When my parents told me we were going to check out a new Indian restaurant that opened down the street, my first reaction was to fight it. I hated all the new Indian restaurants coming out because they all just felt like a copy of one another and we could definitely make it at home, usually even better.
Eventually my parents wore me down, and stepping into the restaurant, the bright, comfy atmosphere framed by the beautiful paintings of food immediately catches my eye.
There were small, wooden tables and chairs that gave off a homey vibe along with groovy music that would have people vibing to the beat and singing along as they waited for their food. The fifteen minute wait is worth it when the freshly made food is placed on the table.
Slowly tearing the naan into smaller pieces, a spongy texture is immediately noticed. They tasted like Mediterranean Pita chips but a lot softer. The paneer curry also featured a tangier, less spicy version, similar to a tamarind flavor, unlike the majority of Indian restaurants which concentrate on just the spice. I could taste the rich flavor of tomato. It combined both sweet, spicy, and tangy flavoring to create sensory heaven, the perfect balance of many flavorings. As the naan dipped through the curry, the mix of the crunchy-soft naan and curry combined to create a well-balanced taste. For those with low spice tolerance, this dish reaches a lot more people who love the flavor of Indian food, but not the heat of it.
The Gobi Manchurian, a crispy fried cauliflower filled with a variety of spices along with garlic, chilli sauce, and ginger, is a classic in almost every single Indian restaurant, whether fast or dine-in. However, Desi Chowk’s version was impeccable; their bold flavors such as tamarind, highlighted and distinguished the dish from all the other places that implemented the same ideas in basic ways.
Their service was really attentive. They paid attention to anything we needed and were ready to do their job. The prices were affordable, but it’s not a restaurant you’d go to for special occasions. It’s more of a quick, “don’t have anything to eat at home”, food place. The total for the three food items, Gobi Manchurian, Paneer Butter Masala, and Butter Naan was $22.
Its rich flavors and uniqueness make it stand out from other similar restaurants. Desi Chowk was definitely a wonderful experience that I recommend trying at least once.
