Elise Balin
A small restaurant that calls a travel center off of I-80 in Laramie home has drawn crowds of people who come to enjoy a variety of Indian cuisine.
The Alka Travel Center has not only become a hot spot for local food lovers, but has become well-known with truckers from all over the country because of its uncommon local and authentic Indian cuisine cooked by owner Mintu Pandher and his staff.
“I love how different the food is,” said UW student Laura Hobbs. “I have had a lot of different Indian food but this is the best curry I have ever had.”
The authentic Indian cuisine that is found in the small truck stop has naan bread and large selection of Indian curries. These entrees are filled with powerful spices which create a unique flavor and of these spices, Kasuri Methi, a dried leaf plant, seems to be what creates the outstanding flavors of these entrees.
“If you start putting Kasuri Methi on food, you will never eat anything without it,” said Pandher.
Pandher bought the Alka Travel Center in 2014 and has been growing the business ever since. As the popularity of the restaurant has grown over the last few years, Pandher has taken the initiative to expand his business by opening a location in Nebraska and New Mexico.
Pandher said he takes great pride in the business that he has created over the years and said in the beginning, the business itself was just a goal. He said he is extremely proud of the business he has created which has drawn a crowd of frequent customers.
The Alka Travel Center is not alone when it comes to outstanding truck stop cuisine. Many individuals claim that that the Alka Travel Center is some of the best Indian food you can find across the nation. However, over the past few years the popularity of truck stop restaurants has increased as food lovers will go anywhere and everywhere to enjoy a meal, including Pandher’s Indian food.
