Navgit Singh, of Monroe, Ohio, has always wanted to open a restaurant in a college town. On Valentine’s Day, his dream came true.

On Feb. 14, Little India opened at 431 S. Locust St. Its menu includes dishes such as chicken saag, aloo gobhi, saag paneer, and chicken curry. Singh also plans to add several goat dishes that have become popular in India. 

Singh, who was born in India, left in 2002 to live in the United States with his mother, siblings, and aunt. He’s lived in Monroe since 2014.

He and a colleague from another industry opened the first Little India in Fairfield and do not plan to open other locations. Little India Oxford is staffed exclusively by Singh family members. His father is the head cook. 

Oxford’s economic development specialist, Seth Cropenbaker, said that Oxford is a hotspot for entrepreneurs, especially in the restaurant industry. He said they see Oxford as a town with a large student population that will support something new. This can result in entrepreneurs starting similar businesses, Cropenbaker said. 

Singh said that “the way of cooking” is what makes his restaurant different from other local Indian restaurants.