HAPPENINGS
UPCOMING
PAST
MONDAY, 12/12 - MY TWO SOUTHS - CHEFS ASHA GOMEZ & MEHERWAN IRANI
WEDNESDAY, 12/7 - MEHER FUND GIVE BACK NIGHT
Chai Pani's own docuseries is now online! Check out episodes 1-3 by clicking here, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch episodes 4-6: premiering online Tuesday, 3/14, and episodes 7-10: premiering Tuesday, 4/11.
Indian Street Food in Downtown Decatur from Twice James Beard Nominated Chef Meherwan Irani
Chai Pani literally means “tea and water.” It’s slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” Chai Pani can also mean a small bribe just enough to get a bite to eat. Well at Chai Pani Decatur, you won’t have to bribe us for innovative, fun, affordable and delicious Indian cuisine.
Some of the most tasty, fun and affordable food of any country is its street food and Chai Pani features chaat – crunchy, spicy, sweet, tangy, brightly flavored Indian street snacks. And since there is nothing more comforting and delicious in any culture than a home cooked meal, Chai Pani also brings you thalis – traditional family meals highlighting India’s amazing culinary diversity.
Hop in a rickshaw, your home away from home awaits.
OUR STORY
On the first day, a hallowed voice did say, “Let there be Chaat!”
When Chai Pani Asheville first opened its doors in 2009, we couldn’t close them for several hours . . . literally. There was a line of expectant customers out the door, blocking the sidewalk, and wanting food most of them had never heard of. We can’t be sure Vishnu himself gave Chai Pani the nod of approval, but to those customers who wept over the bliss they experienced while eating a potato uttapam, what other conclusion can be drawn?
DECATUR BOUND
After a few years of growing and learning on our feet, at the urging of the loyal customers and happy food critics, we decided to expand to the Atlanta area, and where better than beautiful downtown Decatur?
But surely this would be a more subdued opening . . . after all, could the magic be recreated? Does lightning strike twice? After the core team swore a blood oath and agreed to move to Decatur, the work to bring the best flavors and brightest colors of India to the Atlanta area began. And somehow, word spread. Well before the doors opened, droves of hungry people and journalists called and showed up in person.
Like Indra’s mighty thunderbolt, lightning struck again in Decatur, before the paint even dried!
We are humbled by the welcome we’ve received and pledge to serve your insatiable desire for Indian street food, with our one of a kind culinary creations and libations. And don’t forget the Chai— rivers and rivers of delicious Chai. Join us for a cup.
Phone
(404) 378-4030
Location
406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave
Decatur, GA 30030
In the heart of downtown Decatur, just a few miles from Atlanta.
We have parking and no reservations are needed.
Hours
Monday - Thursday
11:30 - 3:00/ 5:30 - 9:30
Friday - Saturday
11:30 - 3:00/ 5:30 - 10:00
Sunday
11:30 - 3:00/ 5:30 - 9:00
Check out our
daily specials & restaurant news:
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Come warm up with a hot cup of chai today! We've also got malabar chicken, saag paneer and pav bhaji. https://t.co/hFy6nQokQu -
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Sweet potato chaat anyone?! Come and get it tonight, along with malabar chicken, mixed vegetable kurma and pani pur… https://t.co/WyO32uHQA7
Naked Birds: If you’re wondering where our chicken comes from, here's a tour to one of Joyce Farms' Pasture Centered Poulet Rouge Farms.
Where Tradition
Meets Innovation
What is Indian Street Food? Street vendors, usually specializing in a single dish, gather in the streets, and byways of India, and prepare fresh food for people on the go. All the words and pictures in the world can’t tell you what it’s like to bite into a multi-layered samosa, smothered in tamarind and mint chutney, nor what real chai tastes like, nor can they explain just how good this food is . . . But we’re going to try to convey the harmony of textures, flavors (sweet, savory, sour, salty, and spicy), aromas, and overall sensations that make up Chai Pani’s Indian Street Food. At Chai Pani, we serve a range of traditional Indian Street Food, drinks, and thalis, but we also celebrate the innovation and evolution of food. Before the Portuguese brought the chili pepper to Goa in the early 1600’s, India had never tasted the fiery possibilities. Before the Beatles traveled to India, most Americans had never heard a sitar! To know true culinary bliss, you simply have to try it.
See our menu for current selections and our vegan and gluten-free options. Also, make sure to like us on facebook and follow us on twitter to learn about daily specials and events.
Food Philosophy & Sourcing
- We purchase fresh produce daily from local purveyors and source from local farms when possible.
- We use all natural, free range, sustainably raised chicken from Ashley Farms.
- We buy sustainably raised American lamb processed by Marcho Farms, PA.
- Our tilapia comes from South America in accordance with the Monterey Bay Sustainable Seafood Watch Program guidelines.
- Our catfish is all natural, NC farm raised, with no antibiotics or chemicals, in ponds filled with well & rain water.
- We cook only in pure trans-fat free canola oil or ghee (clarified butter).
- We use no artificial flavors, coloring or ingredients in anything, ever.
- We roast and grind our own spice blends, and make all our chutneys and sauces in-house.
- We don’t serve on disposables to reduce waste in landfills.
- Our to go containers are compostable, eco-friendly & biodegradable.
- All our compost goes to Love is Love Farms.
- We recycle all paper, cardboard, plastic, glass & metal.
PRESS
CHAI PANI has been widely reviewed and praised over the years at our Asheville location (The New York Times, GQ Magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, Fox News, New York Magazine to name a few), but we are truly humbled by the sheer quantity of articles, reviews and praise being heaped on Chai Pani Decatur. Before the doors opened, journalists, reviewers, foodies, and bloggers of every stripe were ready to put us to the test. Thank you, thank you, and thank you for the warm welcome.
FEBRUARY 2017
EATER - WATCH THE FIRST THREE EPISODES OF CHAI PANI'S 'CUTTING CHAI' DOCUSERIES
ATLANTA MAGAZINE - 50 BEST RESTAURANTS IN ATLANTA
JANUARY 2017
EATER - THE 38 ESSENTIAL ATLANTA RESTAURANTS, WINTER '17
THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION - 4 COCKTAILS (PLUS CHAMPAGNE) FOR THE CALORIE COUNTING ATLANTAN
CREATIVE LOAFTING - INDUSTRY INSIDERS: MEHERWAN IRANI
DECEMBER 2016
THRILLIST - THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN ATLANTA RIGHT NOW
NOVEMBER 2016
CREATIVE LOAFING - PARSI AND HEWISH CULTURE COLLIDE AT CHALLAHWALLA
THRILLIST - EASY 5-INGREDIENT APPETIZERS FROM CHEFS
PAST
THRILLIST: Best Indian Foods in Atlanta
ATLANTA MAGAZINE: 50 Best Restaurants
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION: These Couples Cook Up Something to Love at their Atlanta Restaurants
OZY MAGAZINE: Rising Stars Bring On the New Indian Cuisine
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION: Which Atlanta Dishes We’re Obsessed With
CHEF IRANI NOMINATED AGAIN: 2015 James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalist: Best Chef Southeast
CREATIVE LOAFING: BEST OF 2015 – Best Indian Food
MEN’S JOURNAL: 17 Summer Corn Recipes
ABOUT.COM: Chef Irani’s Atlanta Recommendations
ZAGAT: Must Try: Sloppy Jai at Chai Pani
ATLANTA MAGAZINE: BEST OF 2014– Best Indian Street Food
THRILLIST: 50 Atlanta Treats
LOCAL PALATE: Best Bites from Atlanta F&W 2015
URBAN DADDY: Alternative Burgers
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION: Decatur Eats
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION: 7 Atlanta Restaurants
USA TODAY: Georgia’s Sweetest Peach Dishes
ATLANTA MAGAZINE: Chai Pani Founder to Open Botiwalla in Ponce City Market
EATER ATLANTA: Best Atlanta Restaurants to Cater a Wedding
GARDEN & GUN: Chef Irani’s Popular Okra Fries Recipe
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION: Vegetarian Dishes that Satisfy
CHEF IRANI JBF NOMINATED: 2014 James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalist: Best Chef Southeast
USA TODAY: Dumplings Around the World– Chai Pani’s Samosas
JOHN MARIANI’S VIRTUAL GOURMET: Best New Restaurants in Atlanta
ATLANTA LIVING: Top 10 Restaurants of 2013
CREATIVE LOAFING BEST OF ATLANTA 2013: Best “Off-the-street” Street Food
THE DAILY MEAL: Where to Find Indian Street Food in Georgia
ATLANTA MAGAZINE: Best New Restaurants 2013
HUFFINGTON POST: Top 10 Cheap eats in the U.S.
JEZEBEL MAGAZINE: 111 Must Try TASTES
NATION’S RESTAURANT NEWS: Atlanta Tables Pushing Boundaries
FOX NEWS: Support for Tea Shop Owner’s Effort to Help Girls in India
ATLANTA EATS TV: Chai Pani is reviewed as a Feature Restaurant
COCA-COLA STORIES: Acclaimed Chefs Dish About the Family Table
CREATIVE LOAFING: 100 Dishes to Eat in Atlanta Before You Die- Kale Pakoras at Chai Pani
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION: Atlanta’s New Indian Restaurants
THE AEROGRAM: Chaat-Wallah-in-chief: Meherwan Irani
ATLANTA MAGAZINE: Covered Dish– A Guide to Indian Street Food
KHABAR MAGAZINE: Indian Street Food Turns Trendy in Atlanta
95.5 FM: Belinda Skelton, with Guest David Danzig of Season’s Eatings
ATLANTA JOURANAL CONSTITUTION: First Look at Chai Pani Decatur
CBS BETTER MORNINGS: Cooking Demo
ATLANTA INTOWN: First Look at Chai Pani Decatur
CREATIVE LOAFING: First Look at Chai Pani– an Oxymoron of Restaurant Wizardry
THRILLIST ATLANTA: Indian Street Food and Mango Lassis in Decatur
EATER ATLANTA: 10 Things to Know about Chai Pani, Opening Today in Decatur
SCOUTMOB: An Inside Look at Decatur’s New Indian Street Food Spot
ATLANTA EATS: Chai Pani Decatur Launch Party Review
URBAN DADDY: Spice World, Decatur’s New Indian Street Food Spot
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Want to get our most recent news? We post to @chaipanidecatur on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram whenever we have exciting news to share about our specials, our amazing staff, any work we're doing with and in the community, and more!
CATERING
If you want to party like it’s the end of a Bollywood movie then make your next event mindblasting with some affordable and delicious Chai Pani goodness. We can customize a catering order to fit any size and budget for everything from birthday parties and wedding dinners to chef tasting menu dinners and company events. Chai Pani has you covered.**
FOR BOOKING AND INQUIRIES, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM OR CONTACT:
Em. CATERING@CHAIPANIDECATUR.COM • Ph. 470.222.4655
Need to get in touch with someone? We're happy to help.
ADDRESS: 406 West Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
PH: 404-378-4030
GENERAL INQUIRIES
HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE MENU OR MERCHANDISE,
OR NOT SURE WHO TO TALK TO? use the form below or contact INFO@CHAIPANIDECATUR.COM
PRESS & MEDIA
ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING PRESS CAN BE FORWARDED TO:
MEDIAINQUIRIES@CHAIPANIDECATUR.COM