Bombay Wraps in the loop

Couldn't decide what to have for lunch today so I just jumped on my bike and started riding down Wells. I saw the sign for Bombay Wraps ("Fresh. Indian. Fast.") and figured I'd give it a shot. I like the fast food Indian concept and I know some people around here have talked about Indian roti-style wraps, piquing my interest.

The interior is reminiscent of a squeaky clean brand new hot dog stand. The ordering is done via an assembly line system that needs some tweaking. You order at one end, the order gets shouted down the line, the people in the middle assemble your order and the cashier on the other end has to be reminded of the contents of your order before she charges you. And then she lets your order sit on the counter for a few minutes while she talks to another customer. Or at least, if your experience is similar to mine. I overheard the cashier say they'd only been open about 4 weeks so maybe that'll improve.

They have 6 or 8 different wraps available and several sides. I don't remember all of them but there was steak boti and chicken tikka and lamb curry along with at least one vegetarian option available in wraps. For the sides, there were samosas and sweet potato fries and some kind of salad. I ordered the lamb curry wrap and a side order of samosas to go. I believe the wrap I ordered was the most expensive one on their menu and my total (without drink) was around $9.

The samosas managed to stay fairly hot and crisp for the short bicycle ride back to my office. The order consisted of 3 small (say, Totino's pizza roll sized, maybe a hair bigger) samosas stuffed with potatoes and peas, and a small tub of green chutney. The samosas tasted alright; they scratched an itch, but there are others I definitely prefer.

The wrap was also small, consisting of an approximately 6" round paratha wrapped around some moderately flavorful lamb with a dark curry sauce containing cooked onions. The paratha and filling both were pulled from a steam table before being assembled for my sandwich. I did not see how the samosas were handled before being dropped into my to-go bag.

Overall, both things I ordered were alright but I doubt I'll head back very soon. $9 is decent for a loop lunch but I just finished a little while ago and I'm still fairly hungry (though it is very possible that my usual lunch choices are just too damn big). I like the Indian fast food concept well enough but I wish that the execution was just a bit better--more flavor in the filling or maybe just a bit bigger portions. And on my bike, I can get plenty of places with better food and better deals. But I'm glad I tried it and if you work in that area of the loop and aren't as mobile as I am for your lunches, there are probably worse things you could have.

Bombay Wraps
122 N. Wells St
Chicago, IL 60606
312-739-9727
http://bombaywraps.com/

Oh MAN - I work right around the corner and didn't know that was there - is it new?
I would have loved to try it today for lunch instead of Potbelly, again

Just finished the Lamb Curry wrap. It’s just as JimTheBeerGuy described.
It’s not very big, I should have ordered a side.

In the future I think I’d try with the Chicken Tika Wrap at $3.99 and a side for $2.00 instead of the Lamb Curry for $5.99

The web site doesn’t appear to have the menu so here’s a short version…

WRAPS
Chicken Tikka – $3.99
Chicken Reshimi – $3.99
Potato Tava (vegetarian) – $3.99
Steak Boti - $4.99
Cheese Paneer (vegetarian) - $4.99
Lamb Curry - $5.99

SIDES - $2.00
Bombay Sweet Potato Fries
Samosa
Bombay Salad

Like JimTheBeerGuy I like the concept but unfortunately I’m still hungry and while the Lamb wrap I tried wasn’t anything special it certainly wasn’t egregious.

Not a glowing review but still I’d try it again.

Loop needs Indian fast food or carry out. About two years ago there was a carry out place atop the 7-11 on Wells and Washington. Meat and veggie curries, samosas, tandori chicken and chapati for about $10.00. Cooked off site and kept warm by steam tables. Not the best but was the only game in town. Alas it is gone. A pakistani place opened up on Wells a block north but the prices were high in relation to the quality and portions. That place is gone too. There is a decent (albiet mild) Indian place called Baba's Kitchen (310 South Canal. by Union Station). I get my curry fix there.

Elfin wrote:A pakistani place opened up on Wells a block north but the prices were high in relation to the quality and portions. That place is gone too.

I know the place - it was awful.
I tried Bombay Wraps again - the Chicken Tikia is really pretty good. If it was 50% larger I'd gladly pay the difference.
The sweet potato fries however are really bad. If I go back I'll try the Samosa.
Several people in line with me ordered the Potato Tava and it looked really good - I'll have to keep that in mind come Lent.

I ate there today for the first time. I had the Chicken Tikka wrap and the samosas.

The wrap was a decent size and the sauce was spicy and the chicken wasn't dry. The wrap was a little chewy, but I suppose that could be blamed on them being preheated and waiting for them to be filled.

The samosas -- you got three -- were about the size of Chunky bar and were okay, although I liked the chutney they gave with it.

Overall, it wasn't a terrible lunch and I'll probably go there again. I agree that the wrap was small-ish, but reasonable for the price.

Indian place within the Burrito Buggy on Van Buren has been around for a good while. It's OK.

I took an old friend there and since he likes Indian and I had had my eye on it after walking past. Yelp reviews were very positive, but it turned out to be very lame. No flavor in my Chicken Tikka or the Samosas. Afterwards, my friend, who lives in Albany Park and knows Indian, politely suggested Baba Palace, which was nearer my work.

I see that someone else commented on Bombay Wraps below.

This has taught me not to trust Yelp. Need to come here instead.

"you" said it-
"we" didn't...........

Had it today. The potato wrap was pretty good, the samosas hit the spot, and the salad was totally not worth it. I paid under $9 for all 3 and I'm pretty stuffed. It's a bit of a walk from my office, so not sure if I'd make the effort again. However, I did pass Pierogi Heaven on my way and THAT will be my next destination.

Happy Friday!

Bombay Wraps, which serves Indian cuisine in a fast-casual environment, is expanding to Streeterville.

Owners Falguni Dewjee and Nik Jain hope to open the restaurant at 330 E. Ohio St. by the end of May. The duo's first Bombay Wraps came in 2010 in the Loop.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... eeterville