The Kati Roll Company Opens First New Jersey Location

Founded 24 years ago by Payal Saha, The Kati Roll Company helped introduce New Yorkers to the authentic flavors of Kolkata street food long before fast-casual dining became a national trend. Since opening its first location in Greenwich Village in 2002, the company has grown from a single restaurant into a beloved brand with multiple locations throughout New York City, London, and Dallas.

This year marks a major milestone as The Kati Roll Company brings its franchise to its first New Jersey location, opening in Jersey City on July 1, with additional locations in New Jersey and Long Island planned before the end of the year.

Perfected by Payal and Executive Chef Anil Bathwal over two decades, the menu is rooted in the street food of Kolkata and built on uncompromising attention to quality ingredients and fresh produce. All fillings are marinated daily, and pre-packed foods or sauces are never used, reflecting the founders’ belief that authenticity begins with the ingredients.

Signature rolls include the Achari Paneer Roll, filled with Indian farmer’s cheese marinated in Achari pickling spices; Unda Chicken Tikka Roll, layered with freshly beaten egg and chicken breast marinated in yogurt and spices; and the Shami Kabab Roll, featuring minced lamb and lentil croquettes seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices.

The menu also features rice and salad bowls, including the Steak Rice Bowl with grilled Steak Tikka cubes over biryani rice; the Chana Rice Bowl with blackened, spiced chickpeas over biryani rice; and the Paneer Salad Bowl with grilled Achari Paneer cubes. All are served with spicy mashed potatoes, fresh salad with cilantro-lime dressing, white raita sauce, green chutney, and caramelized red onions.

Guests can also enjoy house-made Alphonso Mango Lassis prepared with organic yogurt, along with freshly made spicy potato chips.

Designed to reflect the character of each neighborhood, every location features a custom mural dedicated to the local community and its surroundings. As the brand continues to grow and plans additional locations, it remains committed to serving the signature menu and fresh flavors that have defined The Kati Roll Company for more than two decades.

“I started this because I missed the kati rolls I grew up eating in Kolkata—I thought if I missed them this much, other people must too,” said Payal Saha, founder of The Kati Roll Company. “New Jersey customers have been crossing the river to find us for years. It felt right to finally come to them.”

“Indian cuisine is complex—authentic flavors don’t come easy,” said Anil Bathwal, executive chef of The Kati Roll Company. “Making fresh Indian food with real ingredients and real recipes, while scaling a brand, is genuinely hard. It’s taken us years to build a system that doesn’t ask you to choose between quality and consistency across geographies. You taste that difference in every bite.”