On a crisp and fresh day in spring, when the weather is soothing and calm, and you’re on the road because your whole family was free at the same time (miraculously!) and got into the car for an unplanned outing, you seek a destination unknown.
Since this was an unplanned trip, everything about it seemed magical, especially with family around.
On this shimmering spring afternoon, we found ourselves on the G.T. Road heading towards Mangla, when we saw a place popular among people from Punjab, especially Jhelum and Gujrat; a place called Major Fruit Chaat.
The eatery was even covered recently by the media due to its popularity.
Fruit Chaat
The location is an open dhaba; a kind of open air restaurant. They serve every kind of Pakistani snack one can think of, be it fruit chaat, channa chaat, samosa chaat, dahi bhallay, cream chaat, and fresh juices with many types of oranges.
Mossami (Orange) Juice
A young man comes running to us as we park our car and asks what we’d like to order. We ask him what is on offer and he immediately lists an extensive lineup. We order four different types of chaat: chana chaat, dahi bhallay, fruit chaat, cream chaat and juices.
We ask him if they’ve got “plastic walay bartan jinhay istemal kay baad phenk detay hain”, to which he replies, “Jee sir, hamaray pass disposable hain,” much to our surprise and amusement.
Arsalan – The young waiter at Major Fruit Chaat with our order
Me and my mum have a chat with this kid later and ask him his name. He is Arsalan, who works because his father doesn’t live with his family anymore. He and his elder brother have to work to feed their family. Arsalan is one of the brightest boys you’ll meet on the road. If you ever pass by Jhelum, Kala Gujran, and happen to have a craving for snacks, go and try ‘Major ki chaat’ and meet Arsalan – and do share this picture with him, he’d love it.
Well, the young man brings us our order and it is immediately clear to us why Major Fruit Chaat’s reputation precedes it – fresh ingredients and incredible flavor.
Fruit Chaat, Channa Chaat and Dahi Bhallay
I’d recommend this place for travelers – and give it a 9.5 out of 10.
If you have been eating Raja Bazar (Rawalpindi) ki chaat for years whenever your sisters or mothers go with you, then you really need to eat this one and see what you’ve been missing out on your whole life!
