Alright, alright, we get it. Perhaps the server OR the manager aren't as personable BUT, we're obviously here for the dining experience, and that said, let my wife and I elaborate. We we're greeted in a nice manner. Promptly seated then when inquiring about the menu in general it was explained thoroughly. First off, I recommend the King Fisher lager, indigenous to India. Ordered the Tandoori platter, (enough for sharing) with a side of delightful white basmati rice, tikki sauce and garlic naan. The food was presented, promptly and at proper temperature. Arguably the best Indian food in the area!
(4)
Brittany P.
I stopped in for takeout. Service was fast and friendly, and the chicken Tikki masala and naan bread were very good.
(4)
Michelle P.
Awesome Indian food! Very authentic. Garlic tandoori shrimp and chicken madras with bullet naan delicious. We asked for extra spicy and got it!!!! Love it!!!!
(5)
Craig D.
I have to say the worst service from a restaurant in a long time. Food OK - staff need better training - will not be back to that restaurant again - better Indian restaurants in Tampa. Sorry to say but the truth
(1)
John C.
The best Indian Restaurant in the area. Great flavor and high quality meals. The Chicken Madras is my favorite. Everything I've eaten here as been good. Especially their Naan breads, they really compliment the meals so well. Service is always excellent and friendly staff make the dining experience always a pleasure. Also be sure to try the superb Indian beers, they pair wonderfully with the spicy offerings..
(4)
Brittany L.
Came here for my birthday lunch. Was quickly greeted and seated at a booth. Both employees I interacted with were friendly and conversational (which can be rare at Indian restaurants). The buffet consisted of salad with toppings, assortment of chutneys, individual cups of mango pudding, and a variety of hot items: 4 items were all-veg (dal-lentils, veggie korma-mixed veg in sauce, potatoes with onions-no sauce, and a yellow curry with tiny black seeds and veg balls in it) then there were 3-4 chicken dishes, regular rice and lemon rice, biryani, mixed pakoras (veg fritters), and naan (bread). Although there was a pan for naan on the buffet, each time it came out fresh an employee brought a basket around and offered it to everyone so we could have a fresh piece. Definitely a nice touch. The restaurant was very clean, all the food was delicious, nicely spiced, and hot temperature. Tables were cleared quickly after people left and water glasses stayed full. I had a sweet lassi and it was served how I like it, with just a little bit of ice. The reason there aren't 4 stars is that I was disappointed in the selection of desserts. For $10.99 I expect to have a choice, not just one item. If there was kheer, "Indian Cream of Wheat", or those little "fudge pieces" made from gram flour OR there was a "green vegetable dish" on the buffet (something with spinach, broccoli, etc.) I probably would've given 4 stars even though this was my first visit. I look forward to going back as this restaurant is only about 10 minutes from work. The restaurant is right behind a new gas station (Thornton's, I think) in a strip mall so it is easy to find.
(3)
James K.
Desi Tadka is by far the best Indian restaurant we've been to this side of the Atlantic. After ignoring it and its predecessor for year we finally dropped in for the dinner buffet and were amazed at the quality of the dishes. The Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, an eggplant dish and the Naan were standouts. I usually hate eggplant but loved theirs, and the Cauliflower - Potato dish was a hit. This wasn't just a fluke because a week later we had the lunch buffet and it was just as good. Add prompt and attentive service with a waiter bringing out the Naan to each table when they ran out while baking some more and Desi Tadka has become our favorite restaurant.
(5)
Prashant G.
Will never visit this restaurant again. I visited Desi Tadka today. I ordered Dal soup, chana masala and 1 Tandoor roti. Here is the frustrating timeline, he took 5 minutes to give me water, then 10-15 minutes for Dal soup and next 20 minutes for Chana masala and Roti. In the same time, there were 3 customers together they gave order of 3-4 dishes and then after 5-10 minutes new 2 customers came and ordered couple of dishes. Both of the customers got their dishes and where almost half done eating. I asked the Waiter why my dish (which was just one dish) took so much of time, he reasoned he orders as per customers come in. I told him i don't want to eat now as the order is too late. He charged me FULL for the order. The reason I am giving 1 star is not because of the taste, which I dint get to taste except the dal soup but because of the attitude of the waiter and lack of respect to customers time. The Waiter himself said that the orders come as per customers give their orders and when I asked him then how come the new customer got their orders ahead of me he started giving excuses that he don't know somehow something in Kitchen went wrong. I told him that then it is your mistake and not mine that the order is late and you still charged me for it (even when I have not touched the dished) Restaurants should not think that customers have whole time in the world to wait for the order. If they cannot respect customers time then they better should close the shop.
(1)
Avinash N.
Became good now
(5)
Cecilia A.
The food is awesome and the staff are very sweet, I would have given 4 stars if portions were a bit more generous for the price. I do really enjoy the food here though, the butter shrimp is delightful. The lunch time buffet is in my opinion the absolute best bang for your buck. They will also let you pack a to-go container for the lunch buffet too if you are in a time crunch and cannot dine in. Definitely worth a try if you enjoy Indian food for sure.
(3)
Dianna B.
Let me start by saying: I don't eat spicy food. That my friends made a reservation for us here was daunting to me. I had no idea what would be on the menu, what I'd even be able to eat in a place that serves Indian food. But with an open mind, I decided to give it a try. We arrived at our appointed time, our reserved table was ready. (they say on the website if you have a party bigger than 4, it's best to make reservations, this is because they are small, about 12-15 tables total) We were sat and given time to peruse the menu. My friends coached me through things and I ended up ordering Butter Chicken, mild as well as some garlic naan and a tandori salad. The table got an assortment of dishes, some people ordered Indian Hot. When we said this, the Waitress looked at them incredulously, because there's no way they could want it, right? But those in the party crazy enough, assured her that YES, they wanted it as hot as she could have it made. Clearly she didn't believe them, but hey, she did bring it out HOT. The food was tasty, I enjoyed the texture and flavour of the butter chicken over the rice with peas. The Naan was absolutely amazing. But the salad.. First of all I expected it before the meal, and yet.. I got it mid way through the meal, the Waitress kept promising it to me, saying "just a minute on the salad" I am not sure if it was a back room communication issue or what have you, but when I got it, the chicken on it was exceedingly dry, but the lettuce was fresh as was the cucumber, and the tomatoes were almost white. All of us (three couples) ordered dessert... it was terribly disappointing. One couple ordered the Pistachio ice cream. It looked re-frozen. There was ntohing creamy about it. Another couple ordered the rice pudding. They said it was Ok. We ordered the "donuts" I think theyre called Galub. Um.. they were pretty much re-fried dense stale doughballs soaked in rose syrup. They were not good at all. While I would eat here again, I would not order dessert.
(3)
Juan Jose J.
It's a really good place,it's not a big place but it's pretty clean but it's delicious and its one of the best Indian restaurants I have been to and I enjoyed the food and the people that works here are really nice and this is a place I'd recommend you to go.
(4)
Minna S.
I will first start by saying that this is probably the best Indian food I have had in the Pinellas County area. There are people on here who writes that the customer service is bad and things like that but I am not here to write about the service because I am not going there to make friends with the people who works there, I am going there to basically eat! So I am giving this place 4 stars because the minute I walk in there, I notice that the decor isn't too nice; however, the 4 stars that I am giving this place is because of how good the food I ordered was. I didn't dine-in, I just ordered food to-go however the two young people (guy and a girl) were extremely helpful and courteous. While I was waiting for my food (which took about 15 minutes) the young girl asked me if I wanted a water while waiting. To me they're customer service was good! I ordered their chicken curry, their butter chicken, their vegetable samosa, and their roti, all of which was amazing! I will definitely be coming back to order food from them again!
(4)
Anne Marie B.
I do not normally eat Indian food but went with a friend and was pleasantly surprised. The chicken tandoori and garlic naan were excellent. I'd certainly return to try the buffet.
(4)
Sarah L.
We've finally found our go to Indian place! So delicious and fresh. You can tell the employees really care as well. Little pricey for lunch, $25 for two for the buffet. I'd pay it again though. If you drive by this place and don't stop, you will regret it!
(5)
Ashish K.
Very good service with nice food.
(4)
Karen T.
They tend to have more selection than a lot of Indian buffets. their food is tasty and tends to be on the spicy side. Overall not a bad Indian restaurant. Nothing fancy. On my latest visit they have really stepped up their game, all the food was fresh, hot and delicious. Some of the best Indian food I've had in the area.
(5)
Teresa L.
Met some friends here for an impromptu curry night. I hadn't been to this location before. I had the lamb curry, medium hot. The flavor was good, the medium hot could have been hotter (more towards medium and less toward mild). Garlic naan was tasty. For the most part the service was pretty good until it came to paying the check. Also we had to ask for our check as opposed to waiting for them to bring it of their own accord. Once we gave them our payment, it took another 20-30 minutes to get our cards and change back. Where did they go with our checks anyway? It's like they disappeared into never never land before reappearing again. I'd give it another shot, just because the lamb was cooked pretty well, and because they're pretty close to where I live. But I might be tempted to travel more towards St Petersburg next time to get my curry fix.
(3)
Larry C.
Went here for a couples date night with some friends and had a really good time. What i really love about indian dishes is the various combinations of spices they use to create some unique flavors not usually experienced in many other cuisines found throughout. Our table didn't really know what to order so we basically went with the two things what we recognized (Garlic Naan & Chicken Masala) and asked the waiter what else we should order. The Garlic Naan .... sooooo good! Very warm and flavorful, the bread alone would make me come back for more ! i think we must have ordered 4 portions of this as i know i probably finished two orders myself. The Chicken Masala, Lamb Vinadoo & Shrimp Korma gave us a nice selection of different spices and sauces which when mixed with the white rice we had was very very good. The Mixed Tandoori was a little on the dry side as this dish didn't have as much sauce when compared to the other dishes above so id probably skip out on that one the next time. To wash it all down, I ordered a king fisher beer & the misses ordered a Taj Mahal beer which went down great with our meals. If your in the mood of trying indian cuisine then give this place a shot. Make sure to double up on the garlic naan order too!
(4)
Shawn Y.
Their lunch buffet is very delicious and priced reasonably. Service is great staff are very friendly and good place for kids too.
(5)
Chip M.
I'm going to keep it simple. Great food. The people are friendly. It's not the cheapest, but food quality is excellent, and portions are large, so worth the buck. Very enjoyable experience every time I have been here.
(4)
Jonathan S.
This place has some great Indian food, there buffet is pretty well stocked, they've saag paneer, butter chicken, a variety of rice, and lentils. Unfortunately I didn't see and raita or chutney on the buffet but the server was nice enough to supply me with some cilantro chutney so I could spice up my food!
(5)
Mary W.
Happy mouth! The most delicious Indian food I've had for a long long time. We asked the waitress to recommend a beginning dish. She brought us an amazing appetizer. They were three of us. we each wanted a different naan. All three were served in one basket, so I ended up tasting each of them. all were excellent, and exactly what they claimed to be. garlic naan very garlicky.Lamb naan richly dressed with very flavorful bits of meat. we ordered two entrees plus the naan for 3 people, and head enough in a take home box for another meal. If I ever get a chance to go back I will ask them to leave those superb condiments on the table after crispy intro breads.
(5)
Lori L.
I typically do dinner takeout and request it Indian hot. The food has very good taste and sometimes they come close to making it hot enough...I think they try but are some afraid to really light it up...but it is good Indian food. Nice people...correctly fills the order...and is on time.
(4)
Haylee F.
The food is pretty good but it is terribly overpriced. The atmosphere is a little tacky and the people that work there are NOT excited to see you. Paid literally 20 dollars for curry chicken and rice. What a rip off. Change your prices and I promise you will do better business.
(2)
Jaime G.
Best chicken tikka masala in Tampa. Great flavors along with a nice presentation when the food arrives. Attentive service is always available with a genuine smile.
(5)
Dave W.
I wouldn't consider myself an expert on Indian food but I found some differences here from the food I've had dozens of times in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, and Mumbai. The food was much less seasoned and was a bit short on "pow" flavor. Perhaps it's been made safe for the Oldsmar crowd? On the cleanliness scale, this place was much nicer that the real thing. As for food safety, I tried everything and continued to live my life with no negative consequences. I wish I could say the same for many of my meals in India. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
(3)
Desiree L.
Lunch buffet is delicious and reasonably priced! Here once a week... service is great... and VIP punch cards for a free meal ;)
(5)
Fadi A.
I'm there once a week and never been disappointed. From the service to the food, hands down best indian restaurant in Tampa. And I've been to most of them and this once is by far my fav.
(5)
Maria M.
Delicious food. Wait staff is wonderful, courteous, respectful and honest. My favorite Indian food in Tampa. Spoorthy and Varun are the best!
(5)
Marinda H.
Day/time of visit: weekday lunch buffet The lunch buffet had a large assortment of vegetarian dishes and a few chicken dishes (tandoori, butter, and vindaloo). I really liked the spinach and chickpea dish and that the vegetables in the mixed vegetable dish were still a little crunchy instead of overcooked mush. The naan was great and they had several rice options (chicken biryani, lemon rice, and regular). The dishes had very good flavor profiles. My primary complaint is that all the food was warm but not 'hot' . Warm food on a buffet freaks me out and sends me into food poisoning fear. Also, our server barely wiped the plastic tablecloth with a wet rag then put the silverware down directly on the tablecloth without a napkin underneath (not to sound like Larry David.... but, again sending food poisoning fears through my mind). He was also not very attentive with customers. 3 stars for the food taste/flavors 2 stars for buffet food being warm but not hot and server cleanliness/attentiveness Also, a bit pricey ($12 lunch buffet) for the food poisoning potential.
(2)
Amy R.
Just had some great takeout - we ordered Dal soup; Tandoori mixed grill; Chicken saag and several other items including Garlic naan. We both thought the food was excellent - IMO the best we have had in Tampa Bay.... if not one of the best food-wise that we have had overall, since we lived in DC. And yes I have been to/eaten in India as well. Only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because they underestimated on time and we had to wait another 15 minutes. The server was very apologetic however and even brought it to our car.
(4)
Mary E.
We came here for lunch buffet on a Saturday and it was empty but it started to pick up soon after . The buffet had some good choices including tandoori chicken and biryani . The chicken Tikka Masala was very tasty. One thing that yelpers mentioned was the lack of Raita which was true. I had a mango Lassi which was tasty as well. Overall great Indian food but a little pricier than most places . Total was $25 for two and you get 5% off if you use cash.
(4)
Stephanie D.
I grabbed some take out from here a little while back and thought it was great. I got the saag paneer and my mom had the lamb vindaloo (my two favorite Indian dishes). Paneer, rice and naan were all delicious, the lamb vindaloo was tasty also, but I only had a bite or so. Nice and spicy. Only four stars because I thought I was catching a slight attitude off the guy helping me with my order, not sure for what reason. I've been wanting to come back to this place to actually sit down and eat, so we'll see about the service.
(4)
Sandeep T.
Food is good. hospitality and reception is great. The best Indian restaurant in Oldsmar
(5)
Mark H.
Me and La Chica stopped in for lunch one day after noticing the joint was under new ownership. We checked out the buffet, and it wasn't bad. Nothing on the buffet line really stood out from the crowd though. The goat curry was the best item, but wasn't the best I'd ever had. A few of the items were never filled with fresher selections, and I got a few bits of crunchy rice, indicated a lack of freshness. Still though, everything was edible. The new owners were great. Very friendly and welcoming. I definitely want to give it another shot after they've gotten their sea legs.
(2)
Jon W.
My wife and I love Indian food and keep coming back here. The garlic naan is to die for. I have the lamb vindaloo and she has the Aloo Gobhi. Both dishes are delicious.
(5)
Kim W.
The best Indian food in town! We had Gobi Manchurian, a cauliflower dish as an app The mixed bread basket with our meals and butter shrimp. Not on the menu but they will make it for you. The spice is made to your preference and the food came out quickly and it was hot. Excellent service. The Hayward 5000 beer and the king Fisher beer were a nice compliment to the meal.
(5)
Scott H.
Absolutely great Indian food, ordered several dishes (butter chicken, eggplant, goat) and they were delicious w/just the right spice - can't speak to the buffet (yet! I'll definitely go back for lunch & check it out)
(4)
Krishna S.
My wife, daughter and I had to immediately run to the three bathrooms in our house immediately following a lunch buffet at Desi Tadka. The food takes its revenge a few minutes after you leave. It starts off with a very sharp stomach pain and culminates in a full scale bathroom blowout. We're Indian. We can handle a lot. But we'll steer clear of this place. Avoid at all costs. I'd give no stars, if that was an option.
(1)
Lauren C.
I eat Indian food frequently. The food was only ok, and service was off. Their Groupon was mis-explained to us by the server, who somehow roped us into ordering gigantic Indian beers that were not included as part of our Groupon as he had explained. For what it is, it is overpriced. Even after buying a Groupon we still ended up spending about $40 for 2 small portions of chicken dishes and no appetizers. The experience was sub-average at best, I wouldn't return.
(2)
Johnny C.
Just had a sit down meal with 16 other members of the Tampa Bay British Curry House Critics and this rating of 4 stars holds up well. The highest rating we've had for a prebooked dinner with more than 12 people. The only competition this location has seen is in in Brandon as we almost always blow up the kitchen :) reviews on FB
(4)
Suryaa S.
Chicken chilli masala, chicken vindaloo, goat curry are my favorites. Their buffet is also very good.
(5)
John C.
The best Indian Restaurant in the area. Great flavor and high quality meals. The Chicken Madras is my favorite. Everything I've eaten here as been good. Especially their Naan breads, they really compliment the meals so well. Service is always excellent and friendly staff make the dining experience always a pleasure. Also be sure to try the superb Indian beers, they pair wonderfully with the spicy offerings..
(4)
Brittany L.
Came here for my birthday lunch. Was quickly greeted and seated at a booth. Both employees I interacted with were friendly and conversational (which can be rare at Indian restaurants). The buffet consisted of salad with toppings, assortment of chutneys, individual cups of mango pudding, and a variety of hot items: 4 items were all-veg (dal-lentils, veggie korma-mixed veg in sauce, potatoes with onions-no sauce, and a yellow curry with tiny black seeds and veg balls in it) then there were 3-4 chicken dishes, regular rice and lemon rice, biryani, mixed pakoras (veg fritters), and naan (bread). Although there was a pan for naan on the buffet, each time it came out fresh an employee brought a basket around and offered it to everyone so we could have a fresh piece. Definitely a nice touch. The restaurant was very clean, all the food was delicious, nicely spiced, and hot temperature. Tables were cleared quickly after people left and water glasses stayed full. I had a sweet lassi and it was served how I like it, with just a little bit of ice. The reason there aren't 4 stars is that I was disappointed in the selection of desserts. For $10.99 I expect to have a choice, not just one item. If there was kheer, "Indian Cream of Wheat", or those little "fudge pieces" made from gram flour OR there was a "green vegetable dish" on the buffet (something with spinach, broccoli, etc.) I probably would've given 4 stars even though this was my first visit. I look forward to going back as this restaurant is only about 10 minutes from work. The restaurant is right behind a new gas station (Thornton's, I think) in a strip mall so it is easy to find.
(3)
James K.
Desi Tadka is by far the best Indian restaurant we've been to this side of the Atlantic. After ignoring it and its predecessor for year we finally dropped in for the dinner buffet and were amazed at the quality of the dishes. The Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, an eggplant dish and the Naan were standouts. I usually hate eggplant but loved theirs, and the Cauliflower - Potato dish was a hit. This wasn't just a fluke because a week later we had the lunch buffet and it was just as good. Add prompt and attentive service with a waiter bringing out the Naan to each table when they ran out while baking some more and Desi Tadka has become our favorite restaurant.
(5)
Cecilia A.
The food is awesome and the staff are very sweet, I would have given 4 stars if portions were a bit more generous for the price. I do really enjoy the food here though, the butter shrimp is delightful. The lunch time buffet is in my opinion the absolute best bang for your buck. They will also let you pack a to-go container for the lunch buffet too if you are in a time crunch and cannot dine in. Definitely worth a try if you enjoy Indian food for sure.
(3)
Dianna B.
Let me start by saying: I don't eat spicy food. That my friends made a reservation for us here was daunting to me. I had no idea what would be on the menu, what I'd even be able to eat in a place that serves Indian food. But with an open mind, I decided to give it a try. We arrived at our appointed time, our reserved table was ready. (they say on the website if you have a party bigger than 4, it's best to make reservations, this is because they are small, about 12-15 tables total) We were sat and given time to peruse the menu. My friends coached me through things and I ended up ordering Butter Chicken, mild as well as some garlic naan and a tandori salad. The table got an assortment of dishes, some people ordered Indian Hot. When we said this, the Waitress looked at them incredulously, because there's no way they could want it, right? But those in the party crazy enough, assured her that YES, they wanted it as hot as she could have it made. Clearly she didn't believe them, but hey, she did bring it out HOT. The food was tasty, I enjoyed the texture and flavour of the butter chicken over the rice with peas. The Naan was absolutely amazing. But the salad.. First of all I expected it before the meal, and yet.. I got it mid way through the meal, the Waitress kept promising it to me, saying "just a minute on the salad" I am not sure if it was a back room communication issue or what have you, but when I got it, the chicken on it was exceedingly dry, but the lettuce was fresh as was the cucumber, and the tomatoes were almost white. All of us (three couples) ordered dessert... it was terribly disappointing. One couple ordered the Pistachio ice cream. It looked re-frozen. There was ntohing creamy about it. Another couple ordered the rice pudding. They said it was Ok. We ordered the "donuts" I think theyre called Galub. Um.. they were pretty much re-fried dense stale doughballs soaked in rose syrup. They were not good at all. While I would eat here again, I would not order dessert.
(3)
Larry C.
Went here for a couples date night with some friends and had a really good time. What i really love about indian dishes is the various combinations of spices they use to create some unique flavors not usually experienced in many other cuisines found throughout. Our table didn't really know what to order so we basically went with the two things what we recognized (Garlic Naan & Chicken Masala) and asked the waiter what else we should order. The Garlic Naan .... sooooo good! Very warm and flavorful, the bread alone would make me come back for more ! i think we must have ordered 4 portions of this as i know i probably finished two orders myself. The Chicken Masala, Lamb Vinadoo & Shrimp Korma gave us a nice selection of different spices and sauces which when mixed with the white rice we had was very very good. The Mixed Tandoori was a little on the dry side as this dish didn't have as much sauce when compared to the other dishes above so id probably skip out on that one the next time. To wash it all down, I ordered a king fisher beer & the misses ordered a Taj Mahal beer which went down great with our meals. If your in the mood of trying indian cuisine then give this place a shot. Make sure to double up on the garlic naan order too!
(4)
Shawn Y.
Their lunch buffet is very delicious and priced reasonably. Service is great staff are very friendly and good place for kids too.
(5)
Chip M.
I'm going to keep it simple. Great food. The people are friendly. It's not the cheapest, but food quality is excellent, and portions are large, so worth the buck. Very enjoyable experience every time I have been here.
(4)
Jonathan S.
This place has some great Indian food, there buffet is pretty well stocked, they've saag paneer, butter chicken, a variety of rice, and lentils. Unfortunately I didn't see and raita or chutney on the buffet but the server was nice enough to supply me with some cilantro chutney so I could spice up my food!
(5)
Mary W.
Happy mouth! The most delicious Indian food I've had for a long long time. We asked the waitress to recommend a beginning dish. She brought us an amazing appetizer. They were three of us. we each wanted a different naan. All three were served in one basket, so I ended up tasting each of them. all were excellent, and exactly what they claimed to be. garlic naan very garlicky.Lamb naan richly dressed with very flavorful bits of meat. we ordered two entrees plus the naan for 3 people, and head enough in a take home box for another meal. If I ever get a chance to go back I will ask them to leave those superb condiments on the table after crispy intro breads.
(5)
Lori L.
I typically do dinner takeout and request it Indian hot. The food has very good taste and sometimes they come close to making it hot enough...I think they try but are some afraid to really light it up...but it is good Indian food. Nice people...correctly fills the order...and is on time.
(4)
Juan Jose J.
It's a really good place,it's not a big place but it's pretty clean but it's delicious and its one of the best Indian restaurants I have been to and I enjoyed the food and the people that works here are really nice and this is a place I'd recommend you to go.
(4)
Haylee F.
The food is pretty good but it is terribly overpriced. The atmosphere is a little tacky and the people that work there are NOT excited to see you. Paid literally 20 dollars for curry chicken and rice. What a rip off. Change your prices and I promise you will do better business.
(2)
Jaime G.
Best chicken tikka masala in Tampa. Great flavors along with a nice presentation when the food arrives. Attentive service is always available with a genuine smile.
(5)
Fadi A.
I'm there once a week and never been disappointed. From the service to the food, hands down best indian restaurant in Tampa. And I've been to most of them and this once is by far my fav.
(5)
Maria M.
Delicious food. Wait staff is wonderful, courteous, respectful and honest. My favorite Indian food in Tampa. Spoorthy and Varun are the best!
(5)
Minna S.
I will first start by saying that this is probably the best Indian food I have had in the Pinellas County area. There are people on here who writes that the customer service is bad and things like that but I am not here to write about the service because I am not going there to make friends with the people who works there, I am going there to basically eat! So I am giving this place 4 stars because the minute I walk in there, I notice that the decor isn't too nice; however, the 4 stars that I am giving this place is because of how good the food I ordered was. I didn't dine-in, I just ordered food to-go however the two young people (guy and a girl) were extremely helpful and courteous. While I was waiting for my food (which took about 15 minutes) the young girl asked me if I wanted a water while waiting. To me they're customer service was good! I ordered their chicken curry, their butter chicken, their vegetable samosa, and their roti, all of which was amazing! I will definitely be coming back to order food from them again!
(4)
Anne Marie B.
I do not normally eat Indian food but went with a friend and was pleasantly surprised. The chicken tandoori and garlic naan were excellent. I'd certainly return to try the buffet.
(4)
Sarah L.
We've finally found our go to Indian place! So delicious and fresh. You can tell the employees really care as well. Little pricey for lunch, $25 for two for the buffet. I'd pay it again though. If you drive by this place and don't stop, you will regret it!
(5)
Ashish K.
Very good service with nice food.
(4)
Teresa L.
Met some friends here for an impromptu curry night. I hadn't been to this location before. I had the lamb curry, medium hot. The flavor was good, the medium hot could have been hotter (more towards medium and less toward mild). Garlic naan was tasty. For the most part the service was pretty good until it came to paying the check. Also we had to ask for our check as opposed to waiting for them to bring it of their own accord. Once we gave them our payment, it took another 20-30 minutes to get our cards and change back. Where did they go with our checks anyway? It's like they disappeared into never never land before reappearing again. I'd give it another shot, just because the lamb was cooked pretty well, and because they're pretty close to where I live. But I might be tempted to travel more towards St Petersburg next time to get my curry fix.
(3)
Dave W.
I wouldn't consider myself an expert on Indian food but I found some differences here from the food I've had dozens of times in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, and Mumbai. The food was much less seasoned and was a bit short on "pow" flavor. Perhaps it's been made safe for the Oldsmar crowd? On the cleanliness scale, this place was much nicer that the real thing. As for food safety, I tried everything and continued to live my life with no negative consequences. I wish I could say the same for many of my meals in India. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
(3)
Desiree L.
Lunch buffet is delicious and reasonably priced! Here once a week... service is great... and VIP punch cards for a free meal ;)
(5)
Marinda H.
Day/time of visit: weekday lunch buffet The lunch buffet had a large assortment of vegetarian dishes and a few chicken dishes (tandoori, butter, and vindaloo). I really liked the spinach and chickpea dish and that the vegetables in the mixed vegetable dish were still a little crunchy instead of overcooked mush. The naan was great and they had several rice options (chicken biryani, lemon rice, and regular). The dishes had very good flavor profiles. My primary complaint is that all the food was warm but not 'hot' . Warm food on a buffet freaks me out and sends me into food poisoning fear. Also, our server barely wiped the plastic tablecloth with a wet rag then put the silverware down directly on the tablecloth without a napkin underneath (not to sound like Larry David.... but, again sending food poisoning fears through my mind). He was also not very attentive with customers. 3 stars for the food taste/flavors 2 stars for buffet food being warm but not hot and server cleanliness/attentiveness Also, a bit pricey ($12 lunch buffet) for the food poisoning potential.
(2)
Karen T.
They tend to have more selection than a lot of Indian buffets. their food is tasty and tends to be on the spicy side. Overall not a bad Indian restaurant. Nothing fancy. On my latest visit they have really stepped up their game, all the food was fresh, hot and delicious. Some of the best Indian food I've had in the area.
(5)
Amy R.
Just had some great takeout - we ordered Dal soup; Tandoori mixed grill; Chicken saag and several other items including Garlic naan. We both thought the food was excellent - IMO the best we have had in Tampa Bay.... if not one of the best food-wise that we have had overall, since we lived in DC. And yes I have been to/eaten in India as well. Only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because they underestimated on time and we had to wait another 15 minutes. The server was very apologetic however and even brought it to our car.
(4)
Mary E.
We came here for lunch buffet on a Saturday and it was empty but it started to pick up soon after . The buffet had some good choices including tandoori chicken and biryani . The chicken Tikka Masala was very tasty. One thing that yelpers mentioned was the lack of Raita which was true. I had a mango Lassi which was tasty as well. Overall great Indian food but a little pricier than most places . Total was $25 for two and you get 5% off if you use cash.
(4)
Stephanie D.
I grabbed some take out from here a little while back and thought it was great. I got the saag paneer and my mom had the lamb vindaloo (my two favorite Indian dishes). Paneer, rice and naan were all delicious, the lamb vindaloo was tasty also, but I only had a bite or so. Nice and spicy. Only four stars because I thought I was catching a slight attitude off the guy helping me with my order, not sure for what reason. I've been wanting to come back to this place to actually sit down and eat, so we'll see about the service.
(4)
Sandeep T.
Food is good. hospitality and reception is great. The best Indian restaurant in Oldsmar
(5)
Mark H.
Me and La Chica stopped in for lunch one day after noticing the joint was under new ownership. We checked out the buffet, and it wasn't bad. Nothing on the buffet line really stood out from the crowd though. The goat curry was the best item, but wasn't the best I'd ever had. A few of the items were never filled with fresher selections, and I got a few bits of crunchy rice, indicated a lack of freshness. Still though, everything was edible. The new owners were great. Very friendly and welcoming. I definitely want to give it another shot after they've gotten their sea legs.
(2)
Avinash N.
Became good now
(5)
Jon W.
My wife and I love Indian food and keep coming back here. The garlic naan is to die for. I have the lamb vindaloo and she has the Aloo Gobhi. Both dishes are delicious.
(5)
Kim W.
The best Indian food in town! We had Gobi Manchurian, a cauliflower dish as an app The mixed bread basket with our meals and butter shrimp. Not on the menu but they will make it for you. The spice is made to your preference and the food came out quickly and it was hot. Excellent service. The Hayward 5000 beer and the king Fisher beer were a nice compliment to the meal.
(5)
Scott H.
Absolutely great Indian food, ordered several dishes (butter chicken, eggplant, goat) and they were delicious w/just the right spice - can't speak to the buffet (yet! I'll definitely go back for lunch & check it out)
(4)
Krishna S.
My wife, daughter and I had to immediately run to the three bathrooms in our house immediately following a lunch buffet at Desi Tadka. The food takes its revenge a few minutes after you leave. It starts off with a very sharp stomach pain and culminates in a full scale bathroom blowout. We're Indian. We can handle a lot. But we'll steer clear of this place. Avoid at all costs. I'd give no stars, if that was an option.
(1)
Lauren C.
I eat Indian food frequently. The food was only ok, and service was off. Their Groupon was mis-explained to us by the server, who somehow roped us into ordering gigantic Indian beers that were not included as part of our Groupon as he had explained. For what it is, it is overpriced. Even after buying a Groupon we still ended up spending about $40 for 2 small portions of chicken dishes and no appetizers. The experience was sub-average at best, I wouldn't return.
(2)
Prashant G.
Will never visit this restaurant again. I visited Desi Tadka today. I ordered Dal soup, chana masala and 1 Tandoor roti. Here is the frustrating timeline, he took 5 minutes to give me water, then 10-15 minutes for Dal soup and next 20 minutes for Chana masala and Roti. In the same time, there were 3 customers together they gave order of 3-4 dishes and then after 5-10 minutes new 2 customers came and ordered couple of dishes. Both of the customers got their dishes and where almost half done eating. I asked the Waiter why my dish (which was just one dish) took so much of time, he reasoned he orders as per customers come in. I told him i don't want to eat now as the order is too late. He charged me FULL for the order. The reason I am giving 1 star is not because of the taste, which I dint get to taste except the dal soup but because of the attitude of the waiter and lack of respect to customers time. The Waiter himself said that the orders come as per customers give their orders and when I asked him then how come the new customer got their orders ahead of me he started giving excuses that he don't know somehow something in Kitchen went wrong. I told him that then it is your mistake and not mine that the order is late and you still charged me for it (even when I have not touched the dished) Restaurants should not think that customers have whole time in the world to wait for the order. If they cannot respect customers time then they better should close the shop.
(1)
Johnny C.
Just had a sit down meal with 16 other members of the Tampa Bay British Curry House Critics and this rating of 4 stars holds up well. The highest rating we've had for a prebooked dinner with more than 12 people. The only competition this location has seen is in in Brandon as we almost always blow up the kitchen :) reviews on FB
(4)
Suryaa S.
Chicken chilli masala, chicken vindaloo, goat curry are my favorites. Their buffet is also very good.
(5)
Brittany P.
I stopped in for takeout. Service was fast and friendly, and the chicken Tikki masala and naan bread were very good.
(4)
Michelle P.
Awesome Indian food! Very authentic. Garlic tandoori shrimp and chicken madras with bullet naan delicious. We asked for extra spicy and got it!!!! Love it!!!!
(5)
Greg T.
Alright, alright, we get it. Perhaps the server OR the manager aren't as personable BUT, we're obviously here for the dining experience, and that said, let my wife and I elaborate. We we're greeted in a nice manner. Promptly seated then when inquiring about the menu in general it was explained thoroughly. First off, I recommend the King Fisher lager, indigenous to India. Ordered the Tandoori platter, (enough for sharing) with a side of delightful white basmati rice, tikki sauce and garlic naan. The food was presented, promptly and at proper temperature. Arguably the best Indian food in the area!
(4)
Craig D.
I have to say the worst service from a restaurant in a long time. Food OK - staff need better training - will not be back to that restaurant again - better Indian restaurants in Tampa. Sorry to say but the truth
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Specialities
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 Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes 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.
Greg T.
Alright, alright, we get it. Perhaps the server OR the manager aren't as personable BUT, we're obviously here for the dining experience, and that said, let my wife and I elaborate. We we're greeted in a nice manner. Promptly seated then when inquiring about the menu in general it was explained thoroughly. First off, I recommend the King Fisher lager, indigenous to India. Ordered the Tandoori platter, (enough for sharing) with a side of delightful white basmati rice, tikki sauce and garlic naan. The food was presented, promptly and at proper temperature. Arguably the best Indian food in the area!
(4)Brittany P.
I stopped in for takeout. Service was fast and friendly, and the chicken Tikki masala and naan bread were very good.
(4)Michelle P.
Awesome Indian food! Very authentic. Garlic tandoori shrimp and chicken madras with bullet naan delicious. We asked for extra spicy and got it!!!! Love it!!!!
(5)Craig D.
I have to say the worst service from a restaurant in a long time. Food OK - staff need better training - will not be back to that restaurant again - better Indian restaurants in Tampa. Sorry to say but the truth
(1)John C.
The best Indian Restaurant in the area. Great flavor and high quality meals. The Chicken Madras is my favorite. Everything I've eaten here as been good. Especially their Naan breads, they really compliment the meals so well. Service is always excellent and friendly staff make the dining experience always a pleasure. Also be sure to try the superb Indian beers, they pair wonderfully with the spicy offerings..
(4)Brittany L.
Came here for my birthday lunch. Was quickly greeted and seated at a booth. Both employees I interacted with were friendly and conversational (which can be rare at Indian restaurants). The buffet consisted of salad with toppings, assortment of chutneys, individual cups of mango pudding, and a variety of hot items: 4 items were all-veg (dal-lentils, veggie korma-mixed veg in sauce, potatoes with onions-no sauce, and a yellow curry with tiny black seeds and veg balls in it) then there were 3-4 chicken dishes, regular rice and lemon rice, biryani, mixed pakoras (veg fritters), and naan (bread). Although there was a pan for naan on the buffet, each time it came out fresh an employee brought a basket around and offered it to everyone so we could have a fresh piece. Definitely a nice touch. The restaurant was very clean, all the food was delicious, nicely spiced, and hot temperature. Tables were cleared quickly after people left and water glasses stayed full. I had a sweet lassi and it was served how I like it, with just a little bit of ice. The reason there aren't 4 stars is that I was disappointed in the selection of desserts. For $10.99 I expect to have a choice, not just one item. If there was kheer, "Indian Cream of Wheat", or those little "fudge pieces" made from gram flour OR there was a "green vegetable dish" on the buffet (something with spinach, broccoli, etc.) I probably would've given 4 stars even though this was my first visit. I look forward to going back as this restaurant is only about 10 minutes from work. The restaurant is right behind a new gas station (Thornton's, I think) in a strip mall so it is easy to find.
(3)James K.
Desi Tadka is by far the best Indian restaurant we've been to this side of the Atlantic. After ignoring it and its predecessor for year we finally dropped in for the dinner buffet and were amazed at the quality of the dishes. The Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, an eggplant dish and the Naan were standouts. I usually hate eggplant but loved theirs, and the Cauliflower - Potato dish was a hit. This wasn't just a fluke because a week later we had the lunch buffet and it was just as good. Add prompt and attentive service with a waiter bringing out the Naan to each table when they ran out while baking some more and Desi Tadka has become our favorite restaurant.
(5)Prashant G.
Will never visit this restaurant again. I visited Desi Tadka today. I ordered Dal soup, chana masala and 1 Tandoor roti. Here is the frustrating timeline, he took 5 minutes to give me water, then 10-15 minutes for Dal soup and next 20 minutes for Chana masala and Roti. In the same time, there were 3 customers together they gave order of 3-4 dishes and then after 5-10 minutes new 2 customers came and ordered couple of dishes. Both of the customers got their dishes and where almost half done eating. I asked the Waiter why my dish (which was just one dish) took so much of time, he reasoned he orders as per customers come in. I told him i don't want to eat now as the order is too late. He charged me FULL for the order. The reason I am giving 1 star is not because of the taste, which I dint get to taste except the dal soup but because of the attitude of the waiter and lack of respect to customers time. The Waiter himself said that the orders come as per customers give their orders and when I asked him then how come the new customer got their orders ahead of me he started giving excuses that he don't know somehow something in Kitchen went wrong. I told him that then it is your mistake and not mine that the order is late and you still charged me for it (even when I have not touched the dished) Restaurants should not think that customers have whole time in the world to wait for the order. If they cannot respect customers time then they better should close the shop.
(1)Avinash N.
Became good now
(5)Cecilia A.
The food is awesome and the staff are very sweet, I would have given 4 stars if portions were a bit more generous for the price. I do really enjoy the food here though, the butter shrimp is delightful. The lunch time buffet is in my opinion the absolute best bang for your buck. They will also let you pack a to-go container for the lunch buffet too if you are in a time crunch and cannot dine in. Definitely worth a try if you enjoy Indian food for sure.
(3)Dianna B.
Let me start by saying: I don't eat spicy food. That my friends made a reservation for us here was daunting to me. I had no idea what would be on the menu, what I'd even be able to eat in a place that serves Indian food. But with an open mind, I decided to give it a try. We arrived at our appointed time, our reserved table was ready. (they say on the website if you have a party bigger than 4, it's best to make reservations, this is because they are small, about 12-15 tables total) We were sat and given time to peruse the menu. My friends coached me through things and I ended up ordering Butter Chicken, mild as well as some garlic naan and a tandori salad. The table got an assortment of dishes, some people ordered Indian Hot. When we said this, the Waitress looked at them incredulously, because there's no way they could want it, right? But those in the party crazy enough, assured her that YES, they wanted it as hot as she could have it made. Clearly she didn't believe them, but hey, she did bring it out HOT. The food was tasty, I enjoyed the texture and flavour of the butter chicken over the rice with peas. The Naan was absolutely amazing. But the salad.. First of all I expected it before the meal, and yet.. I got it mid way through the meal, the Waitress kept promising it to me, saying "just a minute on the salad" I am not sure if it was a back room communication issue or what have you, but when I got it, the chicken on it was exceedingly dry, but the lettuce was fresh as was the cucumber, and the tomatoes were almost white. All of us (three couples) ordered dessert... it was terribly disappointing. One couple ordered the Pistachio ice cream. It looked re-frozen. There was ntohing creamy about it. Another couple ordered the rice pudding. They said it was Ok. We ordered the "donuts" I think theyre called Galub. Um.. they were pretty much re-fried dense stale doughballs soaked in rose syrup. They were not good at all. While I would eat here again, I would not order dessert.
(3)Juan Jose J.
It's a really good place,it's not a big place but it's pretty clean but it's delicious and its one of the best Indian restaurants I have been to and I enjoyed the food and the people that works here are really nice and this is a place I'd recommend you to go.
(4)Minna S.
I will first start by saying that this is probably the best Indian food I have had in the Pinellas County area. There are people on here who writes that the customer service is bad and things like that but I am not here to write about the service because I am not going there to make friends with the people who works there, I am going there to basically eat! So I am giving this place 4 stars because the minute I walk in there, I notice that the decor isn't too nice; however, the 4 stars that I am giving this place is because of how good the food I ordered was. I didn't dine-in, I just ordered food to-go however the two young people (guy and a girl) were extremely helpful and courteous. While I was waiting for my food (which took about 15 minutes) the young girl asked me if I wanted a water while waiting. To me they're customer service was good! I ordered their chicken curry, their butter chicken, their vegetable samosa, and their roti, all of which was amazing! I will definitely be coming back to order food from them again!
(4)Anne Marie B.
I do not normally eat Indian food but went with a friend and was pleasantly surprised. The chicken tandoori and garlic naan were excellent. I'd certainly return to try the buffet.
(4)Sarah L.
We've finally found our go to Indian place! So delicious and fresh. You can tell the employees really care as well. Little pricey for lunch, $25 for two for the buffet. I'd pay it again though. If you drive by this place and don't stop, you will regret it!
(5)Ashish K.
Very good service with nice food.
(4)Karen T.
They tend to have more selection than a lot of Indian buffets. their food is tasty and tends to be on the spicy side. Overall not a bad Indian restaurant. Nothing fancy. On my latest visit they have really stepped up their game, all the food was fresh, hot and delicious. Some of the best Indian food I've had in the area.
(5)Teresa L.
Met some friends here for an impromptu curry night. I hadn't been to this location before. I had the lamb curry, medium hot. The flavor was good, the medium hot could have been hotter (more towards medium and less toward mild). Garlic naan was tasty. For the most part the service was pretty good until it came to paying the check. Also we had to ask for our check as opposed to waiting for them to bring it of their own accord. Once we gave them our payment, it took another 20-30 minutes to get our cards and change back. Where did they go with our checks anyway? It's like they disappeared into never never land before reappearing again. I'd give it another shot, just because the lamb was cooked pretty well, and because they're pretty close to where I live. But I might be tempted to travel more towards St Petersburg next time to get my curry fix.
(3)Larry C.
Went here for a couples date night with some friends and had a really good time. What i really love about indian dishes is the various combinations of spices they use to create some unique flavors not usually experienced in many other cuisines found throughout. Our table didn't really know what to order so we basically went with the two things what we recognized (Garlic Naan & Chicken Masala) and asked the waiter what else we should order. The Garlic Naan .... sooooo good! Very warm and flavorful, the bread alone would make me come back for more ! i think we must have ordered 4 portions of this as i know i probably finished two orders myself. The Chicken Masala, Lamb Vinadoo & Shrimp Korma gave us a nice selection of different spices and sauces which when mixed with the white rice we had was very very good. The Mixed Tandoori was a little on the dry side as this dish didn't have as much sauce when compared to the other dishes above so id probably skip out on that one the next time. To wash it all down, I ordered a king fisher beer & the misses ordered a Taj Mahal beer which went down great with our meals. If your in the mood of trying indian cuisine then give this place a shot. Make sure to double up on the garlic naan order too!
(4)Shawn Y.
Their lunch buffet is very delicious and priced reasonably. Service is great staff are very friendly and good place for kids too.
(5)Chip M.
I'm going to keep it simple. Great food. The people are friendly. It's not the cheapest, but food quality is excellent, and portions are large, so worth the buck. Very enjoyable experience every time I have been here.
(4)Jonathan S.
This place has some great Indian food, there buffet is pretty well stocked, they've saag paneer, butter chicken, a variety of rice, and lentils. Unfortunately I didn't see and raita or chutney on the buffet but the server was nice enough to supply me with some cilantro chutney so I could spice up my food!
(5)Mary W.
Happy mouth! The most delicious Indian food I've had for a long long time. We asked the waitress to recommend a beginning dish. She brought us an amazing appetizer. They were three of us. we each wanted a different naan. All three were served in one basket, so I ended up tasting each of them. all were excellent, and exactly what they claimed to be. garlic naan very garlicky.Lamb naan richly dressed with very flavorful bits of meat. we ordered two entrees plus the naan for 3 people, and head enough in a take home box for another meal. If I ever get a chance to go back I will ask them to leave those superb condiments on the table after crispy intro breads.
(5)Lori L.
I typically do dinner takeout and request it Indian hot. The food has very good taste and sometimes they come close to making it hot enough...I think they try but are some afraid to really light it up...but it is good Indian food. Nice people...correctly fills the order...and is on time.
(4)Haylee F.
The food is pretty good but it is terribly overpriced. The atmosphere is a little tacky and the people that work there are NOT excited to see you. Paid literally 20 dollars for curry chicken and rice. What a rip off. Change your prices and I promise you will do better business.
(2)Jaime G.
Best chicken tikka masala in Tampa. Great flavors along with a nice presentation when the food arrives. Attentive service is always available with a genuine smile.
(5)Dave W.
I wouldn't consider myself an expert on Indian food but I found some differences here from the food I've had dozens of times in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, and Mumbai. The food was much less seasoned and was a bit short on "pow" flavor. Perhaps it's been made safe for the Oldsmar crowd? On the cleanliness scale, this place was much nicer that the real thing. As for food safety, I tried everything and continued to live my life with no negative consequences. I wish I could say the same for many of my meals in India. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
(3)Desiree L.
Lunch buffet is delicious and reasonably priced! Here once a week... service is great... and VIP punch cards for a free meal ;)
(5)Fadi A.
I'm there once a week and never been disappointed. From the service to the food, hands down best indian restaurant in Tampa. And I've been to most of them and this once is by far my fav.
(5)Maria M.
Delicious food. Wait staff is wonderful, courteous, respectful and honest. My favorite Indian food in Tampa. Spoorthy and Varun are the best!
(5)Marinda H.
Day/time of visit: weekday lunch buffet The lunch buffet had a large assortment of vegetarian dishes and a few chicken dishes (tandoori, butter, and vindaloo). I really liked the spinach and chickpea dish and that the vegetables in the mixed vegetable dish were still a little crunchy instead of overcooked mush. The naan was great and they had several rice options (chicken biryani, lemon rice, and regular). The dishes had very good flavor profiles. My primary complaint is that all the food was warm but not 'hot' . Warm food on a buffet freaks me out and sends me into food poisoning fear. Also, our server barely wiped the plastic tablecloth with a wet rag then put the silverware down directly on the tablecloth without a napkin underneath (not to sound like Larry David.... but, again sending food poisoning fears through my mind). He was also not very attentive with customers. 3 stars for the food taste/flavors 2 stars for buffet food being warm but not hot and server cleanliness/attentiveness Also, a bit pricey ($12 lunch buffet) for the food poisoning potential.
(2)Amy R.
Just had some great takeout - we ordered Dal soup; Tandoori mixed grill; Chicken saag and several other items including Garlic naan. We both thought the food was excellent - IMO the best we have had in Tampa Bay.... if not one of the best food-wise that we have had overall, since we lived in DC. And yes I have been to/eaten in India as well. Only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because they underestimated on time and we had to wait another 15 minutes. The server was very apologetic however and even brought it to our car.
(4)Mary E.
We came here for lunch buffet on a Saturday and it was empty but it started to pick up soon after . The buffet had some good choices including tandoori chicken and biryani . The chicken Tikka Masala was very tasty. One thing that yelpers mentioned was the lack of Raita which was true. I had a mango Lassi which was tasty as well. Overall great Indian food but a little pricier than most places . Total was $25 for two and you get 5% off if you use cash.
(4)Stephanie D.
I grabbed some take out from here a little while back and thought it was great. I got the saag paneer and my mom had the lamb vindaloo (my two favorite Indian dishes). Paneer, rice and naan were all delicious, the lamb vindaloo was tasty also, but I only had a bite or so. Nice and spicy. Only four stars because I thought I was catching a slight attitude off the guy helping me with my order, not sure for what reason. I've been wanting to come back to this place to actually sit down and eat, so we'll see about the service.
(4)Sandeep T.
Food is good. hospitality and reception is great. The best Indian restaurant in Oldsmar
(5)Mark H.
Me and La Chica stopped in for lunch one day after noticing the joint was under new ownership. We checked out the buffet, and it wasn't bad. Nothing on the buffet line really stood out from the crowd though. The goat curry was the best item, but wasn't the best I'd ever had. A few of the items were never filled with fresher selections, and I got a few bits of crunchy rice, indicated a lack of freshness. Still though, everything was edible. The new owners were great. Very friendly and welcoming. I definitely want to give it another shot after they've gotten their sea legs.
(2)Jon W.
My wife and I love Indian food and keep coming back here. The garlic naan is to die for. I have the lamb vindaloo and she has the Aloo Gobhi. Both dishes are delicious.
(5)Kim W.
The best Indian food in town! We had Gobi Manchurian, a cauliflower dish as an app The mixed bread basket with our meals and butter shrimp. Not on the menu but they will make it for you. The spice is made to your preference and the food came out quickly and it was hot. Excellent service. The Hayward 5000 beer and the king Fisher beer were a nice compliment to the meal.
(5)Scott H.
Absolutely great Indian food, ordered several dishes (butter chicken, eggplant, goat) and they were delicious w/just the right spice - can't speak to the buffet (yet! I'll definitely go back for lunch & check it out)
(4)Krishna S.
My wife, daughter and I had to immediately run to the three bathrooms in our house immediately following a lunch buffet at Desi Tadka. The food takes its revenge a few minutes after you leave. It starts off with a very sharp stomach pain and culminates in a full scale bathroom blowout. We're Indian. We can handle a lot. But we'll steer clear of this place. Avoid at all costs. I'd give no stars, if that was an option.
(1)Lauren C.
I eat Indian food frequently. The food was only ok, and service was off. Their Groupon was mis-explained to us by the server, who somehow roped us into ordering gigantic Indian beers that were not included as part of our Groupon as he had explained. For what it is, it is overpriced. Even after buying a Groupon we still ended up spending about $40 for 2 small portions of chicken dishes and no appetizers. The experience was sub-average at best, I wouldn't return.
(2)Johnny C.
Just had a sit down meal with 16 other members of the Tampa Bay British Curry House Critics and this rating of 4 stars holds up well. The highest rating we've had for a prebooked dinner with more than 12 people. The only competition this location has seen is in in Brandon as we almost always blow up the kitchen :) reviews on FB
(4)Suryaa S.
Chicken chilli masala, chicken vindaloo, goat curry are my favorites. Their buffet is also very good.
(5)John C.
The best Indian Restaurant in the area. Great flavor and high quality meals. The Chicken Madras is my favorite. Everything I've eaten here as been good. Especially their Naan breads, they really compliment the meals so well. Service is always excellent and friendly staff make the dining experience always a pleasure. Also be sure to try the superb Indian beers, they pair wonderfully with the spicy offerings..
(4)Brittany L.
Came here for my birthday lunch. Was quickly greeted and seated at a booth. Both employees I interacted with were friendly and conversational (which can be rare at Indian restaurants). The buffet consisted of salad with toppings, assortment of chutneys, individual cups of mango pudding, and a variety of hot items: 4 items were all-veg (dal-lentils, veggie korma-mixed veg in sauce, potatoes with onions-no sauce, and a yellow curry with tiny black seeds and veg balls in it) then there were 3-4 chicken dishes, regular rice and lemon rice, biryani, mixed pakoras (veg fritters), and naan (bread). Although there was a pan for naan on the buffet, each time it came out fresh an employee brought a basket around and offered it to everyone so we could have a fresh piece. Definitely a nice touch. The restaurant was very clean, all the food was delicious, nicely spiced, and hot temperature. Tables were cleared quickly after people left and water glasses stayed full. I had a sweet lassi and it was served how I like it, with just a little bit of ice. The reason there aren't 4 stars is that I was disappointed in the selection of desserts. For $10.99 I expect to have a choice, not just one item. If there was kheer, "Indian Cream of Wheat", or those little "fudge pieces" made from gram flour OR there was a "green vegetable dish" on the buffet (something with spinach, broccoli, etc.) I probably would've given 4 stars even though this was my first visit. I look forward to going back as this restaurant is only about 10 minutes from work. The restaurant is right behind a new gas station (Thornton's, I think) in a strip mall so it is easy to find.
(3)James K.
Desi Tadka is by far the best Indian restaurant we've been to this side of the Atlantic. After ignoring it and its predecessor for year we finally dropped in for the dinner buffet and were amazed at the quality of the dishes. The Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, an eggplant dish and the Naan were standouts. I usually hate eggplant but loved theirs, and the Cauliflower - Potato dish was a hit. This wasn't just a fluke because a week later we had the lunch buffet and it was just as good. Add prompt and attentive service with a waiter bringing out the Naan to each table when they ran out while baking some more and Desi Tadka has become our favorite restaurant.
(5)Cecilia A.
The food is awesome and the staff are very sweet, I would have given 4 stars if portions were a bit more generous for the price. I do really enjoy the food here though, the butter shrimp is delightful. The lunch time buffet is in my opinion the absolute best bang for your buck. They will also let you pack a to-go container for the lunch buffet too if you are in a time crunch and cannot dine in. Definitely worth a try if you enjoy Indian food for sure.
(3)Dianna B.
Let me start by saying: I don't eat spicy food. That my friends made a reservation for us here was daunting to me. I had no idea what would be on the menu, what I'd even be able to eat in a place that serves Indian food. But with an open mind, I decided to give it a try. We arrived at our appointed time, our reserved table was ready. (they say on the website if you have a party bigger than 4, it's best to make reservations, this is because they are small, about 12-15 tables total) We were sat and given time to peruse the menu. My friends coached me through things and I ended up ordering Butter Chicken, mild as well as some garlic naan and a tandori salad. The table got an assortment of dishes, some people ordered Indian Hot. When we said this, the Waitress looked at them incredulously, because there's no way they could want it, right? But those in the party crazy enough, assured her that YES, they wanted it as hot as she could have it made. Clearly she didn't believe them, but hey, she did bring it out HOT. The food was tasty, I enjoyed the texture and flavour of the butter chicken over the rice with peas. The Naan was absolutely amazing. But the salad.. First of all I expected it before the meal, and yet.. I got it mid way through the meal, the Waitress kept promising it to me, saying "just a minute on the salad" I am not sure if it was a back room communication issue or what have you, but when I got it, the chicken on it was exceedingly dry, but the lettuce was fresh as was the cucumber, and the tomatoes were almost white. All of us (three couples) ordered dessert... it was terribly disappointing. One couple ordered the Pistachio ice cream. It looked re-frozen. There was ntohing creamy about it. Another couple ordered the rice pudding. They said it was Ok. We ordered the "donuts" I think theyre called Galub. Um.. they were pretty much re-fried dense stale doughballs soaked in rose syrup. They were not good at all. While I would eat here again, I would not order dessert.
(3)Larry C.
Went here for a couples date night with some friends and had a really good time. What i really love about indian dishes is the various combinations of spices they use to create some unique flavors not usually experienced in many other cuisines found throughout. Our table didn't really know what to order so we basically went with the two things what we recognized (Garlic Naan & Chicken Masala) and asked the waiter what else we should order. The Garlic Naan .... sooooo good! Very warm and flavorful, the bread alone would make me come back for more ! i think we must have ordered 4 portions of this as i know i probably finished two orders myself. The Chicken Masala, Lamb Vinadoo & Shrimp Korma gave us a nice selection of different spices and sauces which when mixed with the white rice we had was very very good. The Mixed Tandoori was a little on the dry side as this dish didn't have as much sauce when compared to the other dishes above so id probably skip out on that one the next time. To wash it all down, I ordered a king fisher beer & the misses ordered a Taj Mahal beer which went down great with our meals. If your in the mood of trying indian cuisine then give this place a shot. Make sure to double up on the garlic naan order too!
(4)Shawn Y.
Their lunch buffet is very delicious and priced reasonably. Service is great staff are very friendly and good place for kids too.
(5)Chip M.
I'm going to keep it simple. Great food. The people are friendly. It's not the cheapest, but food quality is excellent, and portions are large, so worth the buck. Very enjoyable experience every time I have been here.
(4)Jonathan S.
This place has some great Indian food, there buffet is pretty well stocked, they've saag paneer, butter chicken, a variety of rice, and lentils. Unfortunately I didn't see and raita or chutney on the buffet but the server was nice enough to supply me with some cilantro chutney so I could spice up my food!
(5)Mary W.
Happy mouth! The most delicious Indian food I've had for a long long time. We asked the waitress to recommend a beginning dish. She brought us an amazing appetizer. They were three of us. we each wanted a different naan. All three were served in one basket, so I ended up tasting each of them. all were excellent, and exactly what they claimed to be. garlic naan very garlicky.Lamb naan richly dressed with very flavorful bits of meat. we ordered two entrees plus the naan for 3 people, and head enough in a take home box for another meal. If I ever get a chance to go back I will ask them to leave those superb condiments on the table after crispy intro breads.
(5)Lori L.
I typically do dinner takeout and request it Indian hot. The food has very good taste and sometimes they come close to making it hot enough...I think they try but are some afraid to really light it up...but it is good Indian food. Nice people...correctly fills the order...and is on time.
(4)Juan Jose J.
It's a really good place,it's not a big place but it's pretty clean but it's delicious and its one of the best Indian restaurants I have been to and I enjoyed the food and the people that works here are really nice and this is a place I'd recommend you to go.
(4)Haylee F.
The food is pretty good but it is terribly overpriced. The atmosphere is a little tacky and the people that work there are NOT excited to see you. Paid literally 20 dollars for curry chicken and rice. What a rip off. Change your prices and I promise you will do better business.
(2)Jaime G.
Best chicken tikka masala in Tampa. Great flavors along with a nice presentation when the food arrives. Attentive service is always available with a genuine smile.
(5)Fadi A.
I'm there once a week and never been disappointed. From the service to the food, hands down best indian restaurant in Tampa. And I've been to most of them and this once is by far my fav.
(5)Maria M.
Delicious food. Wait staff is wonderful, courteous, respectful and honest. My favorite Indian food in Tampa. Spoorthy and Varun are the best!
(5)Minna S.
I will first start by saying that this is probably the best Indian food I have had in the Pinellas County area. There are people on here who writes that the customer service is bad and things like that but I am not here to write about the service because I am not going there to make friends with the people who works there, I am going there to basically eat! So I am giving this place 4 stars because the minute I walk in there, I notice that the decor isn't too nice; however, the 4 stars that I am giving this place is because of how good the food I ordered was. I didn't dine-in, I just ordered food to-go however the two young people (guy and a girl) were extremely helpful and courteous. While I was waiting for my food (which took about 15 minutes) the young girl asked me if I wanted a water while waiting. To me they're customer service was good! I ordered their chicken curry, their butter chicken, their vegetable samosa, and their roti, all of which was amazing! I will definitely be coming back to order food from them again!
(4)Anne Marie B.
I do not normally eat Indian food but went with a friend and was pleasantly surprised. The chicken tandoori and garlic naan were excellent. I'd certainly return to try the buffet.
(4)Sarah L.
We've finally found our go to Indian place! So delicious and fresh. You can tell the employees really care as well. Little pricey for lunch, $25 for two for the buffet. I'd pay it again though. If you drive by this place and don't stop, you will regret it!
(5)Ashish K.
Very good service with nice food.
(4)Teresa L.
Met some friends here for an impromptu curry night. I hadn't been to this location before. I had the lamb curry, medium hot. The flavor was good, the medium hot could have been hotter (more towards medium and less toward mild). Garlic naan was tasty. For the most part the service was pretty good until it came to paying the check. Also we had to ask for our check as opposed to waiting for them to bring it of their own accord. Once we gave them our payment, it took another 20-30 minutes to get our cards and change back. Where did they go with our checks anyway? It's like they disappeared into never never land before reappearing again. I'd give it another shot, just because the lamb was cooked pretty well, and because they're pretty close to where I live. But I might be tempted to travel more towards St Petersburg next time to get my curry fix.
(3)Dave W.
I wouldn't consider myself an expert on Indian food but I found some differences here from the food I've had dozens of times in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, and Mumbai. The food was much less seasoned and was a bit short on "pow" flavor. Perhaps it's been made safe for the Oldsmar crowd? On the cleanliness scale, this place was much nicer that the real thing. As for food safety, I tried everything and continued to live my life with no negative consequences. I wish I could say the same for many of my meals in India. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
(3)Desiree L.
Lunch buffet is delicious and reasonably priced! Here once a week... service is great... and VIP punch cards for a free meal ;)
(5)Marinda H.
Day/time of visit: weekday lunch buffet The lunch buffet had a large assortment of vegetarian dishes and a few chicken dishes (tandoori, butter, and vindaloo). I really liked the spinach and chickpea dish and that the vegetables in the mixed vegetable dish were still a little crunchy instead of overcooked mush. The naan was great and they had several rice options (chicken biryani, lemon rice, and regular). The dishes had very good flavor profiles. My primary complaint is that all the food was warm but not 'hot' . Warm food on a buffet freaks me out and sends me into food poisoning fear. Also, our server barely wiped the plastic tablecloth with a wet rag then put the silverware down directly on the tablecloth without a napkin underneath (not to sound like Larry David.... but, again sending food poisoning fears through my mind). He was also not very attentive with customers. 3 stars for the food taste/flavors 2 stars for buffet food being warm but not hot and server cleanliness/attentiveness Also, a bit pricey ($12 lunch buffet) for the food poisoning potential.
(2)Karen T.
They tend to have more selection than a lot of Indian buffets. their food is tasty and tends to be on the spicy side. Overall not a bad Indian restaurant. Nothing fancy. On my latest visit they have really stepped up their game, all the food was fresh, hot and delicious. Some of the best Indian food I've had in the area.
(5)Amy R.
Just had some great takeout - we ordered Dal soup; Tandoori mixed grill; Chicken saag and several other items including Garlic naan. We both thought the food was excellent - IMO the best we have had in Tampa Bay.... if not one of the best food-wise that we have had overall, since we lived in DC. And yes I have been to/eaten in India as well. Only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because they underestimated on time and we had to wait another 15 minutes. The server was very apologetic however and even brought it to our car.
(4)Mary E.
We came here for lunch buffet on a Saturday and it was empty but it started to pick up soon after . The buffet had some good choices including tandoori chicken and biryani . The chicken Tikka Masala was very tasty. One thing that yelpers mentioned was the lack of Raita which was true. I had a mango Lassi which was tasty as well. Overall great Indian food but a little pricier than most places . Total was $25 for two and you get 5% off if you use cash.
(4)Stephanie D.
I grabbed some take out from here a little while back and thought it was great. I got the saag paneer and my mom had the lamb vindaloo (my two favorite Indian dishes). Paneer, rice and naan were all delicious, the lamb vindaloo was tasty also, but I only had a bite or so. Nice and spicy. Only four stars because I thought I was catching a slight attitude off the guy helping me with my order, not sure for what reason. I've been wanting to come back to this place to actually sit down and eat, so we'll see about the service.
(4)Sandeep T.
Food is good. hospitality and reception is great. The best Indian restaurant in Oldsmar
(5)Mark H.
Me and La Chica stopped in for lunch one day after noticing the joint was under new ownership. We checked out the buffet, and it wasn't bad. Nothing on the buffet line really stood out from the crowd though. The goat curry was the best item, but wasn't the best I'd ever had. A few of the items were never filled with fresher selections, and I got a few bits of crunchy rice, indicated a lack of freshness. Still though, everything was edible. The new owners were great. Very friendly and welcoming. I definitely want to give it another shot after they've gotten their sea legs.
(2)Avinash N.
Became good now
(5)Jon W.
My wife and I love Indian food and keep coming back here. The garlic naan is to die for. I have the lamb vindaloo and she has the Aloo Gobhi. Both dishes are delicious.
(5)Kim W.
The best Indian food in town! We had Gobi Manchurian, a cauliflower dish as an app The mixed bread basket with our meals and butter shrimp. Not on the menu but they will make it for you. The spice is made to your preference and the food came out quickly and it was hot. Excellent service. The Hayward 5000 beer and the king Fisher beer were a nice compliment to the meal.
(5)Scott H.
Absolutely great Indian food, ordered several dishes (butter chicken, eggplant, goat) and they were delicious w/just the right spice - can't speak to the buffet (yet! I'll definitely go back for lunch & check it out)
(4)Krishna S.
My wife, daughter and I had to immediately run to the three bathrooms in our house immediately following a lunch buffet at Desi Tadka. The food takes its revenge a few minutes after you leave. It starts off with a very sharp stomach pain and culminates in a full scale bathroom blowout. We're Indian. We can handle a lot. But we'll steer clear of this place. Avoid at all costs. I'd give no stars, if that was an option.
(1)Lauren C.
I eat Indian food frequently. The food was only ok, and service was off. Their Groupon was mis-explained to us by the server, who somehow roped us into ordering gigantic Indian beers that were not included as part of our Groupon as he had explained. For what it is, it is overpriced. Even after buying a Groupon we still ended up spending about $40 for 2 small portions of chicken dishes and no appetizers. The experience was sub-average at best, I wouldn't return.
(2)Prashant G.
Will never visit this restaurant again. I visited Desi Tadka today. I ordered Dal soup, chana masala and 1 Tandoor roti. Here is the frustrating timeline, he took 5 minutes to give me water, then 10-15 minutes for Dal soup and next 20 minutes for Chana masala and Roti. In the same time, there were 3 customers together they gave order of 3-4 dishes and then after 5-10 minutes new 2 customers came and ordered couple of dishes. Both of the customers got their dishes and where almost half done eating. I asked the Waiter why my dish (which was just one dish) took so much of time, he reasoned he orders as per customers come in. I told him i don't want to eat now as the order is too late. He charged me FULL for the order. The reason I am giving 1 star is not because of the taste, which I dint get to taste except the dal soup but because of the attitude of the waiter and lack of respect to customers time. The Waiter himself said that the orders come as per customers give their orders and when I asked him then how come the new customer got their orders ahead of me he started giving excuses that he don't know somehow something in Kitchen went wrong. I told him that then it is your mistake and not mine that the order is late and you still charged me for it (even when I have not touched the dished) Restaurants should not think that customers have whole time in the world to wait for the order. If they cannot respect customers time then they better should close the shop.
(1)Johnny C.
Just had a sit down meal with 16 other members of the Tampa Bay British Curry House Critics and this rating of 4 stars holds up well. The highest rating we've had for a prebooked dinner with more than 12 people. The only competition this location has seen is in in Brandon as we almost always blow up the kitchen :) reviews on FB
(4)Suryaa S.
Chicken chilli masala, chicken vindaloo, goat curry are my favorites. Their buffet is also very good.
(5)Brittany P.
I stopped in for takeout. Service was fast and friendly, and the chicken Tikki masala and naan bread were very good.
(4)Michelle P.
Awesome Indian food! Very authentic. Garlic tandoori shrimp and chicken madras with bullet naan delicious. We asked for extra spicy and got it!!!! Love it!!!!
(5)Greg T.
Alright, alright, we get it. Perhaps the server OR the manager aren't as personable BUT, we're obviously here for the dining experience, and that said, let my wife and I elaborate. We we're greeted in a nice manner. Promptly seated then when inquiring about the menu in general it was explained thoroughly. First off, I recommend the King Fisher lager, indigenous to India. Ordered the Tandoori platter, (enough for sharing) with a side of delightful white basmati rice, tikki sauce and garlic naan. The food was presented, promptly and at proper temperature. Arguably the best Indian food in the area!
(4)Craig D.
I have to say the worst service from a restaurant in a long time. Food OK - staff need better training - will not be back to that restaurant again - better Indian restaurants in Tampa. Sorry to say but the truth
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