This place is fantastic! Been here twice with my girlfriend, can't wait to go again. Last time, they made a small mistake in our order, which they realized before we did, gave us the correct order in addition to the mistake, and then gave us our mango yogurt drink on the house. Unbelievable customer service, unbelievably satisfied customer!
(5)
A. W.
This is still our favorite place to get Indian...basically anywhere. This is just an update having gone to dosa night: 1) Do not get the "cheese dosa." It has something like mozzarella cheese in it, and is bad an idea as that sounds. There is a separate paneer dosa. 2) I feel like Dosa night is their weakest offering. We are talking about a place that has a buffet so good that I would actually choose it over ordering off the menu, so everything is relative, but I prefer quality to quantity and even the best dosas at dosa night were maybe not quite good enough to justify a dosa-only meal.
(5)
D B.
Unfortunately, this restaurant has gone down since the last two times I have been there. I feel that some key person in the kitchen has left and the replacement is not up to the old level.. So, I went for lunch buffet again. The medu vada was not fully cooked, the beet-root curry was ok, the Chettinad Biriyani was not spiced properly at all and was way too dry, the yoghurt rice was too sour. Finally, I ordered an extra coffee and sad to say it was of poor quality - the milk had clearly burnt.. I must say that the quality has suffered. This is the big problem with most restaurants - they start off great but are simply unable to keep up with the pressure. Sigh - it is a tough business..
(3)
Andrew C.
I talked my wife into going out for Indian food. She had never tried it before. She was apprehensive about going and then even more apprehensive when she found out it was vegetarian. All I can say is that she absolutely loved this place. She can't wait to go again. The manager was sooo nice and he helped her to understand and decide what to try. This is now one of her top places to go she says. It was great and I highly recommend it.
(5)
Horace L.
Lunch buffet has a decent selection of south indian fare. Freshly prepared dosas and idlies. Service is very friendly and accommodating. Not overly spicy, and really great sambar.
(3)
Kristina B.
I read the reviews so my husband and i went for dinner tonight.Everything was great.I never tried a dosa before and loved it great sauces to dip it in.Every indian place is so different this place everything had such great flavors.We will definitly be going back soon.
(5)
dinesh c.
Went for the Pongal special buffet. Its the best south india food I have eaten in NJ. The food and the hospitality felt like I was invited to a family's home in Chennai for the festival
(5)
c w.
maybe I should be giving this 5 stars...it was very good. I love indian food and I love sambar- this was super delicious and spicy with fresh ingredients. The sauces were so good I wanted to just eat them without dipping dosa pieces in them. Lots of fresh cilantro, lots of asphoetida..I would like to try a few other things on the menu. The service for my take out was incredibly fast- 8 minutes after I walked in the door. 2/3/13 back to this restaurant tonight (Sunday= Chat Night) and the menu is a little different and it seems some staff changed. Not sure what I think... we had the chat, but I am not a huge chat fan. It was tasty but I hesitate to rate it. ...rice and veg curry was good and fresh and the sambar was still good. 12/26/2013 back to this restaurant several times this fall/winter (take out, dinner, weekend buffet) and it it still tasty, spicy food. Dosas are crisp; veg curries and dal are delicious, breads are fresh. Another owner/manager and there seems to be more attention to detail: things are tidier, there is always fresh cilantro garnish, one of the weekend deserts looked like a fruit sculpture. I liked this restaurant before and now I like it a little more. BTW, on line ordering works well.
(4)
Arul M.
This place is located next to the Robert Wood Johnson Fitness Center in Quaker Bridge road (Sloan Ave). First of all i have to say that place was kind of jinxed because Myilai Masala is the 3rd restaurant in that place within a span of 1yrs. but i guess 3rd time is the charm.. and we got a decent rather very good Vegetarian Indian cuisine. It is part of a chain restaurant that is located in Chennai India and they have brought the same taste all the way to this restaurant. I tried both the regular menu and the buffet and both were good with decent taste and variety. I hope this restaurant stays and provide a quality vegetarian restaurant.
(4)
Sethuraman R.
Good food. Tried the Kara dosa and it was truly spicy. Finally a true South Indian restaurant near where I live.
(4)
Gina G.
Upon visiting the restaurant, I did not know it was a vegetarian place. I was pleasantly surprised to find they did not serve meat. Everything was excellent, the dosa, the myilai combo, and the service!
(5)
Ujwala S.
The best Tamilian food outside of Mylapore, Chennai. The food is clean and true to its origins. Brought us back to our college days. The dosa Wednesdays are worth going to. The lunch buffet is very good value. The food is clean, tasty and unpretentious. A very attentive staff helps.
(4)
Karthik R.
We went to this restaurant today and overall the food was really good. Its located right next to Robert wood johnson fitness center. We tried dosa , vada and parota. Parota was not that great. But dosa and vada was good.
(4)
Chaits J.
One of the best in this region with amazing vegetarian food and awesome customer service. These guys are really good and honest. Try their DOSA night on wednesdays. And their Sambar is typical Tamil Nadu Tiffin Sambar. I love this place.
(5)
Janelle M.
In my opinion, there's no other reason to go here other than to have a dosa. Yes, it's a vegetarian restaurant, but all Indian restaurants have a ton of vegetarian items on their menus. This is an authentic place, mostly Indian patrons, and definitely no frills. The food is decent and spiced appropriately, rather than dumbed-down to please the American (buffet-goers) palate; however, it's still not one of my favorite local spots.
(3)
Sudy V.
It's only when you are far away from things you like is when you actually realize the value and treasure things. This is one such place. All thru my life at Jersey, I would crib about quality of Indian food and even crib about quality etc. it's only when I moved to LA is when I realized my folly. I have had dosas, bisibele bath, sambhar, chutney and found them to be very authentic. The food is fresh and just awesome. I wish someone opened up something like this in SoCal. The place is always lively and full of people. This is South Indian food haven. The number of South Indian customers that you will find here at any point in time is testimony to the fact that these guys are the best in business. I read through the other reviews and saw consistency about service. I noticed that too. I have been to this place a couple times and this is one area they can improve upon. But absolutely no complaints. I am subscribed to their email and keep getting special notices every now and then. I especially loved their kalyana samaiyal special a couple years ago. Next time I am in jersey, I have to drive to experience bliss all over again.
(5)
Alka G.
Just went to eat on Friday, July 31, 2015 the second time. Giving it only 1star as service is very very bad. When they get you seated, they don't even serve you water with glasses first. Food takes longer to make and to be brought to the table. Even if the food is made from scratch, it takes way too long. I saw many families complaining about this and especially those with children too and some of them left without getting their full or partial order. The manager in the end apologised for all these but gave an excuse saying everyone happened to come at the same time. Whatever the case, this should not have been the issues or problems. As this must be the same every time as i with my family experienced the same more than a year ago also. The only good thing is the food we ordered was tasting nice but we are never going to go back unless there is a very great improvement in the service. Suggestions are reduce the menu items and pay attention on just preparing a few South Indian menu food items. And make sure to have enough utensils and cutlery to provide to your diners (when they ask for extras as you ran out of those too). Maybe if your kitchen is small or big make sure to have enough space for cooking and get 1 or 2 or more chefs to help out make the food. And improve on services and restaurant decor too. Then maybe you will do better!
(1)
Lotsa P.
I'm not a vegetarian at all, but the spice combinations are interesting enough that I don't miss the meat. I'm no Indian food expert either, but I enjoy the food here, and IMO there are certainly worse Indian places in the area. A disclaimer: I've only been here for lunch, cannot comment on dinner service. Lunch buffet comes with a dosal, the Indian version of a crepe. I believe there are stuffing options, but I always get potato and its very tasty. I usually find there's ample selection, and trays are filled often enough. Service seems friendly as well. If you like Indian food and looking for something different, I'd recommend this place, its definitely worth a try.
(4)
Vicky L.
I love this place. I am vegetarian and tend to order the same dish. They would get 5 stars from me if they didn't mess up our orders twice. For instance, last night we ordered aloo mutter and aloo gobi. The aloo mutter was supposed to be peas and potatoes. Instead it was potatoes and cauliflower. The aloo gobi is suppose to be potatoes and cauliflower. Instead it was cauliflower and peas. Other than the few mishaps and sometimes a change of chef, I really do love their food.
(4)
Cynthia D.
So... We actually didn't eat here. I love Indian food and was craving some. But, at first sniff, something seemed awry. They had a broken alarm that was going off incessantly. Their buffet looked like it had been sitting out for days. And when we asked to order off the menu, the host/owner? Rolled his eyes. At that point I was afraid of what we were going to get so we left.
(1)
Akash A.
The best South Indian food I had in NJ.
(5)
Venkatraman R.
Even though we stay in NJ finding authentic south Indian cuisine is rare. And this place exceeds expectations. To top the awesome authentic fare they also have dishes which are so unique - bitter gourd salad. We had the lunch buffet on Saturday and the spread was astounding! Try out the dosas, bitter gourd salad, sambar. Hospitality is great. The owner was always around explaining the dishes and explaining patiently. THE BEST vegetarian south Indian fare in NJ for sure.
(5)
Nbk K.
We just had a lunch buffet here and enjoyed the food very much. The flavors and aroma reminded us of homemade food from back in India. The buffet variety was very good, with some of the items that we have not come across at any of the other Indian restaurants that we have tried in the USA (e.g. ridge gourd dish). We would definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Karan N.
I would go vegetarian if I get food from here. Everything you eat here takes you back home. Great place. Definitely worth a try
(5)
Srikanth S.
Amazing food! I was traveling in New Jersey for work and My coworker and I decided to get south indian food. This place came highly recommended from one of my coworker's friends so we thought we'd try it out. We went there on a Wednesday night and it turns out they have "dosa night" every Wednesday eve were you can eat unlimited dosa (different varieties!!) along with some other items in the buffet (biriyani, idly, etc.). They were very courteous and kept the hot sodas coming. The sambhar and chutneys were well balanced and fresh. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised !! Tip - make sure you try the cilantro dosa! It's very tasty. If you like it a bit crispy then try the ghee roast.
(5)
Christina S.
We have a Christmas tradition...take home Indian food. This place was recommended to me by a student who is from southern India. So my husband and I decided to give it a go after finding out Shah Indian had closed. The owner told my husband, when he went in to pick up our order, that is will be the best Indian food you ever had. I like that. Well, I can honestly say it was definitely one of the best we've ever had. (and that is a small list) We has the saag paneer and paneer makhani. They gave us big portions with lots of cheese. And the flavor and heat was perfect. My husband found it a little hotter than he would like, but they will adjust that to your liking. We also got plenty of rice and naan with our meal. Okay, so this is now our new local Indian place. So convenient to the gym, which is right in the same shopping center.
(5)
James E.
We tried four things from the menu. All of them tasted like South India! This was by far the most authentic South Indian meal I've had since I've lived there. I found the food so accurate that I plan to take my family there so they may know what South India actually tastes like. I couldn't endorse this place more! Most restaurants disappoint. They have a hint of India but not the essence and full flavor. This place does have both of those.
(5)
Seth L.
The kids loved their cheese dosas, same with the ghee dosas. I thought the fillings were a bit plain, the buffet fine but uninspired, and the service lackluster. But the price was right, and I do love veggie Indian food. Our go-to place near the Hamilton NJT station.
(3)
Pooja K.
Food- very good. Ive had their dosas and idlis- both tasty. Pretty expensive for breakfast ( about 9$ for 2 idlis, sambar and chutney?)- little too much. They have a dosa buffet ( also with other vegetarian items ) in the afternoons, a unique offering and seems to be worth the $ . Service : i have never dined in . They are nice people, but every darn time i place an order over the phone ( for pick up) i ALWAYS end up waiting a long time for my order in store ( either they misplace the order or forget? idk).. but it is really irritating. Same with their online ordering system- either they are not paying attention to it/ or it does not work . Either way, i suggest you walk in, place your order and run around get your shopping done / play on your phone and then return. My dad loves their idli ( plus, its the only place around that i know of), so i end up returning on a semi-regular basis- when hes too lazy to make them at home. They also have a big menu for things other than the typical ( idli/vada/dosa) .But to all the people not familiar with south indian food- this place is vegetarian and semi spicy- but ask them to customize to your spice level and like most indian places, they will oblige.
(3)
Paul K.
This place jumped on the mediocrity train and rode it past the Unmemorable county line. Went in for lunch and the spices smelled amazing, unfortunately the food didn't live up to my 1st cranial nerve. I tried everything on the buffet line and it turned out that they seasoned their food just like grandma used to cook (my grandmother always ordered takeout). If your looking for great smells, this place is great. If you want great Indian food, this "ok" lunch experience would force me to tell you to make a sandwich.
(2)
Roopa M.
Great food! Has the home-cooked taste! I come here very often from work for their lunch buffet. Always a ton of variety, several dishes to choose from, tasty desserts, and of course curd rice and pickle to end the meal. I strongly recommend this food!! A number of us are obsessed with this place at my work -- a welcome treat, esp during a stressful day.
(5)
Nilanjana M.
Hearty and home-made taste ! Totally satisfied !
(3)
Paul Z.
Fresh affordable awesome quality Indian...the naan was crispy and perfectly done..the lentil and eggplant was out of this world, I don't speak Indian food but I do speak yummy food and this place is great. Try it!
(5)
Vinayak B.
Rating this restaurant solely on their south Indian food. The dishes and snacks are pretty authentic and good but the north Indian menu items are very blah....no surprise here. FYI It's the same situation in India. Don't expect great North Indian food when traveling through South India and vice versa. Also a general tip while dining out at South East Asian restaurants: Avoid the buffet and go a la carte whenever possible. A lot of the food might be sitting out there getting cold at the buffet so you get what you pay for. What's bothersome with this place is that the owners spend a lot of time socializing with their possies or sucking up to non South East Asian clientele. On one occasion, we were waiting for 20 minutes for someone to attend to us. We didn't even have menus and the restaurant was not that busy. Finally we motioned to get the lady's attention and she came to our table and said a brief "someone will be there soon" and went back to explaining some aspects of South Indian culture to a bunch of Caucasian friends sitting two tables away. Stuff like this is very off putting in the service department.
(4)
David D.
Authentic Southern Indian cuisine. I was blown away with the flavor palette, and the service is outstanding for an Indian restaurant. Both the owners (husband & wife) went out of their way to greet me, the hostess was extremely pleasant (and cute!), and my water glass was always filled. The food, the food! So delicious. I had the best dal, and the chef was kind enough to whip up a vegan saag dish for me replete with tons of mushrooms. They really know their veggies here; everything is so fresh, and the spice palette brings out the flavors of the cuisine more so than overwhelming it. Of course, you can go the dosa route, and tons of people were enjoying the pancake-like crisps with all sorts of tasty fillings and complemented with interesting sauces. Their roti bread was outstanding, and the basmati rice maybe the best I've had. They have many different types of rice dishes from which to choose. I do not think they do brown rice, however. The only downside, is the interior decor is laughable, e.g., there's a corner of the restaurant that's blocked off with wall dividers but you can see all the employees' jackets in a hideous pile clumped up in the corner. Since they have a "celebrity chef," they also are a little less likely to comply with special dietary requests. It's better to trust unto him. ;) Food comes out fairly quickly considering it's made fresh to order, but it's piping hot! Check out the rasam soup, too.
(4)
Nagendra R.
Had the Andhra special buffet. One of the best Indian food assortment I have had in a very long time. Very friendly and courteous staff.
(5)
Mahesh C.
If you like South Indian food this would be a place to definitely try out. Food is very good and non greasy. I have been searching for a good South Indian food in west windsor area and looks like this it. Service has been very good and fast. Very friendly staff members.
(4)
Brian H.
Phenomenal food and hospitality! So far I've only had the pleasure of enjoying Myilai Masala's lunch buffet with a few friends, but it was far and away the best Indian food I've had in New Jersey. The food was seasoned beautifully, accentuating every delicious ingredient's flavor. And the service was a pleasure: warm, inviting, friendly, and professional. We'll be returning soon and often to this treasure!
(5)
David G.
I went here on a Saturday night with my Indian friend. We both ordered the sampler, which was fantastic. I was really pleased that they had something like this where you can try a little bit of everything. The place is strictly vegetarian. My only criticism was that it was a very cold night and they did not have the heat up adequately. I'm sure any other time it would be fine, though.
(4)
Jerry P.
I am an unabashed carnivore. I love meat, and nearly every meal I eat features some sort of delicious grilled, smoked, baked, fried or broiled animal protein. So obviously a vegetarian restaurant is not going to be my cup of tea. Ordinarily you'd be right, but Myilai Masala uses such wonderful spices and flavors in their cooking that it is perhaps the only place I eat at regularly and won't miss meat in my meal. Most people will focus on the all you can eat Dosa night or the lunch buffet when they talk about this place, and for good reason. The dosas are simply delicious, and you're not limited to a handful of varieties. You order one or two at a time, and once you've finished those you may continue to order more if you wish. My personal favorites are the channa masala and the kara dosas, and you can't go wrong with the plain old cheese dosa. The lunch buffet they offer is not as expansive as I have seen at some Indian establishments, but what is offered is always of very high quality. Always plenty of fresh naan and rice available to go with 6-8 dishes and a dessert of some sort. I have only had the buffet twice, but enjoyed it thoroughly both times. My personal favorites are the paneer makhni and the palak paneer. Both dishes feature a thick, rich "broth" with generous portions of paneer. Add an order of naan to sop up the left over sauce, and I'm a happy man! So, a vegetarian joint that an espoused carnivore recommends should say a lot. Food is good, service is always prompt and friendly, and prices are very reasonable. The staff is also very eager to help those not accustomed to Indian cuisine make informed decisions as to what to order that will suit their palette, so even if you're the type who considers Indian food to be "exotic," you should definitely give them a try!
(5)
Dev N.
Excellent authentic south indian food. Very good buffet in the mornings. The spread is large and mostly all dishes in the buffet are good. I would say this would be the best place in NJ for South Indian food. We have tried many in Edison and south Brunswick but I would any day prefer to eat here. Their rasam and some types of sambar (especially tamarind and yogurt) are out of the world. A must try if you like South Indian food.
(5)
Ana A.
We visited Myilai Masala recently to fix our Dosai cravings! Everything from the beginning to the end was great ! Ghee Mini Idli, Rava Onion Masala dosa, Kara dosa (spicy masala paste on the dosa) , masala chai and filter coffee. Their customer service is amazing. The manager kept checking in to make sure everything was okay. Oh and he told us about the Unlimited Dosa and buffet night every Wednesday for under $13!!! Must try if you want a dosa that is the real deal !
(4)
Venkat N.
Authentic South Indian dishes and Vegetarian only....went first time when they had unlimited Dosa Festival...enjoyed a lot... Its a very good place for the people who like to eat South Indian Breakfast menu like Idly And Dosa....
(3)
Veronique S.
So I didn't have much food here to judge on except for the Veg manchurian I had ordered for takeout about a year ago and it was Delicious!!! Very crispy and not too spicy. It was perfect for my taste buds. I have to say it was probably the best manchurian I have had around the area since I have also tried Hurry Chutney's veg manchurian and it was too spicy and moist in comparison. Now I know where to go when I'm craving for veg manchurian!
(5)
Priy R.
No offense to other reviewer, either those are fake reviews or they don't know authentic Indian food. I had dosa on dosa night, you get starter and unlimited dosa. My wife was very happy about it, but starter was awful, food not warm and fresh at all. Then comes dosa, 1) Spring Dosa - Which has only potato and few veggies, Yes Spring Dosa with Potato?? taste was ridiculous........ 2) Manchurian Dosa- My wife ordered Manchurin dosa and they gave her mashroom instead, again taste was awful.... 3) maisoor Dosa - Dosa was stuck too the dish, my wife could not get it out of the dish, & the dosa was not at all crunchy.......... 4)Sambhar - It was cold, and rubbish.... The chef was south Indian, If he cant cooks south Indian food well leave the other food out of it. Not at all recommended........... zero star if I could give....... Worst part is I got Loose Motion the next day......
(1)
Drew B.
The ambiance could be better. That being said, the food and service, the knowledgeable and friendly staff, EVERYTHING that really counts in my book, is great! Great food! The buffets always have new, and exciting dishes to try. The regular menu is large, but not overwhelming. The kitchen gets the food out in time, and oh so tasty. Go.
(4)
Johanne A.
This is a beautiful example of delicious South Indian cuisine which is of course vegetarian. The owners take pride in their food. We come for the buffet which always starts with a beautiful salad that is different every time. The food is perfectly spiced and the vegetables are always fresh. They do have some North Indian food but this is really a restaurant for South Indian food. The decor is very plain and reminded me of restaurants I saw in south India. It is clean and that is what is important to me. Also the owners are happy to teach about the culture and cuisine to those interested. I hope you enjoy your experience here.
(5)
Alex K.
Updating my review again... lol It's not easy finding a consistently good authentic south Indian buffet in the area. I have been to so many in NJ and many have disappointed me. I keep coming back to Myilai Masala because it's local to me. Even after having a bad experience, I still came back in hopes for it to be better. I'm glad I did. I've been back here a couple more times since the restaurant's food went downhill. I think they may have a new chef? I'm not sure, but the last couple times I had their buffet, the food was amazing again! There were plenty of options, flavor of their curries and chutney were great and the fried items were fresh and not soggy and stale like before. I just hope it stays this way. I hate to keep travelling up to Kendall Park to Sapthigiri for their buffet. I really really want to love Myilai Masala... Also, for the price, they really should serve the chai tea and mango lassi with the buffet. Sapthigiri's buffet is $3 less and the buffet comes with the tea and lassi.
(4)
Nico D.
Best Indian food I have ever had! I'm a facts guy so here are the best things about this place. 1. Super friendly staff. The owner came to greet me when I got take out. She gave me a little discount because it was my first time there. She said "it's your first time here but it won't be the last". She was right! 2. Delicious food. Really authentic and flavorful. I got the naan, paneer makhani, and the chana masala. They all came in little plastic tubs which was perfect for leftovers. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to spice but it was the perfect amount of heat. Ask for more heat though if you want a real kick! 3. Prices were super reasonable. I was really surprised by how low it was just for 2 people. And they didn't skimp out on quality or quantity either. Plenty of rice was included as well. We need more restaurants like this!! A real treasure and I'm happy it's so close to home.
(5)
joey K.
Fantastic food. The lunch buffet is also very good. Great variety of indian veg and all you can eat for like $9. I live Palace of Asia like 5 mins away but this is just as good and no long line at the buffet.
(5)
Mirosuki T.
The food was a little too salty for my liking. The rice was good. I'm willing to try it again , so I'll update accordingly when I do
(3)
Sukla B.
Something has changed here. The buffet today was so disappointing. The spicy flavor I drive here for was totally missing. No authentic south indian curry - just the flavorless plantain. Dosas were bad. Sambar I couldn't even get to take. Rasam was the only saving grace I think. Sorry this was my most favorite south indian place in NJ. Not any more.
(1)
P V.
Dosa was a bit undone but the food tasted alright.
(3)
Bhavya G.
definitely one of the best south indian places in the area. It is family owned and you get to see the owner around every now and then. Ala carte is just as good but I would suggest the lunch buffet for the variety. The spices and food taste very authentic and fresh. Rarely have I had something here that I didn't like. I prefer this place over some of the other very well to do south indian places. Food at Myilai is simple to the basics and delicious. Highly recommend. The ambiance is casual and this place seems kid/family friendly.
(5)
Gerald S.
My first visit to Myilai Masala came on "Dosa Night," when the restaurant was all Dosa, all the time. As I like Dosa, this was not necessarily an issue, and I was curious about what would be offered. We arrived around 5:20 because we wanted to go to a movie over at Hamilton AMC 24 @ 6:30. The shop was not quite ready, as they were still setting up the tables with food for the limited appetizer and dessert buffet. Still, they were happy to see us, if a little disorganized. After a few minutes we were handed two menus with lists of all the available fillings for the crepe-like Dosas. We ordered the Masala, Cauliflower, Green Chili and Eggplant Dosas, and then made our way to the Gobi 65 tureen to help ourselves to the nicely red coated chunks of vegetables and assortment of 4 sauces to accompany it. I enjoyed the use of the small aluminum cups into which we ladled the multi-colored and tasting offerings and the larger dish for the Sambar. The Gobi 65 was very good, and the Tamarind sauce seemed most suitable for that. I liked the Sambar with its intense flavors and chunky veggieness. It was explained to us that we could have as many Dosas as we wished, but order them only 2 at a time per person. That seemed reasonable. We really did not know how much would be within the crispy thin crepe, and did not want to over indulge. Another few customers entered and got settled. Still, the place was mostly empty. Yet, it took a long time for our order to arrive tableside, and we began to watch the clock for our movie. Finally, they arrived on two large while plates. We cut them into slices for easier manual pick up, dipping and mouth placement. All were tasty, fresh, and possessed strong spiciness. The Masala potato, onion and peas had a pleasant curry flavor, while the Green Chili was significantly hotter, leaving a lingering aftertaste that was most memorable. The Cauliflower and Eggplant were also quite good, and possessed both taste and texture that kept the palate entertained. The Dosa were well baked, crisp with a mild taste. All in all, everything we had was quite good. The downside was in the slow service (most evident in a mostly empty shop), and the condition of the bathrooms. While the men's room was tolerable but unclean, I was advised that the women's WC was appallingly dirty, with no hand towel other than one kitchen towel hanging from a hook that everyone was exposed to. No paper towels nor hot air blower. Feh! So, while I would have certainly returned to sample more of the menu on an off-Dosa day, and to have the benefit of being greeted by the owners who we did not see, it is difficult to justify returning to a place where the sanitary conditions are at best questionable. Three Stars is my attempt to balance the competing elements, good and bad. The food was definitely up to 4 Stars, but the conditions otherwise were closer to 1. Be prepared to come here with clean hands and an empty bladder for most enjoyment. Best to bring along paper towels should you need to visit the facilities.
(3)
Alex c.
Hands down the best Indian Vegetarian food around the Princeton area. Lunch buffet is very good - most dishes have an authentic and distinct flavor, even on second and third buffet servings :-) Service and ambience - very good too.
(5)
Jon S.
Two things you need to know: 1. I signed up for Yelp just to add this review I was so delighted. 2. I eat a lot of Indian food. With that out of the way... After a couple years of going in for the semi-regular buffet or dosa, I recently asked Myilai Masala to cater a birthday party for me. The quality of food combined with the size of the portions was superb. Everything was delicious and my 60+ guests raved about the variety of dishes provided. The food was tasty without being overwhelmingly spicy, with care given to flavor. One guest said the spread was "of legend" and they weren't wrong. I also very much enjoy their weekday buffet, which always has tasty, surprising dishes I've never tried previously. The individual dosas and complimentary naan bread are nice touches. As someone married to a person with tree nut allergies, the owners have been very accommodating letting me know what dishes she can and can not eat and even have made some dishes without nuts so she would not have any issues. Best Indian restaurant in Central New Jersey, easy.
(5)
Tanvi S.
Very bad experience here - waited for a very long time for the check despite the fact that there were only two other customers. The employees seemed busy eating and chatting and the busboy had to do most of the work serving. Further, there was an error in my order (got the ghee dosa and had ordered Mysore Masala). I would recommend Udipi or Dosa Grill instead.
(2)
P B.
Best Indian food I have ever had, rich robust flavors in everything I tried. Excellent customer service! Love love love
(5)
Christina L.
Been here a few times and the food was pretty darn good. Sometimes overly salty but other than that it was excellent Indian food for the area. Except when I tried to place an order and after taking my order the person changed their mind and said the chefs were too busy to take my order. Essentially I was racially profiled and turned away. I will never go back.
(1)
Deborah H.
This is a very good place-it is vegetarian and they have a nice selection of dal/lentils/vegetable/pokara's to try and you won't miss the meat. Their dosa was good (not great) but a cut above other dosa I have had (and like Naan it is too hard to make yourself at home). I wish they had some iced tea. The spice was healthy but not too heavy and a nice (and different) range of tastes. I would certainly come here for Indian. A three means it is on my return list when I am in the area and want Indian.
(3)
Aruna S.
We had a very good experience on our first visit there, for the lunch buffet on Thursday. They had wonderful variety of South Indian dishes from appetizers like vadai and bajji, tiffin items like idli, dosai, upma, veg. rice as well as rasam, mor kuzhambu, kootu, curry, and some North Indian selection of naan, paratha, and a paneer dish. Everything was well presented and tasty. The place was clean and the staff was friendly without hovering. The manager mentioned that the weekend spread is very special, so we will definitely make another visit soon with kids.
(5)
Aadharsh R.
This place held two surprises for me - both pleasant. I have this theory on Indian food on the East coast - the farther you go from Manhattan, the worser it gets. This place happily disproved that hypothesis. And, the manager of the restaurant is from the town I belong to in India (and from the same neighborhood!). That does not happen all too often. The first thing that bodes very well for any restaurant is that the sever/waiter is willing to work with you to make the right choices from the menu, remember what 7 different people (including 3 little kids) order and then deliver them in the right order. And, the right order when you dine out with kids is not appetizer first; it is the kids' meal and then the adults' meal. When done correctly, this aspect will make you forgive and eventually forget any misgivings that the restaurant may have and make you go back. So, kudos to Rajesh (the manager) for getting this right! The food itself reminded me of stuff from the original Myilai Masala, in Chennai, India. There are some differences but essentially they were able to retain a lot of the original flavor and taste. We ordered Masala dosa, Sambhar idli, Rava dosa, chappatis, south Indian coffee which is a fairly representative selection if you go to any south Indian establishment. The sambhar and chutney were fresh and the dosas were crisp but very well cooked. They also had the sour tinge that hallmarks all good dosas. Ghee Dosa was indeed flavored with clarified butter rather than the sesame oil which most establishments substitute it for. The coffee was not bad but I felt they could have done much better (given that it is easier to import coffee from India than import dosa batter!). I would certainly go again in a blink! Wish they had more branches like the ubiquitous Saravana Bhavan.
(4)
Bala B.
This is best place for dosas. The special lunch buffets are excellent. I would definitely recommend this place. Delight for vegetarians.
(4)
Neera S.
This place is good considering the lack of South Indian cuisine to be found in this part of NJ. Buffet is worth your money. Take-out is too expensive otherwise, IMHO. In terms of flavor and freshness, 5 stars. Service is not that great. If it was better, my overall rating would be 4 or maybe even 5 stars. Note: they go heavy on the spices, so I would not recommend if you have a sensitive tummy.
(3)
Mark F.
Myilai Masala has improved their lunch buffet. I'm upgrading my review from four to five stars. It is now as good as my favorite Indian haunts, but with the distinction of being South Indian. I'd like to try Chaat Night next.
(5)
JJ T.
I love Indian food, and finding Myilai Masala on a trip to NJ was an unexpected surprise. Excellent lunch buffet. The food was good and fresh. Very full and tasty vegetarian buffet. The manager really seemed to care about the quality. And very reasonably priced as well.
(5)
Susan S.
Myilai Masala, which appears to have new ownership, has outstanding food. I have been there for both lunch and dinner buffets and am always happily amazed that each dish has distinctive flavor and delicious taste. They also have excellent dosas, which are made to order and included in the buffet price. The service is always friendly. They recently catered an event for us and we were delighted with the fantastic job they did. The lovingly packed and well organized foods were just as good, fresh off site as on. Everything -especially the chana masala and yellow dal- was a hit. The portions were very generous. We look forward to many return visits and they will be our first choice for future catering.
(5)
Virginia B.
I loved it - much lighter and more flavorful than your usual Indian lunch buffet, but my friend who is not vegetarian, and is used to more typical Indian buffets, did not like it at all.
(4)
Sanjay T.
If you want mediocre South Indian food, this is the place to visit. The menu has an extensive list of dosas - many of them you won't find in a traditional South Indian restaurant. The dosas are served with two chutneys and a sambar. The sambar was, and I am being generous here, somewhat stale - not sure when it was made. The brown/yellowish chutney was lacking any taste. The coconut chutney, thankfully, was a bit fresh and helped in washing down the dosa. We had a masala vada, which took ages to show up. At the end, it was kind of raw and uncooked. The Sambar vada, well it never came. I can only guess how it might have tasted. The service, besides the gentleman that brought water, was spotty at best. It was a Saturday night and some chaos is possible. This was unacceptable. Overall, go here if you run out of choices. Personally, I will look for more options.
(2)
Varun D.
Before I write this review, I have to say that I have extremely high standards for South Indian/Udipi cuisine being part South Indian and being brought up in Bombay which I think has the best udipi cuisine anywhere in the world. Having said that Myilai Masala was definitely not a let down. As an appetizer I had the Masala Vada which I am used to calling a Daal Vada. It was strictly okay but not bad. The 2 essentials to any udipi joint for me are the sambar and the chatni, both in this case were up to par. Not the best Ive had by any stretch of imagination but definitely tasty. I followed up with a Mysore Masala Dosa which actually turned out to be really good. The red chatni coating the inside of the dosa was spicy but not overwhelming and the potato masala was spot on. A spicy chatni that came with this in addition to the sambar and regular white chatni was also pretty good. In terms of ambiance the place is basically no frills. Its spacious enough and can seat large groups which is a plus. The staff are very nice and courteous which also makes the whole experience better. For someone that has never tried or is new to South Indian/Udipi cuisine I would certainly recommend it. For seasoned connoisseurs too its not a bad joint to get your dosa fix. Just dont go in with extravagant expectations.
(4)
Andrew F.
This place was great! I went with my brother on a Thursday night. There weren't many people in the restaurant, but the food was delicious. The cuisine was very different from every other Indian place we've been to (including many in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, and Washington states). Myilai Masala specializes in Southern Indian cuisine which is different and tasty. We had a gobi manchurian for appetizer (fried cauliflower with a nice red sauce on top), a dosa, a potato/onion/pea "pancake", a salt lassi, and a buttermilk lassi (new to us!). Everything was very good. The price was reasonable too - everything I just listed came to $27 after tax. The owner and wait staff were all nice and helpful. They take pride in their restaurant, even when there weren't too many people there. I will be returning to this place!
(5)
Jay H.
This place has gone down hill and the latest issue that I faced indicates that it has hit the bottom. I ordered two take out dishes, Masala Dosa and a combo dish (idlis+vada). When I went to pick up, the manager was in argument with a customer on the phone. I ignored the issue, paid for my take out and came home, only to find that the amount of sambar and chutney was barely sufficient for 1 dish (either the masala dosa or the combo). I called the establishment and the same manager answered. His attitude was that there is enough sambar and he started asking for dimensions of the package! As if anyone would want to extract more than what they need for their meal. I basically hung up once he started down the path of asking for dimensions of the package. Basically, many of these establishments lack customer service and do not realize the long term impact. I am 100% certain that they would gain more business if to begin with they size the side dishes properly. When the customer orders two dishes give two separate accompanying side dishes and hopefully adequate quantity for each dish. Why assume that the take out order is a shared order? My previous review was very positive, however I now say customers should go to 1) Dosai Place in E. Windsor or 2) Sarvan Bhavan on Princeton-Heightstown road
(1)
Dana K.
Awesome, awesome food. I had a vegetable soup to start - I was hoping for Mulligatawny but they didn't have any that day. Regardless, my soup was especially yummy, so no complaints. For my meal, I ordered the channa masala and garlic naan. My date also had the garlic naan, and a dosa with lentil and "gun powder" spices. His meal was definitely spicier than mine, but it was all very good. The restaurant is somewhat small, but we were one of three tables eating in while we were there. The host is also the waiter, and when we were there he was very attentive, polite, and informative (it had been awhile since either of us had eaten Indian food.) while we were eating, a woman came in asking if they had a take out menu, and she was offered a table and a beverage while she looked at the menu, and her food came out very quickly (I think it was within 5 minutes.) All told, I will definitely be going back!
(5)
S N.
We've been here a few times now and I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is the best south indian restaurant in the area!! We finally went for the dosa buffet last night and yes, they actually have about 25 varieties of dosa! It does get very crowded and is pretty noisy on Wednesday night (not so much the other nights), but the dosas do come quickly. Make sure you only order a couple of dosa (per head) at a time, coz they bring the entire order together and the dosas tend to get cold. The ambiance isn't that great (2 stars) and the service is ok (maybe 3 stars), but the food is definitely 4 stars!
(4)
Pree C.
Having spent most of my childhood in Chennai, I have very high expectations from any place that claims to "capture the taste of Chennai." While the food here doesn't quite match up to "kovil" food, it's still a good place for authentic tamil food. We went here for a weekend lunch buffet, which at 12(ish) bucks, is a great deal. This is the only place that I know of in the tri-state area that actually serves idiyappam and that itself is worth 4 stars in my book. The chutneys were excellent, and the urandai kuzhambu was perfect. The idli and vadai were delicious. The sambar, rasam and dosas were good, but I've had/make better. I'm so glad that there's finally a south Indian restaurant that offers more than the standard idli/vada/dosa. Will definitely return.
(4)
Elana B.
Dosa night was way too much fun. The dosas we chose were DELICIOUS and came out fast and crispy. The Semiya Kesari dessert (included in the price) was such a lovely end to huge tasty dinner. We all were so incredibly full by the time we left. All the staff members were very friendly, smiley, and they really appeared to care about the customers. The restaurant itself isn't especially beautiful but the relaxed atmosphere, delicious food and lovely people are the real reasons to go. Overall- Highly recommended. Completely worth $11.95.
(5)
Anony M.
For a seasoned South Indian family like mine, the first experience itself was very disappointing. None of the dishes had enough spice or flavour and was far from the authentic South Indian cuisine. Surprisingly there was no plain curd . We had to request for replenishment of some of the items. The Masala dosa had hardly any masala in it. The Desserts were not upto the mark. The service was okay. The price was high (Gratuity was also added automatically to our bill ) for the less than ordinary ambiance and poor taste. All of us felt nauseous for a long time after the meal.
(2)
D S.
I enjoyed their lunch buffet which came with fresh naan and dosa. Can't wait to try it for dinner!
(4)
Sonya S.
The food is delicious! My boyfriend who is not a vegetarian enjoyed it just as much as I did. Our server was very sweet & friendly & gave us great recommendations. Also, it's a BYOB. Highly recommend!
(5)
Elizabeth D.
Went for the lunch buffet. I thought the food was excellent, but the atmosphere was a bit of a downer. The servers and manager were extremely friendly and helpful in ordering or suggesting food options. This is a vegetarian joint, and they had an excellent selection of less-frequently served entrees beyond saag paneer or the like. As another reviewer said, a lot of the choices are saucy - dal, other dressings - so it made a lot of sense to get the housemade dosas to mop up the different courses. They also offered two different kinds of rice - white and a rice-salad like option. Food was good and spicy in some cases - I was impressed. Interior ambience was depressing and it wasn't too crowded. I would suggest going with a large group.
(4)
Chris F.
Wow. Just wow. I've cooked in an Indian restaurant, I've eaten in tons of Indian restaurants in NYC, I've tried a few on Brick Lane... This place is unique. The food is unlike any I've had elsewhere. Super delicious, new flavors, very friendly a helpful staff. NJ strip mall gem
(5)
Mukthesh M.
One of my colleagues said this restaurant has Dosa buffet every Wednesday night and they have 25 varieties of dosas. I decided to take my family to this place as we all are dosa lovers but the problem was it was around 38 mi away from home so going just for dinner to this place didn't make sense. Last Wednesday I had to visit a friend in Chesterfield, NJ and we decided to try this place. As soon as we went in, a person greeted us with a big smile and showed us a table. He greeted everyone with a smile and I think he knew most of the customers personally. We sat and the waiter came and asked whether we want to go for dosa buffet or thali. We didn't have to listen to the other option and we said "dosa buffet". He got us the dosa menu which had 25 varieties. Me and my wife together tried 8 varieties of dosas and except for Mysore Masala and Podi Dosa liked everything else. My daughter who is going to be 2 liked Ghee Roast very much. Sambar was good and chutney was also very nice. I think they can maintain it better which might bring in more crowd. My Ratings: Taste: 4 star Service: 5 star Ambiance: 3 star Cleanliness: 3 star Rest Room: 2 star
(4)
Martha-Lisa F.
We've gone to this restaurant many times over the years. It has had it's ups and downs. I've always had good to great food here at a reasonable price. I can wholeheartedly recommend any dosa or uthappam. Our favorite bread is the garlic naan. We went here again recently for dinner. It was not very busy, service was fast and the food great. It is being served on plates that I remember being new, but are now old and worn. The paint job leaves much to be desired. I kind of miss the mural of the little boy with the watermelons. That's the trouble here. I miss things that used to be. The sweet lassi is good as ever, but I miss the rose lassi. I miss the naan with the bits of dried fruit on it (sorry, I forgot it's name). I miss the cheese volcano shaped dosa that was an appetizer or a kid's meal. I miss the stuffed tomato that we used to wait 45 minutes for, but it was so very good. Still my Masala Dosa was very good and I enjoyed my dinner. I'm sure we will be back again. This is a good place to eat.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
Philip K.
This place is fantastic! Been here twice with my girlfriend, can't wait to go again. Last time, they made a small mistake in our order, which they realized before we did, gave us the correct order in addition to the mistake, and then gave us our mango yogurt drink on the house. Unbelievable customer service, unbelievably satisfied customer!
(5)A. W.
This is still our favorite place to get Indian...basically anywhere. This is just an update having gone to dosa night: 1) Do not get the "cheese dosa." It has something like mozzarella cheese in it, and is bad an idea as that sounds. There is a separate paneer dosa. 2) I feel like Dosa night is their weakest offering. We are talking about a place that has a buffet so good that I would actually choose it over ordering off the menu, so everything is relative, but I prefer quality to quantity and even the best dosas at dosa night were maybe not quite good enough to justify a dosa-only meal.
(5)D B.
Unfortunately, this restaurant has gone down since the last two times I have been there. I feel that some key person in the kitchen has left and the replacement is not up to the old level.. So, I went for lunch buffet again. The medu vada was not fully cooked, the beet-root curry was ok, the Chettinad Biriyani was not spiced properly at all and was way too dry, the yoghurt rice was too sour. Finally, I ordered an extra coffee and sad to say it was of poor quality - the milk had clearly burnt.. I must say that the quality has suffered. This is the big problem with most restaurants - they start off great but are simply unable to keep up with the pressure. Sigh - it is a tough business..
(3)Andrew C.
I talked my wife into going out for Indian food. She had never tried it before. She was apprehensive about going and then even more apprehensive when she found out it was vegetarian. All I can say is that she absolutely loved this place. She can't wait to go again. The manager was sooo nice and he helped her to understand and decide what to try. This is now one of her top places to go she says. It was great and I highly recommend it.
(5)Horace L.
Lunch buffet has a decent selection of south indian fare. Freshly prepared dosas and idlies. Service is very friendly and accommodating. Not overly spicy, and really great sambar.
(3)Kristina B.
I read the reviews so my husband and i went for dinner tonight.Everything was great.I never tried a dosa before and loved it great sauces to dip it in.Every indian place is so different this place everything had such great flavors.We will definitly be going back soon.
(5)dinesh c.
Went for the Pongal special buffet. Its the best south india food I have eaten in NJ. The food and the hospitality felt like I was invited to a family's home in Chennai for the festival
(5)c w.
maybe I should be giving this 5 stars...it was very good. I love indian food and I love sambar- this was super delicious and spicy with fresh ingredients. The sauces were so good I wanted to just eat them without dipping dosa pieces in them. Lots of fresh cilantro, lots of asphoetida..I would like to try a few other things on the menu. The service for my take out was incredibly fast- 8 minutes after I walked in the door. 2/3/13 back to this restaurant tonight (Sunday= Chat Night) and the menu is a little different and it seems some staff changed. Not sure what I think... we had the chat, but I am not a huge chat fan. It was tasty but I hesitate to rate it. ...rice and veg curry was good and fresh and the sambar was still good. 12/26/2013 back to this restaurant several times this fall/winter (take out, dinner, weekend buffet) and it it still tasty, spicy food. Dosas are crisp; veg curries and dal are delicious, breads are fresh. Another owner/manager and there seems to be more attention to detail: things are tidier, there is always fresh cilantro garnish, one of the weekend deserts looked like a fruit sculpture. I liked this restaurant before and now I like it a little more. BTW, on line ordering works well.
(4)Arul M.
This place is located next to the Robert Wood Johnson Fitness Center in Quaker Bridge road (Sloan Ave). First of all i have to say that place was kind of jinxed because Myilai Masala is the 3rd restaurant in that place within a span of 1yrs. but i guess 3rd time is the charm.. and we got a decent rather very good Vegetarian Indian cuisine. It is part of a chain restaurant that is located in Chennai India and they have brought the same taste all the way to this restaurant. I tried both the regular menu and the buffet and both were good with decent taste and variety. I hope this restaurant stays and provide a quality vegetarian restaurant.
(4)Sethuraman R.
Good food. Tried the Kara dosa and it was truly spicy. Finally a true South Indian restaurant near where I live.
(4)Gina G.
Upon visiting the restaurant, I did not know it was a vegetarian place. I was pleasantly surprised to find they did not serve meat. Everything was excellent, the dosa, the myilai combo, and the service!
(5)Ujwala S.
The best Tamilian food outside of Mylapore, Chennai. The food is clean and true to its origins. Brought us back to our college days. The dosa Wednesdays are worth going to. The lunch buffet is very good value. The food is clean, tasty and unpretentious. A very attentive staff helps.
(4)Karthik R.
We went to this restaurant today and overall the food was really good. Its located right next to Robert wood johnson fitness center. We tried dosa , vada and parota. Parota was not that great. But dosa and vada was good.
(4)Chaits J.
One of the best in this region with amazing vegetarian food and awesome customer service. These guys are really good and honest. Try their DOSA night on wednesdays. And their Sambar is typical Tamil Nadu Tiffin Sambar. I love this place.
(5)Janelle M.
In my opinion, there's no other reason to go here other than to have a dosa. Yes, it's a vegetarian restaurant, but all Indian restaurants have a ton of vegetarian items on their menus. This is an authentic place, mostly Indian patrons, and definitely no frills. The food is decent and spiced appropriately, rather than dumbed-down to please the American (buffet-goers) palate; however, it's still not one of my favorite local spots.
(3)Sudy V.
It's only when you are far away from things you like is when you actually realize the value and treasure things. This is one such place. All thru my life at Jersey, I would crib about quality of Indian food and even crib about quality etc. it's only when I moved to LA is when I realized my folly. I have had dosas, bisibele bath, sambhar, chutney and found them to be very authentic. The food is fresh and just awesome. I wish someone opened up something like this in SoCal. The place is always lively and full of people. This is South Indian food haven. The number of South Indian customers that you will find here at any point in time is testimony to the fact that these guys are the best in business. I read through the other reviews and saw consistency about service. I noticed that too. I have been to this place a couple times and this is one area they can improve upon. But absolutely no complaints. I am subscribed to their email and keep getting special notices every now and then. I especially loved their kalyana samaiyal special a couple years ago. Next time I am in jersey, I have to drive to experience bliss all over again.
(5)Alka G.
Just went to eat on Friday, July 31, 2015 the second time. Giving it only 1star as service is very very bad. When they get you seated, they don't even serve you water with glasses first. Food takes longer to make and to be brought to the table. Even if the food is made from scratch, it takes way too long. I saw many families complaining about this and especially those with children too and some of them left without getting their full or partial order. The manager in the end apologised for all these but gave an excuse saying everyone happened to come at the same time. Whatever the case, this should not have been the issues or problems. As this must be the same every time as i with my family experienced the same more than a year ago also. The only good thing is the food we ordered was tasting nice but we are never going to go back unless there is a very great improvement in the service. Suggestions are reduce the menu items and pay attention on just preparing a few South Indian menu food items. And make sure to have enough utensils and cutlery to provide to your diners (when they ask for extras as you ran out of those too). Maybe if your kitchen is small or big make sure to have enough space for cooking and get 1 or 2 or more chefs to help out make the food. And improve on services and restaurant decor too. Then maybe you will do better!
(1)Lotsa P.
I'm not a vegetarian at all, but the spice combinations are interesting enough that I don't miss the meat. I'm no Indian food expert either, but I enjoy the food here, and IMO there are certainly worse Indian places in the area. A disclaimer: I've only been here for lunch, cannot comment on dinner service. Lunch buffet comes with a dosal, the Indian version of a crepe. I believe there are stuffing options, but I always get potato and its very tasty. I usually find there's ample selection, and trays are filled often enough. Service seems friendly as well. If you like Indian food and looking for something different, I'd recommend this place, its definitely worth a try.
(4)Vicky L.
I love this place. I am vegetarian and tend to order the same dish. They would get 5 stars from me if they didn't mess up our orders twice. For instance, last night we ordered aloo mutter and aloo gobi. The aloo mutter was supposed to be peas and potatoes. Instead it was potatoes and cauliflower. The aloo gobi is suppose to be potatoes and cauliflower. Instead it was cauliflower and peas. Other than the few mishaps and sometimes a change of chef, I really do love their food.
(4)Cynthia D.
So... We actually didn't eat here. I love Indian food and was craving some. But, at first sniff, something seemed awry. They had a broken alarm that was going off incessantly. Their buffet looked like it had been sitting out for days. And when we asked to order off the menu, the host/owner? Rolled his eyes. At that point I was afraid of what we were going to get so we left.
(1)Akash A.
The best South Indian food I had in NJ.
(5)Venkatraman R.
Even though we stay in NJ finding authentic south Indian cuisine is rare. And this place exceeds expectations. To top the awesome authentic fare they also have dishes which are so unique - bitter gourd salad. We had the lunch buffet on Saturday and the spread was astounding! Try out the dosas, bitter gourd salad, sambar. Hospitality is great. The owner was always around explaining the dishes and explaining patiently. THE BEST vegetarian south Indian fare in NJ for sure.
(5)Nbk K.
We just had a lunch buffet here and enjoyed the food very much. The flavors and aroma reminded us of homemade food from back in India. The buffet variety was very good, with some of the items that we have not come across at any of the other Indian restaurants that we have tried in the USA (e.g. ridge gourd dish). We would definitely recommend this place.
(5)Karan N.
I would go vegetarian if I get food from here. Everything you eat here takes you back home. Great place. Definitely worth a try
(5)Srikanth S.
Amazing food! I was traveling in New Jersey for work and My coworker and I decided to get south indian food. This place came highly recommended from one of my coworker's friends so we thought we'd try it out. We went there on a Wednesday night and it turns out they have "dosa night" every Wednesday eve were you can eat unlimited dosa (different varieties!!) along with some other items in the buffet (biriyani, idly, etc.). They were very courteous and kept the hot sodas coming. The sambhar and chutneys were well balanced and fresh. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised !! Tip - make sure you try the cilantro dosa! It's very tasty. If you like it a bit crispy then try the ghee roast.
(5)Christina S.
We have a Christmas tradition...take home Indian food. This place was recommended to me by a student who is from southern India. So my husband and I decided to give it a go after finding out Shah Indian had closed. The owner told my husband, when he went in to pick up our order, that is will be the best Indian food you ever had. I like that. Well, I can honestly say it was definitely one of the best we've ever had. (and that is a small list) We has the saag paneer and paneer makhani. They gave us big portions with lots of cheese. And the flavor and heat was perfect. My husband found it a little hotter than he would like, but they will adjust that to your liking. We also got plenty of rice and naan with our meal. Okay, so this is now our new local Indian place. So convenient to the gym, which is right in the same shopping center.
(5)James E.
We tried four things from the menu. All of them tasted like South India! This was by far the most authentic South Indian meal I've had since I've lived there. I found the food so accurate that I plan to take my family there so they may know what South India actually tastes like. I couldn't endorse this place more! Most restaurants disappoint. They have a hint of India but not the essence and full flavor. This place does have both of those.
(5)Seth L.
The kids loved their cheese dosas, same with the ghee dosas. I thought the fillings were a bit plain, the buffet fine but uninspired, and the service lackluster. But the price was right, and I do love veggie Indian food. Our go-to place near the Hamilton NJT station.
(3)Pooja K.
Food- very good. Ive had their dosas and idlis- both tasty. Pretty expensive for breakfast ( about 9$ for 2 idlis, sambar and chutney?)- little too much. They have a dosa buffet ( also with other vegetarian items ) in the afternoons, a unique offering and seems to be worth the $ . Service : i have never dined in . They are nice people, but every darn time i place an order over the phone ( for pick up) i ALWAYS end up waiting a long time for my order in store ( either they misplace the order or forget? idk).. but it is really irritating. Same with their online ordering system- either they are not paying attention to it/ or it does not work . Either way, i suggest you walk in, place your order and run around get your shopping done / play on your phone and then return. My dad loves their idli ( plus, its the only place around that i know of), so i end up returning on a semi-regular basis- when hes too lazy to make them at home. They also have a big menu for things other than the typical ( idli/vada/dosa) .But to all the people not familiar with south indian food- this place is vegetarian and semi spicy- but ask them to customize to your spice level and like most indian places, they will oblige.
(3)Paul K.
This place jumped on the mediocrity train and rode it past the Unmemorable county line. Went in for lunch and the spices smelled amazing, unfortunately the food didn't live up to my 1st cranial nerve. I tried everything on the buffet line and it turned out that they seasoned their food just like grandma used to cook (my grandmother always ordered takeout). If your looking for great smells, this place is great. If you want great Indian food, this "ok" lunch experience would force me to tell you to make a sandwich.
(2)Roopa M.
Great food! Has the home-cooked taste! I come here very often from work for their lunch buffet. Always a ton of variety, several dishes to choose from, tasty desserts, and of course curd rice and pickle to end the meal. I strongly recommend this food!! A number of us are obsessed with this place at my work -- a welcome treat, esp during a stressful day.
(5)Nilanjana M.
Hearty and home-made taste ! Totally satisfied !
(3)Paul Z.
Fresh affordable awesome quality Indian...the naan was crispy and perfectly done..the lentil and eggplant was out of this world, I don't speak Indian food but I do speak yummy food and this place is great. Try it!
(5)Vinayak B.
Rating this restaurant solely on their south Indian food. The dishes and snacks are pretty authentic and good but the north Indian menu items are very blah....no surprise here. FYI It's the same situation in India. Don't expect great North Indian food when traveling through South India and vice versa. Also a general tip while dining out at South East Asian restaurants: Avoid the buffet and go a la carte whenever possible. A lot of the food might be sitting out there getting cold at the buffet so you get what you pay for. What's bothersome with this place is that the owners spend a lot of time socializing with their possies or sucking up to non South East Asian clientele. On one occasion, we were waiting for 20 minutes for someone to attend to us. We didn't even have menus and the restaurant was not that busy. Finally we motioned to get the lady's attention and she came to our table and said a brief "someone will be there soon" and went back to explaining some aspects of South Indian culture to a bunch of Caucasian friends sitting two tables away. Stuff like this is very off putting in the service department.
(4)David D.
Authentic Southern Indian cuisine. I was blown away with the flavor palette, and the service is outstanding for an Indian restaurant. Both the owners (husband & wife) went out of their way to greet me, the hostess was extremely pleasant (and cute!), and my water glass was always filled. The food, the food! So delicious. I had the best dal, and the chef was kind enough to whip up a vegan saag dish for me replete with tons of mushrooms. They really know their veggies here; everything is so fresh, and the spice palette brings out the flavors of the cuisine more so than overwhelming it. Of course, you can go the dosa route, and tons of people were enjoying the pancake-like crisps with all sorts of tasty fillings and complemented with interesting sauces. Their roti bread was outstanding, and the basmati rice maybe the best I've had. They have many different types of rice dishes from which to choose. I do not think they do brown rice, however. The only downside, is the interior decor is laughable, e.g., there's a corner of the restaurant that's blocked off with wall dividers but you can see all the employees' jackets in a hideous pile clumped up in the corner. Since they have a "celebrity chef," they also are a little less likely to comply with special dietary requests. It's better to trust unto him. ;) Food comes out fairly quickly considering it's made fresh to order, but it's piping hot! Check out the rasam soup, too.
(4)Nagendra R.
Had the Andhra special buffet. One of the best Indian food assortment I have had in a very long time. Very friendly and courteous staff.
(5)Mahesh C.
If you like South Indian food this would be a place to definitely try out. Food is very good and non greasy. I have been searching for a good South Indian food in west windsor area and looks like this it. Service has been very good and fast. Very friendly staff members.
(4)Brian H.
Phenomenal food and hospitality! So far I've only had the pleasure of enjoying Myilai Masala's lunch buffet with a few friends, but it was far and away the best Indian food I've had in New Jersey. The food was seasoned beautifully, accentuating every delicious ingredient's flavor. And the service was a pleasure: warm, inviting, friendly, and professional. We'll be returning soon and often to this treasure!
(5)David G.
I went here on a Saturday night with my Indian friend. We both ordered the sampler, which was fantastic. I was really pleased that they had something like this where you can try a little bit of everything. The place is strictly vegetarian. My only criticism was that it was a very cold night and they did not have the heat up adequately. I'm sure any other time it would be fine, though.
(4)Jerry P.
I am an unabashed carnivore. I love meat, and nearly every meal I eat features some sort of delicious grilled, smoked, baked, fried or broiled animal protein. So obviously a vegetarian restaurant is not going to be my cup of tea. Ordinarily you'd be right, but Myilai Masala uses such wonderful spices and flavors in their cooking that it is perhaps the only place I eat at regularly and won't miss meat in my meal. Most people will focus on the all you can eat Dosa night or the lunch buffet when they talk about this place, and for good reason. The dosas are simply delicious, and you're not limited to a handful of varieties. You order one or two at a time, and once you've finished those you may continue to order more if you wish. My personal favorites are the channa masala and the kara dosas, and you can't go wrong with the plain old cheese dosa. The lunch buffet they offer is not as expansive as I have seen at some Indian establishments, but what is offered is always of very high quality. Always plenty of fresh naan and rice available to go with 6-8 dishes and a dessert of some sort. I have only had the buffet twice, but enjoyed it thoroughly both times. My personal favorites are the paneer makhni and the palak paneer. Both dishes feature a thick, rich "broth" with generous portions of paneer. Add an order of naan to sop up the left over sauce, and I'm a happy man! So, a vegetarian joint that an espoused carnivore recommends should say a lot. Food is good, service is always prompt and friendly, and prices are very reasonable. The staff is also very eager to help those not accustomed to Indian cuisine make informed decisions as to what to order that will suit their palette, so even if you're the type who considers Indian food to be "exotic," you should definitely give them a try!
(5)Dev N.
Excellent authentic south indian food. Very good buffet in the mornings. The spread is large and mostly all dishes in the buffet are good. I would say this would be the best place in NJ for South Indian food. We have tried many in Edison and south Brunswick but I would any day prefer to eat here. Their rasam and some types of sambar (especially tamarind and yogurt) are out of the world. A must try if you like South Indian food.
(5)Ana A.
We visited Myilai Masala recently to fix our Dosai cravings! Everything from the beginning to the end was great ! Ghee Mini Idli, Rava Onion Masala dosa, Kara dosa (spicy masala paste on the dosa) , masala chai and filter coffee. Their customer service is amazing. The manager kept checking in to make sure everything was okay. Oh and he told us about the Unlimited Dosa and buffet night every Wednesday for under $13!!! Must try if you want a dosa that is the real deal !
(4)Venkat N.
Authentic South Indian dishes and Vegetarian only....went first time when they had unlimited Dosa Festival...enjoyed a lot... Its a very good place for the people who like to eat South Indian Breakfast menu like Idly And Dosa....
(3)Veronique S.
So I didn't have much food here to judge on except for the Veg manchurian I had ordered for takeout about a year ago and it was Delicious!!! Very crispy and not too spicy. It was perfect for my taste buds. I have to say it was probably the best manchurian I have had around the area since I have also tried Hurry Chutney's veg manchurian and it was too spicy and moist in comparison. Now I know where to go when I'm craving for veg manchurian!
(5)Priy R.
No offense to other reviewer, either those are fake reviews or they don't know authentic Indian food. I had dosa on dosa night, you get starter and unlimited dosa. My wife was very happy about it, but starter was awful, food not warm and fresh at all. Then comes dosa, 1) Spring Dosa - Which has only potato and few veggies, Yes Spring Dosa with Potato?? taste was ridiculous........ 2) Manchurian Dosa- My wife ordered Manchurin dosa and they gave her mashroom instead, again taste was awful.... 3) maisoor Dosa - Dosa was stuck too the dish, my wife could not get it out of the dish, & the dosa was not at all crunchy.......... 4)Sambhar - It was cold, and rubbish.... The chef was south Indian, If he cant cooks south Indian food well leave the other food out of it. Not at all recommended........... zero star if I could give....... Worst part is I got Loose Motion the next day......
(1)Drew B.
The ambiance could be better. That being said, the food and service, the knowledgeable and friendly staff, EVERYTHING that really counts in my book, is great! Great food! The buffets always have new, and exciting dishes to try. The regular menu is large, but not overwhelming. The kitchen gets the food out in time, and oh so tasty. Go.
(4)Johanne A.
This is a beautiful example of delicious South Indian cuisine which is of course vegetarian. The owners take pride in their food. We come for the buffet which always starts with a beautiful salad that is different every time. The food is perfectly spiced and the vegetables are always fresh. They do have some North Indian food but this is really a restaurant for South Indian food. The decor is very plain and reminded me of restaurants I saw in south India. It is clean and that is what is important to me. Also the owners are happy to teach about the culture and cuisine to those interested. I hope you enjoy your experience here.
(5)Alex K.
Updating my review again... lol It's not easy finding a consistently good authentic south Indian buffet in the area. I have been to so many in NJ and many have disappointed me. I keep coming back to Myilai Masala because it's local to me. Even after having a bad experience, I still came back in hopes for it to be better. I'm glad I did. I've been back here a couple more times since the restaurant's food went downhill. I think they may have a new chef? I'm not sure, but the last couple times I had their buffet, the food was amazing again! There were plenty of options, flavor of their curries and chutney were great and the fried items were fresh and not soggy and stale like before. I just hope it stays this way. I hate to keep travelling up to Kendall Park to Sapthigiri for their buffet. I really really want to love Myilai Masala... Also, for the price, they really should serve the chai tea and mango lassi with the buffet. Sapthigiri's buffet is $3 less and the buffet comes with the tea and lassi.
(4)Nico D.
Best Indian food I have ever had! I'm a facts guy so here are the best things about this place. 1. Super friendly staff. The owner came to greet me when I got take out. She gave me a little discount because it was my first time there. She said "it's your first time here but it won't be the last". She was right! 2. Delicious food. Really authentic and flavorful. I got the naan, paneer makhani, and the chana masala. They all came in little plastic tubs which was perfect for leftovers. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to spice but it was the perfect amount of heat. Ask for more heat though if you want a real kick! 3. Prices were super reasonable. I was really surprised by how low it was just for 2 people. And they didn't skimp out on quality or quantity either. Plenty of rice was included as well. We need more restaurants like this!! A real treasure and I'm happy it's so close to home.
(5)joey K.
Fantastic food. The lunch buffet is also very good. Great variety of indian veg and all you can eat for like $9. I live Palace of Asia like 5 mins away but this is just as good and no long line at the buffet.
(5)Mirosuki T.
The food was a little too salty for my liking. The rice was good. I'm willing to try it again , so I'll update accordingly when I do
(3)Sukla B.
Something has changed here. The buffet today was so disappointing. The spicy flavor I drive here for was totally missing. No authentic south indian curry - just the flavorless plantain. Dosas were bad. Sambar I couldn't even get to take. Rasam was the only saving grace I think. Sorry this was my most favorite south indian place in NJ. Not any more.
(1)P V.
Dosa was a bit undone but the food tasted alright.
(3)Bhavya G.
definitely one of the best south indian places in the area. It is family owned and you get to see the owner around every now and then. Ala carte is just as good but I would suggest the lunch buffet for the variety. The spices and food taste very authentic and fresh. Rarely have I had something here that I didn't like. I prefer this place over some of the other very well to do south indian places. Food at Myilai is simple to the basics and delicious. Highly recommend. The ambiance is casual and this place seems kid/family friendly.
(5)Gerald S.
My first visit to Myilai Masala came on "Dosa Night," when the restaurant was all Dosa, all the time. As I like Dosa, this was not necessarily an issue, and I was curious about what would be offered. We arrived around 5:20 because we wanted to go to a movie over at Hamilton AMC 24 @ 6:30. The shop was not quite ready, as they were still setting up the tables with food for the limited appetizer and dessert buffet. Still, they were happy to see us, if a little disorganized. After a few minutes we were handed two menus with lists of all the available fillings for the crepe-like Dosas. We ordered the Masala, Cauliflower, Green Chili and Eggplant Dosas, and then made our way to the Gobi 65 tureen to help ourselves to the nicely red coated chunks of vegetables and assortment of 4 sauces to accompany it. I enjoyed the use of the small aluminum cups into which we ladled the multi-colored and tasting offerings and the larger dish for the Sambar. The Gobi 65 was very good, and the Tamarind sauce seemed most suitable for that. I liked the Sambar with its intense flavors and chunky veggieness. It was explained to us that we could have as many Dosas as we wished, but order them only 2 at a time per person. That seemed reasonable. We really did not know how much would be within the crispy thin crepe, and did not want to over indulge. Another few customers entered and got settled. Still, the place was mostly empty. Yet, it took a long time for our order to arrive tableside, and we began to watch the clock for our movie. Finally, they arrived on two large while plates. We cut them into slices for easier manual pick up, dipping and mouth placement. All were tasty, fresh, and possessed strong spiciness. The Masala potato, onion and peas had a pleasant curry flavor, while the Green Chili was significantly hotter, leaving a lingering aftertaste that was most memorable. The Cauliflower and Eggplant were also quite good, and possessed both taste and texture that kept the palate entertained. The Dosa were well baked, crisp with a mild taste. All in all, everything we had was quite good. The downside was in the slow service (most evident in a mostly empty shop), and the condition of the bathrooms. While the men's room was tolerable but unclean, I was advised that the women's WC was appallingly dirty, with no hand towel other than one kitchen towel hanging from a hook that everyone was exposed to. No paper towels nor hot air blower. Feh! So, while I would have certainly returned to sample more of the menu on an off-Dosa day, and to have the benefit of being greeted by the owners who we did not see, it is difficult to justify returning to a place where the sanitary conditions are at best questionable. Three Stars is my attempt to balance the competing elements, good and bad. The food was definitely up to 4 Stars, but the conditions otherwise were closer to 1. Be prepared to come here with clean hands and an empty bladder for most enjoyment. Best to bring along paper towels should you need to visit the facilities.
(3)Alex c.
Hands down the best Indian Vegetarian food around the Princeton area. Lunch buffet is very good - most dishes have an authentic and distinct flavor, even on second and third buffet servings :-) Service and ambience - very good too.
(5)Jon S.
Two things you need to know: 1. I signed up for Yelp just to add this review I was so delighted. 2. I eat a lot of Indian food. With that out of the way... After a couple years of going in for the semi-regular buffet or dosa, I recently asked Myilai Masala to cater a birthday party for me. The quality of food combined with the size of the portions was superb. Everything was delicious and my 60+ guests raved about the variety of dishes provided. The food was tasty without being overwhelmingly spicy, with care given to flavor. One guest said the spread was "of legend" and they weren't wrong. I also very much enjoy their weekday buffet, which always has tasty, surprising dishes I've never tried previously. The individual dosas and complimentary naan bread are nice touches. As someone married to a person with tree nut allergies, the owners have been very accommodating letting me know what dishes she can and can not eat and even have made some dishes without nuts so she would not have any issues. Best Indian restaurant in Central New Jersey, easy.
(5)Tanvi S.
Very bad experience here - waited for a very long time for the check despite the fact that there were only two other customers. The employees seemed busy eating and chatting and the busboy had to do most of the work serving. Further, there was an error in my order (got the ghee dosa and had ordered Mysore Masala). I would recommend Udipi or Dosa Grill instead.
(2)P B.
Best Indian food I have ever had, rich robust flavors in everything I tried. Excellent customer service! Love love love
(5)Christina L.
Been here a few times and the food was pretty darn good. Sometimes overly salty but other than that it was excellent Indian food for the area. Except when I tried to place an order and after taking my order the person changed their mind and said the chefs were too busy to take my order. Essentially I was racially profiled and turned away. I will never go back.
(1)Deborah H.
This is a very good place-it is vegetarian and they have a nice selection of dal/lentils/vegetable/pokara's to try and you won't miss the meat. Their dosa was good (not great) but a cut above other dosa I have had (and like Naan it is too hard to make yourself at home). I wish they had some iced tea. The spice was healthy but not too heavy and a nice (and different) range of tastes. I would certainly come here for Indian. A three means it is on my return list when I am in the area and want Indian.
(3)Aruna S.
We had a very good experience on our first visit there, for the lunch buffet on Thursday. They had wonderful variety of South Indian dishes from appetizers like vadai and bajji, tiffin items like idli, dosai, upma, veg. rice as well as rasam, mor kuzhambu, kootu, curry, and some North Indian selection of naan, paratha, and a paneer dish. Everything was well presented and tasty. The place was clean and the staff was friendly without hovering. The manager mentioned that the weekend spread is very special, so we will definitely make another visit soon with kids.
(5)Aadharsh R.
This place held two surprises for me - both pleasant. I have this theory on Indian food on the East coast - the farther you go from Manhattan, the worser it gets. This place happily disproved that hypothesis. And, the manager of the restaurant is from the town I belong to in India (and from the same neighborhood!). That does not happen all too often. The first thing that bodes very well for any restaurant is that the sever/waiter is willing to work with you to make the right choices from the menu, remember what 7 different people (including 3 little kids) order and then deliver them in the right order. And, the right order when you dine out with kids is not appetizer first; it is the kids' meal and then the adults' meal. When done correctly, this aspect will make you forgive and eventually forget any misgivings that the restaurant may have and make you go back. So, kudos to Rajesh (the manager) for getting this right! The food itself reminded me of stuff from the original Myilai Masala, in Chennai, India. There are some differences but essentially they were able to retain a lot of the original flavor and taste. We ordered Masala dosa, Sambhar idli, Rava dosa, chappatis, south Indian coffee which is a fairly representative selection if you go to any south Indian establishment. The sambhar and chutney were fresh and the dosas were crisp but very well cooked. They also had the sour tinge that hallmarks all good dosas. Ghee Dosa was indeed flavored with clarified butter rather than the sesame oil which most establishments substitute it for. The coffee was not bad but I felt they could have done much better (given that it is easier to import coffee from India than import dosa batter!). I would certainly go again in a blink! Wish they had more branches like the ubiquitous Saravana Bhavan.
(4)Bala B.
This is best place for dosas. The special lunch buffets are excellent. I would definitely recommend this place. Delight for vegetarians.
(4)Neera S.
This place is good considering the lack of South Indian cuisine to be found in this part of NJ. Buffet is worth your money. Take-out is too expensive otherwise, IMHO. In terms of flavor and freshness, 5 stars. Service is not that great. If it was better, my overall rating would be 4 or maybe even 5 stars. Note: they go heavy on the spices, so I would not recommend if you have a sensitive tummy.
(3)Mark F.
Myilai Masala has improved their lunch buffet. I'm upgrading my review from four to five stars. It is now as good as my favorite Indian haunts, but with the distinction of being South Indian. I'd like to try Chaat Night next.
(5)JJ T.
I love Indian food, and finding Myilai Masala on a trip to NJ was an unexpected surprise. Excellent lunch buffet. The food was good and fresh. Very full and tasty vegetarian buffet. The manager really seemed to care about the quality. And very reasonably priced as well.
(5)Susan S.
Myilai Masala, which appears to have new ownership, has outstanding food. I have been there for both lunch and dinner buffets and am always happily amazed that each dish has distinctive flavor and delicious taste. They also have excellent dosas, which are made to order and included in the buffet price. The service is always friendly. They recently catered an event for us and we were delighted with the fantastic job they did. The lovingly packed and well organized foods were just as good, fresh off site as on. Everything -especially the chana masala and yellow dal- was a hit. The portions were very generous. We look forward to many return visits and they will be our first choice for future catering.
(5)Virginia B.
I loved it - much lighter and more flavorful than your usual Indian lunch buffet, but my friend who is not vegetarian, and is used to more typical Indian buffets, did not like it at all.
(4)Sanjay T.
If you want mediocre South Indian food, this is the place to visit. The menu has an extensive list of dosas - many of them you won't find in a traditional South Indian restaurant. The dosas are served with two chutneys and a sambar. The sambar was, and I am being generous here, somewhat stale - not sure when it was made. The brown/yellowish chutney was lacking any taste. The coconut chutney, thankfully, was a bit fresh and helped in washing down the dosa. We had a masala vada, which took ages to show up. At the end, it was kind of raw and uncooked. The Sambar vada, well it never came. I can only guess how it might have tasted. The service, besides the gentleman that brought water, was spotty at best. It was a Saturday night and some chaos is possible. This was unacceptable. Overall, go here if you run out of choices. Personally, I will look for more options.
(2)Varun D.
Before I write this review, I have to say that I have extremely high standards for South Indian/Udipi cuisine being part South Indian and being brought up in Bombay which I think has the best udipi cuisine anywhere in the world. Having said that Myilai Masala was definitely not a let down. As an appetizer I had the Masala Vada which I am used to calling a Daal Vada. It was strictly okay but not bad. The 2 essentials to any udipi joint for me are the sambar and the chatni, both in this case were up to par. Not the best Ive had by any stretch of imagination but definitely tasty. I followed up with a Mysore Masala Dosa which actually turned out to be really good. The red chatni coating the inside of the dosa was spicy but not overwhelming and the potato masala was spot on. A spicy chatni that came with this in addition to the sambar and regular white chatni was also pretty good. In terms of ambiance the place is basically no frills. Its spacious enough and can seat large groups which is a plus. The staff are very nice and courteous which also makes the whole experience better. For someone that has never tried or is new to South Indian/Udipi cuisine I would certainly recommend it. For seasoned connoisseurs too its not a bad joint to get your dosa fix. Just dont go in with extravagant expectations.
(4)Andrew F.
This place was great! I went with my brother on a Thursday night. There weren't many people in the restaurant, but the food was delicious. The cuisine was very different from every other Indian place we've been to (including many in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, and Washington states). Myilai Masala specializes in Southern Indian cuisine which is different and tasty. We had a gobi manchurian for appetizer (fried cauliflower with a nice red sauce on top), a dosa, a potato/onion/pea "pancake", a salt lassi, and a buttermilk lassi (new to us!). Everything was very good. The price was reasonable too - everything I just listed came to $27 after tax. The owner and wait staff were all nice and helpful. They take pride in their restaurant, even when there weren't too many people there. I will be returning to this place!
(5)Jay H.
This place has gone down hill and the latest issue that I faced indicates that it has hit the bottom. I ordered two take out dishes, Masala Dosa and a combo dish (idlis+vada). When I went to pick up, the manager was in argument with a customer on the phone. I ignored the issue, paid for my take out and came home, only to find that the amount of sambar and chutney was barely sufficient for 1 dish (either the masala dosa or the combo). I called the establishment and the same manager answered. His attitude was that there is enough sambar and he started asking for dimensions of the package! As if anyone would want to extract more than what they need for their meal. I basically hung up once he started down the path of asking for dimensions of the package. Basically, many of these establishments lack customer service and do not realize the long term impact. I am 100% certain that they would gain more business if to begin with they size the side dishes properly. When the customer orders two dishes give two separate accompanying side dishes and hopefully adequate quantity for each dish. Why assume that the take out order is a shared order? My previous review was very positive, however I now say customers should go to 1) Dosai Place in E. Windsor or 2) Sarvan Bhavan on Princeton-Heightstown road
(1)Dana K.
Awesome, awesome food. I had a vegetable soup to start - I was hoping for Mulligatawny but they didn't have any that day. Regardless, my soup was especially yummy, so no complaints. For my meal, I ordered the channa masala and garlic naan. My date also had the garlic naan, and a dosa with lentil and "gun powder" spices. His meal was definitely spicier than mine, but it was all very good. The restaurant is somewhat small, but we were one of three tables eating in while we were there. The host is also the waiter, and when we were there he was very attentive, polite, and informative (it had been awhile since either of us had eaten Indian food.) while we were eating, a woman came in asking if they had a take out menu, and she was offered a table and a beverage while she looked at the menu, and her food came out very quickly (I think it was within 5 minutes.) All told, I will definitely be going back!
(5)S N.
We've been here a few times now and I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is the best south indian restaurant in the area!! We finally went for the dosa buffet last night and yes, they actually have about 25 varieties of dosa! It does get very crowded and is pretty noisy on Wednesday night (not so much the other nights), but the dosas do come quickly. Make sure you only order a couple of dosa (per head) at a time, coz they bring the entire order together and the dosas tend to get cold. The ambiance isn't that great (2 stars) and the service is ok (maybe 3 stars), but the food is definitely 4 stars!
(4)Pree C.
Having spent most of my childhood in Chennai, I have very high expectations from any place that claims to "capture the taste of Chennai." While the food here doesn't quite match up to "kovil" food, it's still a good place for authentic tamil food. We went here for a weekend lunch buffet, which at 12(ish) bucks, is a great deal. This is the only place that I know of in the tri-state area that actually serves idiyappam and that itself is worth 4 stars in my book. The chutneys were excellent, and the urandai kuzhambu was perfect. The idli and vadai were delicious. The sambar, rasam and dosas were good, but I've had/make better. I'm so glad that there's finally a south Indian restaurant that offers more than the standard idli/vada/dosa. Will definitely return.
(4)Elana B.
Dosa night was way too much fun. The dosas we chose were DELICIOUS and came out fast and crispy. The Semiya Kesari dessert (included in the price) was such a lovely end to huge tasty dinner. We all were so incredibly full by the time we left. All the staff members were very friendly, smiley, and they really appeared to care about the customers. The restaurant itself isn't especially beautiful but the relaxed atmosphere, delicious food and lovely people are the real reasons to go. Overall- Highly recommended. Completely worth $11.95.
(5)Anony M.
For a seasoned South Indian family like mine, the first experience itself was very disappointing. None of the dishes had enough spice or flavour and was far from the authentic South Indian cuisine. Surprisingly there was no plain curd . We had to request for replenishment of some of the items. The Masala dosa had hardly any masala in it. The Desserts were not upto the mark. The service was okay. The price was high (Gratuity was also added automatically to our bill ) for the less than ordinary ambiance and poor taste. All of us felt nauseous for a long time after the meal.
(2)D S.
I enjoyed their lunch buffet which came with fresh naan and dosa. Can't wait to try it for dinner!
(4)Sonya S.
The food is delicious! My boyfriend who is not a vegetarian enjoyed it just as much as I did. Our server was very sweet & friendly & gave us great recommendations. Also, it's a BYOB. Highly recommend!
(5)Elizabeth D.
Went for the lunch buffet. I thought the food was excellent, but the atmosphere was a bit of a downer. The servers and manager were extremely friendly and helpful in ordering or suggesting food options. This is a vegetarian joint, and they had an excellent selection of less-frequently served entrees beyond saag paneer or the like. As another reviewer said, a lot of the choices are saucy - dal, other dressings - so it made a lot of sense to get the housemade dosas to mop up the different courses. They also offered two different kinds of rice - white and a rice-salad like option. Food was good and spicy in some cases - I was impressed. Interior ambience was depressing and it wasn't too crowded. I would suggest going with a large group.
(4)Chris F.
Wow. Just wow. I've cooked in an Indian restaurant, I've eaten in tons of Indian restaurants in NYC, I've tried a few on Brick Lane... This place is unique. The food is unlike any I've had elsewhere. Super delicious, new flavors, very friendly a helpful staff. NJ strip mall gem
(5)Mukthesh M.
One of my colleagues said this restaurant has Dosa buffet every Wednesday night and they have 25 varieties of dosas. I decided to take my family to this place as we all are dosa lovers but the problem was it was around 38 mi away from home so going just for dinner to this place didn't make sense. Last Wednesday I had to visit a friend in Chesterfield, NJ and we decided to try this place. As soon as we went in, a person greeted us with a big smile and showed us a table. He greeted everyone with a smile and I think he knew most of the customers personally. We sat and the waiter came and asked whether we want to go for dosa buffet or thali. We didn't have to listen to the other option and we said "dosa buffet". He got us the dosa menu which had 25 varieties. Me and my wife together tried 8 varieties of dosas and except for Mysore Masala and Podi Dosa liked everything else. My daughter who is going to be 2 liked Ghee Roast very much. Sambar was good and chutney was also very nice. I think they can maintain it better which might bring in more crowd. My Ratings: Taste: 4 star Service: 5 star Ambiance: 3 star Cleanliness: 3 star Rest Room: 2 star
(4)Martha-Lisa F.
We've gone to this restaurant many times over the years. It has had it's ups and downs. I've always had good to great food here at a reasonable price. I can wholeheartedly recommend any dosa or uthappam. Our favorite bread is the garlic naan. We went here again recently for dinner. It was not very busy, service was fast and the food great. It is being served on plates that I remember being new, but are now old and worn. The paint job leaves much to be desired. I kind of miss the mural of the little boy with the watermelons. That's the trouble here. I miss things that used to be. The sweet lassi is good as ever, but I miss the rose lassi. I miss the naan with the bits of dried fruit on it (sorry, I forgot it's name). I miss the cheese volcano shaped dosa that was an appetizer or a kid's meal. I miss the stuffed tomato that we used to wait 45 minutes for, but it was so very good. Still my Masala Dosa was very good and I enjoyed my dinner. I'm sure we will be back again. This is a good place to eat.
(4)