Bert Mueller, the American entrepreneur and founder of California Burrito, was recently seen relishing a traditional North Karnataka-style thali in Bengaluru. The viral Instagram video, shared by food page Bengaluru Servd, captures Mueller dining at the iconic Kamat restaurant, visibly thrilled by the vibrant spread.
He describes the meal as “refreshing, vegetable-rich, and incredibly flavourful,” highlighting the crispy salads, fresh produce, and melt-in-the-mouth butter on Jowar rotti paired with smoky eggplant curry. “This one hits different,” he remarked, claiming the meal was so satisfying, it ruled out any post-lunch workout.
Mueller also appreciated the generous servings of buttermilk and the wide variety of vegetables, noting that such wholesome combinations are rare. “It’s hearty, healthy, and absolutely delicious,” he added.
The video has crossed 300,000 views and drawn over 13,000 comments. Users praised Mueller’s spot-on pronunciation of Basavanagudi and joked about how he’s “more Indian than most Indians.” His fluent desi head-nod didn’t go unnoticed either.
Mueller’s Indian connection dates back to 2010, when a study-abroad program in Jaipur introduced him to local culture and cuisine. A host family’s excitement over homemade Mexican food inspired his business idea. By 2012, with $250,000 in hand, he returned to India to launch California Burrito in Bengaluru — attracted by its tech-driven, globally minded residents.
Now, while serving Mexican cuisine across India, Mueller is also embracing the country’s own rich culinary diversity with joy and genuine admiration