Today we’d like to introduce you to Saji Mathew.
Hi Saji, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story begins in a small village in Kerala, Southern India. I grew up one of six children, raised by hardworking parents who tended the rice fields and took care of the goats and cows. Life was simple, I often walked barefoot and owned only a couple of shirts. After school, I wasn’t playing outside, I was working in the fields with my parents. That early discipline became the foundation for everything in my life.
Even as a child, though, I had a dream bigger than anything I could see around me. I would look up and watch airplanes fly overhead and tell myself, “One day I will be on that plane going to America.” It was a dream that didn’t seem possible, until suddenly it was. A relative sponsored our family, and we moved to Chicago. Everything was different. The culture, the weather, the language.
I didn’t speak English. I stood out. Some kids made fun of me. They said cruel things like, “Go back to your country.” But I never ran away from challenges. I faced them, just like I faced long days in the fields back in Kerala.
My parents worked in thrift store, and I use to work in a flea market selling T-shirts. I studied hard, learned the language, and eventually became a Respiratory Therapist, working two jobs for almost a decade.
But life kept steering me toward entrepreneurship.
The chance to move to Florida appeared, so I came to Tampa Bay and bought a small gas station. That gas station turned into a mechanic shop, which turned into a pizza place… and then eventually, into an Indian restaurant. I had worked in hotels and restaurants in Chicago, so I understood hospitality. But more importantly, I had a vision: I wanted to bring the authentic flavors of Southern India to Tampa Bay.
That’s how Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine was born, inside a gas station.
People would walk in shocked, go through one door and you find the vibrant Indian spices, the smell of curry leaves roasting, and real, homemade Kerala-style dishes. That novelty and our authenticity helped us grow a loyal following for nine beautiful years.
When the opportunity came to expand into Westshore Plaza, I was afraid. The space was much bigger, the overhead higher, the responsibilities enormous. But I’ve always trusted that God opens doors for a reason. And I stepped through that door.
Today, when guests walk into our Westshore Plaza location, they don’t just come for a meal. They experience my journey, from the fields of Kerala to the heart of Tampa Bay.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, my road has never been smooth, but every struggle along the way helped build me into the person and business owner I am today. I came from poverty in India, grew up being bullied in school when I first arrived in America, and had to learn English from scratch while working hard to support my family. I spent years working two jobs and later ran a restaurant out of a gas station, something many people doubted at first. When the opportunity came to move into Westshore Plaza, I was honestly scared. The overhead, the responsibilities, the unknowns, all of it felt overwhelming. And on top of that, I waited two full years for the right space to open up. Looking back, I realize those challenges weren’t obstacles, they were preparation.
During that waiting period, I opened a restaurant in Lakeland inside a hotel, and the success there taught me how to manage a larger team, operate a bigger kitchen, and handle higher volume. That experience gave me the confidence that I was ready to scale Curry Leaves when the right moment came. So, when Westshore Plaza finally became available, I knew it was the opportunity I had prayed for, and I chose to step forward with faith.
Today, the rewards have been incredible. We’ve received amazing reviews, heartfelt support from the community, media features on Fox 13 and ABC Tampa, and I am blessed with an outstanding team that I am deeply proud of. The road was not smooth, far from it, but every step was worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine, we don’t just serve food, we deliver a total cultural experience.
When you walk in, you hear the soothing rhythms of Indian music playing, transporting you to Kerala before you ever taste a bite. You see our authentic Indian rickshaw, a symbol of where I come from, and our beautifully crafted elephant mural, a cultural icon that represents strength, wisdom, and tradition.
The atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve stepped into South India; colorful, warm, welcoming, and filled with life.
But what truly sets us apart is our people. We have an incredible staff who treat every guest like family. Many diners tell us they feel at home the moment they walk through our doors.
And then there is our heart in the kitchen, Chef Krish Unny. He brings decades of culinary experience and deep knowledge of traditional South Indian cuisine. His mastery of spices, flavors, and techniques is a major reason our dishes taste exactly like the food from back home. Together, we blend tradition with creativity, serving dishes that honor our roots but excite modern tastes.
Our specialties include:
• Authentic Southern Indian entrées
• Freshly ground spices and aromatic curry leaves
• Signature dosas, biryanis, and seafood dishes
• Rich vegetarian and vegan options
• Elevated fine-dining presentations at affordable prices
What I am most proud of is that our brand stands for authenticity, heart, and hospitality. Curry Leaves isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a story, a culture, a memory of home, and a celebration of everything I dreamed of when I saw those airplanes as a child.
If you want food that speaks to the soul, an atmosphere that carries you across the world, and a team that serves with heart, Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine is here to welcome you.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine also offers two beautifully designed private dining rooms, perfect for hosting special moments and professional gatherings. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, anniversary, private party, or business meeting, these spaces provide an intimate setting paired with award-winning cuisine and attentive service. One private room comfortably accommodates up to 50 guests, while a smaller, more intimate room is ideal for gatherings of up to 16 guests, making Curry Leaves a versatile destination for events of all sizes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CurryLeavesIndianCuisine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tampa.curryleaves/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curryleavestampa
