This place opened in 2021 and has been on my list ever since then (it's a long list). I found some good Indian food in gas stations over the years, but while the last one I tried bordered on fine dining, this one actually felt like eating in a gas station. There are a couple of chairs, but mostly you're surrounded by vaping equipment and other convenience store features. I will say that whatever machine they have to dispense chai makes a nicely flavored beverage. I literally remembered the option to order a Samosa burrito from the first article I read in a food blog on this place four years ago. Of course this sounds kind of ridiculous. But having tried it, it is amazing. The mixed chutney on top offered in intoxicating flavor and the burrito itself was hearty and had an interesting and distinctively Punjabi spice mix. I also got some dal makhani, which I ended up eating the next day; it was quite heavy. I could certainly see why this business is still going strong. read more

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So I live in an area of Pennsylvania with a lot of Indian food places that I thought were really good. I was talking to my friend who is expert in Indian food and told me no, I would need to go to Edison, Nj for really good Indian food. So I was in Charlottesville, VA and on tik tok and saw a video about this Northern VA Indian food place in a gas station. But she showed it also had Indian snacks so I decided to stop on my way home. I got the snacks and a samosa (added green chutney and Tamarind sauce) and 2 chicken Tikka burrito (easier to eat while driving) lol! (One I was bringing home to my son) I first tried the sauces.....it was like eating homemade spaghetti sauce after eating jarred sauce for years and I understood why my friend was so insistent that I needed to try Indian food elsewhere. The samosa was on the smaller side but so flavorful with a bit of kick but for 1.99 when I pay 3.00 for one here, I thought it was steal. The chicken tikka burrito was so flavorful, so perfect. I had planned to take a picture of my son's burrito but he literally inhaled it and declared it a 10/10 asking how far was it and that it was the best. My husband who likes Indian but turned down me bringing had a bite of my son's burrito and tried the sauces with a tortilla....he declared it was "so good" "delicious" and "I should have had you bring some for me." The food fomo was real. read more

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We drive by the Mobil station all the time and just noticed a sign showing "Chit Chaat Cafe". What in tarnations is that? Looked on Yelp.... INDIAN FOOD??? Intrigued today, we stopped by. Uhhh....where's the restaurant? Ohhhhh..... you order up front and they make it in the back! I always try the samosa and if it'a good, the food will be good. No chicken samosas anymore so I ordered 2 veggie samosas (self service up front). The menus are up front too! Oh no fountain sodas. But they have slushies and since it's a gas station, they have all the other convenience store stuff. I ordered the chicken tikka masala platter & my son got the butter chicken masala both with Aloo Sabji (potatoes in tomato based curry). We got it to go. (*you should eat it there when its hot and fresh & I forgot to order naan!!!!!) When we got home (20 mins later) the food was warm and wasn't as good as it should be. Along with the entree & rice & potato curry, it came with one gulab jamun (very very sweet Indian donut)!!!! The veggie samosa was very heavy and crumbly. The veggie inside was potatoes, onions and peas (I think) with exotice spice filled flavor with a heavy ginger forward taste. The tikka masala and butter chicken were very tasty with spices and smooth sauce. Basmati rice cooked perfectly. SHOULDA GOTTEN THE NAAN TO MOP UP THE SAUCE!!! Gulab Jamun was very sweet eat it with tea or coffee. Overall, it was moderate pricing but for good quality Indian food. Portions are fair. Flavors were there. We really liked it and will be back for THE NAAN & maybe other dishes but hard to stay away from what we like! read more

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Love this place. I always get the butter chicken as I stay away from very spicy food at my age.

We've heard a lot about this place from colleagues and decided to check it out ourselves! When we walked in and obviously looked a little lost, the person behind the register asked "Are you here for Indian food?" Indeed, we were :) We got some samosas, chicken tikka masala, samosa burrito, and some pain puri. All the food is made to order, so we passed the time by playing some (free) video games in the back corner (the only free chairs there, the other little corner with chairs was taken). Like others have said, it's definitely a to-go place (or an eat-in-the-car place). I thought the food was delicious - especially the pain puri! I wish the portion size was a little bit bigger for the tikka masala. Samosas were self-serve and also similarly delicious. I'm not sure if it's mind-blowing Indian food, but honestly it was pretty good Indian food for a gas station pit-stop. It's not a gas station that I would normally frequent so I'm not sure if I will be back, but a solid choice if you happen to be passing by! read more

Loved this place when we first started ordering here but the last 2 times were sooo disappointing. Both times we ordered the 16 oz butter chicken - mild with garlic naan. Both times the butter chicken was atomic and it was all sauce with very small pieces (6-7) pieces of chicken that was not enough for even 1 person let alone 2. This past order the naan was soggy in the middle and hard as a rock on the edges. Too bad this place has gone downhill. read more

We didn't find the food, particularly impressive. I just don't think it was spicy enough. Of course it's gas station Indian food, which is fine and the price was decent. read more

Chit chaat cafe is located inside a gas station. If you didn't know it was there you could easily miss it. There is a neon sign in the window with the restaurant name on it, but it wasn't lit up. When I walked into the gas station, there is no additional counter for this cafe, but you simply order with the gas station attendant and check out as if you were buying something from the convenience store. The gentleman I ordered from was polite and quick. He told me it would take about 15 mins to prepare so I just waited in my car. I ordered the sasoma chicken burrito and when I got it, it was steaming hot and clearly freshly made. The chicken pieces were large, but the burrito was on the flatter side. The put it in a press to grill it. It was spilling over with rice and all the good stuff, but not too messy that I had to sit with a boat load of napkins to eat it. The center was very flavorful and quite good, but the tortilla got a little soggy. It wasn't anything that I didn't eat, just didn't like the texture as much on the edges. I would have to come back and try other options to give the full 5 stars, but with my first experience I would say I definitely recommend. read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Samosa chicken burrito - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Where else can you get fantastic Punjabi food from a gas station around here?! Great prices, fabulous food, and very delicious samosas and mango lassi readily available. I've been here before, but decided to stop by again last night for a quick pick me up. I ordered the butter chicken platter with daal makhani and my husband ordered the lamb platter with the pindi choley (which is supposedly a family recipe). Both platters were fantastic. I try not to order butter chicken, but it does supposedly have Punjabi origins so I decided to try it here and it is soooo fantastic. I also enjoyed the daal makhani but it is more mild than others that I've had. The lamb curry was my husband's favorite and the choley was very delicious as well--a little sweeter than I was expecting, but it was wonderful getting to try this dish. And of course, I can't forget the delicious veggie samosa. Overall, I love this place and the Punjabi options that they have. I hope to try and come back and try their puri dishes and maybe one of their innovative burritos! read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Butter Chicken Platter with Daal Makhani - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

The food is a great deal. There's a couple of tables inside the gas station; however, this is a carry out place. It is in a gas station convenient store so it's not a sit down place. The gentleman that was working there was friendly. We ordered butter chicken plate and honestly, it just didn't suit our palettes. For the price it was a good portion and came with saag and gulab jamun. From the many delicious authentic places that we typically enjoy I'd say this isn't one of them. If you're looking for Indian-ish food then you'll love it; however, if you're looking for something more robust in flavor with long simmered flavorful or spicy gravies then this may not be your jam. read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Butter Chicken Platter - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Have heard such great things about Chit Chaat Cafe and I've been wanting to try the food out for myself. I placed an order online and it was ready at the time promised. I ordered the butter chicken platter and I was able to choose palak paneer as my side curry. The flavor of the butter chicken curry was delicious, however there was not enough curry for me. I like to have enough to mix my rice in, but towards the end there wasn't any left. The palak paneer was alright. A bit more watery than I'm used to. Overall, I would order again, but probably purchase an extra side of the curry. read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Really tasty chaat. We had the samosa chaat and dahi puri and they were both excellent. I would definitely order from here again and recommend it to my friends and family. read more

Food: my favorites are the Butter Chicken and the Pani Puri. Butter chicken is one of the best I've had in the area. Pani Puri is hard to find and I was elated when I saw this on their menu. Service: I cannot say enough how KIND and GENEROUS these people are. I picked up so food towards the end of their service and saw some mango lassi were free with a purchase of $30. My order was just under and I was bummed out. My boyfriend was going to pay for 2 of them and they just gave it to us for free. They definitely did NOT have to do that. But I totally will continue to support and tell the community about this incredible cafe!!! EXTRA: They just added some counter seating so you can dine in for a casual quick meal. read more

Did delivery to try the lamb curry platter, chicken masala platter and the samosa burrito. The food was flavorful and filling and arrived hot. As I'm sitting here digesting, I don't have anything negative to say besides $80 delivery was sort of a lot. I think I'd go back if I was in the neighborhood and wanted food to go. The platter did come with a side and dessert so good variety. Wish there was paneer naan but garlic was good! read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Lamb curry, samosa burrito and chicken masala platter - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Run to Chit Chaat Cafe if you love North Indian food. Unexpectedly located inside a Mobil gas station, a mom makes all the food from scratch. After stopping in for the butter chicken platter, here's my experience. 1) Food: There are 6-7 entrees, five curries, and samosas on the menu. For $12, I ordered the butter chicken platter that comes with rice, a curry of choice (shahi paneer for me!), and gulab jamun (a ball of dough soaked in sugar and rose water). Everything on the platter was delicious from the very white chicken to the curry. It was spicy, but not overpowering. My six-year-one daughter hijacked most of my meal because she loved it so much. 2) Drinks: They have a chai dispenser with three kinds- masala, cardamom and ginger. If that's not baller enough for you, they also make mango lassi and sell Indian drinks like Thums Up soda. 3) Price: $12 for a filling meal isn't bad at all, especially in an expensive area like the D.C. area. 4) Service: It's very friendly! The chef loves to come l it from the kitchen to chat with customers. She and her husband both ask how the food is with a generous smile. 5) Space: Opened in 2021, the gas station is new. It's well organized and kept very clean. 6) Parking: There are a few spots right in front of the entrance. read more

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After a long evening of shuttling my daughter from activity to activity I was so hungry that I ordered Indian food from a gas station. My husband raised his eyebrow at me as I told him our butter chicken's origin story, but as soon as we dug in we excitedly started making plans to order more every Friday. Our butter chicken was deliciously spiced, fragrant, tender, and plentiful! Naan was a bit thicker than usual but as long as I had plenty of rice to sop up all of that flavorful sauce I was happy as a clam. Next time I'll be a little bit more adventurous I will order the samosa or butter chicken burrito. Food was fast, you can order online, and the cost was fair. This is a family business run with pride. So happy to have this little spot in Vienna! No photos because we ate it all :) read more

This is definitely a hole in the wall place - it's more of a grab and go but they do have some small seats. I was surprised it's actually in the gas station - definitely took a few turns out of of confusion. Service was fast and I was pleasantly surprised with the food quality and quantity! The samosa chaat was great and the gol gappe were also really good. read more

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This is a compilation of two separate visits! Both times service was friendly and food was great. Yes it's located inside the Mobil gas station but don't judge! And the gas station is super clean inside. The menu is on the wall in the back and they also have specials written on a chalkboard sign. Both times I asked for a dish to be made into a burrito and they said no problem! The biryani was delicious. The large chunks of lamb were hidden underneath and once you mix everything up, it was even more flavorful! Don't live nearby but when in the area, this is definitely one of my stops! read more

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Totally recommend a visit to this very affordable and fun location. The Chit Chat Cafe is in a gas station but it's super clean and very welcoming. And you will find easy parking. The service is also welcome and easy. You can order ahead or just look for a menu at the check out counter to order with the clerk. You can grab premade mango lassi (a MUST get) or get chais from premade from a machine (also exceptional). There is also a hot food holder for the samosas. Which I also 100% recommend Ordered the burrito and a vegetarian sampler. This is where it was hit or miss for me. All very well made and flavorful but I didn't love all the flavors... the butter chicken burrito was pretty great, excellent sauce. The veg platter was less perfect. First saag ever that I have not enjoyed and the dal makhani also was not to my taste. I think just a flavor preference as many things were fantastic. So give it a try and find the thing you love. It's worth the visit. It's also near the meadowlark botanical gardens and was a great treat after our visit there! read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Vegetable samosa. Little spicy. Crisp and a great price. - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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The website is fantastic. I can't believe I'm writing a review for a gas station restaurant. Biriyani/ tikka/ yogurt/and samosas. Delicious!

I was skeptical of the idea of an Indian burrito thinking that it would be the worst of both worlds rather than the best. Boy was I wrong! This places has the meatiest juiciest fullest burritos with a scrumptious piece of lamb surrounded by rice that has been stewed for the longest time. Amazing flavors that you would never expect from a gas station! I can't wait to go back to try all the other meals that they have to experience great "hole-in-the-wall" food. read more

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Wonderful service and excellent quality food! Store is spotless. Thank you for a great dinner! read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Chicken Biryaani (veg option available) And Butter Chicken Platter (veg option available) - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Fantastic and convenient fresh Indian food! Butter chicken platter: Delish, classic. Comes with side & Gulab jamun. Daal makhani: Paired well with the butter chicken, such a great addition. Palek Paneer: One of my favourites, absolutely beautiful colour and refreshing. Lamb platter: Great portions, just like the other one. Flavour was *chefs kiss*. Chicken biryani: Aromas were phenomenal and portion is large! Highly recommend. Very small "dine-in" counter area that can fit like 4 ppl, for casual and quick dining. Best Indian food from a petrol station I can say I've ever had lol!. - Insta @ SpicyAivy read more

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Hidden gem in the Mobil gas station! Not plenty of seating, but it wasn't too busy on a Tuesday night. You do have to order at a counter and all dishes are packed for take out. Everything was super flavorful and delicious! Loved the Samosa Burrito, Butter Chicken, and Chicken Tikka Masala. I would get them all again. The Palak Paneer was not bad, not my favorite since it lack in flavor to me. read more

I wanted to give it five stars for the enthusiasm of the gentleman at the register and for the flavors of the food, and I would have, if everything wasn't basically deep fried. Everything. Walked in. I told the friendly guy I was a vegetarian and he suggested something, said I would love it, and started reeling off differently vegetables it could be made of. Had no idea what it was but ordered it in cauliflower, along with one of their famous burritos and the pani puri. It was a tad strange waiting for the food as there is no where to wait where you're not in the way of you people coming into the market or people paying for food or gas. There were a few of us who sort of shuffled around trying to stay out of the way while we were waiting for our food. Thankfully it came out rather quickly and the young man gave me a personal demonstration on how to eat a pani puri as I had never tried it before. Ok! Psyched to try it! I got home and started trying everything out. The flavors are really good. But around the third bite into the burrito I realized there were deep fried items inside. The cauliflower in the dish I ordered was all breaded and deep fried within the sauce. I expected the pani puri to be deep fried but the fact that the other two dishes were also made up of deep fried foods made it all a bit too much. Again the flavors were really good. If you like deep fried food you'll love it. But if you're like me and for health reasons keep your deep fried to special occasions, you may want to choose carefully. read more

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Chit Chaat is inside a Mobil gas station in Vienna and it's got to be the best Indian food I've had in the DMV area. Everything is takeout only and there was a 15-20 minute wait for our three entrees this past Friday evening. While we waited for our food, we got a cup and enjoyed some chai (they had masala and cardamom chai) which hit the spot since it was rainy and gross. The chai was not too sweet and had a good balance of milk and tea. BUTTER CHICKEN PLATTER - 11.99 I was initially torn between the chicken biryaani and palak paneer, but decided to get the butter chicken platter to get the palak paneer on the side. This was honestly a huge portion of food and I wasn't sure if I could finish. But my stomach opened up immediately after a couple bites of rice. The butter chicken sauce was so tangy and so full of tomato flavor. The consistency of the sauce was smooth and on the runnier side, which allowed the rice to soak it up very well. But wow, the flavors of the sauce were on point. The chicken was pretty good too, but I focused more on the sauce. After a bite of the palak paneer, I was disappointed that I did not get a full entree of it because it was that good. The spinach flavor was so strong and in a good way (which is hard to do since spinach has some a delicate flavor). The spices definitely enriched and elevated the spinach, making it the main character of the curry. The paneer was delicious too, but I was blown away by how good the palak paneer was. Got to be one of the best I've had, and I like that they cared about presentation because the curry was a beautiful green color (instead of some green-brown). One of my friends got the chicken biryaani and he loved how everything was layered instead of mixed together. He thought Chit Chaat was pretty authentic (and the only "Americanized" part was that the flavors/spices were diluted a bit to fit the American palette. Overall, Chit Chaat really hit the spot for us and I'm looking forward to the next time I stop by so I can try the chicken briyaani or get a whole palak paneer entree, lol. read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Butter Chicken Platter with Palak Paneer - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

We had to come back again and I would say it was even better this time. We got the pani puri again, the chicken biryani, and the chilli chicken platter. I was going to get the samosa burrito again but was on the fence and was told there was a butter chicken burrito so I asked for that instead. We had a miscommunication and I got both but it was a delicious mistake. We got a sample of something that was delicious but we had no idea what it was but I hope I can figure that out next time. The butter chicken burrito is just as good if not better than the samosa one. The biryani presentation was colorful and was even more delicious. Chilli chicken platter was pretty good, very filling as well. This has definitely turned into my go to spot. Very worth it! Very nice staff and food just as great. read more

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Get the Samosa Burrito and Dahi Papri Chaat (not featured on the menu)! Delicious homey Indian food with a spicy kick tucked inside Mobile gas station on the corner. I ordered a delightful feast and enjoyed the Samosa Burrito, Dahi Papri Chaat, Palak Paneer, Dhal Makhani, Shahi Paneer 8 oz sizes for under $40. The Samosa Burrito was hearty and loaded with crispy samosas, spicy green chutney, sweet tangy brown chutney, and rice - very filling! The curries are thin and runny with a spicy kick! They were perfect for dipping into the burrito! The green spinach-based Palak Paneer was my favorite and enjoyed and the tangy Shahi Paneer was also tasty with generous small chunks of paneer. The 8 oz sizes is generous portion. I just wish rice came with the curry. Next time - I'll ask for it! The Dahi Papdi Chaat is a scrumptious street food with crispy crackers topped yogurt Dahi, crunchy yellow savory sprinkles Sev, spicy green chutney, sweet tangy brown chutney, cilantro, and pomegranate (pomegranate is not traditional Indian topping). Dahi Papdi Chaat gets soggy fast - best eaten right away! Great Indian family-owned business, super nice and authentic! Excited to come back for the samosa burrito and try the newest menu items like Kulche Chole! The family also has a sit-down restaurant in Chantilly, Chit Chaat Corner, will have to try it when I'm in the area! read more

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I have been hearing great things about this place but it just didn't live up to the hype for me. I ordered the chole or chana masala and honestly I'm not sure what it really was. I mean, there were garbanzos but I think it was not made there. It tasted like a ready-made mush. And, they kept pushing me to get the chicken but I didn't feel like eating chicken that day. We (Mom and I) also got the Samosa Chaat and the panipuri, it was just OK. Is it worth going back for more? Well, not for me because I'm from out of town and I can get better at home in New Orleans. As for my Mom, she has had it before and I heard she didn't like it. But when I got it, she couldn't remember what she had previously. Either way, it was just meh. Note: no rice included unless you get a platter combo. read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - The menu - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Tried a few weeks ago via Uber eats delivery when craving Indian food. Overall, I thought it was good but it wasn't anything amazing. The butter chicken did not have that rich creamy butter taste that really makes the dish. I did order mango lassi and this was excellent as well as the naan bread. Overall, I'd stop there for a quick meal bc it is at a gas station but I wouldn't go there to fulfill an Indian food craving. read more

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Yes it is in a gas station but this place has amazing butter chicken! And the lamb biryani is fabulous. The mango lassi portion is reasonable (which means too small for me) and like the samosa is self serve. Don't let the ambiance deter you from picking something up. If there was more clear instructions and some service it would earn the fifth star. read more

No doubt that the food is EXCELLENT, bursting with flavor and expertly cooked- however, the pricing needs adjustment. A side of rice (pictured) which is usually free in most restaurants, cost $4.53 with tax! The butter chicken (8oz) is $8.99! I understand that inflation is a factor, but also this cafe is run out of a small convenience store and I feel that the pricing should reflect the location, nature of the business, and portion size. read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Butter Chicken, side rice. - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Dear Mr. Raja (I hope I spelled your name right!) The pindey chole was DELICIOUS!!! Thank you so much for letting me try that for a side, I will definitely be ordering that as an entree next time. It has a unique taste, I know what you mean now when you say cause it's Punjabi food, which is obviously and most definitely the best. As for the chicken tikka masala, it was phenomenal. Your wife is a blessing and I am so happy I found a homey home made food spot. It was so juicy and yet flavorful, what I loved the most about it was I could tell there wasn't too much heavy cream at all. I forgot what the little dessert is called but it is sweet as sweet can get which balances out the spicy! The mango lassi, I've tried many and yours is one of the best I've ever had. I am so happy I tried this spot out, they are the kindest people ever and I cannot wait to try the other delights!!! Thank you so much~ read more

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Terrific food. Don't let the fact that it's in (an impeccably clean) gas station put you off.

The food was mediocre and the portions were so small for the price. 100% not worth it. The masala chai was good though, so I'll go back for that. read more

Came here after I saw an Instagram reel about this place... they've been open in my hometown for a few years and I never knew about it until now, which was an unfortunate realization for me bc I've been missing out on their delicious menu this whole time. Who knew you could get such amazing food from a GAS STATION??? I was so impressed with the quality, and it's also a good deal for the amount of food you get. No-frills street food at its best. Do yourself a favor and check this place out, you won't regret it! read more

Chit Chaat Cafe - Butter chicken burrito - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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I tried this place after I saw a local Instagram account promoting it. This a cafe hidden in a gas station convenience store. So, you get the food quality of a cafe hidden in a gas station convenience store. If you're particular about how you like your Indian food to taste like, then don't try this place. If you're ok with below average fast Indian food or you're in a crunch to grab a quick lunch, then go for it. I love Indian food too much to compromise. I would not try it again not recommend it. read more

An Indian restaurant inside of a gas station would not garner high expectations, but people have been raving about Chit Chaat Cafe in Vienna. And I don't understand why. It is not bad, but it is nothing special. The Chicken burrito thing was fine, the Lamb Biryani was a bit odd and the Sag Paneer was a tad watery. This place is fine, but not a place to particularly seek out. read more

Easy five stars. The owner of the gas station and Chit Chaat Cafe was so nice and even took the time out to explain the menu to us and the off menu items. Loved his personality and loved that it was a mom and pop shop. The food is better than all the DC Indian restaurants because it's properly spiced and made true to taste. We are vegetarian so we only ordered vegetarian items and items that we previously heard were good. We ordered the Samosa Burrito and two Samosas. We ate the samosas first to see what we were getting in to and they were phenomenal, just how I remember my family making them!! The samosa burrito was even more flavorful with the samosa, rice, and different chutneys included inside. I figured that DC Indian food is so bland, why not travel and bit outside to get some quality food and it worked! Amazing family, amazing food, and amazing vibes inside the gas station...could not ask for more. They also have a variety of Indian drinks as seen in the images attached. They do not have a seating area inside so we ate outside then went back inside to tell the owner how great it tasted! Loved the experience and will be back!! read more

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I live nearby so easy to check out this cafe in a gas station. The food is solid and authentic Indian. The biryani lamb was full of flavor and spices, the samosa stuffed with goodness; and though the smoothie dessert (not sure name) was bit sweet and rich - enjoyed it more frozen (after sometime in the freezer). Plan on being a repeat customer. read more