Best lunch in downtown Milwaukee! I absolutely LOVE this place! I always tell people about it and bring every new person at my workplace here. I've never eaten anything that I didn't think was delicious...everything is yummy and spicy! If I could only go to one restaurant for the rest of my life this would be the place I would choose. It is THAT good! BTW, look the Shah up on Facebook and become a fan! :) read more

First of all - good luck finding this place. Second of all - once you do, you're in for it. I work around the corner from here, and once my coworkers (damn them!) turned me onto this little gem, I've wasted many a paycheck. It is more of a food court style, so prepare to either eat quickly, or take it to go. It is located off Jefferson street, just a little North of the Blackthorn (skip it and come here). Go into the office structure and it's in the basement next to New Number One Chinese. There are a few tables scattered around for people to eat at, but I always get it to go. I try and get here around 11:30 because the line gets crazy long around peak lunch hour. They have a special of the day, and the regular items. For $8.00 you get a main dish, which I always get Chicken Masala, and a side of either spinach/potatoes, chickpeas, green peas or cous cous. Be warned, almost all the food has a kick. You also get a can of pop with your meal If you're like me and want a little MORE, then there is a bottle of green sauce (sounds promising right?) on the end. DO IT. It is a chile lime cilantro sauce that is homemade and adds almost a sour spicy punch, it perfectly compliments the rest of the food. The roti bread in my opinion is dry and flavorless, skip it. The reason in my opinion that the lines are so long is that you really can't find food like this at this price anywhere near. Homemade Pakistani food, and the quality is consistent. read more

Best dal in town!! Closely followed by their superb channa masala. We eat here at absolutely every opportunity we get, and are never disappointed. Don't worry about the low-overhead, the plastic utensils, the cold atrium -- the food more than makes up for it! Sometimes we even take it home (a 20 minute drive), and I can honestly attest that the food is even delicious cold. My meat eating companions swear by the chicken, but this vegetarian continues to be delighted by the great dal and channa. read more

We came towards the end of their rather unusual hours. The place is a bit difficult to find, but a quick perusal of Google Maps and some common sense led us to the basement of a peculiarly empty office building. The workers of this seemingly father-son run business were starting to clean up but nonetheless offered us a smile and explained to us what was available. My dad and I both had a platter, not unlike a school cafeteria tray, of some palak and (crushed) paneer, a boneless chicken curry, and two rotis that the cashier procured from a hot pot. This, along with the taste of the food, led me to believe that the food is homemade and brought to the restaurant to sell. The food tasted amazing and the soupy chicken broth was delectable. This place is truly the definition of a hidden gem and if I am ever back in the Milwaukee area, I will definitely squeeze it into my travel plans. read more

This place is fantastic and the cooks and servers are top notch! I would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for some scrumptious, slightly spicy, non-Americanized food. read more

I'm considering an IV line. It's kinda life or death now. Gotta start serving breakfast and dinner and on weekends.

Those of you who have given this 5 stars.. apologies in advance.. I don't mean to offend you.. but this is NOT what good food tastes like.. Certainly, it is CHEAP and a good value. it is NOT bad food either. It seems freshly made.. and it seems to be catered towards Milwaukee's bland palate. But the taste of their curries, their rice.. Very low quality food.. "cheap tasting and bland" would be my summary.. There are many Indian restaurants in town, which offer much better food for not much more money (lunch buffets). Maharaja's is very good, for example. Maharaja's and most Indian restaurants over charge for dinners - so if you want to try Indian food, go for their lunch buffets! read more

Lunch here is amazing. It is a bit hard to find because the door to the 770 building just looks like any large office building. However, once inside you can immediately see the stairs leading to the cafeteria in the basement. We went at around 1:00PM and there was no line at all, and a only a few people in the cafeteria. It was $7 even for the lunch platter, which changes slightly every day. The food was delicious, a little spicier than I expected from the other reviews, but not too spicy by any means. It is the best place I have been for lunch downtown where you can get a full meal for under $10. I will be going back often. When you go, however, remember that they do not take cards so you will need cash, but it is $7 even so no need for change. read more

Five stars. I am the duchess, after all. Thursday. Green sauce. In a to-go box (convinced you get more that way). I continue to go once a week; it's my medicine. Can't stop, won't stop. read more

Hidden away in one of the most improbable locales in town, Shah Jee serves delicious Pakistani grub cafeteria style, in an open-air basement food court under one of the priciest blocks in the city. Weird, huh? $7 gets you your choice of two curries, rice, and a drink. The dahl and the chick pea curries are both perfectly spicy. The spinach/potato curry tends to be a bit goopy, so I generally opt for the spinach/paneer instead, comboing it with one of the aforementioned bean curries and an order of roti bread. There is also a chicken dish which seems to be very popular. Insider tip: Try getting there before the lunch rush, which kicks in by 1145 or so. Getting there at any point in the 12 o'clock hour basically guarantees you a spot in line about 25 people back. Although don't be alarmed if this is the case; the line will move surprisingly fast due to the simple and vaguely mechanical ordering method up at the front. Also, if you're doing the late-lunch thing, you might want to go elsewhere. The place essentially shuts down after the office lunch hour (1pm or so), but doesn't officially close until 2 or 230. In other words, if you show up at 145 and they're out of something, you're not getting it. Even worse, if all that's left of a dish is the cold scraps at the bottom of the pan, dude behind the counter has seemingly no problem serving it to you. Aside from those small pit-falls, Shah Jee is the perfect place for a cheap, quick, and tasty lunch. A true diamond in the rough! read more

Love this place. Great food. Don't expect great ambiance. Now that I no longer work downtown, I miss Shah Jee's more then any of my other lunch destinations read more

Saw this gem on a show about hidden eats. Yes it's hidden in a nearly empty atrium when it should be out front. The owners are friendly and food delicious. The price was great, especially for the large portion. Try it, you'll like it. read more

Great food. Rude service. Last 4 times there the son of the family had rude comments from insulting my career to informing me I asked the stupidest question ever. After 8 years of going there I refuse to give them any more business or recommendations. read more

Good hole in the wall, but nothing great by any means at all! The sauce to the masala is bland, the chicken was overcooked, the rice is basic basmati, the cheese to saag paneer is crumbles, so you miss out on those delicious cube chunks! Don't really understand the hype yes for $8 you get a large portion of food but flavors seemed pretty watered down and bland in my eyes. Please don't, DO NOT register this place for diners, drive, dives you wisconsinites! Haha read more

Great price for great quality! The food is delicious! The staff are lovely, and the owner is a gem. Highly recommend!

Show up around noon and check out the line. You won't need a review to surmise how good this food is. The options are limited, but delicious. You choose 2 entrees and get rice and a drink. It ends up being a lot of food. I don't like spinach, so that makes my choices pretty easy. The chicken masala is the best (I think almost everyone gets this). I also like the chickpea based chana masala. My wife usually goes for the dal (lentils). It is a little less spicy than the chana masala but still very good. The green sauce (I'm pretty sure that's the technical term) adds great spice and flavor. I've never had Pakistani food anywhere else so I can't speak to the authenticity, but I don't care about authenticity as long as it tastes good. It is very similar to Indian food (why can't their shared delicious food bring them together?). Shah Jee's has more spice in terms of heat. Typical buffet Indian food has more spice in terms of radioactive color. If you like Indian food and heat, you'll love Shah Jee's. The only negative (other than the long line) is having to pity the poor Chinese restaurant in the same space. They may get 1 customer for every 20 who wait patiently in line for Shah Jee's. Important point -- you have to bring cash. I wish they were open for dinner and on weekends. read more

After 10+ years, Shah Jee's is still an excellent, popular, and affordable lunch option in Downtown Milwaukee. Just $8 (cash-only) for a "combo" includes any two items, rice, and soft drink or bottled water. The bread (roti) is only $1 extra. I recommend the chicken masala (tender chicken marinated in more of a spicy broth compared to chicken tikka masala). Then decide between chickpeas (chana masala), lentils (dal masoor), or spinach/potatoes (aalu palak). You can't go wrong, and the addictive spices will keep you coming back. read more

The bestest Pakistan food I've ever eaten! I'm not sure what that "green sauce" is in the squeeze bottle but it's so delicious....just put it on your food anyway. The staff is not talkative at all, but the food is delish, so who cares....lol. read more

Best place ever!! Be prepared to wait in line because there's always a major lunch rush. It's too bad they aren't open for dinner or on the weekends. read more

For less than 10 bucks you get a styrofoam container with rice and two curries with a drink. I usually go for rice, daal (always masoor daal, red lentil) and a curry. Very home cooked flavor. They do get quite crowded during peak lunch time. Parking around is pretty hard to get too. The best thing about the place is consistency - day in and day out you know exactly what you will get. I wish there were more variety - but I will take quality consistency as that is quite rare in an Indian Pakistani joint in this part of the country. read more

Awesome place for really good, simple good Indian food.

I love this place and try to eat here everytime I get to Milwaukee for lunch. The food is great and the pricing is reasonable. Simple set up but I have never had something that wasn't great! read more

Ok,so the basement kinda threw me and the the plastic divided plates almost made me go back up the stairs. I'm so glad I didn't! Tues.special was great and that green sauce in the 1 squeeze bottle...mmmmm! If anyone knows what it is tell me please. read more

I moved out of Milwaukee last week and already miss this place. I used to go once a week AT LEAST. It's not really ordinary Pakistani food that you've had elsewhere. At least for myself Cause I've never had it the way they make it. Nor can I find the recipe anywhere. It's a great local mom and pop type of shop with lots of care given in their food. It's family owned. The owner or son of the owner said they've been there over 20 years. And they are probably what keeps that building standing. So try it and you won't regret it. But also support local owned businesses in MKE. I used to get chick peas, chicken and rice. Then I discovered... EVERYTHING! tell him everything and get ready to be hooked on it! Dam I want some right now! read more

This place hit the spot. Great food quickly served. Looking forward to going back, all the dishes are great! The quick tip is correct. Bring cash, 7 bucks to be exact for the lunch special. read more

I love shah jees. Or the shah as my friends call it. this food makes your heart strong as well as your loins. If you can, get the Roti while it lasts. Don't forget the chutney! read more

I work around the corner from the building in which Shah Jees operates, so co-worker and I decided to give it a try today. It's really quite wonderful Pakistani comfort food. The amount of spice in the chicken masala was perfect for me, and the spinach-and-potatoes was a nice flavorful side. They haven't managed to figure out a way to get around using styrofoam plates, which is a downside, but overall the experience was very good. I WILL eat there again and again. read more

If you work near this downtown Milwaukee lunch spot you are lucky indeed. It WOULD be a secret restaurant, hidden in the depths of a sad and not distinctive building, as it is, but the crowds at lunch-time indicate otherwise. In case you are one of the skeptical, don't let the grim surroundings or the line (it moves very fast) scare you away. If you are suspicious of popularity (see: American fast food) don't let that deter you either. What I know about Pakistani cuisine can be encapsulated in what I've eaten for lunch at Shah Jee's, but if that is any indication I'd sum it up with one word: delicious. The only downside is the disposable plates and forks, but at least you CAN eat here, if you desire, or you can take your food to go. I've eaten here more than anywhere in my short time in Milwaukee because after one visit, I had strange and undeniable craving. Most days I'm out trying something new, but sometimes I feel fragile and need something I can depend on (I guess that's why they call it "comfort food") so I come here. read more

I tried their samosas at Arab fest a couple years ago, they were so good. I haven't had a chance to go this location on Jefferson hopefully I can go soon. read more

Good place for a quick lunch when downtown.styrofoam plates and a limited menu keep me from giving it more stars but there is always a liner because it's a good value and healthy too. read more

The food here is good, but there is a limited selection, so I tend to only get one thing when I'm in the mood for that one thing. The price is great, though, for a nice lunch. read more

Inexpensive and fast. Daily special includes a drink. Nothing fancy. Get prepared for the curry. Ambiance - this is not the place.

Shah Jees rocks my world. I could eat this everyday. The Thursday special is amazing and make sure you don't forgot to use the spicy green sauce or you'll be sorry! Sometimes the line is long but it goes relatively quickly... You won't regret eating here! read more

the food at shah jee's had the most incredible spice. I have never experienced food like it. I will go back and i will bring friends. it's hard to stumble upon, keeping it a milwaukee secret. There isn't any special ambiance, it's a cafeteria, but the food will keep you coming back again and again. read more

I bought the Groupon for Shah Jee's and visited it three times, during their listed business hours, only to find it closed. Now the Groupon has expired and I never had a chance to use it. How can Shah Jee's have so many positive reviews when they aren't open when they say they will be? read more

This place is an absolute hidden gem. When I lived in Milwaukee, I would go to lunch at this place every single chance I got. The food is addicting, fresh, and priced cheaply! There's a reason for the long lines...it's worth the wait This place is so good it actually was featured on the Food Network! read more

I'll keep this short and sweet. Best $8 lunch you can get in Milwaukee. It's a hidden gem, and the food is amazing. Not sure what those that call it bland are talking about, especially if they added the green sauce that hides itself by the register. Pay the $1 extra and get the Roti bread (if they have any left. It's made fresh daily and is usually the first to go). Line gets long the closer you get to noon, then vanishes by 12:30 (mainly because people know that by then the Roti is gone and it's possible other items have sold out). read more

It's delicious. I've introduced many to Shah Jee's and everyone always loves it. Great for vegans/vegetarians. (They take care to ensure that there is no cross contamination with the one chicken dish they serve.) Great for chicken lovers. Great for Styrofoam lovers. You have to be able to handle some spice as everything has some heat to it. For added heat, the green chutney is fantastic. Cash only (it's now $8 to get your meal plus a drink - Roti has to be asked for and it's a buck extra). I've been going there for 6 years and will be loyal for years to come... read more

After about five or six years of my wife raving about this place I finally relented and went with her on an off-day. Only open for lunch during the week, it's not a place you can easily get to unless you work downtown. Others have told you the routine, decend into the food court area of that awful office building on Jefferson St and queue up. ** side note ** this monstrosity of a brick pile was built on the site of the Frederick Layton Art Museum. This one-time meat packer donated his vast personal collection to the Milwaukee Art Museum who did not have the room for it at that time. This forced the county to build a new museum and led to a 10 year political struggle over where to build it and who would pay for it. Eventually, they settled on the lakefront site and a joint funding effort with the War Memorial. I tell you that to tell you this: if that had not happened, this building would not be here and nor would the Shah. While you are here, get the Thursday special. You can get it any day, its awesome. Be nice to the Shah, he's great guy who cares about his customers. My wife hasn't been here in two years and he remembered her like it was yesterday. read more

Cash Only folks, but there are zillions of ATMs with-in walking distance. This place is wonderful! It has been a while since I last ventured to this hidden gem, but my stomach can still recall the lingering heat from the food (the sort of heat that increases vitality and happiness). I am in no way an expert on Pakistani food, but Shah Jee's has convinced me that I LOVE Pakistani food. I went here during lunch pretty regularly and will attest to it being scrumptious, if I recall correctly 'The Tuesday' is a respectable go to here. Shah Jee's caters to vegitarians and meat eaters. Don't expect a million options, just expect tasty spicy food. read more