Grilled lamb chops ($25.99) seasoned with tamarind and caramelized onions are a favorite dish at Elite Indo Pak, according to the owner. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Grilled lamb chops ($25.99) seasoned with tamarind and caramelized onions are a favorite dish at Elite Indo Pak, according to the owner. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
The menu, the plating, the layout, the decor, even the name of Elite Indo Pak restaurant in Sugar Land are meant to signify luxury, owner and businessperson Tjaddin Momin said.
Momin said he began his entrepreneurship in the '90s with the opening of a a gas station. He also has ventures and connections in real estate—which led to the opening of the restaurant in February 2022.
“My architect, engineer and designer created this concept, integrating it with the name,” Momin said. “Come at night, and you’ll see the vibe: the colorful lights, large windows and palm trees around the building. It feels like a mini Dubai or Las Vegas.”
The Indian and Pakistani eatery aims to elevate the dining experience of this cuisine, which Momin said is often associated with street food.
The entire venue was intentionally designed with the name of the restaurant in mind, the owner said. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
In addition to the restaurant, Elite Indo Pak also offers catering for up to 10,000 people, and has a banquet hall, private dining space and an Indian grocery in the same lot.
The goat biryani ($17.99) is an aromatic rice dish and a favorite of the owner. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Main course
Momin’s personal favorite dishes are the Daigi goat biryani—an aromatic rice dish with Indian spices and vegetables—and the grilled lamb chops with caramelized onion and seasoned with tamarind.
This marinated goat curry ($18.99) is featured on Elite Indo Pak's menu. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Decorating the menu at Elite includes chicken curries with hand-pounded spices, herb blends, tomatoes, onions and bell peppers; a variety of samosas, which are crispy fried pastries with savory fillings; a host of vegetarian dishes; as well as kababs, grilled marinated chicken tikka legs and naan.
What makes Indian and Pakistani cuisine so colorful and distinct from other culinary categories is its bold flavors, Momin said.
“Indian [food is] known for the different kinds of spices,” Momin said. “The spices and the aroma when the food is grilling, you smell it and you may not even know what the name of it is, but you want it.”
The chicken tikka leg ($8.99) is marinated with traditional Indian spices and yogurt before being grilled. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Going forward
As far as changes on the horizon, Momin said he is just getting settled from opening the restaurant two years ago.
The restaurant has a quick-service station by the entry for freshly made foods. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
However, he and his chef are planning to integrate a new, secret menu with specialty-made items and expanded options by the end of April.
Asia joined Community Impact in February 2022. As a features reporter, she covers the South Houston area, including the Heights-River Oaks-Montrose, Bellaire-Meyerland-West University, Katy-Fulshear, Sugar Land-Missouri City, the Bay Area, and Pearland-Friendswood editions. She studied journalism and creative writing at Missouri State University. Before relocating to Texas, Asia was a reporter for the Seattle Medium, one of the city's eldest African American publications. When she's not writing, she's likely trying a new restaurant, practicing self-care or traveling.
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