Spartanburg's newest Indian restaurant opening: What to know about Garlic & Ginger
Get ready to go on a culinary journey with the aromatic flavors of India with the grand opening of Garlic & Ginger, located at 464 East Main St., in Spartanburg.
The Indian restaurant is scheduled to open to the public on Wednesday, May 15.
Garlic & Ginger owner Rakesha Chopra said the restaurant was originally going to open in Mississippi, but destiny had him meet Arun Kakkar, executive chef and co-owner.
Chopra said it's been his passion to open an Indian restaurant, primarily because he's mainly worked in the pizza industry. He moved back to Spartanburg from Arkansas and opened Pi Squared in 2017.
"It was destiny when we met," Chopra said. "He came to me and pushed me to open something here. It took us five months to find this place, and it just fell into place."
Kakkar said his passion is cooking, which he's been doing since coming to America in 1999. For 40 years, he has traveled America, working in restaurants from Jackson, Mississippi, to Los Angeles. His favorite signature dish is his Chicken Tikka Masala.
"These are signature dishes (from India), but taste-wise, they're modified to not be so spiced," Kakkar said. "I've been doing this for 40 years, but this is my own (restaurant). It's my passion, and when I was a child, my mother is my inspiration. I would sit next to her and help. My Chicken Tikka Masala, I claim that as my best."
Kakkar and Chopra said they have big plans and a hopeful future for Garlic & Ginger, hoping it will become why people visit Spartanburg.
"We want people to visit Spartanburg because of this restaurant," Chopra said. "We want to make it the best of the best."
What to know about Garlic & Ginger's grand opening
The restaurant will serve buffet-style lunch and dinner for two to three weeks. Chopra said this will help guests familiarize themselves with the menu items.
The new restaurant is housed where the Mata's Mexican Bar and Grill and Mellow Mushroom were located.
The menu contains over 50 authentic Indian dishes, including vegan and vegetarian options, salads, table dishes, desserts, and more. Table dishes include Masala Chai, an aromatic and spiced tea, and Papadum, a crispy lentil wafer made of black gram bean flour, and dessert.
Other dishes include butter chicken, mango, chicken or lamb curry, dal pancham tadka, dal makhani, and other flavorful dishes. Chutneys are also available if you want more authentic aromas.
Here is what to know about restaurant hours:
Monday, closed.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. for dinner.
Friday and Saturday, 11:30 until 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. for dinner.
Garlic & Ginger will offer buffet lunch options Tuesday through Sunday during their regular lunch hours. To reach them, you can call 864-308-1224 or visit their Facebook page.
Joanna Johnson covers community news and education for the Herald-Journal. Reach her via email at jjohnson@shj.com.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg's newest Indian restaurant, Garlic & Ginger, opening
