Kolhapuri Misal - Part II

Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

In case you have missed the prerequisite i.e 'Kolhapuri Misal part-I' do read : https://soundaryaarwade9.wixsite.com/foodsafariinmytown/post/kolhapuri-misal-part-i

It will give you an insight about history of misal in Kolhapur as well as different flavors in various parts of the city. Continuing further, this blog tells about more old and fascinating misal joints in Kolhapur. I would like you remind that taste can be subjective i.e. varies from person to person. But each of the following misals is worth tasting at least once in your lifetime. Let us have a look at them.

KHASBAG MISAL......

This is also one of the old Misal joints in Magalwar peth area. Most popular items ordered here are Misal and Cutwada. Besides these simple normal Vada is also famous. Sev and chiwda quantity in Khasbag Misal is slightly on a higher side. Chutney used has its own unique taste. Spacious seating arrangement is present. Rush hours in morning time. Small parking for two-wheeler is available. Buses and rickshaws are available at a small distance on the busy road. Parcel facility is also available (may charge somewhat extra).

Open hours : 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/d3pdHS9HCFURRg4a6

Score card

Ambiance : 8/10

Time for delivery : 8/10

Cleanliness : 8/10

Taste : 9/10

Value for money : 8/10

SALOKHE MISAL......

This misal joint is located opposite Market yard area. The misal is neither too mild nor too spicy accompanied with a plate of chopped onions. To make it spicy you may ask for 'cut' which adds a punch to misal. They have dahi(curd) as an add-on option. So make sure to inform them how you like it. Small seating arrangement is present. Ample parking is available. Buses and rickshaws are available on main road. Parcel facility is also available (may charge somewhat extra).

Open hours : 7 a.m. to 3: 30 p.m.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/r6tSSPm6qrvgaUZQ6

Score card

Ambiance : 9/10

Time for delivery : 8/10

Cleanliness : 9/10

Taste : 9/10

Value for money : 9/10

CHORGE MISAL......

This is also one of the old Misal joints near to Mahalaxmi temple and Gujari gold market area. You can definitely visit this place after devoting to Mahalaxmi devi. The main ingredient of this misal is papadi. Papadi is specially made for misal by the staff. This misal is not that spicy as other Kolhapuri misals. Quantity served is less. You need to pay more bucks from your pocket for chopped onion plate, cut and extra patal bhaji. Although you get cold-drinks here,sad part is that you don't get tea here; tea-lovers need to go out to some other place. Small seating arrangement is present. Rush hours especially in morning. Parking is a mission. Rickshaws are available at a small distance on the busy road. Parcel facility is also available (may charge somewhat extra).

Open hours : 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/gF2aZcrowD42tw4KA

Score card

Ambiance : 8/10

Time for delivery : 8/10

Cleanliness : 8/10

Taste : 9/10

Value for money : 7/10

Kolhapuri Misal - Part I

Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

Kolhapur is heaven for foodies and connoisseurs of food; 'MISAL' being the flag bearer of its food legacy. So when you want to explore Kolhapur, you have to start your morning with its original taste i.e. Misal.

History : I heard that Kolhapuri misal was made famous by 'BAWDA MISAL' (started in the year 1923). Many people from all our country visited Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur then automatically moving their steps to the special misal. This includes people from theater as well as Bollywood film industry. Small and old fashioned restuarants' interiors are adorned by photographs of celebrities who frequently visited the place. Bawda Misal has more amount of blended coconut along with dahi(curd).

However, over a course of time, other more tastier Misal joints were started in Kolhapur and Bawda Misal lost its fame and taste. Each misal joint has its unique taste. Taste can be subjective i.e. varies from person to person. But each of the following misals is worth tasting at least once in your lifetime.

Let us have a look at a few traditional, authentic, famous misal hubs!!!

AAHAR HOTEL......

This is also one of the old Misal joints in Magalwar peth area. All old generation would still rush to Aahar hotel for misal. Its specialty is patal-bhaji and typical Kolhapuri chutney flavor having dark red color. Any stranger would get scared by seeing its color, but when you taste its mild. Along with misal here kanda-bhaji and traditional tea (Bambatala chaha) is popular. Spacious seating arrangement is present. Small parking for two-wheeler is available. Buses and rickshaws are available at a small distance on the busy road. Parcel facility is also available (may charge somewhat extra).

Open hours : 8 a.m. to 4 p.m (for misal)

Closed on : Thursday

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/dRJ1skc9DmziUmzM6

Score card

Ambiance : 7/10

Time for delivery : 8/10

Cleanliness : 7/10

Taste : 8/10

Value for money : 7/10

PHADTARE MISAL CENTRE......

This is not spicy as Aahar misal. It contains more amount of usal, boiled potato-sabji. High volume makes your tummy full!! They do charge 5 bucks extra for onion bowl and bread both. Seating arrangement for 30-40 people is available. Over weekends huge crowd, leading to long wait-times (about 30 min). Small parking for two-wheeler is available. Buses and rickshaws are available at a small distance on the busy road. Parcel facility is also available (may charge somewhat extra).

Open hours : 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/e2fQVBqzh54Gn3PD7

Score card

Ambiance : 9/10

Time for delivery : 8/10

Cleanliness : 8/10

Taste : 8/10

Value for money : 8/10

VIJAY MISAL CENTER......

This is prominent misal station in newly developed Rajarampuri area. The main ingredients include batata-sabji, matki-usal and shev-chiwda. Thick patal- bhaji has slight smell of coriander which can be felt in every spoon. Misal is medium spicy, carry a handkerchief with you because you will start sweating!!! Seating arrangement for just 20-25 people is available. Difficult for a family to sit together, you need to do adjustment with another. Ventilation is poor. Buses and rickshaws are available at a small distance on the Rajarampuri main road. Parcel facility is also available (may charge somewhat extra).

Open hours : 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/c1sbb6T7NtdNbkt17

Score card

Ambiance : 7/10

Time for delivery : 8/10

Cleanliness : 8/10

Taste : 9/10

Value for money : 9/10

Elite Destinations.........

Karad, Maharashtra, India.

ALANKAR HOTEL......

This hotel is located right in front of Karad bus stand. Decent accomodation service is also available. There are mainly three food-spots in Alankar :-

1. Breakfast

2. Arya Thali (pure veg)

3. Dining (veg and non-veg)

In breakfast restuarant, a wide range of varieties are available. Best items include pohe, meduwada, different types of dosas, puri bhaji, misal, pavbhaji (avaliable after 3 p.m.), Juices, milkshakes are also great but somewhat expensive. There is also separate family section. Rate of delivery is fast. Rush hours are between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Arya serves different types of veg thalis like Gujarati, Rajasthani, Maharashtrian (separate kitchen). The most famous and delicious being the Gujarati one. Spacious and comfortable seating arrangements in an A.C. hall. Nice place, not usually crowded.

If we talk about Alankar dining restuarant, both veg & non-veg cuisines are tasty. Items worth trying include non-veg thali, mutton, chicken (except malwani dishes), all types of kebabs, manchurian, masala papad, all types of sabjis. Rotis are slightly overloaded with butter. If you are lucky enough you may get an opportunity to be a part of orchestra or candle light dinner, as well on special days. Separate section for lactating mothers. Seating arrangement can also be a more spacious. Hospitality can be improved. Rush hours between 8 pm and 10 pm.

Limited parking space for four whellers. Parcel facility is also available. Share rickshaws are present right outside.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/eZvBD1U4wYtvNNhv6

Score card

Ambiance : 9/10

Time for delivery : 8/10

Cleanliness : 8/10

Taste : 8/10

Value for money : 7/10

HOTEL PANKAJ EXECUTIVE (PURE VEG)......

If you are travelling with family on highway and need a place for halt, check it out.

It is a nice pitspot for people travelling to Kolhapur/Belagavi on highway. Decent accomodation is available but expensive.

There is a separate section for thalis, South Indian food, sandwiches, parathas, pav-bhaji at food court at different point of time. Uttapam,thalipit, sandwiches are tasty among breakfast items. Gujarati thali at cost of just 170 bucks. Punjabi food is also tasty but kofta sabji can be slightly spicy. Clean place, very polite staff. Ample parking space available. Not crowded as more spacious seating arrangement is done.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/nADnJmfKZMWMr6XD9

Score card

Ambiance : 9/10

Time for delivery : 8/10

Cleanliness : 9/10

Taste : 9/10

Value for money : 7/10