The Subway Of Indian Food Comes 2 Howe Street

Next time Bill Clinton comes to New Haven, his handlers might head to Howe Street instead of Orange to pick him up a vegan Indian lunch on the go.

That’s because the spot that fed Clinton on his visit here in September —“fast-casual” Tikkaway at Orange near Chapel — has opened a second, bigger and brighter location at the intersection of Howe Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The ribbon was cut there with the help of city economic development chief Matthew Nemerson Thursday afternoon at an official opening event, where Nair offered free samples of lassi and rice pudding.

At a whopping 2,600 square feet, you could probably put the original Tikkaway inside the new location and still have room to invite friends.

It’s all part of restaurateur Gopinath ​“Gopi” Nair’s (pictured above) master plan to be to Indian food what Subway is to sandwiches and Chipotle is to Mexican food. When you order in line, you build your meal, with a rice base, topped by meat and/or vegetables and beans with a variety of savory sauces.

If Yelp is any indicator, Nair is succeeding in his plan of making Tikkaway a household name. The original Tikkaway is the top-rated restaurant in New Haven on Yelp, and has more than 200 reviews, the majority of which give it five stars.

Tikkaway specializes in making Indian food — known for its spices and complex flavors — accessible and easily customizable even for someone who is new to the cuisine. The new location takes that to another level by providing not only a light-filled space, but plenty of seating that encourages people to stop and stay awhile.

In addition to tons of seating, the new locations features lots of bold signage that explain everything from roti (a whole wheat Indian flatbread) to a samosa (a savory pastry filled with vegetables).

Though he might have more space, Nair is applying the same approach to food at his second location that has garnered him so much success in just 14 months of opening the original location — fresh healthful food, served quickly and at an affordable price.

Nair said he opened the second location because ​“we couldn’t feed everybody.” He’s counting on the new location’s proximity to Yale-New Haven Hospital and the many medical and other office buildings to be a boon for business, especially given that there aren’t many options for quick food that you can eat on site.

Many people in the area take advantage of the line of food carts that appear each day on Cedar Street, but those options dwindle in inclement weather. And most of the carts disappear after the lunch rush, making it challenging to find a quick, tasty meal that’s also healthy and affordable in the evening.

Tikkaway’s second location approaches the challenge with the same approach it has used successfully on Orange Street: Educate the customer. Take away the mystery of the cuisine. Help the customer choose their own food adventure.

“When you do that, it’s personal,” Nair said. ​“Though we’re putting it together, it becomes your food.”

Operating two locations is a big job, but so is Nair’s vision. He knew when he opened the first location that he wanted to open a second. He’s got his eye on more — possibly even becoming a national chain like Subway. But right now his focus is on New Haven.

“This is hands on, every day,” Nair, whose wife Deepa (pictured with their 3‑year-old daughter Diya) estimates that he works 105 hours a week. ​“I do not plan to rest.”

Nair said because he took the first step in putting a sit down restaurant in the area, he believes others will follow his lead.

“If Tikkaway does well, others will come too,” he said.