A few weeks ago there was a Thai food thread, and I intend to get some Kanomwan soon (it's still around right? googlemaps says it's closed...) so this is intended to be something of a sister thread (you're the girl, I'm the boy) I've never had Indian food, I'd like something traditional and good recommendations?
For North Indian food, I like Kiran's on Westheimer near the Galleria. For South Indian food there is Madras Pavillion on Kirby and in Sugarland. My favorite of all of them is actually this chaat place called Chaat House in Sugarland as well. Chaat is kinda like a snack. Not a full meal unless you eat 3 of the orders.
I love the "fast food" joints on Hilcroft, especially Raja Sweets. But I also love the sit down dinner at the vegetarian Madras Pavillion on Kirby.
Raja Sweets is meh. Depends on what you're getting. The actual sweets are ok but the food while having large proportions isn't that great in my opinion. Madras Pavillion is still the best south indian place I guess. It's the best looking place anyway. Food wise though its not much better than other south indian places. Make sure you go to the one on Kirby and not the Sugar Land one. The sugar land location just isn't as good. If you're taking your sister I'd probably stick with Madras Pavillion just because it looks nice and taking her to a crappy looking Hillcroft restaurant might look bad (even if the food is just as good if not better) For North indian, Kiran's is probably the best but also by far the most expensive. (be prepared to pay up) There are tons of North indian restaurants across Houston so you won't have trouble finding one. I don't live in houston anymore so my knowledge of specific restaurants isn't that good anymore. Also there's a distinct difference between North and South Indian food. When most people mention "Indian food" they're referring to the North Indian variety. I myself am South Indian but you hear about the north more often. And if you don't know, if you go to the intersection of Hillcroft and 59, you'll find a section that is basically filled with indian restaurants, stores, groceries, etc.. A lot of restaurant choices there, although I'm not a fan of most of them. (some are pretty solid though)
Thanks, I did NOT know that Also I don't remember making this thread. Can you give me a rundown on what seperates North and South Indian cuisine?
not to totally hijack this thread, but I'm traveling to Coimbatore, India for work. Anybody got any advice.. (what to do, not to do.) trip is during the first round of the playoffs, so tips on how to still watch the games would be greatly appreciated
Don't go. India is a dreadful, dreadful place. You know, it's the only country that still has the plague? I mean, the plague! If I had to go to India, I wouldn't go to the bathroom the entire trip.
there are no real good indian restaurants in houston and they are ALL overpriced if u want to sample indian food the best thing you can do is go to a lunch buffet some time. the best CLEAN buffets in town (the rest u fell like u are actually in india and u lose ur appetite) are: bombay brasserie in rice village, and india's on richmond. anything else u will pay through the nose and get crappy crappy food that will give u diarrhea for days dallas area has much better indian restaurants in my opinion and good middle eastern food too
i would look for western hotels to take a poop but otherwise ur right on point. its the dirtiest country on earth not only cause its poor but also cause its extremely overcrowded and the whole country feels like a slum and its freakin hot with its equatorial weather. i think the only place i would enjoy in india is the far northeastern part by the beautiful mountains near kashmir
as far as india- if youre white, then a lot of people will ask you for money... be prepared for that. otherwise- I wouldn't be so harsh on India, just don't go to even slightly 'shady' areas. Avoid the trains, watch your wallet- it could get jacked without you knowing easily, some people there use the 'cut the bottom of the pocket' trick... as far as indian food in houston- it sucks. no disrespect. an 'authentic' pakistani place would be 'bismillah'--exit on hillcroft from 59, just past harwin on your left. my family doesn't really like eating brown food anywhere, but that place is as close to real brown people food as anywhere in town, and we've tried a lot of places. as a warning- its one of the 'hole in the wall' places, but the food is pretty legit. also, as an added bonus, you get to eat meat at paki places
London Sizzler is good. It's a different style (British) of Indian food. The best North Indian buffet in town is probably Gourmet India on Westheimer and Synott. Not far behind are Bombay Brasserie (2 locations) on Richmond and 610 and Rice Village, as well as India's on Richmond and Chimney Rock.
the semi ghetto/dirty indian restaurants are the best.. like sabri nihari on hilcroft.. royal on bissonnet and savoy on wilcrest