The Twisted Indian is opening a restaurant in the Grand Central District
/If you are a regular at the bustling Saturday Morning Market (pre-COVID) or found yourself popping into what once was Baum Avenue Market in the EDGE District, the name “The Twisted Indian,” should bring a warm smile to your face.
But as outdoor markets and food trucks were put on hold and Baum Avenue Market transitioned into single tenant space occupied by Karma Juice Bar and Eatery, the delicious Indian fare seemed to almost disappear in an instant.
Well, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief as we gear up to welcome The Twisted Indian into its first brick and mortar location at 2639 Central Avenue, which is slated to host its grand opening in April.
The Twisted Indian will be the first tenant on the ground floor of a brand new urban infill development that just wrapped up construction. The three-story project features two ground floor retail units and four residential condos in the heart of the booming Grand Central District. The building is nestled in between some of St. Pete’s favorite restaurants, including Casita Taqueria, Baba, and Wild Child with a direct view of Bandit Coffee right across the street.
The Twisted Indian will be a quick-service restaurant that’ll appeal to just about everyone, whether you’re an Indian food aficionado or someone who typically shies away from the traditionally heavy spiced and hard to pronounce menu items.
The unique fusion of American style food and presentation along with popular Indian flavors is the brainchild of owner, Lokesh Vale, who is no stranger to the restaurant industry and Indian cuisine.
Lokesh Vale, owner of The Twisted Indian
While he had been cooking Indian food for years, he perfected the fusion of traditional American and Indian food once he opened his food truck. Lokesh’s secret to success was staying true to the beloved Indian flavors that foodies adore while changing the vessel that the food is delivered in.
Indian food is traditionally spread out, but American food is layered, especially in the final assembly. Words like tacos, burritos, bowls, and fries were the keywords that connected to his customers, which is where the fusion began.
Offerings like the Bollywood Bowl (white basmati rice, fresh spinach, tangy slaw, yogurt rita sauce, curried chickpeas, and cilantro) became a quick favorite and best seller. Other items included the Naanwich, Yogi Fries, and the Currito (i.e. a curry burrito) which combined the American assembly favorites along with traditional Indian flavors.
Fried Cauliflower tossed in a spicy indian dressing
The news of Twisted Indian’s first brick and mortar location is even more exciting when Lokesh shared that those same food truck favorites will be included on the new menu along with a host of new fresh salads, proteins, drinks, and more. We can’t wait to try the new mini samosas with a glass of Indian Lemonade!
The best part is, if you lean more towards a spicier palate, there will be spicy sauces available on the side to give an extra kick in the direction of that traditional Indian taste.
As the touches on the new building are continuing to be added daily, Lokesh’s passion is unfolding before his eyes, and will soon be a part of the beautifully diverse and welcoming food community in St. Pete. Each customer should expect excellent, quick service American Indian food in an environment that bridges the gap between those who may believe that Indian food is inaccessible because of the strong spices or confusing menu options.
The style of the interior will fit the warm and welcoming environment created by the staff, food options, and diverse Grand Central District community. The 25-seat restaurant will have colorful murals that brighten the walls while offering food options that are healthy, fresh, vegan, gluten-free, and most importantly, delicious.
An assortment of lassis from The Twisted Indian. Similar to a smoothie, a lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit.
Lokesh Vale was born and raised in Mumbai, India, where he found his home and passion in the kitchen when he was in the seventh grade. With a pile of carrots set neatly on the counter, he started to chop at rapid speed, just like he saw on TV. From that point forward, he spent more time in the kitchen with his mother and accompanied her to the grocery store whenever he could.
Lokesh Vale serving food from the Twisted Indian food Truck during the Saturday Morning Market in downtown St. Pete
The food industry wasn’t supposed to be his path since his father had determined that engineering was the best career option. However, Lokesh’s natural cooking talents and love of food became more evident, so the support from his family encouraged him to enroll in hospitality school in India.
Since there was not a culinary specific school in India, he gained his first experience with the food industry at the Four Seasons in Mumbai. Though he was growing, Lokesh knew that if he wanted to increase his culinary abilities, he would need to find a place that could offer more opportunities.
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York City was not only Lokesh’s big opportunity to perfect his craft but also an introduction into American culture. He continued his connection with the Four Seasons when he fulfilled a chef’s role in Washington DC. With each new experience in the food industry, Lokesh’s desire to open something of his own began to increase.
He made the trek from the DC area to Tampa to open his first food truck called, “The Twisted Iron.” The goal was to initially open a coffee shop, but with the less capital and overhead that comes with food truck ownership, the decision was easy. The Twisted Iron served fresh and warm waffles throughout the Tampa Bay area. And with its success, Lokesh decided to add another truck, but the focus changed. Instead of waffles, he decided to bring the flavors of Indian food to Tampa Bay. That’s when this unique cuisine offering made its debut.
Setting up the food truck to serve customers on a saturday morning
It didn’t take long for Lokesh to move from Tampa to St. Petersburg since the community, diversity, and culture fit his personal and professional style. The Twisted Indian food truck was the only food truck serving American Indian food in the Tampa Bay area.
The main goal that Lokesh had when starting his food truck was to take the cultural barriers off of Indian food and make it more relatable to Americans. Traditionally, Indian food is served in a sit-down style restaurant on tables covered in white tablecloths. The extensive menu options are filled with food platters that are difficult to pronounce or understand. When the food is served, the options are placed on separate plates spread across the table with traditional rice and naan.
sidewinder Fries from The Twisted Indian
The response to this fusion of Indian and American cuisine has been incredible. Customers report a newfound love for a food style they initially avoided. And as the reach of Twisted Indian continues to expand, Lokesh hopes to hear more similar testimonials.
With the grand opening quickly approaching, be on the lookout for a specific date to block out for lunch, dinner, or both. If your mouth is currently watering or the thought of patiently waiting to order your favorite Tikka Masala bowl is causing you physical pain, don’t fret. You can still see Lokesh and the bright red Twisted Indian food truck at outdoor markets and events around the city.
And after your palate is supremely satisfied, make sure to send him congratulations and an official welcome as a staple within our beloved community.
The Twisted Indian is expected to open this April at 2639 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. Be sure to following them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on grand opening plans.
