Taxi Driver Hole in the Wall $5-6 a plate type INDIAN

[FrankieLymon]

I am looking for a place with no decor, no waiters, just really bare bones type thing. Hopefully someone has a lead on an under the radar place like this. Many Thanks

[FrankieLymon]

went to lahore deli today and really liked it

[uwsister]

There are two of those places on Columbus Ave. between 106th and 107th St. One on each side of the avenue. I think one of them is actually called Taxi Stop. That one has better food than the other one, IIRC. Always a few cabs parked there - when there was a HUGE snowstorm in NYC last winter that's where I went to get a cab after a party while friends who called a cab were waiting, waiting, waiting...

[squid kun]

Found myself on this block the other day. Neither place is now called Taxi Stop, but I'm guessing the one you like is Doaba Deli on the east side of Columbus. I grabbed a few carryout bites there and across the street at Little Gujrat (why is it called that? Seems mostly Punjabi). Doaba's stuff was fresher and brighter in flavor, notably chana, which I tried head-to-head from both. Doaba's brought more heat - also more sweetness, but it was well balanced and delicious. Little Gujrat made a green bean and potato curry with what sure seemed like frozen beans. It paled next to a similarly seasoned zucchini dish from across the street.

Both places make roti to order; almost everything else can be reheated off the steam table, but fresh bread seems to be de rigueur at cabbie dhabas. Both versions were on the heavy and chewy side to my taste, but I'd give Doaba's the edge for a welcome hit of what might've been ajwain in the dough. Friendly counter guys at both places, and a steady stream of cabbie regulars exchanging Eid greetings. If I lived up there I'd appreciate having Doaba close by, and I'd give Little Gujrat another shot, too.

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Little Gujrat Deli
946 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025

Doaba Deli
945 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025

[duckie]

There's a place just north of Chelsea Market called Dil-e Punjab. It's clean, cheap, no frills and run by Sikhs. There's a daily $6 lunch and dinner vegetarian platter, which includes a generous bed of basmati rice topped with three vegetarian options, yogurt, green chutney and a roti. They don't have seating. Everyone just stands and eats at this counter built into the wall. The aloo gobi is really good and everything else I have tried is ok.

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Dil-e Punjab
170 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[Chuck Lawrence]

There is a place on the east side of Ninth Ave between 20th St and 21st St (I think) that attracts a large taxi clientele.

[JungMann]

I've noticed Pakistani restaurants attached to at least a couple masjids in the 20s west of Park Avenue. I think Dave Cook of www.eatingintranslation.com has been to both and can provide addresses on his website. IIRC, the one that was up some stairs on (I think) 29th had good kababs. I also used to frequent Lahori Kabab, although they are inconsistent. On the west side, there is Pakistani Restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, but I've only been a couple times. Other places like Punjab, Lahore, Desi Deli, Haandi, Sirtaj have been pretty well-covered in other posts. Given that it's Ramadan, it might also be a good time to try some good nihari, which seems to be a rare commodity in Manhattan.

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Desi Deli
724 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Sirtaj
36 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010

Lahori Kabab
124 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

[squid kun]

>Dave Cook of www.eatingintranslation.com has been to both and can provide addresses on his website.

Got 'em on this site, too (with links to Dave's blog and other online mentions).

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Lasani
15 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

Chandni
11 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

[JungMann]

Lasani should be the one with the good seekh kababs.

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Lasani
15 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

[sugartoof]

Question re: Lasani....
Does anyone know if the security rail was added for security, or for overspill on to the street during prayers? Not a political question, I just noticed the guard rails today, and wondered if it ever gets crowded? I've only ever seen it pretty empty.

As an aside, I can report that around 5-6pm today (Monday) they had fully refreshed the food and everything looked nice. Whatever I tried was underspiced unfortunately, but still a bargain. Chandni had more customers.

[travpard]

just go to Curry Hill- Lexington in the 20s. See where the most cabs are parked.

Curry in a Hurry seems to be a favorite.

[sugartoof]

The Taxi drivers aren't eating in that area the way they used to. There are only 3 cheaper stands left, and Curry in a Hurry is no longer one of them. Haandi is probably the most crowded, and it's not very good. The cheaper take out shops are now located further West, as detailed by others in this thread.

[kathryn]

Punjab is at 114 E 1st St (between 1st Ave & Ave A).

Lahore is at 132 Crosby St (between Houston St & Jersey St).

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/451693
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/214138

I don't think either of these is really that under the radar though.

[fooder]

Pakistan Tea House comes highly recommended by a friend who says cabbies always line up there.

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Pakistan Tea House
176 Church St, New York, NY 10013

[glutton08]

Second Pakistan Tea House. Used to go there for lunch all the time when I worked downtown.

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Pakistan Tea House
176 Church St, New York, NY 10013

[FrankieLymon]

Punjab? Lahore on Crosby also seems to be what I'm looking for

[armaity]

i think you mean lahore, it is on crosby, close to the houston end of it.

[meatnveg]

The little place on the opposite side of E Housten St, as Katz's and Russ & Daughters. I can't recall the name, but it's open late and generally is frequented by cabbies

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Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

[sugartoof]

Aren't there more than one over there? There's a downstairs spot too.

[EV_Eats]

I think you're talking about Punjab. $2 get's you a huge plate of food. It's vegetarian only, but you'll be suprised what these guys can do with Lentils. Absolutely no decor at all, pretty much redefines hole in the wall.
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