Spice Waala

This is a small takeaway place, with a few picnic tables scattered out front and you will need to figure out the street parking. There are alleys nearby, so nothing to despair about. I was born in kolkata and grew up there, and then lived in Delhi for 13 years. So I think I am fairly Indian and knowledgeable about India, having lived there for 35 years. Kathi rolls and calcutta rolls are different, they always were and will be. Retrofitting an egg into a kathi roll will not make it a calcutta roll, neither will adding french fries into it make it a gyro. So who ever wrote that menu doesn't know much about Indian food. In a kathi roll, there is a rumali roti which is wrapped around kababs with mint chutney and onions. In a calcutta roll, it is a thick patatha deepfried and the eggs added to one side, the inner stuffing can vary from simple chopped salads and sauces to potatos to curried chicken or goat. The point to note being that they are very very different. The roll is also wrapped half in a special kind of tissue roll to give it a grip and absorb the dripping oil and gravy. What was offered to me(pics attached) was closer to kathi rolls in appearance, packaging, taste and just because I added the egg didn't make.it a calcutta roll. That being said, the stuffing inside was very generous and the quality of the lamb kabab and mint sauce was good. While the wrapping roti might not have been a rumali, it resembled them closely as well. The chicken kabab could have been better and chicken tikka stuffing would make the chicken option more lucrative in my opinion. I must appreciate the owners efforts to give us a taste of Indian food away from home, I also am okay with the fact that it didn't match my kolkata.roll.expectations, it atill is a pretty good kathi roll. Now, I have read the angry responses from the owner to any kind of negativity posted, but I would encourage them to keep an open mind as well, they are welcome to visit my place and have a real kolkata roll if thwy want a point of reference. I like.fuaion food, so no complains or disappointments for me.

They only have takeout with some nice picnic tables out front. The prices were quite reasonable and the food has solid flavor. I loved the spiciness of the lamb kabob Kathi roll. It was small, but delicious. The mango lassi was good, a bit thick and I could’ve used more mango flavor, but nice nonetheless. The chaat was the highlight. I loved the little card they give you that shows how chaat is constructed. Since it is all to-go, it made sense not to fully make the dish but to turn it into a kit that folks then build themselves. The only downside is that this approach does generate more materials (i.e. plastic containers for the yogurt, sev and chutney.)

Spice Waala is a much anticipated and greatly appreciated Indian street food walk-up new to Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. I visited the location one month after their opening. The menu is limited but varied enough that there is something for everyone who likes an Indian menu. In the two times that I have eaten from their menu I’ve had the chicken tikka Kathi roll, lamb kebab Kathi roll, the Chana chat and the Indian spiced fries. Everything was well seasoned, well prepared and tasty. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the lamb meatballs were tender, well flavored with herbs and spices and well balanced with the spice level. The Chana chat was equally good, though I would have preferred it room temperature rather than chilled. The fries were a real surprise. They were reminiscent of the way the fries are chosen, and cooked at Dick’s, but heads better with the spice blend clinging to their crunchy exterior and pillowy insides. Fries are served with green chutney on the side. But, be warned, you must like cilantro as it is very cilantro forward. All servings are generous with the fries ample enough to serve two. I gave a 3-star rating for atmosphere because there is only outside bench and picnic table seating. I must reveal to you that at my first visit the staff forgot my fries. I called to let them know and they told me “no problem” and asked me for my name. When I returned a bit over a week later, they had no issue with making good on the fries, no questions asked. Good customer service is always worth an extra star. I plan to work my way through the entire menu. I will keep you posted.

Joe was super helpful, friendly and welcoming. Recommend getting the extra sauces with Kathi roll, takes flavor to another level. The saffron cardamom w/pistachio topping ice cream was soo good, light and creamy with so much flavor!!

The food was tasty! I had their potato wrap, fries, and nacho dish (I forgot the names of all of these but they’re easy to find on their menu). Everything was super tasty! Will definitely go back again!

A wonderful addition to Columbia City. They have a walkup window to order and picnic tables to enjoy the food. The food is just delicious and affordable. There's always a line. Best to order ahead. There is no parking but street parking. I've tried most of the food and the problem I have is which one I'm going to order next. The food is off the hook!!!

Amazing service and amazing food! We were impressed with the plethora of flavors and loved how there were great vegan and vegetarian options. Highly recommend finishing it off with the rose cardamom soft serve ice cream - it was divine!

I was really excited to hear Spice Waala was coming to Columbia City, and after trying it, I was not let down! I’ve lived here for over 6 years and having an affordable and convenient option for Indian food at long last is a huge life upgrade. I got the lamb kathi roll and the chana chaat. Amazingly delicious and healthy and filling combo, highly recommended. Had to throw in some mango soft serve which just sealed the deal. If this level of quality keeps up I’ll be a frequent and loyal customer.

Update: Spice level: As I said in my initial review at first it was spicier than I expected (still delicious just spicier than expected). After a couple weeks it seemed to swing in the opposite direction and was more bland than expected. For the last bit it has been just right. I've eaten twice in last week. Additional items I've tried: Masala Aloo: Like description says fries with a twist. VERY tasty. Chutney is amazing. Aloo Tikki Chaat: Let me start off by saying that just in terms in final product/taste I think I liked it more than the Masala Aloo. However just know that it comes with assembly required. You'll get the fried potato and then all the individual toppings but you put them together yourself. Which no big deal but I just wasn't expecting it and said *na, I'm too high for this, I'll eat my roll and come back to you later*. Even cold it was delicious. Holi Special: After this I will be trying any special meal but will definitely have a friend over. Full box (see photo) which gave me about three meals.

So confused by the reviews, haven't been this disappointed in food in a while. Kathi rolls were exceptionally bland, and the crumbled paneer is reminiscent of those tofu scrambles they served in the 90s for vegans. Much better ones to be had in this city. Not sure if it's supposed to be served refrigerator cold but both the chana chaat and the papdi chaat we had were literally straight-out-of-the-fridge cold, to the point we weren't worried about food safety because it was like eating leftovers. If they are supposed to be served cold then I guess I just don't like it/don't get why anyone would want cold "indian nachos" but whatever. The masala aloo fries look seasoned but taste like regular fries. Aloo TIkki Chaat was alright and if for some reason I had to eat here again, it's what I'd get, though the portion is like cartoonishly small. The chutneys are just kind of meh. I've had bad Indian food before, but I don't recall any Indian place I've ever been to lacking flavor this much. It's a 2 star review because I think 1 star should be reserved for truly inedible (which the papdi chaat frankly was, but the rest wasn't).

Had the lamb, chicken and paneer kathi rolls. The lamb by far was the most flavorful and my favorite. The paneer one being the least favorite. I was hoping for chunks of paneer, like in palak paneer or saag paneer. instead It's minced and crumbled into little bits; not very mouth satisfying compared to the other two. The masala aloo, very well seasoned; and that chutney I want it on everything! The lassi, very good. I needed to grab a spoon to get every last drop, it was so good. If I had any real complaint, it's the cost. 8$ for a kathi roll, yet I can get some amazing burritos from alibertos or similar fan favorite taco truck like El Asadero in Columbia city, for $9, that are easily 2-3x in size and content. birria, asada, adobada, you name it. it's amazing to think i could get an "all-meat," birria burrito with a side Consomé, no rice or beans, 2X the size for $1 more. Yes I get it, not the same/equal comparison, not the same cuisine etc. Those other places probably have more buying power, move more product etc. but from a sheer value perspective, this is a higher cost product. It's amazingly tasty, and unlike anything you've had in the area. But for me, it's not something I could consider coming often as there are times, where value is more important, and this would be a splurge.

I came here with a dining partner and I'd say our experience overall was mixed. I got a vegetarian roll with potato and crumbled paneer which was very mild, and not that exciting. I also got the masala aloo fries which also not very flavorful. I was left unimpressed. My dining partner got a spiced chicken wrap that was much better, as well as a mango lassi. The lassi was small, but tasty. I realize inflation has been powerful as of late, but the amount of food for the price didn't seem worth it. Overall I'd say the experience was fine but not something that would make me anxious to return.

Decided to try Spice Waala tonight, via uber eats app. I admit I was scared and underwhelmed when I opened my delivery package. I ordered Papdi Chaat described as Indian Nachos. They have to separate the toppings for transit so your chips don't arrive soggy. It did not look like the photo. But boy when I put all those ingredients together in one bite, it was the PERFECT bite. Such flavorful punch from the brown and green chutney! Hardly any (only 3) teeny pomegranate pieces but it's ok. It was delicious and I will order more in the future.

Daughter and I just stopped by Spice Waala and found our new favorite neighborhood food! We got the masala aloo (fries with green sauce), Chana chaat (chickpea salad) and Aloo tikki roll with some chutney and yogurt sauces on side. Oh and mango lassi! All soooooo good!

Finally, Spice Waala has arrived in Columbia City! I'm also happy to report that it's just as good as the other locations. I'm also glad it's the opposite direction of the gym. Everything is fantastic, but my go-to is the chicken tikka kathi roll. The paneer burji kathi roll is tasty as well, and something I've otherwise not had before. The rolls are on the smaller side, so I recommend getting at least two. If you're with a friend, share an order of the masala aloo. I'm not as culturally knowledgable about it, but it's perfect for french fry lovers like myself. Heads up that this location is a walk-up window, with two picnic benches outside. I'm sure it'll be awesome in the summertime, but for now it's absolutely worth braving the cold.

I was really excited to try this place and then incredible disappointed. I placed an order online that said it would be ready in 15 minutes. An hour later it still was not ready and then after asking the cashier multiple times he finally handed me the bag that was sitting there the whole time. No customer service or acknowledgement of me standing there for an hour. Food was completely cold by the time I ate it.

First timer. Ordered 2 chicken tikka wraps to go and they were delicious. Staff also seemed quite friendly. Sad I didn't try this place sooner, but I'll be back again soon!

Simply delicious Indian street food. I refuse to wait in lines, but I did here, and it was worth it.

I'm surprised this doesn't have more reviews. Always people in there, always consistent, unique, and delicious. What more could you want. Big 5 stars.

Great street food! Would recommend to anyone on a budget and short on time. Gets busy but is always quick