Water cooler conversations across town are abuzz about Corpus Christi’s newest Indian restaurant, as diners are raving about the food, service and experience at Persis Indian Grill. We caught up with the owners to see how they brought a taste of India to the Coastal Bend.
Owners and best friends Ankit “Andy” Patel and Vishel “Vish” Patel are living out their childhood dream. The two were schoolmates in Gujarat, their home state in northwestern India. At only 8 years old, Vishel and Andy used to talk about settling down in another country and owning their own business together. Decades later, the pair reconvened to open Persis Indian Grill.
After buying the building outright, Andy and Vishel completely renovated the interior to reflect their culture. Authentic Indian parasols adorn the ceiling. Accent walls are painted with an inviting fuchsia. The main dining room features a lovely full wall mural of an Indian woman in a traditional saree with dupatta drape. The eatery also has a full bar and bar dining area.
Start your meal with traditional samosas, their crispy exterior enveloping fragrant boiled potatoes and peas, accompanied with verdant mint chutney for dipping. We also recommend ordering family style to get a taste of the wide-ranging flavors—you might recognize favorites like biryani, curry, tikka masala, vindaloo and korma, each offered in an assortment of proteins from goat to chicken to lamb, and a paneer option too.
Persis even offers a comprehensive selection for vegan and vegetarian diners, including tandoori broccoli, cheese butter masala and cashew curry, to name a few.
There are also new dishes to savor, and the mango chicken is a must: Chicken is simmered in a sweet and spicy mango curry sauce until fall-off-the-bone tender. Grilled salmon never tasted so good as in the restaurant’s peppery tikka masala sauce. Don’t leave without trying the royal lamb chops, which are marinated in Indian spices and grilled over an open flame until lightly charred. An order of garlic naan is key to mopping up any leftover sauce. A helpful tip: specify whether you want your dish mild, medium, spicy or, as Andy puts it, “Indian spicy.”
With plans to expand to the San Antonio area, Persis Indian Grill is on its way up. “We want to bring authentic Indian food, great customer service and an experience of our culture to the community,” said Andy. Mission accomplished.
4650 Corona Dr.
