You enter this place and get the Kathi roll midtown east vibe. Colorful, vibrant, and cosy while you get to see the kitchen in action. Lucky for me, Chef Chintan Pandya was cooking today! I fangirled for a while then waited patiently for my food. Ordered a bunch of things because when In doubt... Their smooth operator is the boneless fried chicken in their spice mix. I got rogue level for al our food. It's crunchy, flavorful while the chicken is juicy and soft inside. I mean it's basically your perfect fried chicken in Indian flavors. Can't go wrong! Ordered the chilli chicken - I'm gonna assume it's the same fried chicken which was tossed in typical indo Chinese spices. The hint of sweetness with the right amount of umami was a sweet surprise as you don't really get that perfect chilli chicken in nyc very often. Defo order this if you have never had it or if you're missing it I feel like I'm repeating myself but the vada pao was spot on, again! The garlic dry chutney made me cry a little - I haven't been to Bombay in 3 years and I have missed this too damn much Both rowdies (chicken sandwich) are a great order. Again, you're getting the same fried chicken but this time you have pickled onions and some cilantro and yogurt chutney with it. Their cilantro mint chutney is spicy - you have been warned! But then again it's #unapologeticfood ;) read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Insanely spicy. I got level 2 and even that was too much. I don't have a low spice tolerance either. Seating is definitely a issue at this place too which is annoying. read more

Rowdy Rooster - Big rowdy - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

I was here for a small snack prior to going to another meal so I stuck with the "Smooth-Op" or boneless chicken simply served with mint chutney though most order fried chicken sandwiches where the bread and yogurt probably help with the heavy spices. I went with the Rogue flavor or level 4/5 spice which has a Kerala chili blend and the cashier made sure I was fine ordering that which was a bit more then a bit of a warning. It came out in a fiery reddish brown and I could tell I was looking at something very hot. The level 4 is probably hotter than most spicy dishes in the city even coming from someone who tends to love anything up until Scotch bonnet/a strong habanero level and routinely prefers Sichuan/Hunan/Northern Thai cuisine. My guess is as it was listed as a Kerala blend was that it was a mix of Bird's Eye/Kanthari and some other chilis and was probably 2- hundred thousand Scoville which was packed into the chicken in every bite. Seriously packed a punch but I could still tell the chicken was delicious and very lightly fried. I struggled a bit eating it and decided to take the rest home where I had it with some yogurt and other stuff which definitely helped. Will likely get Level 3 next time so I can better taste the excellent chicken. I can't imagine level 5 which I presume is Ghost/Bhut Jolokia and something else. They packed exactly the flavor I expected and it's hard to argue with their concept unless you really can't take chili in which case I would definitely stay far far away from this place. "Unapologetic" indeed. read more

See all

Love that an indian-inspired fried chicken sandwich is finally hitting the scene. I got the fried chicken sandwich for $9 and it was pretty expensive but I guess you gotta make rent in downtown Manhattan. CHICKEN SANDWICH $9 I will say the sandwich was so flavorful the bread was soft and kind of fell apart as I kept eating it, provided a nice buffer to the flavor/heat, the mint chutney and chicken thigh was well seasoned and full of flavor. I got the lowest spice level and it was hotter than expected, def would stick to this level for me and I have a pretty good spice tolerance. For reference korean level spice is perfect me, Thai is great most of the time but approaches the line for me at times. CORN MASALA $4 Seasoned corn with red onions and tomatoes. Sweet delicious corn; for the price I would have liked more but def yummy. Would be down to come back again and try their pakora. Welcome to the scene rowdy rooster ! read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Small joint serving a great chicken sandwich. Went with dark meat with the lowest heat choice. Bread is buttery, chicken is moist and sauces taste great. read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

A fast-casual spot serving up Indian-fusion bites, best-known for their spicy chicken burgers. The menu is pretty straightforward -- I appreciate that they have vegetarian options. I grabbed the Paneer Tikka Sandwich and it was like a Vada Pav -- IMO a bit overpriced for the size of the meal, so would opt for a bowl next time. Overall solid, would come back for the Masala Fries. read more

Cute lil ambiance , tiny space luv dat doe fo sho U got a low spice tolerance? Might not b 4 u Bowl - pretty fire. Felt like those videos of English teachers eating their salads Sandie - pretty fire. Wore a bib to avoid a mess Actually, medium spice was exactly medium. And the mild was exactly mild. Right on! read more

The mere concept of Indian fried chicken was enough to get me excited, and Rowdy Rooster executed it absolutely perfectly. It's a casual counter-order place with only four small tables seating 2-3 each, but the service (and the eating!) goes pretty fast so it shouldn't take too long for a table to open up; takeout also seems popular here. I ordered a Big Rowdy sandwich, which has five spice levels and I opted for number 2. I'm pretty spice-sensitive and found even that pretty hot, but the sandwich was delicious! The bun wasn't too big but there was a HEFTY portion of fried chicken that was perfectly crispy yet moist, with a generous amount of Indian seasoning that was not just spicy but beautifully complex. Even the bun was tasty, buttery and lightly toasted. Probably one of the best and most unique fried chicken sandwiches I've had - I started eating it so fast I didn't even get a picture, and the Big Rowdy was plenty and got me very full. Best of all, it's not even that pricy at $12. If you like Indian food, fried chicken, or both, definitely give this spot a shot. read more

Not much of a wait at 12:30pm on a Sunday but the next hour brought on a small queue and a particularly motivated woman laying claim to our coveted seats. - Lil' Rowdy Sandwich with Rogue Level Heat: Crispy, tender, hot, juicy chicken. Whatever juices/oils seeping out were quickly soaked into the porous pao bread. The spiciness pierced through with each tiny bite, of which I likely took on the order of hundreds to stave off the compounding heat of a square centimeter. Maybe I would've fared better with the middle spice level but it wasn't anything a few nibbles of chickpea chaat (fresh and flavorful!) and 4 glasses of water couldn't neutralize. By the way, I would recommend the restaurant to use plastic cups 500% larger than the current sized ones. Much appreciated. - Eggplant Pakora: Crunchy outer, molten inner. Perfectly salted and seasoned. Can't ask much more from a pakora. A tad heavy on the oil. A friend in attendance with particular tastes and peculiar restrictions remarked on the pleasant aroma of the place. No, she did not ever cave and sample even a single bite here but the sentiment was one of approval. I personally would continue to give my business to this gem even if it meant going into credit card debt! Definitely will be coming back. read more

Rowdy Rooster - Eggplant Pakora - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Wow. I was surprised. Up there as one of the best fried chicken sandwiches I have ever had. We got the bid rowdy. The chicken was juicy with dark meat and it was a really nice red spice on the fried chicken. The mint and yogurt sauces paired really well. And the potato bun was fluffy Note that it's pretty spicy. So next time I may go with one spice level below what I got this time. read more

Best service and one of the best Vada Pao's that I have tried. The heat is perfect in vada pao on spicier side. I am a vegetarian do having this option is great at a Fried Chicken place. Would love for my friends to try the fried chicken sando to be able to share proper review for other foods. It's small place to sit down and eat inside, not a prb to me. More like a take out place. read more

Rowdy Rooster - Vada Pao - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Super crispy and crunchy chicken season with chutney and Indian herbs. The fluffy sandwich buns stayed crispy and toasted through my entire meal! I personally would have preferred more acid yogurt sauce with the chicken sandwiches but it was still really delicious. We order two of the chicken sandwiches and the mango lassi which were serve quickly. You pay at the front register and can seat at one of the three table inside or take it to go. They even have little alcohol pad for you clean you hand after the meal. Super detail oriented place, will be back to try more of their menu. read more

Rowdy Rooster - Menu - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Such a smart concept and expertly executed. I went with the big rowdy sandwich with white meat and the second level of heat (rogue). The chicken was fried well and loaded with seasoning and flavor. I agree with the leveling of rogue; definitely hot but it's not going to scorch your taste buds off. A well balanced flavor. The sandwich was quite large- I definitely could have gotten the lil rowdy and been satisfied. This would be a good sandwich to half with someone. I also got the masala fries. These are circle fries, which is my new favorite style of fry recently (I think I saw someone call these 'cottage fries' somewhere but don't quote me.) These are optimal for dipping in sauce. Speaking of sauce, I got the date tamarind (recommended by the server) and sesame yogurt. I ended up kind of mixing these two and really loved the combo. This is a great fast casual option in EV! 4.5/5 read more

Rowdy Rooster is straightforward, and this review will be as well! Great food for an affordable price thats packed with flavor! I've had the Vada Pao, Lil Rowdy, and potato pakora. All were delicious, and would order again! read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Probably passed by this place a zillion times and finally came in to try their fried chicken sandwiches. I got the Lil Rowdy, Eggplant Pakora, and the Mango Lassi. I like that they have a relatively small menu, making selecting things easier. The food came out fairly quickly, and it hit the spot for a dinner craving. Would come back again! read more

I have heard such good things about the fried chicken so I had to go and check it out. As a fan of their other restaurants we were very excited to go. Staff was friendly, the menu compact. You have the option of either chicken fingers or chicken sandwiches. All the food comes heavily sauced and spiced. Definitely a yogurt marinade, tandori style situatiom going on and then once fried, its covered again in a rich and spicy sauce. There are varying degrees of spice. I went the second hottest and was warned by staff. While it was certainly hot it was not unbearable. But certainly among the hottest dishes that's being served in new york. I am looking at you Sigiri and Brick Lane. What was shocking to me was how hot the kids option was. I would say that is comically hot for a kids menu. My 8 year old has been raised properly so he loved his fingers but, i would say its equal to Serrano Pepper hot while my dish was thai pepper hot. Well I couldn't imagine how many Attempted returns the kids meal has had. But like the kids meal and my meal, the sauce was Like dumped on. It was over loaded. My wife ordered the chicken sandwich and The bun was my favorite part. It was a heavily Spiced bun that was the color of tumeric. It's hard not to talk about this place without thinking about Namkeen. Namkeen has even more spicy chicken, is more balanced and i think the superior Option. While I think Rowdy Rooster is a spice lovers dream, it seems more focused on beating you over the head than going for a nuanced assault. Love the indian soda options read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

I didn't know they are going for spicy challenge...! Ordered the second spicy one and it was sooooo spicy that I wasnt sure what I was eating... But I def want to come back to try the mild one! read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Will be returning here every time I visit nyc for sure. Lil rowdy with spice level 4 was just the right amount of flavor and spice for me. For someone who eats Indian spicy, 2 or 3 might be safer as I had to take a few breaks in between to let my tongue cool down . Chili chicken was also amazing and a must order. You probably won't get a spot to eat in the restaurant (since they only have 3ish tables) so plan for takeout. read more

Great spot for Indian fast food fried chicken. Nice blend of spices + actual spice. Wish there was a way to not feel so greasy afterwards tho read more

Rowdy Rooster - Big rowdy - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

I've seen this place really hyped up on ig so we stopped by for some takeout. We got everything medium spicy ~ which was plenty spicy. I would have loved to have had a sauce that was cooling including instead of the chutney. The sandwich was extremely soggy (takeout potentially?). Perhaps, my expectations were too high because of the group it's from. read more

See all

Had the chicken sandwich from here, chose the lowest spice level and it was hot still. It was mad good. The chutney gives a fruity balance that's needed. I previously tried the level above and it was a little too hot for me, and I love spicy food. Calm takeout operation with very limited seating. I also had the fried eggplant which was fire. Dipped that in th chutney too. Solid meal. read more

AMAZING FRIED CHICKEN!! I'd definitely recommend coming here (unless you're just a fried chicken hater). The indian spices are so yummy with the chicken. I came with a friend for a casual dinner before going to see a comedy show on a Tuesday night. The seating is very limited though, only about 4ish tables inside. We were lucky though, it was full when we walked in but once we finished ordering a party was leaving so we snagged a table. We got the Bad to the Bone, Big Rowdy, and Chili Chicken to share. Being ambitious we ordered the Big Rowdy chicken at a level 5 spice and Bad to the Bone at a level 4 spice. It was indeed quite spicey and my lips were on fire !! But if you're looking to test your spice tolerance then go for it! For enjoyment, I'd probably go with a 3 spice level next time. My favorite was definitely the Big Rowdy chicken sandwich. The sauces and flavors with the chicken were delicious- it was a juicy and flavor bomb chicken sandwich. Bad to the Bone is a dry rub and has bones. The Chili Chicken was saucy popcorn chicken style. All were delicious and I definitely wouldn't be opposed to getting any of them again. Come Again? YES! It was so delicious and it's easy to come again since it's a causal style restaurant and the food comes out quick! read more

Rowdy Rooster - @eatingsfrom - big rowdy chicken sandwich - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Really juicy an unique taste chicken sandwich. Was spicy in a good way. Definitely want to try everything from their menu read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent chicken sandwich. Soft bun, creamy and herbaceous yogurt sauce that cuts through the heat, crunchy chicken with juicy interior, and an awesome blend of spices on the breading. I went for the Rogue heat level, which they warned me about/stopped just short of advising my not to get. It was quite hot on bites with less yogurt sauce, but definitely manageable on bites with more sauce. I would not have gone hotter. Delicious sandwich. read more

Delish!!! Small spot for dine in- but people eat fast so it's not too long of a wait for a table. I loved my chicken Sammy even though they messed up the spice level and gave me one that was spicier than I ordered. Worth my mouth being on fire with every bite! read more

We went here for lunch just before catching a train to go back home. This is the perfect place if you are looking for a hearty delicious Indian style burger with green chutney, onions, creamy sauce etc. After being greeted by the very welcoming manager Isha, we ordered big rowdy burger meal which had masala fries, mango lassi and big rowdy burger. The masala fries give your a feeling of having potato bhajiya from back home. We opted for the rogue level for spice and it was perfect for our taste. This place is just opposite the penn station making it very convenient. It was an amazing experience end to end. read more

See all

I love this place so much that I went here three times in one week. For some reason, I'm a huge fan of the casual sister restaurants of critically acclaimed restaurants (Peach Mart and Bang Bar for Momofuku, this for Dhamaka), and I would go here way more often than I would Dhamaka. I've been here quite a few times now, and I've introduced other people who also really love it. It's super casual, so there usually will be one table open because people just eat and go (or take it to go). I've never had difficulty waiting to get seated with my food. I love the Lil Rowdy, and I always get that; if I'm feeling super hungry, I'd prefer to get the boneless chicken with a butter pao on the side rather than the larger Big Rowdy. I think the chicken goes way better with the pao than with a potato bun. The spices and seasonings complement the chicken perfectly, and the refreshing mint/cilantro chutney and onion offset the greasiness of the fried chicken. It's a perfect sandwich, and the fusion is executed perfectly. I also like the eggplant pakora as a snack if I'm particularly hungry; otherwise, the Lil Rowdy is enough for me as a meal (though probably not for most people). Even though I enjoy spicy food, I prefer this mild - medium already gives quite a bit of a kick, and I do not feel like spending $5 for a small bottle of mango lassi (even though I'm sure it's very good). They do offer complimentary water in a cup, but the cup is very small so it's just enough for the mild sandwich. read more

I've not had the opportunity to visit their mortar brick and mortar shop but next time I'm in NYC, I'll definitely be coming around. They participated in this years EEEAAatscon festival and I'm so glad I came across it. The flavor from their chicken sandwich was incredible, the chicken succulent and spiced to perfection. I'll be dreaming (and drooling) about it until the next time I can have it again. The mango lassi was also top notch. read more

A small, poppin' spicy fried chicken shop. The spiciness was overwhelming, but in a way that I didn't like how it covered up the other flavors instead of complementing them. -The chili cauliflower side was good, but it could've used more scallions or another sauce. -The mini chicken sandwich was all right. That yogurt sauce was doing some heavy lifting, balancing out the meal. It could've used more onions or other fix-ins. read more

Well worth the hype. No frills chicken spot from a restaurant group that has developed a nice pedigree of places for indian food. The spice lives up to the name, chicken was juicy and crunchy with the right amount of heat. They have a few non-chicken dishes worth a try (just as flavorful) but you definitely have to come for the sandwich. Use of indian flavors to make a spicy chicken sandwich is a match made in heaven. I wish they would start delivery asap. They currently only do dine-in (very few seats) or pick-up only. The cashier mentioned it's because they wanted the quality to meet the demand and not feel overwhelmed with the added on orders delivery would entail. True or not, the food speaks for itself in terms of their dedication to flavor and doing justice to each and every dish on the menu. Be prepared to get sloppy and sweaty, but in a good way! read more

Indian fried chicken place in east village which opened earlier this year. The vada pao was so good but almost too spicy for me. The other reviews aren't kidding about how spicy everything is, even "mild" spice. The food came out hot and fresh. There's only a couple of tables so there was always one or two groups waiting to sit in a pretty small space, which doesn't really have strong AC. I'd recommend just getting the food to go. read more

The chicken was really good! The crust was crunchy, and the meat inside was tender and juicy. The flavoring was really good. There was the dahi and Hara chantey used as the sauce on top that I really liked. Very well cooked and seasoned. The level 3 spice (Andhra) was perfect - not too spicy, but far from bland. The restaurant is very small. Space for roughly 6 ppl to sit. Nicely decorated with vibrant, Indian decor and pattern. Food came out quick and hot. Will definitely be coming frequently! read more

This is the spiciest thing I've ever eaten. Hotter than Nashville chicken in Nashville. I'm suffering that next day That being said quality of meat was excellent. Next time I'm just won't get rowdy level read more

Rowdy Rooster - Smooth Operator - Rowdy - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

What an incredible fast casual meal. If you love strong flavors and fast service, this is the place for you. I ordered The Big Rowdy with heat level "Rowdy", and it almost knocked me on my ass. But that spiciness didn't reduce the sandwich to a one-trick act, like pepper-extract hot sauces . This sandwich was complex, flavorful, crunchy, spicy, and addicting. The chili cauliflower was also delicious, with a slowly building spice as you keep eating. Impressively, it really reminded me of spicy chicken nuggets, due to its flavor and inner texture. The thick mango lassi helped me cool down after the meal, and it's also pretty filling. read more

Rowdy Rooster - Big Rowdy and Chili Cauliflower - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Best fried chicken we have tried in the city so far. The medium spice level is perfect, the tenders especially tasted amazing and the mint chutney was perfect. read more

See all

If you're a fan of fried chicken this is the place to be! This is Indian fried chicken to the next level. My husband is in love with this place and makes it a point to come here for takeout every time we're in the city. We have tried spice levels 2,4 and rowdy 5!!! Level 2 was the best I could do, and it was still so tasty and spicy. Love that they show the origins of where the spices and chilies come from in their menu. I especially love their vada pav - I think it's a delicious option for all the vegetarians out there! 10/10. We love the trifecta in Manhattan - dhamaka, Semma, and Rowdy Rooster. read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Stopped by here on a Saturday night for a quick dinner. Tight interior with only four small tables to use for dining in. Luckily a table opened up at the corner as soon as we were done ordering. Decided to try the Bad to the Bone ($9) at Kerala level spicy (because my family is from there, should be able to handle it). Severely underestimated the spice levels as the rub on that chicken was fire. Great flavor overall and the chicken/breading ratio was nice. However, had to go through several cups of water to get through the meal. Also tried the Chili Cauliflower ($9) at the regular spice level which was much more balanced. Love the snacking options here and the quick service. Next time, will order the spice level accordingly. read more

Rowdy Rooster - Bad to the bone, chili cauliflower, pakora - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Great for a quick bite and relatively good pricing but nothing mind blowing. No frills menu with fried chicken, fried chicken sandwich and some sides. I'd recommend the level 3 which was a nice spice level for a me since I eat a lot of spicy foods. The sides were okay but didn't like that they were stuffed into small containers making them soggy and not crispy. I feel like a sauce should be included with the price and not have to be added on. The burger was decent with lots of flavor which is enough to bump them from a 3 to 4 star Overall 7.8: cheaper pricing, little to no wait, and decent food. Would return if convenient or in the area read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

I thought the food here was good! Not mind blowing-- it barely got a 4/5, but I do LOVE the original concept, so it gets the nod. I got the big sandwich with the maximum spice level (at This location there's 3 spice levels). It wasn't that spicy. I heard from the cashier that they shifted around the spice levels a bit because of reviews saying it was too spicy... shame. I wanted more! I did find the sandwich verging on too salty, and think there should've been a sweet chutney to cut the salt and acid! It felt unbalanced flavorwise, but still was crispy and well-cooked. Aka I still ate it tf up. The masala fries were soggy, and lacking flavor, but again fries are fried and I ate it tf up. I'd come back tho-- I'm interested in that paneer tikka sandwich and eggplant pakora... :) and I want to try the Indian coke hehe. read more

I came with some friends who were visiting and we were all stoked to try these sandwiches. Be warned, their spice doesn't play around. I came in confident and was quickly humbled! I loved that the chicken was so flavorful, but I felt like the bun could've been a bit more moist. I recommend getting a side and a sauce to balance out all the spice read more

Rowdy Rooster - Indian Near Me - New York, New York