Anywhere to get a real masala chai to go on UWS?

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Getting sick of the watered-down and yet too-sweet chai lattes at Starbucks et al. Anyone know of a place to get a quality masala chai to go on the Upper West that doesn't involve syrup from a tetra pack?

[twiggles]

if you can make it to midtown west, Minar has Chai to go. I think they usually serve it only in the afternoon though.

[bubbleandsqueak]

Try here:-

http://www.saravanabhavan.com/menu/U....

[spectra]

Jackson Heights/74th Street subway stop on #7 train. Best masala chai at Bombay Chaat and Kebab King. The pani puri at Bombay Chaat is also delicious.

[creativelabs4]

Go to Gujrat Deli at 106th and Columbus. It's a cabbie joint, and only South Asians visit it, so they actually serve you real chai. 1 dollar a cup.

[kdg]

Irving Farm on 7th ave btwn 13th and 14th... not on the UWS but just a few stops on the 2 ;)

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Irving Farm
56 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[Ora]

I posted on this very subject not too long ago: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/461929
As you can see, this is a hard to find item if you don't like the powered/boxed stuff.
Curry in a hurry may have it, but I usually get their Mango Lassi. Basically, Hampton Chutney is only real chai I've found outside of a sit-down Indian restaurant situation in Manhattan. And, Hampton's is only Ok, not great, but serviceable. I gave up. I'm going to start making it at home in large batches for myself.

Believe it or not, I found a wonderful real chai at the Garden State Mall in NJ--Gloria Green Jeans. Its run by Indians. They looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if the chai was "real". Thankfully it was, and it was delicious.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

I figured as much but I thought I'd ask all the same. I'll give HC a try soon. Thanks for the info and recs!

[kobetobiko]

Hi Ora,

I have very limited knowledge about Indian cuisine, so I just want to ask a very stupid question. what is considered a "real" chai? What are the components? are the tea bags also sort of "fake"?

Sorry if this is question is too ignorant...

[Ora]

Chai Masala is a spiced tea. Here's an example of a chai recipe: http://www.indiasnacks.com/recipe/535....

Chai tea bags are a form of the "fake" so to speak LOL. Fresh brewed tea steeped in spices (like those in the example recipe) is what OP and I are craving. Its frustrating that the real deal isnt as readily available at quick service shops like coffee. Starbucks should be ashamed of themselves for serving Chai stuff out of a box and their bagged tazo teas aren't very good either.

[kobetobiko]

Hi Ora,

Thanks for the explanation and the link! I learnt something today!:D

[harrison]

I'm not a chai drinker, but maybe Hampton Chutney offers something - 83rd/amsterdam.

[Produce Addict]

Good luck--I'd be interested to see if you get any responses. I tend to just go to Starbucks and get the Tazo Chai TEABAG and ask for steamed milk with that, so it is totally unsweetened.

[Miss Needle]

Yeah, I've also just gotten the teabag. The ready-made Starbucks Chai is really nasty.