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THELEwala

Indian Restaurant$$$$
Greenwich Village, New York
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8.4/10
373
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Serious Eats and Village Voice recommend this place
    • Serious Eats
    • Village Voice
  • Tips
    Emily S.
    "Chapli roll is divine!! Perfect flavorful mid-day snack."(19 Tips)
    Vaidehi K.
    "Thelewala chicken roll and masala chai = cheap and delicious."(9 Tips)
    Anil K.
    "The thelewala special Kati roll is awesome"(16 Tips)
    Emily W.
    "Bhel pori - so refreshing, so good."(6 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon119 Tips and reviews
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  • kati rolls
  • spicy food
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  • Himanshu G.heart icon on user image
    Himanshu GuptaMay 30, 2016
    Been here 50+ times
    Probably my most favorite place to eat in NYC and the only place so far I go out of my way to get food from. Their aloo achari kati roll is the best. Bhel puri is amazing too!
    Upvote5Downvote
  • Thrillist
    ThrillistNovember 24, 2014
    This place serves an incredible mix of vegetarian and oh-thank-God-not-vegetarian stuff. Try the Bhel puri, or the okra roll, which's still crunchy, just spicy enough, and wrapped in a fresh paratha. Read more
    Upvote5Downvote
  • Jo S.heart icon on user image
    Jo SanglirAugust 14, 2016
    Chapli roll!!! Has the perfect amount of spice and is actually quite easy to eat if you are careful. I like to come here in solo trips for a quiche bite. It's quite small. But be warned, no AC.....
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Mara B.
    Mara BelAugust 26, 2013
    It's a small space, enough to seat maybe 5 people maximum. The food is delish! I had the Lime Paneer roll-Yummy. If you've ever had Dhal pouri you'll love it. I'll def go back to try more.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Flavia J.heart icon on user image
    Flavia JordanMay 16, 2013
    Everything we ordered was delicious, the warm parathas are perfect and the spicy peanuts such a treat. A great meal for two under $20, you can eat in or picnic at the park.
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Jeffrey
    JeffreyAugust 31, 2014
    Griddled-to-order nizami rolls, the rolled parathas stuffed with fillings like egg, minced lamb, chicken, and lime-flavored paneer, they make a perfect midnight snack. Also good: chaat.
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  • Real Cheap Eats
    Real Cheap EatsNovember 5, 2012
    The bhel pori ($5.50) isn’t for the faint of heart. Heartier than a salad, it clears your sinuses with a tart, spicy mix of chutneys and lime juice, then kicks in some red onion on the back end. Read more
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Nicole M.
    Nicole MarcelliniSeptember 19, 2012
    Not only the famous Chapli Roll (minced lamb roll, red onions, lime and fried eggs) is really delicious, the prices are down to earth and the Service is very smart! Just stop by!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Rhea D.
    Rhea DattaMay 4, 2013
    Chapli roll is to die for! My all time fav. Kati Roll Co. has a competitor now. Oh n the jhaal moori is as close as it gets to the real thing- take it from a true "Kolkata-r bangali"!!!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Rahil B.
    Rahil BeraniSeptember 21, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    I love this place. The food is great. But man am I pissed at the fact that this guy held his phone the hold time. Did not pay attention to me food, but rather his texts
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Vivian
    VivianDecember 17, 2018
    If you like paneer, their chata pata paneer roll is the best I've ever had.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Real Cheap Eats
    Real Cheap EatsNovember 5, 2012
    Try the okra roll. Tossed on the grill with red onion & bell pepper, then seasoned with cilantro, lime juice & green chilies, the okra is tangy, spicy and subtly sweet, with a distinctly smoky edge. Read more
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Tim N.
    Tim NoltJuly 12, 2014
    Better than Kati Roll. Chapli Roll or Thelewala Chicken roll is the way to go. Cleaner, and better service. Listen to me, not yelp. This is what I do for a living.
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  • Allison Y.heart icon on user image
    Allison YuFebruary 1, 2015
    It might take a while to get your kati roll but it's so worth it. They use free range chicken and it absolutely makes all the difference.
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  • Real Cheap Eats
    Real Cheap EatsAugust 15, 2012
    The okra roll has a light, satisfying crunch. Tossed whole on the tawa, it's tangy, spicy and subtly sweet, with a distinctly smoky edge. The paratha is delicate and dotted with char marks. Read more
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  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsApril 13, 2013
    The street food-style Indian food here is different from most in New York. We love the kati rolls and chaat.
    Upvote4Downvote
  • CampusClipper
    CampusClipperNovember 29, 2011
    Good staff, clean area, and just a few steps from NYU and Washington Square. Not only that, but students can get a 10% discount by presenting their student ID! Ask for the Chicken Malai Roll!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Himanshu G.heart icon on user image
    Himanshu GuptaJune 30, 2019
    Been here 50+ times
    My go-to order is Achaari aloo tikki roll And bhel puri. Plenty of great options to pick from.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Sidhu
    SidhuNovember 16, 2013
    It's okkk.. the original kati roll is much better in taste and quality. Also, all nonveg kati rolls come with egg. Although it doesn't say on the menu. So b careful if you r allergic to eggs like me.
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  • Scott G.heart icon on user image
    Scott GellmanDecember 16, 2015
    So well priced and tasty! Love the Chapli roll, and try the bhel pori, sweet, cilantro-y and tasty!
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  • Christian D.heart icon on user image
    Christian DickmannJune 19, 2016
    The "thelewala chicken roll" and "okra roll" (order that one spicy), as well as "ghugni w/ paratha" are great.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Joanna S.heart icon on user image
    Joanna StanberrySeptember 4, 2013
    For gluten free and dairy free get the Tawa chicken w paratha and Ragara potato patties. I asked as a substitute for the bread which they couldn't do but did discount the combo.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Rajeev M.heart icon on user image
    Rajeev MMay 20, 2016
    Been here 25+ times
    Jhaal moori is authentic, just like you would get it in Calcutta, India.
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Hayley J.heart icon on user image
    Hayley JonesOctober 15, 2014
    Omg I could eat the bhel puri forever, the chickpea curry works pretty well with it! Yum!!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Matthew H.
    Matthew HarrisonApril 26, 2012
    THELEwala chicken roll was great- small but filling, spicy but manageable. I've also been told that the Bhel Pori is supposed to be legit. @hanssaber (3 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
    UpvoteDownvote
  • DoubleDeuceheart icon on user image
    DoubleDeuceOctober 27, 2018
    Fast-casual Indian food on a busy NYU-student-filled street. Tasty, quick and not too pricey.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Jo S.heart icon on user image
    Jo SanglirApril 1, 2016
    Hit the spot! I got the lamb roll :) right amount of spicy and had a nice kick to it
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Berk K.heart icon on user image
    Berk KapiciogluApril 16, 2014
    Better than Kati Roll Company across the street. Reasonably fast service. Chapli roll with lamb is delicious.
    Upvote2Downvote
  • leo k.heart icon on user image
    leo kyivOctober 21, 2014
    Awesome indian street food. Good choice of vegetarian rolls
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Thomas M.heart icon on user image
    Thomas MoAugust 15, 2014
    If you dare to order their Nazami rolls extra spicy like me, they will pill on jalapenos. When it comes to spice they mean business.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Faraaz N.
    Faraaz NaqviAugust 19, 2014
    Must try the THELEWALA Chicken Roll. Great flavours, cheap, and just delicious. When your in NYC, you've got your snack
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Lauren M.heart icon on user image
    Lauren MacMay 17, 2016
    Good lime paneer and chicken malai rolls, but a bit drier compared to Kati Roll (personal preference)
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Kunjan P.heart icon on user image
    Kunjan PunatarAugust 19, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    Ghughni is the best thing I've had! Also the peanut masala is amazing!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Chavelli
    ChavelliJuly 23, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    So tasty! Try the Chapli Roll. Amazing flavors and great size for a smallish meal or big snack.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Anamika J.
    Anamika JhaNovember 26, 2021
    Been here 10+ times
    Love the rolls here. If you like spicy go for chatpata chicken roll.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • John C.
    John CrepezziAugust 12, 2014
    Chapli is a must, as is the spicy chicken (fair warning: actually a bit spicy)
    UpvoteDownvote
  • New York Habitat
    New York HabitatDecember 5, 2011
    The rolls here are just too good to pass up. Get the Chapli roll and ask them to spice it up for you.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Jordan K.
    Jordan KongDecember 31, 2011
    Get the THELEwala chicken roll! Super tender chicken. The Burl Pori is very spicy despite not having the small red pepper symbol.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • CREATETHE GROUP
    CREATETHE GROUPJuly 6, 2012
    Bigger and better than the rolls across the street. I always get the Chapli and Achari Aloo Tikki Rolls. -Derek
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Sairam R.heart icon on user image
    Sairam RajagopalJune 16, 2012
    Been here 25+ times
    Best Indian street food in NYC! The Thelewala chicken roll is divine! Bhel puri is perfect also.
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  • AmateurConciergeheart icon on user image
    AmateurConciergeSeptember 30, 2014
    Chapli Roll: can't miss. Great chaat for sharing
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Ben W.
    Ben WatkinsJuly 3, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Flavor explosion. Get the thelewala chicken and make it spicy. Best mouth-gasm you'll ever have!
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  • Emily S.heart icon on user image
    Emily SokolowApril 27, 2016
    Chapli roll is divine!! Perfect flavorful mid-day snack.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Heather V.
    Heather VelezFebruary 20, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    The lime paneer roll is delicious! If you want something more substantial the chicken tawa is where it's at.
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  • Eat to Blog
    Eat to BlogJanuary 14, 2012
    Calcutta-style street food is the focus of this place. Try the bhel pori for a unique take on Indian food.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Vaidehi K.
    Vaidehi KMarch 14, 2016
    Thelewala chicken roll and masala chai = cheap and delicious.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Nick G.
    Nick GrayNovember 21, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Off menu: roll with cauliflower and okra and egg. Delish!
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  • Parul B.heart icon on user image
    Parul BatraAugust 8, 2013
    The achari aloo tikki roll is the best vegan roll I have ever had!
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  • Sebastien L.
    Sebastien LafosseFebruary 12, 2012
    I order here every week and there is no doubt that the Chapli Roll is the best!! Get 2 of them if you are hungry.
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  • Tom J.heart icon on user image
    Tom JosephApril 21, 2015
    The chapli and okra rolls were tasty. Good value too
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