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    Desi Chaat House

    3.8 (267 reviews)
    InexpensiveIndian
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    DESI CHAAT HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Desi Chaat House

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    Menu as of 6/17/2024
    Emil G.

    Samosas by themselves are okay, but I ordered a samosa chaat and it was severely lacking in terms of flavor. $10 (plus tax) for 1, maybe 2 samosas, cold chickpeas, cubed potatoes, crisps, sauce, and yogurt seemed rather underwhelming. As someone with a decent appetite, I had it all in one sitting and felt satisfied, sure. But the tamarind/chili chutney did not have enough flavor of its own to carry the dish; the only other source of flavor in the dish was the samosa(s) which was rather bland. This food might fly in Ohio, but not Philly. If you're looking for a hearty, bold-flavored chaat, I recommend Mood Cafe instead. PS Online ordering does not work, and the pricing is no longer accurate on the website. Call ahead, Grubhub, or order in person.

    Samosas!
    Risa D.

    I miss spicy, authentic Indian food and this spot did not disappoint. I grabbed some samosas and a samosa chaat- and YUM YUM! My sons loved the samosas, and I grabbed enough to take home for later. At 1.75 a piece, I don't think you could beat the price and portion size. It was a sunny day after school so we sat outside, and our order was ready for pick up as soon as I walked in. I ordered online via grub hub. This spot has a lot of my favorites- gulab jamun, chaats, pani puri! I will definitely be back soon so I can get my Indian food fix. You can also get dishes made to suit a vegetarian diet. the decor inside is very sunny- yellow walls, digital pictures for the menu- and the owner came outside to check on us! Five star service!

    Non vegetarian lunch special; not pictured dessert and "naan" bread
    Olga C.

    SCRUMPTIOUS. Will definitely be returning. I called ahead for their lunch special (non veg which was chicken Tika and another chicken dish I'm blanking on with rice and....I want to say a flour tortilla but I guess it was labeled as Naan bread....) and The samosa chaat. From the first bite, my tastebuds fell in love. The flavors were electrical. Value out of this world. Would recommend 10/10. My wallet remained in tact and that's always a big plus in my book; I consider this spot a STEAL. Between you and me, I do wish I got more meats in the lunch special but that being said, I'll come back and pay proper full price for a big portion. Or just come back for the chaats.

    Aloo Tikki Chaat
    Claire Y.

    We ordered the samosa chaat and Aloo Tiki chaat. I personally like the samosa chaat more since I am a big fan of samosa. Aloo Tiki chaat is slightly spicy. The chaat is cold overall, with a hot samosa or Aloo Toki on top, which is a bit different than I expected. But doesn't affect the taste much. I like the crunchiness of the crackers on the bottom soaked in the sauce/yogurt. This is my first time trying Chaat and absolutely love it! What makes this place even better is their Customer Service! The owner is super duper friendly and very patient when explaining the menu items to us!!! I will def come back again!

    Delhi Chaat
    Medha G.

    I visited Desi Chaat House two years ago and then once again this past week and both times, I met the same lady who appeared to be running the restaurant herself. She was the highlight of both of my visits as she was extremely sweet and dedicated to the chaat-making craft. I ordered the Delhi Chaat, which was a spin-off of the Papri Chaat. All the chaats can either be mild, medium, or spicy and I chose medium, but it will still a little easy for my taste. The flavors were sweet and tangy as promised, but my friends who chose hot thought their dishes need more space. The quantity of the food made it enough for a meal, despite chaat traditionally being considered as a snack item. My friends ordered the mango lassi and falooda drink. The mango lassi was delicious, but not authentic and the falooda was a nice change of pace from the basic Indian desserts typically sold at restaurants. Overall, Desi Chaat House was a nice break from the trite Indian food scene in University City.

    All Pav, no Vada... Martin potato roll? Wrong!

    Guys... I used to love your Vada Pav, but I went in today... All I can say is, it was all Pav, no Vada. What the heck are you doing? Chick peas are cheap, potatoes are cheap, make the patty big like from a truckstop on the Mumbai-Pune expressway... Also, Martin's potato rolls, seriously? This is super sad... Only making this 3 stars because my wife's chaat was decent.

    Maura P.

    Two stars because the food didnt taste utterly disgusting. I think if you know what you're getting yourself into you might like the food but I didn't like it at all. Just know this is cold food and I mean ice cold which is off putting. I didn't expect that. I ordered a vegan dish but it smells like boiled eggs. Note I don't see eggs in it but the smell is just strong. It's not completely inedible but it's just different. If this is your thing you might like it but if you're trying something new brace yourself and do your research first. I was going to save this and try to eat it over rice for lunch as a hot dish but tbh it is going in the trash instead because I dont trust it. The employees are very nice. I'm so serious I had to go around the corner and get a veggie burger instead. I wasn't prepared. Of course I wont be eating at this place again.

    Sushant S.

    It was testy,but only the think I don't like is that the masala was little overpowering the chat other then that it was ok.

    Chicken chaat and mango lassi - tangy, spicy, savory and refreshing!
    Elena K.

    Delicious and refreshing chaat! I wasn't familiar with the menu and got very helpful recommendations based on what I mentioned I was looking for. I communicated my excitement about about having mango in my chaat and the woman preparing the chaat was kind enough to give me a little extra mango. Definitely would go back on my next visit to Philly!

    Samosa Chaat, Pani Puri, Chicken Chaat,

    Tasty and quick! Perfect for a lunch in Clark park. Happy to be able to find chaat in the city! Everything was delicious.

    Delhi Chaat

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    3 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Quick take out window with some seating. Lots of drink options and food items. Food is pretty tasty as well.

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    8 months ago

    Great food with an authentic taste. Mango lassis are especially delicious. Open late, too.

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    3 years ago

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    Always a tasty bite, served quickly. The food is often ready prior to the time quoted.

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    Page 1 of 7

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    New Delhi Indian Restaurant

    New Delhi Indian Restaurant

    3.8
    (583 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Service was very nice and quick to clean off tables. Space was clean and well-decorated. Affordable…read moreprice (around $35 for two people to eat the lunch buffet). Great food! The lunch buffet was pretty slow around 1:30, but all the food was still out and warm. The chicken biryani was my favorite, but the lamb saag dal was also delicious and the samosas. The food was well-seasoned and a little spicy which is just how I like it! The naan was just ok and so was the chicken tikka masala. I've had better Indian food but this was still pretty good. They also make their own mango soft serve in house which tasted delicious. They offer student discounts as well. Overall: good Indian buffet place near Drexel with great prices and a satisfying selection.

    Our office had a hankering for Indian food and our co-worker from India recommended New Delhi since…read moreit has been one of his favorites for awhile. We found parking in a lot right beside the building. The staff was friendly and patient with my questions. I appreciated that they had spice levels since we had a mix of people wanting their food mild and spicy. The buffet looked appealing and the seating areas were clean. The inside was nice and pretty big. I imagine they are packed during busier times. We were taking our order to go, but the buffet looks like a good time. We ordered Veggie Samosas, Paneer Makhni - cheese cubes cooked in a tomato sauce with butter [gluten-free], mild and spicy Butter Chicken (Makhni) tender pieces of chicken tandoori cooked in a fresh tomato sauce with butter [gluten-free] and Chicken Tandoori half chicken marinated in yogurt and herbs, then barbecued [gluten-free]. Some plain naan and for dessert Gulab Jamun home-made milk-balls dipped in honey syrup. I really enjoyed the flavors of the spicy Chicken Makhni. The meat was tender and the tomato sauce had a range of spices that made it hard to say when! The chicken tandoori had nice flavors too, but the meat was a tad dry. The Paneer was good, but the star of the show was the Chicken Makhni. Throw some rice and mint chutney in with the chicken makhni and naan .... Happiness .... I would love to return to try a Biryani. The Gulab Jamun was a miss. It lacked the syrup flavor I'm used to. The pricing was around $33 per person for what we ordered. There were leftovers. I would recommend ordering ahead as the wait time was a bit long. Everyone was stuffed and happy that we tried New Delhi. I'd repeat more often if I lived in the area.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Paneer Makhni - had an enjoyable spicy kick.
    Paneer Makhni - had an enjoyable spicy kick.
    Chicken Tandoori - bit dry, but good herb and spice flavor.

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    Chicken Tandoori - bit dry, but good herb and spice flavor.
    Ekta Indian Cuisine

    Ekta Indian Cuisine

    3.7
    (125 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Ekta Indian Cuisine has completely changed the way I feel about Indian food. I've used them…read moreexclusively for takeout, and every time I'm blown away by the quality and flavor of the dishes. As someone who doesn't typically gravitate toward Indian cuisine, I've been genuinely impressed with how approachable and satisfying their menu is. Their saag paneer, in particular, is a standout--perfectly creamy, flavorful, and never overpowering with spice. One of the biggest wins for me is that Ekta's food is flavorful without being too spicy, which is a rare and much-appreciated balance, especially for a self-proclaimed spice wimp like myself. Even better, my six-year-old--who usually finds something to complain about with every delivery meal--actually requests their dal makhani. That alone is enough to keep Ekta on our regular rotation. My wife has her own go-to order: garlic naan, samosas, and chicken tikka masala. She's consistently happy with everything, and it's clear the kitchen puts care into each item. Everything arrives hot, fresh, and packed with care. It's hard to find reliable takeout that pleases our whole family, but Ekta has managed to hit the mark every single time.

    Food 3/10 Atmosphere 5/10…read moreService 4/10 Tips I LIVE for the northern liberties location at the Indian cuisine, and this was the first time I ordered from this location. First of all, food was all lukewarm, or cold. It seemed like it had been out for quite a few hours. The curry tasted off, sour, and old. I didn't end up finishing my food, but both my partner, and I had terrible nausea, vomiting, stomach ache after eating the curry. The chicken was also extremely dry, tasted, sour again, and it was so nontender. I do not think I will be ordering from this location again. Order at your own risk!!

    Photos
    Chicken Biryani
    Chicken Biryani
    Samosa Chat
    Samosa Chat
    Garlic Naan Chicken Tikka Masala Butter Chicken

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    Garlic Naan Chicken Tikka Masala Butter Chicken
    Amma's South Indian Cuisine

    Amma's South Indian Cuisine

    4.1
    (63 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Interesting south Indian cuisine and yes, the cooking style. The spices are different than where…read moreyou're used to in our regular assortment of Indian restaurants. What a nice enhancement from our regularly understood pallet. We found Ama's in university city to have dinner before a jazz performance at world life To our surprise, we were able to find parking. Yes it's metered and what an interesting decor when your first walk in it's very fitting of a city. The staff were extremely helpful extremely happy to see us and willing to engage in conversation about your cooking styles. Being that we were on a timeframe, we didn't spend as much time as we would have liked, but nonetheless, we had the most memorable dinner experience. We shared the grilled chicken tikka masala, a medium spicy, and we shared the.kerala shrimp mailee and a mango lassi. Everything was made perfectly to medium spicy water request. Food was so tasty lovely presentation. We will certainly be back to digging to more options when we have more time.

    Enjoyed my second dinner post-concert at Amma's South Indian Cuisine - University City as much as…read moremy first a year or so ago pre-theater outing. Amma's service is welcoming and the ambiance is low-lit and peaceful. Two of us shared a mango lassi (so delicious!), an Amma's Special Dosa, lamb vindaloo (served with rice), and a samosa chaat. We said we could handle the heat and Amma's did not disappoint--whew! I loved the spices and flavors of the chutneys/sauces served with the dosa, which was filled with a variety of chilis, onions, peppers, paneer cheese. Their vindaloo and samosa chaat is always solid. Definitely will return to try some more of the dosas on offer!

    Photos
    Ambience
    Ambience
    Amma's Special Tandoori Chicken (South Indian style 5Pcs)
    Amma's Special Tandoori Chicken (South Indian style 5Pcs)
    Mango lassi

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    Mango lassi
    Haveli Virasat

    Haveli Virasat

    4.4
    (109 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    WOWWWW!! How have I never been here despite living so close when I was in Philly!! This was one of…read morethe best Indian places I've ever been to!! Sooo much seating inside. We got the chicken korma, which came with juicy chicken thigh meat, cooked in a coconut, cashew, and almond sauce. You could tell the chicken had been marinating in the curry for hours, and it was just so addicting creamy. We also got the saag paneer which is a bit more bitter and earthy, and had so much spinach. Such a nice contrast from the creaminess of the chicken korma, and made for a lighter bite. Wish they had more paneer in it - so yum!! Love a chewy firm tofu like block of cheese. Both entrees come with rice for free!! The Kashmiri naan was absolutely INSANE!! I've never had it, and didn't realize how amazing naan could taste. This was not soft like traditional naan, but rather was crispy and came with nuts, honey in between the layers, and glacé cherries. I don't even like cherries, and I found this insanely good. Could def just eat on its own, especially fresh out of the oven! Our server was really kind and gave us sooo much time to figure out what we wanted to eat. Checked in on us a few times too!

    Really good food…read more Got their Mapo Tofu Chole Bhature - 4/5 Soya Chaap - 5/5. Loved it. The smoky / charted flavor added a nice touch. Methi Malai Matar - 4/5. Quite good Friendly staff. Nice ambience with good music and decor.

    Photos
    Haveli Virasat
    Haveli Virasat
    Masala dosa with 3 different sauces.

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    Masala dosa with 3 different sauces.
    Kabobeesh

    Kabobeesh

    3.7
    (390 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Very unique place -- it feels like an old train coach-style diner, which gives it a cool and…read moredifferent vibe. It's a Pakistani restaurant, and the food was really good. The Mutton Karahi was amazing and full of flavor. The Lahore Chargha (whole chicken) was perfectly marinated and grilled -- juicy and delicious. Nice vibe overall and a great spot if you're craving authentic Pakistani food. Would definitely go back!

    I was hoping with the new space, there would be improvements from the prior location. I hope these…read moreremarks below allow for the space for improvements because the food is good. Upon entering, no one acknowledged us to be seated. We had to ask two staff members where to sit. Once seated, the table was cleaned upon some delay with a rag that had a distinct smell that lingered throughout the meal. It took 55 minutes for our meal to arrive. I was able to see on their social media that they cooked the kabobs and karahi fresh. That being said, there should be communication with the guests if it will take that long. It could have been a coincidence but our food came out 5 minutes after we checked in to see what the status of our order is. If you also notice that your guests are not satisfied with the wait time, perhaps offer complimentary appetizers. We ordered the family platter but were not given any utensils too pick up the food with...we ended up using our hands as we already had a laundry list of things to ask for like napkins, an extra plate, more chutney (which we requested during our order). Resham kabob - basically the same kabob, the same salad, the same naan from the family platter. I could have constructed it myself at the fraction of the cost. The sandwich rolls do not come with fries or anything which I think isn't appropriate for the price they are charging. It was also confusing where to order as the place to order for Kabobeesh is in the back of the restaurant. The Karak Chai counter is being used too which is great but further confuses guests. The food seemed like it was coming out of different exits. There are no physical menus at this time, guests have to get up and read the kiosks. The menu online is also very confusing as there is overlap with the pizza location items. Always wanting the nashtaa but never knowing when the cut off time is for ordering it! Adding an extra star than I'd like because there is a prayer room which is wonderful to see. :) The chicken karahi was good per usual but left disappointed otherwise!

    Photos
    Kabobeesh
    Best naan in my life
    Best naan in my life
    Mutton Karahi

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    Mutton Karahi
    Hadramout

    Hadramout

    4.6
    (131 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $

    Great experience. Close to mosque across street halal. I…read morelove their lamb dishes espevialy the agda (sp?) Friendly service! Nice tables for seating small place can become busy based on local activities.

    I visited Hadramout Restaurant yesterday, and the experience was truly satisfying. I ordered the…read morelamb with rice along with their bone soup, and both dishes exceeded my expectations. The lamb was tender, juicy, and full of rich flavor. It was perfectly cooked, not dry at all, and had a nice balance of spices that made every bite enjoyable. You could really taste the traditional Yemeni-style seasoning, which made the dish feel authentic and comforting. The rice was light, fluffy, and well-seasoned, pairing beautifully with the lamb. It absorbed the meat's flavor and juices, making the whole plate even more delicious. The portion size was generous, and I felt it was great value for the price. I also tried the bone soup, and it was excellent. The broth was warm, rich, and nourishing, with a deep flavor that felt both healthy and satisfying. It's the kind of soup that makes you feel refreshed and energized, especially on a cold day. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was calm and welcoming, and the staff were polite and attentive. Service was smooth, and my food arrived in good time. Everything was clean and well-organized, which added to the positive experience. Overall, my visit to Hadramout Restaurant was memorable. If you enjoy traditional Middle Eastern or Yemeni food, especially well-cooked lamb and comforting soups, this place is definitely worth visiting. I will surely come back again and recommend it to friends and family.

    Photos
    Hadramout
    Hadramout
    Hadramout

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    Thanal Indian Tavern

    Thanal Indian Tavern

    4.4
    (373 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Thanal is our go-to spot for Indian takeout, but we finally dined in for the first time during…read moreRestaurant Week. It felt like the perfect chance to try some dishes we don't usually order while getting a good deal. Overall, the Restaurant Week menu was a solid value (up to $18 worth of extra food). While the dishes we ordered didn't quite beat our usual favorites, everything was still tasty. The restaurant itself is clean and well ventilated. It's also baby-friendly--they have high chairs, and although it can get a bit loud when busy, our little one didn't seem to mind at all. Big bonus points for convenient onsite parking with validation. It was freezing out, so being able to park and walk right in was a huge plus. The staff were very professional. One dish came out undercooked, and our server fixed it immediately. The Restaurant Week drink specials were just okay--I'd probably skip those next time. Since Thanal is already a regular in our takeout rotation, we'll definitely be ordering again soon. I'd also happily dine in again during the next Restaurant Week.

    My girlfriend and I came here based on her recommendation, and I am glad we decided to give it a…read moretry. The food was cooked nicely and tasted delicious. The staff was friendly and very accommodating. Overall Ratings Atmosphere - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Food - 4/5 Parking - Street Parking Atmosphere - The restaurant is on the smaller side, but they did a great job maximizing the space they have. The ambiance and decorations are a very nice touch, and everything feels clean and well kept. Service - Even though we came on a Friday without a reservation, they were able to seat us within 20 minutes, which we really appreciated. Overall, the service was excellent. What We Ordered - Plain Paratha - which was not as good as the paratha I have had at other restaurants Saag Paneer - which was very good Lamb Karahi - which was also very good Final Thoughts - I would definitely come back if we are in the area again to try more items from the menu.

    Photos
    Thanal Indian Tavern
    Rasamalai
    Rasamalai
    Hot Gulab Jamun w/Cold Ice Cream

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    Hot Gulab Jamun w/Cold Ice Cream

    Desi Chaat House - indpak - Updated June 2026

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