A little boy’s grandmother called him prince, and now his name hangs over an Indian restaurant on Route 66. That’s the detail I can’t get over.
It’s sweet, a little regal, and totally specific.
The recipes come from his grandmother’s side too, handed down through his mom. The family opened the doors in 2023 after realizing nobody nearby served Indian food.
Not for 30 or 40 miles, anyway.
I have to admit, that gap surprises me. Missouri has plenty of barbecue, but creamy butter chicken and fragrant biryani were apparently hard to find here.
Now the dinner table looks very different. Thali platters, warm naan, and mango lassi all share space under one cozy roof.
Grandma’s nickname made it onto the sign, and the recipes she passed down are what make this Route 66 stop feel like a seat at the family table.
The First Guests Paid In Prayers, Not Cash
March 18, 2023, was not a normal opening day. The restaurant held a soft launch, and guests were served in exchange for blessings and prayers.
That’s a payment plan I’ve never heard of before.
It fits the family’s values perfectly. The Tiwades have a deep Christian faith, and they wanted to start their business on that foundation.
Before chasing profits, they asked for goodwill.
The full public opening came a couple of months later, on May 20, 2023. By then, the kitchen had worked out its rhythm.
Rolla finally had a dedicated spot for Indian cooking again.
I can see why that soft opening mattered so much. It turned early diners into supporters instead of just customers.
People who pray for a place tend to root for it.
That spirit hasn’t faded since. The family still treats the restaurant like an extension of their home.
It’s the kind of start that shapes a business for years.
So when you sit down to eat, you’re joining a story that began with generosity. Not bad for a place that’s only been around a short while.
Few restaurants can say their first meals were blessings on both sides of the table.
Look Up And You May Spot A Calm Sea
Most Indian restaurants decorate with elephants, spices, or bright fabrics. Here, one of the standout pieces is an image of Christ calming the sea.
It’s a quiet but powerful detail.
The artwork reflects the owners’ faith in a very open way. They don’t hide what matters to them.
Instead, it becomes part of the dining room’s personality.
The overall setting feels warm and cozy rather than fancy. Think comfortable tables, a beautiful interior, and a relaxed pace.
It’s a room meant for lingering, not rushing.
I’d say that calm painting suits the mood perfectly. The food here isn’t fast food, and nobody seems in a hurry to hustle you out.
Dinner can stretch out a bit, the way a family meal should.
Free Wi-Fi is available too, which helps if you’re road-tripping. You can check your route while waiting on a hot plate.
Just maybe put the phone down once the naan arrives.
The space blends Indian hospitality with a small-town Missouri welcome. That mix is hard to find anywhere else.
Stormy day or sunny one, the room promises a peaceful break from the road.
A Grandmother’s Nickname Turned Into A Royal Welcome
Few restaurant names carry a bedtime-story feel, but Prince Solomon’s Royal Indian Restaurant does. Solomon is the son of owners Sundeep and Mira Tiwade.
His grandmother lovingly called him prince, and the nickname stuck.
That little family joke now greets every diner in Rolla. I like how the name tells you who matters most here before you even see a menu.
It feels personal, not like something a marketing team dreamed up.
The Tiwade family moved to Rolla around 2022. Other job plans in the area didn’t pan out the way they hoped.
So they looked around and noticed something missing.
There wasn’t a single Indian restaurant within roughly 30 to 40 miles. That’s a long way to drive for a plate of curry.
Instead of leaving, they decided to fill the gap themselves.
Sundeep’s father, Diwan Tiwade, a former Methodist pastor, invested in the business. Three generations had a hand in getting it started.
Talk about a true family project.
The goal was simple and a bit grand. They wanted an atmosphere fit for royalty, with food that tastes like home.
Fittingly, the little prince got a whole kingdom of curry.
Butter Chicken Steals The Spotlight Every Single Time
Tender chicken. Rich tomato sauce.
A creamy finish swirled with aromatic Indian spices. That’s the butter chicken here, and it’s easily the dish people talk about most.
The recipe traces back to family cooking, especially Mira’s mother. That gives it a homemade backbone you can’t fake.
It tastes like it came from a kitchen with history.
Butter chicken is a smart pick for first-timers. It’s comforting, mellow, and easy to love.
Even picky eaters tend to warm up to that velvety sauce.
Spice lovers aren’t left out, though. You can tell the staff how much heat you want.
Ask for mild or go bold, and they’ll adjust to match your comfort level.
Chicken masala is another favorite if you want something a little different. Shahi paneer is a great vegetarian option with a similar creamy charm.
The menu has plenty of curries to explore.
My advice? Order something to scoop that sauce with.
Leaving any behind feels like a crime against dinner. A bowl this good deserves a clean finish, and nobody here will judge you for chasing every drop.
Fluffy Biryani And Warm Naan Make The Perfect Partners
Rice can be a side dish, or it can be the main event. At this restaurant, the chicken biryani firmly claims the main event.
It’s made with fragrant basmati rice, spices, and chicken.
Each plate comes with curry, lemon, and onion on the side. That squeeze of lemon brightens everything up.
The onion adds a crisp bite against the soft rice.
Not into meat? A veg pulav or biryani option is available too.
Vegetarians get plenty of love throughout the menu. Dal, vegetable curry, and korma all make solid companions.
Then there’s the bread. Freshly baked naan, including butter naan, lands warm at the table.
Garlic naan is a popular pick among diners as well.
Here’s a fun trick. Tear off a piece of naan and use it as a spoon for curry.
It’s practical, delicious, and way more fun than a fork.
I’d suggest ordering a mix and sharing. Biryani, naan, and a curry together cover nearly every craving.
You get soft, chewy, saucy, and fragrant all in one sitting, which is exactly how a feast should feel.
Order A Thali If You Want The Whole Royal Treatment
Can’t decide what to order? Good news, you don’t have to.
The thali meals let you sample several dishes on one big platter.
The star is the Maharaja Special Thali. It brings multiple curry choices, either vegetarian or meat and chicken, plus rice, bread, and dessert.
Maharaja means great king, so the name fits the royal theme nicely.
Other options keep things flexible. There’s a non-veg thali, a vegetable thali, a fish thali, and a shrimp thali.
A chicken tandoor meal rounds out the lineup.
Thalis are a classic way to eat in India. They give you a balance of flavors in a single sitting.
Sweet, savory, spicy, and mild all share the plate.
This is the best choice for indecisive eaters, honestly. It’s also a great way to learn what you like.
Next visit, you’ll know exactly which curry to order on its own.
Fair warning, it’s a lot of food. Pace yourself so you have room for dessert.
Skipping the sweet finish would be a royal mistake, and the Maharaja would surely not approve of leaving it untouched.
Save Room For Samosas, Lassi, And Something Sweet
Crispy, golden, and stuffed with spiced vegetables, the veg samosa makes a strong first impression. It’s one of the most popular starters on the menu.
Dipping it is half the fun.
Want something messier? Samosa chaat breaks a samosa apart and tops it with tangy, flavorful extras.
Vegetable pakora and masala papad add even more crunchy choices.
Then comes the drink everyone seems to love. Mango lassi is a creamy, fruity yogurt drink.
It also cools your mouth after a spicy bite.
Tea fans should try the India special Taj Tea. Warm and spiced, it’s a cozy way to slow down.
It pairs nicely with a lazy end to dinner.
Dessert means gulab jamun. These soft dough balls soak in sweet syrup until they’re tender and rich.
One is lovely, though two might be more honest.
I like ending a meal this way. It feels like a proper celebration instead of a quick bite.
Starters, drinks, and dessert turn an ordinary dinner into a full, relaxed evening that nobody wants to cut short.
Route 66 Travelers Get A Spicy Surprise On The Mother Road
Route 66 is famous for diners, neon signs, and roadside burgers. Indian food isn’t usually on the list.
That’s what makes this stop so memorable.
Prince Solomon’s Royal Indian Restaurant has been called the gem of Route 66 in Rolla. It’s billed as a must-stop for anyone traveling the historic Mother Road.
Road-trippers get a delicious break from the usual fare.
You’ll find it at 816 N Pine St, Rolla, MO 65401. That puts it right in town, easy to reach between drives.
Rolla makes a natural pause on any Missouri road trip.
Hours can shift, so check before heading over. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner on its open days and lists Sunday as closed.
Planning ahead saves you from a hungry disappointment.
I’d absolutely make a detour for this. A plate of biryani beats another gas station snack any day.
Your road trip photos will thank you too.
Remember, this is slow food. Give yourself time to sit and enjoy it.
The highway will still be there when you’re done, and you’ll be leaving with a much happier stomach.
Big Gatherings And Bigger Hearts Keep This Family Busy
Feeding a crowd is a big job, and this family seems to enjoy it. The restaurant offers catering and event planning services.
Birthdays, office lunches, or church gatherings can all get a flavorful upgrade.
Here’s a nice perk. Ask the restaurant about delivery availability and fees when placing a group order.
That makes group planning a whole lot easier.
The staff is known for friendly service and for working with food allergy concerns. That matters when you’re feeding lots of different people.
Just let them know what you need ahead of time.
Generosity reaches beyond paying customers too. The Tiwades donate to charities in Rolla and in Mira’s hometown of Miraj, India.
Their kindness stretches across two continents.
One local example stands out. They provided fresh, flavorful Easter meals for the patrons of The Rolla Mission.
That’s community spirit served on a plate.
What gets me is how it all connects. A nickname, a faith, and family recipes built something that gives back.
In a Missouri college town, that’s a story worth supporting, one butter chicken order at a time. Honestly, that might be my favorite detail of all.
