Indian-Nepali restaurant planned for former BBQ spot in Worcester

WORCESTER — A Indian and Nepali restaurant is planned for the former spot of Black Sheep Bah-Bah-Q on Chandler Street.

Kabin Bhujel of Worcester, owner of the planned Desi Bar & Grill at 397 Chandler St., said the restaurant could open in about two months. He still must get his licenses to serve food and drinks and finalize his menu selection.

"Coming soon" signs for Desi Bar & Grill are visible at the entrance to the commercial strip where the restaurant is located and at the front of the restaurant itself, below an awning that retains the closed barbecue restaurant's sheep logo.

Bhujel said residents around Chandler and June streets are excited to see the new restaurant open. He said one couple told him that they usually drive to Westborough for Indian food.

"A lot of people asked us, 'When are you going to open?' That means a lot of people are excited," Bhujel said.

The stretch of Chandler Street where Desi Bar & Grill will be located is home to restaurants like NU Kitchen, Nancy Chang, Sushi Miyazawa and Leo's T-Bird Pizza.

It is also close to the intersection of June and Chandler streets that is home to Loving Hut, Thai Corner Worcester, Jason's Pizza and Lucky Gourmet. While Bhujel said the area has many restaurant selections, it has no Indian food.

Bhujel said many people are familiar with Indian food. Nepali cuisine has similar dishes such as chicken and goat curries, but the spice mixes can differ. Momo, steam-filled dumplings, is also a staple of Nepali food. The restaurant will also include Indian restaurant staples such as chicken tikka masala.

Students at Worcester State University and Clark University may also be excited to eat at the Desi Bar & Grill buffet, Bhujel said.

The restaurant will feature a bar and special grilled selections. Bhujel said his restaurant will be open for a buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and from 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner. Weekends, the buffet time will stay from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner time will go from 5 to 11 p.m.

After over a year, Black Sheep Bah-Bah-Q announced in May it was closing permanently.

The building at 397 Chandler St. is also the former home of City Bar & Grille and a private club.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Indian-Nepali restaurant planned for former BBQ spot in Worcester