Devine Star Dhaba

Running a dhaba on the Delhi to Chandigarh highway means you never really see the same face twice, except for the long-haul truck drivers. Devine Star Dhaba is located right on NH 1 near Nilokheri in Karnal. The highway is always humming with the sound of cars and heavy trucks zooming past. We stay open at hours when most people are sleeping because travelers need a place to stop at 3 AM. The dust from the road is something we just got used to over the years. We have a large open area where people can park their vehicles and stretch their legs. It’s a very basic setup, just like any other roadside spot you’d find in this part of Haryana. We make a lot of tea, especially in the winters when the fog gets really thick on the road. The kitchen is always busy with something on the stove. We don’t have a fancy menu printed on glossy paper. Most of the time, people just ask what is ready and we serve them that. It gets very crowded during the weekends when families are driving up to the hills. We just try to keep up with the rush and make sure nobody leaves with an empty stomach. It is hard work, standing on our feet all day, but this is the life on the highway.