By Christopher Goodall ’18
About two years ago, Choolaah Indian BBQ opened up on Chagrin Boulevard, replacing the Saturn dealership. At first when passed, I would give a confused glance and wonder how long it would be until they had gone out of business, but after eating there my whole perspective changed. The inside of the building feels welcoming, with a window that looks into the kitchen to prove no shenanigans are going on in the back. In addition, they possess a revolutionary hand washer and two Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines. The part that sold me though, was the fact that real Indian families are eating in the restaurant every time I go.
The menu provides a small variety of different Indian dishes to satisfy the needs of anyone. Each dish also has a vegetarian counterpart for all of you fools out there who don’t eat meat. The first dish you will see when looking at the menu is the tikka masala. This consists of a chicken or tofu dish with a mild tomato sauce. I believe this dish would be appealing to people who are not used to Indian food because it provides a mild, but delicious taste. Next up on the menu, was the biryani. This proved to be my favorite dish because you discovered your food as you ate. The dish comes in 8 layers with the top being a piece of naan that covers the rest of the dish. While eating this dish, you poke trough the top layer and discover the rest of the dish underneath. The dish itself was mild, but it came with different sauces to add flavor. If you are looking for something more simple, you could always go with a lettuce wrap. The lettuce wrap is just as it sounds. They give you a handful of large lettuce leaves and some chicken on rice. Along with this, are sauces on the side and a cup of mixed vegetables.
Along with the main dishes, the side dishes are on point. First, we have the samosa. I would recommend getting an order of these, as they prove to be a warm and delicious snack. When in the restaurant, it is almost necessary to purchase a warm piece of naan with every meal. The naan provides a break from the main course and is light and fluffy with flavor. Lastly, you can also order a cup of lentil soup if you aren’t feeling like ordering a whole meal.
Still hungry? Well Choolaah also has a selection of desserts. Most popular are the chocolate truffles for the low price of $1. If you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone, you can also try the mango or malai kulfi (a kind of indian ice cream).
In conclusion, if you are looking for somewhere quick and good try Choolah.