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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jenna Campbell

Inside 'first of its kind' drive-thru Indian restaurant in Greater Manchester

A drive-thru Indian street food restaurant has opened for business in Bolton. National chain Chaiiwala has opened its doors on Manchester Road, taking over what used to be the Londis petrol station.

Chaiiwala, the Indian food concept that was ‘founded on the streets of New Delhi’ has 50 sites across the UK. In addition to the new drive-thru, there’s another site on Deane Road in Bolton, as well as restaurants in Cheetham Hill, Old Trafford, Levenshulme, Oldham and Rochdale.

The Midlands-based business originally started in Delhi in 1927, before it began serving Indian-inspired teas, street food and soft drinks in the UK six years ago. Traditionally, a Chaiiwala is a tea-seller and is an integral part of the Indian subcontinent culture.

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The restaurant has opened in partnership with the convenience retailer EG Group, and is thought to be ‘the first of its kind’ in the UK. Chaiiwala co-founder Sohail Ali told the Bolton News : “This is extremely exciting news for Bolton and the UK in general as this is the first time the Chaiiwala brand has been created as a drive-thru concept.

Chaiiwala Drive Thru on Manchester Road in Bolton (Gary Oakley/Manchester Evening News)

“This is a totally new experience for our valued customers and the first time they can experience our Indian street food in a drive-thru setting. This is the first time we have offered this concept and are delighted with the results."

“Using this blueprint we are now actively searching for new drive-thru locations across the UK which will replicate the Bolton store model. We have built the Chaiiwala brand on a mixture of providing original Indian street food with the best customer service, with the aim of providing a unique experience."

Inside Chaiiwala drive-thru in Bolton (Gary Oakley/Manchester Evening News)

Those paying a visit to the new drive-thru concept can expect food that is ‘true to its roots’, with menus spanning all-day breakfast options, street food, rotis, desserts and hot and cold drinks. Popular dishes from the breakfast menu include the Sweet Bombay Toast, Aloo Paratha and Bun Omelette, while street food favourites include the chilli chip butty, butter chicken wraps and Mumbai Mac ‘N’ Cheese.

On the drinks side, there’s a variety of warming beverages - from the caramel chai and Garam chocolate to Karak coffee and pink chai. They also offer a range of frappes, in a variety of flavours, plus iced-chai and iced-coffee.

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