DeKALB – DeKalb’s newest restaurant has begun to open its doors to a public eager to whet their appetite.
Burger Naan is a new fusion restaurant at 121 N. Second St. The new restaurant offers street food, like burgers and chicken, blended with traditional Indian cuisine.
Burger Naan is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.
Highlights of Burger Naan’s menu include burgers infused with saffron, gyros wrapped in naan bread and even poutine, fries and cheese curds doused in gravy.
Dishes are cooked in a clay oven and are mixed with ingredients like cashews, saffron and cardamom. Recipes are made by Burger Naan’s manager and owner, Nasar Syed.
Syed said he began making fusion dishes for his children who wanted both Indian and American food.
Syed brings with him over 36 years of cooking.
Syed said he came to DeKalb a year ago looking to open a restaurant in the Chicago area. He chose to open his restaurant in DeKalb because it lacked food diversity.
“I came with a vision. I want everybody to try my food so that they know people have the wrong misconception of Indian food as very spicy,” Nasar said.
Burger Naan was originally slated for an earlier opening in August. Syed delayed the opening for two reasons. First the building being brought up to fire and safety standards. Second, for staff to receive training on how to prepare Syed’s dishes. Syed said he wanted the transition from soft to fully open to be as smooth as possible.
“They say it takes time to build a reputation, but it takes no time to bring it down if the people are waiting two hours,” Nasar said.
Despite delays, Burger Naan has had long lines of customers waiting to try the fusion dishes.
Jeanine Holcomb, marketing and communications director for the Egyptian Theatre next to Burger Naan, said she and her co-workers have eaten there three times already.
“I’m so excited to have Indian food in our community. We haven’t had really good, fresh Indian food,” Holcomb said.
The restaurant is in the middle of its soft opening, with its official opening not yet scheduled. Once Burger Naan officially opens, Syed said he plans to expand the restaurant’s hours to be open until 2 a.m. Syed also plans to add boba tea to the menu.
NIU students are eligible for a 10% discount from now until the end of the month, Syed said.
