11/15/07

Average Indian Food

by jaf071984

Decor: Normal family owned substandard decor that is to be expected. Since this is not a fine dining restaurant, not really a big deal. Only concern was the very loud telephone next to our table.

Food: Ordered chicken tikka which was very tender but really needed more spice. Mild had no heat whatsoever. Also, the food came in metal dishes which was not appetizing and only a small portion of rice was placed for two people. They really should upgrade to better serving dishes.

Service: Service was great. Waiter was attentive and very hospitable.

Prices: Prices are average w/ entrees ranging from 10 dollars and up. Only issue here is that the portions are very small for an Indian restaurant.

• Pros: Chicken was very tender, service was great
• Cons: Spices were too mild, portions were very small, serving dishes are not appetizing

11/11/07

Dinner for two value, pretty good food.

by caliko

Tandoor?s onion chutney boldly varied in flavor and color from the average offering. It was tulip red and somewhat sweet, which was a pleasant counterpoint to the bitterness of raw onion. The green sauce (no, I don?t know it?s proper name) was also refreshingly different from its peers?smooth and bursting with flavor.

For decor, Tandoor?s claim to be a fine-dining establishment falls short. Its walls are the standard glossy cream that reminds me of a rest home. I?m never a fan of glass-top tables over white linens, as the glass just never seems to get clean enough. At least there was an Indian painting framed beneath the glass and cloth, adding a necessary splash of color.

We opted for the $32 dinner for two, including appetizer, coffee or tea, a variety of dishes, rice, naan, and dessert. If you are a lover of spice, ask for the maximum heat level. We chose medium and there was little to tantalize the taste buds.

Samosas with a thick mango chutney started the meal out. The chutney was a tad too sweet but I didn?t mind as the strong mango flavor was welcome when laced onto the bland samosa. I?m not actually sure if the mashed potato in the samosa was even spiced at all. There definitely weren?t any peas, carrot, or meat.

For the main course, we received tandoori chicken and sausage, lamb vindaloo, and a vegetable dish, which I loved. It melted in your mouth, except for the corn kernels that popped on each bite. Delicious. The tandoori meats were well cooked and the lamb vindaloo was the same as always, which isn?t a complaint.

For dessert, we received small saucers of a plain rice pudding. I ate it all but it almost wasn?t worth the effort.

I?ll definitely head back to Tandoori, as it?s the best Indian food I?ve had yet in the Triangle. As you can tell, I wasn?t thrilled, just satisfied. I?m not sure anywhere else could beat the price for the dinner for two, however.

• Pros: It's the best Indian I've had in the triangle, which isn't saying a lot.
• Cons: Boring decor.

10/11/07

Really unimpressive

by lawnchair

The restaurant is buffet style (an EXPENSIVE buffet- $13 dinner not including drinks), and the food is not really that great. The tables are smooshed together and it is incredibly loud. For this price, you can do better.

• Pros: seated promptly
• Cons: even the samosas were bad

08/17/07

Great tasting foor, excellent service

by zeuspj

I have never tried indian food before moving to the area. A group of friends were going here and I thought I would try it. I truely am hooked. The flavor is amazing and everyone in their restaurant from the greeter to the bus-boy was so nice and accomadating. I have since tried 3-4 other Indian spots around the triangle but none compare to this one!!! For those prior reviews that complain about blandness....this restaurant will cook your food to order and as spicy as you want it. Trust me, there is no lack of flavor!! Their buffet is good but not as good as ordering off the menu. Give it a try!!!

• Pros: Flavor, price, service
• Cons: wished they used more white meat chicken in the dishes

07/16/06

Delicious!

by sg3595

The food is excellent and its a great price for a buffet. The mango flavored sweet yogurt drink is delicious!

10/28/05

A little defense for this place

by mbuebel

Just moved here from Pittsburgh--we had 10 Indian places within 5 miles (FYI Taj Majal was the best), and I feel confident saying I know Indian food. This was our first venture into Indian cuisine in Chapel Hill and I took a gamble on it, figuring I'd try the one with the worst rating so I could only go up from there (perhaps odd you may think, but whatever). We had takeout so can't comment on the service. The food was decent. They had a buffet at night ($6 for kids>5 and $12 for adults), with which I am not accustomed. The place was packed--I've never seen that either. I spoke with a woman there who said she has tried every Indian restaurant in the RTP area and this one has them all beat. In summary, not the Taj Mahal in Pittsburgh, but decent chow--we'll go back.

08/20/05

underwhelming

by hdambly

extremely disappointing, worst indian food we've ever eaten. would not recommend ordering off the menu or doing the buffet.

• Pros: inexpensive
• Cons: food, ambiance

08/20/05

EAT HERE!

by rbhutch

I disagree with other reviews citing food as bland. It is truly far from it. The staff & owver are cheerful and courteous. While eating in a basement is not the best, the owner has done a wonderful job remodeling. Try this place...you'll return for more. Also, best Indian takeout in the area.

• Pros: Food, Staff, Price
• Cons: Basement

07/06/05

The mighty fall

by raqvi

Used to be the spot... it has slippe din 10 years.

Bland food, go here for the nostalgia if you are a UNC grad like me who scraped together $6 every week for the buffet on Saturday. You will be disappointed though.

• Pros: , Good ambiance
• Cons: Bland Boring Buffet