The Best Indian Takeout In Brooklyn

an Interview with the owner of Maa Ka Dhaba, my favorite Indian takeout spot in Brooklyn.

Jul 11, 2025

Like all great 21st century romances, my story with Maa Ka Dhaba (Mom’s Dhaba) begins on the internet. When my last favorite Indian takeout spot in Brooklyn closed, I was left mourning, and hungry! Brooklyn has no shortage of Indian takeout spots, but most serve up the same tired, Americanized menus that are not for me. I’m good enough at cooking Indian food now that I’d rather make it myself - but some days just demand takeout.

When I stumbled onto Maa Ka Dhaba’s menu while scrolling through a dozen identical looking spots, I was surprised. Authentic-looking Punjabi dhaba dishes in Bushwick? I had to try it. My first order, Amritsari Chole Kulcha and Rajma Chawal transported me to dinners at Delhiite neighbors’ growing up. I was hooked. The food, drinks and dessert feel light and healthy, while being deeply satisfying and nostalgic.

What I found even more intriguing was Maa Ka Dhaba’s use of “hinglish” in their promotional emails - a mix of Hindi and English, which signalled to me their focus on serving a South Asian audience. They even run a “tiffin” service, or a lunch delivery service popular with office workers in India. It was clear: this was a restaurant made for me.

After a few more blissful, reasonably priced orders, I couldn’t help but wonder: what’s the story here? So I reached out to find out. The owner, Angad Singh, was kind enough to share the journey behind Maa Ka Dhaba.

Here’s our conversation, lightly edited for clarity and length.

Can you share a bit about your own journey - where you grew up, how you ended up in NYC, and what led you to open Maa Ka Dhaba?

I grew up in New Delhi in a typical Punjabi household, where food wasn’t just sustenance — it was love, celebration, and storytelling all rolled into one. From my grandmother’s slow-simmered dishes to my mom’s quick fixes and the endless variety of street food, I grew up surrounded by flavors that brought people together.

What’s behind the name?

When I moved to NYC over a decade ago as a theatre student, the thing I missed most wasn’t just home-cooked meals — it was that feeling of belonging through food. Maa Ka Dhaba is born out of that craving: to bring real, honest Indian food to the city — food that’s authentic, healthy, and comforting without compromise. Our recipes come straight from my grandmother (who originally migrated from Pakistan) and have been perfected by my mom. That’s why we named it Maa Ka Dhaba — it truly is “Mom’s Kitchen.”

It shows! How did you choose what goes on the menu, and are there any dishes that are especially close to your heart, or that you recommend a new customer to try?

Our menu is a love letter to the dishes you won’t usually find outside Indian homes or roadside stalls. Think: Bread Pakora, Bhalla Papdi, Amritsari Chole Kulche, Kadhi Pakora — the kinds of food that transport you to a street corner in Delhi or a family kitchen in Amritsar. We wanted to make them accessible, generous, and made with the same care and flavor I grew up with — no need to spend $$$ at a fancy restaurant to get a real taste.

What do you hope people feel when they eat the food from Maa Ka Dhaba?

At our core, we just want to feed people — truly. If someone walks in and can’t pay, they’ll still be fed. That’s non-negotiable. We’re working toward opening a sit-down space that feels like stepping into a Punjabi haveli — with two kitchens: one fully vegetarian, the other offering a few hearty meat dishes. And, down the line, we dream of a food truck or stall that runs like a Langar — serving meals for free, no questions asked.

At our core, we just want to feed people — truly. If someone walks in and can’t pay, they’ll still be fed.

What are your favorite restaurants in NYC, Indian or otherwise, any you'd like to shout out?

When I’m not cooking or curating menus, I love exploring new flavors and trying anything within my dietary bounds. One of my favorite spots in the city was Almond (their Bridgehampton location is still open). I’m also a big fan of Dhamaka (Ed note - so are we!) and Pure Thai — each in their own way reminds me how food can tell a powerful story.

If you’re craving food that tastes like home, or want to experience a real taste of a Punjabi Dhaba in Brooklyn, give Maa Ka Dhaba a try.