Beloved N.J. Indian restaurant known for insanely spicy curry is closing for good

A popular Indian restaurant that is home to New Jersey’s spiciest curry is closing one of its locations after 15 years of business.

Brick Lane Curry House announced via social media on Monday its Montclair outpost will shutter for good on July 21. The eatery, located at 540 Valley Rd. in the Upper Montclair business district, was beloved for its British-style curries and became a staple of the highly competitive Montclair dining scene. It was recently named among the 11 best restaurants in Montclair by NJ.com.

“With heavy hearts but treasured memories, we’ve made the decision to close the Brick Lane Curry House after 15 wonderful years,” the restaurant’s Facebook post read. “This journey has been magical — we’ve forged lifelong friendships, been part of your special moments, and hopefully added a dash of spice and warmth to the vibrant tapestry of Montclair and words cannot express our gratitude to everyone in Montclair and the surrounding areas.”

An exact reason for the closure was not given in the post. Brick Lane Curry House did not respond to NJ Advance Media’s request for comment.

Brick Lane Curry House’s most infamous dish is its phaal curry. The dish is made with Carolina reaper peppers, among the spiciest peppers in the world. Chefs have to wear gas masks while preparing the incredibly spicy dish so they don’t faint from the fumes. Anyone who is able to finish the insanely spicy dish is awarded a certificate of completion, a place on the website’s “Phaal of Flame” as well as a free mango lassi.

The restaurant’s menu features other Indian fare favorites like masala, vindaloo, samosas, roti, kebabs, lamb chops and more.

“While this chapter is coming to a close, our love for food and Montclair remains strong,” Brick Lane’s post on Facebook read. “So, keep an eye out — there might be a new adventure on the horizon for us soon.”

Brick Lane Curry House got its start in New York City in 2002 and went on to open locations in Montclair and Jersey City. The New York and Jersey City locations will continue to operate.

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Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips/.