With India and Rasoi down the street, Not Just Snacks gets overlooked. However, the quality and price cannot be beat, also the outdoor seating along Hope Street is far desirable than the tucked away outdoor seating at India and the parking lot at Rasoi. Take it from me, someone who isn't a huge Indian food fan, you will get your money's worth and then some at NJS. read more

This place is good for a quick stopover and filling up your appetite. Their food is on the cheaper side but the taste will remind you that of home-made food. I tried their lamb karahi and really liked it. However their appetizers are not so great but overall a good experience. read more

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It's taken me way too long to write this review, but I thought it imperative that I tell others about the rather remarkable experience I had here. This past August, my boyfriend and I went to Not Just snacks for dinner. We ordered $40 worth of food (which is a lot of food since the prices are so good). To be honest, the food wasn't the best Indian I've ever had, but the focus of this review isn't even on the food. It's about what happened after the food. My boyfriend and I realized when we got our check that both of us had forgotten our wallets. We had gone to the beach right before and forgotten our money at home. I was mortified. I anxiously told our waitress that we had forgotten our money, but I could go home and get money and come right back or call them with my credit card number. The owner of the restaurant came over to us. He kindly told us not to worry about it. I pressed him and told him, no, I'd come right back with money. Again, he told me not to worry about it and it was okay. I don't know many, if any, other businesses who would waive a $40 bill and do so with a smile. This place and the people who work here are very special. I can wholeheartedly say that when you come here, you're treated as family. A week after this happened, I went back to Not Just Snacks. Even though they never asked me to, I paid our outstanding bill. I'll never forgot the owner's kindness and generosity, and can only hope that there are other businesses and people like this in the world. read more

Time for a review update. Why? The answer is simple: dosas. DOSAS! What is a dosa, you ask? It's a large, deliciously thin, slightly crispy, slightly sour pancake that you fill with oodles of sauces, chutneys, spices and potatoes, roll up like a burrit and gorge yourself on. The flavor is indescribable, but I will say that it's scrumptious and totally unique. I didn't realize NJS made them until today. I was thrilled, as I LOVE dosas and used to eat them frequently when I lived in NYC. At NJS, you assemble them yourself and they have a few options to choose from. I went for the Masala Dosa, which has a sauce with plenty of kick and some really flavorful potatoes. Needless to say, I was satisfied with this lunch. It was deeeeeee-lish, and under seven bucks. Sweet. So, based on this one menu item, I am upping my review to four well-deserved stars. Bravo! read more

A hidden gem, Not Just Snacks is a mom and pop establishment with great food, and super friendly owners and staff. You definitely come to Not Just Snacks for the food and not the decor, but after dining here repeatedly, I've actually grown rather fond of the atmosphere. For years NJS was stark and no frills inside with blank white walls. Only in recent years have they added some (slightly odd but endearing) wall murals with scenes of India for their customers to look at while eating. To get to the dining area, you walk past the big takeout counter (full of the Indian snacks that the restaurant is named for) and a rack of Bollywood dvd's for sale. Instead of plates and glasses, you are issued institutional looking partitioned steel trays and cups that seem like something out of an Army mess hall. But all of this just adds to Not Just Snacks' quirky charm. We always have to order the Vegetable Cocktail Curry but also love the Tandoori Chicken, the Saag Paneer, and the dosas. The food arrives in these beautiful hammered copper bowls (also available for sale in the front takeout area if you want to recreate an Indian restaurant experience at home) and hold a generous enough portion to share. My boyfriend and I usually order a couple of dishes to share family style so we get some variety. Food is inexpensive, always tastes fresh and is bursting with flavor. The dining in experience may not be for everyone, but if decor is important to you or you don't have a sense of humor, you shouldn't have to miss out, just get takeout. The real star is the food itself. Not Just Snacks...a solid deal! read more

What an amazing restaurant. The decor is nothing special, except that when you walk in to the place, you are hit with the most amazing Indian food smell. You know you are sitting down to something amazing. Everything on the menu - meat or veggie, curry or vindaloo - is fantastic. The naan is heavenly, and even the rice is amazing! A fair price for what you get, and if you leave hungry, it's your own fault. The service is good - just a couple of Indian women clearing plates and refilling water - but they are friendly and attentive. Parking is not a problem, as there is plenty of street parking. If you are looking for homestyle Indian food, then this is the place to go! read more

Everytime my girlfriend and I go here we fight. Last time we almost broke up. I'm just saying... Anyways, here's what she had to say about it: "They serve sodas with straws. This is the worst way to drink a soda. But their non-veg Thali is delicious, except for the fact that they give you salad that's kind of weird." read more

The samosas at NJS are as big as your head, and they pack as much potatos and peas and other goodies inside as your brain does neurons. The hefty, doughy yet fried to crisp perfection samosa coating holds within itself an awesome flavorful explosion - the paragon combination of Indian spices...essences of tamarind, fennel and saffron permeate every bite. Always fresh, and never accompanied by the icy bite of frozen samosas, NJS creates a masterpiece from an Indian staple. Speaking of neurons, your synaptic clefts are sure to be flooded with feel-good neurotransmitters as you munch on the special vegetable medley - it's precious name evades me now. This amalgamation includes traditional Indian fare (okra, potatos, cauliflower) simmered in a spicey sauce...though at first read it may seem overly typical, the Kabocha squash hugs the other vegetables in a loving fall embrace, thereby allowing its consumers to enjoy the oranges, yellows and reds at any time of year. In short, NJS is the gateway to Nirvana. read more

Whoa. Don't go here. Seriously advising against it. I only went this one time and I hadn't yet seen any of the glowing reviews , but was still optimistic because the low-key decor and no-frills attitude of the place made me think that perhaps they were putting all their energy and attention into the food, where it counts. Turns out they just DON'T CARE about anything, including the food. The waitress seemed to exude contempt. The food came in turned steel doggie bowls. The naan tasted like it had been made with bisqick. My chicken Korma looked like the protein slurry they ate in The Matrix. The whole experience had a very prison-ey atmosphere to it and I would definitely not go back. read more

Don't be fooled by the average review score. The review graphic will show you that it's fallen to 1 1/2 stars over the last 6 months. Cant speak for how it used to be, but it's terrible now. We were the only folks there and the waitress still (in a manner that indicated we were an inconvenience) brought us a carafe of tepid tap water and then took off for 10 minutes. The nan was terrible/bland and inexplicably arrived separately from our other appetizer. The chutney had the consistency of water and only hinted at something flavorful. Neither entree was recognizable or particularly good (though spicy). Kind of one note affairs, which is hard to pull off, with Indian food. Both served in a metal dog bowl, which gave the meal a county jail flair. The butter immediately separated from my curry, giving the dish a greasy/lumpy texture. Not awesome. In short, a ton of WAY better Indian joints on Hope St, no way I'll be returning to this one. read more

A 45-minute orga*m in public. No kidding. Folks, the food at East Side of Providence 'Not Just Snacks' hands down the best Indian food I ever had. And I can see myself coming back for more! As we entered the restaurant on a recent evening, we noticed the place was mostly empty (a reflection, perhaps, of the recession). A short, fair desi girl offered us the choice of table. Boy, the angels inside Not Just Snack's kitchen made the curry sing with flavor. I can't remember what we ordered, but everything was simply breathtaking! Service was prompt and polite. You simply can't go wrong here! I recommend this little restaurant to everyone one that isn't scared of a little spice. read more

Amazing. Five at dinner ordered five different dishes: two based on chicken, two vegetarian, and one GOAT dish - and everyone finished every bite. Also three different kinds of naan and two kinds of rice. The bill for five dinners, a chai, and an order of extra naan: $57. That's just amazing, like $12 per person before tip. And it was so so delicious. Everyone who likes Indian should go here RIGHT NOW. read more

This place is easily some of my favorite food in Providence. Pretty often, I find food that is hot that has no flavor whatsoever. It's hot for the sake of being hot. The food here has heat and has such a deep, satisfying flavor that I keep going back for another bite even when I'm starting to break a sweat. It is so delicious and really has the taste and feel of homemade food, I'm always blown away. My favorite is the Aloo Palak. I get it with the Naan that they cook in-house and some white rice as well and it is absolutely satisfying each and every time. The folks running the restaurant are also very kind, obviously very familiar with the food as I believe they're all a family. Biggest part for me is I'm just now becoming vegetarian and this place makes it quite easy. read more

This was the perfect rainy September, Tuesday afternoon, day off, late lunch location. The tea was cool and refreshing and the mutton briyani hit the spot on this day. Not Just Snacks is a simple establishment that puts its resources into the food and we all benefit from that. read more

I really, really like the food here. I've never eaten at the restaurant, but would love to as it's BYOB. And I love me some BYOB. So, the takeout. I really like that they give accurate estimates of how long it will be until the food is ready to pick up. Some takeout places utterly fail at this task. My go-to item is the Dal Curry with garlic naan. Delicious. It's sometimes a little thicker and sometimes a little spicier than other times. But that's OK with me. It means they're making it fresh and making it with real ingredients that don't always taste exactly the same. I also like their chicken dishes and a spinach and potato dish that for the life of me I can't remember the name of. The staff is very kind and sweet and they always have a big smile when I walk in. Note that the portions aren't huge, but they are filling! read more

Terrible, terrible food. - A pitcher of lukewarm water left for us to take care of our own refills. - Poppadoms were AWFUL. Salt dough with watery chutneys. - Microwaved rice (we heard the ding!) was mushy with rock-hard peas. - Chicken tikka masala was overly salty and the butter had separated out. Go up the road to Rasoi - the service and the food are miles better. read more

I really like this place. I've been eating here for the past several years and the one thing that keeps bringing me back is the consistency of the food. I really like the fact that it isn't trying to be a fancy americanized restaurant. I'm sure that they dumb down the spices a little bit , but you can tell the food is pretty authentic and always tastes great. I do wish some of the dishes had a little more flavor but overall it's an easy choice when considering Indian restaurants. Best of all the portions are big and the prices are fair. My biggest complaint is that the simosas are served at room temperature but they're perfect if you take them home and pop them in the oven for a little bit! read more

Upon a cursory glance once through the door, you wouldn't think much of this quaint mom 'n pop eatery (reminiscent of fish 'n chip storefronts). The trick is to look past this and enjoy an authentic Indian meal and pleasant service of a family-owned business. This is me and my fiance's place to go when there's nothing in the fridge except eggs and ketchup and our tummies are rumbling at 8:30pm. On second thought, we frequent this joint even when our fridge is jam-packed with Whole Foods and Trader Joe's groceries. Our visits to Not Just Snacks fulfill our culinary fantasy of indulging in eats cooked by our fairy Indian grandmother. Do yourself a favor and order the Tandoori Chicken. It's always cooked to perfection, and the plate is huge. Perfect for 2 people to share and possibly take home, too. Garlic naan? That goes without saying. The samosas are meaty and quite filling, and the chicken tikka masala is excellent. The prices are very reasonable if not priced very low. Do it! read more

Seriously? I haven't reviewed this yet? I've been here several times already and then it pops up here on Yelp for me to review. Woops! That certainly doesn't mean that I forgot because this is a forgettable place. No. It's probably one of my favorite Indian food places here in Providence. The one thing that would really make the big difference is if they delivered. They do do catering but trying to transport all that food would be a nuisance. Most Indian restaurants are unlikely to veer from the regular tastes that people crave when they see an Indian establishment. Not so in this case. Not Just Snacks really has a different take on the curries you normally experience elsewhere. Not sure if it's the spice, or just a different region of India but the food is different making it very intriguing to me. We had the mutton curry, chicken tikka masala, butter chicken and the Palak Gosht. They were all fantastic! Very inexpensive and surprisingly not a busy place. Plenty of parking along the streets and plenty of seating inside and out. They also have a display case in the front that have a few treats you can take with you. The painting on the inside is a little strange, but eh you can ignore it! read more

I'm afraid to admit this, but I have only ordered one thing here, after having been there once a month over the course of a year. Even though I've eaten family style, I am quite territorial of my Nav Rattan Korma (with rice or naan). It is terrific, and everyone I've introduced it to orders it the next time we dine there. And whoa, they make a sandcastle out of rice and you watch it slowly, aromatically decay into deliciousness in your all-nickel dining set. This may or may not make sense until you get there, but don't be afraid. read more

If your a fan of all that is good fair honest and delicious then this is the spot you must seek out. Flavors are done deliberately and preciously. Love the thali and their presentation is very traditional and simple. This is one of those places you want to come everyday too. read more

Not Just Snacks - Veg Thali comes with Dal (Lentils) Aloo Palak (Spinach Potato) Salad Pickle Roti and Sweet - Indian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Five star contributions -- doing vegetarian, chicken, and mutton entrees equally well and distinct. These are not just "make the sauce and throw different stuff/meat in it" entrees. [My regrets fellow Yelpers that I've not memorized the menu to offer better descriptions of each entree]. There's more than one combination of spices and cultural influences going on in here. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, will be to identify the origins and the influences present in each entree and appetizer. Go ahead, dare you to just order one entree or appetizer because you'll be missing out on all the complexities. Bring some friends, mix it up a little. More evidence -- better than good service and even better value. Extras -- you can easily take out or take home as you see fit. Don't forget to attempt to identify all the cultural references on the recently painted murals inside. read more

You guys, seriously. I am in love with this place. I just finished my second meal from here: chana masala, masala dosa, dal tadka, pickles and pakoras and as I was eating I honestly wondered for a split second if this wasn't the best feeling I've ever had. Listen, it's the worst when you recommend something and then a friend tries it and they're all "um ok", but I feel pretty dang strongly that this is the best Indian food in Providence, hands down. This is how excited I am about their food! read more

Ran in here tonight for a quick dinner and was impressed. I don't htink it's hole-in-wall, but it definitely is casual dining - almost a comfort food setting. The only negative (and the only reason I didn't throw down five stars) is the service. Here's the rundown on the food: -garlic naan - awesome. -Mixed Veg. Pakoras (A-) - looked odd, but were good -Chicken Veg. Roll (B) - looked like many rolls I've seen before, but was stuffed with a vegetable/chicken filling -Boneless Chicken Curry (A) - awesome, but not to self, mild is medium here and medium is hot -Chicken Tikka Masala (A) - another solid dish choice Washed it down with some very good Mango Lassi. I recommend you try Not Just Snacks if you're hunting for great Indian in the Providence area. I was impressed with this very reasonably priced authentic Indian food. read more

Dined in to this place with a couple of family friends on our way back home from the Roger's zoo. I suggested this place with the help of yelp reviews :) The staff is very kind, we were seated in a huge table where everyone were comfortable. The ambience is just okay. Nothing fancy! Everyone were hungry and started ordering quickly. The orders were taken quickly however the food came out after a longtime. The restaurant was packed and may be because of that we had to wait for a longtime. The menu had a huge listing. It had both South Indian and North Indian dishes. Also they had samosas n chats too. They had sea food, meat and chicken dishes too. I had ordered vegetable briyani. It was kinda Hyderabadi style. It was served with raita. It tasted good. Felt more or same like home cooked. All the other dishes were good too, as per the friend's orders. Parking is on the streets. read more

For a while I wavered between Rasoi and Not Just Snacks as my favorite Indian food place in Rhode Island. Now I know for sure that Not Just Snacks is the winner. It's clear that they're not going for ambiance. You're going to have metal plates/cups and some standard setting. Perhaps I'm in the minority but most times when I want Indian food I'm not going for ambiance. Rather, I want a mountain of curry and a basket full of naan all served quickly and efficiently. That's exactly what you get, too! Service is efficient, courteous, and friendly. What you won't get in ambiance you'll get in value and flavor from the food. Prices are very reasonable and it's BYOB. The menu is also a bit smaller than the average Indian restaurant. I like to get the chicken tikka masala which tends to be spicier than what you'd at the other nearby indian restaurants. Naan is always fresh and delicious too. Be advised that if you order samosas for take-out, they will be room temperature. Worry not though, they reheat marvelously. read more

It is funny. The stuff is homemade and the reason you can tell is that it always tastes just a little different every time you order it. This is not a bad thing, it is something that shows that it is authentic. Even my friends from India comment on how nice it is to have something like back home. When I asked for further detail, they mentioned that there mothers food never comes out the same two times in a row. So I have not ever had a bad meal here and have been on multiple occasions for lunch and dinner. Highly recommended. For RI, this is probably the best and most authentic Indian food around. read more

This is a fantastic place to drop in for some quality, inexpensive Indian fare. Or enjoy the delicacies, on site, especially during the summer, when their outdoor patio can be utilized to the fullest. The infrequent appearance of videos and jewelry for sale, in the basement, will certainly make you forget where you are and although not worthy of conjuring visions of open-air bazaar's in Calcutta, these details tend to stay with you. Much like the aromatics that cling to your sweater, for hours following your departure. read more

1. Veggie Samosa 2. Mango Lassi 3. Chicken Curry (with bone) comes with a heaping of rice. I asked for super spicy. All of this I split with a friend and we loved it. Comfort food, really nice laid back people happy to serve you delicious curry. The super friendly service makes this place for me. Can't wait to go back..THANK YOU, NOT JUST SNACKS. read more

Not just snacks had the best Chicken Tikka Masala I've ever had. It looks different than the same dark colored heavy chicken tikka Masala you find at every other Indian restaurant. The chicken is ALWAYS tender. There's an extra step in preparation the other places don't do. The sauce is a brighter and lighter sauce than you'll find else ever and is coast the rice with mouth sighing it up. The papadum and desserts never disappoint. If you need frills this place is. It for you, but if you want better and different Indian Food, Not Just Snacks is the best. Bonus, they have better prices than the competition. read more

Best Indian I've had in the US. Having sampled Indian food made by and for Indian immigrants in the US and other countries, I believe that like a roasted chicken is to a chef, the samosa is to the Indian restaurant. The texture and flavor should tell you everything about what the kitchen is trying to do and who the restaurant is trying to appeal to. NJS's samosas have the perfect blend of chopped potato-pea-whole cumin ratio. No bland flavors or mushy overcooked potatoes here, all the dishes come delicately spiced and authentic and in good portions. The interior at NJS gives some more hints about the point of the restaurant- handpainted wall mural, mismatched tables and chairs, fluorescent lighting- presentation is not the first order of business here, what they care about is making quality food. As someone else has noted, they only have a few waitstaff (because this really is a mom-and-pop operation), and they are extremely polite and kind, but be aware that there are only so many tables and orders they can keep up with. Don't bother with Kebab and Curry with its chintzy velvet curtains and mushy samosas, come to Not Just Snacks and enjoy Indian food as Indians would prepare at home. read more

Still the best! They've made a few nice improvements to the dining room, and added some more seating. The food is still fresh. Out of all the Saag Paneer I've eaten over the years, never have I tasted such fresh spinach. Amazing. The menu covers the classic dishes and adds some unusual specials, well worth trying. read more

In my experience, from half a dozen attempts, the food here has ranged from just about OK to horrendous. The chicken is usually chewy, the kababs are very hard and stale seeming, even the vegetarian dishes are not quite right. I'm never sure what the food will be like on any given day. If they made an effort and cleaned up their food, there is a real gap in the market for *quality* food from the subcontinent! read more

I spent years eating in an old Indian lady's kitchen, and man oh man did I miss the food like an amputated limb until I found this place. This is far and away the best Indian food in Providence, almost certainly in Rhode Island, and possibly in New England. Cheap, incredibly tasty, and cooked/served by some of the nicest people you will ever meet - this is quite simply THE place to go for Indian. Ditch the pretentiousness and price of Rasoi and the blandness of Kabob and Curry - go and get real food. Oh, and ask for the special salad. Mmmm. read more

Prices are great and the food is authentic with the exception of the Chicken Tikka Masala which wasn't spicy at all. The last trip i ordered the Palak Paneer and the Samosas and they came out promptly and tasted delightful. Upsides: It's BYOB Prices are very reasonable Waitstaff is friendly Food comes out quickly and is piping hot when it arrives to the table Downsides: Decorations in the restaurant are a little kitschy The plates, cups, and flatware are all metal and are vaguely reminiscent of what i would assume they'd have in prison... I'm not one for fancy presentations so the quality of food reigns supreme for me. read more

Tons of veggie options, spicy and delicious. Not expensive either - most of the menu was $8. Great spot if you have a gluten intolerance, too. I was the only person in the restaurant, and they forgot about me for a little while, but it was not a trip ruiner. All in all, pretty good food, quirky little place. read more

How would you rank Trader Joes Indian food? Because that's better than this. And I really, really wanted to love this place. Pros: -- Accommodates larger groups (there were 5 of us) -- Very nice staff -- Tasty samosas -- BYOB, for which they will provide glasses -- Family run operation -- Outdoor seating Cons: -- Wait time. 30 min wait for our initial order of mint tea (waited long enough to go and order it again, thinking they misunderstood. They didn't. -- Language Barrier. Staff globally not picking up on American mannerisms/ cues. Some staff speak English, some don't, just so confusing. -- Lack of Accommodation. Our party of 5 had varying preferences for level of spiciness. When ordering those wanting mild had no choice but to pick something else on the menu, due to the fact that this place is unable to adjust specific dishes to mild, medium or hot. Meals are definitely homemade (pro) but yet they cannot adjust the spiciness? Again, I'm confused. Fellow Yelpers, I am determined. IF RI has a secret, Indian-flavored gem, I will sniff it out. read more

Love this place!!! The food is amazing and quite affordable. Especially, due to the fact that you can easily take half home for another meal. Don't even get me started about the samosa. The naan bread is outstanding as well. Can't say enough about the Chicken Biryani. The blend of Indian spices is just sublime. There are a few high end Indian restaurants in the area. By far, I would pick this place hands down every time. Never had a bad meal here. read more

Not Just Snacks - Indian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Tied for first for me in providence for indian food! DELICIOUS! Definitely the best naan I've ever had. The place is on hope st and isn't much when it comes to ambiance. The food is unbelievable! I am a fiend for Indian cuisine and particularly vegetarian curries. My favs are the bihndi masala (spicy saucy okra), navartan korma (creamy kinda sweet veggie medley), and vegetarian cocktail curry (saucy veggies), with basmati rice. I always get garlic/cilantro naan, veggie samosa, and sometimes paki puri (crispy puffs you crack and fill with chickpea salad and sauces). My husband likes the chicken tikka masala and my Sri Lankan friend is crazy about the mutton (sometimes chicken) vindaloo. Run by great people and always a savory spot. If you like Indian food, definitely check it out! read more

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The food came out very quickly and I loved the flavors. The Tikka masala was definitely my favorite. read more

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