I have had food delivered from HZ several times since my review two years ago. I didn't think the food could get any better, but I was wrong. This is truly my favorite Indian restaurant in New York City...not silly fancy or crazy expensive, just terrific food! First, one must get a biryani because they are heavenly. I got the Hyderabadi Goongura Veg Biryani. The complexity of flavors is wonderful. I have had the Goat Biryani, which is very popular, a couple of times...just great. The other dishes are fantastic, too. I ordered Kadhai Subz, Mushroom Vepudu, Special HZ Curry with Shrimp (a favorite), Chettinad Curry with Chicken, Dal Makhani, Aloo Padpi Chaat, Raita, Garlic Nan and Gulab Jamun. All are outstanding! Delivery was fast. Packing was perfect. My highest recommendation! (Sorry no pictures today. We ate everything too fast!) read more

Food is always great. The flavors are what you want and expect for your Indian cuisine. You cannot go wrong with any of the dishes on the menu. Service is great! They're very efficient. Ambiance is inviting, light, and airy - which omg the same can be said about their garlic naan! SO GOOD! read more

I'm blown away by how well the meat was cooked!! The inside seats a lot of people and wasn't very full. It felt like a true mom and pop shop. We ordered the butter chicken, the goat biryani, and the garlic and chili naan. The chicken in the butter chicken was incredible - so moist and juicy! The best chicken in an Indian curry I've ever had. The curry itself was good, but the chicken was the best part. The goat biryani was really good as well but again mainly because the goat was cooked so perfectly. Moist and flavorful for every bite! The chili naan was not very different from the garlic naan, so next time I would only get garlic naan and save some money. Overall I definitely want to come back to try more curries and enjoy the perfect meat! read more

Wow, this place is really good, like really good to the point that I'm nostalgic about my meal while typing this out. We had heard about Hyderabadi from one of those best Indian food spot lists, and already judging from the photos and good reviews from Yelp, we knew this was one of those hole in the wall spots. We ordered: Garlic Naan Butter Naan Fish Malabaar Curry Chicken 65 Biryani If you're a party of 2 people dining in could be a passable option, but even then for takeout it could be a bit more comfortable dependent if the restaurant itself is busy. It is quite a narrow pathway to even enter the space, order, and pay so when we requested two menus and decided outside what to order, someone from the restaurant came out to take our orders. The quality and pricing of the food are good and we ended up with leftovers. Surprisingly the curry wasn't spicy, but instead sweet so I do want to try the Chettinad Curry. Glad that they're getting their flowers, and I do hope they're able to retain the good quality and hospitality when they move to their new location... read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

I've yet to come here for the full dine in experience but I've had two take outs prior and just stepped in today for another take out. I didn't realize how nice and spacious it was inside, a lot of room for group seating! Food wise, there's a reason why I keep coming back, it's very delicious and flavors always hit right! I'm guilty of getting the butter chicken and lamb tikka masala, with garlic naan bread and samosa, but I just know their other dishes are also as delicious. While I was there waiting they were kind to gesture for me to sit and also offered drinks, but the wait wasn't too long either with all that I ordered! read more

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We wanted some lollipop chicken and when I searched on Yelp, this was the first place that popped up so I knew I could trust it. We went here on a cold Sunday and descended the steps into the cramped basement space. It was packed because it's so popular but I was able to place my takeout order (one order of the sauced lollipop chicken and one with the dry rub). The kitchen was hopping with the sit down customers, the other people waiting for takeout and the delivery items. We got our order in about 15 minutes and took it home to enjoy and we were not disappointed. This is a really good place....if you're in the neighborhood, I'd recommend carrying out so you can get it home quickly as it's best when it's hot and fresh. read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Service and ambiance perfect for me and family. Will be back next time I'm in the city. Absolutely delicious read more

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I saw this place featured in the FutureCanoe video on butter chicken and wanted to try it for myself. Ordered the butter chicken and a side of garlic naan. The prices are pretty good here, although the dish was also on the smaller side. As far as butter chicken goes, this might be a 5/5, but for me butter chicken is at most a 4/5 dish. The chicken chunks were tender and the sauce was creamy and flavorful, but overall it didn't do too much for me. The garlic naan was just alright as well, nothing exceptional. I'd still be interested in coming back and trying some of their Hyderabadi cuisine. The inside of the shop is rather cramped and I can't fully recommend eating in here, although they have some nice infographics on the wall about Indian cuisine. Service was a bit slow, although the food was quick. read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Butter Chicken and Garlic Naan - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

4.75 Read good reviews for the Lexington Ave location but didn't go there yet. Didn't know about this branch until I walked by on 9th Ave. Staff is friendly and attentive. One said this is the newest. The original was on 52nd St, much smaller and was closing - walked by and this newest location is so much better. Lexington Ave was 2nd branch. Large dining area in the front, with a bar area; more seating in the back, up a few steps. Flowery decorations, murals and a cool ceiling fan system. Restrooms available. Didn't see a lunch menu but prices were already good, differed depending on the protein. An order could be for 2 people, esp when sharing dishes. Many biryanis to choose from but I picked Avakai Chicken Biryani bec it mentioned mango, though didn't really taste it. With 3 pcs of bone-in chicken and right amount of spiciness, so good. I've been craving for Chicken Korma. Previously had Korma with shaved almonds and raisins - though missing those, I still really like the flavor and cream sauce, with chicken chunks (or can choose another protein). Delicious. Multiple train lines and buses nearby. A few blocks from Columbus Circle and Central Park; and not a bad walk from Lincoln Center, Rockefeller area if you like walking, which I do. Will surely return. read more

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Saw a tik tok for this place, and was wary since I've been fooled in the past. We ordered takeout and brought it back to our office -- with masala chai in hand as we walked. The chai was really creamy and well spiced and left me wanting it injected into my veins. The biriyani was similarly flavoured to the nines with us not craving anything else. The rice was really well balanced and the meat was tender. It had a good kick of spice, so please beware if you're sensitive to that. Otherwise, great prices and great spices made for a great dining experience. I can't wait to come back and dine in person. read more

Lived up to the hype. Came on a Thursday at 5:30 and there was no wait. I tried the chicken 65 biryani and garlic naan - both amazing. Will try butter chicken and more biryani next time. Perfect casual pre-theatre spot! read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Garlic Naan and Chicken 65 Biryani - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

ive heard the quality here has dropped since they opened and wasnt impresseed by the lackluster service but one i tasted the gobi 65 and hyderabadi goat dum biryani i didnt care anymore. im not usually a fan of sour sweet and spicy but this gobi manchurian was wild. goat dum biryani also has an incredible amount of flavor i dont usually associate with biryani - just know there are bones for goat but my friend got the lamb fry which was boneless. read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - gobi 65 - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

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This was the first time, I ate there after they moved from 52nd St between 8th & 10th. The new location on 9th Ave, used to be occupied by a bar. The restaurant did very minimal changes to the previous settings of the bar. I have to say that the quality of the Biryanis was excellent, and even with the price increase, the portion served is really enough for two. The dessert, as is customary in HYD, was as good as I've had. I ordered Chaat, Biryani and Double Kaa Meetha. As usual, no alcohol is served at this location. read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - aloo Papri Aloo Papdi Chaat - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

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Tiny seating area and very good food The atmosphere is very basic. Tile walls and small stools without arms or backs at a few tables and a counter. The food is traditional and delicious. Well spiced but not too spicy. Understandably, they do a lot of takeout orders. read more

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I ordered takeout which maybe was a mistake. While the butter chicken gravy was tasty the chicken was extremely rubbery, like it had been microwaved one too many times. The naan while in a hot pocket was ice cold. A little 2Tbsp of raita was a "side". Overall really disappointing. But I would still like like to try biryani in the restaurant it will likely be much better than takeout. read more

I came here on a Saturday at lunch time (around 1:30) with a couple of friends. It is slightly in the basement, and there is not a lot of seating avalible (3-4 tables that can seat 4, and a small long table along the wall for parties of 1). We were fortunate another group was leaving around the same time as us. We ordered one paneer tikka, one chicken biryani, a papdi chat and garlic naan. Considering the high prices for Indian food across nyc, i was surprised that our total came out to around 50 dollars with tip, which is fantastic. As for the food, I do naturally love all chaat dishes, the paapdi chat was good, but I do feel that I have had better in the past. I was a big fan of the boneless chicken biryani, I thought it came out very nicely with plenty of flavor. They provided raita (yogurt dish) on the side but I do wish they gave more. The paneer tikka was a big favorite among my friends, and I think we all agree that the garlic naan was very well done. Overall will be coming back for affordable Indian food in nyc. Was quite impressed by my visit here. read more

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I went to this spot a good while ago and it feels a bit odd writing this review as I was at this location much earlier than their newer location in Murray Hill. By comparison, it is much smaller being a bit cramped and the food quality is the same at both places. If I had to pick between the two, I would definitely pick the other location as there's space for 12 at most here and the chairs are rather uncomfortable but both are excellent and the latter is surrounded by many other excellent Indian options compared to here where there aren't as many. I had a Mango Lassi which was very tasty. Nice and thick as it should be and not too sweet though perhaps a tad pricey for the size unlike most other things here which are quite reasonable. As I was here with a group, we shared a bunch of dishes but their specialty is biryani and you should probably stick with those a bit more even though the rest of the dishes are pretty solid with this place cooking their meats in general to a much tender better version than most of the other Indian spots. Our only small plates/appetizer was the Gobi 65 consisting of fry cauliflower mix with curry leaf yoghurt sauce which was pretty solid. It was not too spicy and not too sweet with a good crunch. We also got three curries; Lamb Saag, HZ Lamb, and Chicken Tikka Masala. The best of the bunch was the HZ Lamb Curry which is simply listed as being with a homemade sauce. The homemade sauce had a good aroma and flavor from the masala blend and as noted, the land was very tender. The Lamb Saag with a blend of spinach, onion, and home made spices was my preferred type with the saag not being too thick or too thin and in general was just very well flavored. The Chicken Tikka Masala with onion, bell pepper, tomato, onion, and a creamy sauce was a solid version being not too sweet with a robust tomato flavor and was also just solid. Compared to the curry dishes which are solid, the biryanis are excellent. We went with the Hyderabadi Goat Dum Biryani that day listed as goat slow cooked with basmati rice and aromatic spices. The goat inside was super tender and it wasn't as bony as some other spots. There was plenty of flavor from the spice blend and I'm happy that this place doesn't have too many full spice pieces in there whether they be cardamom pods or otherwise as this can leave an off-putting flavor. The raita helps a bit with the spice but for this specific biryani, it wasn't too spicy and if you're looking for a spicier one, the Chicken 65 Biryani is a bit hotter. We otherwise got some Garlic Naan which was solid though a bit less buttery than other spots. We ended the meal with Rasmalai consisting of soft cottage cheese/chenna cooked in sugar syrup with saffron milk. The saffron flavor was a bit stronger than other spots but otherwise, it was a standard good version. If you don't mind being very close to other people, I would recommend checking out this location but honestly I personally don't bother stopping here as the other location has much more room and the same quality of food without having to deal with the tiny uncomfortable seats and tables. They are both vastly different experiences and I think you'll have a good time here if you go on a weekday when they're not as crowded. If the other location didn't exist, I would give this place a higher rating but it's still excellent food here and I won't push this place down to a 4 even though I think the experience in Murray Hill is far better. read more

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The food and service were outstanding. Everything was perfectly spiced! Chris, the manager, was attentive and gracious, and it was lovely chatting with him about the restaurant and its success. We highly recommend the biryani with potato and mango and the eggplant dish with peanut sauce. Also the samosas were the best we've ever had with a tender flaky crust. The Province naan alone is something I'll be back for! Great restaurant and dining experience!! read more

Ambiance (4/5): The restaurant is located down a few stairs, no outdoor dining. The inside is super cozy with 3 tables that can seat 4-6, and then a high-top seating. Bare bones establishment. Service (4/5): Since there was not many patrons inside, I was able to place my order immediately. I did have to ask for a refill of water. Dum Ka Murgh $15.49 (5/5): The portion felt small but it was more than enough (leftovers too). It came with a side of rice. The curry is thick and packed with flavor. The chicken thigh pieces were cooked to complete tenderness. I loved every bite of it!! I can't recommend enough and will be returning to try other dishes. read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Dum ka Murgh - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

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Always solid and amazing flavors. I personally love the aloo gobi, even though I know the biryani is their specialty. Whatever magic they use to spice their curry, it's so good. Cramped space; I almost always get takeout, which is pretty fast. read more

The food was absolutely delicious. The palak paneer was one of the best I've had in the city so far. Great flavor and paneer texture was great. The naan was good but not the best. Service was good and I loved the vibe of the place as well. read more

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PROs - food taste, service , quantity , location CONs- tables too close (no privacy) , hotel is not spottable easily . First timer.. great location. Right in the heart of Lexington Avenue . Let me start with cons , tables are tooooo close to each other . It is noisy and you could hear everything the next bencher talks . And this restaurant is not spottable easily. You can just pass through it without even noticing it . Wish they had bigger / visible signs outside .. I still gave it a 5 star though and it deserves the rating. When I looked at 4.8 star in Google I surely wanted to taste it . Nice interiors depicting Hyderabad and its beauty. Lots of tables inside and there was also another floor on top . Service was very vey good. The girl was very polite and was able to get orders soon. They also gave a free Irani chai, which was super duper good . Tasted really awesome and the taste of chai was in the tongue for an hour :) Ordered biryani . They had many Andhra style biryani - like gongura etc.. but I went for chicken tikka biryani and it was top class ! Superb flavor and nice spice . Not too spicy but it was hitting it well. Raitha was less but they refilled it . The quantity was also really good . Was tough finishing it but somehow managed to finish . Wish they gave salna for biryani .... And to finish the double ka meeta eas exceptional . Took it home and it stayed good. Overall I was impressed with their food.. I'll surely go back and try more things . read more

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Hyderabadi Zaiqa was a delight! The best butter chicken and Goat Biyarni were a dream! Wish it was this good back home! Definitely would come back! read more

I ordered chicken biryani. In most Indian restaurants biryani is a mild dish spice wise. I can't do a lot of spice and I got this as a pick up order and it was so spicy I could not even eat it. Also would've killed them to put extra napkins in? read more

A hole in the wall, I'm so happy they've exploded in popularity and the chef is getting his well-deserved recognition! I'm easy to please with Indian food in general, and they're known for their biryani, but my favorite would be the Chana Masala. We were actually really happy to add them to the CUIMC vendor list and they are now used regularly to order from for Indian themed events for campus throughout the year! If you dine in it's a tiny space - recommend takeout! read more

This is a very teeny tiny little restaurant, but they made room for me right away. I got the samosa chat, which was rich and tangy and well balanced, and the goongura chicken biryani. The biryani came with a white sauce to be poured over, which made the whole thing moist and slightly creamy. The green rice has a bright herbal flavor which complimented a low spiciness which builds as you eat. The chicken was juicy and well seasoned and I enjoyed both dishes. The service here was remarkably quick (I think my food came out in 5 minutes despite every table being full) and the servers were incredibly helpful and friendly. Worthy of the hype! read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Goongura Chicken Biryani Samosa Chat - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious, authentic biryani at this Hell's Kitchen hole in the wall. I tried CHICKEN 65 BIRYANI which is a good choice if you want something boneless with a good spice level. I'll be back to try the goat biryani, which is their calling card. Staff is friendly and you can definitely bring a few friends for a no-frills lunch or dinner. read more

Came in on a Saturday evening around 7pm and there was a line with 2 parties in front of us so we ended up waiting about ~30min which I thought was great given it was a Saturday at prime dinner time. As everyone said, it's a small space but the food comes out fast and people order, eat and pay pretty quickly so don't be intimidated by the line at all. My favorite is the goat biriyani- it's sooo tender and full of so much flavor I love it. The prices aren't bad at all and if you're looking for quick, affordable food takeout is a great option as well! read more

Wow!!! Perhaps the best classic Indian food I've ever had!!! The chicken in our tikka and in our saag was tender, soft and delicious. The sauces were so blended and deep!! We had samosas and they were perfect -- not overly fried, not overly dried out. Just soft and hearty with great sauces to bring them to life. The setting, decor and interior is nuthin' fancy!!! People behind us almost turned around and left thinking they were wither in the wrong location or had been hoaxed. One stalwart in their party convinced them to stay and we could hear their delighted amazement when the food arrived. The price is totally reasonable and it's all really great value. The place is small so go early. We got there at 5:20 and sat right down; at 5:33 there was a line out the door. Good news though that the tables and stools turn quick so you probably won't wait long. We went before theater and it was perfect -- so superior to the Times Sq and Broadway-serving restaurants a few blocks east. read more

HZ is a tiny hole in the wall that was rated by the NY Times a couple of years ago as one of the 100 best restaurants in NYC. I've eaten here a few times and I confirm that the food is excellent and very affordable and you won't leave hungry. However, be prepared for a potentially long wait, crowded and cramped dining and grumpy waiters. You eat at this place for the food, not the atmosphere. read more

Had a delectable experience here. So glad I came here. The flavors are insane. I wish I could cook like this. We got the chicken 65 appetizer. Bomb. Best thing we ordered. 65 spices in the sauce. It's a little spicy but it's more flavorful. So tasty. Navratna korma and chicken tikka masala we chose and they were terrific. The korma, so creamy. Good veggies. The chicken tikka was very tasty. Rice was good. The garlic naan exquisite. Not burnt at all. These people are masters of their craft and I'll be back. Great prices too. Most dishes $12-15. read more

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My Local Indian spot. Hole in the wall but reasonably priced food and everything they served was great with good portions. I got the butter chicken, Chana masala, and garlic naan. All of it was some of the best Indian food I've had. Although it's a small spot, they work very efficiently and are friendly. read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

A group of four of us decided to try out this restaurant shortly after it opened on 9th avenue it it turned out it is really good and very reasonable Indian cuisine, I would highly recommend. read more

Saw the hype around the biryani here so I faced to order delivery. Since I ordered delivery from here, i can't really comment on the service or ambiance. The goat dum biryani though was great!! Portion size was humongous and the flavor was great. read more

Really delicious biryani and amazing appetizers! Taking off one star because this place is quite hectic if you choose to dine in but take out is definitely the best option. We had to wait about an hour to get seated for dinner even though the server told us the wait would be 15-20 minutes. They don't have an efficient way to service everyone but it truly is worth the wait once you get seated. We ordered the boneless chicken biryani and chicken vepudu. So delicious and some of the best desi food NYC has to offer hands down! I also got a mango lassi which was a little thick but really good as well. If you get a chance to eat here or takeout, definitely try this place! read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Chicken biryani Chicken Vepudu - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Admittedly, I'm not a biryani fan. But as this is "the" new place to get it from, I was really hoping it would convince me. Ultimately, I don't think it did but I'm still super glad I tried it. I walked in but could easily see it being too busy to do so, as the place is fairly small. I was on the fence about which app to get but settled upon the chicken 65. This was by far the dish I enjoyed the most and it is NO joke in terms of spice. Perfectly crispy but also tender, a really generous portion. It was fiery in a way that wasn't annoying/unbearable but really tough to eat more than one piece at a time. For biryani, I went with the recommendation of the goat. This was just okay. I actually felt like the meat:bone ratio was not so thrilling and found that it was hard to eat without a knife (which I wasn't given). Sure, I could have ripped it apart with my hands but that's not really how I want to eat things. The flavoring was fine-pretty standard for biryani. To be fair, almost everyone around me had different dishes and so many of the other dishes looked delicious. So would I recommend coming to try something else? Probably. Will I be back for more biryani, probably not. Am I still recovering from the spice of the app? Yes. read more

This place is located down a few steps from the street level and is unassuming, super small with limited seating. The interior has a warm feeling with bright yellow walls, lovely Biryani Map of India (which was strangely blurry to the eye, but completely clear looking in photos), and plenty of artwork / photographs of different parts of India. For my drink, I decided to try the Sweet Lassi, which came already made from the fridge. I wasn't sure I would be a fan, but I absolutely LOOOVVVEEED it! The drink was a fragrant blend of curd, sugar, and green cardamom, along with a slightly nutty taste. It was velvety smooth, thick, and sweet. My friend I shared the Garlic Naan, which was quite good, as there was actual bits of garlic and yummy seasoning on top. The Naan was also slightly crisp and buttery Since the restaurant is known for their Biryani, I ordered the Fish Biryani (which is unique). The rice was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The fish was incredibly well seasoned, delightfully tender, and flaky. Service was solid. Our waiter was welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. Prices were very reasonable. One issue was the lack of restroom - that's how tiny the space was! I might return at some point to try the Lamb Korma or Shrimp Pepper Fry, but it won't be for awhile. read more

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I loved everything about this meal. It is a small, unassuming basement restaurant. You walk down a few steps to get in, and it is honestly nothing very special to look at with its pixelated map of India on the wall, and the basic wooden tables. However, the service is kind and attentive, the place settings are surprisingly classy (real silverware, tin cups for water, beautiful metal dishes), and of course, the food is fantastic. We shared the Chicken Vepudu (perhaps my favorite dish), Shrimp Pepper Fry (excellent), Butter Chicken (predictable crowd pleaser, but excellent), HZ Special Biryani (outstanding), Aloo Papdi Chaat (the perfect starter, with plenty of flavor and texture), a fish dish that's name escapes me (delicious), and some garlic naan (perfect, but slightly late because I assume it was being baked fresh). It is rare that I share seven or eight different dishes with people, and they are all so very, very tasty. Not anything close to a loser in the bunch. Each item was distinctly different from the others, extremely fragrant, quite delicious, and something I would happily eat again. This is the best Indian food I've had in quite some time, and some of the best food I've had this year. And although I don't usually frequent midtown, I plan to come back. Soon. read more

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This is a hole in the wall restaurant that is jammed packed with people sharing one thing in common and that is eating some good Indian food. I ordered the classic Butter Chicken which was the ideal chicken to sauce ratio with a small kick of spice. The Malabaar Curry has a similar texture to the Butter Chicken but stood out with great spice level and plump shrimps mixed in with the sauce. And you can't go wrong with the rice pairing for both dishes. Also I appreciated how they accommodated with serving me hot water since I was feeling a bit cold when arriving at the restaurant. This is a small restaurant that fills to the brim with large parties and guests who want to order and share a lot. I noticed that when entering and leaving so this is a place to come and try many dishes from their menu. Overall great place to order and share with friends or come by yourself to enjoy a meal. Just keep in mind what time you arrive to get a seat and how packed it gets during certain times of the day read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - Malabaar Curry - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

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Protect this place. The house special chicken biryani was reminiscent of Kolkata biryani which is my favorite kind in the galaxy. Have not had a better version anywhere outside India in the last decade or so. Chicken lollipops - a solid 10. Mango lassi - perfect. Get into this tiny place and shut up and eat. Bye. read more

Hyderabadi Zaiqa - House special chicken biryani - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

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