Where Uncle Is Boss.

Uncle's Kitchen, Pune

The Basics - Cheap, hole-in-the-wall, friendly staff but unpredictable service, chatty owner, medium-sized quantities, centrally located, no bathrooms, home delivery, 11:30am-11:00pm Chinese and Thai. Rs. 500-600 for two

The Address - Meera Garden Society, Lane 7, Koregaon Park. Or call 020-41538515 if you're lost.

The Verdict - It's cheap and it's fast. If you like Indian Chinese and Thai food, you must visit at least once.

If you want the best cheap Thai food in Pune and you couldn't care less about eating off cheap cutlery and tables and unintentionally eavesdropping on your neighbour's conversation, this is where you should be. The folks here won't give you top-notch service either, but once that delicious Phek soup, Thai curry and Veg/Chicken Pad Thai hit the table, nothing else matters.  

The owner, fondly called Uncle, is popular among his regular customers and greets them personally. He's trained his staff well but the occasional new comers do disappoint. While I've personally never had a bad experience at Uncle's Kitchen, I've heard that the quality does vary sometimes. It is however unfair of customers coming here to compare it to a classy Thai restaurant. This is after all, no-frills. 

Uncle's Kitchen serves both Chinese and Thai food. With other cuisines it could be a slightly schizophrenic experience, but the Thai-Chinese combination works: you can pair a Burnt garlic rice or a Schezwan rice with Thai curry or Kiang Kuree with Chicken Chowmien and the flavours are mostly complementary. 

Source: http://khilaaopilaao.com/2543-Baner-Uncle's%20Kitchen

If you walk in with Rs. 500 you will walk out feeling like a King. Uncle's Kitchen is unbelievably cheap considering it's location. The Chinese food on the menu can disappoint as it seems to be a trend to overdo the oil. Yet, the food comes quick but not necessarily in order - starters, main course and dessert. I once remember being served my starter after the main course, leaving me amused! Nevertheless, I've made a mental note to dictate my order of preference the next time I'm here. 

Some soups like the mundane Chicken corn soup are thick and may not gel well with the everyday customer. You can ask Uncle to play with the consistency of the soup for you or skip it altogether - you won't be missing out on much. As for starters, Chilly sesame chicken and Crispy corn garlic are satisfactory. While the momo's were soft and steaming when they arrived at the table, the momo sauce was diluted and bland, leaving me disappointed. Uncle has mastered his Burnt garlic rice and it is to no surprise that it is among their best selling dishes. The Thai curries (red, green and yellow) are coconutty, the flavours bursting in your mouth. If none of this sounds exciting enough for you, Uncle's Kitchen's combo meals might suit you better. Wash your food down with a fresh lime soda for Rs. 49. 

For it's price, Uncle's Kitchen is worth every dime. Although the food may not be absolutely authentic, Uncle and his team do not disappoint with their Thai curry. They mean business here. Although it is cramped and may make the weak feel claustrophobic, the red walls splattered with Chinese words may be comforting. Do not expect too much in terms of service or cleanliness but the food comes hot and tasty and the bill doesn't pinch. 

What's hot - Thai curry - red, green or yellow

What's not - Crispy honey chilly potato

Your Foodista.