection, and the Tawa Roti was the best I’ve ever tasted. The enticing aromas wafting from the food truck and dining area indicated that I was in for a treat. Considering it’s located in a rather remote area and is so well hidden, I felt like I’d stumbled upon a real gem. I make the drive from San Francisco to Las Vegas twice a month, and I'll definitely be stopping by this spot again.

Why would you want to miss out on the experience?The experience of having authentic Punjabi food on a road trip. The kind of road trips you have growing up in India and stopping for food on the freeway. Although not all menu items were available we enjoyed the food that we had!We ordered Butter tawa roti, paratha, Chole masala, samosa chaat and Shahi paneer. And all of them have good taste. Samosa chat and Shahi paneer was the best. I definitely think it is worth the try!Parking: 12

Small and food truck kind of Punjabi dhaba for quick lunch. We weren’t sure how it would be when we saw the place from outside, but they also had indoor with air-conditioning. We ordered rotis and dhal makni. Both were hot and fresh. We ended up ordering more after we had first bite. They also had some chaat items. They accept only cash (glad we had on hand). Downside was that the restroom was a porta potty.

We decided to give Punjabi Dhaba a shot based on our friend's strong recommendation while we were on our way to North California. From the moment we arrived, we were truly impressed by the authenticity of the food and the charming simplicity of the place. The restaurant is set up as a food truck, offering both indoor and outdoor seating options.The ordering process is unique, as they use pagers ? to notify you when your food is ready. It's a family-owned restaurant that has been going strong for years, and we learned that the uncle himself cooks the food in cold-pressed oil. We couldn't wait to try their dishes!We opted for the chicken curry, shahi paneer, and Kheer. It's worth noting that none of the main course curries or sabjis come with rice, so you'll need to order it separately for an additional $4 charge. Unfortunately, they were out of garlic naans, but the butter naan we settled for turned out to be delicious as well.The service at Punjabi Dhaba was quick and efficient. Don't expect fancy cutlery or a formal dining experience here. When your pager beeps, you head over to the truck to pick up your food, which is served in plastic containers, plates, and utensils. It's a self-service setup, so remember to clean up after yourself. They even have a mobile bathroom outside, along with a small hand wash basin, which was clean and neat.One thing that caught us by surprise was not receiving lemon slices when we asked for them. It's a bit unusual for Indian restaurants, but considering the quality of their food, it's easy to overlook such minor details. Trust is an important aspect of their business, as they accept payments via Zelle or cash ?. If the amount is relatively small, around $3-5, they kindly ask you to pay next time you visit. It's a thoughtful gesture that ensures visitors feel welcomed and encourages them to return.Overall, our experience at Punjabi Dhaba was fantastic. The authentic flavors, the humble setup, and the warm hospitality all combined to create a memorable dining experience. We highly recommend giving this place a try, and we'll definitely be returning on our next trip to the area. Punjabi Dhaba is a gem that deserves recognition for their delicious Punjabi cuisine and genuine service.P.S Few furry friends ? ?‍ for a company ;