Bummer to lower my rating from 5 stars since I loved my first visit here so much. I am also quite…read morepicky and careful with giving 5 stars ratings typically and was truly excited about this place after my first visit. However, when we came back so excited for more it was a weird experience here. We came at 5pm especially to try the banana Bajji listed as an option between 5pm-7pm only to be told it's not available. Then tried to order the Kara Kuzhambu with the lentil dumplings and told lentil dumplings not available anymore only okra/ eggplant option for this. The restaurant vibe felt really odd in general. We kind of felt like they weren't sure if they wanted to be open right now or something. The tables were not clean from lunch and they didn't get back to us when we asked questions. We decided to leave and come back another time given the great first experience. The next day, we decided to try again at lunch when the restaurant seems to do most of the business and I called to double check they have the Kara Kuzhambu with eggplant/ okra options just in case and two people seemed to have no idea what I am talking about. I spelled it, explained it's on the menu and it's a tamarind based curry- nothing. The dish I tried here before was very good and I really appreciate that their menu is marked for allergies and different diets. It seems to be very popular among Indian people and a fun cultural experience at weekend brunch/ lunch. However, the service felt really weird and unwelcoming this time and with the dishes listed on the menu but not being available it was a let down. The waiter told us the banana bajji and the lentil dumplings were discontinued completely so it was a bummer they are still listed on the menu. This confusing and unwelcoming exprience led to a big rating difference from me even though I really liked the food I tried in my first visit as well as the atmosphere. Still happy for that super fun first memory here though! My general rating system: 1 star: I would stay away 2 stars: Has some good things about it but I generally don't recommend. 3 stars: Pretty good. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back but a decent place 4 stars: Great place. I would go back. 5 stars: I highly recommend stopping whatever you are doing and making plans to try it out! An Evie favorite!

Visited this restaurant for the 1st time. The quality and…read moresize of the food portions was quite good. There were 4 in my part and 2 had Chicken Tikka Masala one had Korma Chicken and I had Kadai lamb. Their service was quite good also. The only disappointment was the standard of the decor and furnishings and there flys constantly buzzing around. Would I go there again - probably not.

Great food, incredible service, and excellent value for money. We tried several different curries,…read moreand I really liked that you can choose your spice level from 1-10. Just be careful -- the heat builds up slowly, so if you're not used to spicy food, go lower on the scale! The portions were generous, everything was very flavorful, and we all ended up taking leftovers home. What stood out the most was the service. Our server was funny, knowledgeable, and gave fantastic recommendations. There's also plenty of free parking, which is always a plus. The only thing missing for me was that the décor doesn't quite match the authenticity and quality of the food, which deserves a bit more character in the atmosphere.

I was reading all the reviews trying to figure out where to try an indian buffet in Mesa, Arizona…read more I narrowed it down to 3 places and this one was the first place that I tried. They had a decent variety of choices and very similar to the other Indian buffets in the area. The mango desert was incredible! I had 3 bowls. It was so good. I told everyone at my table to try it and they all loved it too. The chicken in the tikka masala was tender, but I would have liked a stronger flavor profile, that I have experienced at other resturants.

I've been here a few times now, and ordering different ways. My recommendation is take the lunch…read morecombination (not on the menu) unless you've got specific things you want to order. Every time I've ordered the lunch combination, usually chicken for me, I've gotten a variety of chicken and vegetarian dishes that usually includes a biryani, a curry, a dal, naan, a side, and some kind of dessert. This food is good, authentic, and very reasonably priced. Service is quick and polite. The lobby is clean and simple; if I had one point of feedback it would be that the TV is a little too loud. It's always got Bollywood or Indian music videos going. The TV is unnecessary in my opinion.

Worst Biryani restaurant and Bad service. The only restaurant in the valley I know of which charges…read more$3 for extra raita . Worst!!!

THE BEST chaat I've had in the states…read more I have not had a single dish here that I have not been absolutely blown away by. We started coming here after our previous Indian spot closed down (RIP buzzing cuisine) and I cannot overstate how good this food was. The service was incredibly fast and the staff are very kind, and it's actually a pretty large place seating-wise. As others have said, I also asked for recommendations and the advice I got was super solid (mostly trying to gauge their spice level). It's $7 for a samosa chaat. In this economy. I have gone there on my lunch break to just grab a cheap bite 3+ times at this point and we have had 3 dinners from here as well. Aside from the pricing, the food itself takes risks that pay off extremely well. I often find myself going to Indian spots in AZ and feeling like the flavors have been muted or toned down to be more palatable and enjoyable for all audiences. Chaat Express does not cater to the unseasoned tongue and everything you get here is bursting with amazing, authentic combinations of herbs and spices. The flavors are just indescribably good. When BOTH of a samosa's chutney sauces are delicious (and especially when the red sauce is not overly-sweet), you know you are in for a treat. Their curries are made with the same ideology: bold, flavor-forward, and delicious. In addition, their meats are always bafflingly tender. Whether you get their goat or chicken, it will be cooked perfectly. If you're not a meat-eater, their paneer is also great and the texture is exactly what you would want to expect. I've also had their lassi, rice, and naan. I really like the way they do their naan. It's buttery but not overly-buttered, and always very fresh. Their mango lassi is also perfectly sweet with just enough of a hint of that tanginess that it stands out on its own. And again, for $4 you cannot beat that value. TLDR: this place NEEDS to do well or I will lose my mind. please come here. i am begging you to not let this place flop

Visited on a Saturday noon - to our surprise, it was lunch hour and only one table was occupied…read more Not sure if it was because of the heat that people didnt step out.. but usually places tend to be a bit crowded, for being in a very decent location. Anyway, so we ordered samosas, pani puris for apps. Ordered a soda and a Gud vali chai. The server or owner, didn't look that of people's person - being in a service industry ideally one should be. That was a bit of a surprise for us. The apps came quick. The pani puri was missing flavor.. the samosas were amazing. The soda came in first, but for the chai, my husband had to ask 3 times. And it came in between our main course, which was not pleasing for sure. Maybe they are short on staff, there was just one other table occupied so wonder why the constant reminder for a cup of chai which usually comes first... We had put in the order for the mains. Chole Bhature and Puri Aloo sabji. Here's the kicker - we weren't served basic cutlery and napkins. When we asked the owner/server got it along with 2 plates and a snarky comment followed "the main course usually comes in a plate, so usually we dont serve it"... errr - we didnt really ask for a plate, it was just napkins and cutlery.. so mannerisms aside (which need to be highly fixed) --- the food - The food was good - it was different than what we usually get in AZ. The flavors were robust, different, not too rich to make you uncomfortable if you have errands to run post lunch and give you a carb crash. But just the perfect amount of richness. It's a decent place, nothing super fancy. You can walk in with shorts, a simple tee and have a meal and it'll be fine..Don't go expecting it's a fine dining place. I am giving it a 3/5 only because, while the food wtv little we tried (We did not try the non veg) so lesser points for that.. it was GOOD. As a hard core Foodie and loving all cuisines, I expect a lot more from indian cuisine. So the 3 points honestly is all towards the food. The rest, could be made up with the place being very very slow and sort of boring for a saturday afternoon... and the basic service industry mannerisms which need to be pulled up.

The wait for my food was so long that I would never come back just because of it. I waited 1 hour…read morefor my food from ordering to getting the food. I ordered Togo so I waited way too long, they didn't provide me with a wait time so that didn't help. The food was good, I would say I was happy with my food as it had a good amount of flavor and it was as spicy as I had requested.

Visited this new restaurant for lunch yesterday and had the masala dosa. I was immediately a fan!…read moreThe dosa was the perfect texture, not too soft not overly crispy! The restaurant offers a large variety on their menu and I will definitely be back to try their other offerings. It's a simple set up, walk in order and grab a seat..first come first serve. So large groups go early or be ready to be separated but the food will be good :)

Absolutely loved Since salad and go closed, I've been…read moresearching for a really nice salad and this place is a winner. Their mango salad is amazing. Their lunch special is fantastic. The chicken kebab was fresh. This is definitely one of my regular spots now And open till 1 AM Yes, they have lots of Indian dishes. I have not tried. But I do like a quality salad with mixed greens.

We got the butter masala and the tikka masala and they were both delicious! I will most definitely…read morebe back The drink selection was also really great! Recommend the mango

This is my new favorite Indian restaurant in Arizona. The location is very clean and it's well…read moredecorated. The decor is nothing fancy, BUT the food is absolutely wonderful.. We did not have one bad dish. Loved all if them!! I will be coming here again and again. The service very top notch as well. Friendly prompt staff.

I've been on the search for good Indian food in the valley as I LOVE Jax Spice in Jacksonville when…read moretraveling for work, but haven't found a place I love back home. What I Ordered: - Coke: Nothing beats a Coke on a warm August day in Arizona when dining out. - Butter Naan: Warm and freshly made with great flavor. I'd definitely order again, or a cheese naan as that's another one of my favorites. - Chicken Vindaloo (Spice Level: Spicy, just below 911 lol): This had some heat to it, but surprised that it didn't have more. I inquired with the waitress if anyone orders 911, and she said no. She seemed shocked that I didn't think it was spicy. Perhaps it is official? I'm dead inside. Despite the spicy spice level lacking, the food was good. I would return as it is a comfortable location with various booths and table seating. Likely try the 911, and see how much it jumps the heat index to go from their spicy to 911.

Wow, we left so happy! Recommended to this place (by an…read moreIndian lol) and didn't disappoint We came at opening on a Sunday (5pm) and we basically had the place to ourselves. (Lots of take out tho!) Very clean (incl bathroom) and organized. Loved the music and the tv they had on with Bollywood. We were greeted right away and checked on frequently. He was very patient with us and answered our questions kindly The butter naan was so fresh and soft, the plain dosa was just as expected plus yummy sauces. The tandoori chicken was soooo flavorful and juicy! I loved the cabbage on bottom, but grab it quick because it will get burnt! (See video!) we got the kadai chicken medium spice and we overestimated ourselves haha tasty but too spicy for us (We have lower tolerances to spice) so we will go with mild next time, chicken still flavorful and tender. To help with the spice my bf got a mango lassi, worked like a charm, it was well balanced, tasted fresh, and not too sweet. Ps there's plenty of vege options We absolutely cannot wait to come back and i recommend you make this your next stop, worth the drive!

My friend and I were looking for a quick takeout option after an event in the area and landed on…read morePanchakattu. Panchakattu is located in a big shopping strip with plenty of parking. The interior is pretty spacious and has a nice waiting area. Service was fast and friendly. I ordered the following: Paneer Tikka Masala $14.99 Garlic Naan $3.99 The paneer tikka masala came with grilled paneer cubes in a creamy tomato-based sauce. It was rich and flavorful. It also came with a side of rice which was nice. The garlic naan was soft, fluffy, and the perfect accompaniment to the tikka masala. It had plenty of garlic which I love. Prices were reasonable. I would order from Panchakattu again if I'm back in the area!