A taste of home

Wausau’s culinary landscape recently gained a vibrant new hue with the opening of Zaika Gourmet India. Located at the former site of El Tequila Salsa, the restaurant has quickly become a local sensation, offering authentic Indian cuisine to a community that has long craved it. Owner Sohil Sachdeva, who has resided in the Wausau area for nearly a decade, realized a long-held passion by launching Zaika, and barely two and a half months into operation, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The concept for Zaika Gourmet India, which translates to ‘taste’ or ‘zest’ in Hindi, was born out of a simple necessity.

“We have been in this area for almost ten years now and a lack of an Indian restaurant here has always been a concern, especially when you were craving Indian food,” Sachdeva explained.

For years, Sachdeva and his family would drive to cities like Madison or even Chicago to satisfy their craving. This constant journey highlighted a clear gap in the local market. When its current space became available, Sachdeva saw a tangible opportunity to bring the flavors of his home country to his Wausau community.

The decision was not made lightly, however. Wausau, Sachdeva noted, has a demographic that is “totally American,” with “not a very big Indian community.” This meant the success of the restaurant would hinge entirely on the willingness of local residents to embrace a new, complex cuisine.

“We have been going back and forth on this decision a lot, like whether or not we should do it,” he recalled. Mindful of the significant investment of time and resources, Sachdeva and his wife carefully considered how the community would respond. Ultimately, the desire to try and the fear of regret won out.

“We decided, ‘let’s do it, see how it goes,’” he said. “We didn’t want to keep thinking about it and give up and regret that we didn’t even try… We gave it a shot. Success, failure is part of the business.”

The restaurant has defied any initial concerns. “It has been really good honestly. It was a really good response, especially when we opened up... Overall it has been really good,” Sachdeva said with clear satisfaction. The community’s warm reception confirms that the calculated risk has paid off, proving that Wausau was ready for the spice and variety Zaika offers.

Sachdeva is thrilled with the outcome but remains focused on the future. “So far, we are so happy that we ended up making that decision. We really want to continue doing what we’re doing and learning every single day.”

The journey of opening a new restaurant is inherently challenging, and Sachdeva is quick to acknowledge the bedrock of support that made it possible: his family. Juggling the demands of a new business while raising two young children requires immense support at home.

“I would only want to thank my family for the support, especially my wife,” he stated, emphasizing her role in providing him the time and space to pursue this venture. “Letting me take my time getting into this business has been such a big help. I just want to be thankful that people know how supportive my family has been.”

Zaika Gourmet India, located at 151522 Cty Rd. NN, is more than just a restaurant; it’s a passion project that successfully filled a long-standing culinary void. By taking a leap of faith, owner Sohil Sachdeva has brought a taste of India to Wausau, finding not only business success but also a grateful and welcoming community. For more information, check out Zaika Gourmet India’s Facebook page or zaikaindia.com.