Pros: - great marketing (every high-traffic corner in the area has a sign for it) - exceptionally nice owners - cute interior - clean bathrooms - they have Indian dishes that are hard to find Cons: - the Tenali Kura wrap I got (with paneer) was an UNHOLY amount of spice. And I like spice! But it was labeled 2/5 chilis and that was a vast understatement. I guzzled 5 glasses of water. I started to hear colors. The flavor was nice from what I could taste, but it was so spicy my sister couldn't finish her wrap and I suffered through mine. Even the owner said she would classify it a 4/5 chili dish, but it was her husband who decided it would be 2/5. It will burn a hole in your insides and humble you. - the vanilla cardamom panna cotta didn't have enough vanilla or cardamom flavor. The texture is also a bit...firmer and bouncier than others I've had. The caramel and nuts on top were a nice touch. read more

Pochys - Vanilla cardamom panna cotta - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

First off -- DELICIOUS!!!!! I had the Paneer with Bagar Rice/Chapati and the flavors were insane. This is not your "basic" indian spot. The food is authentic, absolutely ZERO canned food used, and the spices are blended in house! The owner, Aravind Pochiraju, helped us choose the best meal that satisfied our cravings and hunger. He was wonderful to chat with and conversing with him really made me even more excited to try the food! You can easily tell how much effort he's put into these recipes. The flavors are still lingering on my tongue!!! I was extremely surprised to see the restaurant empty which made me pretty bummed...There's perfect outdoor seating with pet accommodations and beautiful lighting! I was expecting to see more people at dinner time, especially since the food is outstanding. Next time you're craving indian food or you don't know what to cook/eat, go here! I can promise you that they will not disappoint. read more

Pochys - demolished plates - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The staff here are very friendly. While placing our order, the cashier asked if we could handle spice, and we confidently said "yes." We're also Asian, we can eat spice... we thought. The Tenali Kura (paneer) claimed to be a 2/5 spice level, and I assure you it was NOT. I have been trying to follow an acid reflux diet, which is supposed to be minimal/no spices. I figured 2/5 would be okay- maybe some warmth, but surely on the mild side. I was wrong. After 2 bites, I felt like my lips were starting to puff up and my mouth was salivating more to deal with the spice. I felt so confused, I had to ask the owner "Is this a 2/5 Indian spicy? Or regular?" and she laughed. She said "If it were up to me, I would say it's 4/5 spicy. My husband said it was a 2/5 so that's what he put on the menu." Honestly my mouth was so numb, I can't even comment on the flavor of the food. I would love a new menu based on the wife's judgement of spice level. On a different day, I had the butter chicken and rice, and it was excellent. I would consider going back but not for the tenali kura. The staff were all friendly and great, and there's a cute mural on the wall. The outdoor area seems like it'd be a great on a hot sunny day too. read more

Really delicious fast casual Indian food. I had the paneer rolls and added veggies and a boiled egg. It was delicious. Paneer is always fire but it was cooked in a slightly spicy curry sauce that I loved. Def add the peppers and onions for veggies and texture as well. My only critique- I wish you could mix and match rolls, since each order comes with two. Oh also loved that there was some cute outdoor seating. read more

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Good South Indian fare in Berkeley. We got the Chicken Tenali Kura Kathi Rolls and the Ulta Vada Pav. Flavors were solid in both. However, spice levels were misleading. The Ulta Vada Pav was a 1/5 spice level but ended up tasting like a 4/5. The Tenali Kura was a 2/5 but tasted less spicy than the Vada Pav read more

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Omg what a find! We were scrolling through Yelp to find a quick post-hike snack when we stumbled upon Pochys. We're so glad we found this place: usually we'd have to drive all the way to Sunnyvale or Cupertino for quality South Indian food so glad to have Pochys close by. The other thing that stands out is that it's not your "standard" South Indian fare like dosa/idli. Here, the menu is inspired by Bangalore grab-and-go food so the emphasis is more on the rolls (which you can get done in a variety of ways). We ordered the Tenali Kura Chicken Roll (2 for $16) which were delicious. I wasn't familiar with what Tenali Kura was (might be a Karnataka thing) but when we tasted it was exactly like what we'd expect to find in someone's house in South India. Very authentic/homemade flavor profile! Shoutout to the owner's 70 year old mom who very sweetly brought our food to us and asked us if we needed anything else. Totally adds to the charm/homeliness of the place. We'll be back to try the Donne biryani soon! read more

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Had some work in Berkeley and decided to stop by at this newly opened restaurant. We went around 1:45 pm. It wasn't busy. It is self ordering. I ordered a Vada Pav. My partner ordered the Chicken Donne Biryani. I loved my Vada Pav. The fried chilli was missing. I asked for it and they obliged. The vada pav tasted amazing. My partner felt the biryani was bland and could use some heat. No raita was served with biryani surprisingly. Overall great experience. Please add some music. Restrooms were clean. Staff were courteous. read more

Pochys - Vada Pav - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Ate outdoors on a beautiful breezy shaded patio. Ordered Chicken 65, Gobi Manchurian with the fried rice, Shaadi Ki Subzi Paneer (paneer hand wrap) The manchurian was deliciously crispy and well seasoned, and Pochy's did not hold back with any of the spices! The owner told me they roast and grind their own spices, having the processing happen so close to the kitchen does wonders for the flavor. The Chicken 65 had intense juicy and bright lime notes that almost reminded me of jerk seasoning, beautifully marinated and the crisp on the cook was just amazing. So far some of the best Indian food I've had in Berkeley. read more

The chicken 65 was absolutely the best I've had in the east bay so far. And the tenali kuri was fantastic. Only critique would be to get the wraps a lil less soggy, potentially a thicker wrap? but so so so so so good. Really a must check out spot in Berkeley. Will be back soon :) read more

Ambiance: Pochys is a no frills casual spot.Its best for small groups (around 4 people) or just totally eating by yourself.There are a few tables outside in case you want to bring your furry friends. Food:I had the Tenali Kura paneer rolls and the Aloo Bonda. The rolls were so flavorful and had a good amount of heat from the chilis.2 of the small rolls was satisfying enough for a small meal. The Aloo Bonda was mildly spiced with what appeared to be turmeric, black mustard seed, and possibly some chilis. The cilantro chutney was a nice accompaniment to the slightly crisp outer layer of the Aloo Bonda. The chutney container was small; I'll ask for more next time. Service: The lady who served our food was so nice and welcoming. Value:I think the 2 rolls for $16 and the Aloo Bonda for $10 was a bit pricey. Other notes: I definitely want to come back to try the other dishes. I've been to many Indian spots in SF and the East Bay but haven't found anything else like Pochys. I'd rate the food 5 stars but the value is 4 stars. read more

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The food here is delicious. Unique, special Indian flavors, and to provide some credibility, I am Indian, unlike all of the negative reviewers... Clearly the only issue being cited is that some of the food is spicier than the reviewers thought it would be. Okay so watch out for that if you are sensitive. That's a fair point. There is not really ambiance, it's more like a hole in the wall. Service was friendly from what I recall. This is not an average Indian take out place. It is better. The prices may be a little higher but they deserve it. I've had the Kathi rolls previously, two flavors. I prefer the Tenali Kura over the butter chicken but that was nice too. Looking forward to trying the Vada Pav tonight. read more

Amazing little neighborhood gem. I've tried only one dish so far but I'll be definitely back for more. It was really good and tasted very authentic. read more

Overall my husband and I didn't have a good experience at Pochys and won't return. 1) Very slow and non-existent service. You order by yourself at the counter with no staff. After placing the order it's a super long wait for the food with no indication of whether it will arrive at all because there was no staff around. 2) They got our order wrong - husband ordered paneer and got chicken instead. 3) I ordered butter chicken masala and what I got was NOT chicken masala looked exactly the same as what my husband ordered (Tenali Kura). 4) We got the mango lassi and hibiscus drink. Both were awful. Worst mango lassi I've had in my life and I've had plenty. 5) Food was so-so. It doesn't taste bad or anything but just not exceptional considering the price. I've had much better Indian food in the Bay and especially even better ones in Singapore and Malaysia (which has a large South Indian population) read more

Food was OK. My wife's food came out when I was already done eating and was quite spicy despite it not being labled as such. Ordering is on a tablet without any interaction with a human. What rubbed me really the wrong was when this tablet was asking for tips with suggestions 20%, 25%, 30%. There is no services provided. There are even signs asking to clean up yourself. Edit: Question after reading the answer. Why ask for 30% tip if it is self-service? read more

Walked in on a Saturday afternoon around 1:00 PM and was seated immediately. I ordered a pair of chicken Tenali kura roll and my husband ordered a paneer and egg tenali kura roll. All the rolls were delicious. The chicken one specifically was DELICIOUS & AMAZING. Not too oily, the spice level was good for my Indian taste bud Will definitely be here next time I'm in Berkeley. read more

Pochys - Paneer and egg tenali kura roll - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

TOO SPICY!!! Please consider having some milder options for the food. Your version of mild is too spicy for most people in the US.

I'm sorry this was just SUCH a massive disappointment! Whatever you're serving as Gobi Manchurian is just not right, please look up any online recipe! There's no curry leaves, there's gobi and usually a Manchurian sauce! read more

Good food but not worth the cost. We spent $100 on lunch for three people but we didn't leave feeling fat and happy as one would hope for after spending over $30 each on lunch, and it just wasn't worth it. I understand the spices are ground by hand and the ingredients are fresh--plenty of Bay Area restaurants use fresh ingredients and high quality spices--but the benefits of those features did not off-set the extremely high price tag, the very small portions, or the seriously lacking ambiance. Unfortunately I won't be returning or recommending. read more

Dropped in shortly after opening and the experience was a bit ghostly. You order in a kiosk, and there was not a human in sight ( the were probably BOH prepping for the day) A girl came put at one point to give me my thali, and then I bussed my own table. It was a little surreal and weird but the food was quite nice read more

Genius marketing led to our discovery of this place! I saw a placard near my son's school on University and I was intrigued by the promise of South Indian street food. My husband is from Andra Pradesh and seeing the pics of the founders online, I knew this place would be legit. The food did not disappoint: vada pav, chicken tenali khura roll, and chicken 65. Wish there was imili and green chutney for the vada pav and lime along with the chicken 65 but those are simple asks for next time. And believe me, there will be a next time! Thanks for bringing authentic Indian food to Berkeley! We salute you! read more

Beyond delicious. I got Kati Rolls and they blew me away! I'll be back for sure. Personalised service from owner. I'd give six stars if I could. read more

My family and I came here a couple mos back and had a nice time! It is hard to find South Indian places as is, let alone street food, so we were excited to try it! The spot is small and well suited for 1-4 so the 6 of us and our dog perhaps were too loud or took too much room but we made it work. How cool that the vibe is so chill that dogs are welcome! That was another main reason we came, being dog- friendly is not common for Indian restaurants! The Kathi rolls and Masala pav were hits and we all wanted more of that Chicken 65. The portions are small as others have stated but the owner shared what all they do in terms of freshness so makes sense. Maybe it would be helpful to state on the menu what is more of a snack size vs a meal. To drink, the chai felt like home and the limeade was such a refreshing treat. It seems the menu has def gotten bigger since we were there. I look fwd to trying the different biriyanis next! And hopefully some dosa and idli too, quoting my not-so-subtle mom's feedback. :) It was lovely to hear your vision, Aravind. I can tell how hard you and your team work, including your mom in her 70s! Thanks for taking the time to speak with us and we will be back. Maybe our dogs can meet next time. Take care! read more

Wow is an understatement! This concept really intrigued me and I'm so happy we gave Pochys a try! Had the opportunity to connect with the owner when we visited and his passion and mission were undeniable. He told us all of the masalas (spice blends) were roasted and blended in house, something that truly makes a difference. The food was amazing, extremely flavorful and fresh; you can tell it's made upon order because everything comes out piping hot! My favorite was the chicken Kathi/rolls which were bursting with flavor and the texture of the chicken was fall apart. Everything we tried was delicious and we will definitely be back! PS: they are dog friendly and also have an outdoor patio. read more

Pochys - Chicken 65 *** Gluten Chicken Manchurian CHICKEN (Bangalore) ** Donne Biriyani Rice (no protein) **Vegan Kabab CHICKEN Roll (2) ** - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Really expensive and tiny portions. It's literally sauce, meat, carb. It's a good sauce, but really pricy for what you get. I also didn't feel like the person helping us really understood what was going on read more

Great new spot! The Gobi Manchurian is really fantastic and full of good flavors, the menu is straightforward and well thought out. We also enjoyed the Paneer Tenali Curry roll. The owners and staff are very welcoming and happy to explain the menu and inspiration behind each dish. Nice location and overall ambiance. Will be coming back! read more

I'm not sure how I learned about Pochys. Either via Nosh or Yelp's Hot and New Businesses email or even the Chronicle's new restaurants section. Either way I bookmarked it on Yelp and Nina and I met here for lunch today. It's where Lulu's Berkeley was, on Camelia between 10th and 9th, It has changed since it was Lulu's. The outdoor seating is level w/ the sidewalk w/ one step up and one step down. There's a ramp to the interior space and it looks like there's a gate where the outside seating is to allow wheelchair access. You order at the counter and your food is brought to you. Because of a review I read prior to our visit, I was concerned about the spice level and discussed it w/ Aravind when I ordered. He told me the Butter Chicken was customizable by adding coconut cream and cashews to cut the spice. I ordered the lime juice to drink. He encouraged me to try the mango lassi w/ cardamom and I said I would next time. Nina ordered the same thing and we sat inside. When I finished the lime juice I requested a mango lassi, which Aravind brought to me. Our Butter Chicken was brought to us and it was tasty w/ no heat. The chicken meat was meltingly tender and moist, an achievement because it was white meat. When Aravind came to check on us we said we could use more spice, so he brought us small samples of the way they normally make it and it was delicious. Both of us would order it that way next time. The previous reviewer must be far more spice sensitive than we are. Aravind explained that the other dishes weren't customizable because the spices are cooked in, so they can't be changed. They will be reserved for those w/ a more robust spice tolerance than we have. The interior space is undecorated, the result, I think, of it being early days. I expect that to change over time. When I headed back to the bathroom Aravind came over to turn on the lights in the hallway and the bathroom for me. I thanked him and told him I needed to pay for my lassi and he said it was on the house, which was very kind and I appreciated it. This is an interesting new restaurant and I look forward to revisiting it. read more

We got the Butter Masala and the Tenali Kura chicken curries, as well as the biryani side and a mango milkshake (not a lassi) for two people. The portion sizes were good for a single meal, although I would say that the amount of chapati you get is definitely less than the rice if you choose that as your carb. The food was really flavourful and delicious. The mango milkshake was good but in general I still prefer lassi. The restaurant was clean and there was no wait at 7pm on a Friday evening. Looking forward to coming back to try the Manchurian curry and chicken 65. As a suggestion to the restaurant, it would be awesome to have a 3-curry sampler. 13th July 2024 Edit: Went back for the Chicken 65. This was incredibly good. It is likely to be spicy for many people, so be aware if you consider yourself to be sensitive to spice. However I could not get enough. Will definitely be eating this regularly going forward. I will also note that the food has not left me with the bloated/overfull feeling that often accompanies Indian food. Definitely recommend this place. read more

Pochys was delicious! I went here with my brothers today and we enjoyed our yummy food. We got three dishes and they were all great. I really liked the spices in the biryani! I will definitely go back. read more

Tasty food, casual and quick. this place just needs some marketing help. First of all the menu is very confusing. Secondly the food arrives lukewarm. Fix these two things and market! Good flavor. read more

Tried this place on recommendation from a friend and wow it was amazing! The owner saw us struggling to figure out what to pick and gave us some recommendations. The chicken 65 was our favorite but everything was outstanding. The staff was so friendly and the ambience was like being in someone home. Will definitely come back. read more

Regional Indian food can be a whole other level of sensory adventure. You have to try it to know it. We tried Pochys at lunch today and were very impressed with their bold, flavorful creations. My husband had the Tenali Kura - Chicken and I had the egg version. We loved them both and enjoyed having our lunch in the covered seating outdoors on a quiet street. Service was quick. Pochys is a recent addition to the Berkeley dining scene and the team is clearly passionate about what they do! We will be coming back to try more of the menu! read more

Pochys - Tenali Kura - Egg with fried rice and Tenali Kura - Chicken with Bagar rice - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

The food was absolutely delicious. The service was lovely and the restaurant is cheerful and bright. The owner came and spoke to us about how the spiced are milled fresh, and you can really tell. The flavors in the four dishes we tried were outstanding and really sang in your mouth. Highly recommend! read more

Food was great and had some flavors I have never had in Indian cuisine. The bread in the wraps was soft and was a great way to consume the flavors of Masala and Tenali Kura. Both very recommended. My favorite was the Manchurian plate which was sort of an indo-chinese mix I had never seen. The food is cooked on a wok but has Indian spices and flavor, the chicken comes out crispy and was very enjoyable. Come check this place out, the owners are very welcoming . read more

Pochys - Chicken Tenali Kura wrap, Chicken Butter Masala wrap and Chicken Manchurian w/ Fried Rice - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Service was quick and staff friendly. Nice clean area if you want to dine indoors or out. The outdoors could be spruced up a little but it will do. Now the food. I chose the butter chicken because it's typically always good. And it was very good. The rice was a little undercooked so that was a bummer but managed to softened up with the gravy. The only disappointment was the amount of chicken. I felt there should have been more chicken and less rice given the $16 price. It won't keep me from going back though. I would try other items on the menu or just get the meal without the rice. read more

Pochys - Butter chicken combo - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Disappointed. Place was empty . Got a "hey" when I walked in the door from guy on laptop. Then back to laptop. No one behind the counter Thought it would be fast Indian street food. I refuse to order from a screen and pay nice restaurant prices for small portions in an antiseptic environment. And leave a tip to bus my own table? No thanks- why have a restaurant at all? Why not a food truck? Or just order from a window? Tip: go visit Portland and see how they operate their boutique food places. I love Indian food. But will find it elsewhere read more

I ended up visiting Pochys last weekend on a visit to the East Bay from San Francisco, specifically to try the Manchurian here - I'm typically not a fan of the way it's prepared in most places out here and when I saw Bangalore street food flavors and a more condensed menu, I was intrigued to give it a shot. I had both the corn and chicken manchurian and they were both incredible - the corn is definitely something unique to try out here as it's unlike anything you ever get and the chicken manchurian hit the right nostalgic notes for me, had a nice kick to it and is definitely the best take on manchurian in the Bay Area that I've experienced so far! The fried rice also complemented the manchurian really well. I had the opportunity to try the butter masala paneer in a roll and the bagar annam rice dish as well. The butter masala is so flavorful and has this richness to it that makes you. The butter masala is more relatable of a flavor for people who enjoy Indian food out here in the US but it's also unique in its own way. The bagar annam rice dish is also something to try as it has a very unique aroma and taste that will take your taste buds on a ride. I also want to highlight the owner's (Aravind) hospitality - he chatted with us for a while and made me want to go back and try the upcoming dishes they're looking to add to their menu for their grand opening. Excited to see a true Indian street food concept here in the Bay Area and looking forward to come back for the manchurian and more! read more

Finally a place that provides authentic flavors from Bangalore! Loved the perfectly crispy gobi Manchurian in a wrap with bell pepper, spinach and onion. The wrap with paneer Butter masala was really tasty! The lime juice with mint was most refreshing. Tenali kura an Andra delicacy was spicy and flavorful the way its supposed to be! read more

Pochys - Fried rice, spice rice, wraps and tenali kura with rice - Indian Near Me - Berkeley, California

delicious I believe it's the best Indian food I've had outside of India. I could clearly taste each different spice in the dish. Everything was so fresh and good and the owner was super nice. will definitely go again. read more

We went for drinks at Berkeley when we stumbled upon this place . Their menu looked surprisingly diff than any other South Indian places , they don't serve the usual idli, dosa, Vada . Had some Vada pav it was perfect , also had some lovely biryani served by aunty . And it sent me back home where my aunt used to serve me similar biryani , the seasoning was perfect . read more

Sorry but eating warmed up food is not my idea of a good dining experience. Nothing was newly prepared. The rice was soggy lukewarm and the spice was hardly noticeable. The restaurant was clean, the environment was pleasant. Indoor and outdoor dining space. Very small portions of food. The water kept in a container tasted off, perhaps changing the water everyday would help. I also think serving mango milkshakes instead of a mango lasse is just not well thought out. Anyway, my rating says it all. read more