• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do This Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Puli-Ra Merges Indian Flavors With Texas Produce at The Yard

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Irvianne Torremoro

Puli-Ra Austin

Deepa Shirdhar and the Puli-Ra team can be found in the courtyard at Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Editor’s Note: In January 2018, Puli-Ra relocated to Texas Keeper Cider. Puli-Ra’s last day there was Nov. 11, 2018. Chef Shirdhar is looking to return to pop-up supper clubs, with a potential storefront coming.

You may have heard of Puli-Ra’s earlier iterations, Anjore Supper Club and farmers’ market darling ChaiWalla. Both have taken the backseat since Puli-Ra moved into Still Austin Whiskey Co.’s courtyard, as the distillery’s official food truck.

The team members behind Puli-Ra are a hardworking bunch, dedicated to merging South Indian flavors with local Texas produce that will astound your taste buds right off the bat.

For the Love of Culture and Texas

Deepa Shirdhar, owner and chef of Puli-Ra, pulls inspiration from her Indian background and obvious Texas influences. The two are evident in her cooking, menu, and all-around charm you encounter when you first meet her.

Deepa Shirdhar Owner of Puli-Ra

Deepa Shirdhar worked in Dallas and Austin restaurants before starting her own culinary venture

Shirdhar moved to Garland, Texas, from India when she was four years old, in the midst of the first snow North Texas had seen in years. Though it was a culture shock, Shirdhar and her family acclimated to the Texas heat and culture swimmingly. As she grew to love Texas cuisine, her family still held to its Indian traditions, like daily chai tea time (which eventually led to her school friends coming over for tea and learning about her family’s culture).

At first, Shirdhar was studying to go to film school. Realizing it wasn’t the path she wanted to take, she decided to apprentice at Lucia in Dallas, and ended up falling in love with the kitchen. She made her way through the trenches of kitchens in Dallas and into Austin’s culinary world, working at established restaurants such as Dai Due and Lenoir.

Learning as She Goes

Puli-Ra Rotating Menu

Puli-Ra’s ever-changing menu offers plenty to choose from

There’s a saying in the culinary world: “Clean as you go.” Keep your work station clean as you cook throughout the shift. The work makes the night easier for you in the end. As for Shirdhar and her team, they’ve been learning as they go–from Anjore Supper Club, which started in 2014, to ChaiWalla, Shirdhar’s farmers’ market take on pastries and on-the-go foods. The curtain has closed on both for now, with Puli-Ra as the entrepreneur’s next act.

In the Tamil language, “puli” means fierce and “ra” is a word used to end friendly sentences. Throughout her time in Austin kitchens, Shirdhar has found her place is to share the Indian flavors she grew up, with the delightful produce Texas has to offer. The ever-changing menu will make sure to keep your taste buds interested, with starters like Goat Cheese with Asparagus, and main dishes like Tofu Pad Thai.

After placing your food order, order a cocktail or whiskey flight from Still Austin Whiskey Co., and settle into an Adirondack chair in the open air. You’ll be glad you came.

➡️ Keep reading: “Drink Hyperlocal at City’s First Urban Distillery, Still Austin Whiskey Co.”

Website

 

@theAustinot wants to know:

What is your favorite menu item at Puli-Ra?

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Irvianne Torremoro
Irvianne Torremoro
Irvianne Torremoro
Latest posts by Irvianne Torremoro (see all)
  • Nickel City Bar Pours Neighborhood Vibes on East 11th Street - January 25, 2018
  • OneLongTable Dining Society Provides Memorable Meal in Hill Country Setting - January 11, 2018
  • Puli-Ra Merges Indian Flavors With Texas Produce at The Yard - December 27, 2017

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: south austin, the yard

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

Best Events in Austin in July 2025

Celebrate Summer Right: Best July Events in Austin 2025

Things to do in Austin this Summer

Keep It Cool: 2025’s Hottest Things to Do in Austin This Summer

Summer Camps in Austin 2025

Summer Camps in Austin 2025 – STEM, Sports, Arts & More Top Programs Your Kids Will Love

Things To Do in Austin With Teens

50 Things to do in Austin with Teens| Fun Teenager Activities

Recent Posts

  • Date Ideas Austin: 80+ Romantic, Free, and Fun Things To Do for Couples
  • National Ice Cream Day Austin 2025 – Sweet Deals from Handel’s, Dairy Queen, Burger King, and more!
  • Best Fun Events in Austin July 18 -20
  • National Hot Dog Day Deals in Austin 2025
  • 20 Best Museums in Austin, TX – Art, History, & Unique Gems 2025

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in