Chokho Jeeman
Chokho Jeeman is a Marwari/Jain Restaurant, on the road leading to Agra’s significant Raja-Ki-Mandi Railway Station, at Delhi Gate, next to Moon TV Network’s office.
Even though I had heard of it earlier, but I visited the place very late, only last Sunday when a friend and colleague took me there for dinner. The restaurant impressed me enough to visit it again this Saturday, and also to write this review.
Ambience - Excellent! The place is done up with Rajasthani motifs, the brown walls plastered to give an effect of a hut, with intense red and pure white hand painted traditional designs bordering them. At regular intervals Rajasthani dolls and urns are placed to add to the effect. The tables are made of solid bamboo. In addition, they play Rajasthani folk music.
Cleanliness scores a huge point. And all places, be it the bathroom or the washbasin is neatly marked in traditional labels. The only low point is the small space a narrow sliver with two rows of tables.
Food - Delicious! The restaurant works on thaali system, and it offers three options saada thali, ghee thali and Maharaja thaali, all offering unlimited servings. Both times I visited, I ordered the bulky Maharaja thaali and they were extremely fulfilling. Maharaja thaali presents five variety of sabzis (dahi kadi, daal, aloo ki sabzi, matar-paneer and one more traditional variety, usually papad ki sabzi or gatte ki sabzi) along with raita, salad, aachaar, chutney, rice and two sweets. Of course, the rotis including missi roti, dipped liberally in ghee, are unlimited, as also refill of any of the sabzis that you wish.
The taste is wonderful and exciting, not very spicy and the generous use of ghee adds value. The quantity is truly befitting a Maharaja and often a second helping of the sabzis becomes immaterial.
Value for money- Absolutely! At INR 75 the Maharaja Thaali couldn t be better priced. And at INR 50 and 60 respectively, both the Saada Thaali and Ghee Thaali are also modestly priced.
Service - Quick and Efficient! Waiters move about effortlessly, attired in earthy Rajasthani outfits, ready to serve at the slightest gesture.
Overall - A must visit when you are next in Agraand come with an empty stomach, and prepare to skip the next meal!
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March 27th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Reminded me of Raajdhani here in Mumbai. Similar stuff.
March 27th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Yeh acha nahin kara…
March 27th, 2007 at 10:48 am
I have heard a lot about this Bhojnalaya, eagerly waiting to visit there some day. You have just fueled the fire buddy !
March 27th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Hi Dj, Mouth watering review/post. Just yummy!
March 27th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Nice review, but I can stand the number of Rajasthani varieties in these Thalis. So many variety just kill the taste, and all just taste the same. And so lavish Ghee and all - ouch!
March 27th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Anks - Ohki, hvnt tried Rajdhani as yet…
Mehak - Maine kuchh nahi kiya - i had set the post on auto-publish…just came here now to check the comments
Praney - Zarur aayeyiga…be my guest
Vidya -
Thx…
Manish - Oh i luv the dripping ghee
March 27th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
if you have a penchant for marwadi cuisine - Try “Daal-Battee” marwadi dish too, it’s awesome!
March 27th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
arrey itne bhook lage yeh post padh kar…ke poocho mat…
March 27th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I’m saying the food is not deliciouse and the service is not good… - Angoor Khatta hai… yeh kahawat yaad hai na
…
without reading it…. because ….Today is Ram Nawami and you have posted a post on Restaurant and food!!!! Gurrrrrrrrrr kitkit…………
khana hi nahin apitu padhana bhi mana hai
Kheer-puri bani ki nahin
Last year toh bahut swadist pakwan pake the 
Happy Ram Nawami…
March 27th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
DJ
Your post has opened my apetite. I order those thalis whenever I visit Indian restaurants here in Atlanta, but the taste originally I found in India is not there. Anyway, great post. Thanx and rgds.
March 27th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Hey I forgot a question: What is the meaning of CHOKHO JEEMAN?
March 28th, 2007 at 1:46 am
Damm you man!
March 28th, 2007 at 6:37 am
dang it DJ! write this for the local newspaper and get money from the restaurant! okay now reading the blog in detail..just skimmed through the first time!
March 28th, 2007 at 6:38 am
yum! Couldnt make it to nepal..but I think I need to make it to agra!
March 28th, 2007 at 6:39 am
waise it sounds pathetic but is your address still the same..just wanted to confirm!
March 28th, 2007 at 8:35 am
Well, what a coincidence ! Here, at Orange County, California, theres an Indian hub called Artesia. We found out a Indian restaurant there named the Rajdhaani and serves exactly the same kind of food that you have mentioned. We go there every weekend, have a huge meal , skip everything else and doze off !
I like the place and wish it was closer our apartment instead of the 20 min ride that we have to take every time ….
March 28th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Pratik - Oh yes, I ‘ve had Daal Baati Churma often
Mehak - Ha ha , yahan aa jaao, Chokho Jeeman chaltein hain…
Juneli - he he , chalo aaj padh lena… Well, since i hvnt set up kitchen here, this time no poori-chana-halwa made at home…but a colleague had got all those goodies on Ashthami , bhar pet khayaa
Harshadji - Have to check the exact meaning of Chokho Jeeman, will do so and inform soon.
Sugz - LOL
Kaushi - Tum aao toh sahi , bahut saari aur jagah hain yahan pe… BTW, my address is the same that i sent for Agra…
Prakash - Yep, the thaalis are damn filling. Good to see Indian food easily available in USA.
March 28th, 2007 at 10:23 am
“Chokho Jeeman”..the name says it all.That was ‘the’ perfect review about the most perfect place for eating out in agra.But r u sure about the prices?maharaja thali is priced at Rs. 90..i guess,which is also quite reasonable though.And for those who r allergic to ghee,they also offer this saada thali,which includes dry chapaaties,n also not that large variety of sabzis..with lesser ghee.N DJ,have u noticed those beautiful lanterns..n the traditional maroon wooden frame mirror above the washbasin?
Since u are a recent visitor to chokho jeeman,u wouldnt perhaps be knowing that it used to b a single hall,air-cooled place until a few months ago.N was majorly used by the people visiting agra on business or company tours..obviously coz of its vicinity to the RKM rly. station n its low prices.But as they say,quality speaks for itself n soon it became popular with the local agraites..and what u see now,is its latest renovated version..thats not just air-conditioned..but also equipped with an RO plant..brand new interiors n the newly attached bigger hall clearly state the success story of ‘chokho jeeman’.. literally meaning delightful eating in marwadi.
March 28th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Taarika - Hey, thanks sooo much for filling in all the details. And I m dead sure about the prices, since i recently paid for them
Yep, i noticed all those little touches about wooden frames and lanterns…
March 28th, 2007 at 10:40 am
ok..may b the additional Rs. 15 was for the chhaachh..i recall.