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The one-and-a-half-hour drive to Cafe Imran from Karachi is completely worth it

The one-and-a-half-hour drive to Cafe Imran from Karachi is completely worth it

Located in Gharo off the National Highway, the restaurant is celebrated for its many signature dishes and very courteous staff.
20 Jun, 2022

It’s like the proverbial pot of gold at the end of a long, winding rainbow... only, in this case, a food pot at the other end of a road trip on the Karachi-Thatta dual carriageway.

I first heard about the culinary feast offered at Cafe Imran, situated in Gharo, eons ago, but didn’t quite feel the need for an adventure until recently when, early one morning, my friends and I finally decided to give it a try. We landed up at Cafe Imran after an hour-and-a-half’s commute on the National Highway.

A group of heavy bikers enjoy breakfast
A group of heavy bikers enjoy breakfast

A short drive further would have landed us at the ancient necropolis and heritage-protected site of the Makli Graveyard. But that’s an adventure best left to explore for another day.

A Harley-Davidson, the most prominent among the fleet of heavy bikes parked outside Cafe Imran
A Harley-Davidson, the most prominent among the fleet of heavy bikes parked outside Cafe Imran

Cafe Imran is open round the clock and is situated on the left of the main National Highway, in the small sleepy town of Gharo. Why and how it came to be is somewhat of a mystery, but through sheer hard work and some culinary wonders, it has flourished into a bustling, fully air-conditioned restaurant, celebrated for its many signature dishes and a very hands-on courteous staff.

A jewel in the crown of roadside restaurants on the National Highway, Cafe Imran at Gharo is every bit worth the short trip from Karachi

Mostly frequented by families on weekends on an early morning drive, Cafe Imran caters to all your desi cravings, from chana tarkari [chick pea curry], nihari, mutton kaleji (liver), mutton qeema [fried minced meat], mutton brain masala, namkeen [salted] roast, and with a selection of Pakistani and continental omelettes, and stuffed or plain parathas.

Breakfast fit for a king, at Cafe Imran with chana tarkari (chickpea curry), maghaz (scrambled goat’s brain), omelette and qeema (minced meat) served with parathas
Breakfast fit for a king, at Cafe Imran with chana tarkari (chickpea curry), maghaz (scrambled goat’s brain), omelette and qeema (minced meat) served with parathas

The menu also extends into brunch deals. An assortment of hot beverages, especially doodh patti chai is the perfect accompaniment to wash down these desi treats.

The kitchen counter with the proud but busy chefs
The kitchen counter with the proud but busy chefs

We ordered chana tarkari, mutton brain masala, Pakistani omelettes, mutton qeema with plain parathas and some toast — all of them had distinct, individual tastes and were easy on the palate, with minimal seasoning and spices. A chilled, blue-tinted lemonade was ordered as an afterthought, and it went down very well with our desi breakfast spread.

With chiller lemonade, who needs chai for breakfast
With chiller lemonade, who needs chai for breakfast

Our party ended up at Cafe Imran quite early on a Sunday morning, and we were pleasantly surprised to see a fleet of heavy bikes parked outside, a handsome Harley-Davidson, the most prominent among them. Once inside, my eyes sought out the owners of the luxury rides, who turned out to be veterans from various professions enjoying the golden years of their lives, chasing their dreams, something like in the 2007 Hollywood film Wild Hogs.

They gladly agreed to be photographed for this piece, not considering it an invasion of their privacy in the least, as we expected. All in all, by the time it was time to bid adieu to Cafe Imran and make tracks for home, it was a morning well spent with good food in the company of our newly made biker friends, valuable assets for those who cherish both.

The writer is a member of staff.

He tweets @faisal_quraishi

Originally published in Dawn, EOS, June 19th, 2022

Comments

Reality Jun 20, 2022 10:35am
Very refreshing and live, good to see news of things being normal like rest of the world. Thank you Faisal, keep up the good work!
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Zulfiqar Jun 20, 2022 11:42am
Beautiful food alas only for the male population. Not a welcoming atmosphere for women. Doesn’t have to be this way
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NYS Jun 20, 2022 12:05pm
A nice combo for occasional brunch particularly roadside
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Philosopher (From Japan) Jun 20, 2022 12:33pm
they charge exhorbitantly.
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Shubs Jun 20, 2022 01:06pm
Is the food served on top of containers?
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Syed Hasni Jun 20, 2022 03:07pm
is this in anyways related to Imran you know what I mean.
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Taj Ahmad Jun 20, 2022 07:48pm
Great, will visit with family and friends soon.
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JS Jun 20, 2022 07:57pm
Been there. Had parathay for breakfast. Highly recommended. It was just the two of us women abd we didn't find the atmosphere unwelcoming at all. Lovely service.
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Taj Ahmad-USA Jun 20, 2022 09:59pm
Please open up your branch in New Jersey Old Bridge Area - South Jersey, here you will find South Asians mainly Indians-Pakistanis who loved to have such a great breakfast. Thanks!!!
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Ibrahim S Jun 21, 2022 02:16am
A nation live to eat . I wish our focus on better education and industrialization .
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Dr Asim Jun 21, 2022 04:05am
They need to open a branch in Karachi.
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Jay Hind Jun 21, 2022 05:45pm
That food looks extremely greasy, especially for breakfast. And, who has lemonade for breakfast, and, that too, blue?
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Salman Ahmed - Canada Jun 21, 2022 11:25pm
Just looking at the food pictures and narrative is making my mouth water - wish he could open one up in Canada!
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Talha Jun 23, 2022 09:22am
@Zulfiqar There are plenty of women whenever you go to Cafe Imran. Please visit before deciding
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Talha Jun 23, 2022 09:23am
Congratulations on finally venturing out of the posh areas of the city.
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