In search of the great American…Indian fast food restaurant

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For years I have been telling friends that what the U.S. needs more than ANYTHING right now is an Indian fast-food chain. If I am going to be convinced by advertisers to slowly poison myself with grease then I would much rather do so

Puff puff…give

at the hands of a warm samosa than a burger and fries. And what about those long drives across America? When we pull up to a gas-and-go we currently have a choice between tired old Subway and toxic McDonalds. We can’t find a warm nan filled with paneer tikka anywhere. Recently the Indian restaurant chain “Hot Breads” announced that it was trying to spread some of its love around the U.S.

The Hot Breads chain has had great success in India, but the company is really hoping to put the hot in Hot Breads as it begins franchising in the United States.

“We have great plans of opening up Hot Breads here,” said M. Mahadevan, who first launched the Hot Bread chain in Chennai, India, in 1988. “We have a plan here for nice growth.”

With over 20 locations in India in cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi and Pondichery, two in Bangladesh, four in Nepal, one in Paris and about 40 in the Middle East, there is no reason to think Hot Breads won’t fly in the United States…

Hot Breads features bakery items such as croissants and pastries with an Indian twist. In India, Hot Breads is touted for its French baking traditions, but in the United States it is the connection with India, and its pastries filled with spicy vegetables and meat fillings, that have connected with the India American customers. [Link]

Now please don’t get me wrong. Looking at their menu you will see that this is just a baby step. The food they serve seems to be sort of an Indian-French hybrid. The Taj Mahal wasn’t built in a day however. If enough people eat this stuff then maybe an establishment like Kati Roll will decide to franchise as well. Just imagine a bouncer at every highway truck stop trying to fend off paneer lovers and keep the peace.

Mahadevan said that Hot Breads has scored as a brand that Indian Americans are familiar with from India. He added that it gives Indian Americans a sense of belonging here because they can visit a store, smell the curry and Desi coffee and be reminded of Hot Breads they have visited in India. [Link]

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I’m sorry, did he just say “smell the curry?” Oh oh, he’s losing me. Pull me back in Mahadevan, pull me back.

According to Arun Dua, Hot Breads’ operations manager the plan is to change the bakery concept into more of a bakery café concept. This will include changing the menu to include popular lunch items such as chicken panini sandwiches. Hot Breads is also adding a chocolate menu and working on producing its own brand of gourmet Indian coffee.

“I like the concept of a company that is established and is coming to the U.S. and facing the challenge of coming to another country and making it successful,” he added. “I like the fact that we are in a business were we really have no competitors. No one else is doing what we are doing, the way we are doing it.” [Link]

It might not happen in my lifetime but I hope that my unborn obese children are able to enjoy drive-thru samosas someday.

63 thoughts on “In search of the great American…Indian fast food restaurant”

  1. I used to work directly across from the Hot Breads in Lawrenceville,NJ, and ever since I moved to North Carolina I have been craving a Vegetable or Bombay Sandwich. Even the curried chicken puffs. My mouth is watering at the very thought. WE NEED HOT BREADS IN NC. The closest one to me is 5 hours away and I seriously considered planning a trip that would take me past it.

    Ideas for an Indian Fast Food place…never commercial like Taco Bell. Small to medium sized cafe, appealing to those who like spicy, vegetarians, and even the coffee drinker. Hot Breads actually handles it very well. They make cakes, cookies, marsipan fruit as well as Indian food in or on pastry…Did I mention that they make a really great vegetable sandwich!

  3. Listen you people….. You are in America…. A country which is far better than India in every aspects, and I am sure you are very well aware of that. So do not try to make this place like India… when even in streets we can smell the food. Leave it up ….. If you miss it so much then just go there and live, but you also want the dollars. So why would you go there.

  4. There is a store under construction in Sugar Land Texas…for about 6 months now…only interior builder…but as of mid April nothing…no sign of anyone there for 3 weeks…too bad.

  5. Am currently researching to see the interest in a fast food style indian restaurant in the Kansas City area. Tell me, what would attract you to eat there?

  6. Sounds amazing to have Indian food in the US, and I’m glad that the restaruants are being built, I just hope that they’re all over this country before I’m dead:)

  7. Hot Breads in Jersey has expanded like crazy. I used to live in philadelphia a month back, and they had opened a Hot Breads in Cherry Hill. I walked in just to take a look, and I left with $60 worth of stuff. Personally recommend a chicken tikka pannini or pav bhaji if you are hungry.

    Moved to Morristown just recently, and found out they have one in Bridgewater. Excited to try it out this weekend.

  8. Yeah…there is a Hot Breads in North Wales in Philadelphia. They have good food at cheap price. I visited them recently and loved their Paninis and pastries. They also had Chaat and Dosa…will have to go there again. Next weekend at my friends baby shower they are getting all the food catered from there….Chole Bhaturae, some Jain food etc. I am looking forward to that. They have a website http://www.hotbreadspa.com.

  9. Hi Reader,

    I got one concept for Indian Takeaway and delivery business which is still booming even this situation. I got menu “Simple but the best of best “like Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Burger, easy to prepare and train to staff, Good GPS, easy to roll out .We can serve Michelin Standard Food in affordable price “I can prove to you! How?” The following of work I already got draft copy of • Kitchen Operation Manual. • Menu
    • Food Safety Manual. • Costing and Margin • Cook Book Myself I’m young foodie with lots of experience and used to work in one of the UK’s probably biggest and busiest Indian takeaway and delivery chain and also most of time work with chef from upscale restaurant in London and India with Michelin standard background. My whole idea is , to grow from one takeaway make up to five and open another restaurant in middle .This way we can cover London by 25 Delivery kitchens and 5 restaurant London and along with we can grow out door catering and Event, Cooperate Catering, Chef Training School, Cook book, Wholesale Business, Franchise…….. We used to be one of the best upscale takeaways in London with open kitchen plan, brand, fresh, order to cook I CAN ADD UP TWO MORE BIG THING WHICH NO ONE DID YET. I CALLED – “COMPLETE TAKEAWAY OR DELIVERY “WE CAN COME WITH NICE SLOGAN. I attempted for up class take away and delivery chain in 2003, we succeed in first stage but fell off before roll out then I joined in 2004 another company with 5 branches and manage to make 20 by 2008 with catering wing. Now interested to open with combine experience with new concept.

    If sound good to you please contact to me. newconcept@hotmail.co.uk

  10. Quite enjoy the Hot Breads here in Cherry Hill.. !!! wow. the eggless cakes are awesome…

    As for the standard Indian fare.. however, they have stiff competition because South Jersey is no stranger to delicious Indian cuisine: the Palace of Asia by Cooper River has got their samosas, et all… beat by 10 miles.. and the Kati Roll just down the street by Spice Corner is too good that even Hot Breads can’t cover.

    Can’t say Hot Breads will take the place of our fav Palace of Asia..
    But heck.. for the paneer croissants– this place JUST HITS THE SPOT!!!

  11. Lassi would be a good name. Not as obscure in the U.S. as you might think, provided you started out in cities that already have a few Indian restaurants. Those in the know would take their friends, and so word gets around. Thirty years ago we hardly ate any Thai or Vietnamese food, and now they are popular. Make tasty fastfood or fast-casual food at attractive prices and the crowds will definitely come.

    My biggest gripe is that most menus are limited to North Indian cuisine, especially Mughlai food. What about South Indian?

  12. sepia mutiny is one of the best place in america for indian fast food . i find this place after very long search .this place is really awosome .the service and taste of this place is realy good .the rates of food is very reasonable .so you can also add restaurant ..thanks for your great information………