If you want a taste of India, look no further than the edge of campus where Gunpowder Indian Cuisine is serving up authentic and flavorful dishes from halfway around the world.
Gunpowder is coming up on its one-year anniversary next month. Despite being open this long, many people I know were still confused when I suggested the restaurant.
It is high time that this restaurant gets its flowers. Not only is it one of only a handful of Indian restaurants in Baton Rouge, but it is the best. Do not take this praise lightly — the proof is in the pudding. The owner, Shahul Hameed, said that every dish is handmade from scratch every day in an interview with 225 Magazine.
“Nothing is premade. If it’s premade, I can send it out in five minutes. I don’t want that,” Hameed said. “I like [the experience of] the food.”
I can almost guarantee that you will like it too. If you cannot already tell, I am a little biased. I have been to Gunpowder at least three times now and Indian food is my favorite cuisine. That is how you know you can trust me.
The atmosphere
Gunpowder has a pretty simple setup. You have a wraparound counter where the host resides, along with a dish of some delightful candies for after your meal. Then you have the wide open seating area just beyond that with leather booths and marble tables alike. Above each table is a rounded lamp that adds a touch of warmth to your experience.
Other than that, there is not much else. The walls are very barren, save for a nifty golden logo in the front. They are not patterned and do not feature any art. None of this detracts from the experience though. The plain setup and decorations prime you for the world of flavor you are about to enter.
The music choice is an interesting one as well. Each song that plays is an EDM remix of a popular song. No tune is safe. I endured everything from The Cranberries’ “Zombie” to Doja Cat’s “Say So.” It is impossible to miss, but you get used to it after a bit and begin to get lost in the flow.
The service
Safe to say the service is pretty good. The servers are very kind people who are happy to answer any questions you might have. Not to mention how on top of the water refills they are. Before you even notice your glass is looking a little half full, it is already to the rim again.
Despite the owner’s previous comments on premade food being sent out in five minutes, you do not wait much longer than that anyway. Do not go in expecting the fastest service ever. Even then, for being so high quality and being handmade every day, the food gets out in a ridiculously reasonable time.
The food
The moment you have all been waiting for: How is the food at the food place?
If you still need that answered, you did not read the introduction. I am here to give a little more insight into some specific dishes.
One of my favorite items to get at Gunpowder is the palak paneer. This emerald dish is a mix of spinach curry, or palak, mixed with pan-fried Indian cottage cheese cubes called paneer. Do not let the vibrant green nature of the curry scare you away. The curry itself is smooth like silk and has a wonderful earthy, spicy flavor. The paneer adds a lot to it as well; it provides some variety to the texture of the curry and has its own faintly sweet taste. I recommend going for the spicy option if you want a little more zing.
Mango chicken curry was a new dish for me to try this time around. The concept of mango being used in a savory curry dish intrigued me. It has worked well in places I never expected, so I was willing to give it a go.
I cannot believe it works so well. It perfectly balances the sweetness of the mango and the medley of Indian spices to make something altogether new. The chicken is cooked amazingly as well, tender as ever. I only wish the pieces were a bit larger. Do not forget to get this with some garlic naan; it is just as good as the regular naan, but just the tiniest bit elevated.
Lastly, I would like to bring your attention to the plain dosa — though there is nothing plain about it. The dosa is a giant roll of thin, crispy dough that you can dip into three different sauces. These sauces range from creamy and rich to spicy and zesty, but each is worth your time. Despite being an entrée, it is perfect for a table to share as an appetizer.
If you have not already, you should make your way over to Gunpowder Indian Cuisine located at 4410 Highland Road Suite A7. It is open daily and you can check out the times on its website.
