JERSEY CITY, NJ —
August 10, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
After opening in Jersey City last month, the NYC favorite is heading to Washington Street.
Last month, Jay Sorathiya stood inside 924 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City and watched customers line up for something many of them had only read about on social media: kati rolls folded tight in paratha, the way they do it in Kolkata. The Kati Roll Company had finally crossed the Hudson. Now, Sorathiya is getting ready to do it again.
At an August 3 meeting, the Hoboken Historical Commission reviewed a signage application for 514 Washington Street — the address that would become the brand’s second New Jersey home. The application is one of the first public steps in a process that could bring the West Village favorite to the Mile Square City, though no opening date has been announced yet.
From a single cart to a global brand
The Kati Roll Company started with Payal Saha, who moved from Kolkata to New York City in 2002. She missed the street food of her hometown — the flaky parathas wrapped around spiced fillings, the tang of chutney, the handful of onions that make everything bite back a little. So she opened a tiny spot in Greenwich Village. That was 24 years ago.
Since then, the company has grown from one storefront into a brand with locations across the world. But the New Jersey expansion is new. The Jersey City outpost at 924 Bergen Avenue opened just last month, and Sorathiya — who also runs JJ Sports Bar near the Journal Square PATH station — is the franchisee behind both Garden State locations.
Why this matters for Hudson County
For Hudson County residents, this isn’t just another chain moving in. It’s a sign that our neighborhoods are becoming destinations for food that used to require a PATH ride into Manhattan. The Bergen Avenue location is already pulling in people who remember the original shop on 8th Street, plus a new generation discovering what a proper kati roll tastes like.
The Hoboken spot would sit on Washington Street, a stretch that’s seen its share of turnover. The space was home to DoneRight Doner Kebab for about a year, and before that, the once-trendy Brooklyn Dumpling Shop. It’s a tough corner, but The Kati Roll Company brings two decades of staying power. That matters for anyone who’s watched a favorite spot open and close in the same season.
What’s on the menu
The menu is straightforward, which is part of the appeal. Signature rolls include the Achari Paneer Roll — Indian farmer’s cheese marinated in pickling spices — and the Unda Chicken Tikka Roll, with beaten egg and yogurt-marinated chicken breast. There are also rice and salad bowls, like the Steak Rice Bowl with grilled steak tikka over biryani rice, or the Paneer Salad Bowl.
Every meal comes with spicy mashed potatoes, fresh salad with cilantro-lime dressing, white raita, green chutney, and caramelized red onions. The house-made Alphonso mango lassis are made with organic yogurt, and they also do freshly made spicy potato chips. It’s food that feels both familiar and new — which might be why the brand has lasted as long as it has.
What people are saying
There’s no official statement from Sorathiya or The Kati Roll Company yet about the Hoboken plans. But at the Historical Commission meeting, the signage application moved forward, which suggests the team is serious. In Jersey City, early reactions have been enthusiastic. Regulars at the Bergen Avenue spot say it’s already become a weekly stop, and the word is spreading through local food groups on Facebook.
Not everyone is celebrating, though. Some Washington Street business owners are cautiously watching the turnover on that block. They’ve seen places come and go, and they know a new sign doesn’t always mean a stable tenant. But others point to the brand’s longevity in New York as a good sign — a company that’s survived 24 years in Manhattan likely knows something about keeping doors open.
What comes next
For now, the next step is a full review by Hoboken’s zoning and planning boards. If approved, construction would follow, and an opening date could be announced within months. Residents who want to track the progress can check the Hoboken city website for meeting agendas, or simply walk by 514 Washington Street and look for the work starting. In the meantime, the Jersey City location at 924 Bergen Avenue is open — and it’s a good way to taste what Hoboken might be getting.
It’s still early, but this one feels different. A brand with real roots, a franchisee who knows the local landscape, and a neighborhood that’s hungry for something that lasts.
Source: Jersey Digs
