Maaji's Street Kitchen — Restaurant in Bridgeton

To the spice-laden side of the Force, Maaji’s leads.

In the heart of STL, the Force guided me to Maaji’s Street Kitchen, a cozy outpost of Indian street food magic. Though primarily a takeout-focused temple of taste, the space does offer a few tables for dine-in, perfect for weary travelers looking to refuel in peace.

I chose Combo #1 — a powerful pairing of Gobhi Masala and Aloo Masala, served with basmati rice and a soft parantha. The gobhi was rich with roasted depth, while the aloo burst with just the right kick. Each bite sang like a Jedi choir blessed by curry.

But the true Force at Maaji’s? The staff. Friendly and wise, they walked me through the menu like Obi-Wan in a spice bazaar, even offering samples to help guide my choice. A rare service in any galaxy.

The space, adorned with art both traditional and quirky, pulsed with energy — almost like stepping into a Mandalorian curry cantina.

Highlights from this Jedi’s Holocron: Takeout-friendly with limited dine-in tables. *Staff is exceptionally kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. *Curries are full of flavor, with many vegan and gluten-free options clearly marked. *Combo meals offer value worthy of a galactic credit.

Final Verdict: A hidden gem, Maaji’s is. Whether grabbing takeout or enjoying a quick bite on-site, the flavors and hospitality make it a stop no Force-sensitive foodie should miss.

Much to learn from Maaji’s,...

I had the most DELIGHTFUL experience at Maaji's Street Kitchen this week! I had spoken with the owner, Heena Chopra, when she was at the Soulard Farmer's Market, and she won me over when she described her homemade, healthful dishes. I stopped in for lunch when I was near the airport, and it was a marvelous meal!

I ordered Maaji's Deluxe Salad, which was HUGE and packed with goodness in the form of tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, chickpeas, and chunks of paneer. It was topped with a dressing of lemon juice, cilantro, aromatic chaat masala, and Maaji’s signature green chutney. The combination was delicious--so fresh and cool on a summer day! It was served with a lentil flour papad (flatbread), which was so light and crispy that it truly melted in my mouth. I had a side of garlic and ghee parantha, which was outstandingly good! I wish that I'd ordered more to take home with me.

Heena was in the kitchen cooking when I arrived, and came out to chat with me during my meal. She took time to stop at every table and chat with every diner while I was there. I had the feeling that we all were being truly welcomed into her home, in the form of this fabulous restaurant. It felt great!

I am definitely returning to Maaji's Street Kitchen as soon as I can. And this time, I'm ordering an extra portion of the parantha...

Maaji’s street kitchen is definitely a hidden gem. My wife and I visited this restaurant one Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a wonderful, East Indian dining experience.

I will say that the place was a bit tricky to find and the dining area was Spartan yet very clean and pleasant. Alexis, the young lady greeting us, was pleasant, patient, informative, and full of contagiously positive energy. She is also Maaji’s resident Henna artist (more on that later).

Alexis was kind enough to walk us through the menu, explaining the dishes and drinks and providing very helpful recommendations. The food was prepared and served fresh and hot. The meal was delicious.

The food was colorful and looked and smelled great. Every dish was awesome. Nothing was over or undercooked. It was also very nice to have the cook check on us, without nervously hovering, to ensure the meal went well.

After we ate, my wife inquired about the Henna art around the place. Turns out Alexis is the artist and offered that service on request. After some clean up and prep, Alexis free-handedly created a beautiful Henna work of butterflies and flowers for my wife using ink made of all natural ingredients.

All in all, a great experience with great young people doing wonderful work. This is a great place to visit if you enjoy authentic East...