Red Chilly: Likely the Best Thing You’ll Put in Your Mouth All Day

Red Chilly recently opened in Downtown Everett, so I was excited to stop by for dinner with the boyfriend.

The restaurant is decorated simply with red brick, white painted walls, and beautifully patterned black and white tiled floors. There’s a single television above the counter, and it was streaming some entertaining Bollywood videos while we were there. From the spartan appointments and basic website, it is clear that Red Chilly’s focus is right where it should be: on the food.

Officially open // Courtesy of Red Chilly

Red Chilly serves Mediterranean and Indian food, not a fusion: they serve both cuisines. Because of this, their menu is extensive. I wanted one of everything, but eventually, the boyfriend and I narrowed our choices down to a realistic meal: samosas, garlic naan, mango lassi, butter chicken for me, and tandoori prawn for him. They have a 1-5 star spice level and I stayed in the middle of the road with 3 stars.

The mango lassi was served first. It was my first lassi but it was everything I had dreamed it would be: sweet with mango and exceptionally creamy with yogurt and milk. I knew it would be the perfect antidote to spicy Indian food.

Next up were the veggie samosas, served quickly and steaming hot, accompanied by large tubs of mint chutney and tamarind. They were stuffed with plenty of veggies, and fried to perfection, and the sauces were delicious.

The garlic naan came out next, all by itself. Within the first bite, I was regretting not getting TWO orders! It was thin and beautifully charred in places, as naan should be, and it was topped with plenty of garlic. It was the best thing I had put in my mouth all day. The boyfriend was a bit miffed, but I made us save some for our main courses.

Shortly after we stopped staring at the rest of the naan, the main courses arrived. The boyfriend’s tandoori prawns arrived on a simple white plate with a pile of basmati rice, a fresh green salad, and a lemon wedge. The prawns were the vibrant orange color typical of tandoori cuisine and sublimely roasted. While he was distracted with his napkin, I speared a chunk of cucumber from his salad. The dressing was really good and the vegetables were super fresh. The menu indicated that the Tandoori prawns would come with sliced onions, but the only onions were on the salad. No matter, he made quick work of the plate and really enjoyed the bright flavors of the prawns.

Now, for my highlight of the meal: the butter chicken. I’m a huge butter chicken fan and have even tried to make it myself, mostly successfully. This was excellent. Actually, THE best thing I had put in my mouth all day long, sorry naan, you came in second best. The basmati rice was served in an insulated copper bowl that I absolutely coveted. In an equally desirable copper bowl, the butter chicken was a gorgeous deep red. The generous chunks of chicken were tender, the sauce was rich, and the rice was flawless. The 3-star spice was a bit milder than expected but very decent. We both left fat and happy, with a doggy bag of leftover butter chicken for my breakfast the following day.

The Butter Chicken // Rachel Weatherholt

There are lots of vegan and gluten-free options throughout the menu. They are denoted by “GF” or “V” next to the dish's title. I expect everyone will be able to find something they like on this menu, maybe it’ll even be the best thing they put in their mouth that day.