I have eaten at many Indian Restaurants across the US and I have to say, that this one of my favorite places to eat. Butter Chicken, Chicken Biryani and Garlic Naan bread is out of this world. I pass several other places to eat here! read more

I've had Indian cuisine from Tokyo to Trenton, Dallas to Dublin and just about everywhere in between! Never have I seen, much less been to a fast casual Indian place like Choolaah's--and I absolutely love it! The concept is a fantastic idea and makes Indian a viable quick-bite option for all. The prices are reasonable, the portions large, and the flavors well-developed. My wife and I shared a Chicken Masala meal as neither one of us was starving, and it was perfect. Not too heavy and the garlic naan we got with it was big enough to share as well. The hand washing station was a big hit and we liked being able to look into the prep kitchen as well as admire the 30+ ft tower of Indian books in one of the other corners. The place feels modern and clean. Will definitely be back as some of our good friends live in the apartments right above it. read more

Choolaah - Chicken Masala Bowl - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Walking into this building I was not expecting to be impressed. I usually stick with family owned Indian establishments. This is a chain. I got the lamb perfect balance bowl with the vegetables and white rice and masala. I should not have judged a book by its cover! I am Totally impressed and will be coming back! The lamb meatballs were perfectly seasoned, the vegetables were amazing and a variety, and the naan bread was the best I've had! The ginger lemonade read more

Choolaah - Lamb perfect balance bowl - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If you haven't been to Choolaah...why not?! This isn't your usual Indian fare. It's fast-casual; it's customizable; and it's almost best described as a fusion between American-style dishes and Indian-inspired flavors. The result is a menu that features naan and samosa alongside chicken and salmon salads. (That said, the paneer and naan chips you can add to the salads elevate them to a whole new level, in my opinion!) This menu is definitely Choolaah's greatest strength, especially because it's so customizable. From bowls to naan wraps to those yummy salads, everything can be made and adjusted for the average carnivore or for plant-lovers alike. Spice levels are also totally in your control when ordering. Plus, key ingredients can be swapped as needed, helping to keep a meal focused on one food group over another. It's handy in cases such as people wanting to cut down on carbs, increase their vegetable intake, eat more protein - things like that. While I find that I don't really need anything else (everything is cooked and prepared so nicely, and I'm honestly a Plain Jane at heart), Choolaah also features a sauce station for people who want even more flavor in each bite. It's a great option to experiment with flavor profiles if that's something you like to do. They also offer ice cream, although I've never made it to dessert here. Maybe one day... In case you can't tell, I'm in love with this place. Their food is just so good and so unique. Everything else great about the business (like the polite, hardworking staff, as well as the fact that Choolaah periodically donates part of their Monday proceeds to specific nonprofits) is a big cherry on top of my already happy taste buds. I'll definitely be frequenting Choolaah for a while to come! read more

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I was feeling peckish and wanted to get something small while I waited for a meeting to conclude. I was really tempted to try their bowls as it seems that's what they're known for but it seemed like more food than I wanted to deal with. I got two wraps for me and my partner. Lamb for me and chicken for them. I inhaled my wrap. For size, think of the size of naan as that's what they used to make the wrap. It was perfect for what I was craving and needing. If I was hungrier, I'd opt for the bowl or get two wraps. I tried the chicken wrap and it was delicious. The simple and bright decor caught my eye. I love the tower of books about India and Indian food. Would return! read more

The food is delicious and the owner of the restaurant is really warm as he introduce the menu to us in detail. I really recommend the masala. It really amazes me with its amazing smell and taste read more

Choolaah - Chicken Perfect Balance Bowl Chickpea Masala Veggie Croquette Choolaah Bowl Tikka Masala Mango Lemonade - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is like a Chipotle-style Indian cuisine that I was blessed with when visiting Pittsburgh. This chain seriously needs to expand to other states!! Or at least, please come to LA. They have three main types of bowls that you can choose from, depending on your preference of salad, protein, and rice. Then you choose your curry/sauce. I got the basic one - tikki masala - literally THE best. I was also craving tofu, and I literally did not go wrong with any decisioin I made. The tofu was perfect consistency, and the curry was perfect for dipping with the naan (it costs extra, but hey, can't have an indian cuisine without the naan!!). The ONLY thing I could have requested was a bit more rice. My rice was drenched in curry, making it more soupy than I would have liked, but I tend to like my rice be not as wet with sauce. It's just my preference. 10/10 would come again. read more

Choolaah - Choolah Tofu Choolaah Bowl - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Food is very good. Service is quick. Love their ambiance. The meal is pretty balanced with protein and carbs. read more

Choolaah - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Probably my favorite! Consistently good food, always clean with kind, caring staff and a mission statement that will melt your heart. Choolah for the win! read more

picked up a quick lunch w my sister here, really big place. it's like an indian chipotle, got the yellow lentil daal with mint yogurt and it was good. she got the tikka and she liked that too. read more

Choolaah in East Liberty is my go to place for tasty, healthy, reasonably priced food and quick service. I've never been disappointed so I was surprised to find the nan bread I ordered recently wasn't packed with my delicious takeout salmon pro bowl when I arrived home. It wasn't a big deal, and it had never happened before but I decided to call to let them know. Michael, the manager, answered the phone, apologized immediately, said it was a big deal to him, and he wanted to do something either then or the next time I came in. I told him his customer first attitude was so genuine that it was compensation enough but he insisted on doing more and said there would be an envelope for me with comps inside. The envelope was there on my next visit, very generous, and I met Michael. He apologized again and thanked me for my understanding. I told him all food establishments will make mistakes, but both he and Choolaah turned a small negative into a positive. read more

Choolah is a fun concept that has been well executed. It's probably been said before but at the risk of oversimplifying, choolaah is kind of like a version of chipotle for Indian food. You assemble your plate from the basics of carbs (rice, naan), protein (chicken, lamb, paneer, salmon, tofu) and accompanying flavored masala (tikka masala, chickpea, lentil). On the whole, the options are great and I recommend stopping by. Beyond the food itself, my favorite part of the meal is the different sauces available - they're unique and flavorful. The 3 I've tried (mint-yogurt, spicy mango, and tamarind apple) are delicious. Also, if you've never tried Indian ice cream I highly recommend trying the malai or mango kulfi at least once! It's the stuff dreams are made of - well, if you have a sweet tooth like me. read more

The food was good but the profiling was OBVIOUS & absolutely RIDICULOUS. My family had ordered $80+ worth of food from here including several drinks (mango lassi, chai, soft drink & chilled chai). We then sent my younger son to get some glasses for ice water. At this point, they got suspicious that we were going to use the cups for soft drinks at their machine. They kept hovering nearby & even came by to ask how we were doing - but to check to make sure we were drinking actual water. They then positioned a guy to stand there and play with the ice machine until we ate & left. NEVER AGAIN - skip this place & go to nearby Condado Tacos instead! read more

Service isn't the fastest. But what's most disappointing, is what you get, for what you pay...maybe I've been out of touch with the inflation effects, but I got some marinated chicken in wrap for $10...Just chicken...nothing else...then really tasty dips are now .35 each which isn't terrible. But man you gotta throw me some lettuce or chickpeas or something else with the $10 wrap. The burrito at Chipotle is like $9 and you get 9 things in it and all the sauces you can handlez and it takes 2 minutes without a line. JS read more

Choolaah - Chicken wrap...which is JUST chicken - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I really support this business concept and recommend giving it a try! However there are a few things that take away from a 5-star fast casual experience that keep happening to me here. The first time I came here a very friendly employee explained the ordering concept and suggested I try all the sauces bc I couldn't decide (they used to be free). Had a great salad and the sauces were v flavorful! Hooked me. Every time since then though I've been met with v unenthused employees. Multiple times, items have been left out of my takeout order and it's hit or miss on if the order will be ready at the pickup time. The staff just don't seem to care (sign of the times, le sigh). Sauces are really a value add to the meal and now you have to pay extra to get more than one. :( Lastly, what happened to the Choolah salad? Aw man, the salad, veggies, chicken and pickled onion combo was SO GOOD. It even came with fried pita. Now all I can get is a salad bowl base with either chicken OR veggie and... that's it. The masala isn't for everyone. We need more topping options included in that bowl price! Look at all the options Roots bowls have.. Anyway the reason I keep coming back is really the one guy who I believe to be the manager. He's very friendly and if he is a witness to an issue, promptly apologizes and works with the customer to make it up to them. A+ Also the flavors in the protein and sauces are really good/unique for the fast casual scene in Pittsburgh. Hope they can figure out the kinks and expand the menu a bit! read more

I had this place bookmarked for a while and I just happened to see it when I was trying to find parking in East Liberty. I'm a big fan of Indian food and when I saw Choolaah I knew I had to try it. When you walk in you order at the front and you're given a buzzer that goes off when your food is ready. There is a menu when you order that shows all of the dietary restrictions of the menu items, which being vegan I always appreciate. I ordered the perfect balance bowl with tofu and the chickpea masala. There are an array of hot sauces and chutneys to choose from to go along with your meal. My sister and I really enjoyed our meals and I like that you can now quickly get great Indian food in East Liberty. Next time I come back I definitely want to try the yellow lentil daal and the samosas. read more

Choolaah - Tofu perfect balance bowl with chickpea curry - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

very good food very chimpsy on the portions it is not worth it go to peoples indian if your looking for good Indian food with decent portion size worth your buck. Also Authentic too! read more

I liked it for what it was - a westernized chipotle style take on Indian food. The veggies were great, and so was the dish overall. Only complaint is the spice level was pretty bland. Would have liked the option to spice it up. Prices are pretty steep as well for the quantity you get. Might try it again. read more

Choolaah - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Everything was great! Food freshness order accuracy and staff was very friendly I try to eat here when ever I'm in town

Very impressed. Bowls and naan are awesome, mango lassi was delicious.Yellow lentil great, lamb wrap okay. Fair prices too

Really good QSR. I like Indian food and they hit the spot. They have free parking, easy kiosk ordering, plenty of seating, including on a cool mezzanine. Being pescatarian, there are many vegetarian and vegan choices for a broad dietary selection. read more

Choolah takes a modern twist on traditional Indian dishes. There are so many good options for food and it always comes with really cute and colorful dipping sauces. The bowls have never disappointed and the samosa's and drinks are great as well. Even though it is a fast casual spot, everything in the store is intentionally designed. The interior design and decor is gorgeous and there are unique experience such as the hand-wash-o-matic station and being able to watch the food being prepared one the custom built tandoori ovens. The staff is super friendly and helps give recommendations as well. read more

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Finally got around to stopping by Choolaah and I was not disappointed. Upon walking in to the space you can see the chefs making food through a giant glass window. The smells of spices, baked goods, and seasoned meat flow all throughout the restaurant. It's a very clean place with a bright atmosphere and friendly people. There is also a hands free hand wash station which I did not use but it looks pretty cool. The food was also great. I ordered Tikka Masala with chicken. The rice/sauce was bursting with flavor. It was on point with the some of the better Masalas I've had. The chicken was something to rave about. Fresh, flavorful, juicy, not fatty. A quality product. I love list of where the food products are sourced from. It always feels better to know where your food is coming from before you eat. read more

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Mmmm! Not sure what to say. Ordered the Lamb Choolaah. When about half way thru found a small piece of plastic wrap (see picture). Kind of took the edge off a meal that was pretty good. Actually finalized my eating. About half the tables were empty but most were not cleaned/wiped off. Our table had a lot of crumbs on it as did a few others we looked at, took the cleanest table. read more

Fast food Indian. Delicious options with friendly service. You can customize your meal, the they give you a a buzzer to let you know when it's ready. I didn't care for the music, which I thought was too monotonous with too much drumset. There were plenty of condiments to choose from, mango, mint, and a couple with hot level warnings that were actually not all that hot. The samosas were a little disappointing, you would do better at a conventional Indian restaurant. One tip about the garage next door, if you park under 45 minutes, it's free. read more

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My son and I went to grab dinner at the Center Ave, Pittsburgh location of Choolaah today and were very disappointed. We placed our order at 7:40 pm and were still waiting for our food at 8:30 pm. And we weren't the only ones waiting for our food for a long time, there were many more! Finally unable to wait any longer, I asked if I could cancel my order and get a refund. The manager said a refund was not possible; however, he gave me free entree gift cards for the amount I'd spent. It turned out that Choolaah was hosting a fundraiser. If a fundraiser is planned, I would expect Choolaah to have more employees in place and be equipped to handle the volume, not keep customers waiting for their food. The whole experience left a very bad taste in my mouth. The only reason I'm even giving 1 star is because of the manager. Despite working under tremendous pressure to get all the customer orders ready, he showed no irritation and was very polite when I asked to cancel my order. That was impressive. read more

Mediocre at best. Came in on Tuesday evening to find a relatively long line, 15 minute wait. We ordered a chicken and veggie wrap and it takes another 10 minutes before it's ready. I don't care so much about the prep time, but the product that I got was a cold mess.... Yes, cold. The cauliflower and peas were around room temperature. The wraps were small and very lackluster. The naan didn't wow us, tasted like what you get at the store. The portions were small, so when part of the broken wrap (yes, the middle of my wrap was broken off) fell on me and onto the floor, I almost cried because each bite counts. The taste is a bad fusion take on Indian food, not the flavors and spices you find in real India cuisine. Not as fast casual as you'd think. Maybe after the hype, it'll be less of a line and zoo inside. read more

Choolaah - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I'm a total sucker for Indian food, and for those that know me it's definitely one of my favorite cuisines! So when I saw massive tandoori ovens from the window inside Choolaah, I knew that I had to come try this place out! I went for the Choolah bowl and got a mix of brown rice and greens, and upgraded my protein to the Lamb meatballs. I got a side of black daal and naan bread as well. It's cool to see that they have healthy options here! The lamb was super delicious, and I loved it with the spicy mango chutney! I added the black daal over everything since without any masala, the rice and greens were a little plain, but the black daal elevated the flavor of the entire meal completely! And then of course, the naan bread was absolutely delicious and made fresh in the tandoori oven! I definitely want to come back to try the samosa chaat, and the salmon in a super Choolaah bowl that comes with fresh veggies as well! Definitely a great spot for a quick lunch in East Liberty! read more

Choolaah - Lamb Choolaah Bowl with Naan and Black Lentil Daal - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The inside of this restaurant is hip and bright, with lots of plate glass, colorful hand-painted artwork on white walls, and an enormous chalkboard wall with magnet words on it access from the restrooms downstairs. (There are more single-occupancy, gendered restrooms upstairs.) You order downstairs and then pick up the food when your buzzer goes off. The menu is varied, with rice bowls, salads, wraps, sides, drinks, and desserts. The chicken tiki masala bowl was tasty even without an added sauce, and a respectable portion to boot. Look out: the lamb meatball wrap was surprisingly spicy (not in a bad way, just...in a surprising way). The samosas are small but delectable, and you could totally order the samosa chaat with the mango laasi for a small meal. The vegetarian sloppy joe was​ reportedly good, on something like a potato roll. The biriyani was disappointing, however. While the crust was crunchy like a large, impossibly thin chip (I ate the whole thing), the inside was not particularly moist. Our table also agreed that the naan was a disappointment, having the taste and texture of pizza crust. Nevertheless, we are likely to come back when we want a quick meal (this time we were not quick enough to qualify for free parking behind the restaurant; after 45 minutes it's $3). I still want to try their desserts--good luck having any room after all the good food you'll want to eat! read more

Choolaah - Tower of Indian cookbooks - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What's for Lunch? (Wednesday~ April 1, 2020) ***Day 17 of my quarantine*** Choolaah!!! Island of Misfits to drink!! Yum Yum!! Meal specs: The salmon is actually pretty good espically fit fast food!! They cook it in a way that gives it a nice char!! The chickpea masala pairs nicely with it!! I like the veggies; but, again, it could have less of the sweet potatoes & more zucchini & other green veggies!! On the other hand I didn't feel as overwhelmed this time compared to my last visit!! The brown rice was typical, no issues. I added one of their hot sauces that they offer! COVID-19 specs: There wasn't many people inside. Most people called in &/or placed an online order. So, they where coming & going pretty fast. Not unexpectedly, they did not allow any taste testing! We came home & dumped the bowl onto a plate! Drink specs: Bon appétit Picture read more

Choolaah - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I love love love authentic Indian fare. This food hits it out of the park. I love that they spent a few years in India to get the flavors right. I love that they're a locally owned, Pittsburgh company. Shop small business...always, people! I love the bursts of flavor in every bite of food that hit my mouth and tongue. This is probably considered fast/food style Indian food but I don't care because for what it is, it's perfect!!! read more

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WOW. Choolaah. Thank you for the wonderful dinners from the first time we came with yelp and last night. I am always a fan of these express style modern eatery, but man I gotta say Choolah really blowed my mind. First of all, the interior of this place is so unique and immediately got my attention when I walked in. I know the line at this place can be long, but they're long for a reason. It's worth it! Plus, while you wait in line you can observe the wall arts, they're all painted in the recent year, very artsy. Oh & Please don't forget to try all their special sauces, i especially love the apple flavor one and the green cilantro tasting one. For entree, I got their perfect balance bowl with chicken and tofu. Tofu was additional charged since they don't do half protein. The second time I came I got another protein balance bowl with lamb meat bowl, and my bf got a salad. We both love our food. I love their chick peas masala. If you aren't sure about which masala to pick, you can ask to try it before you order. The food is great, and the customer service is excellent! For beverage, I got the mango lemonade it was so tasty. I tried it the first time when I came here for a yelp event, i love it so I had to get it again! The mango is very strong, it's not like those water downed drinks you get at the grocery store. Yuuummy. Overall Highly recommended! If you're hesitating about trying, don't be :) read more

Did you know that this restaurant is the Chipotle of Indian food? Did you read that in other reviews? Well it's not. That's so horribly reductionist y'all, give these folks credit. Yinz gotta come up with more creative descriptions. So yes, Choolaah offers fast-casual-customizable-Indian cuisine and it's pretty damn good. Fresh everything, hearty flavors, naan right out of the tandoor. The quality is not quite what you might find at a sit down restaurant, such as Taste of India. There are also limited offerings given the fast pacing, so no tandoori chicken or matar paneer here. But it's good. All things considered, a meal here really hits the spot. More than the food, the most impressive thing about Choolaah is the design and culture. There's a clear mission to inspire joy through their restaurant, everything about the place is just so positive and quirky and wholesome. From the tower of colorful books at the door, to the equally towering swing set, to the affirmations adorning the walls and napkins, you CAN'T NOT leave happy after a meal at Choolaah. Like, even going to the bathroom will put you face-to-face with a mustachio'ed version of your mirror self. How many other fast food places put that much thought and positivity into their restrooms? Such cheerful. Much remarkable. At times, it's hard to justify spending $10 on fast food, and easily up to $20 once you add upgrades and sides and drinks -- but when you're in the mood and you get your Choolaah fix you will rarely be disappointed. read more

Choolaah - Close up of the action :) - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I got takeout from here today. I got the bowl that is half a portion of rice with roasted veg and the lamb meatballs which I was super excited for. There was still a good amount of rice, the veg was awesome and the meatballs were ok. The seemed like they could have a little more spice happening in them, but I will say I got the side of hot sauce and mint yogurt and that rounded everything out nicely. I also got the whole wheat naan and loved that. It arrived at my office hot and fresh. read more

Choolaah - Whole Wheat Naan - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Came here for a quick lunch with a coworker. She really hyped them up. I got one of their wraps and their samosas. Both were very good. The vibe seems so weird to me though. Everything is so modern and nobody was there to help us order when we got there. We had a coupon from my coworkers past bad experience at the other location, so we couldn't use the touchscreen to order ourselves. It was a bit frustrating. Also, as someone who had never been there before, it would have been helpful to have someone to answer questions while ordering. You can watch them make your food, which was neat. We didn't have to wait terribly long for our food, but there was nobody else there when we arrived. I'm not sure what it would be like if it were busy. I'm probably not going to got there on my own, but will be more than happy to accompany my coworker again. read more

This spot is truly amazing for some fresh, healthy, modern, and quick Indian food. Everything I've tried has been great and fresh. If you are scared of spicy food, don't hesitate to eat here! Everything is made fairly neutral and it's up to you to add the spicy sauces, so have no fear if you can't handle the heat! Everything here is also a great portion for the cost! Every bowl is at least two servings for me. read more

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The food was tasty and the people were amazingly friendly! I attended the Yelp event here with a great DJ, solid food, and even got one of their great PGH tshirts! Our group ordered a variety of menu items and shared everything. Top of my wishlist was the tiki masala, and it was good! We had chicken and white rice and the flavor was delicious and that portion plus naan would have been well enough for a meal. A great vegan option is the cauliflower and chickpea wrap - it had great flavor! The owner also provided a small portion of the chickpea soup, which was fantastic (and also vegan)! Other dishes we tried at the table included the Croq Choolaah Salad with tamarind ginger dressing and the Paneer Choolaah bowl with yellow lentil sauce... both also very good! What we loved about all the options were the distinct flavors and then the options to add the sauces to spice them up. We also tried the two kinds of lemonade available, mint ginger and mango. The mango was very mango-y (that's a word, right?!) and the mint ginger was just a hint but was very refreshing. So the food: Good! Now, the atmosphere: everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. The space is very open and offered a variety of options for seating both on the main floor and upstairs in a loft. The open kitchen and modern decor make it a nice place for a quick meal or to sit and chat. I also read that it is a BYOB, so next time I think I'll have a nice bottle of white wine to go with my spicy dish! read more

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I don't know if this place is better when you eat there, but definitely don't order delivery. Took about 40 mins to arrive from the time I ordered off yelp. But food arrived cold. I also pre-tipped the driver $5 and ask to leave the food at the front door (baby sleeping/dog would bark) but he couldn't even be bothered to get out of his car. And he definitely didn't understand English when I asked him to leave the food at the door on the phone, he just sat in his car. Bowls from the photos look pretty full, but don't be fooled, it's not. Thank goodness I ordered extra rice because this is probably only enough rice to feed my 2 year old. The naan was very doughy and not at all buttery or crisp like other indian places and was covered with black sesame which I wasn't expecting. The only upside to this order was the decent amount of protein. So if you like more meat than rice, this would probably be for you. Chicken was very juicy but a little to burnt for my taste. read more

Choolaah - Chicken Perfect Balance Bowl. Top bowl has masala on the side. Extra rice - Indian Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Choolah is a fun, fast Indian concept. You can order at a kiosk or up front and they bring you the food out. The decor, glass walls in front of the kitchen, giant tandoori ovens, and upstairs seating are all fun. I ordered one of their bowls and naan bread. The food was very good. It didn't seem very conventional. It would be a great place to go for your first Indian meal. read more

Please bring back the Biriyani bowl and kulfi! This franchise doesn't carry the full menu that the others carry, not sure if it's due to Covid 19. But the taste and quantity could have been better for the price and the trouble finding parking to get to this place in downtown. read more