EPICURIOUS: OVER AT IMRAN'S.

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 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

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

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