Restaurateur Shafi Gaffar announces the grand opening of Kurry Shack at 2015 E. Moyamensing Avenue on November 1, 2019. Kurry Shack is a Halal fast casual BYO that serves homestyle traditional Northern Indian cuisine led by Chef Abdur Masud. In the dining room, look for bright, colorful and hip art and designs that spotlight the Taj Mahal. Two and four top tables seat up to 18 people, or the space can be cleared for a standing-room only neighborhood event for up to 30-40 people. Outside, in nice weather, look for seating for up to 12 people on the front cafe sidewalk. From the kitchen look for Chef's speciality dishes, including Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Vindaloo, Dal Makhani and Mali Kofta. Unique to Kurry Shack, look for an exclusive dish, Chicken Meatball Kofta Curry - as well as a selection of desserts that includes Indian ice creams and milkshakes, with flavors such as Mango, Chikoo, Mali-Kulfi and Kesar Pesta. At the counter, don't miss the self-ordering kiosks that are a first for any neighborhood Indian restaurant in the Philadelphia region.

Kurry Shack officially opened Friday, November 1st at 11:30am. For grand opening weekend, Gaffar gave away free mango lassi and mix pakoras for anyone stopping by to celebrate on Saturday, November 2, 2019 with no purchase required. It is his special way to thank and get to know the neighbors - and celebrate his next restaurant.

Starting hours at Kurry Shack will be 11:30am to 10:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 11:30am to 11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch will run from 11:30am to 3:00pm, and dinner from 4:00pm to 10:00pm. Orders stop fifteen minutes before the kitchen closes.

Delivery and pick-up is currently available through the Kurryshack.com website. The restaurant has a full team of delivery drivers for fast, hot and efficient service throughout South Philadelphia, Old City, Queen Village, Society Hill and connecting neighborhoods. Kurry Shack is also available for delivery on all major delivery outlets, including Uber Eats, Grub Hub, Caviar and Door Dash. Stay tuned for delivery offers and special programs through the winter and spring. For more information and to order, visit Kurryshack.com or call 267-761-5562.

Kurry Shack, Restaurant, South Philadelphia

ABOUT THE VIBE AND LOCATION

Gaffar began work on Kurry Shack this summer, after the opening launch earlier this year of Makhani in Old City. Gaffar had been looking for the perfect home for a new concept he had been planning for several years.

"Ever since I did Tanoor and then Makhani, I wanted to open my own version of a fast casual neighborhood Indian restaurant," said Gaffar. "I wanted to do it on my own and my own terms - with a menu I picked with Chef - in a colorful and hip dining room, with traditional dishes and some unique dishes you can't get anywhere else. This is the perfect pairing to Makhani right now as they compliment each other - with Makhani being more upscale and Modern, and Kurry Shack being come-as-you-are and designed with the neighborhood in mind."

He found a home in the former location that housed many eateries over the years - including most recently The Wild Burrito. Gaffar secured the space and began work with the chef on menu development. Gaffar renovated the dining room, including the installation of working with local artists on a full chalk mural wall of the Taj Mahal, painting and stenciling, installation of the front prep area and dark, rich wood counter, testing and development for the self-ordering kiosks, and other improvements.

"I wanted to create a hip, colorful and welcoming vibe for our neighbors," said Gaffar. "I want everyone to feel welcome - no matter if you are stopping by on your way from the office to your home, or if you are casual and around the corner and want to come as you are, or I wanted to have an attractive look that also was appropriate for special events and neighborhood events/ parties. It is a very different look and feel than my past restaurants - and I hope everyone will feel welcome and check us out!"

ABOUT THE MENU AND FOOD

Kurry Shack brings you traditional North Indian cuisine, along with some unique selections that are a twist on the tradition - including Chicken Meatball Kofta Curry - as well as a selection of desserts that includes Indian ice creams and milkshakes, with flavors such as Mango, Chikoo, Mali-Kulfi and Kesar Pesta.

For the menu, Gaffar also realized the growing demand for gluten free and vegan items - as well as more vegetable items in general. All appetizers and entrees can be made gluten free except for the bread selection. The menu has a full list and outlines Vegan and Gluten Free dishes, to make it easy for diners. "Gluten free and vegan diners are not an after-thought," said Gaffar. "From the opening of our doors, we have special dishes made to cater to their palate. These days its not enough to adapt some dishes - creating tasty and hearty gluten free and vegan dishes is something a restaurant needs to do right out of the gate."

For price point, all menu items are priced for the neighborhood with the goal is to be affordable so neighbors and diners come visit once, twice and three times a week. "The market has so much room for growth - as long as you have a great product and make things affordable," he added.

ABOUT THE CHEF AND KITCHEN

Chef Masud came over from Bangladesh in 2013 and has been working in the United States for four years throughout various restaurants from kitchen helper to sous chef to executive chef. Has extensive knowledge and specializes in North Indian cuisine.

Each morning, Chef begins the extensive preparations for the sauces served - some taking hours and hours to cook and simmer. Special equipment installed for Chef included a Tandoori Clay Oven - along with all new kitchen equipment.

ABOUT THE OWNER

Shaffar owns Makhani Indian in Old City - and he was a partner in one of Philadelphia's oldest Indian restaurants - Tandoor. For Shaffar, this represents his second restaurant on his own.

Gaffar, 29, was born in Bangladesh and moved Philadelphia before he was five years old. He currently lives in Northern Liberties with his wife. During his childhood and teen years, he grew up working in several restaurants that his family owned since early 2000s.

After studying business and finance management at Temple University, he left the family business and worked at NY Ice Cream Inc, which owned and operated over 7 different food franchises at the time in New York and Philadelphia. As VP of Operations, he was overseeing 8+ million in annual sales at the age of 22. He eventually left the company to get back into the restaurant business and bought the Tandoor India brand from a family friend in 2013. Based in University City, 24 year-old Gaffar revamped and restructured Tandoor, completely rebranding it and preparing it for expansion. He reconnected with Banik and brought him on as Executive Chef, overseeing the expansion into additional markets such as Collegeville, Fishtown, and then South Philadelphia.

After several years of successful operation under Tandoor with his partners, Gaffar decided to create a new brand and bring Indian food into the modern age with Makhani Modern Indian. For this he envisioned a much higher quality of food and items that most Indian restaurants don’t work with, such as lobster, scallops, lamb shanks, Chilean sea bass, and the freshest of farm to table ingredients.

"I want to offer new modern and hip twists to favorite old school Indian dishes," said Gaffar. "I want to scale Makahni into more than just a regular neighborhood corner curry house. I think people see Indian food as just curry or spicy. Indian food is beyond spicy and curry. Indian food can offer the most exotic mixture of aromatic flavors into any veggies, meat or seafood lovers. Rich and complex flavors - and layer of flavors."

Makhani Modern Indian is the counterpoint to Kurry Shack - with one specializing in Modern Indian Cuisine and the other specializing in more traditional and homestyle North Indian cuisine. Kurry Shack is a model that Gaffar is using to explore future concepts and expansion.

FULL MENU:

** Vegetarian Appetizers

Papadum $1.99
A thin crisp lentil flour cooked in the clay oven.

Veggie Samosa $3.99
Crispy triangular pastry turnovers filled with seasoned potatoes and green peas.

Mixed Pakora $4.99
Assorted fried vegetable fritters with cauliflower, onion, potato and spinach.

Chat Papri $4.99
Mixture of crisps, potatoes and chick peas in a yogurt and tamarind sauce.

Vegetable Platter $8.99
Combination of assorted vegetable samosa, mixed pakora and paneer pakora.

Gobi Manchurian $8.99
Fresh cauliflower slightly sauteed and tossed with Manchurian sauce and garnished with fresh cilantro.

Samosa Chat $6.99
Cumin flavored potatoes and peas in a baked pastry, garnished with yogurt, tamarind sauce and mildly spiced chickpeas.

Paneer Pakora $6.99
Cottage cheese dipped in gram flour batter with Indian spices and deep fried to perfection.

Veggie Platter
Combination platter consists of assorted vegetarian items.
$9.99

** Non-Vegetarian Appetizers

Meat Samosa $4.99
Crispy triangular pastry turnovers filled with minced chicken seasoned with potatoes and green peas.

Chicken Pakora $6.99
Tender pieces of chicken dipped in mildly spiced lentil batter and fried.

Chilli Chicken $8.99
Cubes of chicken breast sautéed with soy sauce, onions, green chilies, herbs and exotic spices.
Chilli Chicken

Fish Pakora $9.99
Fish marinated in chickpea batter and fried.

Chilli Fish $9.99
Toasted fish marinated in chili paste and house spices.

Shrimp Til Tikka $9.99
Fresh shrimp tossed in garlic and cooked tomato butter sauce.

Chicken Malabar $8.99
Batter fried coconut flavored filet of chicken served with mango chutney.

Indian Buffalo Wings $10.99
8 wings mixed in herbs and spices fried then tossed with sweet chili sauce.

Assorted Non Veggie Platter $10.99
Combination platter consists of assorted non vegetarian items.

** Soup

Lentil Soup $3.99
South Indian lentil curry soup flavored with fresh herbs and spices.

Chicken Soup $4.99
Chicken broth soup, delicately flavored with herbs and spices.

Tomato Soup $3.99
A traditional soup made with tomato puree and delicate herbs.

** Breads
(Fresh baked in Tandoor-Clay Oven)

Naan $1.99
White bread baked in tandoor (clay oven).

Garlic Naan $2.99
Bread topped w/ fresh minced garlic and herbs

Onion Naan $2.99
Bread stuffed with fresh onions and herbs

Keema Naan $3.99
Stuffed with minced lamb meat.

Cheese Naan $3.99
Stuffed with mozzarella cheese.

Coconut Naan $3.99
Stuffed with coconut flakes.

Garlic and Cheese Naan $4.99
Stuffed with mozzarella cheese and topped w/ minced garlic.

Rosemary Naan $3.99
Bread topped w/ rosemary petals.

Roti $1.99
whole wheat bread.

Aloo Paratha $2.99
Stuffed with spiced potatoes.

Peshwary Naan $3.99
Stuffed with blended coconut, almond, raisins.

Bread Basket $6.99
1-Naan 1-Garlic naan 1-Onion naan.

Poori $2.99
A deep fried fluffy bread.

Cream Cheese Naan $4.99
Bread stuffed with Philadelphia cream cheese

** Tandoori

Tandoori Paneer $11.99
Indian Cottage cheese marinated in freshly ground spices and grilled in the tandoor.
Tandoor Chicken Chicken leg quarters marinated in yogurt, fresh spices and lemon juice then cooked in the clay oven.

Chicken Tikka $13.99
Boneless chicken marinated in herbs and spices charbroiled to perfection.

Chicken Malai Kebab $13.99
Cubes of chicken breast marinated in yogurt, herbs and spices then cooked on skewers in the clay oven.

Chicken Sheekh Kebab $12.99
Ground minced chicken mixed with onion, ginger and herbs.

Lamb Sheekh Kebab $13.99
Ground minced lamb mixed with onion, ginger and herbs.

Lamb Boti Kebab $14.99
Tender chunks of lamb marinated in our house special sauce and cooked in the clay oven.

Fish Tikka $14.99
Chunks of salmon marinated in yogurt, herbs and spices then barbecued in the clay oven.

Tandoori Shrimp $14.99
Shrimp marinated in freshly ground spices and grilled in the tandoor.

Special Tandoori Mix Grill $19.99
Combination platter of tandoor chicken, shrimp, fish and lamb.
Special Tandoori Mix Grill

Lamb Chops $18.99
marinated in yogurt & freshly ground spices and grilled in the tandoor

** Briyani
(Long grain basmati rice)

Vegetable Biryani $11.99
Mixed vegetables with basmati rice and traditional spices.

Chicken Tikka Biryani $13.99
Boneless barbecued chicken tikka cooked with basmati rice and traditional spices.

Chicken Biryani $13.99
Boneless chicken cooked with basmati rice and traditional spices.

Lamb Biryani $14.99
Juicy boneless lamb cooked with basmati rice and traditional spices topped with cashews.

Shrimp Biryani $14.99
Tender shrimp cooked with basmati rice and traditional spices and herbs.

Goat Biryani $15.99
Saffron basmati rice cooked with goat marinated in traditional spices.

Kashmiri Polau $11.99
Long grain basmati rice cooked with fresh fruits in a blend of exotic spices.

Chef Special Biryani $16.99
Basmati rice cooked with lamb, chicken and shrimp topped with fried onions and herbs.

** Main Course

Pick a Protein:
Chicken $12.99
Shrimp $13.99
Salmon $14.99
Seabass $14.99
Lamb $14.99
Goat $14.99

Tikka Masala
Ground whole peeled tomato, cream, and butter sauce

Makhani
Tomato base ghee butter and creamy sauce

Curry
Onion base masala and mixed spices sauce

Vindaloo
Chili vinaigrette cooked w/ gram masala and potato sauce

Sagg
Spiced blended spinach and mixed masala sauce

Korma
Rich and creamy masala pistachios and cashews blended sauce

Karahi
Masala ginger, garlic, bell peppers stir fry lite sauce

Coconut
Masala coconut light cream & coconut milk sauce

Rogan Josh
Masala mixed yogurt and spices

Bhuna
Grounded thick spiced onion bell peppers and masala sauce

** Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free

Paneer Tikka Masala $11.99
Homemade cottage cheese cubes cooked in clay oven with green peppers and onions in a rich creamy gravy.

Saag $10.99 (VG)
Punjabi dish made of spinach cooked with spices in butter.

Chana Masala $10.99 (VG)
Chickpeas cooked in a special blend of traditional spices.
Chana Masala

Bhindi Masala $10.99 (VG)
Special preparation of cut tossed okra with diced onions, tomatoes and traditional spices.

Tarka Dal $10.99 (VG)
Yellow lentils tempered with butter, whole red chilies, cumin and mustard seeds.

Dal Makhani $11.99
Black lentils cooked overnight on a very slow fire flavored with butter, tomato, fenugreek eaves and a touch of cream.

Baingan Bartha $11.99 (VG)
Eggplant roasted over charcoal with fresh tomatoes peas ginger garlic and onions seasoned with herbs.

Navaratan Korma $12.99
A medley of nine vegetables cooked with mild creamy sauce topped with cashews and raisins.

Aloo Palak $11.99 (VG)
Spinach cooked with potatoes and spices with thick gravy sauce.

Chana Saag $11.99 (VG)
Spinach and chickpeas cooked with thick gravy sauce.

Palak Paneer
Cottage cheese cubes cooked in creamy gravy of spinach and spices.

Paneer Makhani $11.99
Cottage cheese cubes lightly fried and cooked in homemade special sauce with cream.

Malai Kofta $12.99
Tender homemade cheese dumplings stuffed with raisins and nuts then simmered in a saffron and cream sauces.

Mix Vegetable Curry $10.99
Combined seasonal vegetables cooked in house blended curry sauce.

Mutter Paneer $11.99
Cottage cheese cubes cooked with green peas, onions, tomatoes cooked in a house special sauces.

Karahi Paneer $11.99
Cottage cheese sautéed with tomato, onion, peppers and herbs.

Mutter Mushroom Curry $11.99 (VG)
Fresh mushrooms and green peas cooked with herbs and spices.

Shahi Paneer $11.99
Homemade cottage cheese cubes served in a delicately spiced creamy sauce.

Aloo Gobi $11.99 (VG)
Cubed potatoes and cauliflower cooked with spices and herbs.

** Accompaniments

Raita $1.99
Yogurt mixed with grated cucumber and seasoned with salt, pepper and cilantro. Vegetarian and gluten free.

Mango Pickle $2.99
Spicy homemade pickle made with mango and peas. Vegetarian and gluten free.

Onion Chutney $1.99
Fine chopped onions made with exotic spices. Vegetarian and gluten free.

Mango Chutney $2.99
Mangoes mixed with Indian sweet spices. Vegetarian and gluten free.

Plain Yogurt $1.99

Lime Pickle $2.99
Spice lime and Mixed Pickles

Desserts

Gulab Jamon $3.99
Two doughy milk balls soaked in light sugar syrup and flavored with green cardamom, saffron and rose water. Served hot.

Ras Malai $4.99
Two flattened pieces of sweet paneer soaked in a cardamom flavored heavy cream. Served cold.

Kheer $3.99
Fresh homemade Indian-style rice pudding.

** Ice Cream & Shakes

Mango
$3.99 / $4.99 Shakes

Chikoo
sapota ice cream
$3.99 / $4.99 Shakes

Mali-Kulfi
milk cream ice cream
$3.99 / $4.99 Shakes

Kesar Pesta
saffron ice cream
$3.99 / $4.99 Shakes

** Cold Beverages

Lassi $4.95
(yogurt shake)
Mango, Sweet, Salt
Lemonade $1.99
Green Tea Cold $1.99
Masaledar Ice Tea $2.99

** Hot Beverages

Green Tea Hot $1.95
Masala Chai $1.95