Need a break from Panera? How about some paneer?
Kolapasi Indian Canteen, a South Indian fast-casual spot with roots in Georgia Tech dorm-room cravings, will begin doling out the dal next month at the Shoppes at Tocoi Creek in World Golf Village.
Kolapasi — which means “very hungry” in Tamil — was founded in 2013 by Santhosh Muruganantham while he was studying bioinformatics at the Atlanta University.
He found himself craving the bold, home-cooked dishes he grew up with. So he rolled up his sleeves and started recreating those flavors for friends — then for strangers — then for cities across the Southeast.
Kolapasi’s menu brings real-deal southern Indian flavors to the fast-casual world, with dishes like Mutton Chukka, a fiery, slow-cooked goat dish from Chettinad, or Pallipalayam chicken, a gourmet slow-cooked dry curry that comes from the Northwestern region of Tamilnadu.
They also offer healthy options for waistline watchers, including small plates and vegetarian dishes.
“My ancestors were farmers in South India, and I wanted to honor that tradition of good, honest food,” Muruganantham writes on the Kolapasi website. “That inspired me to start Kolapasi so everyone can enjoy quick, fresh meals made from scratch each day.”
Entrees are paired with biryani, a fluffy and fragrant rice made with actual whole spices, and roti, a chewy, whole-wheat flatbread.
And yes — there’s paneer, the famed Indian white cheese that is served grilled or stewed.
The meals come out quick, but the recipes have been simmering for generations.
Kolapasi already has two successful locations — in Greenville and Charlotte — with several more on the way, including the upcoming St. Johns County outpost.
