I love my family (genuinely!). We usually have a blast when we spend quality time together. But sometimes, interacting with them leaves me in a sour and irritable mood. Do you know what frustrates me the most?

My family can’t decide which restaurant to dine at! We keep going to the same couple of places every time we plan to go out. And for a foodie like myself, culinary laziness doesn’t cut it for me. I’m quite sure you'll be nodding your head in agreement. Every family is dysfunctional to some extent, particularly when food is concerned. 

But there’s a silver lining too in my ramblings. I’ve recently found a pretty sweet solution to this problem. Want to know what it is? Hint: It’s written in the title.

News Flash: It’s the Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet restaurant (cue drumroll). With its extensive buffet menu, there was anything and everything the taste buds of my family could desire (and much more!).

We went to Chaupal’s North Nazimabad branch last weekend and I must say, really impressed! It’s quite good! From its mesmerizing ambiance to its friendly service, everything’s on par with other significant eateries in Karachi. Actually, not everything.

Some of the food items in the buffet were a little bland in both their taste and their presentation. Good thing you’re already reading my review. I’ll guide you regarding which dishes to avoid and which ones to drool over. Read on, fellow foodie, read on!

Food: Have Your Fill!

As I’ve said above, there’s an entire culinary extravaganza available at the Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet restaurant. When I first laid my eyes on the serving platform, I entered a state of shock seeing the endless amount of dishes presented on the clean silver platters. 

Gathering my senses, I decided to start with the Fried Fish. Marinated in yogurt and ground spices, the fish served as the perfect opening appetizer. I then had a steaming bowl of Hot and Sour which perfectly tingled my bones down to their core. I highly recommend trying the soup in winter. It’s another level of awesome!

Next, I moved on to the main course. My taste buds were craving Chinese food that evening, and I ended up surrendering myself to them. The Kung Pao Chicken gravy was positively thick, with the right sweet and sour flavor balance.  Sprinkled with peanuts, it was an extremely filling dish when eaten with Fried Rice.

For dessert, I went with Shahi Tukray. It’s one of my favorite sweet dishes so that’s why I went with it. The Shahi Tukray melted on my tongue since it was so fluffy and airy. The best thing, though? There is a tonne of thick, creamy sweetness in it.

I do admit what I found a bit uncool were the copious amounts of vinegar added to each dish. FYI: Too much vinegar is very effective in killing the appetite of a human, by making our stomachs feel full. I’m not sure whether this qualifies as unethical or not, but it's something that you need to be vigilant about. 

Price: No Complaints From My End

Disclaimer: The prices quoted below are subject to change. The current prices are dated 22 November 2022. (As per the official website of Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet).

The per-head cost for adults was:

• PKR 1630

To be quite honest, I found the price to be very reasonable. After taking into account the wide variety of dishes available, the price is understandable. Also, another great thing about the price, it is already inclusive of the 13% GST.

Service: Stay on Your Toes

The service at the Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet restaurant is exactly how you’d expect it to be. Given how much expectation I had associated with Chaupal, anything less than satisfactory would have been a tragic travesty. Let me tell you; it’s,  not perfect.

But you’ll be happy to know that the staff is polite and respectful. Even though the buffet dinner at the restaurant is self-service, my brother asked one of the waiters to bring him some chocolate-flavored ice cream. The waiter brought it at once, no questions asked.

There’s also a separate section specifically for celebrations. I asked the manager about it and he told me that Chaupal does have the option to make reservations for birthday parties and anniversary dinners. Complimentary decorations are included in the package.

That’s not to say that the Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet restaurant doesn’t have any shortcomings. It does, and some major ones at that!

Upon arrival, we found our table coated in a thick layer of dust. This left us extremely disappointed. The glasses were also upside down, breathing in the dirt. My father had some mean things to say to the manager about that!

That’s not all! The lack of parking space is a serious issue that needs to be solved soon. . The diner is located on a busy main street, and it is almost impossible to find an empty parking spot. Plus, the safety of my car is also what worried me when I was parking. There were only a few guards and they were all mainly situated at the entrance. 

I’d recommend that the management at Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet restaurant take immediate action. I would also advise whosoever is planning on visiting the North Nazimabad branch to avoid going during peak hours. It will be instrumental in saving you from the headache of parking.

Another thing that bothered me was the quality of the elevator. It was in quite a bad condition. The restaurant is situated on the rooftop of the Suzuki Motors North chapter. That is a real problem for the elderly or people incapable of climbing multiple stairs. Keep that in mind! stairs. 

Ambiance: Plain and Simple

Based on what I’ve heard from my friends, the Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet restaurant located at Sharah-e-Faisal Service Road is far superior. This is both in terms of the atmosphere and the seating arrangement. Not that it takes anything away from the North Nazimabad branch. It too is substantial.

The North chapter has plenty of seating space so even in peak hours, it never felt crowded. Plus, the chairs and tables are all made from wood. They’re comfortable to sit on. The lighting is also efficient, making it a great place for a photography session.

Honorable Mentions: A Little Something For Everyone

If you’re not all that into Chinese and Continental cuisine, there’s no need to worry! The Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet restaurant also serves various authentic Pakistani dishes. From Makhni Handi to Paya to Sajji, the delectability of each dish will fire you up!

There’s also a wide assortment of salads available. My personal favorites were the Russian Salad and the Apple Cabbage Salad. 

Have a look at Chaupal’s menu online before you go. So that just you know what exactly you’re getting yourself into.

Final Verdict:

All things considered, my experience at the Chaupal Desi Exotic Buffet restaurant was a mixed bag! I truly appreciate the deliciousness of the food and the fine ambiance. Go for it if you’re feeling indecisive about what you want to eat. The diversity of the cuisine is truly spectacular!

However, the service left much to be desired. Nevertheless, the cons are not something that would completely ruin your experience. Make sure you have good company to have a good time with.