The basics:

• Ori’s Cheesesteaks opens Aug. 15 in Chatham
• Concept created by Namkeen founders Usman and Amena Chaudhry
• Menu features handcrafted cheesesteaks, loaded fries, milkshakes
• Additional Ori’s Cheesesteaks locations planned

The team behind New Jersey-born hot chicken concept Namkeen is launching a new concept.

Ori’s Cheesesteaks plans to open Aug. 15 at 231 Main St. in Chatham. The eatery will feature handcrafted cheesesteaks made with premium ingredients and house-made sauces. The menu will also include loaded fries and handcrafted milkshakes.

For husband-wife team Usman Chaudhry and Amena Chaudhry, this marks the third brand they’ve developed together.

Founded six years ago, Namkeen fuses Nashville hot chicken with bold Pakistani flavors. It also serves loaded fries, smashburgers, sandwiches, grilled cheese, wings and tenders.

Besides local restaurants in Chatham, Metuchen, Union, Parsippany and Red Bank, Namkeen has two spots in New York, one in Georgia and one in Canada. After recently opening its first franchise locations earlier this year in Union and North Brunswick, Namkeen expects to add nine more units across five states this year.

In 2022, the couple introduced Chashni Café as a Pakistani American brunch spot in Chatham. Two years later, a second outpost opened in Montclair.

Something to talk about

When they set out to create Ori’s Cheesesteaks nearly a year ago, they focused on making “a cheesesteak that guests will be talking about after the last bite.”

“This isn’t your average cheesesteak. Every ingredient, every recipe, and every detail has been thoughtfully considered. We wanted to create a place that respects what people love about a great cheesesteak while putting our own stamp on it,” Usman Chaudhry said.

He went on, “Everything we’ve built over the years—from Namkeen to Chashni—has been rooted in creating memorable experiences around great food. Ori’s is a natural extension of that philosophy. We’re incredibly excited to introduce something new to the Chatham community that has supported us from the very beginning.”

According to a spokesperson, the concept is named after the couple’s son, Orhan.

“As a family-owned business, many of the things we create are deeply personal to us, and Ori’s is no different. Naming the restaurant after Orhan felt like a meaningful way to reflect the family’s passion for building concepts that can be enjoyed for generations.

“Just as Namkeen and Chashni were built around bringing people together through great food, Ori’s continues that tradition with a concept centered around handcrafted cheesesteaks and genuine hospitality,” they said.

Former café spot

In Chatham, Ori’s Cheesesteaks is located next door to Namkeen. It will take over the former Chashni Café space on Main Street. While Chashni Café no longer has a spot downtown, it continues to operate in Montclair.

A spokesperson told NJBIZ that additional Ori’s Cheesesteaks spots will follow. More details on when or where those sites will open were not provided.

As part of the Aug. 15 grand-opening event, Ori’s will host an 11:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. After the restaurant officially opens at noon, it will offer complimentary samples, exclusive merch, giveaways and raffles.

Ori’s Cheesesteaks in Chatham: