(An) Urbann Turbann (That You Can Eat)

Despite the huge multi-cultural presence and how Berkeley is this huge melting pot of diversity, finding food that tastes like it was made in your mom’s (or dad’s) kitchen is an actual challenge on a college kid’s budget – especially if you’re looking for Indian food! This is precisely why I  decided to trudge over to the northside of campus (I’m a religious southsider and am proud of it) when I heard of Urbann Turbann. And it was definitely worth the walk.

 

I’m not saying the Urbann Turbann is the most authentic Indian food I’ve ever tasted in Berkeley. No, definitely not. But, it’s pretty darn close enough! If you’ve heard of the place, you’ve either heard it called by its name or, more endearingly, as “The Indian Chipotle”. And I’m having a hard time thinking of it as anything else after eating there – in the good sense. Urbann Turbann is located right past North Gate on Euclid Ave and is in between Northside Cafe and La Val’s (and if you haven’t heard of La Val’s then you and I need have a private conversation). For people who actually trek to northside or live over there, it’s actually on your way home and it’s not even that far away for us religious southsiders as much as I hate to admit.

 

When you walk into Urbann Turbann, you are kindly greeted and you make your way into the line to take in the amazing view that is the menu. Conveniently enough, Turbann’s menu pleases both the meat-eaters and the vegetarians. You can either get a naan wrap or a rice bowl with potatoes and your choice of cooked veggies (mushroom mattar), classic vegetarian Indian dishes (karahi paneer or cholay), or meat (tandoori chicken or seekh kabob). Then you can top off your entree with an assortment of fresh produce and chutney along with an extra samosa or naan on the side. There are tons of topping to choose from – so many, that you might think you’re at Subway with all the variety and free choice in your food!

 

And of course, the prices are completely in line with a college budget. You can walk out paying as little as 5 bucks or as much at 9 bucks if you go crazy with all the extra toppings and sides. And if you think that that is running a little high for a fast food place, wait until you see the portions. I actually had to stop and take half of my rice bowl home with me (and I walked into the store starving)! Urbann Turbann is probably the kindest place that I have been to in all of my past blog posts when it comes to portion size.

 

After you’ve created your entree to perfection and begin to consider how the actual food tastes, I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed. The food is spicy enough that it doesn’t burn your taste buds off, but not so bland that you’re left wanting to pour mountains and mountains of salt, pepper and hot sauce on top of everything (I am not afraid to admit that I am a crazy hot-sauce-on-everything kind of guy). And to top it off, the produce and the main toppings are cut and prepared fresh daily so there is no way you’re getting day-old food for your money.

It’s pretty hard to please me when it comes to Indian food. I may be biased, but there is something about the food that comes out of my mom’s kitchen that just speaks to me and makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside. When I was at Urbann Turbann, I didn’t get the warm and fuzzy feelings on the inside, but I could definitely sense them somewhere nearby or on the horizon. Urbann Turbann is in a convenient location for most people and, if not (for us southsiders), it is definitely worth the walk over to the other side of campus because what you get at Urbann Turbann is pretty darn satisfying.