Today we’d like to introduce you to Sakshi & Rajeev Joseph.
Hi Sakshi & Rajeev, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Natkhat Flavors is a woman-owned and family-operated business born of a mother’s efforts to provide her son with nutrition and a desire to share those benefits with the community. After our son was diagnosed with autism and seizure disorders at 8 months old, it became a challenge to meet his nutritional needs. The doctors advised us to adjust his diet from keto to Atkins and modified Atkins. However, cherishing the health benefits and natural qualities of authentic Indian food, I added variety to my grandma’s recipes. My son loved what I cooked, and some of his favorites are shared at Natkhat Flavors. Over the years, we have worked to maintain the authentic taste and consistently prepare nutritious meals for everyone at home. My son’s special needs are now part of our way of life. He is now 18 years old.
Even after an unsuccessful brain surgery in 2015 and its aftermath, he still finds joy in the food served to him with love and care. We feel blessed that everyone we have encountered has loved his food, including friends, family, extended family, classmates, teachers, aides, and even his neurosurgeons. Natkhat Flavors welcomes everyone—those new to Indian food and those with their own favorites—to a dance on your taste buds!
Eating food should always be a joyful experience, and creating food is better than any gift someone can give. The best gift is one’s time and a delicious meal.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The transition to an immigrant life was far from easy, demanding a shift from stable, debt-free lives with secure jobs and health insurance to a daily struggle for basic sustenance. Compounding these financial pressures was the challenge of caring for a sick child. We endured a two-year ordeal while our son underwent brain surgery at Dell Children’s Hospital to address increasing seizures. Simultaneously, our young daughter faced bullying and isolation at school, which weighed heavily on our family’s spirits.
We are profoundly grateful for the emotional and practical support we received during these difficult times from our congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses at Oakhill, as well as from friends and relatives. Each night, we would hold onto the hope that the next day would bring better circumstances. Making food became my personal sanctuary—a way to maintain calm and find solace. It also became a valuable tool for connecting with others. My husband and I took on various odd jobs, such as grocery delivery, to cover our insurance and mounting medical bills, despite having strong educational backgrounds that were unutilized in the job market at that time.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we began sharing our home-cooked meals with neighbors, schools, and particularly with senior living and memory care facilities, where some of our loved ones resided. The community’s positive feedback and encouragement inspired us to pursue a food truck. Unfortunately, this led to a devastating setback: a food truck manufacturer on Ben White, Austin, defrauded us of $20,000. This sum represented a full year’s wages, and despite filing multiple police reports, we have been unable to recover the money. This betrayal deeply shook our family.
Amidst this financial crisis and the widespread uncertainty of the pandemic, we also suffered a profound personal loss. Rajeev’s mother passed away in India, and COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented us from being with her to say goodbye. Despite this deep personal sorrow, and the fear and lack of resources that drove many businesses to the brink of collapse, we were strongly encouraged by friends and coworkers to open an Indian restaurant right here in Dripping Springs.
Seeking a pop-up location, we discovered a failing restaurant whose owner was determined to close. While a partnership wasn’t possible, he allowed us to seek city permission to use the kitchen. Securing the necessary permits in these uncertain times was virtually an answer to our prayers. We then launched a take-out service, mainly operating through the existing drive-thru window.
Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses, along with the community at Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Wood Creek, Bee Caves, and so many others that come to support us, made it possible for us to be what we are today.
Your destination for Authentic Indian Cuisine in The Hill Country!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Natkhat Flavors (A Dance On Your Tastebuds)?
The transition to an immigrant life was far from easy, demanding a shift from stable, debt-free lives with secure jobs and health insurance to a daily struggle for basic sustenance. Compounding these financial pressures was the challenge of caring for a sick child. We endured a two-year ordeal while our son underwent brain surgery at Dell Children’s Hospital to address increasing seizures. Simultaneously, our young daughter faced bullying and isolation at school, which weighed heavily on our family’s spirits.
We are profoundly grateful for the emotional and practical support we received during these difficult times from our congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses at Oakhill, as well as from friends and relatives. Each night, we would hold onto the hope that the next day would bring better circumstances. Making food became my personal sanctuary—a way to maintain calm and find solace. It also became a valuable tool for connecting with others. My husband and I took on various odd jobs, such as grocery delivery, to cover our insurance and mounting medical bills, despite having strong educational backgrounds that were unutilized in the job market at that time.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we began sharing our home-cooked meals with neighbors, schools, and particularly with senior living and memory care facilities, where some of our loved ones resided. The community’s positive feedback and encouragement inspired us to pursue a food truck. Unfortunately, this led to a devastating setback: a food truck manufacturer on Ben White, Austin, defrauded us of $20,000. This sum represented a full year’s wages, and despite filing multiple police reports, we have been unable to recover the money. This betrayal deeply shook our family.
Amidst this financial crisis and the widespread uncertainty of the pandemic, we also suffered a profound personal loss. Rajeev’s mother passed away in India, and COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented us from being with her to say goodbye. Despite this deep personal sorrow, and the fear and lack of resources that drove many businesses to the brink of collapse, we were strongly encouraged by friends and coworkers to open an Indian restaurant right here in Dripping Springs.
Seeking a pop-up location, we discovered a failing restaurant whose owner was determined to close. While a partnership wasn’t possible, he allowed us to seek city permission to use the kitchen. Securing the necessary permits in these uncertain times was virtually an answer to our prayers. We then launched a take-out service, mainly operating through the existing drive-thru window.
Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses, along with the community at Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Wood Creek, Bee Caves, and so many others that come to support us, made it possible for us to be what we are today.
Your destination for Authentic Indian Cuisine in The Hill Country!
Natkhat, which means “mischievous flavors” in Hindi, is more than just a name—it’s a promise of the unique culinary experience we offer. We specialize in authentic, centuries-old recipes beloved by many, including signature dishes like Butter Chicken, Chicken Afghani, Chicken-Changezi, Rogan Josh, and Kofta in Softa. We pride ourselves on accommodating diverse dietary needs; most of our dishes are gluten-free, and customers consistently rave about our variety of vegan and vegetarian options.
Though we have only been in business for four years, Natkhat has quickly become a respected member of the community. We are the only restaurant in Dripping Springs to partner with Texas Workforce Solutions on vocational programs like Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL), where we have successfully trained three young adults with special needs in restaurant technology and hospitality. We have also had the honor of representing Dripping Springs at large-scale events, including the Junior League of Austin.
As a full-service restaurant and bar in the wedding capital of Texas, we are dedicated to providing diverse, high-quality food for newlywed couples and their guests. We frequently host rehearsal dinners and accommodate various dietary needs for our consumers. Our services include on-premise and off-premise dining, lunch, dinner, and full catering. To enhance the dining experience, we feature live music on the first Saturday of the month.
We invite you to A Dance on Your Tastebuds!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Our commitment to continuous learning is reflected in our daily Bible study and our access to a range of medical journals, supported by our professional backgrounds in Pharmacy, child neurodevelopmental therapy, and Naturopathy. We operate on the belief that information cultivates knowledge, and that the application of this knowledge to benefit people leads to community enlightenment.
To maintain clarity and focus, we deliberately avoid information overload by prioritizing sources from authentic, reputable authors.
While we acknowledge the utility of social media, our primary focus for growth and connection is word-of-mouth advertisement and reputation. This approach has been instrumental in building genuine, personal relationships with our customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://natkhatflavors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natkhatflavors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatkhatFlavors/
- Twitter: https://x.com/tastebudsNFlav
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHTdm7UUsKyEgnpHL_HKGtQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/natkhat-flavors-dripping-springs-2
Image Credits
@natkhatflavors
