HYDERABADI CUISINE, MEET THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY. Minnesota-based casual dining chain, the Hyderabad Indian Grill (one Minneapolis location pictured), plans to open its first location across state lines in Eau Claire this summer. (Food pictured at left via Meals on Heels, an event the restaurant has previously been part of.)

Since finding success across Minnesota over the past decade, Indian cuisine restaurant, The Hyderabad Indian Grill, will officially step over state lines with the forthcoming opening of its Eau Claire location.

With seven locations across north central Minnesota, the business has proved itself consistently successful in that area; owner Sasi Nimmigadda believes the restaurant will do well in Wisconsin too.

Hyderabad Indian Grill will open at the 1,500-square-foot building located at 2831 Hendrickson Ave., off of Clairemont Avenue. Formerly a Subway, an interior remodel project will begin this week, resulting in a new paint job, flooring and 14-foot hood, among other things.

Nimmigadda said patrons can expect the new restaurant’s look to follow suit with the existing chain locations. Photos from its Minnesota website and online reviews show a few different color palettes and seating arrangements depending on location – all are sit-down style.

Drawn to Eau Claire due to its smaller, growing population size and its having a college (the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus is within one mile of the local location), Nimmigadda said it is the business’ consistency and quality ingredients that sets it apart. (As well as having determination and patience, taking care of employees and taking compliance seriously, he added.)

Hyderabad Indian Grill has become known for its signature biryani dishes (long grain seasoned rice often served with chicken curry or other proteins) – the very dish Nimmigadda had yearned for himself; the impetus of the restaurant’s journey.

“As to what got me into this industry,” Nimmigadda said in a recent interview, “there was (no restaurant that served) this biryani dish around me (in Minnesota). There is other curries, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala (options), but the biryani, nobody had. … That’s what made me get into this.”

After its initial years of menu experimentation and working out its service rhythm, Hyderabad Indian Grill hit its stride in 2017. That year and those that followed, Hyderabad expanded with a few locations in Minneapolis, Rochester and Coon Rapids, among others. (Nimmigadda also operates Dosa South Indian Grill in Bloomington.)

Learn more about owner Sasi Nimmigadda's entrepreneurial journey and get a glimpse of one Hyderabad location and food, here: 

Customer favorites – beyond its signature biryani – include the butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan and mango Lassi drink, Nimmigadda said.

If the Eau Claire location’s menu mirrors those in Minnesota, appetizers will include samosas, panner pakora and more, with a wide range of entree options: beef, chicken, lamb, goat or seafood curries. 

Each have their own section, as do the biryani dishes; seven different types of naan; “street bites” and “street noodles” sections, among others.

Nimmigadda pointed out his restaurants’ menus have about a dozen vegan dishes as well.

Existing locations seemingly don’t feature any single entree or menu item over $21 (few hit the $20 mark), with nearly all falling between the $10-$20 range. Hyderabad Indian Grill maintains a casual sit-down restaurant experience, though takeout and delivery (through third party providers like DoorDash and Uber Eats) is very popular at the other locations, Nimmigadda said.

He hopes to see the first Hyderabad Indian Grill in Wisconsin, at 2831 Hendrickson Dr., Eau Claire, open its doors by the end of the summer.

The former Subway location off of Clairemont Avenue (which is roughly 1,500 square feet large per city permits) will begin renovations this month according to owner Sasi Nimmigadda. He is working with a local contractor to do so. This will mark the second sit-down Indian restaurant in the Chippewa Valley, following the 2024 opening of New Maharaja in Chippewa Falls.  (Photo by McKenna Scherer)

Check out the Hyderabad Indian Grill website to get a peek into what customers could expect at the forthcoming Eau Claire location (2831 Hendrickson Dr.).