Joshi wadewale review

On our way back to Pune to board the Indrayani Express train to Mumbai, we halted for lunch at an outlet called simply 'Joshi Wadewale'. The term wadewale refers to one who makes wadas, these being the name synonymous with one of Maharashtra’s most famous street food: wada-pav. This street food is a simple combination of potatoes coated with gram flour (besan) & deep fried, then squashed in the middle of a loaf of bread (pav) slathered with spicy chutney with a green chilly popped in sometimes. The Joshi Wadewale outlet, though, is not a street side cart or food stall.

Interior

It is a proper spacious restaurant. Extremely simple, the large covered space resembles the dining area of a wedding hall. The seating arrangements are good, with no crowding of tables and chairs. The roof is fairly high, dotted with plenty of fans which are whirring at full speed to keep the place airy and cool.  Pretty kandeels (lanterns) also were spaced here and there.



Around the entire place inside are boards with quotes jostling alongside boards listing the food available. 

Quotes

As you enter, on one side is a store selling chikki, jams, squashes and general snacks.

Chikki, Jams Store

On the other side was an interesting counter with a banner ‘Science at Home’ which displays ordinary useful things for the home such as a garlic peeler, induction cookware, insect trap, etc.

Science Fun

Straight ahead, opposite the main entrance, is the counter where you take a coupon for your food and wait for about 5-10 minutes for it to come. It comes quickly and you take it yourself to your table (no waiters here). All the food is simple, homely and wholesome.

Coupon and Food self-service counter

While stepping up to the counter, do take a note of the large paintings on the wall behind the counter. These are really good, depicting rural life.

Beautiful painting behind counter

The food at Joshi Wadewale

Matki Usal Bhakri Thali

We had the Special matki usal bhakri thali [see complete menu below]. The jwari bhakris were of a good size but the dry veg. (cabbage) was barely a teaspoonful! The makti usal served in a large katori was a bit oily. The chilly kharda was just a mishmash of spice. The papad was really good, large and crisp and non-spicy. Unfortunately, the restaurant does not sell papad packets!

The plain buttermilk was also good, but best of all was the sol kadhi (made from kokum & coconut milk). We liked it so much that we ordered 1 pouch of it to take home (since it comes in a plastic pouch, we had to keep it separately and carry it carefully in our vehicle and then on the train so that it did not burst open!)

Menu at Joshi Wadewale

Menu

• Wadapav = Rs.15/-
• Batatawada = Rs.13/- (this is the potato wadas without the bread)
• Batatawadas with sambhar = Rs.35/-
• Onion pakodas = Rs.30/-
• Sago wadas = Rs.30/-
• Plain dosa = Rs.30/-
• Masala dosa = Rs.35/-
• Onion uthappa = Rs.35/-
• Special Pune missal with pav = Rs.35/-
• Special pav bhaji = Rs.50/-

Meals

• Dal rice = Rs.75/-
• Special Maharashtrian Thali = Rs.100/-. In this thali you get: 2 jwari bhakri (or 3 chappatis); khamang pitla; matki (or brinjal masala veg.); rice & dal; a plain dry veg.; papad, onion and lemon slices; chilly kharda (this is just chillies finely chopped and crushed & mixed with some masala) and kheer (or masala buttermilk). 
• Special khamang pitla bhakri thali = Rs.75/-. In this you get: 2 jwari bhakri (or 3 chappatis); khamang pitla; a plain dry veg.; papad, onion and lemon slices; chilly kharda.
  Special brinjal masala bhakri thali = Rs.75/-. In this you get: 2 jwari bhakri (or 3 chappatis); brinjal masala veg.; a plain dry veg.; papad, onion and lemon slices; chilly kharda.
• Special matki usal bhakri thali = Rs.75/-. In this you get: 2 jwari bhakri (or 3 chappatis); matki usal veg.; a plain dry veg.; papad, onion and lemon slices; chilly kharda.

Beverages

• Tea = Rs.10/-
• Nescafe = Rs.15/-
• Cold masala milk = Rs.18/-
• Jeera masala soda = Rs.15/-
• Masala buttermilk = Rs.15/-
• Lassi = Rs.25/- (this is available as per the season)
• Sol kadi (kokum) = Rs.20/-
• Aquafina mineral water bottle = Rs.15/-

Dessert: Kharvas = Rs.25/-

Snacks: Wafers and Lays & Kurkure brands are available for Rs.15/- per packet

Location of Joshi Wadewale

Joshi Wadewale is about 5 minutes ahead of Toll Booth (it is on the left side as you return towards Pune after the toll stop) which comes after Katraj Tunnel.