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The Ambarish

Sunday, March 7, 2010

EAT PUNE 06 - Top 10 Misal Spots in Pune

EAT PUNE 06 - Top 10 Misal Spots in Pune
Hmm….this is the post I reserved since long. Although I am known for my Misal craze, let me de-secret interesting facts that existed before I started eating Misal. Till 10th Standard, I avoided Sambhar in hotels since it was too spicy for me. Although my mother makes Konkanastha Bramhni style sambhar at home, I always stayed away from it. My wife loved spicy food before marriage (she has changed now…and prefers to avoid spicy food). So to make her happy, we shared Schezwan Chinese Rice and I then topped it up with sugar. Suddenly about 5 years ago, I started trying out spicy food and then…….now I eat super spciy Misals like an alcoholic food.
Now, there you go with top 10 Misal spots in Pune –
1. Aba Pawar aka Shri Kala Snacks Centre, Rasta Peth: I won at least 7 bets of de-ranking all other Misal spots in Pune. It is an open challenge to all Misal lovers to taste and then rank this patent spot of misal…..it should be 1. Undoubtedly BEST taste followed with customized spice level. This hotel started about 30 years back, owned by Mr. Aba Pawar. Interesting style of facing wall while eating which ensures that you are focused. A steel make ‘Dabba’ containing ‘Thecha’ made of up of fresh green chilies. Misal made up of chiwda, pohe, beans and farsan-shev etc. You may order spicy ‘Kut’ on top.
Now, After Misal – you must enjoy – 1) Shengdana Ladu 2) Khajur Ladu 3) Butter milk – all three home made. My combination is – 2 glass of butter milk + 3 Khajur Ladu + 1 Shengdana Ladu......
Located on lane opposite to Kings Edwards Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Rasta Peth, 5 minutes drive from Pune Railway Station. Lane starts with Ganesh Temple. This hotel is also crowded with Hamals (low class labours) as it serves them food at low cost. Car parking is also possible in adjacent lanes.
2. Shree Misal: Now, this rank may be debated. But dear readers, it is Shree Misal who taught me eat spicy misal. Owner is also Konkanastha Brahmin. Made up of Poha. Tease waiter for less spicy taste….i did it once but then punished (gifted) with terror spicy misal. Butter milk is worth trying. Located at lane adjacent to Ramesh Dying in Sadashiv Peth. Branch opposite to N. D. Thakarsi Kanya Shala on Kelkar Road (next to Mandar Lodge). Parking for two wheeler is easy at both places, but for four wheelers either you can find place near Khunya Murlidhar temple/Peruget Police Chauki (3 minutes drive) OR at Vijay Cricket Club parking near Patrya Maruti Chauk (safe park, 4 minutes drive). Hotel closes generally by 4 or till the stock exists.
3. Bedekar Misal: Interesting (in American language), but Misal lover should try it out. Bedekar Misal is probably most popular misal junction in Pune. Mr. Bedekar (owner) warmly welcomes you with big smile. He personally encourage you to try various versions of Misal and sweet dishes too. Mr. Bedekar force you to top Misal with Shahi Tukda !! and then top up your bill too ;). Hotel closes generally by 4 or till the stock exists. Located near Patrya Maruti temple, off Lakshmi Road.
4. Shri Krishna Bhuvan: Another old and popular spot run by JOSHIs. This hotel was known for closing out during noon hours. But the next generation of the hotel owner have changed work hours and is now open throughout the day. Different style of make of misal. Butter Milk is must try out. NO NO NO for Spicy misal lovers. Located on Mandai end of Tulshibaug. I hate Tulshibaug though.
5. Kaata-Kirrr Misal: Typical Kolhapuri style misal. Wait….Kolhapuri does not necessarily mean spicy in taste. In Kolhapuri style Misal, the ‘rassa’ contains more amount of water. So…’Puneris’ may not like it.
Kaata-Kirrr Owner claims that he was born-brought up in Shahunagari at Kolhapur. Misal taste is perfect Kolhapur style. Option of extra spicy Misal available on request. Buttermilk is of ordinary quality... oh sorry in Kolhapur they call it as 'Mattha'. Located opposite to Garware College of Commerce, next to Airtel Gallary on Karve Road.
6. Nevale Misal: Mr. Bobby aka Shailesh Bhor – an ex-approvian challenged Aba Pawar Misal during lunch for taste and spicy level. So…immediate next day morning, me and my colleague Mr. Abhijit Joshi went to Chinchwad to eat Nevale Misal on my motorcycle. Taste was indeed good, but still cannot compete with Aba Pawar Misal. No buttermilk available !!! I hate such Misal houses where buttermilk is not available. Buttermilk helps to digest misal appropriately. Located at Moraya Chauk in Chinchwad, next to a Masjid. Car parking not feasible at least near 500 mtrs.
7. Ghorpade Misal: Located in the heart of Khadki Bajar. Good taste, but more use of Farsan and Papdi. Buttermilk is not available.
8. Ramnath Misal: Although regular misal eaters may not like getting Ramnath into Top 10 list, but since it is one of the oldest Misal house in Pune and equally popular, I have to refer this spot. Known for super-spicy taste, Ramnath Misal contains beans and fried poha. They charge you extra for Onion and Lemon. I hate this !! The ‘Kat Rassa’ contains heavy use of oil. Some people may not to be able to digest the oil. My two friends – Mr. Abhijit Joshi and Mr. Prashant Kukde can drink this danger spicy ‘Kat Rassa’. Located next to Maharashtra Mandal/Sahitya Parishad / Konkanastha Chit-pavan Sangh Office on Tilak Road.
9. Misal stall on Income Tax Office Lane: Very good Misal. This stall is located 100 meters on right in Karve Road Income Tax Office Lane (from Karve Road). These guys serve Misal only for breakfast. They fry chilly on oil and thereby make it dangerously spicy. Misal basic taste is good. No place to seat as it is a street hawker.
10. PYC Hindu Gymkhana: There were 3 contenders for 10th Place – PYC Hindu Gymkhana, Prabha Vishranti Gruha – Narayan Peth, Shri Datta Snacks – Express Highway. After careful, analysis I chose PYC Hindu Gymkhana located at Deccan. Traditional Puneri type misal. I will define it as ‘Family Misal’…not real spicy in taste. The only disadvantage for Misal lovers is – ‘Maahol nahi jamta yaahan pe’ ;).

Outside Pune Misals – I have tasted Mamledar Misal – Thane (Nice Taste), Murud Naka Misal - Dapoli (Different taste), Jamsandekar Misal – At & Post Jamsande Tal. Devgad, Dist. Sindhudurg (Good one).

Disclaimer: The purpose of this blog is to provide reader with interesting food spots in Pune. The spots referred in the blog have only been recommended by writer and unfortunately, he does not hold any control on reader’s tongue ;). It also does not mean that writer never eats at home or writer’s wife cannot cook the food. Please talk to writer before making any perception in this regard.

54 comments:

  1. Very nice description by Ambarish about Misal varieties. But still I feel that top quality Misal can be made at home. The Rassa (Kat) can be made with fried onion, dried coconut, ginger, garlic, garam masala, chilly poder, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon,clove, blak pepper. The Misal has to be made from Chivada, Shev, Matki Usal, Chakali, Kande Pohe etc.It should be topped with Green coriander, fresh cocknut and aslice of fresh lemon with a spoonful of fresh curds on it. Do try.

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  2. totally agree with you ambarish , cant beat aaba aka shri kala misal. come any day the taste of misal and buttermilk never changes .

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  3. btw bedekar misal madhe mala tuzya evadha changala anubhav alela nahi. i would rate bedekar further down !

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  4. Ambarish, you may also try misal at Phadtare Misal Centre in Kolhapur...Nad Khula, as they call it! If you look at the rush, pple r crazy!

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  5. Santosh D:
    There is one more Misal spot famous for its taste , on the way to A'Nagar the place called
    "sadar wadi". Its a unique spot and famous of its rish ingredients that every misal should have. A heavy dal contains with lot of farsan and equal blend of kanda and kothimbir. The Misal is served with additional unlimited "kat sample" (rassa)on your table. The misal cost you pretty expensive as compare to pune misal rates.
    A must try option for Misal lovers. Another misal i had at our place "jagtap dairy - wakad" , krishna snacks which use kala masala instead of lal/tambda. This also can be try since its on the way to Mumbai (far before express way). Something different.
    One more would like to mention at pimpri , Nisarg hotel. There is nothing different apart form a unique test and very famous in a area. You could get only if you reach to place before 10:00 Am . Interesting. Somehow on one Sunday , i tried my luck and got it. The rassa is awesome.

    For non veg fuddie - you must visit a hotel called "lai bhari kolhapuri" , just next to Birla hospital chinchwad road. A traditional kolhapuri ambience with indian seating option.
    What best is only you should drink tambda and pandhara rsaaa. Laaaaiiii bhari.

    I can bet , if you don’t like I will remove my mustache.

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  6. I challenge that Misal from Vinay Health home at Girgaon, Mumbai is the best Misal in Maharashtra as its receipe is quite different from Other Puneri Misals. Also U can try at Datta Snacks

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  7. Has anybody tried Misal at Mamlatdar Misal at Thane near Collectors Office. It is also most Spicy Misal. When I went with my friend to eat the same, the waiter kept 10 glasses of Water.

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  8. I am from thane & yes I have savored every bit of Mamledar Misal many times... Mouth Watering, eye watering experience... And Just two days back tasted Phadtare misal in Kolhapur only to be disappointed... I am just hoping Phadtare will not make my Top10 place list after trying all joints mentioned above.

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  9. yes dude ..
    but Newale's Misal is the very Good Misal compared to Aba Pawar's Shri Kala.
    Newale's Misal has Better Test and no side effects.
    but this Aba Pawar's Misal has very side Effects...Like Gas,stomach infection problems etc...
    I also observed that "Tuzya Shri kala Walyacha Gada aahe ani "Hotel Morya"(Newale yanche hotel aahe.
    Parking la Jaga sudha Aahe.....Newalechi Misal hi saglyat 1k Number Misal Aahe!!!!

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  10. hi, hv tried many of above misals. i wud lyk to urge u all to visit nashik nd taste mhisal at shyamsundar or ambika or vihar. excellent tastes at all d abov plases. must visi4t

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  11. Chorage Misal Griha @Mahadwar Road, Kolhapur is way better than Phadtare's

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  12. nobody mentioned kunjvihar misal at thane station, it is just tooooo good!!!! should not miss it.

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  13. Indeed above mentioned Misal Stops are great. One must try below spots too, worth visiting:

    1. Dosti Hotel, Moshi gaon : Located on Pune-Nasik highway, Alandi Phata, Moshi gaon
    2. Rajgurunagar S.T. Stand, visit any hotel and you will keep visiting them
    3. Mayur Misal, Manchar stand: Spicy misal lovers, must try
    4. Hotel Bham: Famous for Misal and special Bhel
    5. Wada misal: This is the most outskirt but most tasty misal I have ever tried. Its located on Rajgurunagar-Bhimashankar road via Chaskaman dam. Stop ad Wada gaon and ask anyone for this misal house. THEY SERVE YOU WITH HOT AND FRESH PAVs, bought right from BHATTI... :-D

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  14. I would say, Katakirr is the best Misal you can have in Pune. Because Misal means Kolhapuri Misal, which you can not have in Bedekars or any other shop. I would prefer to go to Katakirr. Others are just "Thik Thak"..

    In Kolhapur Chorage Misal Gruha and P. Phadtare are better than Khasbaug..

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    1. Kolhapuri Misal and Puneri Misal is totally different. if you love spicy misal visit Ramnath. and try tikhat Misal.

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  15. I tried the Aba Pawar misal after reading this blog. Believe me, I was not only disappointed by the taste, but also by the quality of the misal. I would surely never want to go there again.

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  16. I am also share my view about misal in pune. Misal is not just a spicy rassa it should have taste of masala. Above top 10 Most famous (?) misal places are given. If you really want to check quality and taste of misal then take parcel at home,you realise quality of that misal. Below is detail about each place.
    The 1st place is shree kala misal in rasta peth. Which ingredient make misal most delicious. MATKI. I take misal parcel from sri kala and realise that matki in this misal is very poor quality and very very bad smale. You also cheak it. I never again go there.
    The next three misal place are run by brahmin people and its true that it is not spicy misal. The misal is just taste of imli ki chatni, nothing else.
    The new katakirr... is open near kalmadi house. One day i take parcel by waiting more that half an hour in queue. After open parcel i found that the tarri of misal is not made from refined oil, but vanaspati ghee (Dalda), it very thick. The vanaspati ghee is very dangourus to our helth. And for red gravy they may use red colour.
    I try all above misal and find only Dhadge misal in KHADKI is the best among all. There are so many reasons i choose this one. All people only talking about misal, no one think about bread. Most of places serve misal with simple ladi pav with misal. At dhadge misal you found diffrent bread which you never found in pune. In kolhpur slice bread is use to serve with misal. All misal shops use Farsan in misal purchase from market and use it. But at dhadge misal they prepare all ingredient at ther own. This shop in center of market. Specially start for people for working in ammunition factory. One time taste this misal, you forget all other misal. Another good misal is mamledar misal in thane. This also has very unique taste.

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  17. Just done with aba pawar as per the blogpost.. indeed nice and true review.. everything is good but not the eating style.. should serve better plates and system to eat.. over all its great.. better than katakirr after a long time..

    Prateek
    Thetechniclub.con

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  18. Nilesh ChandorkarMay 27, 2013 at 9:39 PM

    I really like this as I Misal is my love. I really like original Ambarish's blog as this helps and will like to try some of places which I have missed. I do understand attempt is only for places in Pune but can suggest where I came across other missal places.
    1. Mamledar Misal ... very good taste and must try by all missal lovers .. (Beware for spicy)
    2. In Chiplun .. you get nice missal at Swagath hotel near ST stand
    3. In Chiplun... famous and must try is Parnajape Misal ( along with their Chivada) its different
    4. I am not sure if this is still exists ... but in Dombivili (west)... Mun Mun Misal near train station .. ( not tried last few years but favourite from college days)
    Thanks all and enjoy ...

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  19. My Fav till now was Misal in Thane College Canteen at Chendani Naka. It has something very peculiar that you will never forget the taste.

    Thanks for sharing the list of misal joints at Pune. I will try once all of them. Shree misal is sweet, i didnt like it. Moreover they serve bread slice. Strict NOOO for slice bread with misal :)

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  20. Dear Ambarish,
    Just experienced your no.1 Aba Pawar Misal. Unfortunately it wasn't that good. It has got too strong overdose of Matki(Sprouts). The gravy smelled and tasted only of Matki, Matki and Matki all around. The buttermilk was very very good though.
    p.s. Sadly, now a days Katakirr and Shree are also not upto the mark. Only Shri Krishna Bhuvan are maintaining quality.

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  21. Try out misal in Nashik in sham sunder, Ambika and tushar you will love it !!! famous places in maharashtra

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  22. Please try Income Tax Lane MISAL also. it's also very good.. :)

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  23. Very good post!
    Good to see that incometax lane misal is mentioned in this post. I found it very tasty and better than shree misal
    He also makes very good poha
    Only thing is no space to sit. Also better u take
    Water bottle with u

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  24. After reading this blog, I decided to surprise my wife by visiting Bedekar Misal as She is mad over Misal. But I had the worst experience not with the service but with the taste.It was so sweet that we both could hardly eat after having a few bites as Me and my wife love a lot of SPICY Food. Its not bad but I would suggest atleast people from Solapur and Kolhapur who love a lot of SPICY food should avoid this place as its too sweet. Rather visit Katakirrrrr, its best I had..

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  25. Recently visited Manali Misal at Pabal Chwok... nice and spicy one... dont expect good ambience

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  26. Vaidya Misal also known as HIRAVI(Green) Misal...fabuls fantastic spice nnnnn tasty..........

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  27. Try misal at Shree Misal : Mundhwa Chowk
    and "ramdas" at Shaniwar Peth, Pune

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  28. Try the Misal near Kanifnath temple (pune outskirts near saswad), tooo spicy and tooooo good to taste.

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    1. can you pl give more details, I would like try in morning when heading for Jejuri on this road

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  29. if possible try for MISAL in Satara, named Madhavrao's(Maddy's)Misal....Assal Kolhapuri......

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  30. Guys, I am true misal pav fan from mumbai and heading Jejuri this Sat, from Mumbai pune expway then Katraj-Kondhwa road then saswasd - Jejuri, I will be in pune around 9 am, Can you suggest any nice misal joint whch is close to the above route so I don;t have to detour much as I want to reach as early as possible to jejuri to avoid hot temp.

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  31. You better go in Datta snacks.
    Guys two more misal spots in Maharashtra ratnagiri --- saishwari at maruti mandir and audumbar at athavada bazaar . Both are heavenly tasty and unique in itself.

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  32. try ZHATKA Misal , kalewadi phata , opp aathvan restaurant

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  33. Try misals at Saswad - near Pune. 1. Misal at Kacheri Ground, 2. Chandu Misal, 3. Ruchira Misal... Not great in terms of hygiene, but ossam test...

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  34. i think, Ramnath is best than anything else. go and try it.

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  35. Hi Guys, I'm chef and I had tried all the places for missal in Pune, they were cool.. but not up to the mark. After my study I think Punekars deserves to taste the authentic missal and I'am going to make it happen. Soon I'm launching my missal place in Pune. I will start to push the thing soon. Stay tuned for the authentic missal..

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  36. Kadak Misal Is Also Good Place For Misal Fans (Mayur Colony Kothrud)

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  37. Kadak misal lay bhari

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  38. Ambarish, plz try misal at Prabha Vishrantigruh (opp to Kesariwada). you will like it.

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  39. Try Bhairavnath Misal, just after Wagheshwar temple, Nagar road

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  40. Thank you Ambarish, for the wonderful blog. My spouse and I love to try different varieties of food. We have been asking many people about the famous spots in Pune for Misal and came across your blog. It definitely made our evening plans... Off we go. We have tried Ramnath misal, which is indeed spicy. Kaata Kirr was awesome. We will definitely try each of the spots mentioned in your blog.
    Thank you once again.

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  41. There is one more joint in pune, its AMRALE MISAL HOUSE, THASKA misal, Owner Name KEDAR AMRALE superspicy but very good in taste,dont know how they manage taste with that much spicyness,but superb, along with misal u get buttermilk,sabudana khichdi n they serve TEA which reminds me old amrutalaya taste, now they have shifted to pirangut,but recently i meet him at pune he told me " he is coming back to pune with new location n Great taste"

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  42. Hey Ambarish u can try misal at bhopla chowk in pune (CAMP) nice very clean it's a hawker all home made because the house is just opposite the stall u can even have nice and hot patta bhaji and potato wada and buttermilk as well parking available on both the sides of the road it has no name but the owner is famous hus name is Prashant it's crowded and u can see the same people daily eating there.... So enjoy your misal there @ reasonable prices

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    1. I have tried... but when I wrote this blog few years ago, I was not aware of Bhopla Chowk Misal spot.

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  43. All missal lovers must try "Munmun" misal opp. Dombivli Stn. (West)...this is just a misal centre with 3 options available Tikhat, Medium & Light misal...go for Tikhat n enjoy the real taste of misal with additional rassa and kanda...u will never forget the taste and surely recommend this...it's jussssst awesome

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  44. You could check more such famous misal pav spots on www.punemisal.com

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  45. Good post. Bustling and commercial, leafy and slow, cosmopolitan and vintage, Pune effortlessly adds up to more than the sum of its parts. It is a city where history often asserts itself, but with a careless lightness. Check out all hotels near Pune Railway Station also.

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  46. Thane Mamladdar is the best. Must have for all misal lovers.

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  47. You can get good quality famous misal farsan in wholesale and retail at kailash food and wafers shop no 12 jay ganesh vision akurdi pune

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  48. Nice information you have share about Hotel booking. I really like this stuff! i will bookmark it for my future purpose. Find more details on hotels in pune

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