Chai Pani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chai Pani |
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|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2009 |
| Current owner(s) | Meherwan and Molly Irani |
| Head chef | Meherwan Irani |
| Food type | Indian street food |
| Street address | 22 Battery Park Ave |
| City | Asheville, North Carolina |
| County | Buncombe |
| State | North Carolina |
| Postal/ZIP code | 28801 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 35°35′42″N 82°33′19″W / 35.5950°N 82.5554°W |
Chai Pani is a super cool restaurant that serves delicious Indian street food. It's located in Asheville, North Carolina. In 2022, it won a really big award called the James Beard Foundation Award for "Outstanding Restaurant."
Chai Pani was started in 2009 by a chef named Meherwan Irani and his wife, Molly. They later opened a second restaurant in Decatur, Georgia, in 2013. This second spot now focuses on food from a special part of India called the Deccan Plateau, which is where Meherwan grew up.
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What is Chai Pani?
Chai Pani is famous for its "Indian street food." This means it serves tasty snacks and small meals that you would typically find sold by vendors on the streets of India. It's a fun and flavorful way to try different Indian dishes.
Delicious Indian Street Food
Some popular street food items you might find include:
- Chaat: A savory snack often made with crispy fried dough, potatoes, chickpeas, and various chutneys.
- Vada Pav: A soft bread roll filled with a spicy potato fritter. It's like an Indian burger!
- Dahi Puri: Small, crispy hollow balls filled with yogurt, spices, and tamarind chutney.
These dishes are known for being full of exciting flavors, from sweet and sour to spicy and tangy.
The Founders: Meherwan and Molly Irani
Chai Pani was created by Meherwan Irani and his wife, Molly. Meherwan is the chef who brings the amazing flavors of Indian street food to the restaurant. He grew up in India, so he knows a lot about these traditional dishes.
A Family Dream
Meherwan and Molly started Chai Pani because they wanted to share the vibrant and delicious food they loved with more people. Their goal was to create a place where everyone could enjoy authentic Indian street food in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Winning a Big Award
In 2022, Chai Pani won the "Outstanding Restaurant" award from the James Beard Foundation. This is a huge honor in the food world!
What is the James Beard Award?
The James Beard Foundation Awards are like the "Oscars" for restaurants and chefs in the United States. Winning this award means that Chai Pani is recognized as one of the very best restaurants in the country. It celebrates their amazing food, great service, and unique dining experience.
Chai Pani Locations
Chai Pani has two main locations where you can enjoy their delicious food.
Asheville, North Carolina
The first Chai Pani restaurant opened in 2009 in Asheville, North Carolina. This is the original spot that became famous for its Indian street food and won the big James Beard Award.
Decatur, Georgia
In March 2013, a second Chai Pani opened in Decatur, Georgia. While it started with a similar menu, it now focuses on food from the Deccan Plateau region of India. This offers a slightly different taste of Indian cuisine, inspired by where Chef Meherwan Irani spent his childhood.
