Rajbhog Cafe, which opened earlier this month in Duluth, is the first Georgia location for Rajbhog Foods, a manufacturer and nationwide distributor of Indian sweets, snacks, savory and frozen foods, ice cream and beverages.
The original Rajbhog Snacks and Sweets turned up in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, N.Y., and expanded to eight more locations in New York, New Jersey and North Carolina.
Rajbhog Cafe in Duluth offers sweets, baked goods and packaged snacks, as well as freshly prepared hot foods to eat in or take out, including samosas, chaats, dals and entree combos ($7.99 -- $9.99), with rice, naan or paratha bread and a soda.
The look: The shopping center space on Pleasant Hill Road features a tidy retail shop with a steam table and bakery cases. The adjoining cafe resembles a contemporary fast food restaurant. There's a station with napkins and plastic utensils and neat rows of tables are stocked with shakers labeled "salt" and "masala."
The scene: Service is friendly and helpful. During a recent visit, the young woman behind the counter asked our names, eagerly explained menu items and suggested daily specials. Later, she offered samples from an array of brightly colored treats made with clarified butter and milk.
The menu: Vegans, vegetarians and omnivores will find a variety of choices among the savory snacks, salads and entrees. Samosas come two to an order, stuffed with mashed potatoes and green peas ($2.99), chicken ($3.49) or lamb ($3.99). Minced chicken kababs ($4.49) are served with salad and dipping sauces. A recent daily menu included aloo gobi with potatoes and cauliflower, spicy kadai chicken, and lamb biryani cooked with basmati rice.
The drinks: A self-serve cooler holds canned sodas, bottled water and lassi yogurt drinks. Or order fresh lemonade, masala tea or coffee at the counter ($1.49/$1.99)
The extras: Rajbhog offers kids meals, delivery and catering. And look for special food themes, such as Mediterranean Day, Bombay Pav Day and South Indian Day.
Dining out
Rajbhog Cafe
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Saturdays. Snacks, $2.99-$4.99; chaats, $4.99; entree combos, $7.99-$9.99. 1500 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678-924-1440, www.rajbhog.com
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