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
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