A video of Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico making a masala dosa at an Indian restaurant in Texas has caught the attention of social media users, with many Indian Americans appreciating his effort to connect with the community through food and culture.
Ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, Talarico visited Madira N Masala in Irving, Texas, where he tried his hand at preparing the popular South Indian dish. In the video, he is seen spreading dosa batter across a hot tava before adding the potato filling and preparing the dosa.
What caught viewers’ attention was how comfortably Talarico managed the preparation on his first attempt. The video, published by WFAA, quickly gained traction, with users praising the Democratic candidate for taking an interest in Indian culture.
One user commented, “Love to see a political leader who actually cares about the community they are representing.”
Another user shared a personal memory, writing, “My mother used to make me masala dosa on Saturday mornings when I was younger. This brings back so many good memories. Good is culture, family, respect and an opportunity to learn about others. This is amazing. Truly a great person.”
A third user was impressed by his cooking skills, saying, “Damn they made him make something that requires a lot of finesse and technique! Very impressed that he was able to pull it off!”
The clip has since been widely reshared across social media. One user, while sharing the video, wrote, “James Talarico trying his hand at making dosas at an Indian restaurant. A little cultural appreciation goes a long way. Love seeing moments like this on the campaign trail.”
READ: Why is Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed being called ‘mean Mamdani’? (October 30, 2026)
James Talarico reaches out to Indian American voters
Talarico’s restaurant visit was part of his outreach to the Indian American community in Texas. His campaign has touched on issues such as immigration reform and the importance of celebrating cultural diversity, both of which resonate with many immigrant communities.
The Democratic candidate is facing Republican nominee Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, in a closely watched Senate contest in a state that has traditionally leaned Republican.
Talarico previously worked as a middle school English teacher and executive director before entering politics. He was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018 and is now serving his fourth term.
His attempt at making a masala dosa also drew political comparisons, particularly amid criticism surrounding comments about Indian Americans and Indian culture.
James Blunt, who describes himself as a businessman, highlighted the contrast between the two candidates in a post on X.
“James Talarico is seizing the moment. The contrast couldn’t be clearer. Paxton surrounds himself with influencers calling Indians scammers and saying Indian food stinks, intimidating Indian Texans. Talarico wears a suit and makes dosas,” he wrote.