It may be a hole in the wall, but between its bright signs and façade, Dhaba Wala is easily visible to those traveling on Pearl and Asylum Streets.
In 1981, there was exactly one Indian in Hartford. It was also the only one within 50 miles of Connecticut’s capital city. Within a decade, there would be a handful in the area, and today there are about ten in Greater Hartford. Until recently, though, going for Indian food meant having an overly formal experience. Not all of us are comfortable with linen tablecloth dining, especially when eating alone.
In 2017, Dhaba Wala filled that void.
Offering counter seating and a few tables inside and outside, plus takeout and delivery, the fast, casual restaurant has a constant stream of customers. Though I can’t personally speak to anything else, I’ve found their vegetarian dishes to be satisfying and consistent.
You can find them down that weird alley between Asylum and Pearl, on the first block between Main and Trumbull. Look for the sandwich board.
Linda Pagani
Love the sign. And the food. (But not all the plastic it comes in if you take out.)
Kerri Provost
100% agree!
Now that we’ve gotten legislation for bags, I’d love to see a mandate that restaurants replace their plastic and styrofoam to-go containers with less detrimental options. Also, I want restaurants to use containers that patrons provide. I know that everyone is afraid of litigation, but we have to get over that as a society. (I’m thinking way broader than Dhaba Wala at the moment) Like you can’t tell me that a clean travel mug I brought into a cafe is less sanitary than a paper cup that the cashier touched to write on after handling the previous customer’s cash. I have begun bringing my own containers when going to sit down restaurants where I know leftovers are guaranteed.