Vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly Pakistani and Indian restaurant Naan Boti & Chai Shai is planning an expansion that will add to its current location (which includes both food service and a market at 908 22nd St. S) a new dedicated restaurant location and a food truck.
The restaurant location is almost directly next door, at 920 22nd St S, where Naan Boti & Chai Shai will continue to develop its capacious and inclusive menu.
“The best part about the restaurant is that we make everything to order. Nothing is pre-made,” owner and chef Mehreen Fayyaz told What Now on Monday. An expert in spices (and, by the bye, yoga) the chef says the kitchen stays true to ancient cooking techniques, grinding its own spices and cooking in clay pots.
The restaurant has built a reputation among vegan diners, and was referred to by ILovetheBurg.com last year as a “hidden gem” that “can make anything vegan.”
Naan Boti & Chai Shai offers popular dishes like Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, and the intriguing Currito (Vegetarian Saag paneer masala in a Big Roti Wrap). Vegan dishes include Channa Masala, Vegan Saag Tofu, and Vegan Potatoes Samosas. It also offers a striking variety of naans.
“We make lots of different ones,” Fayyaz said. “We’ve perfected the recipe for vegan naan, but we also have stuffed naan, and other flavors like sesame and everything bagel.”
Fayyaz says Naan Boti & Chai Shai plans to keep growing in the future and is even working to get some of its products into your local frozen aisle. This “hidden gem” may not be hidden much longer.
“It’s for everyone, and everything is out of a clean kitchen,” Fayyaz said. “No inflammatory oils. Our concept is putting anti-inflammatory food on the table.”
