Anita's Kitchen Gourmet Indian Food is featured in the "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dive's" episode, "Sloppy, Saucy & Stuffed."

Anita Chopra of Anita’s Kitchen imbues the Indian food she prepares in the Cascade Lodge parking lot on Third Street in Bend with positivity.

“I’m really spiritual,” Chopra said.

She hails from northern India and believes the healing power of prayer can be passed on through food. So, as Chopra cooks chicken tikka masala, paneer and naan, she recites prayers.

For Chopra, it’s not about the money, but her own satisfaction and the satisfaction of her customers.

Before opening Anita’s Kitchen two years ago, she’d felt anxious, depressed and bored. Her son knew how much she loved to cook for others and suggested she open a business in the food industry.

Chopra heeded his advice and launched Anita’s Kitchen food cart in 2021. She’s self-taught and all recipes are her own. Some of her most popular dishes are her butter chicken ($15), palak paneer ($13) and samosas ($6 for two), she said.

Chopra is also known for her regular specials. Last week, it was two vegetarian dishes — an eggplant cooked with peas, onions, tomatoes and spinach, and dish with mixed vegetables cooked Indian-style ($15 each).

I ordered the palak paneer ($13) and chicken tikka masala ($15). Both were full of robust spices with extra heat. The pureed spinach of the palak paneer was bitter, with a clear distinction between the spinach and chunks of cheese, rather than cheese swirled throughout.

The sauce of the chicken tikka masala was thin but rich in flavor. The chicken was tender. A highlight of the meal was the fresh-baked garlic naan ($3), which was chewy and pressed with fresh garlic and other spices.

Chopra said some customers have complained about the prices. However, vegetarian dishes at Anita’s Kitchen hover between $12 and $13, and meat entrees top out at $17, placing prices on par with other Bend area eateries.

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Chopra confirmed Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives filmed an episode of the show in April at her food cart. She expects the episode to air on the Food Network shortly.

Location: Cascade Lodge parking lot, 420 SE Third St., Bend

Contact: 541-668-6730, anitaskitchenbend.com

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday

Price Range: $1-$17 per menu item

Cuisine: Indian