Choolaah Chicken Wrap
Choolaah Indian BBQ, Pittsburgh, six units (Pittsburgh; Cleveland; Robinson, Pa.; Sterling, Va.; King of Prussia, Pa., temporarily closed; and Fairfax, Va., temporarily closed)
Price: $7.79
Creator: Jay Nesbitt
Description: Chicken thigh meat marinated in custom-ground spices, roasted in a tandoor and served with sliced red onions and signature sauces in freshly baked naan topped with sea salt, onion seeds and cilantro
What makes it special: This sandwich resembles a frankie — street food popular in Mumbai for which roasted meats are wrapped in flatbread and eaten on the go.
The dry, even, high heat of Choolaah’s 600° tandoor oven brings out the spices in the marinade and seals in the chicken’s juiciness. That flavor is enhanced with freshly sliced red onions and signature sauces developed for the sandwich, which might include a medley of mint, cilantro, creamy tomatoes, mango, ginger, onion, garlic, yogurt and a custom blend of spices.
Seasoning the naan itself brings another dimension to the sandwich, which is a great example of how accessible Indian food can be in a fast-casual setting.