Kati Roll Company

99 Macdougal St, 212-420-6497

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Cost per person: $10
"YGWYPF" factor: 7/10 (you get what you pay for)

If you are from eastern India, you know all about kati rolls - and miss them just as much. The food that's more likely to be found at a street intersection in Calcutta than street signs themselves has now been faithfully replicated in this Village joint. True to form, Kati Roll Co is open late, and serves fast and fresh. Just take the A/C/E to West 4!

Seating is limited - you have to aim for an off peak hour to get a seat - but they say they are going to expand by buying out the place downstairs. Decor is minimalistic, but interesting - orange background, same as the menu, with posters of old Hindi movies on the walls.

Food options are as simplistic as the decor - you get to choose from chicken tikka, beef tikka, aalo, paneer or egg. You can add egg to meat rolls for a better flavor and fill. Spicy means spicy, so stay out if you are weak hearted - but then you'll miss out the wonderful flavor of green chillies.

The only reason I feel this gives a little less "YGWYPF" is the cost - it takes at least 2 rolls for an average fill, 3 for a "full tank". At about $5 a roll, you may think it's expensive, unless you grew up having this every other day like I did.

Whenever there are innovators, there are replicators - in this case, the "Indian Bread Company" across the corner. To be brief, better decor, but the food is not as good as here. If you want Kati Rolls, you've got to come to the Kati Roll Company.