Bringing the tastes of Punjab to the North End

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This article was published 06/01/2015 (4266 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The flavours of South Asia have found their way to the corner of Main Street and Selkirk Avenue.

Punjabi Hut, located at 978 Main St., officially opened its doors on Dec. 6. Owned and operated by Jamil Chaudhry and Shinderpal Jandu, the restaurant serves up authentic Indian cuisine.
The two business partners also own and manage the laundromat located directly behind the restaurant in the same building.

Chaudhry, who is from Lahore, the capital city of the Pakistani side of Punjab, said he and Jandu — who is from the Indian side of Punjab — are thrilled to bring their traditional cuisine to the North End.

“The history of Main and Selkirk and the North End is over 100 years ago, and it started from immigrants,” Chaudhry said. “Opening the restaurant in this area is something I definitely think was needed. I think the North End overall is an evolving section of the city where everyone wants to do something better, to develop more branding, more businesses and culture.”

Punjabi Hut specializes in the British style of Indian cuisine, as the restaurant’s chef Ali Ali has spent a lot of time in the United Kingdom.

Meals on the menu include butter chicken, tikka masala and Balti (curry), as well as starter items like vegetable samosas and fish pakora. The main dishes range in price from $7.99 to $10.99, while appetizers, such as the samosas, go for as low as $2.99.

The restaurant also offers American/Canadian-style dishes like hamburgers and hotdogs, fries, wraps and salads.

Chaudhry said those unfamiliar with Indian food are in good hands.

“When you walk in, I ask you ‘Have you ever had Indian food?’” Chaudhry said. “I have to ask that question because I need to know ‘What do you know? What have you been exposed to already?’ That gives me a ground to start at. I can guide you to what you should try and you will love.”

Chaudhry said people are often intimidated by Indian cuisine because of the spices, which can be intense.

“If someone would say ‘Indian food is spicy,’ that’s wrong. It’s flavoured,” Chaudhry said. “It’s flavour, and flavour comes from different herbs and spices. You can choose the way you want it in your meal.”

Vienna Badiuk of The Buzz Communications Group, who is assisting in marketing Punjabi Hut, said she’s still ordering at the mild strength, but is getting a little braver with each visit.

“I can come in at my comfort level and then add to that a little bit,” Badiuk said.

“It’s a really good opportunity for Jamil and his people to teach and for us as
Winnipeggers to learn.”

Punjabi Hut is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. The restaurant offers take-out, catering and delivery. Call 204-586-0458 or order online through
www.skipthedishes.ca