Kasa Indian Eatery
Category: Indian/Pakistani [Edit]
Neighborhood: Castro4001 18th St
(between Hartford St & Noe St)
San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 621-6940
Parking sucks? Too cold out? We deliver Fri, Sat & Sun…
Announced 5 weeks ago
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
191 Reviews for Kasa Indian Eatery
One of Kasa Indian Eatery's Favorite Reviews
Addiction (n.): Kati rolls
Kasa is one of those places where you go for lunch and then want to go again for dinner. Yes, it is that great and that affordable! Savory classic Indian dishes wrapped up in a roti---so divine! So addicted.
Enough said---5-stars. If you want details from an addict, read on:
Favorites
Karahi Paneer!!! The turkey kabob and chicken tikka masala are tied for second. Sorry I just can't choose. If I could eat three at a time, I would. Two is more than enough for me, but I plan to soon work my way up to eating three (as any good addict would).
Portions
One: $5.50, for a snack or light meal.
Two: $8.95. more than enough for anyone with a normal appetite.
Three: $11.95, if you haven't eaten all day or simply have a large appetite.
Thali: $10.95, I haven't tried one, but I have had the rice and daal on the side (just ask!) and both are as good as it gets. The daal is so savory; the rice fragrant.
To go
To bring my addiction home, I recently picked up two kati rolls to go (chicken tikka masala and the turkey kabob). The roti was substantial enough to make the journey from Kasa to mi casa without getting the least bit soggy. I had to know if they would make it home to me okay, and I was skeptical, but overjoyed that it worked out! Each roll gets wrapped in foil, like a taqueria burrito, and the thick and creamy raita and fresh side salad are packed up in separate to-go containers.
Overall
As an addict, I've tried everything on the menu and all of the regular six choices, plus specials are to-die-for-delicious! The super fresh side salad started off a little too "plain" for me, BUT, the sous chef came out to ask about the food--maybe since I'm there constantly (?!)---so I shared my opinion on the salad and about two weeks later IMO it was improved . . . they are looking for and listening to customer feedback for sure!
Feedback on Feedback
Those who write about the food being bland or not spicy enough must have *dead* taste buds because the spice level is PERFECTION, from the curry, to the fresh-buttery (not oily!) roti, to the daal, nothing here is bland! Kati rolls should also not be compared to burritos in terms of quantity/size because kati's are filled with the main dish plus just the right amount of chutney and red onions, not with the big fillers of rice & beans. Plus, they taste 1000x better than a burrito.
5-stars
Fresh, quality, amazing food. Great concept. Affordable, great value. Wine and beer on tap, Indian drinks, includ'g chai. CLEAN + design-conscious place to eat in the Castro (but not pretentious or trying too hard). Friendly, helpful customer service that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!
Finally . . .
Great place for groups (sit at communal table or at tables w/benches). Everyone orders and pays separately so no dealing with splitting the check. Or go alone and people watch at the window facing counter while you devour your newest food addiction . . . AND last but not least, it's kid friendly if your kid is awesome enough to like Indian food!
Can't think of a better addition to 18th Street!!!
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Decent food, okay price, good service. Overall pretty good but doesn't really stand out among all the great restaurants in SF to me.
They have a unique approach to your typical Indian dishes which was fun. My favorite filling (and I tried all 4 of the meat options) was the Turkey Kabab roll, tons of flavor.
FINALLY! An Indian joint that won't kill me with cinnamon!!
I am deathly allergic to the stuff, so the idea of most Indian, Moroccan or dessert foods is something that I don't often do because, well, I kinda like my life and want to enjoy it a bit longer.
So imagine my glee and delighted surprise when I actually found a spot that had only one item on the menu that I couldn't eat! Sweeet! I tried one of their 3 item combos and loved the "tofu" dish and raved to my friend how amazing this "tofu" tasted. Well, duh, seems it wasn't actually tofu but instead cheese, so yeah, no wonder I loved it.
The food definitely has a hefty kick for this spice-fearing chicky, but it was really good and if you order one of their yummy beers or amazingly deelish white wines, you will be set. I say "amazingly" because i hate sweet wines, but paired with the food, it made for a dyn-O-mite combo!
Definitely put this place on your list. It's reasonably priced, the owners are really awesome and the location is grand.
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The gay look, the LA look, call it what you will--minimalist white interiors seem to be the order of the day in these parts, and as Maria D points out, the Castro is simply not a serious player in this town's hyper-competitive food scene (I guess the boys just gotta stay thin or something). So if you want good eats around here, you don't have a whole lot of choice.
Anyway, love it or hate it, you gotta admit the menu at Kasa matches the design--there's a whopping 6 dishes on it, each of which can be served as a traditional plate or as a "Kati" roll--basically the kind of Indian burrito (or bur-roti?) that I've been jury-rigging out of naan & curries for years (really, *is* there anything better?). At 3 for $11.95, this is probably your best deal price-wise. And I have to say, not only are they well-constructed (leakage/collapse was minimal), but all the fillings (CTM, lamb, and kahari paneer) were loaded with flavor. And whatever you do, don't forget their darkly sweet, deeply spicy homemade chai, which I think it's safe to say handily beats out N&C.
Is this "authentic" Indian food? I don't think so. But just approach it with a fresh and open mind and it stands on its own merits (it's like the Harry Potter movies--the more you forget the books, the better they get).
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Dropped by Kasa after hearing about it on Daily Candy. Hope this is not lame of me to say, but it's like eating an Indian burrito.
They're delishooooohioso.
2 Kati rolls, one with tikka masala and the other chicken tikka. Honey got the thalis (dinner plate) with lamb curry. Liked my kati's the best. Each bite was a burse of flavor. I didn't feel stuffed like I normally do after an Indian dinner, so I think it's a great place for lunch or a light dinner.
People taking orders were so sweet. He apologized for the wait, but it was totally understandable cause there was a line going out the door!
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This is the second time an owner of an establishment has written me and personally apologized for the poor service I received at their restaurant - I highly respect this act and thus give back a star. I believe Kasa serves excellent food and look forward to dining there very soon!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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08/26/2008
sorry, lost two stars for the shittiest service today. Six people behind the counter - yes you were… Read more »
Best. Chai. Ever.
I drank it Friday night and woke up the next day thinking about it. Yum. I've already decided it's going to be my Friday drink: "Thank god it's Friday. I need a serious drink...I need a chai." I don't know if purists will like it but I'm in looove with it. Sweet, milky, delicious-just as advertised. And a decent price, $2.3 (or was it $3.2?) for a cup. Cheaper than the chain coffee shops and more delicious.
As for the food, er I wasn't not too big on it. You can watch them make the wraps. It's nice and fresh, but why so small for $5?
We happen to walk pass by this restaurant a few weekends ago and saw that it was quite packed. So we came back today and got dinner there and to my surprise and delight, it was not bad. It's a rarity to find a quick and affordable Indian food, and this one does offer that.
I tried their Kati Rolls (2) with their Chicken Tikka and Turkey Kebab for under $10. What a delight.
Modern and unique are rarely words used to describe Indian Restaurants in San Francisco, yet that is exactly what Kasa is. While the Kati roll is not all that unique itself, they can be found all over India, the UK and NYC, this is one of the only places specializing in the rolls here in SF. I love the modern feel of the restaurant with upbeat music and an upbeat and friendly staff. The food is wonderful; CTM, chicken tikka and lamb curry rolls were all delicious, nicely spiced and the meat very tender. The key here though are the side dishes, the yogurt, chutneys and side salad are all made with great attention to detail and stand head shoulders above other restaurants.
I chatted with owner/chef and you can see that she truly loves what she does and that this is her passion. The food tastes more like home cooked food than restaurant food and that is always a great sign.
All the posts about food poisoning are clearly rubbish, the chef is committed to using high quality ingredients and the restaurant is so busy that food can't sit around very long AND the restaurant is so darn small that they couldn't store the food long enough for it to go bad.
Give this place a try for a unique spin on Indian food.
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I really have to give these people some credit! They are really listening to what people tell them/yelp about and making some changes here and there to reflect what some of our minor complaints have been. Now I notice that there's a sign where you order that tells you to let them know if you'd like to customize... with sides, spice level, or even have your roti dipped in egg for $1 more... I gotta try that sometime...sounds yummy!
I also noticed that today when I ordered 3 kati rolls, they gave me 2 cups of raita instead of just 1! HOORAY for that because it takes me about 1 lil cup of raita per 1 1/2 kati rolls... 2 if I stretch it. So I'm quite satisfied that they are trying to listen to what people are saying within reason... my review said I'd like more raita... today... I get more raita. Still no sign of a dessert, but for the fact that they are trying... upgrades them to 5 stars in my book.
Besides... what if they did 1 really scrumptious dessert like the ichigo daifuku at Eiji (which is made in limited quantities each day) and it sold out just as fast during dinner... then we'd all be dying trying to make sure we got there before it sold out. I think for now I can live without one... maybe one day in the future there'll be something sweet on the menu... I'm a patient man... well most of the time anyway.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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07/29/2008
I live just around a block from here, but I really wanted to let the dust die down, before I tried… Read more »
This place really IS as good as it gets.
Kasa makes my heart sing for its concept, its attention to detail, and its crazy love for all things spicy. Literally, if you've sat here for over 5 minutes you've seen the cooks grinding up their spice mixtures fresh in the kitchen. (I really doubt anyone who cooks here has ever in their life used the ubiquitous pre-made spice known as "curry powder". ) Way to do it up right.
I would give this place an extra star, if I could, just for the fact that they only have two beers: Kingfisher and a Belgian Tripel. A Belgian Tripel is the hands-down best beer pairing for Indian food. Magic.
Remember that old acronym, KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid? It is rather crude phrase to describe an elegant principle - the elimination of that which is unnecessarily complex.
Kasa, the new casual Indian cafe in the Castro, exemplifies this principle, from its open, pared down surroundings (consisting of 2 tops, 4 tops, a counter and a community table), streamlined menu, great prices, and simple, fresh, high-quality ingredients. I've been here twice now, and was very pleased both times.
Service is immediate - you go up to the counter and get in line, and select from the menu of 6 staple dishes or one of the specials, which they prepare for you cafeteria style. You can order them either as a Kati Roll with a salad, and raita, or as a Thali, their self-named "deconstructed" roll which comes with daal, rice, a salad and raita. The Kati is the cheaper, more lunch-like way to go ($5.50 for 1, $8.95 for 2), whereas the Thali ($10.95) is more like a meal.
I've had the Lamb Curry, the Chicken Tikka Masala, and the Karahi Paneer - all delicious. The meat is free-range, so you can feel good about that. There are reasons to love both preparations - the delicious roti used for the Kati, or the creamy daal that comes with the Thali.
Drinks range from beer and wine to sodas to chai. I like the Mango soda the best.
One last great sign that good things are happening here? The folks at Kasa listen to their customer comments. Soon after opening, they were inundated with requests for vegan options, and now offer them daily. If you are vegan, make sure you ask for fresh roti, which they will make for you without butter.
The owners and staff are super-cool - say hi and let them know what you think. Personally, I wish SF had more restaurants like this - it reminds me of places that I have been to in London, which offer great food at a great price, nice enough to sit down and have a leisurely meal, but equally accommodating if you have to eat and run.
Today's thought: lunch at Kasa - wonderful. Lunch with Laura B. smiling all the way through it - sublime. Now that's a great KISS if I ever saw one.
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I discovered Kasa while walking home by a different route tonight. I was looking for a place to have a quick dinner, and so I stopped in. What a happy experience. It's fast, tasty, and healthy. It's cheap. They have good beer on tap.
I had a chicken tikka masala kati roll and, at one of the servers' suggestion, a karahi paneer (yogurt cheese, spinach, green peppers) kati roll. I had a nice, flavorful ale to go with it, the name of which I cannot remember. Each roll was delicious and filling. The little garnish salad they serve is fabulous--diced red onion, sweet peppers, cabbage, carrots with black mustard seed and cumin in a vinegary dressing. Fresh and lively. The raita was just fine.
The interior setup is done well. It's airy and comfortable. The folks who work there are upbeat and helpful. My only criticism is that they don't make mango lassis. They do have mango juice, but I'm a mango lassi kinda broad. That's a very minor criticism. They're new. They're evolving. They'll come around eventually.
I'm just delighted to have them in my neighborhood. I will be darkening their door often, I suspect.
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Yum. I picked up a Thali to-go. $10.95.
Chicken Tikka (not Masala) with a nice bit of heat, superb dal, lots of lovely flavors and spices. Side salad, cilantro chutney, delicious roti. The place was clean, clean, clean and the food was good.
I'll be back with Indian friends soon, and I'm going to order a Kati roll with the cumin-spiced potatoes, maybe a second one with the karahi paneer.
Thank goodness they are nearby, they may replace my favorite Thai restaurant. The menu is simple but oh-so-good.
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I love stumbling on to new places in the neighborhood, and Kasa is one I am sorry we had not found sooner. Granted, it has only been open for two months now, but this is a place I will be going to weekly - for sure.
We decided to sample a few of the items and ordered a 3 Kati roll (Kebab, Aloo Jeera and Chicken Tikka) platter and a Lamb Curry Thalis.
The Kati rolls are very good, albeit a wee bit on the greasy side. We got over that fact quick though, once we bit down on the kebab and tasted a little piece of heaven. The Aloo Jeera was also tasty, seasoned perfectly and cooked well enough to melt in your mouth. The Chicken Tikka was good, just a little dry in comparison - so I would order the lamb, kebab or Aloo Jeera again first.
The Thalis...incredible. The lamb was cooked perfectly and mixed with small pieces of stewed potatoes. Add in the cilantro chutney and a gollop of the yogurt cucumber riata and I was hooked.
As for the libations side of things - wash it all down with a Triple Karmeliet. Holy smokes, that is an amazing brew (Chimay like, but almost - dare I sare...better?).
So while I hate to add to the positive reviews here as it might make our little neighborhood jaunt a lot more crowded, Kasa derserves to get mad props. It is that good. And we'll be back. Maybe tomorrow.
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Este es mi Review y esta de pelos!
It's sort of like an Indian Chipotle! I had three kati rolls and because I wasn't watching the nervous guy behind the counter assemble my plate, it was a fun surprise! Which one was the chicken tikka masala? Which was the lamb curry? Which was the karahi paneer? It was impossible to tell until I bit into them, but all were totes yummy.
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Magic. Pure Magic. This is what the Castro should have. A culmination of experience and love put into a restaurant that is already a staple of the community. The atmosphere is superb. Cool colors that compliment the warm food and accent the colorful people dinning. A place to grab a quick bite or to sit and have a long conversation. And forget about busing your own table, it's part of the je ne se qua, a constant that can be found through out the specials, the pairing of beer & wine, the freshness of the food, down to the employees who are engaged in there endeavor. Let's face it we all want to be engaged in some facet of our lives and as corny as this might sound, whether it be 15 minutes or an hour you will be engaged with this wonderful eatery.
What you will find......
Meat that is cooked juicy and tender no matter what you get.
Specials everyday that make the mouth water.
Some of the best paired Belgian beer in town.
Friendly, well dressed employees who are engaged in what they do.
A Groovy unhurried atmosphere that compliments the food and patrons.
This is the culmination of Indian heritage, cuisine of the UK (renowned for Indian cuisine) and flavor of the Castro in the best location. My advice is to try something new every time you visit. Just remember you can adjust how spicy you want your dish.
Thank you Kasa, for being a first rate restaurant to open in the Castro.
Sincerely, Customer #2
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I just went to Kasa for the first time today and I was impressed. The prices were very affordable and the food was delicious. I am so glad this place opened so close to my house. The decor is simple but nice both inside and out. The staff was super helpful. Kasa is a very cool place. They also have options for vegans and vegetarians which is awesome. I am going to have to give them 5 stars. It's not my favorite Indian place in S.F., but it is my favorite Indian place in the Castro. I like Kasa a lot and I will be going back frequently.
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As most everyone else has said - very yummy food. Love the simplicity of the menu too. I just had 1 Karahi Paneer Kati roll and it was filling enough for lunch, along with the most delicious mango lassi I think I've ever had. It had a hint of ginger or maybe it was cardamom? Totally delish. Liked the sides too - really good raita and salad.
But what's the deal with being out of the special at 1:00? Seems like maybe a little better planning is in order? Otherwise, I'm stuffed and very satisfied!
Great flavor.
Fresh ingredients.
Perfectly cooked kati wrap itself.
Super clean and super casual.
Downside: portions are small.... I could eat two paneer katis. Quality costs more, I spose.
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I'm proud to say I was Kasa's first customer...ever. I anxiously waited 'til they opened at 11:00am on a Thursday and had the delight of eating their first officially served, paid-for meal. I live right up the street and have been back numerous times but I've had interesting knowledge of seeing their food evolve as they adjust their food prep and process to accomodate "the masses."
That first meal was amazing. The kati rolls were MUCH smaller than they are now, and delicate, almost like a crepe. So delicate that the balance of meat/filling to kati bread was just right. Plus, you didn't get a "choice" of sauces to go inside. They simply put what the chef thought should go with each filling. The lamb was pleasantly fiery with the red sauce and the onions provided a cool, crisp counterpoint. The yogurt raita was fresh. The pickled vegetables were cut into perfect dices, seasoned with just the right amount of spices, composing the perfect Indian mirapoix.
Now, I've seen the kati rolls evolve into something closer to a burrito and yet the amount of filling stayed the same. That is to say, the kati bread became much thicker and bigger but not the inside--hence the ratio of wrap to filling is completely thrown off and it's simply too bready. Many a times I've seen plates left on the empty tables with half eaten bread but the insides all picked out.
In its original concept, a person could feasibly eat 3 kati rolls (it's offered on the menu but rarely ordered). But now, there is no way anyone who knows how filling each roll is, would order 3. My hypothesis is that rolling out the dough for the kati rolls became too labor intensive, and it became much more efficient to roll-out 1 larger dough than 3 smaller, delicate ones. Such a shame.
I go back there probably once a week still because all the food, ingredients, the people, the atmosphere are all still great. I just wish I didn't have the knowledge of what Kasa was before they altered their process and food to cater to the masses and the huge lines. I applaud them for "making it work" but secretly wish for that first meal when everything was smaller and that much more precious.
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Weary of checking out yet another "creative" Indian restaurant in The City (where all Indian food either sucks or costs too much), My friends and I decided to spend our Sunday evening at Kasa in The Castro. On the way, one of my friends added to my doubt by saying, "You know, in Kannada, Kasa translates into Trash." Great, can't wait.
They must have used one of India's other trillion languages, because Kasa's cuisine is far from that misguided translation. Fresh, Flavorful, Friendly, and let's see... FILLING. For a mere $11 you get a ton of food if you order a Thaali, and Just $6 will get you one signature Khati roll - a Roti with a meat or veg filling, cilantro, and onions, with a side of yogurt salad and chopped salad. Really filling and really healthy too - no refined carbs here folks The meat is marinated well and not overcooked, the paneer is healthier than when it's typically served because it's not fried, and the daal that comes in the Thaali is really tasty and full of protein.
In addition to the tasty and healthy fare, it's pleasant to eat-in. Simple fresh flowers on every table, clean design, and lovely South Asian photographic art.
We have a winner!
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I have to admit, eating an indian burrito at first really didn't appeal to me on any level. Tikka Masala....in a BURRITO!? The concept seemed to have eluded me until I went yesterday for lunch, and you know what,
ITS GOOD.
REAL GOOD.
I tried the tikka masala (best seller), and the aloo jeera - no, not the wierd news organization in the Middle East but a burrito like thing filled with spiced potatoes and cumin and tomatoes. Whatever they roll this stuff in is seriously good too...kinda like a spiced up flour tortilla.
Good find, good eats.
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Ok, so I'm bumping this up to 4 stars because the owner is seriously like the NICEST MAN EVER. Like I bet he gives up his seat for old ladies on the train and volunteers at a homeless shelter and adopts abused puppies and stuff.
I say this because he was passing out free Roti wraps at the movie at the park last week and I was lucky enough to partake in this delicious freeness. Yum.
And I continue to crave this place and want to go back soon so perhaps it's better than I originally gave it credit for. Still wouldn't mind this place being a bit cheaper though...
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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07/08/2008
I'm all for Indian food in the hood. And Indian food served taqueria style by toothy white kids?… Read more »
4.5 stars.
This place is like the Chipotle of Indian food. Except here, you get good tasty mini-burrito things that taste great (which can't always be said about Chipotle). I wouldn't say the food is super authentic (but its a good segway for some people to get into Indian food), but the food is solid.
The owner (I think he was the owner) is great and made the dining experience even better. I joking made a comment about the wine (while he was pouring a glass for another patron, I said he should pour me some while he was at it), and he actually did!
Free wine (along with a nice comment!), tasty food, and its a definite worthy 4.5 stars. I WILL return for more and with the way this place is going, I can see it becoming a 5 star establishment real soon.
Oh, and parking in the Castro, on a Friday night during dinner hours, is terrible as usual.
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Yeah so don't you like when you walk into a place and immediately get the sense that they have their shit together?
I like places that do a few things and do them very well. This is such a place.
Went for the 2 Kati rolls: chicken tikka masala and aloo jeera. Yeeah. Now that's good stuff. It's like the indian food burrito without the rice and beans and just some excellent tikka masala and potatoes/onions (respectively). Side salad and some cool raita. The roll itself was thin and seemed to be concocted of whole wheat. Beauty in simplicity.
This place is very clean and efficient. It's not huge but there's enough seating. There are some bar stools and then there's the communal high table in the middle of the space also with bar stools and then some tables near the walls. Two Kati rolls was more than enough and at $8.95 I suppose it's pushing it toward the high side but honestly what I'd expect to pay.
Great, quick, clean, and somewhat healthy lunch. Go here.
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Something -- nay a lot of things -- about this place feel a little like McDonald's. One thing doesn't: the price.
You've got a young, high-school- aged staff of white kids serving you. Nothing wrong with that, maybe, except that there is. I don't pretend to be an authority on whether this is "authentic" Indian food (I think it's an unfair term, anyway). But you're certainly not getting an authentic vibe. And that, like it or not, admit it or not, makes the food taste worse.
There's practically nothing in each of those little wraps. I ended up not finishing my third wrap, but that was more because they were bad and not because they were filling. In the end you do get enough food, but only because you're eating 3 wraps worth of bread! There's one, maybe two, pieces of meat in the curry they give you. They're even pretty cheap with the dips they give out.
In fact, I asked for second of one of the dips (the non-yogurt ones). It's a good thing, because when I was running home, my bag broke and one of my dips splatted all over some poor fool's driveway. Sure, I was literally -running- home, so the bag's probably aren't used to the swaying, but still, weak sauce. Or weak dip. If I weren't pissed off about paying for $12 for this crap, I'd probably admit it was my fault, but I am, so I'm holding Kasa accountable and I'd like you to join me in doing so.
When I did get home to eat my sad, dip-inhibited wraps, the bread tasted stale. Part of this place's appeal to me was that it's open relatively late, but it appears that just means you're eating day old bread. No thanks.
Can't really recommend or unrecommend any of the particular wraps. The chicken tikka masala was my favorite, I guess, but it's Indian food, what do you expect the best flavor to be? The potato and lamb ones were ok.
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Yeah, the stereotype is that gay men have impecabble taste in everything but you certainly would not know that from the pathetic choice of food available in the Castro. Sure, you can teach straight girls how to give better blowjobs or you can teach straight men how to not dress like hobos but the food in this neighborhood is just not good.
Because of this, I give Kasa a pretty generous 4 stars. The food was good and I love the concept. Sandwiches and Indian food are two of my favorite things and combining them is a wonderful idea. However, I hate overly designy modern looking spaces like this and I thought the flavors needed a little work. But, given my penchant for Castro drink specials and Dolores Park outings, I know I'll be back here.
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I resisted at first cause it looks contemporary, self service and all but the food is quite tasty. I notice that customers always empty the food tray. Totally love it. The drawback is limited choice and limited space. I am used to with all the big space in LA.
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The food here was great. I had the chicken tikka masala--the accompaniments were pretty good, and my boyfriend had vegetarian wraps. Not the best Indian I've had (Amber India's chicken tikka masala was far superior) but definitely worth checking out. It had a nice ambiance, and the service was great (even though it was cafeteria style, the staff was very friendly). Don't be put off by some of the other Yelp reviews. We had been avoiding this place for weeks because I had read that the lines were out the door and that we'd have to wait over an hour to eat. That was not the case for Saturday night--there were only a handful of people in front of us, and there were plenty of seats. I'd definitely go back.
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I'm so excited to have found Kasa. The food is soo good and healthy too. I had the Gobi Aloo and the eggplant thalis special yesterday ..mmmm
Everything felt fresh and I felt good after it. My boyfriend and I will definitely go back when we need our Indian fix.
Yummy and cheap. I actually would really like more options here, but it's great as is. I do kinda wish they at least put more chutney on, I could barely taste mine - but I bet they would if I asked them to! They messed up my order but fixed it immediately and were uber apologetic. I enjoyed it and only wish it was closer to me!
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It was a little pricey for what you get, but at least you do not get fights. Almost without fail, when I have been to Kati Roll in New York, there is someone fighting. Although, they do make their food spicier, so maybe it is a good thing that Kasa is not super spicy.
Finally! London's Masala Zone (http://www.masalazone.com) comes to SF in the form of Kasa.
I don't think there has been as much excitement over a new Indian restaurant since Dosa opened in the Mission over a year ago. But trust me, Kasa is even better and I hope it gets all the same hype.
While you can get the wraps, I highly recommend the thalis. Here's a quick def for you not yet in the know ;-):
"the thali is a stainless steel platter with little bowls ("katoris") consisting of a wide variety of different dishes providing nutrition, texture, flavours and colours. it is the way indians have traditionally eaten at home for centuries."
The vibe here is like nice cafeteria/cafe. You order at the counter and they put together your food in front of you. Then you pay and find a seat at one of the small tables or communal bar. The food comes out quick (like a cafeteria) but the decor is more like a laid back cafe (no vinyl flooring here!).
But most importantly, the food. Oh the food!
I can't vouch for the authenticity but my oh my is it tasty! I've never had such good meat curries before. The lamb curry was really lamby flavored and super tender, like fork tender. The chicken tikka masala was grilled first, then added to the masala sauce - giving it that nice grilled flavor which blended well with the sauce. To give you an idea of how much I liked the food, you should know that i cleared my plate much much faster than hubby - and that is very rare indeed. In fact, I'm not even sure if we talked that much during the meal.
The roti is made by hand (you can see them behind the counter) and have a wonderful flavor on their own. The sides (rice, daal, raita, et) are okay. I would have liked the daal with a little more punch.
But the curries, oh the curries. How can I complain?
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A delicious fast food type Indian place. I had the chicken tikka masala plate. Everything is either on a plate or wrapped in a delicious roti. The food was flavorful and fast. They have a nice little dining area and better than normal fast food ambiance. I recommend it.
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It's basic indian food that's not particularly flavorful. The "indian burritos" are basic and decent but you'll need to eat 3 for a full meal. Just leaves you craving for a better restaurant. The staff is friendly and the place is clean with a modern spin on indian restaurants that you don't see very often.
Good stuff! The food was fresh and quickly prepared. Helpful and friendly staff as well.
So far we've tried the kati rolls - the turkey kebab was our favorite - they were all good and we look forward to trying them again. Next time we might stay for a plate lunch.
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