One of the first places I had Indian food in Atlanta was at Chopaati—a vegetation restaurant frequented by immigrants and first generation Indians. The sheer number of saris was enough to vouch for the authenticity of the cuisine. Located in the newly refurbished Patel Brothers plaza where Church Street meets Lawrenceville Highway.
Chopaati specializes in Chaat, sweet and savory snacks and street food. Think of chaat as the fast food of India. Chaat is a Hindi word which means “to taste,” and most are small dishes, the size of appetizers. They are shared and represent a huge variety of dishes, much like tapas.
I had ordered Aloo Chaat ($3.99) but instead was served Samosa Chat ($3.99). Aloo means potatoes, but I was at least served something close, a samosa filled with potato and pea. Samosa are deep fried pastries, stuffed with meats or vegetables. When you first see the dish, you’ll think it’s a thick stew. The samosa is covered in fresh chopped onions, chilies, and a tangy tamarind sauce, and then topped with thin, crispy-fried chickpea noodles. It’s a lot of food for a small amount of money. This chaat is spicy and messy, perfect for emptying the sinuses while filling your belly. The tamarind adds considerable sweetness to the spice, a combination I find addictive.
Another item I enjoy there is pani puri ($3.49), a Bombay specialty that may be the most popular chaat across India. You dunk the puri, hollow deep fried balls, into spicy water. These balls are beyond my ability to create, but you can buy huge sacks of them inexpensively next door at Patel Brothers Grocery and fill them with any food you desire. Also try any of the dosa ($4.5-6.99) a south Indian grilled crepe made of rice and lentil flour. They are huge, platter sized pancakes rolled around any number of items. Popular fillings include thick lentil soup or spicy potatoes and onions.
While I like Chopaati I don’t go often because they frequently give me something different than I ordered, though always of the same value. You order at the counter, so always point at the item on the menu and say the number in addition to the name of the dish. In theory, that should improve your odds of getting what you order. In theory…..
1707 Church St.
Decatur, GA 30033
404-296-2965
They don't have a website, but do have a Facebook page.
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