The backstory
The beloved restaurant was inspired by Sakshi Joseph's adaptations of family recipes, which she started to accommodate her son’s dietary restrictions as a result of his autism and seizure disorders.
The husband and wife duo began dropping off dishes to senior living facilities and friends at hospitals who were unable to leave to buy food in the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
“When people had the food, they were like, ‘This is amazing food. Why don't you open a restaurant?’” Rajeev Joseph said.
Rajeev Joseph said the first five days of business were slow until a customer from Wimberley shared the opening on a community forum.
“The next day we had some 150 orders,” Rajeev Joseph said. “It was like cars after cars after cars. We have never looked back since then. This community has given us a lot of love.”
The restaurant offers various appetizers, entrees and desserts with some favorite menu items such as Chicken Changezi, Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh, also known as goat and lamb. The dining spot features cuisine from both North and South India.
Customers can also ask for samples of any dishes they are curious to taste before fully committing to ordering a full serving size.
“The whole purpose of the restaurant is to give [people] food which is healthy and with all the dietary needs,” Sakshi Joseph said. “That's why we have dairy free, gluten free, nut free, vegan, vegetarian, anything they ask for they can get it and it's like home to them.”
Over the years, Sakshi Joseph said she has received various reviews of people sharing their positive dining experiences at the restaurant from children enjoying their meals to individuals being reminded of their mothers in India.
“I've gotten so many reviews of people touching my heart and I think that is what we have earned here,” Sakshi Joseph said.
The team prioritizes making connections with as many customers as they can and being heavily involved in the local community by sponsoring school events and sports teams.
“It's not the money, it's the fire of praise and the health that people have got back,” Rajeev Joseph said. “Some of them are so regular because they say this is the best food. We love that we have become part of the community where people can come and say, ‘This is what we need. Can you do this for us?’ And we are able to do it if it is possible.”
Looking forward, the duo plans to offer delivery services and begin taking nutritious food to the local corporate community.
In addition to typical dining hours, the restaurant offers reservations for events such as pre-wedding dinners and baby showers.
Quote of note
“I would just say the whole motivation behind everything we are doing is my boy because he was the one which motivated me to bring food to the table for people who really have needs, and my passion and my love for cooking actually transformed into where I am right now,” Sakshi Joseph said. “There were days when we were low, there were days when we were motivated, but some power, some strength, some smiles and some support just keeps you going.”
- 333 E. Hwy. 290, Ste. 437, Dripping Springs
- www.natkhatflavors.com
