0 Followers
The Kati Roll Company
Master Critic Review
The Kati Roll Company
8.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
This MacDougal Street landmark helped popularize Kolkata-style kati rolls in NYC, serving griddled parathas stuffed with spiced meats, paneer, and eggs late into the night. The space is tiny and rough-around-the-edges, but the combination of speed, price, and flavor keeps lines steady years into its run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Achari Paneer Roll, Chicken Tikka Roll, Unda Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: High-volume kati-roll pioneer turning out Kolkata-inspired wraps deep into the night.
Who should go: Night owls craving fast, spicy handheld Indian street food.
When to visit: Late nights after bars; off-hours for shorter lines.
What to order: Achari Paneer Roll, Chicken Tikka Roll, classic Unda Roll.
Insider tip: Two rolls is a full meal—mix one egg-based roll with a paneer or chicken option.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on MacDougal Street is limited and competitive, especially evenings; rely on nearby paid garages on West 3rd or Bleecker.
Dress code: No dress code—casual, come-as-you-are street-food vibe.
Noise level: Moderate to loud due to small space, griddles, and constant foot traffic; not ideal for long conversations.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on bar traffic nearby; line moves quickly.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a 5-minute line at peak class-change hours from NYU.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection—paneer rolls, potato/egg variations, and multiple veg-friendly fillings.
Vegan options: Limited—some fillings can be made vegan if requested without butter, mayo, or egg; confirm at counter.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal—parathas and rotis contain gluten, and there are no gluten-free wraps.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date appreciates ultra-casual, grab-and-go street food; the tiny space and loud environment aren’t suited for lingering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is first-come, limited, and mostly used by solo diners; most people take their rolls to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids who like bold spices, but the tight layout, late-night crowds, and lack of high chairs make it less ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Quick, inexpensive, intensely flavorful kati rolls with late-night hours unmatched by most Indian spots in the area.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Indian meal, mild flavors, gluten-free options, or a comfortable space to linger.