Butter Chicken Wrap
Charleston Pakistani restaurant Ma’am Saab is “bringing the energy of Karachi’s bustling canteens to Meeting Street” with the launch of its new lunch offering, Lunch Punch by Ma’am Saab.
“This is a new concept for Charleston, and in many ways, it’s a love letter to Pakistan’s canteen culture,” said Raheel Gauba, founder of Ma’am Saab. “We wanted to create something quick, tasty and spicy with an elevated flair — the kind of lunch stop that introduces Charleston to the bold and punchy flavors from my school days.”
Ma’am Saab will open its kitchen window for lunch starting today, serving Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant says the service mirrors Karachi’s no-nonsense canteens: walk-up, takeout-only, first-come, first-served, with orders handed through Ma’am Saab’s small kitchen window on Meeting Street — an idea Gauba said has been marinating since the lease was signed in 2021.
“This tiny window has been a dream since we first signed our lease,” Gauba said. “It reminded me of lining up for kabab rolls at my school canteen at St. Michael’s Convent School in Karachi. Now, years later, it’s a privilege to serve Charleston’s students and professionals the same kind of made-from-scratch, flavor-packed meals that shaped my own story.”
Chicken Karahi Bowl
The menu is described as “a love letter to Pakistan’s quick-fire student and worker canteens, but reimagined through Chef Jason Lapp’s lens of culinary creativity.” Guests can choose between paratha wraps or rice bowls (gluten-free), each priced at $15, with both meat and vegetarian favorites as well as a fully vegan option.
“Lunch Punch is about quick, satisfying food with depth,” said Chef Lapp. “Every wrap and bowl has layers — flavor, texture, creativity. It’s simple food built with intention.”
To mark the launch, Ma’am Saab will host Ma’am Saab Student Day on Friday, Sept. 19. College students with a valid ID can purchase any paratha wrap or rice bowl for $1, with every dollar donated directly to the Lowcountry Food Bank to support food equity in the Lowcountry. The restaurant asks that students tip the staff generously.
Ma’am Saab will also join the Off-Campus Meal Plan (OCMP), rolling out shortly after opening week to give students more dining options.
Visit Ma'am Saab's website for more info.
