Sujitha Manoj and Manoj Parameswaran come from the same part of India, but their style of cooking isn’t the same.
“In every city, it’s different,” said Manoj Parameswaran, who along with his wife own and operate Namaste Indian Street Food, 4272 Washington Rd. 5A, Evans.
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The differences are subtle but noticeable. When deciding on the Namaste menu, Manoj Parameswaran came up with his own recipes with nods to different part of the country. He wanted “street foods” or those that were easily accessible and casual, yet nutritious and filling at the same time.
In its third year, Namaste is the culmination of many years of his experience.
Inspired by his mother and her cooking, Manoj Parameswaran enrolled in culinary school in India. Over the years, he’s worked as a chef in many locations including Mumbai, Dubai, New York, Connecticut, Augusta National Golf Club and now Namaste.
His secrets lie in his sauces, which take several hours to prepare before the restaurant opens daily.
The menu includes a variety of items such as chicke’n cone with a cone made from fried chicken with flavors such as vindaloo, blue cheese and curry mayo; burrata butter chicken; various types of dosa; garlicky cauliflower; samosa chaat, the “all-time favorite Indian street food;” tandoor shish kebabs and tandoor chicken, cooked in a tandoor oven.
Manoj Parameswaran is the owner/chef at Namaste Indian Street Food. Photo courtesy Namaste Indian Street Food. 
Jagpal Singh cooks chicken tikka on the tandoor oven. Photo courtesy Namaste Indian Street Food.
The menu is set, but the daily thali changes according to seasonal items, said Sujitha Manoj.
“It has a carb – either bread or rice, a vegetable, fish, chicken or beef,” she said.
It’s available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Manoj Parameswaran said he likes to use fresh, local food when it’s available and in season.
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He regularly uses eggs from Shooting Star Farms in Dearing and gets greens from Brown’s Place Farm.
He likes to stay local in other ways.
Shishir Chokshi of Tire City Potters created the restaurant’s bowls and pottery; and ArtsyRew created the wall art.
Sujitha Manoj said they like to give back to the community and have held fundraisers such as spirit nights for area schools. They also provided food to medical workers at Augusta University Health and University Hospital during the pandemic.
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While the restaurant has been successful, she said not to expect another location to open any time soon. There’s only one Manoj Parameswaran, and he’s the key ingredient. The way he prepares the food is what makes it taste the way it does.
Namaste Indian Street Food is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit namastestreetfood.com.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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