Went to Choolaah with a friend, and I must say, it did not disappoint. The service was great from the moment we walked in. The cashier was friendly and offered to help even though we chose to order at the kiosk. He even grabbed our drinks right away and gave me a sample of the ginger lemonade (which didn't have much ginger), so I ended up going with the mango lemonade instead. I ordered the paneer and samosa chaat, and the flavors were spot on. I dipped my paneer wrap in the mango sauce, and it was the perfect touch. I would definitely come back--the food tasted so fresh and flavorful that it never once felt like I was eating at a chain restaurant. The space itself is cute, with plenty of seating and easy access to sauces, utensils, and napkins. My only critique is that the restaurant was cold inside. It was already a chilly day, and it didn't feel much warmer than eating outdoors. Overall, great food and great service--just wish the heat was turned up on that cold day! read more

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Choolah is one of the healthy food place near our house when we wanted something different, something that is not a salad but have plenty of vegetables. I usually get the probowl with all veggies and protein. I added spicy mango sauce and the Whoa sauce to it! It is a large large bowl and I usually eat them for lunch and then dinner. read more

Choolaah - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

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I dined into to choolah for the first time during my lunch break. I love Indian food so I was intrigued. It reminds me of an Indian version of chipotle. I was not sure how to order but the cashier kindly offered to walk me through the menu/order process. The food was delicious, great Portion, great overall value. I love Indian food but it tends to be on the heavier side, so this had the same taste but a lighter option. Also, Indian usually comes in large portions so I end up spending $40+. The size and portion are great personal size option. Extra price for the bread but overall great value. 100% recommend!!! read more

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COVID took away many things from me, one of them being my favorite fast casual Indian restaurant Choolah. When I found out they had an outpost in Sterling, I knew I had to make a stop. Ordering was quick and easy and my daughters and I enjoyed our butter chicken + rice combo immensely. Add in some freshly baked naan and a mango lassi and we were straight up feasting! We went with a few friends and we got a mix of proteins, grains, and greens and not one of us was left wanting more. Everything is well flavored and crowd-pleasing. This is truly a winning chain. PLEASE OPEN BACK IN MOSAIC, I BEG OF YOU! read more

Been waiting 20 minutes so far, for our food. Not much either; kids pizza, wrap and a bowl. FOH was friendly, BOH seems to move slower than molasses. I've witnessed the kitchen putting to go orders ahead of the in store orders.. to appease who? I've been here several times, sadly with each visit the place is degraded more than the last. If you prioritize delivery food, don't have a seating area. Every customer in here is upset, including me 7 tables. Our food was just called, officially 25 mins. read more

Imagine an elevated Chipotle fast casual concept with strong Indian flavors. This is what you get with Choolaah. I ordered the lamb meatball balance bowl, paneer wrap, mango lassi and mango lemonade. All of the flavors were on point and tasted authentic. I love the special sauces as well. The spicy mango and yogurt sauces were delicious with the hot tender lamb meatballs. Prices are fair and the I'm a huge fan of the interior They have bright orange colors every where. Theres even a cool hand washing station at the entrance. Everyone from the cashier to the manager kept asking me if I had questions and how the food was. My food came out really quickly and portion size its average. The lassi and lemonade were delicious. They have plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options. Highly recommend Choolaah if you want a fun twist on Indian fast casual. read more

This is quick service Indian food gone wrong, in my very honest opinion. I found the ambience quite pleasant when we first entered the restaurant and the staff was friendly too, but it was the food that disappointed me the most. Not much variety in their menu and everything was bland and overpriced for the proportions. Feels bad, because the place seemed like there was a lot of potential there but both the quality and quantity of the food fell short. read more

Choolaah - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

The food is delicious. There are so many great vegetarian options to select from. I enjoy the paneer bowl, taste amazing! Highly recommend if your craving Indian food read more

Choolaah - Paneer bowl and samosa chat - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

Hadn't been to Choolah since they shut down the location in Mosaic. Honestly, food is still mostly good it's just a bit overpriced. A bowl of whatever with extra protein comes to over $20. I guess inflation also hit the naan industry. Was also completely empty at lunch time which was kind of strange but at least it was very peaceful. read more

pav bhaji and bowls fan. My dining partner actually craves their pav bhaji so we will drive out of our way to go get some. Highly recommend you try it out. read more

Choolaah - Self order now - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

I walked in, seemingly within the opening hour, I was the only customer in the shop. The employees either did not see me or did not choose to acknowledge me until I was almost done, placing my order. The self serve screen was a bit confusing, and it seemed to be lacking in options for the price. I ordered one of namesake bowls, choosing paneer as my protein. If I wanted additional protein, it would've been an additional seven dollars. For what I got, definitely does not seem worth the extra splurge. The bowl was half rice, half Romain lettuce and a meager amount of mango sauce to spread over my bowl. Their namesake hot sauce was a small soy sauce sized to go packet. Neither sauce seemed to be enough to really saturate the bowl. It did come with a side, I chose yellow daal, pouring that over the dish to make it palatable. I also had a side of wheat naan, only one piece for around four dollars! The mango lemonade was delicious! No further notes I also ordered kulfi, which stayed frozen for quite a long time, but I can tell from all of the ice crystals that this ice cream was at one point melted, and then refrozen. It never works out. I think for me this place is a one and done. Nothing really felt Indian about the place, definitely not the food. Maybe their fun decor. read more

It has been a very long time since we've eaten here and now I remember why. Although the food is still delicious, the portions are so small for the amount you get. There were only two other families in the restaurant and the wait was quite long. And the worst part was that our food was cold so it obviously sat out waiting to be served. We will not return because there are so many better options available in the area. read more

The food is super tasty and the service is stellar! I enjoy trying something new every time I visit, and I'm never disappointed. I've gotten carryout for very small groups a half dozen times as well as food for a crowd. The perfect balance bowls, the samosa chat, and the naan are all flavorful. I love both of the daal options that can be ordered as mains or as sides to the bowls. When I visit, I can never resist adding on a chai tea drink, a mango lassi, or a malai kulfi for adding something sweet to the meal. They are all delicious. Last but not least, I enjoy the coupons available through the app. I have one to spend next time I visit Sterling. read more

Choolaah - Drink menu - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

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I stumbled upon this lovely place while getting my hair done. After receiving glowing recommendations from my stylist, her colleagues, and my sister, I decided to give it a try. I visited on a quiet Thursday at 2 pm, which was perfect for me. The staff at the counter was friendly and polite. I ordered the Choolah Bowl with rice, chicken, Tikka masala, and a side of spicy mango sauce. The order came out pretty quick and the flavors were incredible, the chicken was tender, and the overall experience was delightful. The establishment was clean, had nice interiors, and felt spacious. I enjoyed the food and would definitely consider ordering from here again during my next visit to VA. read more

Choolaah - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

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We've been meaning to come and try this place for over 9 months finally made it there. We were looking forward to eating there but unfortunately inside seating is not available due to COVID. The weather was kinda rainy so we had to eat our food at home. We all ordered the tikka sauce with different proteins including paneer and lamb. We also got samosa appetizer. Over all the food tasted flavorful although the tikka sauce was not thick like the usual Indian tikka sauce I am used to and felt watered down. The portions was very small and we are not big eaters. The bill total was over $60 for 4 adults and one child and we feel the portions should have been double the amount that was served. The hot chai was amazing and the mint sauce was also very flavorful. read more

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When we arrived we were greeted warmly by the manager who sensed it was our first visit. So, he gave a full overview of the menu and made suggestions on ordering. Acha,as Indians ourselves we were impressed with the taste and freshness of the chicken and peas dish we had. The spice level was moderate but you could add chilies to if you prefer. We also found the place very clean, pleasantly decorated and the transparent view of the kitchen was reassuring. The staff checked on us twice as if it was full service restaurant which added a touch of class. We will definitely return to try more of the vast menu. read more

Choolaah - Yummy chicken and peas. - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

Craving for something tasty this weekend, yet healthy, for satisfying your taste buds. Currently their Mosaic location is closed, so yall can go to Sterling Due to COVID-19, the dine in option is closed, however you can do a takeout simply by downloading their app and start earning some rewards I have tried pretty much everything they have but my favorite of all is the Choolah Pro bowl with chicken or paneer. You can pick from a wide variety of protein options. A dish packed with flavour. And second favorite is Pav bhaji which is obviously cause it reminds me of Mumbai. Highly recommended place *__* read more

Choolaah - Pro bowl with paneer - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

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The ginger mint lemonade was fantastic. I tried the protein bowl chicken with mixed veggies, and the black bean stew and naan. Everything was very good. Food came out quickly. Restaurant was clean. Personally i liked the ability to self order on kiosks. read more

Choolaah - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

choola never disappoint! and the manager there is always friendly and accurate with our orders. she is such a great asset! I wish I can remember her name but ... read more

Absolutely love the convenience and simplicity of Choolah without sacrificing flavor and quality. This is what I like to call accessible, entry-level Indian food. We've tried pretty much everything on their menu and nothing disappoints. The flame-grilled, smoky flavor of the chicken keeps me coming back for me. You can't go wrong! read more

I go to Choolaah when I am craving a quick Indian meal. Similar to a Chipotle, your food is custom made to order. You choose your protein, your sauce and if you want a bowl, salad, wrap, etc. My favorite is the paneer tikka masala. I always order extra masala sauce because I don't feel like there is enough. The naan is amazing there! Love dipping it in the masala sauce. There is a hand washing station there right by the door so that is super convenient. read more

Choolaah - Paneer Tikka Masala - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

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Great friendly staff! Clean restrooms and clean atmosphere! Free refills on the drinks. Everything tastes clean and fresh.

I ordered catering for an event via the online system. The ordering process was straight forward and my food was ready according to my scheduled pickup time. My guests enjoyed the food very much, especially the paneer, dal, and naan. However, I felt that the portion of protein (chicken and paneer) was too sparse compared to the bed of rice it was on. The flavors of all the sauces were excellent and really takes the food over the top. I took off one star for the "value". For a fast causal restaurant, I would like to have received more food for the money. read more

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+I come here for the sauces alone...that Choolaah Lava is fire!!! Yum; gotta also have the Raita and Mint Yogurt Sauce! +Chipotle Mexican Grill meets Indian barbecue. +Cool, modern decor. +Quick service and a great option in the fast-casual category. +Automatic hand wash station. -The meat portions can be a bit on the small side. -A meal for three adults and a 14-month-old toddler was $40, which is quite high in the quick service restaurant industry. You might be better off going to an actual Indian restaurant, or even better, an AYCE Indian lunch buffet. -No loyalty rewards program. Overall, I am a Choolaah fan but would like to see a loyalty rewards program (i.e., LevelUp) implemented down the road. read more

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This is frankly the best Indian restaurant for its style, focus, flavors and health conscious ingredients as selection. Also their focus on sustainability be it biodegrable rubbish and a neat hand washer to save on paper towels. Everything I have had here has been amazing, the chai, street food, bbq bowls, bbq salads. Choolah or Tandoor is a traditional Indian bbq. I can eat here everyday if I can. read more

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Great food. Quick service. Staff are great and friendly. Many choices. The place was neat and clean.

We were very bummed when the location in Mosaic closed down until we came across the store in Sterling! It should be noted that things aren't the same at every store but this location still hits the spot! Although the menu has preset items to choose from, we decided to make our own bowls opting for the chick pea Marsala and tikka masala. Both sauces were delicious in their own way. The chick pea was a little spicy but was balanced out with the chick peas and rice. The tikka masala was thinner than usual but full of flavor. We were a little bummed that we had to pay extra to try different sauces which is definitely a big change from what we were used to. The chicken was seasoned well and full of flavor. We also ordered Naan because why not?!? The flavor was good but the texture could have been better. It was a little flimsy as if it had been sitting for awhile that it made it hard to dip. The staff is super friendly and willing to offer recommendations and answer questions. Overall solid option for anyone looking to satisfy their Indian food craving. read more

Choolah is a simple but unique culinary experience. It's hard to think that of a fast casual restaurant, but it's not your typical food. If you like Indian food or not this is worth the try, with a mix of familiar tastes and new twists. The menu is broken down into 3 simple categories, but you will still find something for everyone. After eating in and carrying out I think the overall experience is consistent. But definitely better if you eat in. Not to mention there's great outdoor seating with a mini light fountain deck. There's even a chutney bar with 6 different flavors! Also check out the futuristic hand washing station near the entrance! read more

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This is more like an Indian chipotle place with vegetarian, meat and vegan options. You can pick and choose between a bowl or a roll. They have two types of naan (white and wheat). We had the tikka masala with panner. The taste was ok nothing great. The panner cubes were really huge and were ok. Over the taste was not great. But the place is clean and had service was good. read more

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I only wanted naan but wound up ordering a whole meal. The chickpea sauce was delicious and not too spicy, although it had a touch of heat. I do not eat spicy so even black pepper is spicy to me. But with rice, I had no problem and will order it again! The chicken was also flavorful and tender. It was my first time, so I was hesitant to try the mango lemonade, thinking the mango purée might make it a bit too thick. But I loved it! My only complaint would be waiting at the pick up counter without any acknowledgment, as someone at a register was helped. Then the cashier greeted and helped the next person walking through the door, completely overlooking me. He was super polite when he did get to me, so I don't think it was personal. But with 3 people (that I could see) behind the counter, and only 2 customers standing there, I shouldn't have been hard to miss. read more

1. Extremely clean and modern space. You have the option to order from a self service kiosk or order with a person. There are hand sanitizer stations, and even a futuristic hand washing station by the front door that does the work for you (If you're into that kind of thing). The bathroom and dining areas are extremely clean as well. 2. Fabulous service. I am always greeted as soon as I walk in. If I'm not greeted right away, staff communicates to me that they will help me when they are finished helping another lucky customer. Whenever I order pickup, I'm handed my bag of food and read every single thing I ordered. Even down to the type of sauces and how many I ordered. After giving a quick rundown of the food, I'm given my drinks fresh. This staff is seriously kick ass across the board. Efficient, friendly, and incredible communicators. 3. YUMMY! I'm obsessed with their lamb wrap and sauce options. They also have great choices for those wanting to cut down carbs/meat/etc. There's something for everybody here! read more

For fast-casual Indian dining, this place is great! We got the perfect balance bowl (protein, roasted veggies, white or brown rice) and the name was spot-on. The chicken was seasoned well and the roasted veggies (cauliflower, red peppers, sweet potato, and zucchini) were equally delightful. After finishing my bowl, I didn't feel bloated or overly full but was extremely satisfied that I received a well portioned and healthy meal; just kind of wish it didn't cost $14. The bowl comes with a side of masala and 2 types of sauces: a chutney and a hot sauce which I chose to have on the side. Tikka masala was okay while the yellow lentil daal was a little bit better. Not sure why but they just tasted a little bland and watery for me. For the chutney, I loved the tamarind apple which gives it a nice sweet flavor. The mango spicy and mint yogurt are also pretty good! The hot sauce was probably my least favorite - I just don't know how they fit in here because it just didn't play well with the other seasonings/flavors. The most mild hot sauce (Whoa Hot Sauce) was pretty spicy; I don't even want to think about what their spiciest (Omg Hot Sauce) is like. This particular location has STELLAR customer service. Our cashier was super patient and helpful while we were making our selections had some suggestions for us. The rest of the kitchen staff was friendly and all very nice. Also - make sure you get their mango lassi for your sweet treat! read more

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I've been on a fast-casual Indian food kick lately and this is hands down the best I've had of the 5 spots I've been to in the past 2 months. I can with my family for an early dinner and it was exactly what we needed after a long day of moving/unpacking boxes. The mango lemonade and ginger lemonade are both very refreshing. I got the paneer bowl, my brother got the chicken bowl, and mom got the cutlet bowl. These guys give you ample protein and it's all very well spiced and thoroughly cooked -- even the paneer. I wasn't sure how the cutlets would taste but they were surprisingly good! Tasted like they were made from actual whole veggies. These guys were generous with toppings and chutneys and I really enjoyed their mango chutney for the cutlets. My brother especially appreciated that they didn't use common allergens in their food (peanuts, chickpea flour, cashews, etc) which is so important for him. I will definitely be back when I'm visiting my brother in the area and I know he will be a repeat customer as well. Well done! read more

Choolaah - Paneer Choolaah Bowl - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

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We had to stand at the register for quite a while before they greeted us. I ordered a bowl and an extra side which took them 25 minutes to get it out to us. This is extremely slow in the world of fast casual cuisine. They did not seem urgent to get their order out and I had to go up and ask about it before it was served. I've been to other choolaah locations and the food is decent. I'm not sure if I'd come back just based on the long wait and opt for a traditional Indian restaurant. read more

Guys what is up with the SALT on your nans now? Total taste killler. Its not even a hint of salt but so overwhelming that it makes me never want to order naan from your restaurant again. Naans were always decent up until now. read more

as someone who eats A LOT of indian and has had a truly authentic experience with Indian food, this place does a really nice job of keeping the food flavors authentic! i ordered the lamb meatballs with yellow lentils (daal) and brown rice and was so full after finishing my bowl, however, the type of full you get isn't one that makes you feel heavy, greesy, and lazy! i felt very happy and satisfied with what u had ate and was ready to be productive with the rest of my day!!! my grandparents also really enjoyed their food, they got the paneer/vegetable bowls and loved the mix of lentils with a protein! cant wait to bring my grandparents back for more! note: the reason why i gave 4 instead of 5 stars is because i eat my indian food with "achar" aka a spicy pickle and this place is lacking in the spice department read more

Choolaah - Lamb Choolaah bowl - Indian Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

Good food ,but I felt little pricey and quantity to be too small. In a good accessible location with ample parking.

Love this place! Super delicious affordable food with gorgeous in and especially outside seating! The first time I visited a staff member gave me a whole menu tour and I ordered the very yummy chicken wrap! read more

Yum! A great place to visit for a quick bite. Their menu is straightforward, cashiers are friendly and quick. Their mango lassi is cool, creamy, and flavorful. They offer salted lassi as well. Everything we tried was fresh, quality ingredients are definitely used. They are generous with the portions. Their homemade sauces are all tasty and will pair perfectly with your meal. Plenty of seating inside and kid friendly. The restaurant is also very neat and clean, they do a great job keeping things organized. Don't forget to try their cool handwash-o-matic machine. read more

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The food is good, but it's kind of unique. It's not your typical Indian place. Three stars, because if you're expecting typical Indian food, you will be disappointed. However, what they serve is good. read more