With a new location tucked away in the heart of Ashburn, Biryani Grill is more than just a restaurant–it’s a symbol of Indian culture, flavor, and community. 

Known for its rich biryanis, hygiene, and service, the restaurant has become a favorite within local communities and families, bolstering a 4.5/5 star rating on google from 82 reviews within the first two months of its opening. 

At the heart of it all  is owner Venkat Chinta, a long time resident of Loudoun County, who took his culinary skills and interests to the next level, turning them into a local sensation.

Chinta, originally from Hyderabad–a city well known for its flavorful biryani–opened the doors of Biryani Grill’s Ashburn location on March 12 of this year. “So [because Hyderabad is renowned for its Biryani] we are very specialized in making biryani,” Chinta said. “We make authentic masalas made in our kitchen using fresh indian spices.” 

It’s this dedication to serve sensational flavor to the community that allowed for Biryani Grill’s surge in popularity.

Chinta, who still works at an IT job, drew his inspiration for starting Biryani Grill from his observations of the area over the past 15 years. While he saw South Indian restaurants that offered fine dining or a welcoming atmosphere, he never saw one with both. 

The Ashburn location is Chinta’s second location, following the opening of his Aldie location two years ago. It’s not just Biryani Grill’s food that sets it apart from other restaurants–it’s Chinta’s goal of keeping his restaurants clean and consistent. “We make quality food and maintain consistency in our food,”Chinta said.

Biryani Grill isn’t just known for its biryani, however. Signature dishes like Chicken Dum Biryani and Goat Biryani are merely some of the best-selling items, joined by appetizers like Karam Podi Chicken and Curry Leaf Chicken. Behind all of this food, a team of around 16 members, including 6-7 master chefs and tandoor-specialized chefs, work together to maintain consistency. Out front, a rotation of 20-25 employees keep services running smoothly.

For high school students, Biryani Grill also serves as a place to work rather than to eat. “Here I give a lot of employment to high schoolers, especially [in the morning],” Chinta said. His advice for students trying to start their own restaurants is to “work at local restaurants, gain experience and plan accordingly.”

Looking ahead, Chinta plans to expand further, with a Brambleton location under construction and another location coming to Chantilly. Additionally, he plans to update the menu frequently, introducing new starters and entrees in addition to current customer favorites.

Despite Chinta juggling his responsibilities as a business owner and IT professional, he still stays dedicated to serving flavorful food and maintaining cleanliness.

“Just come,” Chinta said. “Enjoy our food, see our ambience, [and] see our experience.”