These are my favorite rolls ever, we've been coming here at least once a month for over a decade! Their chicken is super tender (and ridiculously hot if you get the Phaal - only order if you want stupid hot). The Chapli is so perfectly flavored and cooked, crunchy on the outside of the ground lamb and tender/spiced on the inside. Their Aloo Paneer roll is perfectly spiced, as good as you get in rolls on the streets of India. My wife loves the Okra though I'm not an Okra fan in general. Really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Service is super fast, even when it's crowded. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a tiny little place with barely any seats, so if weather permits, I'd recommend getting it to go and eating it in washington square park.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Small shop, up a flight of stairs (so not accessible for those who can't use stairs), looks and feels like it's been around for a while.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have a few stools and you can sit to eat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ordered an aloo paneer roll, which shouldn't be spicy per the menu, but ended up being spicy (actually quite spice-laden, too). No general water cups around - maybe I had to ask. The paneer, too, was either crushed or small but not the big chunks I had expected, it was mostly aloo (potato). And for cash, no extra charge (they do take credit card). Overall I find the Kati Roll across the street better. read more

See all

Ordered delivery from Thelewala NYC (so can't really speak to the ambiance/service), but had to try it after my brother-in-law recommended it b/c he and my sister order from here regularly, so expectations were pretty high. We got a mix of items - I personally ordered the chatpat paneer kathi roll and the malai chicken roll, while others tried a few different rolls and the bhel. Starting with the bhel, it was definitely on the spicy side, so keep that in mind if you're sensitive to heat. Orrr if you LOVE heat, they do have a chili habenro sauce you can get on the side, which is nice but HOT HOT HOT. I honestly think the rolls would really benefit from a creamy white sauce option (I ended up using a garlic sauce I had at home, and it worked great). The paneer roll was amazing - super flavorful, and the onions in it were SO good. My only note would be that the paneer pieces could be a bit smaller to soak up more of that flavor. The malai chicken roll was solid - super tender and tasty, and I think it could use a little lime or something tangy/zingy to really make it pop. Overall, definitely on the better side of kathi rolls I've had. Would order again for sure. TLDR: One of the better kathi roll spots I've had, flavorful, satisfying, and look forward to ordering again. read more

Service was great. Food tasted good. I came here 3 years ago and the size of the rolls seems to have gotten smaller. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Indoor seating is available but it is up a set of stairs[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Thelewala - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Yummy roti rolls with one of the better insides I've encountered. Standard counter service -- take your roll and munch in the park! The chicken malai is delicious and the chapli kebab roll gave me a nostalgic ride to the elementary school lunches I begged my mom not to pack me. Perhaps in 2011 they were an inexpensive restaurant, but MacDougal street rent isn't cheap anymore and neither are these rolls. PSA: unless you're interested in a date with the devil, do NOT get the chicken phall. I drank 3 $4 gatorades from the WSP halal guy and it still wasn't enough to protect me. Tread carefully. read more

Cheap and good! But greasy Good: we got the gobi paneer roll and it was good but very greasy! I wish it had a bit more paneer and less onions! It is definitely spicy and it comes fresh, so be aware of how hot it is! For the price, I think it was really great Service: good and fast [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambience: it's a small shop with a few indoor seats and a table outside! It is definitely meant to be a takeout shop[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Thelewala - Menu and inside - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

The spice level here is something to be wary of. If you can't handle spice, make sure you tell them that many times. I was sweating fire on my commute back (and loving it). The jaal muri was tangy and spicy and everything you want if you need your sinuses opened. I tried the okra roll and paneer roll and loved both of them. read more

Thelewala - Jaal Muri - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

SERVICE - located near washington square park - small store with food packaged to go - open late night - [[HIGHLIGHT]]good for a very casual meal[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] MENU - Indian Kati roll wraps - vegetarian/vegan options available - well priced ($10 per wrap) FOOD - achaari aloo tikki (9/10): mashed potatoes spiced with chili and tangy pickle. This tastes like an aloo paratha but as a roll. The potato is soft and absorbs a lot of the masala flavor it is cooked with. The bread is chewy yet crisp making it the ideal vehicle for the potato filling. - aloo gobi (8/10): mixed potato and cauliflower. This one felt like a hybrid between the achaari aloo and the smoky gobi so if you want a taste of two by only ordering one get this. - smoky gobi (8/10): roasted cauliflower with spices. I was not expecting this one to be as flavorful as it was since cauliflower can sometimes feel bland. The smokiness really came through and went well with the slightly sweet wrap. - okra (9/10): crispy okra with spices. This one was definitely my favorite. The okra was perfectly cooked and had no sliminess. It had more texture than the potato and cauliflower ones and felt spicier. WOULD I GO BACK? Yes! It's a great spot for a quick late night bite. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because i wished it had a vegan option with more protein like a channa masala roll read more

See all

I'd save your $11 and head to taco Mahal over this place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I think this is place is too simple to be a restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] In Waze, I feel like I could make this dish myself. I think that every dish needs cheese as well as some sauces. It's very dry. It's not a lot of food. I feel like this is more breakfast food, like an Indian breakfast burrito. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I wasn't particularly wowed with this place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Thelewala - Thelewala Chicken Roll - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Fun late night snack--open late. Easy to take on the go. Made fresh to order. Kind workers as well. Seems like prices rose throughout the years though, but that's likely the case for every restaurant on this busy street. read more

Thelewala - Chapli Roll and Achari Aloo Tikki Roll - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

I saw a post on insta about Thelewala and decided to try it out if I was in the area, luckily on my to Mamouns I saw thelewalas signs and knew I had to try it out. We ordered one aloo tiki roll and one chatapata chicken roll, they also gave me a complimentary puchka (Bengali version of pani puri) water to try, it was delicious and perfectly spicy. The rolls were delicious too. Service was great. I highly recommend trying The Thelewala. read more

Online menu has incorrect.prices! Found out after ordering. I will taste the food later

West 8th Street and MacDougal Street- this street in Greenwich Village is full of eateries ranging from the luxurious Minetta Tavern (famous for its Black Label Burger) to the cheap Pommes Frites (a well-known French fry establishment). Thelewala- Hindi, it means roadside vendor. a compact joint tucked into MacDougal Street. They are well known for their fresh and spicy chaat, but most importantly their Nizami rolls--a grab-and-go restaurant serving Kolkata Nizami Rolls and other Indian street foods. We ordered its famous Thelewala Chicken roll and masala chai The roll was fresh, long pieces of marinated chicken, they cooked in front of us (which means it was not cooked earlier) and I could taste the freshness. something about their green mint chutney was different for me (it might be Amla /Indian gooseberry), but that tasted different. Masala chai was horrible though, not at all good. The shop is not spacious though, It's mostly grab-and-go, but there are a couple of stools seat to sit on. wall-size mirror makes it look bigger, decor is simple but beautiful. not sure why I had not heard before about it, but I got some options other than Kathi roll. read more

See all

We were in the area on sixth avenue to get in our Joe's Pizza fix (so good!), but I did find through my research that, a block behind sixth avenue on MacDougal St, there were a bunch of eateries that we needed to try out. Since there's only so much real estate in our stomachs, we settled on trying this inexpensive hole-in-the-wall spot called Thelewala that served Indian wraps/rolls. I thought it was unique. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Inside, it's very cramped and there's barely any room for seating. I would say this is more of a grab-and-go spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff was friendly and steered us away from the chicken phall roll, which they stated would be too spicy for us. Instead, they recommended we try their chicken pata chicken roll with their habanero chutney sauce on the side to dip it in - just in case it would be too spicy for us. Well, the roll was pretty good. The habanero chutney was, in fact, quite spicy. But, we enjoyed it. It was also easy to eat and not too messy. Next time, I plan to try out their vegetarian rolls to see if their Indian spices stand out more. If you're in the area, come and check them out. read more

Thelewala - Menu - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Oh Boy! This is a hole in the wal but the food is FIRE(literally). Inside there is only enough standig room for 3-4 people at a time and sitting space for another 2. So make sure you are okay to get your food to-go and eat somewhere else. We got the ragda patties and the chicken phal roll. The chicken phall roll is absolutely wild! It has the spiciest peoper (think ghost). The server did a good job by making sure we knew what we were ordering and how hot it was going to be. We wanted it so we got it. And boy was it HOT! It was loaded with the peppers and the sauce and we had smoke coming out of all our pores. The ragda patties were a lot more normal and it was authentic! You should definitely add this to your list if you like Indian street/comfort food read more

See all

FIRE!!!!! This place and its food is fire! It's a small shop that cannot accommodate more that 4-5 people at a time. But most people came for pickups, so it was great. We ordered ragara patties and a chicken Phalke role. The Ragara Patties tasted great. Just like in India. It had the right amount of spice and flavour. Thoroughly enjoyed it. But it was the roll that set this experience apart from any other. The guy behind the counter warned us that the Chicken Phalke role was going to be really spicy. Even the menu says "it's fire!! . But we wanted to try it anyways. I think we were a little too proud of our Indian spice tolerance, and also were excited to give this a try. The very first bite had us hiccuping and dying of the spice! Like right off the bat. The guy told us to take off the chillies if it got too unbearable, but we were liking the killing heat, but more than that the flavour of the roll, that we decided to continue eating it on the streets of the city (God knows we couldn't sit still after the first couple bites). By the end of the role, I was pretty delirious, and in need for something sweet. My mind kept going blank for a few seconds every now and then. And my lips were on fire for the rest of the day. But I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking to eat a nice Indian chaat. Even if you don't get the Phall role, they have other options that I'm pretty sure are going to be just as good. And anyone who loves spicy, give the roll a go. read more

See all

I was in the neighborhood studying. I wanted a quick bite before going home, so I ended up going to Thelewala. It is a fast-casual place that I could get something to eat by myself. You can tell they make it fresh and to order because it took them about 15 minutes to make after I ordered. The place is a bit cramped, and they only have a handful of seats, so most people order to go. It's not hard to eat and walk if you get a roll. Chat pata chicken roll was okay. Pretty spicy for me, and I didn't really taste much variety of spices. I do think the roll itself was mostly one note. However, it was filled with chicken and eggs. They didn't skimp on ingredients. It gets pretty messy if you eat it on the go because the roll is oily. There's a tiny discount if you pay with cash. The roll itself was cheap, less than $10 when I paid with cash. It's satisfying enough if you aren't a big eater. read more

Thelewala - Chatpata Chicken Roll - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

During my recent trip to NY, I tried couple of their rolls. I started with Chicken Phal Roll and it was extremely spicy. They did warn about the spice on the menu but I thought I would be able to take it - not to be ! I was in tears by the time I was done with it. I ordered Achari Aloo Tikki roll just to experience another 'normal non spicy' roll and it was good. Also tried Jhalmoori as an appetizer and that was good too. Ambience is a big problem here as this place is extremely cramped , can't dine in here if you are in a group of 4-5+ people so its more of a takeout spot. Service was quick. I will be back here if I visit NY again for a quick take out bite ! read more

A hole-in-the-wall spot for affordable, yummy Indian eats -- they serve up kathi rolls and other chaat. They are super authentic and have lots of vegetarian options. I'd highly recommend grabbing a bite and walking over to a nearby park. I got the chili lime (with egg added) and it was delicious! read more

Thelewala - Lime Paneer Roll - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Since their opening, this place has remained consistent. The workers delivered notably skillful service. Each item reflected careful handling. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The spot reflects local history and culture.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They maintain quality across all areas. read more

I had paneer roll, aloo gobi roll and they were awesome!! Remember, spice level is what is stated.

The wraps are tasty and the seasonings are just right. I like how they have many different options, including vegetarian and vegan. Great place to stop in for a late night snack or a pre-comedy show tummy warm up. It won't get you stuffed, as in, it's not a full meal really. But it does the job. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nowhere to sit so be prepared to take away.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

People don't recommend this place lightly, and I see why. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The kitchen delivers excellence. Tasty offerings in a comfortable space.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Staff shows genuine concern for satisfaction. I'm grateful for the attentive help. read more

This place is no frills authentic indian wraps/frankies/rolls and chaat whatever you want to call it. Get the chicken phall roll if iyoj are up for the heat otherwise the malai is your safe bet on the easy side. Small space but bomb fold, and they are open late right on macdougal where all the comedy clubs are at, so its a perfect before/after spot if you are hungry read more

Thelewala - Chicken Phall Roll - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Thelewala just happens to be right across kati roll company so I had a bit of a taste test session and had kati rolls from both. Overall, I love supporting small businesses so I'd definitely come back here for my kati rolls but their filling is so addicting and delicious. Thelewala's paneer roll had spicy onions and smaller pieces of paneer. It was priced slightly higher but I didn't mind since it was pretty much a whole meal. I would want the roti to be slightly crispier but if you're a fan of the thin malabar rotis then this is the place for you. read more

Thelewala - Chatpata Paneer Roll - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

The kathi rolls here are worth checking out. They have unique fillings like crispy okra Kathi roll. Not much seating inside or bathroom. Service is good too! read more

Thelewala - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

This spot hits you different. Hands down one of the most authentic/delicious Calcutta rolls i have had in the US. The food was so good i couldn't stop to click pictures. Definitely try the Ghugni which is a yellow peas curry from calcutta. we loved the rolls chatpata chicken and chicken malai. The filling was tangy and spicy the cook on the chicken was spot on. Thelewala is doing an amazing job bringing street food culture to NYC. The prices are unbeatable and that is exactly what Indian street food is Big flavors and affordable prices. Most items on the menu are under $10. Another Bonus they stay open till late. Cheers! read more

Thelewala - Chicken Malai Roll - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Thelewala is a classic Calcutta style street food joint on the busy MacDougall street in WV. Students & foodies alike swarm this place for it's yummy Kathi rolls and snacks. Long bookmarked on my list, I finally visited one evening after a tiring citibike ride from across town. First impressions, this place is cramped! It literally feels like a mini two floor street cart transformed into a fast casual restaurant. Nonetheless, the menu is interesting - with tempting combinations making up a variety of kathi rolls and flavor-explosive snacks like Jhalmuri & Bhelpuri. I ended up getting their Jhalmuri, Gobi Paneer and Okra Kathi rolls. The Jhalmuri nicely elevates your taste buds and wets your appetite for the hot & fresh kathi rolls. Both of which tasted authentic & delicious - as if you were eating on the streets. You could taste the smokiness from the light chargrill of the Gobi and the nostalgia of the simple Bhindi masala (Okra) from India. While it claims to be an affordable spot, it's still a tad pricey than what it should be i.e. Street food. Overall a good grab-n-go Indian-style wraps spot with a delightful spicy twist! read more

Thelewala - Jhalmuri - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Been coming for years. The employees are always SO welcoming and kind. The customers are great too. Highly rec.

They have amazing food that to ovals Kati. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very spacious eating area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I will be back there sometime soon!

This spot is such a hidden gem for fast casual Indian food. It's located near prickly pear and other loud, popping establishments so it's a nice bar break food stop. It's also near Washington square park which makes for a nice walk afterwards. They've been doing no indoor seating during COVID, but they have a couple tables set up street side. The paneer roll and the tawa chicken with parantha are both excellent vegetarian and no vegetarian options. They provide you with a lot of meat or paneer so it's definitely good bang for your buck. There's great boba spots nearby for a nice dessert drink afterwards! read more

Thelewala - Tawa Chicken with Paratha - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

The food is great, always has been, but with the recent price increases it's cheaper to make it at home.

I have some amazing late-night-drunk-face-starving-for-indian-food memories over on Bleeker and pretty much every memory in the last 10 years has had a stop at Thelewala. I love this place - despite it being perched uncomfortably in a tiny little spot, I just love it. I have tried pretty much every thing on the menu over the years, but what has always had me coming back for more has been their Achari Aloo Tikki roll and the Thelewala Chicken roll. When I say you can taste the "tawa" in it - I mean it. It's the taste of the street, kinda what we grew up loving back in India. The Chilli Anda with Parantha is very legit too. The chatpata paneer roll, the egg roll and chapli roll are all awesome too, but nothing beats the thelewala chicken roll or the aloo roll for me. Because it's such a Calcutta thing, I wanted to love the jaalmuri, but it was a miss for me - I think the muri was stale the few times I ate it. The wait can be long and tedious, depending on when you come. There is definitely not enough space to sit and the line can be super long too. They may or may not also lose your order (has happened a couple of times), but the light at the end of the tunnel (in the form of a gloriously wrapped roll) is pretty epic in my mind :) I think this place will continue to be a staple in my midnight indian food runs while in the city. read more

Perfect kathi rolls that sent me down a rabbit hole of nostalgia for my Kolkata days - it's a (not so) hidden gem nestled in NYC! Highly recommend the Nizami rolls. read more

I forgot my keys tonight and my phone died on my way home leaving me with no way to access my building's intercom system or call anyone. It was after midnight on a Tuesday and I wandered down Macdougal Street trying to think of what to do next when I remembered that Thelewala- which I consider to be the crown gem of the aforementioned street- is open until 2AM! The best course of action, no doubt, was to drown my sorrows in my favorite menu item, the lime paneer roll. (FYI: This was a one-roll night because I'd had Korean barbecue earlier and was really just eating to kill time at this point, but in a two-roll scenario I would also highly recommend the chapli roll.) As the gentleman at the counter handed me my food- freshly made and delicious despite the late hour- he saw my sad, dead phone and tangled charger in my hand and offered to charge the phone without me even having to ask. Having had my tummy filled and crisis averted in just one stop, I am ever so grateful for the fine fare and friendly folks at Thelewala. read more

The food here is delicious! I had the gobi paneer roll and ragara patties. I especially loved the balance of spices, heat, and tanginess in the roll. The prices are very affordable, and the food was prepared quickly. There isn't much seating inside, so takeout is probably the best option. read more

Meh. There were so many things that didn't work with my meal here. We got the Chatpata chicken roll, thelewala chicken roll and the Chapli roll and they all fell short of our expectations. The roti that is used to make the Kati roll was thick and dry. The meat filling inside the roll was in dire need of flavor. Maybe a dash of cilantro chutney would have saved it? Maybe my choice of Kati rolls were poor? I was also very aware that it was right across from my absolute favorite Kati roll place in New York. In the interest of un-pigeon-holing myself from a tried and tested place, I came to Thelewala with an open mind. But I found myself fondly thinking of the Unda chicken roll from the Kati roll company throughout my meal. Thelewala prides itself in serving up Indian street food which as a thoroughbred Indian, it constituted a big portion of my nutrition growing up. It isn't nutritious by a far stretch but its delicious. I attribute my hardy stomach lining to all the abuse it endured at the hands of these fiery small plates of flavorful and unforgivingly spicy food curated to blow your mind and innards. Thelewala's rolls were more heat than flavorful spice and I got a lot of roti with every bit, leaving me feeling underwhelmed. I haven't written Thelewala off yet. I'll be back to try their other offerings. But I can't unfortunately bring myself to recommend the rolls. read more

it's okay. maybe the meat is better quality than the kati roll company, but the kati roll company is a way more enjoyable roll. plus they have sauces! this place had no sauces :( read more

THE spot for kathi rolls in NYC! Located on Macdougal street this place is known for grab and go kathi rolls which are flavorful Indian wraps filled with fillings of your choice. My favorite is the paneer roll with an added egg that they make Indian style with chopped onions and spices. There is very limited seating and most people don't stay here for more than 15-20 minutes. Staff is very friendly and helps you with your order if you need a recommendation or modifications! They also have a variety of cool drinks to go with the spicy kathi rolls. Must check out spot on your New York culinary adventure! read more

Super Spicy Chicken Phall roll with chilies and habaneros from @thelewalanyc Yummy authentic Calcutta Nizami rolls... treat Also tried the Gobi roll /Anda roll and Okra roll for vegetarian - amazing taste... read more

Thelewala - Okra Roll Gobi-Paneer - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all