It’s far too common for teens in Victor to pick Chipotle or Taco Bell when going out to eat. Overlooking the hidden gems of Rochester-exclusive fast food chains, I felt compelled to try one. As a fan of Indian food myself, I must admit that there may be some bias in this review of Naantastic, a local chain serving the Upstate NY region.
Walking in, I observed a rustic/industrial style interior that seemed to fuse traditional Indian food with a modern, westernized touch. Ordering is very similar to Subway or Chipotle, where your bowl or burrito is taken down the line and you get to pick between various proteins, vegetables, and sauces.
You first pick a base, choosing between Tumeric Rice, lettuce, quinoa, and spring mix. Rice is probably the most popular, and for good reason: the yellow rice seasoned to perfection gives the meal a rich flavor. Then, you pick either Channa Masala (a chickpea dish), Chicken Tikka (chicken marinated in spices), or Gyro (lamb) as a protein. Each having their own unique taste, you could never get bored here if you ordered something different everyday. Sauces range from mild, medium, and hot, named “Dad’s Sweet Makhani,” “Slammin’ Masala,” “Screamin’ Vindaloo,” respectively. My spice tolerance is very low, but I wasn’t bothered in the slightest ordering the medium sauce – so I’d assume that spice enjoyers would love a much hotter sauce at Naan-tastic, unless the hot is that big of a step up from the medium.
I decided to get a rice bowl with chicken, onions, lettuce, and cheese, topped off with the medium hot sauce, the “Slammin’ Masala.” I chose to get a plain Naan on the side as well.
Overall the food was very tasty. So much so, that I had completely forgotten to photograph the food once it was ready.
The seating was a highlight of the outing. Stuffed monkeys were hanging in the ceiling and there was a variety of booths, benches, and high chairs to sit at. I find that a lot of the time, fast food restaurants favor parties of 4 or 2. At Naantastic however, you can comfortably sit alone, with a group of 3, or with a party of 7. “Cozy” is probably a stretch, but compared to other fast food restaurants like Chipotle or Wendy’s, it is quite comfortable – and the people waiting in line won’t stress you out thanks to a partition between the seating area and the line, a common issue with Chipotle seating.
I went with three other friends, who seemingly enjoyed the food – not as much as me though, as I was able to finish the whole bowl and the naan bread only half an hour after eating two slices of cheesecake at home.
If you’re scared of trying new places, this is a safe step forward in exploring your new favorite go-to. Naantastic’s friendly staff and good food will certainly bring a smile to your face.
