8 Catt. 2: In re Salt and Pepper Grill

Opinion of CATTLEYA, J., in chambers.

The first time that I lined up in front of Salt and Pepper Grill (“SPG”), the chicken tikka masala was already gone. See In re Salt and Pepper Grill, 6 Catt. 1 (2012). The second time that I stopped by the truck, the chicken tikka masala had not yet run out, but the basmati rice had. On my third trip to SPG, there was basmati rice and chicken tikka masala. Finally! So the question is: Was SPG’s chicken tikka masala worth the wait?

 I. STREET FOOD

This Supreme Cart presumes that a dish should be affirmed if it constitutes “street food.” See In re Big Cheese, 6 Catt. 2 (2012). Street food is “the kind[] of food[] that can be cooked in front of you and [is] meant to be eaten with your hands, without forks, while standing up.” In re Eat Wonky, 2 Catt. 5 (2011). This Cart has already determined that SPG’s meat-and-rice platters are not street food. See Salt and Pepper Grill, 6 Catt. 1. Therefore, I will pursue the issue no further.

II. COMBO WITH CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

SPG’s chicken tikka masala combo ($7.99) comes with basmati rice, naan, and salad. SPG was kind enough to allow me to make a substitution: palak paneer instead of salad. I address each component of the platter below.

Chicken Tikka Masala

 

 A. Chicken Tikka Masala

The chicken tikka masala, though not heavily spiced, was enjoyable. The creamy, tomato-based sauce was spicy, but the spice was slow-building rather than immediate. I would have preferred a bigger kick of paprika. There were large chunks of chicken, which were not overcooked or dry.

B. Palak Paneer

See Salt and Pepper Grill, 6 Catt. 1. My high opinion of SPG’s palak paneer remains the same. I recommend skipping the salad and requesting this in its place.

C. Basmati Rice

There is not much to say about the basmati rice because it was as it should have been. My only complaint was that the rice-to-meat ratio was off — I was left with a lot of rice after my chicken tikka masala had disappeared. If the number of chicken chunks cannot be increased, perhaps in the future there can be a more generous serving of sauce? The kid in me who enjoyed rice smothered in ketchup would probably also like rice swimming in orange-colored sauce.

D. Naan

Unlike the roti I previously sampled from SPG, see Salt and Pepper Grill, 6 Catt. 1,  the naan was made well. It was soft and chewy in the right kind of way.

Although I’ve had better versions of chicken tikka masala, I will probably return to SPG the next time I have a hankering for Indian food during my lunch hour. It was good enough, I got it quickly, and I got a lot of food for my money.

AFFIRMED in part and REMANDED in part to Salt and Pepper Grill for revision. It is so ordered.