Mike Singh and Saeed Choudhry met 13 years ago in a training session for new hires at Fry's Electronics in Fremont and have been planning to open a restaurant together ever since.

Indian Grill was the realization of a dream, and the result of a lot of hard work.

Singh, 34, and Choudhry, 39, are from northern India and Pakistan, respectively, and they stress that the food they serve is unique to that region. They said many of the Indian restaurants in the area focus on southern food, and they wanted to bring something authentic and homey to the table.

The vegetables they use are from local farmers markets, according to their website, and they make their own paneer (cheese) and yogurt.

"Everything is just like what I would eat at my house," Singh said. "We just let the food do the talking for itself."

The moment you step indoors, you can see the kitchen. Chicken legs are dangling from skewers, and the glow of a fire can be seen from the mouth of their tandoor - a clay oven where they bake naan, an Indian bread served with their curry dishes or as a side.

It has been open for two months at Seventh and L streets and has done little advertising. According to Singh, the consistent lunch ruch and the growing dinner turnout foreshadow lasting success.

Between them, they have 16 years of experience in the food industry. Singh owns a pizzeria in Rancho Cordova, and Choudhry worked in his brother's Indian restaurant for eight years in Fremont before it was sold. Operating a restaurant where they are serving the food of their childhoods is something they have both wanted to do for a long time.

"We're not in it for the money," Singh said. "We're in it for passion and to share with people what the food we grew up with."

The Grill has a few tables and chairs that sit in the windows of the face of the restaurant, but more seating is available in the back, where complimentary chai tea is served and a flat screen plays basketball, baseball, football or soccer. Most of the dishes cost $6 to $8.

Ahmad German works across the street from Indian Grill for the state and comes in for lunch at least two times a week. He said his favorite dish is the seekh kabob. His friend and fellow state worker, Asfand Siddiqui, was there for the second time and said he was impressed.

"The service is quite quick," Siddiqui said. "You come in and order the food, and you're done in an hour."

The co-owners said they anticipate the momentum to keep building, and they hope their success allows them to open a Midtown location.

"Our long-term plan is to have this place open to at least 2 a.m.," Singh said.

Indian Grill is located at 629 L Street. The hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.