This Indian restaurant opened in an out-of-the-way spot in Clovis. Here’s why and where
When first-time customers walk into Curry-Out Clovis, a new Indian takeout restaurant, they’re usually surprised.
They aren’t expecting the grandeur — giant chandeliers, murals, and big rooms that can be transformed for lavish events — paired with a little takeout counter off to the side.
Curry-Out is a prime example of how businesses have adjusted during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s inside the Regency Event Center, and since COVID-19 canceled the events that were the heart of that business, the owners decided to open a restaurant in the space instead.
The banquet hall and restaurant are right on the border of Fresno and Clovis. At 1600 Willow Ave., the business is directly behind the Home Depot on Shaw Avenue.
The Gill family is behind the business. Sunny Gill and his dad, both professional photographers, worked at the event center for years before taking over managing it, in connection with Praise Church of God in Christ.
“I even had my high school graduation party here,” he said.
They pumped a bunch of money into remodeling the space, redoing “everything from the chandeliers to the floors to the walls.”
The next year, 2019, was a great one, packed full with wedding receptions, birthdays, and quinceañeras and various parties.
Then COVID-19 hit.
“After that it was just no parties,” Gill said.
So rather than just wait it out — they had a newly remodeled kitchen after all — the family decided to shift gears and opened a restaurant in July.
“We thought, ‘Well, that’s something we can do,’” he said. “We got really lucky and found a great chef.”
They got all the appropriate permits and paperwork and hired Harvinder Singh. He has 40 years experience, has worked in Dubai and used to own his own restaurant in Riverside.
The business is run by Gill and his parents, Ajit and Rani Gill, cousin Angad Singh and an unrelated silent partner.
The food/menu
Curry-Out specializes in north Indian food for lunch and dinner, though its menu carries other items too.
There are all kinds of chicken, vegetarian, lamb, and seafood dishes on the menu.
“We have a very large vegetarian menu because a lot of Indians are vegetarians, so we have to cater to everybody,” Gill said. “We do have all kinds of Indian food.”
Their most popular dish?
Butter chicken and garlic naan bread.
“They go so well together,” he said. “It doesn’t sound exotic, but it has all the spices and everything, it’s a very good beginner dish.”
And if you’re not a beginner?
“If you want to try something out your comfort zone, we have very good lamb and goat,” he said.
It also offers family meals, including vegetarian ones.
The restaurant has outdoor dining as well, with a scattering of tables outside. When indoor dining was allowed, they set up tables under the chandeliers in the main hall.
Customers can come into the business to order or call in an order by calling 559-770-3333.
Curry-Out is also on Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash.
And it won’t be around forever. When they’re allowed to do events again, they plan to end the restaurant.
How to find the restaurant
If you’re driving past Home Depot at Shaw and Willow avenues, just head north on Willow. It won’t be obvious, but look for the banners and drive to the back of the parking lot.
The out-of-the-way location surprisingly hasn’t been much of a challenge, Gill said. Many people have found them through word-of-mouth, and they often come back.
“Everybody local who pops by, we see them all the time now,” he said. “I think their favorite part is talking to my parents … They have those Indian accents. It just feels way more authentic, I guess.”
Details: Curry-Out Clovis is inside the Regency Event Center at 1600 N. Willow Ave. in Clovis. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
This story was originally published March 19, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
