Love them! Pleasing atmosphere, delicious food, courteous staff!! By far my favorite in the area. Even their white rice tastes like heaven. My kids couldn't get enough!
(5)
E B.
I grew up on Indian food and this place is very good. I have eaten here many times over the last 2-3 years (eat-in and take-out) and have only had one so-so meal. The spicy ratings have been accurate to my tastes. The place can fill up quickly on busy nights (weekend, holidays), so be patient. The lunch buffett is not lengthy, but it is very good.
(4)
Crystal P.
Totally worth going. I tried the Friday buffet. The manager is a little aggressive but the Beautiful waitress evens that out. Ok, on a serious note. The Friday buffet is totally on point. The food is good. I think the only problem I had is the guy that runs it. It's like he doesn't take the time to talk to you about his product. So I will need to try again to review the food the right way. I posted pictures.
(4)
SnoLion S.
There is a nice couple trying to enjoy their tandoori chicken dinner but next door, there is some serious party going on. I walked in by myself and asked to be seated a table for one, and the owner responded with a question mark on his face, "Excuse me, table for one?" Maybe I should have asked to be seated on the floor instead.
(2)
Shantu R.
Awesome place!! Awesome food!! Awesome owners!! I always make it a point to go there each time I am in town.
(5)
Julie B.
This place is amazing! ! Been here 1.5 years and just discovered it. The food is outstanding and the staff are very friendly and helpful. You should definitely go.
(5)
Mitsu K.
Everything we got was delicious: Lamb & chicken hydrabadi Lamb Bollywood Samosa's Garlic Butter Naan Chicken Naan The meat is so tender & juicy! Staff is super friendly.
(5)
Shane M.
My wife and I love eating here. We've taken her parents here, my parents, and have had our date nights here as well. The food is fantastic, cannot stress enough how much we love it. I recommend the "Bollywood Lamb" dish if you're a fan of Lamb - simply delicious. I also recommend the Chai Tea. A delightful blend of spices mixed with cream and a hint of sugar which makes for a tasty treat before your entree. In addition to the food, the service is wonderful as well. Always happy, always accommodating. If you're searching for something new in St. Mary's County, search no further, this is the best Indian cuisine you'll ever encounter.
(5)
Colleen N.
Best Indian restaurant I've ever been to!
(5)
Jethro T.
Over priced and honestly, have had better chicken tikka masala.
(3)
Julia M.
My favorite restaurant in Maryland. When we lived in Virginia, my husband and I would eat at Bollywood Masala every time we went to visit a friend who lived in the area. The food is the best Indian food I've ever had. I no longer live in the VA/MD area and miss this restaurant a lot. Excellent food, excellent service.
(5)
Scotto B.
Magnificent food. Everything from the service to selection of dishes to top quality flavor and presentation. Price is extremely reasonable. The buffet on Tues and Fri are varied and fantastic. My vegetarian options are great and the more carnivorous Mrs is also supremely satisfied.
(5)
V B.
My all time favorite restaurant to go to for anything ever. I've been dozens of times and have never had a bad meal. They have spicy. They have creamy. They have seafood. They have tender chicken. They have lamb. They have vegetarian. They have vegan. Just about anything you could want. The lunch buffet offers variety with a reasonable price. They are kind and offer up good suggestions for people that are new to Indian food. The food is too good. It will ruin all other restaurants for you. You like your mom's chicken? Not anymore because theirs is better. Every meal is rich and leaves you feeling warm and satisfied. You can find the flavor your craving somewhere on the menu. I still remember, years ago, walking into their old restaurant in La Plata with my dad just wanting to try something new. We told her that we never had Indian food. She guided us through what to order. I had the palak paneer. With my first bite I was hooked. It changed what a good restaurant was to me. Family owned, fresh, and authentic. Recommendations: any bollywood specials, vindaloo, really anything.
(5)
Jody W.
If you like Indian, this is awesome. Downside is the wait..... Still waiting.....
(4)
Shawn D.
Stopped in late this evening, by myself on a work trip. It's a smallish, quiet place. There were a few other diners there when I arrived, but they mostly finished up and left by the time I was done. Huge menu, lots of choices, much of which look very similar to this Midwestern guy. I knew I wanted some naan, and opted for the garlic cilantro. I asked the waiter, a middle aged guy who I assume was the owner based off other reviews, for a recommendation. He asked a few questions about what I like/wanted...no lamb or goat, spicy, creamy...Bollywood chicken it is! The naan and chicken came out quick. The Bollywood chicken was served in a bowl with another bowl of rice on the side. The nan was in a separate basket. I scarfed it all down quick. The chicken and the bread were delicious! It was a delicious meal that set me back $24 including tip. A bit on the high side, but a great meal in a friendly, family owned restaurant. I'll take that on a business trip any day of the week! Stop in if you're in the area, I'm sure you'll have a great meal!
(4)
Bradley N.
The 411: this is the only place to get Indian food for a very long way. If you're dying for it, you gotta come here. I typically go with multiple friends when we go to Bollywood, but it's also an okay place for a date. The manager is a friendly man, and his family operates the place with him. A nice atmosphere and place if you're into that sorta thing. The menu is huge. All of the items are kinda the same thing but with subtle differences. This place is a bit pricey for dinner time. An entree would run you about $13-$18 depending on the meat you choose. Even the naan will cost you an extra $3 per order. Not a wallet friendly restaurant. They have a lunch buffet on certain days and it's a better deal than the dinner menu I'd opt for their murgh makhani (spicy butter chicken), chicken vindaloo or one of their spicy kabobs. This place is good for friends so you can all share the different dishes. All of their dishes are respectable, but certainly aren't spectacular. Couple that with a big price tag, then you realize you're going to the regional monopoly for Indian food. Bottom line: this place is pricey, but decent. The veggie samosas are a good appetizer, but 2 orders of naan will set you back $7. Skip dessert and go get a coffee a few steps away instead.
(4)
Jennifer D.
I love this place, and practically live there. If I've been out of town too long, I have dreams about this food. I love Indian food and try it pretty much anywhere I can find it but this is still my go to favorite. I love that the chicken in the sauce dishes is all white meat, so there are no weird unidentifiable chunks, like you get at other places. I'm a total wimp when it comes to spicy so I stay on the mild side but even the spicier stuff isn't just hot, it all has a ton of fantastic flavor. The lunch buffet is a must do if you want to try a bunch of different things without committing to a whole order. Fridays are the best with almost double the selection for maybe a couple bucks more. And the chai. Oh my, the chai!
(5)
Mike M.
Excellent Indian food in the heart of St. Mary's County! Who would have guessed? I've been here 3 times and it's been consistently great. Vindaloo is heavenly, and if you ask for it spicy, they don't fool around.
(5)
Tom C.
I really like this place. PAX, to me, is pretty much the middle of no where so any food diversity is greatly appreciated. While I've had better Indian in major metropolitan areas, this place is solid and will satisfy your craving for something different. The staff here is very friendly and every dish I've tried is good. The lamb and goat are particularly good. As a tip, their dishes are pretty mild, so no need to be scared that "Indian is too spicy". However the Madras Curry dishes are the real deal, extremely spicy. I have a very high tolerance and even I could only eat about half the dish. You've been warned!
(4)
Chris M.
First time here and so far so good. After reading other reviews I decided to try the lunch buffet. The butter chicken was pretty good. The customer service was great. I was greeted at the door and I informed the waitress that I had never been here before. She smiled, lead me to a booth and asked if I would like her to show me the different choices on the buffet...how sweet. She described the different foods and preceded to tell me which ones she enjoyed and the popular foods of the patrons. Over all I had a pretty good experience. Great food if you enjoy a little spice!
(4)
Emily M.
Love this place! My favorite restaurant in California, MD. The buffet on Fridays is the best!! Don't forget to complement the food with their homemade chai tea.
(5)
Ed D.
My favorite restaurant in the southern Maryland area. They are closed on Mondays. The buffet lunches during the week are awesome. They normally serve the same buffet foods and it's all good. Get there early before the lunch hour rush rolls in. I always bring new people here who has never tried Indian food before. When they ask about it I always tell them, "The spices in these foods were the same spices Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue for, but ended up discovering America." Lol when they hear this it gets them excited in trying it out and they always leave happy. Everything I've ever tried is delicious. I always get naan and raita with my meal. If you don't know what to get, just tell the owner and he will whip up something for you.
(5)
John B.
Wait, there's an Indian restaurant in St. Mary's county? Yes, and it's incredible. They have a huge menu of mostly North Indian dishes, but they seem to experiment with new dishes pretty regularly. All Indian places have vegetarian stuff, but they clearly label their vegan options and can handle gluten free as well; they added a gluten free bread recently. Samosas are reliably good, but I suggest an aloo tikki chaat (fried potato patties in chickpea curry) as an appetizer. They have literally over a dozen paneer (cheese) dishes, but I have to say the bollywood special, despite having a boring and trite name, is pretty special. They even make it with ghost pepper if you ask and they trust you. It's so hot, it's basically an orgasm in your mouth. Fear not though; there are plenty of milder options for those not willing to try a food item that Indians use to ward off elephants. Their breads are also addictive and they have a large variety. Prices here aren't cheap, but with generous portions and excellent quality, it's well worth it. The food has been good from the start, but they've been there a couple of years now and every time I go back, they've improved the place, put in better decor (emphasis on the Bollywood posters) and smoothed out the service. You're still in a strip mall in St. Mary's county, but it's a pretty decent place to eat now. The owners are usually there and are quite personable and willing to talk novitiates through their options. Now that my old favorite Indian place has been closed a while (Udupi Palace), I don't know anywhere in the region you can get better Indian food; even the best places in DC and its suburbs don't match up. If you're leery of an ethnic place in the middle of nowhere, try it. If you don't know anything about Indian food, try it. This place is awesome. Note: Closed on Monday.
(5)
Grant B.
Don't let the location in a strip mall scare you away - the Northern Indian cuisine served at Bollywood is wonderful. We enjoyed three vegetarian dishes (aloo ghobi, vegetable vindaloo and palak Bollywood), full tandoori chicken, garlic naan, mango chutney, and veggie samosa. Oh yes, and the katchumber salad! It all came with delicious basmati rice, perfectly cooked with a little spice. We paired it all with a couple of big bottles of kingfisher beer. Service was very friendly and attentive and the food came in a timely manner and was the perfect temperature. One of the best Indian meals we've had. Definitely will return!
(4)
Mark G.
The food is still great as usual, and service is also. They have recently remodeled since my first review and it is much better now. Should definitely go for their lunch buffet. Plus with their new delivery service, it cant be beat.
(5)
JR M.
My family and I love this place. Wish it was closer to Calvert County.The food is always great, and the family that owns it is friendly and interested in their customers. They always remember your favorite orders and when asked will make excellent suggestions. For an appetizer try the Aloo Tika Chat. All of the entrees are good and the naan bread is excellent. Service is good but sometimes if the restaurant is crowded it can be a little slow. Last week the owner told me the management company that owns the building is not renewing so expect them to move soon. October will be their 7th anniversary so they must be doing something right!
(5)
Kt H.
Bollywood is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Southern Maryland. Going is a treat, since I'm currently on a grad student budget (and truthfully, this place isn't cheap!) but when I decide to splurge, this is where I go. The owner is probably one of my favorite people on earth, first of all. He's so great. I came here for my 22nd birthday with friends and he made me feel so special, making me a special balloon (balloons have no age limit, y'all) and a delicious dessert. The restaurant was also basically empty at 12pm on a Sunday, so our service was extra special. When I come here on average days, the service CAN be a little slow and maybe a little bit aloof, but everyone is so nice regardless. And the food? Impeccable. I order the mango kadhai paneer (which is equal parts sweet, spicy, and savory) and the garlic chili naan every time. It's always been fantastic. If you want a treat, order a pot of chai, too - it's a million times better than what you'll get at a coffee shop.
(5)
Tullie H.
I've eaten some of the best Indian dishes in the world, and in knowing this: it's because some of my family members are Indian/Malay and chefs at that. This by far is the best authentic Indian I've had this far in the USA - with its array of beautiful palate provoking flavors, let your sense of exploring go for a wander through the menu that caters to all palates. Not all Indian is spicy and unlike most Indian restaurants then don't push the westernized versions of Indian cuisine just for sales purposes (aka butter chicken) The owners and staff encourage you to try new items when you request an understanding of them and offer delightful insights to the spices and flavors that are sometimes so foreign to the common tongue. I found that it is a bit pricey for what it is, but with its delectable flavors it's really worth the taste. Don't be warded off by its location, it's a must to drop by this family owned place in a county that thrives off chain restaurants. The atmosphere is donned with mauve and deep reds with a few Indian pieces on the wall. Nothing fancy - but the moment you walk in the door you can inhale the aromas and your tastebuds start to dance.
(4)
Opie S.
As most reviews have said, the food is great. I've eaten here several times and always like it. Sometime off the menu and sometimes the lunch buffet. When I ordered off the menu, the waitress walked me through the decision process: Meat? Tomato based? Spicy? Then told me what I should order. She nailed it. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was one of the more odd experiences I have EVER had in a restaurant occurred on my last visit. I *believe* it was the owner came up to our table and looked only at me and asked if I ate lamb. I said yes and he offered me a nibble of something he was holding with tongs. It looked like a mini burger patty. I assumed he approached me because I was the only one at the table that got the lunch buffet. When I took a bite my first reaction was: tasty. However, after swallowing, I discovered it was raw in the middle. I mean completely raw (and I like medium rare stuff). When I mentioned that to him, he remained unphased and just said "ok". I then said out loud to the table "I guess if I'm violently ill tonight, I have witnesses". He just laughed and walked away. Extremely bizarre.
(4)
Ginger M.
This is consistently good food in a casual but nice setting. It's a "family" feel, and I can bring friends after our daytime adventures, a business associate for a meeting of the minds, or my husband for a date-night. I've tried Indian food in my travels around the US and even a couple in the UK, and l like this the best. I've tried almost everything on the menu at one point or another, before I found out about my food allergies. So the food here has actual flavor, and when they say "very spicy", they're not kidding around. Most of the entrees are sauce-based (curries), but they also have Tandoori (they call this barbecue - it's usually the sizzle and steam on a hot plate kind) which is more of a meat-and-veggie meal. There are also fun desserts and non-alcoholic drinks (they serve wine and beer, but it's not for me!). Dairy, Egg, Corn, Soy, and Wheat: I have allergies to all of these (not life-threatening), but I can eat here with no problem. Meats are marinated in yogurt and (sometimes?) egg, so if you're really sensitive, just order a veggie or lentil dish. I think most Gluten-Free people will not find any issues eating here (I don't), because most breaded things are just made with chickpea flour; but real celiacs might want to ask first if there is any added "white/wheat flour" in your order - I'm pretty sure it's only the samosas, but you should be mindful that they do keep flour in the kitchen. They do have lots of vegan options. I even heard at one point that they are careful not to mix the pans and utensils in the kitchen, because the owners are vegetarians. That said, somehow they also manage to make the most awesome meat dishes... So a few reviewers seem to think that Indian food should be cheap? If you want a cheap crap meal, there are plenty of other restaurants in the area who will oblige. Why come here (when you can see the prices before you order) and then complain? The portions are big enough to feed me twice, and the ingredients are real food (not processed crap). I've been eating here since 2006, and this restaurant has had the same owners, even though it moved and changed names a few times. Whatever reviewer thinks the management has changed is mistaken. It's 2014 and it's still the same couple running it. And if you're looking for the wait staff to bend and stoop to serve you, you're barking up the wrong tree, IMO. They are SUPER helpful, if you just ask for what you want. You'll get a lot more food and drink with "honey" than you will with "vinegar" at this place. Oh, and try the chai tea :)
(5)
Amberly W.
Best restaurant...best Indian I've ever had in the US. Can't believe it's in St. Mary's county.
(5)
Tanya C.
...we got the lamb tikka masala w/ garlic cilantro naan & it was absolutely delish & the staff was extremely helpful and friendly!!!
(5)
Joseph S.
This is an exceptional family run restaurant the food is authentic northern India the atmosphere is quiet the staff is very friendly. Our food arrived hot and the servers made sure our tea was always full and the naan bread was always fresh. I highly recommend this restaurant for it's food and atmosphere.
(4)
Nancy A.
LOVE this place! We tried it when we were in the area on the recommendation of a friend. And boy, we were glad we did. The location is in a strip mall - kind of unassuming. The decor is interesting.... but don't worry about that! The food is just superb. We got the Aloo Palak and Vegetable Korma. OMG. Probably the best we've had. The service was attentive without hovering. It was nice to see a lot of locals/regulars coming in for dinner and being greeted as friends. A+ food and service. If we are in the area again, we're definitely coming back!
(5)
Richard F.
I had the lamb vindaloo and it was amazing. Such depth of flavor. And the plain naan bread perfect. Its a large menu. I can't wait to come back many times to see what everything else tastes like.
(5)
Tyson H.
The only decent restaurant in the area. Love their hyderabadi, aloo kulcha, rice and naans. The staff are pretty friendly, and you can place an order for a pick-up though they do not deliver. Although there is absolutely nothing else i would recommend in this area, Bollywood is definitely a must. You wouldn't think you'd find an authentic Indian restaurant in St Mary's county but this place is a true gem!
(5)
Laurel C.
I've been going to Bollywood for a couple years and they have recently stepped up the decor, making it a lot more welcoming. The owners will take time to walk you through the menu, so someone who's new to Indian can help find something they'll like, and someone who's been eating there for years can sample something confidently. For appetizers, aloo tikka chaat is all I've ever had. It's delicious. I have had most of their vegetarian entrees and they're all decent but the Bollywood Special with paneer is my favorite! Great spices, yummy paneer, good portion size. Their "extremely hot" is quite spicy but I was able to handle it. My husband's "hot!" dish was similarly spicy though, so do not rely on the spice levels listed on the menu if you're at all worried. Ask the owners and they'll help guide you! Garlic naan and garlic butter naan are both dependable but not the best I've had. The potato kolcha is decent, the onion kolcha is droopy and falls apart strangely.
(4)
Joshua M.
This was my first time ever going to this restaurant. I am HOOKED!!! I went out of my comfort zone and had goat for the first time ever. Everything down to the rice was packed with flavor, wonderful friendly staff, cool easy to read menu, the best bread I have ever tasted. Cost me $50 for my family of four and we all could have shared an order and it would have been plenty. I left satisfied and now with a new restaurant favorite.
(5)
Katie H.
Great place. The food was delicious. We came on a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The butter chicken and garlic naan are awesome. The service was great. I have absolutely no complaints. I'm not from around here but I would definitely come here at least once a week if I did. They also have takeout so that's and option too.
(5)
John Q.
Very good indian food restaurant. I went for dinner and drinks with about 15 people and everything was perfect. I can't wait to go again.
(5)
Christopher J.
I want to give this place 5 stars, because the food is absolutely delicious, but there are some major issues going on with the internal workings of the restaurant. For what it's worth, I've listed those problems within the confines of my latest Bollywood experience. I decided to eat dinner at Bollywood Masala last night, the 24th of August, as I remembered how great it was the first time I ate here, all except the unfiltered water, but I can overlook that as long as there's something else to drink, like a soda. When my guest and I walked into the restaurant, the first thing we both noticed was how absolutely filthy the front door and entrance 'foyer' was - the glass front door looked like it was washed with saltwater and a rag that had just gotten done washing 50 semi trucks that had been on "Ice Road Truckers" recently. Then, inside the foyer, it looked like it hadn't been dusted, vacuumed, or wiped down since before the 1st World War. Once we made it past the foyer, things looked like they had gotten better, and we were taken to our table, which had a clean tabletop, but dirty plastic booth seats that were sticky. We sat in our booth for what had to be close to 5 minutes before menus were brought to us, and not by a server but by one of the kitchen employees who didn't seem to speak English - only Indian. Once we had our menus, we sat there for about 10 minutes until a young lady came up, chomping on a piece of gum, and immediately asked us "you know what you want?" and went back to chewing her gum like a 90s valley girl. We ordered our food, and two Sprites, as again, the water was vile. The young lady took our menus and departed, never to be seen again - literally. She didn't go get our Sprites, she didn't go clean tables or go on a break, she went to a booth all the way in the back of the restaurant, and it was then I realized that her and the other 'floor' employees were playing a game of Monopoly, while I looked around and saw numerous customers waiting on drink refills, to place orders, or looking for their check. 20-25 minutes after we placed the order for our Sprite, our food came out - which was delivered not by the gum chewing young lady (who also made the worst server I've ever seen) but by the chef. THE CHEF was delivering my food. The food here is delicious, but the service is the worst it possibly could be. The owner of this restaurant needs to send all their employees through an episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" just so Gordon Ramsay can spend some time training these people. The owner of this restaurant clearly has absolutely zero idea of how to run a place - but luckily for him (or her) the food is absolutely top notch, and, for the most part, compensates for the lack of service. If you want to eat good food and aren't worried about service, this place will do you just fine. However, if you really go to restaurants for equal amounts of service and food, you will not be impressed here. One final note - if you eat here on a Friday or Saturday night, then the Indian "night club" adjacent will really interfere with your ability to speak at a normal volume with your company. And oddly enough, the club is literally attached to the restaurant, and you can go from one to the other from within the restaurant. Long story short, this place needs an overhaul - and it would be the best restaurant in Southern Maryland.
(3)
Justin E.
I love this restaurant so much that when I eat here it almost brings me to tears and that is not because I ordered the dish too spicy. The Lamb Tikka Masala here is my favorite dish at any Indian restaurant I have ever eaten at anywhere. Couple that with the Butter Naan and.... Well that is when I tear up with tears of pure bliss.
(5)
Amoli P.
I'm not sure how I ended up in the Lexington Park, MD area, but I'm sure glad I did. Given the surrounding area and the far distance from any major city, Bollywood Masala is an absolute diamond in the rough for Indian cuisine. To be honest, if this restaurant was in Chicago or another large city, I would probably have given only 3 stars just because there is so much other competition and such a diverse market to choose from. This restaurant would not stand above the crowd in that situation, but it would certainly hold its own in any city. There is something very admirable about an Indian restaurant so far removed from diversity, that still keeps their cuisine authentic, fresh, and has a great atmosphere with great service. I went with 3 friends on a Sunday night for a later dinner. The place was half full when we arrived at 8:30, but by 10pm they were patiently waiting for us to leave so they could close for the evening. My friend and I went with the bhindi masala and paneer kadhai along with garlic naan. The flavor and spice on both were excellent. The entrees are very generous servings, with a good amount of paneer, and the okra was prepared perfectly. My only complaint is that the dishes were fairly oily, though this is a common issue with most Indian restaurants in all cities. The garlic naan was crisp and garlicky just as it should be. Service was friendly and quick. We didn't check out the adjacent "lounge" area, as it wasn't exactly hopping on a Sunday night, but I'm sure it's lovely. I'm not sure if I will ever be back to the Pax River area, but I know that if I do return, Bollywood Masala will be a number 1 priority.
(4)
Amy W.
The Bollywood Chicken was exquisite. I look forward to coming back and exploring the menu.
(5)
Erin J.
Very good Indian food, great ambiance, and the owners are super charismatic. They also have the bar next door which is a lot of fun. I'll come back every time for the food.
(5)
Whitney L.
If it wasn't for Yelp and all the reviews I wouldn't have found Bollywood Masala, so I had to add in my thoughts: this place was all I hoped and more - the positive reviews are very accurate. Loved the Baingan Bharta and gluten-free bread (chickpeas with onions and peppers). Lots of GF vegan options and really nice service. We were greeted with warm smiles and frequently asked if we needed anything and how our food was. Really nice atmosphere too - very comfortable, clean and quite. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Mike B.
Ever want to have your tastebuds kicked around, only to ask for more? Go to Bollywood Masala, and ask for the Bollywood Special...WITH the ghost chile. It beckons to you, like a voice in the night trying to corrupt your soul - along with your tastebuds. Make no mistake, the heat is surprisingly layered within the creamy flavors, which is impressive unto itself. The owner - who is awesome, BTW - gave me a side of yoghurt along with a little candy to help mitigate the heat and allow the flavor to peek through more vividly. Oh, and the naan is great, too. So is the Masala tea, if a bit too ginger forward for my personal tastes. Of course this place gets 5 stars!
(5)
Sarah C.
My Fiance and I always loved this place; but this visit was truly disappointing. Service: First, we waited quite a while JUST to place our drink order...after that, it took twice as long for someone to come over and take our food order. My fiance finished his drink and placed the empty glass at the end of the table halfway through the meal, and no matter how many times random employees walked past the table and literally looked right at us, he never got a refill or even checked on. A different person waited on us every time...which was actually only three different people since THAT'S how many times our table was even checked on the whole evening... including for the check. And let me tell you, they may have never refilled the drink, but it took them all of 45 seconds to pick up the check when I set it out at the end of the table. Sadly, that was the most efficient service we received. Food: We got the Lamb and the goat Saag, and both were very good, just like the entrees usually are here; however... one of our favorite parts of ANY Indian cuisine is, of course, the naan...the garlic butter naan we ordered and received tonight was absolutely ghastly. The garlic wasn't even cooked, and was still crunchy and extremely bitter. The inside of the normally delicious bread was so doughy I couldn't eat it...while the outside was seriously charred and completely inedible. I was extremely disappointed. Staff: the whole time we were there, what seemed like the owner and his entire family sat in a corner booth, on their laptops, just watching everyone and occasionally getting up to swipe a card or greet someone they knew. There was only one man doing any work at all, and that included EVERYTHING. I saw him bussing tables, making drinks, getting checks, taking orders, seating people, bringing orders...and all the while everyone else was sitting down. Although the entrees were tasty, every other aspect of our visit was nothing but an embarrassment.
(2)
Zach G.
This is pretty solid Indian food. In the region, I assume it must be the best, thus the 4 stars. As compared to other Indian food experiences I have had around the country, it's slightly above average. However, there is nothing wrong with slightly above average! I ordered a Hyderabadi Chicken (spicy, instead of medium as it normally comes), which came with basmati of course. Also, an order of plain naan. I believe the naan that came was actually butter naan and that I was charged as such (an extra $1). Not a big deal, but it still wasn't accurate to my order. The chicken itself was delicious - spiced very well, quite spicy but not overpowering, and with big chunks of tasty, most, tender chicken. The naan was equally as good. Basmati was typical basmati...hard to screw that up. This all cost about $16 + tax. I'll easily get two meals out of it as I threw the remainder in to the fridge of my hotel room. I would certainly return to fill my Indian food cravings!
(4)
John M.
I don't understand the rave reviews. Ive had indian food all over the east coast. The food, service and experience was mediocre at best. It was a $8. Meal I paid $21. For. !!
(2)
Amit K.
The food here is really really good. I recommend the Bollywood Lamb or Goat for those of you who are adventurous. The Bollywood Lounge next door is also a nice place to go for an evening of cocktails and music.
(5)
Rick C.
I base this review primarily on the food; which is outstanding. Everything I've eaten here is beyond great: appetizers, entrees, bread, and desserts. Whether you like it spicy or mild, the food is just plain good. I love spicy and this place can put a tasty hurting on you, so be careful. They will adjust seasoning to taste for most dishes or recommend a more subtle alternative. Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations when ordering -- they really know their food. The refreshing mango ice cream is out of this world and a soothing way to cool down after a spicy meal. Now the prices are a bit high, but the food is just so good I don't care. The service is hit or miss. It's been great and it's been poor; but again the food is just so good I just look past it. There's this young Hispanic server there that tries real hard, and is getting better, so cut him some slack -- he's working on it. The family (owners) are always friendly and we enjoy speaking to them at every visit. The decor has definitely gotten better over the years, but admittedly still needs some work. And the bathrooms -- well . . . we don't talk about them -- just use the head before or after. Go eat at this place if even think you might like Indian food. Get take out if you can't get past the questionable service and decor, but go try this food. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
K D.
We eat here regularly. We have never had a bad meal there. The service is impeccable! I highly recommend paneer Tika masala! We are moving and will surly miss it!
(5)
DC R.
Yelp has been a great guide for restaurants in this remote county. This restaurant has 5 star rating food. Yummy, tasty, authentic. Can't be beat in Maryland. Can't be beat in Washington, DC (where I live and find no Indian food close to this.) The owner is helpful, and guided us through some menu choices. The servers are friendly and efficient. The food is colorful, tasty, and high quality. (Which you can see in the photos that others have put up here.) The decor is fine. It is not fancy, but you can't eat the decor! We are here to eat. We come out this way periodically because we have a child attending St. Mary's College of Maryland. I'd recommend this restaurant to parents who like Indian food or would like to try really excellent Indian food. This is an excellent place to take your child. We liked it so much we came back twice in three weeks while attending school events. And after our child graduates, we may even make the drive from Washington, DC.
(5)
Nick P.
Service was quick but there seemed to be a bit of a language barrier. I had garlic naan which was pretty good, paneer kora which had an odd taste, and curry hyderabadi, which was a bit spicy and a bit sweet. Their menu is really big, but a lot of their dishes sound the same, basically a different meat and different level of spiciness. Really quiet and dark in there, which was a bit awkward...I almost felt like I wasn't supposed to talk. Food is pretty pricey. Best place ever like some reviews make it out? No, but not bad either.
(3)
BT B.
Really great food dined In the first time and this visit I did take out. Naan was the bomb I got an assortment of different ones. Aloo Tikki chaat chicken tikka and paneer Bollywood, all were very tasty and not too spicy. Anyways most restaurants blow in southern Maryland but this place is a winner.
(5)
Russell L.
I go there at lunch with co-workers very often. You can't beat the buffet at lunch! Great food - all you can eat - at a reasonable price. Love this place!
(5)
Kristi N.
This is amazing Indian food! I had my baby shower there even! We lived near Los Angeles, and this meets or exceeds any Indian restaurant out there. I was so sad we had to move away. You will always see the owners there, which I love. They are so friendly, and we had really gotten to know them in the 3 years we were there. Their son owns the bar connected to it. Great drinks there.
(5)
Bobby B.
The Sauce is Addicting. I heard so much about this restaurant so I took my mother here for a special occasion. The owner came out to guide us through a few key things and my mom was able to try one of their "experimental" dishes that wasn't on the menu just yet, which is cool. I ordered the Lamb Makhni Madras, which I recommend for first-timers. The owner, Raj brought out a teaspoon of the sauce so I could try it before ordering it. The sauce was balanced; sweet and spicy without overpowering the food and paired well with the lamb. Raj said his wife spent five years perfecting the array of sauces, which was noticeable to me. She also gave us some off-menu snacks for the road. Such a personable experience with nice people and good food.
(5)
Josh H.
Some of the best Indian food I've ever had. If you're new to Indian food I heartily recommend the chicken makhani in addition to some naan (garlic, butter, chili, or any combination of the three).
(5)
Jonathon B.
Very good food! Finally a good Indian place in St.Mary's County. Server was friendly, and prompt. We will definitely be repeat customers.
(4)
Chris M.
The food was great. The staff was good. The decor needs some work. I'd go there again. The Chicken Tikka Masala is not the "normal" style, but was excellent (and the waiter warned me what to expect).
(3)
Kristi M.
We went there a few weeks ago and the food was very good. Speedy service and two servers helping. Can't remember the names of the dishes we had, but we did have the spicy shrimp cream dish (me), medium lamp cream dish (husband), and the deluxe Naan ( they substituted one of the breads for something we liked better. The decor need a big update. It wasn't dirty or smelly, just some of the overhead light fixture awnings seemed to be lose on the wall and the whole restaurant needed new paint. We will be going again.
(3)
Cameron D.
My wife and I love Indian food and for the last 14 years have lived in the US and experienced a wide range. Having both grown up in the UK, where, arguably, you can find the best Indian, Pakistani and Bengali food outside of those actual home countries, the bar has been set high. Bollywood Masala, on the night my wife and I went there, was THE BEST Indian food we have experienced in the entire USA. The only place I have experienced, outside of the UK or India that was on a par, was a very pricey restaurant in Abu Dhabi. This place is tucked inside a strip mall, amongst the plethora of stores in Lexington Park. But what a gem. They also have a small range of Indian wines and the Reserve Shiraz was the most expensive, but at $30 a bottle was an absolute steal. You can of course take home what is left in the bottle and get a doggie bag. Our appetizers were chicken pakora and veggie pakora. These can be either over battered and/or soggy. Ours were perfect. Fresh, juicy, tasty and the spice was just right. My wife is gluten-free and everything on the menu was acceptable. I had shrimp Hyderabadi and she had chicken Jalfrezi. Both had fresh herbs and spices. You can absolutely tell when you have eaten as much Indian food as we have when this stuff is fresh. The Hyderabadi had a beautiful coconut flavor and we also had a gluten-free chickpea-based bread. My wife makes these at home and she is an excellent cook. This was even better. If you want a cheap meal, this can run to $15-18 per main, but the wine is not at all expensive compared to the scandalous mark ups I have seen pretty much everywhere else. To get high quality Indian authentic beer and Indian wine is highly unusual. I cannot emphasize what a gem this place is. Anyone who lives in the Lexington Park area has no idea how high a quality this place this is on a GLOBAL scale and believe me, we absolutely know about Indian food.
(5)
Shai J.
This place is simply amazing. I've ordered from here on three occasions, and each time I was surprised at how delicious the food was. Bollywood Masala has discovered a way of improving every one of my favorite Indian dishes beyond expectation. Usual favorites: Samosas, Paneer Pakora, Paneer Makhani.
(5)
Thomas G.
Drinks are a tad pricey and they never seem to have lamb, but I love coming here. Great drinks and food, and a great atmosphere.
(4)
Sherry H.
Used to go here all the time when they first opened and loved. Went all the time. But when then the management changed, as did the cooking. Now it is nothing special. Never go anymore.
(2)
Anna B.
This is a great place, with wonderful staff and wonderful food. The dishes are not so hot that you can't taste the wonderful spices (I even had Vidaloo here once). It is a good place for a mixed group of meat eaters and vegetarians. They are so accommodating. It's got a great vegetarian selection and is vegan friendly, too. It's one of the best places to eat in St. Mary's County. I went here to celebrate my birthday one year. Everyone loved the food. A few people would have like to have a drink with their meal, but there's no alcohol, so you should know that. Try the Lassis instead. I would recommend this place to everyone. The prices are very reasonable.
(5)
Rachel L.
The best curry you will find in Southern Maryland. The service is so so, but the curry is delicious.
(4)
Brian T.
I don't eat Indian food much, but both times I've been to Pax River on travel, I've stopped at Bollywood Masala for dinner, and each time I was not disappointed. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly (I dig the Bollywood movie posters hanging on the walls). The couple who own the place were helpful and courteous. They made great recommendations for someone like me who isn't familiar with Indian cuisine. The first time I went, I had the paneer madras - extra spicy - and it was a underestimation I won't make again. If you ask for really spicy food, you're gonna get it! Delicious, but I've never sweated so much in my life during a meal. Tonight, I had the lamb hyderabadi. It had much less spice (still a decent amount though), and it went really well with the roti I ordered (pick any bread on the menu, you really can't go wrong). A nice find in a place like this that's so crawling with uninspired chain restaurants. Highly recommended to newbies!
(4)
Jesse L.
great atmosphe with friendly service. the menu is very extensive and I feel like many of the curries taste very similar but fortunately that also means they all taste great! I would highly recommend the lunch buffet! all you can eat for ~$9-10.
(5)
Alina S.
Lamb achari! Delicious, not on the menu, and perfect if you need something not too spicy.
(5)
Stephanie M.
This place is wonderful. The food is delicious, people are courteous and it is very family friendly.
(5)
Randi R.
Best Indian food ever!
(5)
Remash G.
During my last visit, 8/10/2010, the food was really good. The heat factor was perfect for my taste and the spices were top notch. A new coworker ate with us. It was her first time eating anything spicy and hot. She did not dig the flavors too much so Sonny made her special dishes. They were good (yah, we got to try it too). She liked them and enjoyed the always good naan. The service is definitely top notch and we kept getting naan refills without needing to ask. Ohhhh yeah!
(5)
Rob B.
Amazing lamb and chicken Loma
(5)
Amy C.
We dined here for the first time on Valentines Day 2014, and again in March 2014. My husband read the reviews here on Yelp, and decided to give it a try, even though on his own he would have never tried Indian food. It was a first for him, and he loved it! I loved it! I was so happy he loved it, as we are a gluten free family, and now we have another restaurant we can add to our list!
(5)
Nikhil P.
Amazing food. Warm and Personable owners. Highly recommend the Chicken Tak-a-tak and Lamb Madras!
(5)
Mark G.
This is for both the restaurant and the lounge (next door). We went there the other other night to see a local band in the lounge. Sonny, who seems to run the Lounge side, was there; he greeted us and was very friendly. Not seeing what we wanted on the Lounge menu (which tends to be more bar food oriented) we went next door to eat at the restaurant (more on that next), The Lounge is pretty straight forward, comfortable chairs and couches to sit in, a nice bar, and all around nice atmosphere. Sonny mingled with folks, lots of free sample drinks, and made sure folks were having fun. Made for a good evening, in part because he was so welcoming. The Restaurant side, the father is equally as personable. He greeted us, and as others have commented (and other family members) walks folks through the menu. A lot want to order the naan as a appetizer, for example, and he explains it is to be eaten with the meal. The Masala Tea is a winner, a nice chai tea with a slight "bite" from ginger. Menu items have spice ratings, they are accurate and maybe a little misleading. I got the Bollywood Special (made with a ghost chili) which is rated VERY spicy. It is, in that there is most certainly a VERY spicy element. The mis-leaning part though is, the spice fits perfectly with the dish...it is there, but blends with the other flavors and spices. In other words, do not be scared off by the spice ratings; spicy yes but not the mouth numbing fire heat you might expect from "very spicy". The dish itself was perfect blend of spices, "heat" and flavors. The kabobs are probably not what one might expect, think more along the lines of fajitas with respect to how they are served; on a sizzling plate of onion, lettuce, green peppers, etc. The meats are the stars, nicely cooked, juicy, well spiced; the runner up would be the lettuce. The lettuce gets a amazing char from the plate, and mixed with the other flavors from the meat, onions, etc. is fantastic. With the endless line of chain restaurants there in California MD, this family run one is a real gem and worth checking out. Give it a chance, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Laura M.
Absolutely our favorite place to eat in the county. The staff is always pleasant and is great at helping you pick out the perfect meal for you if you are not familiar with Indian Cuisine. Sometimes the wait for the food can be a little long, but it doesn't really matter as long as they keep the Garlic Butter Naan coming!
(5)
Ali A.
The most awesome Indian food you will ever have in your life!!!!
(5)
Ingrid K.
Lunch buffet is $9.49 with sales tax. Excellent, fresh food. Definite favorite for this area. I'll be back! :)
(5)
Scott S.
Hands down the best restaurant in St. Mary's County.
(5)
Joe S.
Sweet Baby Jesus! If you have never had Indian please go, try it before you die you won't be disappointed. I am a repeat customer can't you tell.. :)
(5)
Cat F.
The best place for Indian in southern Maryland! I've been here several times now and have tried a wide range of dishes from the butter chicken, biryani, lamb rogan josh, okra, mattar paneer, saag paneer, garlic naan, pakoras and also their lunch buffet. I haven't yet been disappointed with anything we've ordered. Service on a busy night can be slow (but that's a good sign when the place is packed!) and sometimes the owners will tell you what to order, which is great if you're a novice, but frustrating if you know exactly what you want! I agree with other reviewers - the decor could be improved and the staff is courteous, especially the owners. I'll be back again soon... very soon!
(4)
Andrea L.
Indian food is one of my favorites and when we moved from Seattle I knew it would be one of the cuisines I missed most. Was pleasantly surprised to find Bollywood when we moved to SOMD. Who would have thought?? Great food and service. We've really enjoyed the meals we've ordered. It is a little bit on the expensive side compared to what I've had in the past, and in one dish the shrimp was slightly over cooked, but honestly those issues would never stop me from eating here or recommending it to people! If you like Indian food, eat at Bollywood! So glad this restaurant is here!
(4)
Mark C.
Came to the area for a class from Los Angeles where I eat a pretty good amount of Indian food. I lived in SF in an area which was affectionately called the Tandoori-loin because of the prevalence of good Indian restaurants in the area. All that to say, this place was really good - possibly the best Indian I have had to date. The spiciness (hot vs spices) was good but not overwhelming meaning you could still taste the food but it was hot. The owner came by and asked us what we were looking for and recommended stuff. His recommendations were perfect. If you are visiting the area, I would definitely recommend it. The Naan was good and big and tasty. The inside is clean and nice enough. Prices aren't cheap but reasonable. They took the restaurant.com certificate happily which was nice and saved me some money. We had left overs and ate them the next day and it was good. Would go again.
(5)
Lisa M.
My girlfriend and I had lunch here today. We had the Buffet, which was reasonable at $9. The food was WONDERFUL!! And then I realized why... The owner looked familiar. This is the same Family that operated Masala Waldorf in the shopping plaza next to Bed Bath & Beyond. What Joy! No wonder everything was so good. After a brief chat with the owner, who is as friendly as always, we learned that they had to move out of the old location due to issues with the land lord... California MD definitely lucked out an we will definitely be going back. Next time for dinner, and with a big group :)
(5)
Ryan H.
I must have missed something. I did not get the 4-5 star experience that most describe here. The girlfriend order two chicken dishes (one was butter chicken, forget the other) and some naan. I was very surprised when I picked it up on my way home from work and the bill was almost $50. A bit expensive for some chicken and rice, but I could deal with it if it was as good as others described. Sampling the two chicken dishes, neither one of us could tell any difference between the two. I felt they were both pretty bland. Maybe we just made some bad choices but I don't think I'll be back after the high price and bland food experience.
(3)
Keri C.
I stopped in here after hearing about "wine down Wednesdays". I was immediately welcomed by the staff and Sonny extended his hospitality as if we were old friends. I have since returned (and Sonny remembered my name after having only visited ONE time... which is something I strive to do in my professional realm) numerous times and am starting to navigate my way through the menu. I have noted improvements made in the menu content itself; the new menu offers a nice description of the fare, which is an Indian-Chinese fusion... I am pleased with my options thus far. The salmon was particularly tasty. I look forward to getting better acquainted with the food. As for my experience here, The staff are very inviting and welcoming, and Sonny is sure to make everyone feel like they are in a very modern episode of "Cheers". Aesthetically the lounge is very pleasing... comfortable, hip, modern and relaxing. When there is live entertainment there is plenty of open space to dance... at least until this place really catches on.. which with this kind of "wow" service the people are sure to come here, and keep coming here.
(4)
Erika C.
If you are looking for quality Indian food in South Maryland than Bollywood is the place to visit. I order the curry fish, veggie samosas, and the garlic naan. It was was hands down the best Indian food that I have tasted. The inside of the restaurant is set up family style which gives it a home-like feeling and the staff was very helpful with my order. I ordered my food as a pick up and it was hot and ready when I arrived. The portions are generous and I highly recommend this place if you are looking for fresh tasting Indian food.
(5)
Erin A.
this place is amazing! I cannot wait to return, delicious food and very ncie staff. Reasonable prices. Check it out!!
(5)
Katherine S.
Food very good as other reviews note. However on a busy Sat night even with a reservation we waited 30 min for table then another 75 minutes for food! If not for the great food reviews and smells going by us we would have left. Took over half hour to even take drink order (ps they do serve alcohol despite what yelp says). Then another long wait for drinks to arrive and they forgot what we ordered. Very inexperienced staff totally disorganized, mixups with orders (never got our appetizer at all) very very slow turnover of tables. We ordred a chicken tandoori and they brought a different "assorted chicken" dish due to having none of the tandoori - it was delicious but would have been nice to let us know ahead. I am sure at a quieter time would be fine, however $100 dinner for 3 it is reasonable to expect adequate staffing. I would not go back on a weekend night.
(3)
Snow T.
Great food. The owner is fantastic. Very vegan friendly. I love samosas, but would suggest the pakoras instead. Their samosas are good, but the pakoras are always awesome!
(5)
Toaster O.
Best Indian food in all of the DMV by far. Try the: Butter Chicken...it takes twice to become addicted Kashmiri Chicken...amazing Vegetable Korma....also amazing. the Chai is delicious and I swear it has crack in it to make me drive an hour just to get my fix.
(5)
Evan H.
This is indian food at its best! I am never sure exactly what the different items on the menu are even though there are great descriptions, but that is ok because the owner is very knowledgable. I haven't ended up ordering what I had picked out the last couple of times going because he has recommended different things to me and they have been AMAZING. I don't think I am even going to look at the menu anymore - just ask what he recommends.
(5)
Chich S.
The food here is EXCELLENT. One of my fav indian places i've ever been to. The chicken tikka and the makhni are delish, and the naan is great. Desserts are yummy too (especially the pistachio ice cream!). The staff is friendly as well! Now whenever i travel to Pax River, i always make sure to eat here at least once.
(4)
Steve P.
Truly authentic Indian Food! If you have never eaten there, just ask Sunny for a suggestion. He will be happy to personalize anything to meet your tastes. Their signature dish, Bollywood Chicken, is made with the Ghost Chili Pepper - the hottest pepper in the world! It is amazing! This is my favorite place to eat in St Mary's County!
(5)
David H.
We ate a late lunch here on a Sunday, so it was pretty deserted. The chef came out and gave us a sample of some sauce we were considering, and discussed a number of different options on the menu. The waiter was also very knowledgeable and helpful. The decor/building maintenance needs some work, but the food and staff are first rate. Highly recommended, we'll be going back.
(3)
Amber J.
Surprisingly good Indian food. The food is great. The service is good but could be better. Sonny is an amazing host.
(4)
Chad G.
Best Indian food in town and some of the best I've ever had. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is a fan of Indian food.
(5)
Hunter G.
Bollywood Masala is the current Indian offering in Southern Maryland. I say "current" because sadly we have had what seems like a succession of Indian restaurants here (Taste of India, Curry of India, India Garden, etc.). Our current Indian offering is a major contender for best food! Bollywood Masala has real authentic cuisine and the food is excellent. The location is convenient to the base, but is located is a space that needs much work! The owners are very friendly, Sunny especially. He can offer you suggestions of some of their best items. Be sure to try the Porri as an alternative to the Naan, it is delicious! The service is sometimes slow, but that is just a small price to pay to enjoy the delicious food!
(4)
Jane L.
Yummy! Great Indian food in Southern Maryland. Staff was very attentive and had wonderful suggestions. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
abby h.
A group of us have gone to the Lounge at Bollywood twice now to play the Tuesday night Team Trivia. Both experiences were bad. The first night we noticed service was really, really slow. The wait staff is johhny on the spot when you first sit down for a drink order and then that is about the last time they come by. Our last evening there was awful. We arrive at 6pm with a group of seven. We are given one menu to share to order any food. The server returns within a few minutes before we can each take a turn looking at the menu, then doesn't come back to take our order for 30 minutes. Okay so it was getting crowded. We finally get our food ordered at 6:50 (mind you we sat down at 6). Two appetizer orders came within 30 minutes, then two naan pizzas arrived 20 minutes later. However the last two orders for our table finally showed up an hour and 20 minutes from when the order was placed! Really! We would flag down the server and she would tell us the food would be out in 2 minutes even though the people who ordered it told her please check, they were starving. Oh and then once trivia was over and everyone is paying the bill to leave, the naan breads which were ordered 2 hours earlier show up. Food okay. Service deplorable. One poor wait person cannot handle the number of people in the bar during trivia. It isn't like the restaurant doesn't know it would be busy. Hire more help!!!!!!!! For now, we are going elsewhere. Or bring Chipotle burritos with us to eat in the bar. Ridiculous.
(1)
Stephanie K.
This is one of my favorite restaraunts. The people who run it are awesome and always willing to change dishes around to suit your tastes (and they ask a lot of questions to figure out what your tastes are). The food is AMAZING. I used to live really nearby, but now I've moved about 2 hours away and I miss it all the time. Go here, you won't regret it.
(5)
Julie D.
We ate dinner with our college student daughter. The waiter remembered her AND which dish she ordered (!!) from other visits. Food was excellent. Friendly atmosphere. We could hear our own conversation (which is not the case in some restaurants). We'll be back when we are visiting our daughter.
(5)
Karen H.
What a surprise - decent Indian Food in Southern Maryland! Vegetable samosas were awesome. Totally hits the spot if you're craving Indian.
(4)
V B.
My all time favorite restaurant to go to for anything ever. I've been dozens of times and have never had a bad meal. They have spicy. They have creamy. They have seafood. They have tender chicken. They have lamb. They have vegetarian. They have vegan. Just about anything you could want. The lunch buffet offers variety with a reasonable price. They are kind and offer up good suggestions for people that are new to Indian food. The food is too good. It will ruin all other restaurants for you. You like your mom's chicken? Not anymore because theirs is better. Every meal is rich and leaves you feeling warm and satisfied. You can find the flavor your craving somewhere on the menu. I still remember, years ago, walking into their old restaurant in La Plata with my dad just wanting to try something new. We told her that we never had Indian food. She guided us through what to order. I had the palak paneer. With my first bite I was hooked. It changed what a good restaurant was to me. Family owned, fresh, and authentic. Recommendations: any bollywood specials, vindaloo, really anything.
(5)
Jody W.
If you like Indian, this is awesome. Downside is the wait..... Still waiting.....
(4)
Shawn D.
Stopped in late this evening, by myself on a work trip. It's a smallish, quiet place. There were a few other diners there when I arrived, but they mostly finished up and left by the time I was done. Huge menu, lots of choices, much of which look very similar to this Midwestern guy. I knew I wanted some naan, and opted for the garlic cilantro. I asked the waiter, a middle aged guy who I assume was the owner based off other reviews, for a recommendation. He asked a few questions about what I like/wanted...no lamb or goat, spicy, creamy...Bollywood chicken it is! The naan and chicken came out quick. The Bollywood chicken was served in a bowl with another bowl of rice on the side. The nan was in a separate basket. I scarfed it all down quick. The chicken and the bread were delicious! It was a delicious meal that set me back $24 including tip. A bit on the high side, but a great meal in a friendly, family owned restaurant. I'll take that on a business trip any day of the week! Stop in if you're in the area, I'm sure you'll have a great meal!
(4)
Bradley N.
The 411: this is the only place to get Indian food for a very long way. If you're dying for it, you gotta come here. I typically go with multiple friends when we go to Bollywood, but it's also an okay place for a date. The manager is a friendly man, and his family operates the place with him. A nice atmosphere and place if you're into that sorta thing. The menu is huge. All of the items are kinda the same thing but with subtle differences. This place is a bit pricey for dinner time. An entree would run you about $13-$18 depending on the meat you choose. Even the naan will cost you an extra $3 per order. Not a wallet friendly restaurant. They have a lunch buffet on certain days and it's a better deal than the dinner menu I'd opt for their murgh makhani (spicy butter chicken), chicken vindaloo or one of their spicy kabobs. This place is good for friends so you can all share the different dishes. All of their dishes are respectable, but certainly aren't spectacular. Couple that with a big price tag, then you realize you're going to the regional monopoly for Indian food. Bottom line: this place is pricey, but decent. The veggie samosas are a good appetizer, but 2 orders of naan will set you back $7. Skip dessert and go get a coffee a few steps away instead.
(4)
Ashley B.
This place has good food and good service. I've had the chicken kabobs, rice, and the butter chicken. It's been great every time I've gone.
(4)
Jennifer D.
I love this place, and practically live there. If I've been out of town too long, I have dreams about this food. I love Indian food and try it pretty much anywhere I can find it but this is still my go to favorite. I love that the chicken in the sauce dishes is all white meat, so there are no weird unidentifiable chunks, like you get at other places. I'm a total wimp when it comes to spicy so I stay on the mild side but even the spicier stuff isn't just hot, it all has a ton of fantastic flavor. The lunch buffet is a must do if you want to try a bunch of different things without committing to a whole order. Fridays are the best with almost double the selection for maybe a couple bucks more. And the chai. Oh my, the chai!
(5)
Mike M.
Excellent Indian food in the heart of St. Mary's County! Who would have guessed? I've been here 3 times and it's been consistently great. Vindaloo is heavenly, and if you ask for it spicy, they don't fool around.
(5)
Tom C.
I really like this place. PAX, to me, is pretty much the middle of no where so any food diversity is greatly appreciated. While I've had better Indian in major metropolitan areas, this place is solid and will satisfy your craving for something different. The staff here is very friendly and every dish I've tried is good. The lamb and goat are particularly good. As a tip, their dishes are pretty mild, so no need to be scared that "Indian is too spicy". However the Madras Curry dishes are the real deal, extremely spicy. I have a very high tolerance and even I could only eat about half the dish. You've been warned!
(4)
Chris M.
First time here and so far so good. After reading other reviews I decided to try the lunch buffet. The butter chicken was pretty good. The customer service was great. I was greeted at the door and I informed the waitress that I had never been here before. She smiled, lead me to a booth and asked if I would like her to show me the different choices on the buffet...how sweet. She described the different foods and preceded to tell me which ones she enjoyed and the popular foods of the patrons. Over all I had a pretty good experience. Great food if you enjoy a little spice!
(4)
Ed D.
My favorite restaurant in the southern Maryland area. They are closed on Mondays. The buffet lunches during the week are awesome. They normally serve the same buffet foods and it's all good. Get there early before the lunch hour rush rolls in. I always bring new people here who has never tried Indian food before. When they ask about it I always tell them, "The spices in these foods were the same spices Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue for, but ended up discovering America." Lol when they hear this it gets them excited in trying it out and they always leave happy. Everything I've ever tried is delicious. I always get naan and raita with my meal. If you don't know what to get, just tell the owner and he will whip up something for you.
(5)
Emily M.
Love this place! My favorite restaurant in California, MD. The buffet on Fridays is the best!! Don't forget to complement the food with their homemade chai tea.
(5)
Tiffany M.
Love them! Pleasing atmosphere, delicious food, courteous staff!! By far my favorite in the area. Even their white rice tastes like heaven. My kids couldn't get enough!
(5)
E B.
I grew up on Indian food and this place is very good. I have eaten here many times over the last 2-3 years (eat-in and take-out) and have only had one so-so meal. The spicy ratings have been accurate to my tastes. The place can fill up quickly on busy nights (weekend, holidays), so be patient. The lunch buffett is not lengthy, but it is very good.
(4)
Crystal P.
Totally worth going. I tried the Friday buffet. The manager is a little aggressive but the Beautiful waitress evens that out. Ok, on a serious note. The Friday buffet is totally on point. The food is good. I think the only problem I had is the guy that runs it. It's like he doesn't take the time to talk to you about his product. So I will need to try again to review the food the right way. I posted pictures.
(4)
Shane M.
My wife and I love eating here. We've taken her parents here, my parents, and have had our date nights here as well. The food is fantastic, cannot stress enough how much we love it. I recommend the "Bollywood Lamb" dish if you're a fan of Lamb - simply delicious. I also recommend the Chai Tea. A delightful blend of spices mixed with cream and a hint of sugar which makes for a tasty treat before your entree. In addition to the food, the service is wonderful as well. Always happy, always accommodating. If you're searching for something new in St. Mary's County, search no further, this is the best Indian cuisine you'll ever encounter.
(5)
Scotto B.
Magnificent food. Everything from the service to selection of dishes to top quality flavor and presentation. Price is extremely reasonable. The buffet on Tues and Fri are varied and fantastic. My vegetarian options are great and the more carnivorous Mrs is also supremely satisfied.
(5)
SnoLion S.
There is a nice couple trying to enjoy their tandoori chicken dinner but next door, there is some serious party going on. I walked in by myself and asked to be seated a table for one, and the owner responded with a question mark on his face, "Excuse me, table for one?" Maybe I should have asked to be seated on the floor instead.
(2)
Julia M.
My favorite restaurant in Maryland. When we lived in Virginia, my husband and I would eat at Bollywood Masala every time we went to visit a friend who lived in the area. The food is the best Indian food I've ever had. I no longer live in the VA/MD area and miss this restaurant a lot. Excellent food, excellent service.
(5)
Shantu R.
Awesome place!! Awesome food!! Awesome owners!! I always make it a point to go there each time I am in town.
(5)
Julie B.
This place is amazing! ! Been here 1.5 years and just discovered it. The food is outstanding and the staff are very friendly and helpful. You should definitely go.
(5)
Mitsu K.
Everything we got was delicious: Lamb & chicken hydrabadi Lamb Bollywood Samosa's Garlic Butter Naan Chicken Naan The meat is so tender & juicy! Staff is super friendly.
(5)
Colleen N.
Best Indian restaurant I've ever been to!
(5)
Nancy A.
LOVE this place! We tried it when we were in the area on the recommendation of a friend. And boy, we were glad we did. The location is in a strip mall - kind of unassuming. The decor is interesting.... but don't worry about that! The food is just superb. We got the Aloo Palak and Vegetable Korma. OMG. Probably the best we've had. The service was attentive without hovering. It was nice to see a lot of locals/regulars coming in for dinner and being greeted as friends. A+ food and service. If we are in the area again, we're definitely coming back!
(5)
Richard F.
I had the lamb vindaloo and it was amazing. Such depth of flavor. And the plain naan bread perfect. Its a large menu. I can't wait to come back many times to see what everything else tastes like.
(5)
John B.
Wait, there's an Indian restaurant in St. Mary's county? Yes, and it's incredible. They have a huge menu of mostly North Indian dishes, but they seem to experiment with new dishes pretty regularly. All Indian places have vegetarian stuff, but they clearly label their vegan options and can handle gluten free as well; they added a gluten free bread recently. Samosas are reliably good, but I suggest an aloo tikki chaat (fried potato patties in chickpea curry) as an appetizer. They have literally over a dozen paneer (cheese) dishes, but I have to say the bollywood special, despite having a boring and trite name, is pretty special. They even make it with ghost pepper if you ask and they trust you. It's so hot, it's basically an orgasm in your mouth. Fear not though; there are plenty of milder options for those not willing to try a food item that Indians use to ward off elephants. Their breads are also addictive and they have a large variety. Prices here aren't cheap, but with generous portions and excellent quality, it's well worth it. The food has been good from the start, but they've been there a couple of years now and every time I go back, they've improved the place, put in better decor (emphasis on the Bollywood posters) and smoothed out the service. You're still in a strip mall in St. Mary's county, but it's a pretty decent place to eat now. The owners are usually there and are quite personable and willing to talk novitiates through their options. Now that my old favorite Indian place has been closed a while (Udupi Palace), I don't know anywhere in the region you can get better Indian food; even the best places in DC and its suburbs don't match up. If you're leery of an ethnic place in the middle of nowhere, try it. If you don't know anything about Indian food, try it. This place is awesome. Note: Closed on Monday.
(5)
Grant B.
Don't let the location in a strip mall scare you away - the Northern Indian cuisine served at Bollywood is wonderful. We enjoyed three vegetarian dishes (aloo ghobi, vegetable vindaloo and palak Bollywood), full tandoori chicken, garlic naan, mango chutney, and veggie samosa. Oh yes, and the katchumber salad! It all came with delicious basmati rice, perfectly cooked with a little spice. We paired it all with a couple of big bottles of kingfisher beer. Service was very friendly and attentive and the food came in a timely manner and was the perfect temperature. One of the best Indian meals we've had. Definitely will return!
(4)
Mark G.
The food is still great as usual, and service is also. They have recently remodeled since my first review and it is much better now. Should definitely go for their lunch buffet. Plus with their new delivery service, it cant be beat.
(5)
JR M.
My family and I love this place. Wish it was closer to Calvert County.The food is always great, and the family that owns it is friendly and interested in their customers. They always remember your favorite orders and when asked will make excellent suggestions. For an appetizer try the Aloo Tika Chat. All of the entrees are good and the naan bread is excellent. Service is good but sometimes if the restaurant is crowded it can be a little slow. Last week the owner told me the management company that owns the building is not renewing so expect them to move soon. October will be their 7th anniversary so they must be doing something right!
(5)
Kt H.
Bollywood is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Southern Maryland. Going is a treat, since I'm currently on a grad student budget (and truthfully, this place isn't cheap!) but when I decide to splurge, this is where I go. The owner is probably one of my favorite people on earth, first of all. He's so great. I came here for my 22nd birthday with friends and he made me feel so special, making me a special balloon (balloons have no age limit, y'all) and a delicious dessert. The restaurant was also basically empty at 12pm on a Sunday, so our service was extra special. When I come here on average days, the service CAN be a little slow and maybe a little bit aloof, but everyone is so nice regardless. And the food? Impeccable. I order the mango kadhai paneer (which is equal parts sweet, spicy, and savory) and the garlic chili naan every time. It's always been fantastic. If you want a treat, order a pot of chai, too - it's a million times better than what you'll get at a coffee shop.
(5)
Tullie H.
I've eaten some of the best Indian dishes in the world, and in knowing this: it's because some of my family members are Indian/Malay and chefs at that. This by far is the best authentic Indian I've had this far in the USA - with its array of beautiful palate provoking flavors, let your sense of exploring go for a wander through the menu that caters to all palates. Not all Indian is spicy and unlike most Indian restaurants then don't push the westernized versions of Indian cuisine just for sales purposes (aka butter chicken) The owners and staff encourage you to try new items when you request an understanding of them and offer delightful insights to the spices and flavors that are sometimes so foreign to the common tongue. I found that it is a bit pricey for what it is, but with its delectable flavors it's really worth the taste. Don't be warded off by its location, it's a must to drop by this family owned place in a county that thrives off chain restaurants. The atmosphere is donned with mauve and deep reds with a few Indian pieces on the wall. Nothing fancy - but the moment you walk in the door you can inhale the aromas and your tastebuds start to dance.
(4)
Opie S.
As most reviews have said, the food is great. I've eaten here several times and always like it. Sometime off the menu and sometimes the lunch buffet. When I ordered off the menu, the waitress walked me through the decision process: Meat? Tomato based? Spicy? Then told me what I should order. She nailed it. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was one of the more odd experiences I have EVER had in a restaurant occurred on my last visit. I *believe* it was the owner came up to our table and looked only at me and asked if I ate lamb. I said yes and he offered me a nibble of something he was holding with tongs. It looked like a mini burger patty. I assumed he approached me because I was the only one at the table that got the lunch buffet. When I took a bite my first reaction was: tasty. However, after swallowing, I discovered it was raw in the middle. I mean completely raw (and I like medium rare stuff). When I mentioned that to him, he remained unphased and just said "ok". I then said out loud to the table "I guess if I'm violently ill tonight, I have witnesses". He just laughed and walked away. Extremely bizarre.
(4)
Ginger M.
This is consistently good food in a casual but nice setting. It's a "family" feel, and I can bring friends after our daytime adventures, a business associate for a meeting of the minds, or my husband for a date-night. I've tried Indian food in my travels around the US and even a couple in the UK, and l like this the best. I've tried almost everything on the menu at one point or another, before I found out about my food allergies. So the food here has actual flavor, and when they say "very spicy", they're not kidding around. Most of the entrees are sauce-based (curries), but they also have Tandoori (they call this barbecue - it's usually the sizzle and steam on a hot plate kind) which is more of a meat-and-veggie meal. There are also fun desserts and non-alcoholic drinks (they serve wine and beer, but it's not for me!). Dairy, Egg, Corn, Soy, and Wheat: I have allergies to all of these (not life-threatening), but I can eat here with no problem. Meats are marinated in yogurt and (sometimes?) egg, so if you're really sensitive, just order a veggie or lentil dish. I think most Gluten-Free people will not find any issues eating here (I don't), because most breaded things are just made with chickpea flour; but real celiacs might want to ask first if there is any added "white/wheat flour" in your order - I'm pretty sure it's only the samosas, but you should be mindful that they do keep flour in the kitchen. They do have lots of vegan options. I even heard at one point that they are careful not to mix the pans and utensils in the kitchen, because the owners are vegetarians. That said, somehow they also manage to make the most awesome meat dishes... So a few reviewers seem to think that Indian food should be cheap? If you want a cheap crap meal, there are plenty of other restaurants in the area who will oblige. Why come here (when you can see the prices before you order) and then complain? The portions are big enough to feed me twice, and the ingredients are real food (not processed crap). I've been eating here since 2006, and this restaurant has had the same owners, even though it moved and changed names a few times. Whatever reviewer thinks the management has changed is mistaken. It's 2014 and it's still the same couple running it. And if you're looking for the wait staff to bend and stoop to serve you, you're barking up the wrong tree, IMO. They are SUPER helpful, if you just ask for what you want. You'll get a lot more food and drink with "honey" than you will with "vinegar" at this place. Oh, and try the chai tea :)
(5)
Amberly W.
Best restaurant...best Indian I've ever had in the US. Can't believe it's in St. Mary's county.
(5)
Tanya C.
...we got the lamb tikka masala w/ garlic cilantro naan & it was absolutely delish & the staff was extremely helpful and friendly!!!
(5)
Joseph S.
This is an exceptional family run restaurant the food is authentic northern India the atmosphere is quiet the staff is very friendly. Our food arrived hot and the servers made sure our tea was always full and the naan bread was always fresh. I highly recommend this restaurant for it's food and atmosphere.
(4)
Christopher J.
I want to give this place 5 stars, because the food is absolutely delicious, but there are some major issues going on with the internal workings of the restaurant. For what it's worth, I've listed those problems within the confines of my latest Bollywood experience. I decided to eat dinner at Bollywood Masala last night, the 24th of August, as I remembered how great it was the first time I ate here, all except the unfiltered water, but I can overlook that as long as there's something else to drink, like a soda. When my guest and I walked into the restaurant, the first thing we both noticed was how absolutely filthy the front door and entrance 'foyer' was - the glass front door looked like it was washed with saltwater and a rag that had just gotten done washing 50 semi trucks that had been on "Ice Road Truckers" recently. Then, inside the foyer, it looked like it hadn't been dusted, vacuumed, or wiped down since before the 1st World War. Once we made it past the foyer, things looked like they had gotten better, and we were taken to our table, which had a clean tabletop, but dirty plastic booth seats that were sticky. We sat in our booth for what had to be close to 5 minutes before menus were brought to us, and not by a server but by one of the kitchen employees who didn't seem to speak English - only Indian. Once we had our menus, we sat there for about 10 minutes until a young lady came up, chomping on a piece of gum, and immediately asked us "you know what you want?" and went back to chewing her gum like a 90s valley girl. We ordered our food, and two Sprites, as again, the water was vile. The young lady took our menus and departed, never to be seen again - literally. She didn't go get our Sprites, she didn't go clean tables or go on a break, she went to a booth all the way in the back of the restaurant, and it was then I realized that her and the other 'floor' employees were playing a game of Monopoly, while I looked around and saw numerous customers waiting on drink refills, to place orders, or looking for their check. 20-25 minutes after we placed the order for our Sprite, our food came out - which was delivered not by the gum chewing young lady (who also made the worst server I've ever seen) but by the chef. THE CHEF was delivering my food. The food here is delicious, but the service is the worst it possibly could be. The owner of this restaurant needs to send all their employees through an episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" just so Gordon Ramsay can spend some time training these people. The owner of this restaurant clearly has absolutely zero idea of how to run a place - but luckily for him (or her) the food is absolutely top notch, and, for the most part, compensates for the lack of service. If you want to eat good food and aren't worried about service, this place will do you just fine. However, if you really go to restaurants for equal amounts of service and food, you will not be impressed here. One final note - if you eat here on a Friday or Saturday night, then the Indian "night club" adjacent will really interfere with your ability to speak at a normal volume with your company. And oddly enough, the club is literally attached to the restaurant, and you can go from one to the other from within the restaurant. Long story short, this place needs an overhaul - and it would be the best restaurant in Southern Maryland.
(3)
Justin E.
I love this restaurant so much that when I eat here it almost brings me to tears and that is not because I ordered the dish too spicy. The Lamb Tikka Masala here is my favorite dish at any Indian restaurant I have ever eaten at anywhere. Couple that with the Butter Naan and.... Well that is when I tear up with tears of pure bliss.
(5)
Tyson H.
The only decent restaurant in the area. Love their hyderabadi, aloo kulcha, rice and naans. The staff are pretty friendly, and you can place an order for a pick-up though they do not deliver. Although there is absolutely nothing else i would recommend in this area, Bollywood is definitely a must. You wouldn't think you'd find an authentic Indian restaurant in St Mary's county but this place is a true gem!
(5)
Laurel C.
I've been going to Bollywood for a couple years and they have recently stepped up the decor, making it a lot more welcoming. The owners will take time to walk you through the menu, so someone who's new to Indian can help find something they'll like, and someone who's been eating there for years can sample something confidently. For appetizers, aloo tikka chaat is all I've ever had. It's delicious. I have had most of their vegetarian entrees and they're all decent but the Bollywood Special with paneer is my favorite! Great spices, yummy paneer, good portion size. Their "extremely hot" is quite spicy but I was able to handle it. My husband's "hot!" dish was similarly spicy though, so do not rely on the spice levels listed on the menu if you're at all worried. Ask the owners and they'll help guide you! Garlic naan and garlic butter naan are both dependable but not the best I've had. The potato kolcha is decent, the onion kolcha is droopy and falls apart strangely.
(4)
Joshua M.
This was my first time ever going to this restaurant. I am HOOKED!!! I went out of my comfort zone and had goat for the first time ever. Everything down to the rice was packed with flavor, wonderful friendly staff, cool easy to read menu, the best bread I have ever tasted. Cost me $50 for my family of four and we all could have shared an order and it would have been plenty. I left satisfied and now with a new restaurant favorite.
(5)
Katie H.
Great place. The food was delicious. We came on a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The butter chicken and garlic naan are awesome. The service was great. I have absolutely no complaints. I'm not from around here but I would definitely come here at least once a week if I did. They also have takeout so that's and option too.
(5)
John Q.
Very good indian food restaurant. I went for dinner and drinks with about 15 people and everything was perfect. I can't wait to go again.
(5)
Jethro T.
Over priced and honestly, have had better chicken tikka masala.
(3)
BT B.
Really great food dined In the first time and this visit I did take out. Naan was the bomb I got an assortment of different ones. Aloo Tikki chaat chicken tikka and paneer Bollywood, all were very tasty and not too spicy. Anyways most restaurants blow in southern Maryland but this place is a winner.
(5)
Russell L.
I go there at lunch with co-workers very often. You can't beat the buffet at lunch! Great food - all you can eat - at a reasonable price. Love this place!
(5)
Amoli P.
I'm not sure how I ended up in the Lexington Park, MD area, but I'm sure glad I did. Given the surrounding area and the far distance from any major city, Bollywood Masala is an absolute diamond in the rough for Indian cuisine. To be honest, if this restaurant was in Chicago or another large city, I would probably have given only 3 stars just because there is so much other competition and such a diverse market to choose from. This restaurant would not stand above the crowd in that situation, but it would certainly hold its own in any city. There is something very admirable about an Indian restaurant so far removed from diversity, that still keeps their cuisine authentic, fresh, and has a great atmosphere with great service. I went with 3 friends on a Sunday night for a later dinner. The place was half full when we arrived at 8:30, but by 10pm they were patiently waiting for us to leave so they could close for the evening. My friend and I went with the bhindi masala and paneer kadhai along with garlic naan. The flavor and spice on both were excellent. The entrees are very generous servings, with a good amount of paneer, and the okra was prepared perfectly. My only complaint is that the dishes were fairly oily, though this is a common issue with most Indian restaurants in all cities. The garlic naan was crisp and garlicky just as it should be. Service was friendly and quick. We didn't check out the adjacent "lounge" area, as it wasn't exactly hopping on a Sunday night, but I'm sure it's lovely. I'm not sure if I will ever be back to the Pax River area, but I know that if I do return, Bollywood Masala will be a number 1 priority.
(4)
Amy W.
The Bollywood Chicken was exquisite. I look forward to coming back and exploring the menu.
(5)
Erin J.
Very good Indian food, great ambiance, and the owners are super charismatic. They also have the bar next door which is a lot of fun. I'll come back every time for the food.
(5)
Whitney L.
If it wasn't for Yelp and all the reviews I wouldn't have found Bollywood Masala, so I had to add in my thoughts: this place was all I hoped and more - the positive reviews are very accurate. Loved the Baingan Bharta and gluten-free bread (chickpeas with onions and peppers). Lots of GF vegan options and really nice service. We were greeted with warm smiles and frequently asked if we needed anything and how our food was. Really nice atmosphere too - very comfortable, clean and quite. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Mike B.
Ever want to have your tastebuds kicked around, only to ask for more? Go to Bollywood Masala, and ask for the Bollywood Special...WITH the ghost chile. It beckons to you, like a voice in the night trying to corrupt your soul - along with your tastebuds. Make no mistake, the heat is surprisingly layered within the creamy flavors, which is impressive unto itself. The owner - who is awesome, BTW - gave me a side of yoghurt along with a little candy to help mitigate the heat and allow the flavor to peek through more vividly. Oh, and the naan is great, too. So is the Masala tea, if a bit too ginger forward for my personal tastes. Of course this place gets 5 stars!
(5)
Sarah C.
My Fiance and I always loved this place; but this visit was truly disappointing. Service: First, we waited quite a while JUST to place our drink order...after that, it took twice as long for someone to come over and take our food order. My fiance finished his drink and placed the empty glass at the end of the table halfway through the meal, and no matter how many times random employees walked past the table and literally looked right at us, he never got a refill or even checked on. A different person waited on us every time...which was actually only three different people since THAT'S how many times our table was even checked on the whole evening... including for the check. And let me tell you, they may have never refilled the drink, but it took them all of 45 seconds to pick up the check when I set it out at the end of the table. Sadly, that was the most efficient service we received. Food: We got the Lamb and the goat Saag, and both were very good, just like the entrees usually are here; however... one of our favorite parts of ANY Indian cuisine is, of course, the naan...the garlic butter naan we ordered and received tonight was absolutely ghastly. The garlic wasn't even cooked, and was still crunchy and extremely bitter. The inside of the normally delicious bread was so doughy I couldn't eat it...while the outside was seriously charred and completely inedible. I was extremely disappointed. Staff: the whole time we were there, what seemed like the owner and his entire family sat in a corner booth, on their laptops, just watching everyone and occasionally getting up to swipe a card or greet someone they knew. There was only one man doing any work at all, and that included EVERYTHING. I saw him bussing tables, making drinks, getting checks, taking orders, seating people, bringing orders...and all the while everyone else was sitting down. Although the entrees were tasty, every other aspect of our visit was nothing but an embarrassment.
(2)
Zach G.
This is pretty solid Indian food. In the region, I assume it must be the best, thus the 4 stars. As compared to other Indian food experiences I have had around the country, it's slightly above average. However, there is nothing wrong with slightly above average! I ordered a Hyderabadi Chicken (spicy, instead of medium as it normally comes), which came with basmati of course. Also, an order of plain naan. I believe the naan that came was actually butter naan and that I was charged as such (an extra $1). Not a big deal, but it still wasn't accurate to my order. The chicken itself was delicious - spiced very well, quite spicy but not overpowering, and with big chunks of tasty, most, tender chicken. The naan was equally as good. Basmati was typical basmati...hard to screw that up. This all cost about $16 + tax. I'll easily get two meals out of it as I threw the remainder in to the fridge of my hotel room. I would certainly return to fill my Indian food cravings!
(4)
John M.
I don't understand the rave reviews. Ive had indian food all over the east coast. The food, service and experience was mediocre at best. It was a $8. Meal I paid $21. For. !!
(2)
Amit K.
The food here is really really good. I recommend the Bollywood Lamb or Goat for those of you who are adventurous. The Bollywood Lounge next door is also a nice place to go for an evening of cocktails and music.
(5)
Rick C.
I base this review primarily on the food; which is outstanding. Everything I've eaten here is beyond great: appetizers, entrees, bread, and desserts. Whether you like it spicy or mild, the food is just plain good. I love spicy and this place can put a tasty hurting on you, so be careful. They will adjust seasoning to taste for most dishes or recommend a more subtle alternative. Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations when ordering -- they really know their food. The refreshing mango ice cream is out of this world and a soothing way to cool down after a spicy meal. Now the prices are a bit high, but the food is just so good I don't care. The service is hit or miss. It's been great and it's been poor; but again the food is just so good I just look past it. There's this young Hispanic server there that tries real hard, and is getting better, so cut him some slack -- he's working on it. The family (owners) are always friendly and we enjoy speaking to them at every visit. The decor has definitely gotten better over the years, but admittedly still needs some work. And the bathrooms -- well . . . we don't talk about them -- just use the head before or after. Go eat at this place if even think you might like Indian food. Get take out if you can't get past the questionable service and decor, but go try this food. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
K D.
We eat here regularly. We have never had a bad meal there. The service is impeccable! I highly recommend paneer Tika masala! We are moving and will surly miss it!
(5)
DC R.
Yelp has been a great guide for restaurants in this remote county. This restaurant has 5 star rating food. Yummy, tasty, authentic. Can't be beat in Maryland. Can't be beat in Washington, DC (where I live and find no Indian food close to this.) The owner is helpful, and guided us through some menu choices. The servers are friendly and efficient. The food is colorful, tasty, and high quality. (Which you can see in the photos that others have put up here.) The decor is fine. It is not fancy, but you can't eat the decor! We are here to eat. We come out this way periodically because we have a child attending St. Mary's College of Maryland. I'd recommend this restaurant to parents who like Indian food or would like to try really excellent Indian food. This is an excellent place to take your child. We liked it so much we came back twice in three weeks while attending school events. And after our child graduates, we may even make the drive from Washington, DC.
(5)
Nick P.
Service was quick but there seemed to be a bit of a language barrier. I had garlic naan which was pretty good, paneer kora which had an odd taste, and curry hyderabadi, which was a bit spicy and a bit sweet. Their menu is really big, but a lot of their dishes sound the same, basically a different meat and different level of spiciness. Really quiet and dark in there, which was a bit awkward...I almost felt like I wasn't supposed to talk. Food is pretty pricey. Best place ever like some reviews make it out? No, but not bad either.
(3)
Bobby B.
The Sauce is Addicting. I heard so much about this restaurant so I took my mother here for a special occasion. The owner came out to guide us through a few key things and my mom was able to try one of their "experimental" dishes that wasn't on the menu just yet, which is cool. I ordered the Lamb Makhni Madras, which I recommend for first-timers. The owner, Raj brought out a teaspoon of the sauce so I could try it before ordering it. The sauce was balanced; sweet and spicy without overpowering the food and paired well with the lamb. Raj said his wife spent five years perfecting the array of sauces, which was noticeable to me. She also gave us some off-menu snacks for the road. Such a personable experience with nice people and good food.
(5)
Kristi N.
This is amazing Indian food! I had my baby shower there even! We lived near Los Angeles, and this meets or exceeds any Indian restaurant out there. I was so sad we had to move away. You will always see the owners there, which I love. They are so friendly, and we had really gotten to know them in the 3 years we were there. Their son owns the bar connected to it. Great drinks there.
(5)
Cameron D.
My wife and I love Indian food and for the last 14 years have lived in the US and experienced a wide range. Having both grown up in the UK, where, arguably, you can find the best Indian, Pakistani and Bengali food outside of those actual home countries, the bar has been set high. Bollywood Masala, on the night my wife and I went there, was THE BEST Indian food we have experienced in the entire USA. The only place I have experienced, outside of the UK or India that was on a par, was a very pricey restaurant in Abu Dhabi. This place is tucked inside a strip mall, amongst the plethora of stores in Lexington Park. But what a gem. They also have a small range of Indian wines and the Reserve Shiraz was the most expensive, but at $30 a bottle was an absolute steal. You can of course take home what is left in the bottle and get a doggie bag. Our appetizers were chicken pakora and veggie pakora. These can be either over battered and/or soggy. Ours were perfect. Fresh, juicy, tasty and the spice was just right. My wife is gluten-free and everything on the menu was acceptable. I had shrimp Hyderabadi and she had chicken Jalfrezi. Both had fresh herbs and spices. You can absolutely tell when you have eaten as much Indian food as we have when this stuff is fresh. The Hyderabadi had a beautiful coconut flavor and we also had a gluten-free chickpea-based bread. My wife makes these at home and she is an excellent cook. This was even better. If you want a cheap meal, this can run to $15-18 per main, but the wine is not at all expensive compared to the scandalous mark ups I have seen pretty much everywhere else. To get high quality Indian authentic beer and Indian wine is highly unusual. I cannot emphasize what a gem this place is. Anyone who lives in the Lexington Park area has no idea how high a quality this place this is on a GLOBAL scale and believe me, we absolutely know about Indian food.
(5)
Shai J.
This place is simply amazing. I've ordered from here on three occasions, and each time I was surprised at how delicious the food was. Bollywood Masala has discovered a way of improving every one of my favorite Indian dishes beyond expectation. Usual favorites: Samosas, Paneer Pakora, Paneer Makhani.
(5)
Thomas G.
Drinks are a tad pricey and they never seem to have lamb, but I love coming here. Great drinks and food, and a great atmosphere.
(4)
Sherry H.
Used to go here all the time when they first opened and loved. Went all the time. But when then the management changed, as did the cooking. Now it is nothing special. Never go anymore.
(2)
Brian T.
I don't eat Indian food much, but both times I've been to Pax River on travel, I've stopped at Bollywood Masala for dinner, and each time I was not disappointed. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly (I dig the Bollywood movie posters hanging on the walls). The couple who own the place were helpful and courteous. They made great recommendations for someone like me who isn't familiar with Indian cuisine. The first time I went, I had the paneer madras - extra spicy - and it was a underestimation I won't make again. If you ask for really spicy food, you're gonna get it! Delicious, but I've never sweated so much in my life during a meal. Tonight, I had the lamb hyderabadi. It had much less spice (still a decent amount though), and it went really well with the roti I ordered (pick any bread on the menu, you really can't go wrong). A nice find in a place like this that's so crawling with uninspired chain restaurants. Highly recommended to newbies!
(4)
Jesse L.
great atmosphe with friendly service. the menu is very extensive and I feel like many of the curries taste very similar but fortunately that also means they all taste great! I would highly recommend the lunch buffet! all you can eat for ~$9-10.
(5)
Alina S.
Lamb achari! Delicious, not on the menu, and perfect if you need something not too spicy.
(5)
Stephanie M.
This place is wonderful. The food is delicious, people are courteous and it is very family friendly.
(5)
Randi R.
Best Indian food ever!
(5)
Remash G.
During my last visit, 8/10/2010, the food was really good. The heat factor was perfect for my taste and the spices were top notch. A new coworker ate with us. It was her first time eating anything spicy and hot. She did not dig the flavors too much so Sonny made her special dishes. They were good (yah, we got to try it too). She liked them and enjoyed the always good naan. The service is definitely top notch and we kept getting naan refills without needing to ask. Ohhhh yeah!
(5)
Rob B.
Amazing lamb and chicken Loma
(5)
Amy C.
We dined here for the first time on Valentines Day 2014, and again in March 2014. My husband read the reviews here on Yelp, and decided to give it a try, even though on his own he would have never tried Indian food. It was a first for him, and he loved it! I loved it! I was so happy he loved it, as we are a gluten free family, and now we have another restaurant we can add to our list!
(5)
Nikhil P.
Amazing food. Warm and Personable owners. Highly recommend the Chicken Tak-a-tak and Lamb Madras!
(5)
Mark G.
This is for both the restaurant and the lounge (next door). We went there the other other night to see a local band in the lounge. Sonny, who seems to run the Lounge side, was there; he greeted us and was very friendly. Not seeing what we wanted on the Lounge menu (which tends to be more bar food oriented) we went next door to eat at the restaurant (more on that next), The Lounge is pretty straight forward, comfortable chairs and couches to sit in, a nice bar, and all around nice atmosphere. Sonny mingled with folks, lots of free sample drinks, and made sure folks were having fun. Made for a good evening, in part because he was so welcoming. The Restaurant side, the father is equally as personable. He greeted us, and as others have commented (and other family members) walks folks through the menu. A lot want to order the naan as a appetizer, for example, and he explains it is to be eaten with the meal. The Masala Tea is a winner, a nice chai tea with a slight "bite" from ginger. Menu items have spice ratings, they are accurate and maybe a little misleading. I got the Bollywood Special (made with a ghost chili) which is rated VERY spicy. It is, in that there is most certainly a VERY spicy element. The mis-leaning part though is, the spice fits perfectly with the dish...it is there, but blends with the other flavors and spices. In other words, do not be scared off by the spice ratings; spicy yes but not the mouth numbing fire heat you might expect from "very spicy". The dish itself was perfect blend of spices, "heat" and flavors. The kabobs are probably not what one might expect, think more along the lines of fajitas with respect to how they are served; on a sizzling plate of onion, lettuce, green peppers, etc. The meats are the stars, nicely cooked, juicy, well spiced; the runner up would be the lettuce. The lettuce gets a amazing char from the plate, and mixed with the other flavors from the meat, onions, etc. is fantastic. With the endless line of chain restaurants there in California MD, this family run one is a real gem and worth checking out. Give it a chance, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Laura M.
Absolutely our favorite place to eat in the county. The staff is always pleasant and is great at helping you pick out the perfect meal for you if you are not familiar with Indian Cuisine. Sometimes the wait for the food can be a little long, but it doesn't really matter as long as they keep the Garlic Butter Naan coming!
(5)
Ali A.
The most awesome Indian food you will ever have in your life!!!!
(5)
Ingrid K.
Lunch buffet is $9.49 with sales tax. Excellent, fresh food. Definite favorite for this area. I'll be back! :)
(5)
Scott S.
Hands down the best restaurant in St. Mary's County.
(5)
Joe S.
Sweet Baby Jesus! If you have never had Indian please go, try it before you die you won't be disappointed. I am a repeat customer can't you tell.. :)
(5)
Cat F.
The best place for Indian in southern Maryland! I've been here several times now and have tried a wide range of dishes from the butter chicken, biryani, lamb rogan josh, okra, mattar paneer, saag paneer, garlic naan, pakoras and also their lunch buffet. I haven't yet been disappointed with anything we've ordered. Service on a busy night can be slow (but that's a good sign when the place is packed!) and sometimes the owners will tell you what to order, which is great if you're a novice, but frustrating if you know exactly what you want! I agree with other reviewers - the decor could be improved and the staff is courteous, especially the owners. I'll be back again soon... very soon!
(4)
Andrea L.
Indian food is one of my favorites and when we moved from Seattle I knew it would be one of the cuisines I missed most. Was pleasantly surprised to find Bollywood when we moved to SOMD. Who would have thought?? Great food and service. We've really enjoyed the meals we've ordered. It is a little bit on the expensive side compared to what I've had in the past, and in one dish the shrimp was slightly over cooked, but honestly those issues would never stop me from eating here or recommending it to people! If you like Indian food, eat at Bollywood! So glad this restaurant is here!
(4)
Mark C.
Came to the area for a class from Los Angeles where I eat a pretty good amount of Indian food. I lived in SF in an area which was affectionately called the Tandoori-loin because of the prevalence of good Indian restaurants in the area. All that to say, this place was really good - possibly the best Indian I have had to date. The spiciness (hot vs spices) was good but not overwhelming meaning you could still taste the food but it was hot. The owner came by and asked us what we were looking for and recommended stuff. His recommendations were perfect. If you are visiting the area, I would definitely recommend it. The Naan was good and big and tasty. The inside is clean and nice enough. Prices aren't cheap but reasonable. They took the restaurant.com certificate happily which was nice and saved me some money. We had left overs and ate them the next day and it was good. Would go again.
(5)
Lisa M.
My girlfriend and I had lunch here today. We had the Buffet, which was reasonable at $9. The food was WONDERFUL!! And then I realized why... The owner looked familiar. This is the same Family that operated Masala Waldorf in the shopping plaza next to Bed Bath & Beyond. What Joy! No wonder everything was so good. After a brief chat with the owner, who is as friendly as always, we learned that they had to move out of the old location due to issues with the land lord... California MD definitely lucked out an we will definitely be going back. Next time for dinner, and with a big group :)
(5)
Ryan H.
I must have missed something. I did not get the 4-5 star experience that most describe here. The girlfriend order two chicken dishes (one was butter chicken, forget the other) and some naan. I was very surprised when I picked it up on my way home from work and the bill was almost $50. A bit expensive for some chicken and rice, but I could deal with it if it was as good as others described. Sampling the two chicken dishes, neither one of us could tell any difference between the two. I felt they were both pretty bland. Maybe we just made some bad choices but I don't think I'll be back after the high price and bland food experience.
(3)
Anna B.
This is a great place, with wonderful staff and wonderful food. The dishes are not so hot that you can't taste the wonderful spices (I even had Vidaloo here once). It is a good place for a mixed group of meat eaters and vegetarians. They are so accommodating. It's got a great vegetarian selection and is vegan friendly, too. It's one of the best places to eat in St. Mary's County. I went here to celebrate my birthday one year. Everyone loved the food. A few people would have like to have a drink with their meal, but there's no alcohol, so you should know that. Try the Lassis instead. I would recommend this place to everyone. The prices are very reasonable.
(5)
Rachel L.
The best curry you will find in Southern Maryland. The service is so so, but the curry is delicious.
(4)
Josh H.
Some of the best Indian food I've ever had. If you're new to Indian food I heartily recommend the chicken makhani in addition to some naan (garlic, butter, chili, or any combination of the three).
(5)
Jonathon B.
Very good food! Finally a good Indian place in St.Mary's County. Server was friendly, and prompt. We will definitely be repeat customers.
(4)
Chris M.
The food was great. The staff was good. The decor needs some work. I'd go there again. The Chicken Tikka Masala is not the "normal" style, but was excellent (and the waiter warned me what to expect).
(3)
Kristi M.
We went there a few weeks ago and the food was very good. Speedy service and two servers helping. Can't remember the names of the dishes we had, but we did have the spicy shrimp cream dish (me), medium lamp cream dish (husband), and the deluxe Naan ( they substituted one of the breads for something we liked better. The decor need a big update. It wasn't dirty or smelly, just some of the overhead light fixture awnings seemed to be lose on the wall and the whole restaurant needed new paint. We will be going again.
(3)
Keri C.
I stopped in here after hearing about "wine down Wednesdays". I was immediately welcomed by the staff and Sonny extended his hospitality as if we were old friends. I have since returned (and Sonny remembered my name after having only visited ONE time... which is something I strive to do in my professional realm) numerous times and am starting to navigate my way through the menu. I have noted improvements made in the menu content itself; the new menu offers a nice description of the fare, which is an Indian-Chinese fusion... I am pleased with my options thus far. The salmon was particularly tasty. I look forward to getting better acquainted with the food. As for my experience here, The staff are very inviting and welcoming, and Sonny is sure to make everyone feel like they are in a very modern episode of "Cheers". Aesthetically the lounge is very pleasing... comfortable, hip, modern and relaxing. When there is live entertainment there is plenty of open space to dance... at least until this place really catches on.. which with this kind of "wow" service the people are sure to come here, and keep coming here.
(4)
Erika C.
If you are looking for quality Indian food in South Maryland than Bollywood is the place to visit. I order the curry fish, veggie samosas, and the garlic naan. It was was hands down the best Indian food that I have tasted. The inside of the restaurant is set up family style which gives it a home-like feeling and the staff was very helpful with my order. I ordered my food as a pick up and it was hot and ready when I arrived. The portions are generous and I highly recommend this place if you are looking for fresh tasting Indian food.
(5)
Erin A.
this place is amazing! I cannot wait to return, delicious food and very ncie staff. Reasonable prices. Check it out!!
(5)
Katherine S.
Food very good as other reviews note. However on a busy Sat night even with a reservation we waited 30 min for table then another 75 minutes for food! If not for the great food reviews and smells going by us we would have left. Took over half hour to even take drink order (ps they do serve alcohol despite what yelp says). Then another long wait for drinks to arrive and they forgot what we ordered. Very inexperienced staff totally disorganized, mixups with orders (never got our appetizer at all) very very slow turnover of tables. We ordred a chicken tandoori and they brought a different "assorted chicken" dish due to having none of the tandoori - it was delicious but would have been nice to let us know ahead. I am sure at a quieter time would be fine, however $100 dinner for 3 it is reasonable to expect adequate staffing. I would not go back on a weekend night.
(3)
Snow T.
Great food. The owner is fantastic. Very vegan friendly. I love samosas, but would suggest the pakoras instead. Their samosas are good, but the pakoras are always awesome!
(5)
Toaster O.
Best Indian food in all of the DMV by far. Try the: Butter Chicken...it takes twice to become addicted Kashmiri Chicken...amazing Vegetable Korma....also amazing. the Chai is delicious and I swear it has crack in it to make me drive an hour just to get my fix.
(5)
Evan H.
This is indian food at its best! I am never sure exactly what the different items on the menu are even though there are great descriptions, but that is ok because the owner is very knowledgable. I haven't ended up ordering what I had picked out the last couple of times going because he has recommended different things to me and they have been AMAZING. I don't think I am even going to look at the menu anymore - just ask what he recommends.
(5)
Chich S.
The food here is EXCELLENT. One of my fav indian places i've ever been to. The chicken tikka and the makhni are delish, and the naan is great. Desserts are yummy too (especially the pistachio ice cream!). The staff is friendly as well! Now whenever i travel to Pax River, i always make sure to eat here at least once.
(4)
Steve P.
Truly authentic Indian Food! If you have never eaten there, just ask Sunny for a suggestion. He will be happy to personalize anything to meet your tastes. Their signature dish, Bollywood Chicken, is made with the Ghost Chili Pepper - the hottest pepper in the world! It is amazing! This is my favorite place to eat in St Mary's County!
(5)
David H.
We ate a late lunch here on a Sunday, so it was pretty deserted. The chef came out and gave us a sample of some sauce we were considering, and discussed a number of different options on the menu. The waiter was also very knowledgeable and helpful. The decor/building maintenance needs some work, but the food and staff are first rate. Highly recommended, we'll be going back.
(3)
Amber J.
Surprisingly good Indian food. The food is great. The service is good but could be better. Sonny is an amazing host.
(4)
Chad G.
Best Indian food in town and some of the best I've ever had. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is a fan of Indian food.
(5)
Hunter G.
Bollywood Masala is the current Indian offering in Southern Maryland. I say "current" because sadly we have had what seems like a succession of Indian restaurants here (Taste of India, Curry of India, India Garden, etc.). Our current Indian offering is a major contender for best food! Bollywood Masala has real authentic cuisine and the food is excellent. The location is convenient to the base, but is located is a space that needs much work! The owners are very friendly, Sunny especially. He can offer you suggestions of some of their best items. Be sure to try the Porri as an alternative to the Naan, it is delicious! The service is sometimes slow, but that is just a small price to pay to enjoy the delicious food!
(4)
Jane L.
Yummy! Great Indian food in Southern Maryland. Staff was very attentive and had wonderful suggestions. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
abby h.
A group of us have gone to the Lounge at Bollywood twice now to play the Tuesday night Team Trivia. Both experiences were bad. The first night we noticed service was really, really slow. The wait staff is johhny on the spot when you first sit down for a drink order and then that is about the last time they come by. Our last evening there was awful. We arrive at 6pm with a group of seven. We are given one menu to share to order any food. The server returns within a few minutes before we can each take a turn looking at the menu, then doesn't come back to take our order for 30 minutes. Okay so it was getting crowded. We finally get our food ordered at 6:50 (mind you we sat down at 6). Two appetizer orders came within 30 minutes, then two naan pizzas arrived 20 minutes later. However the last two orders for our table finally showed up an hour and 20 minutes from when the order was placed! Really! We would flag down the server and she would tell us the food would be out in 2 minutes even though the people who ordered it told her please check, they were starving. Oh and then once trivia was over and everyone is paying the bill to leave, the naan breads which were ordered 2 hours earlier show up. Food okay. Service deplorable. One poor wait person cannot handle the number of people in the bar during trivia. It isn't like the restaurant doesn't know it would be busy. Hire more help!!!!!!!! For now, we are going elsewhere. Or bring Chipotle burritos with us to eat in the bar. Ridiculous.
(1)
Stephanie K.
This is one of my favorite restaraunts. The people who run it are awesome and always willing to change dishes around to suit your tastes (and they ask a lot of questions to figure out what your tastes are). The food is AMAZING. I used to live really nearby, but now I've moved about 2 hours away and I miss it all the time. Go here, you won't regret it.
(5)
Julie D.
We ate dinner with our college student daughter. The waiter remembered her AND which dish she ordered (!!) from other visits. Food was excellent. Friendly atmosphere. We could hear our own conversation (which is not the case in some restaurants). We'll be back when we are visiting our daughter.
(5)
Karen H.
What a surprise - decent Indian Food in Southern Maryland! Vegetable samosas were awesome. Totally hits the spot if you're craving Indian.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only 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.
Tiffany M.
Love them! Pleasing atmosphere, delicious food, courteous staff!! By far my favorite in the area. Even their white rice tastes like heaven. My kids couldn't get enough!
(5)E B.
I grew up on Indian food and this place is very good. I have eaten here many times over the last 2-3 years (eat-in and take-out) and have only had one so-so meal. The spicy ratings have been accurate to my tastes. The place can fill up quickly on busy nights (weekend, holidays), so be patient. The lunch buffett is not lengthy, but it is very good.
(4)Crystal P.
Totally worth going. I tried the Friday buffet. The manager is a little aggressive but the Beautiful waitress evens that out. Ok, on a serious note. The Friday buffet is totally on point. The food is good. I think the only problem I had is the guy that runs it. It's like he doesn't take the time to talk to you about his product. So I will need to try again to review the food the right way. I posted pictures.
(4)SnoLion S.
There is a nice couple trying to enjoy their tandoori chicken dinner but next door, there is some serious party going on. I walked in by myself and asked to be seated a table for one, and the owner responded with a question mark on his face, "Excuse me, table for one?" Maybe I should have asked to be seated on the floor instead.
(2)Shantu R.
Awesome place!! Awesome food!! Awesome owners!! I always make it a point to go there each time I am in town.
(5)Julie B.
This place is amazing! ! Been here 1.5 years and just discovered it. The food is outstanding and the staff are very friendly and helpful. You should definitely go.
(5)Mitsu K.
Everything we got was delicious: Lamb & chicken hydrabadi Lamb Bollywood Samosa's Garlic Butter Naan Chicken Naan The meat is so tender & juicy! Staff is super friendly.
(5)Shane M.
My wife and I love eating here. We've taken her parents here, my parents, and have had our date nights here as well. The food is fantastic, cannot stress enough how much we love it. I recommend the "Bollywood Lamb" dish if you're a fan of Lamb - simply delicious. I also recommend the Chai Tea. A delightful blend of spices mixed with cream and a hint of sugar which makes for a tasty treat before your entree. In addition to the food, the service is wonderful as well. Always happy, always accommodating. If you're searching for something new in St. Mary's County, search no further, this is the best Indian cuisine you'll ever encounter.
(5)Colleen N.
Best Indian restaurant I've ever been to!
(5)Jethro T.
Over priced and honestly, have had better chicken tikka masala.
(3)Julia M.
My favorite restaurant in Maryland. When we lived in Virginia, my husband and I would eat at Bollywood Masala every time we went to visit a friend who lived in the area. The food is the best Indian food I've ever had. I no longer live in the VA/MD area and miss this restaurant a lot. Excellent food, excellent service.
(5)Scotto B.
Magnificent food. Everything from the service to selection of dishes to top quality flavor and presentation. Price is extremely reasonable. The buffet on Tues and Fri are varied and fantastic. My vegetarian options are great and the more carnivorous Mrs is also supremely satisfied.
(5)V B.
My all time favorite restaurant to go to for anything ever. I've been dozens of times and have never had a bad meal. They have spicy. They have creamy. They have seafood. They have tender chicken. They have lamb. They have vegetarian. They have vegan. Just about anything you could want. The lunch buffet offers variety with a reasonable price. They are kind and offer up good suggestions for people that are new to Indian food. The food is too good. It will ruin all other restaurants for you. You like your mom's chicken? Not anymore because theirs is better. Every meal is rich and leaves you feeling warm and satisfied. You can find the flavor your craving somewhere on the menu. I still remember, years ago, walking into their old restaurant in La Plata with my dad just wanting to try something new. We told her that we never had Indian food. She guided us through what to order. I had the palak paneer. With my first bite I was hooked. It changed what a good restaurant was to me. Family owned, fresh, and authentic. Recommendations: any bollywood specials, vindaloo, really anything.
(5)Jody W.
If you like Indian, this is awesome. Downside is the wait..... Still waiting.....
(4)Shawn D.
Stopped in late this evening, by myself on a work trip. It's a smallish, quiet place. There were a few other diners there when I arrived, but they mostly finished up and left by the time I was done. Huge menu, lots of choices, much of which look very similar to this Midwestern guy. I knew I wanted some naan, and opted for the garlic cilantro. I asked the waiter, a middle aged guy who I assume was the owner based off other reviews, for a recommendation. He asked a few questions about what I like/wanted...no lamb or goat, spicy, creamy...Bollywood chicken it is! The naan and chicken came out quick. The Bollywood chicken was served in a bowl with another bowl of rice on the side. The nan was in a separate basket. I scarfed it all down quick. The chicken and the bread were delicious! It was a delicious meal that set me back $24 including tip. A bit on the high side, but a great meal in a friendly, family owned restaurant. I'll take that on a business trip any day of the week! Stop in if you're in the area, I'm sure you'll have a great meal!
(4)Bradley N.
The 411: this is the only place to get Indian food for a very long way. If you're dying for it, you gotta come here. I typically go with multiple friends when we go to Bollywood, but it's also an okay place for a date. The manager is a friendly man, and his family operates the place with him. A nice atmosphere and place if you're into that sorta thing. The menu is huge. All of the items are kinda the same thing but with subtle differences. This place is a bit pricey for dinner time. An entree would run you about $13-$18 depending on the meat you choose. Even the naan will cost you an extra $3 per order. Not a wallet friendly restaurant. They have a lunch buffet on certain days and it's a better deal than the dinner menu I'd opt for their murgh makhani (spicy butter chicken), chicken vindaloo or one of their spicy kabobs. This place is good for friends so you can all share the different dishes. All of their dishes are respectable, but certainly aren't spectacular. Couple that with a big price tag, then you realize you're going to the regional monopoly for Indian food. Bottom line: this place is pricey, but decent. The veggie samosas are a good appetizer, but 2 orders of naan will set you back $7. Skip dessert and go get a coffee a few steps away instead.
(4)Jennifer D.
I love this place, and practically live there. If I've been out of town too long, I have dreams about this food. I love Indian food and try it pretty much anywhere I can find it but this is still my go to favorite. I love that the chicken in the sauce dishes is all white meat, so there are no weird unidentifiable chunks, like you get at other places. I'm a total wimp when it comes to spicy so I stay on the mild side but even the spicier stuff isn't just hot, it all has a ton of fantastic flavor. The lunch buffet is a must do if you want to try a bunch of different things without committing to a whole order. Fridays are the best with almost double the selection for maybe a couple bucks more. And the chai. Oh my, the chai!
(5)Mike M.
Excellent Indian food in the heart of St. Mary's County! Who would have guessed? I've been here 3 times and it's been consistently great. Vindaloo is heavenly, and if you ask for it spicy, they don't fool around.
(5)Tom C.
I really like this place. PAX, to me, is pretty much the middle of no where so any food diversity is greatly appreciated. While I've had better Indian in major metropolitan areas, this place is solid and will satisfy your craving for something different. The staff here is very friendly and every dish I've tried is good. The lamb and goat are particularly good. As a tip, their dishes are pretty mild, so no need to be scared that "Indian is too spicy". However the Madras Curry dishes are the real deal, extremely spicy. I have a very high tolerance and even I could only eat about half the dish. You've been warned!
(4)Chris M.
First time here and so far so good. After reading other reviews I decided to try the lunch buffet. The butter chicken was pretty good. The customer service was great. I was greeted at the door and I informed the waitress that I had never been here before. She smiled, lead me to a booth and asked if I would like her to show me the different choices on the buffet...how sweet. She described the different foods and preceded to tell me which ones she enjoyed and the popular foods of the patrons. Over all I had a pretty good experience. Great food if you enjoy a little spice!
(4)Emily M.
Love this place! My favorite restaurant in California, MD. The buffet on Fridays is the best!! Don't forget to complement the food with their homemade chai tea.
(5)Ed D.
My favorite restaurant in the southern Maryland area. They are closed on Mondays. The buffet lunches during the week are awesome. They normally serve the same buffet foods and it's all good. Get there early before the lunch hour rush rolls in. I always bring new people here who has never tried Indian food before. When they ask about it I always tell them, "The spices in these foods were the same spices Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue for, but ended up discovering America." Lol when they hear this it gets them excited in trying it out and they always leave happy. Everything I've ever tried is delicious. I always get naan and raita with my meal. If you don't know what to get, just tell the owner and he will whip up something for you.
(5)John B.
Wait, there's an Indian restaurant in St. Mary's county? Yes, and it's incredible. They have a huge menu of mostly North Indian dishes, but they seem to experiment with new dishes pretty regularly. All Indian places have vegetarian stuff, but they clearly label their vegan options and can handle gluten free as well; they added a gluten free bread recently. Samosas are reliably good, but I suggest an aloo tikki chaat (fried potato patties in chickpea curry) as an appetizer. They have literally over a dozen paneer (cheese) dishes, but I have to say the bollywood special, despite having a boring and trite name, is pretty special. They even make it with ghost pepper if you ask and they trust you. It's so hot, it's basically an orgasm in your mouth. Fear not though; there are plenty of milder options for those not willing to try a food item that Indians use to ward off elephants. Their breads are also addictive and they have a large variety. Prices here aren't cheap, but with generous portions and excellent quality, it's well worth it. The food has been good from the start, but they've been there a couple of years now and every time I go back, they've improved the place, put in better decor (emphasis on the Bollywood posters) and smoothed out the service. You're still in a strip mall in St. Mary's county, but it's a pretty decent place to eat now. The owners are usually there and are quite personable and willing to talk novitiates through their options. Now that my old favorite Indian place has been closed a while (Udupi Palace), I don't know anywhere in the region you can get better Indian food; even the best places in DC and its suburbs don't match up. If you're leery of an ethnic place in the middle of nowhere, try it. If you don't know anything about Indian food, try it. This place is awesome. Note: Closed on Monday.
(5)Grant B.
Don't let the location in a strip mall scare you away - the Northern Indian cuisine served at Bollywood is wonderful. We enjoyed three vegetarian dishes (aloo ghobi, vegetable vindaloo and palak Bollywood), full tandoori chicken, garlic naan, mango chutney, and veggie samosa. Oh yes, and the katchumber salad! It all came with delicious basmati rice, perfectly cooked with a little spice. We paired it all with a couple of big bottles of kingfisher beer. Service was very friendly and attentive and the food came in a timely manner and was the perfect temperature. One of the best Indian meals we've had. Definitely will return!
(4)Mark G.
The food is still great as usual, and service is also. They have recently remodeled since my first review and it is much better now. Should definitely go for their lunch buffet. Plus with their new delivery service, it cant be beat.
(5)JR M.
My family and I love this place. Wish it was closer to Calvert County.The food is always great, and the family that owns it is friendly and interested in their customers. They always remember your favorite orders and when asked will make excellent suggestions. For an appetizer try the Aloo Tika Chat. All of the entrees are good and the naan bread is excellent. Service is good but sometimes if the restaurant is crowded it can be a little slow. Last week the owner told me the management company that owns the building is not renewing so expect them to move soon. October will be their 7th anniversary so they must be doing something right!
(5)Kt H.
Bollywood is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Southern Maryland. Going is a treat, since I'm currently on a grad student budget (and truthfully, this place isn't cheap!) but when I decide to splurge, this is where I go. The owner is probably one of my favorite people on earth, first of all. He's so great. I came here for my 22nd birthday with friends and he made me feel so special, making me a special balloon (balloons have no age limit, y'all) and a delicious dessert. The restaurant was also basically empty at 12pm on a Sunday, so our service was extra special. When I come here on average days, the service CAN be a little slow and maybe a little bit aloof, but everyone is so nice regardless. And the food? Impeccable. I order the mango kadhai paneer (which is equal parts sweet, spicy, and savory) and the garlic chili naan every time. It's always been fantastic. If you want a treat, order a pot of chai, too - it's a million times better than what you'll get at a coffee shop.
(5)Tullie H.
I've eaten some of the best Indian dishes in the world, and in knowing this: it's because some of my family members are Indian/Malay and chefs at that. This by far is the best authentic Indian I've had this far in the USA - with its array of beautiful palate provoking flavors, let your sense of exploring go for a wander through the menu that caters to all palates. Not all Indian is spicy and unlike most Indian restaurants then don't push the westernized versions of Indian cuisine just for sales purposes (aka butter chicken) The owners and staff encourage you to try new items when you request an understanding of them and offer delightful insights to the spices and flavors that are sometimes so foreign to the common tongue. I found that it is a bit pricey for what it is, but with its delectable flavors it's really worth the taste. Don't be warded off by its location, it's a must to drop by this family owned place in a county that thrives off chain restaurants. The atmosphere is donned with mauve and deep reds with a few Indian pieces on the wall. Nothing fancy - but the moment you walk in the door you can inhale the aromas and your tastebuds start to dance.
(4)Opie S.
As most reviews have said, the food is great. I've eaten here several times and always like it. Sometime off the menu and sometimes the lunch buffet. When I ordered off the menu, the waitress walked me through the decision process: Meat? Tomato based? Spicy? Then told me what I should order. She nailed it. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was one of the more odd experiences I have EVER had in a restaurant occurred on my last visit. I *believe* it was the owner came up to our table and looked only at me and asked if I ate lamb. I said yes and he offered me a nibble of something he was holding with tongs. It looked like a mini burger patty. I assumed he approached me because I was the only one at the table that got the lunch buffet. When I took a bite my first reaction was: tasty. However, after swallowing, I discovered it was raw in the middle. I mean completely raw (and I like medium rare stuff). When I mentioned that to him, he remained unphased and just said "ok". I then said out loud to the table "I guess if I'm violently ill tonight, I have witnesses". He just laughed and walked away. Extremely bizarre.
(4)Ginger M.
This is consistently good food in a casual but nice setting. It's a "family" feel, and I can bring friends after our daytime adventures, a business associate for a meeting of the minds, or my husband for a date-night. I've tried Indian food in my travels around the US and even a couple in the UK, and l like this the best. I've tried almost everything on the menu at one point or another, before I found out about my food allergies. So the food here has actual flavor, and when they say "very spicy", they're not kidding around. Most of the entrees are sauce-based (curries), but they also have Tandoori (they call this barbecue - it's usually the sizzle and steam on a hot plate kind) which is more of a meat-and-veggie meal. There are also fun desserts and non-alcoholic drinks (they serve wine and beer, but it's not for me!). Dairy, Egg, Corn, Soy, and Wheat: I have allergies to all of these (not life-threatening), but I can eat here with no problem. Meats are marinated in yogurt and (sometimes?) egg, so if you're really sensitive, just order a veggie or lentil dish. I think most Gluten-Free people will not find any issues eating here (I don't), because most breaded things are just made with chickpea flour; but real celiacs might want to ask first if there is any added "white/wheat flour" in your order - I'm pretty sure it's only the samosas, but you should be mindful that they do keep flour in the kitchen. They do have lots of vegan options. I even heard at one point that they are careful not to mix the pans and utensils in the kitchen, because the owners are vegetarians. That said, somehow they also manage to make the most awesome meat dishes... So a few reviewers seem to think that Indian food should be cheap? If you want a cheap crap meal, there are plenty of other restaurants in the area who will oblige. Why come here (when you can see the prices before you order) and then complain? The portions are big enough to feed me twice, and the ingredients are real food (not processed crap). I've been eating here since 2006, and this restaurant has had the same owners, even though it moved and changed names a few times. Whatever reviewer thinks the management has changed is mistaken. It's 2014 and it's still the same couple running it. And if you're looking for the wait staff to bend and stoop to serve you, you're barking up the wrong tree, IMO. They are SUPER helpful, if you just ask for what you want. You'll get a lot more food and drink with "honey" than you will with "vinegar" at this place. Oh, and try the chai tea :)
(5)Amberly W.
Best restaurant...best Indian I've ever had in the US. Can't believe it's in St. Mary's county.
(5)Tanya C.
...we got the lamb tikka masala w/ garlic cilantro naan & it was absolutely delish & the staff was extremely helpful and friendly!!!
(5)Joseph S.
This is an exceptional family run restaurant the food is authentic northern India the atmosphere is quiet the staff is very friendly. Our food arrived hot and the servers made sure our tea was always full and the naan bread was always fresh. I highly recommend this restaurant for it's food and atmosphere.
(4)Nancy A.
LOVE this place! We tried it when we were in the area on the recommendation of a friend. And boy, we were glad we did. The location is in a strip mall - kind of unassuming. The decor is interesting.... but don't worry about that! The food is just superb. We got the Aloo Palak and Vegetable Korma. OMG. Probably the best we've had. The service was attentive without hovering. It was nice to see a lot of locals/regulars coming in for dinner and being greeted as friends. A+ food and service. If we are in the area again, we're definitely coming back!
(5)Richard F.
I had the lamb vindaloo and it was amazing. Such depth of flavor. And the plain naan bread perfect. Its a large menu. I can't wait to come back many times to see what everything else tastes like.
(5)Tyson H.
The only decent restaurant in the area. Love their hyderabadi, aloo kulcha, rice and naans. The staff are pretty friendly, and you can place an order for a pick-up though they do not deliver. Although there is absolutely nothing else i would recommend in this area, Bollywood is definitely a must. You wouldn't think you'd find an authentic Indian restaurant in St Mary's county but this place is a true gem!
(5)Laurel C.
I've been going to Bollywood for a couple years and they have recently stepped up the decor, making it a lot more welcoming. The owners will take time to walk you through the menu, so someone who's new to Indian can help find something they'll like, and someone who's been eating there for years can sample something confidently. For appetizers, aloo tikka chaat is all I've ever had. It's delicious. I have had most of their vegetarian entrees and they're all decent but the Bollywood Special with paneer is my favorite! Great spices, yummy paneer, good portion size. Their "extremely hot" is quite spicy but I was able to handle it. My husband's "hot!" dish was similarly spicy though, so do not rely on the spice levels listed on the menu if you're at all worried. Ask the owners and they'll help guide you! Garlic naan and garlic butter naan are both dependable but not the best I've had. The potato kolcha is decent, the onion kolcha is droopy and falls apart strangely.
(4)Joshua M.
This was my first time ever going to this restaurant. I am HOOKED!!! I went out of my comfort zone and had goat for the first time ever. Everything down to the rice was packed with flavor, wonderful friendly staff, cool easy to read menu, the best bread I have ever tasted. Cost me $50 for my family of four and we all could have shared an order and it would have been plenty. I left satisfied and now with a new restaurant favorite.
(5)Katie H.
Great place. The food was delicious. We came on a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The butter chicken and garlic naan are awesome. The service was great. I have absolutely no complaints. I'm not from around here but I would definitely come here at least once a week if I did. They also have takeout so that's and option too.
(5)John Q.
Very good indian food restaurant. I went for dinner and drinks with about 15 people and everything was perfect. I can't wait to go again.
(5)Christopher J.
I want to give this place 5 stars, because the food is absolutely delicious, but there are some major issues going on with the internal workings of the restaurant. For what it's worth, I've listed those problems within the confines of my latest Bollywood experience. I decided to eat dinner at Bollywood Masala last night, the 24th of August, as I remembered how great it was the first time I ate here, all except the unfiltered water, but I can overlook that as long as there's something else to drink, like a soda. When my guest and I walked into the restaurant, the first thing we both noticed was how absolutely filthy the front door and entrance 'foyer' was - the glass front door looked like it was washed with saltwater and a rag that had just gotten done washing 50 semi trucks that had been on "Ice Road Truckers" recently. Then, inside the foyer, it looked like it hadn't been dusted, vacuumed, or wiped down since before the 1st World War. Once we made it past the foyer, things looked like they had gotten better, and we were taken to our table, which had a clean tabletop, but dirty plastic booth seats that were sticky. We sat in our booth for what had to be close to 5 minutes before menus were brought to us, and not by a server but by one of the kitchen employees who didn't seem to speak English - only Indian. Once we had our menus, we sat there for about 10 minutes until a young lady came up, chomping on a piece of gum, and immediately asked us "you know what you want?" and went back to chewing her gum like a 90s valley girl. We ordered our food, and two Sprites, as again, the water was vile. The young lady took our menus and departed, never to be seen again - literally. She didn't go get our Sprites, she didn't go clean tables or go on a break, she went to a booth all the way in the back of the restaurant, and it was then I realized that her and the other 'floor' employees were playing a game of Monopoly, while I looked around and saw numerous customers waiting on drink refills, to place orders, or looking for their check. 20-25 minutes after we placed the order for our Sprite, our food came out - which was delivered not by the gum chewing young lady (who also made the worst server I've ever seen) but by the chef. THE CHEF was delivering my food. The food here is delicious, but the service is the worst it possibly could be. The owner of this restaurant needs to send all their employees through an episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" just so Gordon Ramsay can spend some time training these people. The owner of this restaurant clearly has absolutely zero idea of how to run a place - but luckily for him (or her) the food is absolutely top notch, and, for the most part, compensates for the lack of service. If you want to eat good food and aren't worried about service, this place will do you just fine. However, if you really go to restaurants for equal amounts of service and food, you will not be impressed here. One final note - if you eat here on a Friday or Saturday night, then the Indian "night club" adjacent will really interfere with your ability to speak at a normal volume with your company. And oddly enough, the club is literally attached to the restaurant, and you can go from one to the other from within the restaurant. Long story short, this place needs an overhaul - and it would be the best restaurant in Southern Maryland.
(3)Justin E.
I love this restaurant so much that when I eat here it almost brings me to tears and that is not because I ordered the dish too spicy. The Lamb Tikka Masala here is my favorite dish at any Indian restaurant I have ever eaten at anywhere. Couple that with the Butter Naan and.... Well that is when I tear up with tears of pure bliss.
(5)Amoli P.
I'm not sure how I ended up in the Lexington Park, MD area, but I'm sure glad I did. Given the surrounding area and the far distance from any major city, Bollywood Masala is an absolute diamond in the rough for Indian cuisine. To be honest, if this restaurant was in Chicago or another large city, I would probably have given only 3 stars just because there is so much other competition and such a diverse market to choose from. This restaurant would not stand above the crowd in that situation, but it would certainly hold its own in any city. There is something very admirable about an Indian restaurant so far removed from diversity, that still keeps their cuisine authentic, fresh, and has a great atmosphere with great service. I went with 3 friends on a Sunday night for a later dinner. The place was half full when we arrived at 8:30, but by 10pm they were patiently waiting for us to leave so they could close for the evening. My friend and I went with the bhindi masala and paneer kadhai along with garlic naan. The flavor and spice on both were excellent. The entrees are very generous servings, with a good amount of paneer, and the okra was prepared perfectly. My only complaint is that the dishes were fairly oily, though this is a common issue with most Indian restaurants in all cities. The garlic naan was crisp and garlicky just as it should be. Service was friendly and quick. We didn't check out the adjacent "lounge" area, as it wasn't exactly hopping on a Sunday night, but I'm sure it's lovely. I'm not sure if I will ever be back to the Pax River area, but I know that if I do return, Bollywood Masala will be a number 1 priority.
(4)Amy W.
The Bollywood Chicken was exquisite. I look forward to coming back and exploring the menu.
(5)Erin J.
Very good Indian food, great ambiance, and the owners are super charismatic. They also have the bar next door which is a lot of fun. I'll come back every time for the food.
(5)Whitney L.
If it wasn't for Yelp and all the reviews I wouldn't have found Bollywood Masala, so I had to add in my thoughts: this place was all I hoped and more - the positive reviews are very accurate. Loved the Baingan Bharta and gluten-free bread (chickpeas with onions and peppers). Lots of GF vegan options and really nice service. We were greeted with warm smiles and frequently asked if we needed anything and how our food was. Really nice atmosphere too - very comfortable, clean and quite. Would definitely go back.
(5)Mike B.
Ever want to have your tastebuds kicked around, only to ask for more? Go to Bollywood Masala, and ask for the Bollywood Special...WITH the ghost chile. It beckons to you, like a voice in the night trying to corrupt your soul - along with your tastebuds. Make no mistake, the heat is surprisingly layered within the creamy flavors, which is impressive unto itself. The owner - who is awesome, BTW - gave me a side of yoghurt along with a little candy to help mitigate the heat and allow the flavor to peek through more vividly. Oh, and the naan is great, too. So is the Masala tea, if a bit too ginger forward for my personal tastes. Of course this place gets 5 stars!
(5)Sarah C.
My Fiance and I always loved this place; but this visit was truly disappointing. Service: First, we waited quite a while JUST to place our drink order...after that, it took twice as long for someone to come over and take our food order. My fiance finished his drink and placed the empty glass at the end of the table halfway through the meal, and no matter how many times random employees walked past the table and literally looked right at us, he never got a refill or even checked on. A different person waited on us every time...which was actually only three different people since THAT'S how many times our table was even checked on the whole evening... including for the check. And let me tell you, they may have never refilled the drink, but it took them all of 45 seconds to pick up the check when I set it out at the end of the table. Sadly, that was the most efficient service we received. Food: We got the Lamb and the goat Saag, and both were very good, just like the entrees usually are here; however... one of our favorite parts of ANY Indian cuisine is, of course, the naan...the garlic butter naan we ordered and received tonight was absolutely ghastly. The garlic wasn't even cooked, and was still crunchy and extremely bitter. The inside of the normally delicious bread was so doughy I couldn't eat it...while the outside was seriously charred and completely inedible. I was extremely disappointed. Staff: the whole time we were there, what seemed like the owner and his entire family sat in a corner booth, on their laptops, just watching everyone and occasionally getting up to swipe a card or greet someone they knew. There was only one man doing any work at all, and that included EVERYTHING. I saw him bussing tables, making drinks, getting checks, taking orders, seating people, bringing orders...and all the while everyone else was sitting down. Although the entrees were tasty, every other aspect of our visit was nothing but an embarrassment.
(2)Zach G.
This is pretty solid Indian food. In the region, I assume it must be the best, thus the 4 stars. As compared to other Indian food experiences I have had around the country, it's slightly above average. However, there is nothing wrong with slightly above average! I ordered a Hyderabadi Chicken (spicy, instead of medium as it normally comes), which came with basmati of course. Also, an order of plain naan. I believe the naan that came was actually butter naan and that I was charged as such (an extra $1). Not a big deal, but it still wasn't accurate to my order. The chicken itself was delicious - spiced very well, quite spicy but not overpowering, and with big chunks of tasty, most, tender chicken. The naan was equally as good. Basmati was typical basmati...hard to screw that up. This all cost about $16 + tax. I'll easily get two meals out of it as I threw the remainder in to the fridge of my hotel room. I would certainly return to fill my Indian food cravings!
(4)John M.
I don't understand the rave reviews. Ive had indian food all over the east coast. The food, service and experience was mediocre at best. It was a $8. Meal I paid $21. For. !!
(2)Amit K.
The food here is really really good. I recommend the Bollywood Lamb or Goat for those of you who are adventurous. The Bollywood Lounge next door is also a nice place to go for an evening of cocktails and music.
(5)Rick C.
I base this review primarily on the food; which is outstanding. Everything I've eaten here is beyond great: appetizers, entrees, bread, and desserts. Whether you like it spicy or mild, the food is just plain good. I love spicy and this place can put a tasty hurting on you, so be careful. They will adjust seasoning to taste for most dishes or recommend a more subtle alternative. Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations when ordering -- they really know their food. The refreshing mango ice cream is out of this world and a soothing way to cool down after a spicy meal. Now the prices are a bit high, but the food is just so good I don't care. The service is hit or miss. It's been great and it's been poor; but again the food is just so good I just look past it. There's this young Hispanic server there that tries real hard, and is getting better, so cut him some slack -- he's working on it. The family (owners) are always friendly and we enjoy speaking to them at every visit. The decor has definitely gotten better over the years, but admittedly still needs some work. And the bathrooms -- well . . . we don't talk about them -- just use the head before or after. Go eat at this place if even think you might like Indian food. Get take out if you can't get past the questionable service and decor, but go try this food. You won't be disappointed.
(4)K D.
We eat here regularly. We have never had a bad meal there. The service is impeccable! I highly recommend paneer Tika masala! We are moving and will surly miss it!
(5)DC R.
Yelp has been a great guide for restaurants in this remote county. This restaurant has 5 star rating food. Yummy, tasty, authentic. Can't be beat in Maryland. Can't be beat in Washington, DC (where I live and find no Indian food close to this.) The owner is helpful, and guided us through some menu choices. The servers are friendly and efficient. The food is colorful, tasty, and high quality. (Which you can see in the photos that others have put up here.) The decor is fine. It is not fancy, but you can't eat the decor! We are here to eat. We come out this way periodically because we have a child attending St. Mary's College of Maryland. I'd recommend this restaurant to parents who like Indian food or would like to try really excellent Indian food. This is an excellent place to take your child. We liked it so much we came back twice in three weeks while attending school events. And after our child graduates, we may even make the drive from Washington, DC.
(5)Nick P.
Service was quick but there seemed to be a bit of a language barrier. I had garlic naan which was pretty good, paneer kora which had an odd taste, and curry hyderabadi, which was a bit spicy and a bit sweet. Their menu is really big, but a lot of their dishes sound the same, basically a different meat and different level of spiciness. Really quiet and dark in there, which was a bit awkward...I almost felt like I wasn't supposed to talk. Food is pretty pricey. Best place ever like some reviews make it out? No, but not bad either.
(3)BT B.
Really great food dined In the first time and this visit I did take out. Naan was the bomb I got an assortment of different ones. Aloo Tikki chaat chicken tikka and paneer Bollywood, all were very tasty and not too spicy. Anyways most restaurants blow in southern Maryland but this place is a winner.
(5)Russell L.
I go there at lunch with co-workers very often. You can't beat the buffet at lunch! Great food - all you can eat - at a reasonable price. Love this place!
(5)Kristi N.
This is amazing Indian food! I had my baby shower there even! We lived near Los Angeles, and this meets or exceeds any Indian restaurant out there. I was so sad we had to move away. You will always see the owners there, which I love. They are so friendly, and we had really gotten to know them in the 3 years we were there. Their son owns the bar connected to it. Great drinks there.
(5)Bobby B.
The Sauce is Addicting. I heard so much about this restaurant so I took my mother here for a special occasion. The owner came out to guide us through a few key things and my mom was able to try one of their "experimental" dishes that wasn't on the menu just yet, which is cool. I ordered the Lamb Makhni Madras, which I recommend for first-timers. The owner, Raj brought out a teaspoon of the sauce so I could try it before ordering it. The sauce was balanced; sweet and spicy without overpowering the food and paired well with the lamb. Raj said his wife spent five years perfecting the array of sauces, which was noticeable to me. She also gave us some off-menu snacks for the road. Such a personable experience with nice people and good food.
(5)Josh H.
Some of the best Indian food I've ever had. If you're new to Indian food I heartily recommend the chicken makhani in addition to some naan (garlic, butter, chili, or any combination of the three).
(5)Jonathon B.
Very good food! Finally a good Indian place in St.Mary's County. Server was friendly, and prompt. We will definitely be repeat customers.
(4)Chris M.
The food was great. The staff was good. The decor needs some work. I'd go there again. The Chicken Tikka Masala is not the "normal" style, but was excellent (and the waiter warned me what to expect).
(3)Kristi M.
We went there a few weeks ago and the food was very good. Speedy service and two servers helping. Can't remember the names of the dishes we had, but we did have the spicy shrimp cream dish (me), medium lamp cream dish (husband), and the deluxe Naan ( they substituted one of the breads for something we liked better. The decor need a big update. It wasn't dirty or smelly, just some of the overhead light fixture awnings seemed to be lose on the wall and the whole restaurant needed new paint. We will be going again.
(3)Cameron D.
My wife and I love Indian food and for the last 14 years have lived in the US and experienced a wide range. Having both grown up in the UK, where, arguably, you can find the best Indian, Pakistani and Bengali food outside of those actual home countries, the bar has been set high. Bollywood Masala, on the night my wife and I went there, was THE BEST Indian food we have experienced in the entire USA. The only place I have experienced, outside of the UK or India that was on a par, was a very pricey restaurant in Abu Dhabi. This place is tucked inside a strip mall, amongst the plethora of stores in Lexington Park. But what a gem. They also have a small range of Indian wines and the Reserve Shiraz was the most expensive, but at $30 a bottle was an absolute steal. You can of course take home what is left in the bottle and get a doggie bag. Our appetizers were chicken pakora and veggie pakora. These can be either over battered and/or soggy. Ours were perfect. Fresh, juicy, tasty and the spice was just right. My wife is gluten-free and everything on the menu was acceptable. I had shrimp Hyderabadi and she had chicken Jalfrezi. Both had fresh herbs and spices. You can absolutely tell when you have eaten as much Indian food as we have when this stuff is fresh. The Hyderabadi had a beautiful coconut flavor and we also had a gluten-free chickpea-based bread. My wife makes these at home and she is an excellent cook. This was even better. If you want a cheap meal, this can run to $15-18 per main, but the wine is not at all expensive compared to the scandalous mark ups I have seen pretty much everywhere else. To get high quality Indian authentic beer and Indian wine is highly unusual. I cannot emphasize what a gem this place is. Anyone who lives in the Lexington Park area has no idea how high a quality this place this is on a GLOBAL scale and believe me, we absolutely know about Indian food.
(5)Shai J.
This place is simply amazing. I've ordered from here on three occasions, and each time I was surprised at how delicious the food was. Bollywood Masala has discovered a way of improving every one of my favorite Indian dishes beyond expectation. Usual favorites: Samosas, Paneer Pakora, Paneer Makhani.
(5)Thomas G.
Drinks are a tad pricey and they never seem to have lamb, but I love coming here. Great drinks and food, and a great atmosphere.
(4)Sherry H.
Used to go here all the time when they first opened and loved. Went all the time. But when then the management changed, as did the cooking. Now it is nothing special. Never go anymore.
(2)Anna B.
This is a great place, with wonderful staff and wonderful food. The dishes are not so hot that you can't taste the wonderful spices (I even had Vidaloo here once). It is a good place for a mixed group of meat eaters and vegetarians. They are so accommodating. It's got a great vegetarian selection and is vegan friendly, too. It's one of the best places to eat in St. Mary's County. I went here to celebrate my birthday one year. Everyone loved the food. A few people would have like to have a drink with their meal, but there's no alcohol, so you should know that. Try the Lassis instead. I would recommend this place to everyone. The prices are very reasonable.
(5)Rachel L.
The best curry you will find in Southern Maryland. The service is so so, but the curry is delicious.
(4)Brian T.
I don't eat Indian food much, but both times I've been to Pax River on travel, I've stopped at Bollywood Masala for dinner, and each time I was not disappointed. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly (I dig the Bollywood movie posters hanging on the walls). The couple who own the place were helpful and courteous. They made great recommendations for someone like me who isn't familiar with Indian cuisine. The first time I went, I had the paneer madras - extra spicy - and it was a underestimation I won't make again. If you ask for really spicy food, you're gonna get it! Delicious, but I've never sweated so much in my life during a meal. Tonight, I had the lamb hyderabadi. It had much less spice (still a decent amount though), and it went really well with the roti I ordered (pick any bread on the menu, you really can't go wrong). A nice find in a place like this that's so crawling with uninspired chain restaurants. Highly recommended to newbies!
(4)Jesse L.
great atmosphe with friendly service. the menu is very extensive and I feel like many of the curries taste very similar but fortunately that also means they all taste great! I would highly recommend the lunch buffet! all you can eat for ~$9-10.
(5)Alina S.
Lamb achari! Delicious, not on the menu, and perfect if you need something not too spicy.
(5)Stephanie M.
This place is wonderful. The food is delicious, people are courteous and it is very family friendly.
(5)Randi R.
Best Indian food ever!
(5)Remash G.
During my last visit, 8/10/2010, the food was really good. The heat factor was perfect for my taste and the spices were top notch. A new coworker ate with us. It was her first time eating anything spicy and hot. She did not dig the flavors too much so Sonny made her special dishes. They were good (yah, we got to try it too). She liked them and enjoyed the always good naan. The service is definitely top notch and we kept getting naan refills without needing to ask. Ohhhh yeah!
(5)Rob B.
Amazing lamb and chicken Loma
(5)Amy C.
We dined here for the first time on Valentines Day 2014, and again in March 2014. My husband read the reviews here on Yelp, and decided to give it a try, even though on his own he would have never tried Indian food. It was a first for him, and he loved it! I loved it! I was so happy he loved it, as we are a gluten free family, and now we have another restaurant we can add to our list!
(5)Nikhil P.
Amazing food. Warm and Personable owners. Highly recommend the Chicken Tak-a-tak and Lamb Madras!
(5)Mark G.
This is for both the restaurant and the lounge (next door). We went there the other other night to see a local band in the lounge. Sonny, who seems to run the Lounge side, was there; he greeted us and was very friendly. Not seeing what we wanted on the Lounge menu (which tends to be more bar food oriented) we went next door to eat at the restaurant (more on that next), The Lounge is pretty straight forward, comfortable chairs and couches to sit in, a nice bar, and all around nice atmosphere. Sonny mingled with folks, lots of free sample drinks, and made sure folks were having fun. Made for a good evening, in part because he was so welcoming. The Restaurant side, the father is equally as personable. He greeted us, and as others have commented (and other family members) walks folks through the menu. A lot want to order the naan as a appetizer, for example, and he explains it is to be eaten with the meal. The Masala Tea is a winner, a nice chai tea with a slight "bite" from ginger. Menu items have spice ratings, they are accurate and maybe a little misleading. I got the Bollywood Special (made with a ghost chili) which is rated VERY spicy. It is, in that there is most certainly a VERY spicy element. The mis-leaning part though is, the spice fits perfectly with the dish...it is there, but blends with the other flavors and spices. In other words, do not be scared off by the spice ratings; spicy yes but not the mouth numbing fire heat you might expect from "very spicy". The dish itself was perfect blend of spices, "heat" and flavors. The kabobs are probably not what one might expect, think more along the lines of fajitas with respect to how they are served; on a sizzling plate of onion, lettuce, green peppers, etc. The meats are the stars, nicely cooked, juicy, well spiced; the runner up would be the lettuce. The lettuce gets a amazing char from the plate, and mixed with the other flavors from the meat, onions, etc. is fantastic. With the endless line of chain restaurants there in California MD, this family run one is a real gem and worth checking out. Give it a chance, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Laura M.
Absolutely our favorite place to eat in the county. The staff is always pleasant and is great at helping you pick out the perfect meal for you if you are not familiar with Indian Cuisine. Sometimes the wait for the food can be a little long, but it doesn't really matter as long as they keep the Garlic Butter Naan coming!
(5)Ali A.
The most awesome Indian food you will ever have in your life!!!!
(5)Ingrid K.
Lunch buffet is $9.49 with sales tax. Excellent, fresh food. Definite favorite for this area. I'll be back! :)
(5)Scott S.
Hands down the best restaurant in St. Mary's County.
(5)Joe S.
Sweet Baby Jesus! If you have never had Indian please go, try it before you die you won't be disappointed. I am a repeat customer can't you tell.. :)
(5)Cat F.
The best place for Indian in southern Maryland! I've been here several times now and have tried a wide range of dishes from the butter chicken, biryani, lamb rogan josh, okra, mattar paneer, saag paneer, garlic naan, pakoras and also their lunch buffet. I haven't yet been disappointed with anything we've ordered. Service on a busy night can be slow (but that's a good sign when the place is packed!) and sometimes the owners will tell you what to order, which is great if you're a novice, but frustrating if you know exactly what you want! I agree with other reviewers - the decor could be improved and the staff is courteous, especially the owners. I'll be back again soon... very soon!
(4)Andrea L.
Indian food is one of my favorites and when we moved from Seattle I knew it would be one of the cuisines I missed most. Was pleasantly surprised to find Bollywood when we moved to SOMD. Who would have thought?? Great food and service. We've really enjoyed the meals we've ordered. It is a little bit on the expensive side compared to what I've had in the past, and in one dish the shrimp was slightly over cooked, but honestly those issues would never stop me from eating here or recommending it to people! If you like Indian food, eat at Bollywood! So glad this restaurant is here!
(4)Mark C.
Came to the area for a class from Los Angeles where I eat a pretty good amount of Indian food. I lived in SF in an area which was affectionately called the Tandoori-loin because of the prevalence of good Indian restaurants in the area. All that to say, this place was really good - possibly the best Indian I have had to date. The spiciness (hot vs spices) was good but not overwhelming meaning you could still taste the food but it was hot. The owner came by and asked us what we were looking for and recommended stuff. His recommendations were perfect. If you are visiting the area, I would definitely recommend it. The Naan was good and big and tasty. The inside is clean and nice enough. Prices aren't cheap but reasonable. They took the restaurant.com certificate happily which was nice and saved me some money. We had left overs and ate them the next day and it was good. Would go again.
(5)Lisa M.
My girlfriend and I had lunch here today. We had the Buffet, which was reasonable at $9. The food was WONDERFUL!! And then I realized why... The owner looked familiar. This is the same Family that operated Masala Waldorf in the shopping plaza next to Bed Bath & Beyond. What Joy! No wonder everything was so good. After a brief chat with the owner, who is as friendly as always, we learned that they had to move out of the old location due to issues with the land lord... California MD definitely lucked out an we will definitely be going back. Next time for dinner, and with a big group :)
(5)Ryan H.
I must have missed something. I did not get the 4-5 star experience that most describe here. The girlfriend order two chicken dishes (one was butter chicken, forget the other) and some naan. I was very surprised when I picked it up on my way home from work and the bill was almost $50. A bit expensive for some chicken and rice, but I could deal with it if it was as good as others described. Sampling the two chicken dishes, neither one of us could tell any difference between the two. I felt they were both pretty bland. Maybe we just made some bad choices but I don't think I'll be back after the high price and bland food experience.
(3)Keri C.
I stopped in here after hearing about "wine down Wednesdays". I was immediately welcomed by the staff and Sonny extended his hospitality as if we were old friends. I have since returned (and Sonny remembered my name after having only visited ONE time... which is something I strive to do in my professional realm) numerous times and am starting to navigate my way through the menu. I have noted improvements made in the menu content itself; the new menu offers a nice description of the fare, which is an Indian-Chinese fusion... I am pleased with my options thus far. The salmon was particularly tasty. I look forward to getting better acquainted with the food. As for my experience here, The staff are very inviting and welcoming, and Sonny is sure to make everyone feel like they are in a very modern episode of "Cheers". Aesthetically the lounge is very pleasing... comfortable, hip, modern and relaxing. When there is live entertainment there is plenty of open space to dance... at least until this place really catches on.. which with this kind of "wow" service the people are sure to come here, and keep coming here.
(4)Erika C.
If you are looking for quality Indian food in South Maryland than Bollywood is the place to visit. I order the curry fish, veggie samosas, and the garlic naan. It was was hands down the best Indian food that I have tasted. The inside of the restaurant is set up family style which gives it a home-like feeling and the staff was very helpful with my order. I ordered my food as a pick up and it was hot and ready when I arrived. The portions are generous and I highly recommend this place if you are looking for fresh tasting Indian food.
(5)Erin A.
this place is amazing! I cannot wait to return, delicious food and very ncie staff. Reasonable prices. Check it out!!
(5)Katherine S.
Food very good as other reviews note. However on a busy Sat night even with a reservation we waited 30 min for table then another 75 minutes for food! If not for the great food reviews and smells going by us we would have left. Took over half hour to even take drink order (ps they do serve alcohol despite what yelp says). Then another long wait for drinks to arrive and they forgot what we ordered. Very inexperienced staff totally disorganized, mixups with orders (never got our appetizer at all) very very slow turnover of tables. We ordred a chicken tandoori and they brought a different "assorted chicken" dish due to having none of the tandoori - it was delicious but would have been nice to let us know ahead. I am sure at a quieter time would be fine, however $100 dinner for 3 it is reasonable to expect adequate staffing. I would not go back on a weekend night.
(3)Snow T.
Great food. The owner is fantastic. Very vegan friendly. I love samosas, but would suggest the pakoras instead. Their samosas are good, but the pakoras are always awesome!
(5)Toaster O.
Best Indian food in all of the DMV by far. Try the: Butter Chicken...it takes twice to become addicted Kashmiri Chicken...amazing Vegetable Korma....also amazing. the Chai is delicious and I swear it has crack in it to make me drive an hour just to get my fix.
(5)Evan H.
This is indian food at its best! I am never sure exactly what the different items on the menu are even though there are great descriptions, but that is ok because the owner is very knowledgable. I haven't ended up ordering what I had picked out the last couple of times going because he has recommended different things to me and they have been AMAZING. I don't think I am even going to look at the menu anymore - just ask what he recommends.
(5)Chich S.
The food here is EXCELLENT. One of my fav indian places i've ever been to. The chicken tikka and the makhni are delish, and the naan is great. Desserts are yummy too (especially the pistachio ice cream!). The staff is friendly as well! Now whenever i travel to Pax River, i always make sure to eat here at least once.
(4)Steve P.
Truly authentic Indian Food! If you have never eaten there, just ask Sunny for a suggestion. He will be happy to personalize anything to meet your tastes. Their signature dish, Bollywood Chicken, is made with the Ghost Chili Pepper - the hottest pepper in the world! It is amazing! This is my favorite place to eat in St Mary's County!
(5)David H.
We ate a late lunch here on a Sunday, so it was pretty deserted. The chef came out and gave us a sample of some sauce we were considering, and discussed a number of different options on the menu. The waiter was also very knowledgeable and helpful. The decor/building maintenance needs some work, but the food and staff are first rate. Highly recommended, we'll be going back.
(3)Amber J.
Surprisingly good Indian food. The food is great. The service is good but could be better. Sonny is an amazing host.
(4)Chad G.
Best Indian food in town and some of the best I've ever had. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is a fan of Indian food.
(5)Hunter G.
Bollywood Masala is the current Indian offering in Southern Maryland. I say "current" because sadly we have had what seems like a succession of Indian restaurants here (Taste of India, Curry of India, India Garden, etc.). Our current Indian offering is a major contender for best food! Bollywood Masala has real authentic cuisine and the food is excellent. The location is convenient to the base, but is located is a space that needs much work! The owners are very friendly, Sunny especially. He can offer you suggestions of some of their best items. Be sure to try the Porri as an alternative to the Naan, it is delicious! The service is sometimes slow, but that is just a small price to pay to enjoy the delicious food!
(4)Jane L.
Yummy! Great Indian food in Southern Maryland. Staff was very attentive and had wonderful suggestions. Can't wait to go back!
(5)abby h.
A group of us have gone to the Lounge at Bollywood twice now to play the Tuesday night Team Trivia. Both experiences were bad. The first night we noticed service was really, really slow. The wait staff is johhny on the spot when you first sit down for a drink order and then that is about the last time they come by. Our last evening there was awful. We arrive at 6pm with a group of seven. We are given one menu to share to order any food. The server returns within a few minutes before we can each take a turn looking at the menu, then doesn't come back to take our order for 30 minutes. Okay so it was getting crowded. We finally get our food ordered at 6:50 (mind you we sat down at 6). Two appetizer orders came within 30 minutes, then two naan pizzas arrived 20 minutes later. However the last two orders for our table finally showed up an hour and 20 minutes from when the order was placed! Really! We would flag down the server and she would tell us the food would be out in 2 minutes even though the people who ordered it told her please check, they were starving. Oh and then once trivia was over and everyone is paying the bill to leave, the naan breads which were ordered 2 hours earlier show up. Food okay. Service deplorable. One poor wait person cannot handle the number of people in the bar during trivia. It isn't like the restaurant doesn't know it would be busy. Hire more help!!!!!!!! For now, we are going elsewhere. Or bring Chipotle burritos with us to eat in the bar. Ridiculous.
(1)Stephanie K.
This is one of my favorite restaraunts. The people who run it are awesome and always willing to change dishes around to suit your tastes (and they ask a lot of questions to figure out what your tastes are). The food is AMAZING. I used to live really nearby, but now I've moved about 2 hours away and I miss it all the time. Go here, you won't regret it.
(5)Julie D.
We ate dinner with our college student daughter. The waiter remembered her AND which dish she ordered (!!) from other visits. Food was excellent. Friendly atmosphere. We could hear our own conversation (which is not the case in some restaurants). We'll be back when we are visiting our daughter.
(5)Karen H.
What a surprise - decent Indian Food in Southern Maryland! Vegetable samosas were awesome. Totally hits the spot if you're craving Indian.
(4)V B.
My all time favorite restaurant to go to for anything ever. I've been dozens of times and have never had a bad meal. They have spicy. They have creamy. They have seafood. They have tender chicken. They have lamb. They have vegetarian. They have vegan. Just about anything you could want. The lunch buffet offers variety with a reasonable price. They are kind and offer up good suggestions for people that are new to Indian food. The food is too good. It will ruin all other restaurants for you. You like your mom's chicken? Not anymore because theirs is better. Every meal is rich and leaves you feeling warm and satisfied. You can find the flavor your craving somewhere on the menu. I still remember, years ago, walking into their old restaurant in La Plata with my dad just wanting to try something new. We told her that we never had Indian food. She guided us through what to order. I had the palak paneer. With my first bite I was hooked. It changed what a good restaurant was to me. Family owned, fresh, and authentic. Recommendations: any bollywood specials, vindaloo, really anything.
(5)Jody W.
If you like Indian, this is awesome. Downside is the wait..... Still waiting.....
(4)Shawn D.
Stopped in late this evening, by myself on a work trip. It's a smallish, quiet place. There were a few other diners there when I arrived, but they mostly finished up and left by the time I was done. Huge menu, lots of choices, much of which look very similar to this Midwestern guy. I knew I wanted some naan, and opted for the garlic cilantro. I asked the waiter, a middle aged guy who I assume was the owner based off other reviews, for a recommendation. He asked a few questions about what I like/wanted...no lamb or goat, spicy, creamy...Bollywood chicken it is! The naan and chicken came out quick. The Bollywood chicken was served in a bowl with another bowl of rice on the side. The nan was in a separate basket. I scarfed it all down quick. The chicken and the bread were delicious! It was a delicious meal that set me back $24 including tip. A bit on the high side, but a great meal in a friendly, family owned restaurant. I'll take that on a business trip any day of the week! Stop in if you're in the area, I'm sure you'll have a great meal!
(4)Bradley N.
The 411: this is the only place to get Indian food for a very long way. If you're dying for it, you gotta come here. I typically go with multiple friends when we go to Bollywood, but it's also an okay place for a date. The manager is a friendly man, and his family operates the place with him. A nice atmosphere and place if you're into that sorta thing. The menu is huge. All of the items are kinda the same thing but with subtle differences. This place is a bit pricey for dinner time. An entree would run you about $13-$18 depending on the meat you choose. Even the naan will cost you an extra $3 per order. Not a wallet friendly restaurant. They have a lunch buffet on certain days and it's a better deal than the dinner menu I'd opt for their murgh makhani (spicy butter chicken), chicken vindaloo or one of their spicy kabobs. This place is good for friends so you can all share the different dishes. All of their dishes are respectable, but certainly aren't spectacular. Couple that with a big price tag, then you realize you're going to the regional monopoly for Indian food. Bottom line: this place is pricey, but decent. The veggie samosas are a good appetizer, but 2 orders of naan will set you back $7. Skip dessert and go get a coffee a few steps away instead.
(4)Ashley B.
This place has good food and good service. I've had the chicken kabobs, rice, and the butter chicken. It's been great every time I've gone.
(4)Jennifer D.
I love this place, and practically live there. If I've been out of town too long, I have dreams about this food. I love Indian food and try it pretty much anywhere I can find it but this is still my go to favorite. I love that the chicken in the sauce dishes is all white meat, so there are no weird unidentifiable chunks, like you get at other places. I'm a total wimp when it comes to spicy so I stay on the mild side but even the spicier stuff isn't just hot, it all has a ton of fantastic flavor. The lunch buffet is a must do if you want to try a bunch of different things without committing to a whole order. Fridays are the best with almost double the selection for maybe a couple bucks more. And the chai. Oh my, the chai!
(5)Mike M.
Excellent Indian food in the heart of St. Mary's County! Who would have guessed? I've been here 3 times and it's been consistently great. Vindaloo is heavenly, and if you ask for it spicy, they don't fool around.
(5)Tom C.
I really like this place. PAX, to me, is pretty much the middle of no where so any food diversity is greatly appreciated. While I've had better Indian in major metropolitan areas, this place is solid and will satisfy your craving for something different. The staff here is very friendly and every dish I've tried is good. The lamb and goat are particularly good. As a tip, their dishes are pretty mild, so no need to be scared that "Indian is too spicy". However the Madras Curry dishes are the real deal, extremely spicy. I have a very high tolerance and even I could only eat about half the dish. You've been warned!
(4)Chris M.
First time here and so far so good. After reading other reviews I decided to try the lunch buffet. The butter chicken was pretty good. The customer service was great. I was greeted at the door and I informed the waitress that I had never been here before. She smiled, lead me to a booth and asked if I would like her to show me the different choices on the buffet...how sweet. She described the different foods and preceded to tell me which ones she enjoyed and the popular foods of the patrons. Over all I had a pretty good experience. Great food if you enjoy a little spice!
(4)Ed D.
My favorite restaurant in the southern Maryland area. They are closed on Mondays. The buffet lunches during the week are awesome. They normally serve the same buffet foods and it's all good. Get there early before the lunch hour rush rolls in. I always bring new people here who has never tried Indian food before. When they ask about it I always tell them, "The spices in these foods were the same spices Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue for, but ended up discovering America." Lol when they hear this it gets them excited in trying it out and they always leave happy. Everything I've ever tried is delicious. I always get naan and raita with my meal. If you don't know what to get, just tell the owner and he will whip up something for you.
(5)Emily M.
Love this place! My favorite restaurant in California, MD. The buffet on Fridays is the best!! Don't forget to complement the food with their homemade chai tea.
(5)Tiffany M.
Love them! Pleasing atmosphere, delicious food, courteous staff!! By far my favorite in the area. Even their white rice tastes like heaven. My kids couldn't get enough!
(5)E B.
I grew up on Indian food and this place is very good. I have eaten here many times over the last 2-3 years (eat-in and take-out) and have only had one so-so meal. The spicy ratings have been accurate to my tastes. The place can fill up quickly on busy nights (weekend, holidays), so be patient. The lunch buffett is not lengthy, but it is very good.
(4)Crystal P.
Totally worth going. I tried the Friday buffet. The manager is a little aggressive but the Beautiful waitress evens that out. Ok, on a serious note. The Friday buffet is totally on point. The food is good. I think the only problem I had is the guy that runs it. It's like he doesn't take the time to talk to you about his product. So I will need to try again to review the food the right way. I posted pictures.
(4)Shane M.
My wife and I love eating here. We've taken her parents here, my parents, and have had our date nights here as well. The food is fantastic, cannot stress enough how much we love it. I recommend the "Bollywood Lamb" dish if you're a fan of Lamb - simply delicious. I also recommend the Chai Tea. A delightful blend of spices mixed with cream and a hint of sugar which makes for a tasty treat before your entree. In addition to the food, the service is wonderful as well. Always happy, always accommodating. If you're searching for something new in St. Mary's County, search no further, this is the best Indian cuisine you'll ever encounter.
(5)Scotto B.
Magnificent food. Everything from the service to selection of dishes to top quality flavor and presentation. Price is extremely reasonable. The buffet on Tues and Fri are varied and fantastic. My vegetarian options are great and the more carnivorous Mrs is also supremely satisfied.
(5)SnoLion S.
There is a nice couple trying to enjoy their tandoori chicken dinner but next door, there is some serious party going on. I walked in by myself and asked to be seated a table for one, and the owner responded with a question mark on his face, "Excuse me, table for one?" Maybe I should have asked to be seated on the floor instead.
(2)Julia M.
My favorite restaurant in Maryland. When we lived in Virginia, my husband and I would eat at Bollywood Masala every time we went to visit a friend who lived in the area. The food is the best Indian food I've ever had. I no longer live in the VA/MD area and miss this restaurant a lot. Excellent food, excellent service.
(5)Shantu R.
Awesome place!! Awesome food!! Awesome owners!! I always make it a point to go there each time I am in town.
(5)Julie B.
This place is amazing! ! Been here 1.5 years and just discovered it. The food is outstanding and the staff are very friendly and helpful. You should definitely go.
(5)Mitsu K.
Everything we got was delicious: Lamb & chicken hydrabadi Lamb Bollywood Samosa's Garlic Butter Naan Chicken Naan The meat is so tender & juicy! Staff is super friendly.
(5)Colleen N.
Best Indian restaurant I've ever been to!
(5)Nancy A.
LOVE this place! We tried it when we were in the area on the recommendation of a friend. And boy, we were glad we did. The location is in a strip mall - kind of unassuming. The decor is interesting.... but don't worry about that! The food is just superb. We got the Aloo Palak and Vegetable Korma. OMG. Probably the best we've had. The service was attentive without hovering. It was nice to see a lot of locals/regulars coming in for dinner and being greeted as friends. A+ food and service. If we are in the area again, we're definitely coming back!
(5)Richard F.
I had the lamb vindaloo and it was amazing. Such depth of flavor. And the plain naan bread perfect. Its a large menu. I can't wait to come back many times to see what everything else tastes like.
(5)John B.
Wait, there's an Indian restaurant in St. Mary's county? Yes, and it's incredible. They have a huge menu of mostly North Indian dishes, but they seem to experiment with new dishes pretty regularly. All Indian places have vegetarian stuff, but they clearly label their vegan options and can handle gluten free as well; they added a gluten free bread recently. Samosas are reliably good, but I suggest an aloo tikki chaat (fried potato patties in chickpea curry) as an appetizer. They have literally over a dozen paneer (cheese) dishes, but I have to say the bollywood special, despite having a boring and trite name, is pretty special. They even make it with ghost pepper if you ask and they trust you. It's so hot, it's basically an orgasm in your mouth. Fear not though; there are plenty of milder options for those not willing to try a food item that Indians use to ward off elephants. Their breads are also addictive and they have a large variety. Prices here aren't cheap, but with generous portions and excellent quality, it's well worth it. The food has been good from the start, but they've been there a couple of years now and every time I go back, they've improved the place, put in better decor (emphasis on the Bollywood posters) and smoothed out the service. You're still in a strip mall in St. Mary's county, but it's a pretty decent place to eat now. The owners are usually there and are quite personable and willing to talk novitiates through their options. Now that my old favorite Indian place has been closed a while (Udupi Palace), I don't know anywhere in the region you can get better Indian food; even the best places in DC and its suburbs don't match up. If you're leery of an ethnic place in the middle of nowhere, try it. If you don't know anything about Indian food, try it. This place is awesome. Note: Closed on Monday.
(5)Grant B.
Don't let the location in a strip mall scare you away - the Northern Indian cuisine served at Bollywood is wonderful. We enjoyed three vegetarian dishes (aloo ghobi, vegetable vindaloo and palak Bollywood), full tandoori chicken, garlic naan, mango chutney, and veggie samosa. Oh yes, and the katchumber salad! It all came with delicious basmati rice, perfectly cooked with a little spice. We paired it all with a couple of big bottles of kingfisher beer. Service was very friendly and attentive and the food came in a timely manner and was the perfect temperature. One of the best Indian meals we've had. Definitely will return!
(4)Mark G.
The food is still great as usual, and service is also. They have recently remodeled since my first review and it is much better now. Should definitely go for their lunch buffet. Plus with their new delivery service, it cant be beat.
(5)JR M.
My family and I love this place. Wish it was closer to Calvert County.The food is always great, and the family that owns it is friendly and interested in their customers. They always remember your favorite orders and when asked will make excellent suggestions. For an appetizer try the Aloo Tika Chat. All of the entrees are good and the naan bread is excellent. Service is good but sometimes if the restaurant is crowded it can be a little slow. Last week the owner told me the management company that owns the building is not renewing so expect them to move soon. October will be their 7th anniversary so they must be doing something right!
(5)Kt H.
Bollywood is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Southern Maryland. Going is a treat, since I'm currently on a grad student budget (and truthfully, this place isn't cheap!) but when I decide to splurge, this is where I go. The owner is probably one of my favorite people on earth, first of all. He's so great. I came here for my 22nd birthday with friends and he made me feel so special, making me a special balloon (balloons have no age limit, y'all) and a delicious dessert. The restaurant was also basically empty at 12pm on a Sunday, so our service was extra special. When I come here on average days, the service CAN be a little slow and maybe a little bit aloof, but everyone is so nice regardless. And the food? Impeccable. I order the mango kadhai paneer (which is equal parts sweet, spicy, and savory) and the garlic chili naan every time. It's always been fantastic. If you want a treat, order a pot of chai, too - it's a million times better than what you'll get at a coffee shop.
(5)Tullie H.
I've eaten some of the best Indian dishes in the world, and in knowing this: it's because some of my family members are Indian/Malay and chefs at that. This by far is the best authentic Indian I've had this far in the USA - with its array of beautiful palate provoking flavors, let your sense of exploring go for a wander through the menu that caters to all palates. Not all Indian is spicy and unlike most Indian restaurants then don't push the westernized versions of Indian cuisine just for sales purposes (aka butter chicken) The owners and staff encourage you to try new items when you request an understanding of them and offer delightful insights to the spices and flavors that are sometimes so foreign to the common tongue. I found that it is a bit pricey for what it is, but with its delectable flavors it's really worth the taste. Don't be warded off by its location, it's a must to drop by this family owned place in a county that thrives off chain restaurants. The atmosphere is donned with mauve and deep reds with a few Indian pieces on the wall. Nothing fancy - but the moment you walk in the door you can inhale the aromas and your tastebuds start to dance.
(4)Opie S.
As most reviews have said, the food is great. I've eaten here several times and always like it. Sometime off the menu and sometimes the lunch buffet. When I ordered off the menu, the waitress walked me through the decision process: Meat? Tomato based? Spicy? Then told me what I should order. She nailed it. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was one of the more odd experiences I have EVER had in a restaurant occurred on my last visit. I *believe* it was the owner came up to our table and looked only at me and asked if I ate lamb. I said yes and he offered me a nibble of something he was holding with tongs. It looked like a mini burger patty. I assumed he approached me because I was the only one at the table that got the lunch buffet. When I took a bite my first reaction was: tasty. However, after swallowing, I discovered it was raw in the middle. I mean completely raw (and I like medium rare stuff). When I mentioned that to him, he remained unphased and just said "ok". I then said out loud to the table "I guess if I'm violently ill tonight, I have witnesses". He just laughed and walked away. Extremely bizarre.
(4)Ginger M.
This is consistently good food in a casual but nice setting. It's a "family" feel, and I can bring friends after our daytime adventures, a business associate for a meeting of the minds, or my husband for a date-night. I've tried Indian food in my travels around the US and even a couple in the UK, and l like this the best. I've tried almost everything on the menu at one point or another, before I found out about my food allergies. So the food here has actual flavor, and when they say "very spicy", they're not kidding around. Most of the entrees are sauce-based (curries), but they also have Tandoori (they call this barbecue - it's usually the sizzle and steam on a hot plate kind) which is more of a meat-and-veggie meal. There are also fun desserts and non-alcoholic drinks (they serve wine and beer, but it's not for me!). Dairy, Egg, Corn, Soy, and Wheat: I have allergies to all of these (not life-threatening), but I can eat here with no problem. Meats are marinated in yogurt and (sometimes?) egg, so if you're really sensitive, just order a veggie or lentil dish. I think most Gluten-Free people will not find any issues eating here (I don't), because most breaded things are just made with chickpea flour; but real celiacs might want to ask first if there is any added "white/wheat flour" in your order - I'm pretty sure it's only the samosas, but you should be mindful that they do keep flour in the kitchen. They do have lots of vegan options. I even heard at one point that they are careful not to mix the pans and utensils in the kitchen, because the owners are vegetarians. That said, somehow they also manage to make the most awesome meat dishes... So a few reviewers seem to think that Indian food should be cheap? If you want a cheap crap meal, there are plenty of other restaurants in the area who will oblige. Why come here (when you can see the prices before you order) and then complain? The portions are big enough to feed me twice, and the ingredients are real food (not processed crap). I've been eating here since 2006, and this restaurant has had the same owners, even though it moved and changed names a few times. Whatever reviewer thinks the management has changed is mistaken. It's 2014 and it's still the same couple running it. And if you're looking for the wait staff to bend and stoop to serve you, you're barking up the wrong tree, IMO. They are SUPER helpful, if you just ask for what you want. You'll get a lot more food and drink with "honey" than you will with "vinegar" at this place. Oh, and try the chai tea :)
(5)Amberly W.
Best restaurant...best Indian I've ever had in the US. Can't believe it's in St. Mary's county.
(5)Tanya C.
...we got the lamb tikka masala w/ garlic cilantro naan & it was absolutely delish & the staff was extremely helpful and friendly!!!
(5)Joseph S.
This is an exceptional family run restaurant the food is authentic northern India the atmosphere is quiet the staff is very friendly. Our food arrived hot and the servers made sure our tea was always full and the naan bread was always fresh. I highly recommend this restaurant for it's food and atmosphere.
(4)Christopher J.
I want to give this place 5 stars, because the food is absolutely delicious, but there are some major issues going on with the internal workings of the restaurant. For what it's worth, I've listed those problems within the confines of my latest Bollywood experience. I decided to eat dinner at Bollywood Masala last night, the 24th of August, as I remembered how great it was the first time I ate here, all except the unfiltered water, but I can overlook that as long as there's something else to drink, like a soda. When my guest and I walked into the restaurant, the first thing we both noticed was how absolutely filthy the front door and entrance 'foyer' was - the glass front door looked like it was washed with saltwater and a rag that had just gotten done washing 50 semi trucks that had been on "Ice Road Truckers" recently. Then, inside the foyer, it looked like it hadn't been dusted, vacuumed, or wiped down since before the 1st World War. Once we made it past the foyer, things looked like they had gotten better, and we were taken to our table, which had a clean tabletop, but dirty plastic booth seats that were sticky. We sat in our booth for what had to be close to 5 minutes before menus were brought to us, and not by a server but by one of the kitchen employees who didn't seem to speak English - only Indian. Once we had our menus, we sat there for about 10 minutes until a young lady came up, chomping on a piece of gum, and immediately asked us "you know what you want?" and went back to chewing her gum like a 90s valley girl. We ordered our food, and two Sprites, as again, the water was vile. The young lady took our menus and departed, never to be seen again - literally. She didn't go get our Sprites, she didn't go clean tables or go on a break, she went to a booth all the way in the back of the restaurant, and it was then I realized that her and the other 'floor' employees were playing a game of Monopoly, while I looked around and saw numerous customers waiting on drink refills, to place orders, or looking for their check. 20-25 minutes after we placed the order for our Sprite, our food came out - which was delivered not by the gum chewing young lady (who also made the worst server I've ever seen) but by the chef. THE CHEF was delivering my food. The food here is delicious, but the service is the worst it possibly could be. The owner of this restaurant needs to send all their employees through an episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" just so Gordon Ramsay can spend some time training these people. The owner of this restaurant clearly has absolutely zero idea of how to run a place - but luckily for him (or her) the food is absolutely top notch, and, for the most part, compensates for the lack of service. If you want to eat good food and aren't worried about service, this place will do you just fine. However, if you really go to restaurants for equal amounts of service and food, you will not be impressed here. One final note - if you eat here on a Friday or Saturday night, then the Indian "night club" adjacent will really interfere with your ability to speak at a normal volume with your company. And oddly enough, the club is literally attached to the restaurant, and you can go from one to the other from within the restaurant. Long story short, this place needs an overhaul - and it would be the best restaurant in Southern Maryland.
(3)Justin E.
I love this restaurant so much that when I eat here it almost brings me to tears and that is not because I ordered the dish too spicy. The Lamb Tikka Masala here is my favorite dish at any Indian restaurant I have ever eaten at anywhere. Couple that with the Butter Naan and.... Well that is when I tear up with tears of pure bliss.
(5)Tyson H.
The only decent restaurant in the area. Love their hyderabadi, aloo kulcha, rice and naans. The staff are pretty friendly, and you can place an order for a pick-up though they do not deliver. Although there is absolutely nothing else i would recommend in this area, Bollywood is definitely a must. You wouldn't think you'd find an authentic Indian restaurant in St Mary's county but this place is a true gem!
(5)Laurel C.
I've been going to Bollywood for a couple years and they have recently stepped up the decor, making it a lot more welcoming. The owners will take time to walk you through the menu, so someone who's new to Indian can help find something they'll like, and someone who's been eating there for years can sample something confidently. For appetizers, aloo tikka chaat is all I've ever had. It's delicious. I have had most of their vegetarian entrees and they're all decent but the Bollywood Special with paneer is my favorite! Great spices, yummy paneer, good portion size. Their "extremely hot" is quite spicy but I was able to handle it. My husband's "hot!" dish was similarly spicy though, so do not rely on the spice levels listed on the menu if you're at all worried. Ask the owners and they'll help guide you! Garlic naan and garlic butter naan are both dependable but not the best I've had. The potato kolcha is decent, the onion kolcha is droopy and falls apart strangely.
(4)Joshua M.
This was my first time ever going to this restaurant. I am HOOKED!!! I went out of my comfort zone and had goat for the first time ever. Everything down to the rice was packed with flavor, wonderful friendly staff, cool easy to read menu, the best bread I have ever tasted. Cost me $50 for my family of four and we all could have shared an order and it would have been plenty. I left satisfied and now with a new restaurant favorite.
(5)Katie H.
Great place. The food was delicious. We came on a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The butter chicken and garlic naan are awesome. The service was great. I have absolutely no complaints. I'm not from around here but I would definitely come here at least once a week if I did. They also have takeout so that's and option too.
(5)John Q.
Very good indian food restaurant. I went for dinner and drinks with about 15 people and everything was perfect. I can't wait to go again.
(5)Jethro T.
Over priced and honestly, have had better chicken tikka masala.
(3)BT B.
Really great food dined In the first time and this visit I did take out. Naan was the bomb I got an assortment of different ones. Aloo Tikki chaat chicken tikka and paneer Bollywood, all were very tasty and not too spicy. Anyways most restaurants blow in southern Maryland but this place is a winner.
(5)Russell L.
I go there at lunch with co-workers very often. You can't beat the buffet at lunch! Great food - all you can eat - at a reasonable price. Love this place!
(5)Amoli P.
I'm not sure how I ended up in the Lexington Park, MD area, but I'm sure glad I did. Given the surrounding area and the far distance from any major city, Bollywood Masala is an absolute diamond in the rough for Indian cuisine. To be honest, if this restaurant was in Chicago or another large city, I would probably have given only 3 stars just because there is so much other competition and such a diverse market to choose from. This restaurant would not stand above the crowd in that situation, but it would certainly hold its own in any city. There is something very admirable about an Indian restaurant so far removed from diversity, that still keeps their cuisine authentic, fresh, and has a great atmosphere with great service. I went with 3 friends on a Sunday night for a later dinner. The place was half full when we arrived at 8:30, but by 10pm they were patiently waiting for us to leave so they could close for the evening. My friend and I went with the bhindi masala and paneer kadhai along with garlic naan. The flavor and spice on both were excellent. The entrees are very generous servings, with a good amount of paneer, and the okra was prepared perfectly. My only complaint is that the dishes were fairly oily, though this is a common issue with most Indian restaurants in all cities. The garlic naan was crisp and garlicky just as it should be. Service was friendly and quick. We didn't check out the adjacent "lounge" area, as it wasn't exactly hopping on a Sunday night, but I'm sure it's lovely. I'm not sure if I will ever be back to the Pax River area, but I know that if I do return, Bollywood Masala will be a number 1 priority.
(4)Amy W.
The Bollywood Chicken was exquisite. I look forward to coming back and exploring the menu.
(5)Erin J.
Very good Indian food, great ambiance, and the owners are super charismatic. They also have the bar next door which is a lot of fun. I'll come back every time for the food.
(5)Whitney L.
If it wasn't for Yelp and all the reviews I wouldn't have found Bollywood Masala, so I had to add in my thoughts: this place was all I hoped and more - the positive reviews are very accurate. Loved the Baingan Bharta and gluten-free bread (chickpeas with onions and peppers). Lots of GF vegan options and really nice service. We were greeted with warm smiles and frequently asked if we needed anything and how our food was. Really nice atmosphere too - very comfortable, clean and quite. Would definitely go back.
(5)Mike B.
Ever want to have your tastebuds kicked around, only to ask for more? Go to Bollywood Masala, and ask for the Bollywood Special...WITH the ghost chile. It beckons to you, like a voice in the night trying to corrupt your soul - along with your tastebuds. Make no mistake, the heat is surprisingly layered within the creamy flavors, which is impressive unto itself. The owner - who is awesome, BTW - gave me a side of yoghurt along with a little candy to help mitigate the heat and allow the flavor to peek through more vividly. Oh, and the naan is great, too. So is the Masala tea, if a bit too ginger forward for my personal tastes. Of course this place gets 5 stars!
(5)Sarah C.
My Fiance and I always loved this place; but this visit was truly disappointing. Service: First, we waited quite a while JUST to place our drink order...after that, it took twice as long for someone to come over and take our food order. My fiance finished his drink and placed the empty glass at the end of the table halfway through the meal, and no matter how many times random employees walked past the table and literally looked right at us, he never got a refill or even checked on. A different person waited on us every time...which was actually only three different people since THAT'S how many times our table was even checked on the whole evening... including for the check. And let me tell you, they may have never refilled the drink, but it took them all of 45 seconds to pick up the check when I set it out at the end of the table. Sadly, that was the most efficient service we received. Food: We got the Lamb and the goat Saag, and both were very good, just like the entrees usually are here; however... one of our favorite parts of ANY Indian cuisine is, of course, the naan...the garlic butter naan we ordered and received tonight was absolutely ghastly. The garlic wasn't even cooked, and was still crunchy and extremely bitter. The inside of the normally delicious bread was so doughy I couldn't eat it...while the outside was seriously charred and completely inedible. I was extremely disappointed. Staff: the whole time we were there, what seemed like the owner and his entire family sat in a corner booth, on their laptops, just watching everyone and occasionally getting up to swipe a card or greet someone they knew. There was only one man doing any work at all, and that included EVERYTHING. I saw him bussing tables, making drinks, getting checks, taking orders, seating people, bringing orders...and all the while everyone else was sitting down. Although the entrees were tasty, every other aspect of our visit was nothing but an embarrassment.
(2)Zach G.
This is pretty solid Indian food. In the region, I assume it must be the best, thus the 4 stars. As compared to other Indian food experiences I have had around the country, it's slightly above average. However, there is nothing wrong with slightly above average! I ordered a Hyderabadi Chicken (spicy, instead of medium as it normally comes), which came with basmati of course. Also, an order of plain naan. I believe the naan that came was actually butter naan and that I was charged as such (an extra $1). Not a big deal, but it still wasn't accurate to my order. The chicken itself was delicious - spiced very well, quite spicy but not overpowering, and with big chunks of tasty, most, tender chicken. The naan was equally as good. Basmati was typical basmati...hard to screw that up. This all cost about $16 + tax. I'll easily get two meals out of it as I threw the remainder in to the fridge of my hotel room. I would certainly return to fill my Indian food cravings!
(4)John M.
I don't understand the rave reviews. Ive had indian food all over the east coast. The food, service and experience was mediocre at best. It was a $8. Meal I paid $21. For. !!
(2)Amit K.
The food here is really really good. I recommend the Bollywood Lamb or Goat for those of you who are adventurous. The Bollywood Lounge next door is also a nice place to go for an evening of cocktails and music.
(5)Rick C.
I base this review primarily on the food; which is outstanding. Everything I've eaten here is beyond great: appetizers, entrees, bread, and desserts. Whether you like it spicy or mild, the food is just plain good. I love spicy and this place can put a tasty hurting on you, so be careful. They will adjust seasoning to taste for most dishes or recommend a more subtle alternative. Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations when ordering -- they really know their food. The refreshing mango ice cream is out of this world and a soothing way to cool down after a spicy meal. Now the prices are a bit high, but the food is just so good I don't care. The service is hit or miss. It's been great and it's been poor; but again the food is just so good I just look past it. There's this young Hispanic server there that tries real hard, and is getting better, so cut him some slack -- he's working on it. The family (owners) are always friendly and we enjoy speaking to them at every visit. The decor has definitely gotten better over the years, but admittedly still needs some work. And the bathrooms -- well . . . we don't talk about them -- just use the head before or after. Go eat at this place if even think you might like Indian food. Get take out if you can't get past the questionable service and decor, but go try this food. You won't be disappointed.
(4)K D.
We eat here regularly. We have never had a bad meal there. The service is impeccable! I highly recommend paneer Tika masala! We are moving and will surly miss it!
(5)DC R.
Yelp has been a great guide for restaurants in this remote county. This restaurant has 5 star rating food. Yummy, tasty, authentic. Can't be beat in Maryland. Can't be beat in Washington, DC (where I live and find no Indian food close to this.) The owner is helpful, and guided us through some menu choices. The servers are friendly and efficient. The food is colorful, tasty, and high quality. (Which you can see in the photos that others have put up here.) The decor is fine. It is not fancy, but you can't eat the decor! We are here to eat. We come out this way periodically because we have a child attending St. Mary's College of Maryland. I'd recommend this restaurant to parents who like Indian food or would like to try really excellent Indian food. This is an excellent place to take your child. We liked it so much we came back twice in three weeks while attending school events. And after our child graduates, we may even make the drive from Washington, DC.
(5)Nick P.
Service was quick but there seemed to be a bit of a language barrier. I had garlic naan which was pretty good, paneer kora which had an odd taste, and curry hyderabadi, which was a bit spicy and a bit sweet. Their menu is really big, but a lot of their dishes sound the same, basically a different meat and different level of spiciness. Really quiet and dark in there, which was a bit awkward...I almost felt like I wasn't supposed to talk. Food is pretty pricey. Best place ever like some reviews make it out? No, but not bad either.
(3)Bobby B.
The Sauce is Addicting. I heard so much about this restaurant so I took my mother here for a special occasion. The owner came out to guide us through a few key things and my mom was able to try one of their "experimental" dishes that wasn't on the menu just yet, which is cool. I ordered the Lamb Makhni Madras, which I recommend for first-timers. The owner, Raj brought out a teaspoon of the sauce so I could try it before ordering it. The sauce was balanced; sweet and spicy without overpowering the food and paired well with the lamb. Raj said his wife spent five years perfecting the array of sauces, which was noticeable to me. She also gave us some off-menu snacks for the road. Such a personable experience with nice people and good food.
(5)Kristi N.
This is amazing Indian food! I had my baby shower there even! We lived near Los Angeles, and this meets or exceeds any Indian restaurant out there. I was so sad we had to move away. You will always see the owners there, which I love. They are so friendly, and we had really gotten to know them in the 3 years we were there. Their son owns the bar connected to it. Great drinks there.
(5)Cameron D.
My wife and I love Indian food and for the last 14 years have lived in the US and experienced a wide range. Having both grown up in the UK, where, arguably, you can find the best Indian, Pakistani and Bengali food outside of those actual home countries, the bar has been set high. Bollywood Masala, on the night my wife and I went there, was THE BEST Indian food we have experienced in the entire USA. The only place I have experienced, outside of the UK or India that was on a par, was a very pricey restaurant in Abu Dhabi. This place is tucked inside a strip mall, amongst the plethora of stores in Lexington Park. But what a gem. They also have a small range of Indian wines and the Reserve Shiraz was the most expensive, but at $30 a bottle was an absolute steal. You can of course take home what is left in the bottle and get a doggie bag. Our appetizers were chicken pakora and veggie pakora. These can be either over battered and/or soggy. Ours were perfect. Fresh, juicy, tasty and the spice was just right. My wife is gluten-free and everything on the menu was acceptable. I had shrimp Hyderabadi and she had chicken Jalfrezi. Both had fresh herbs and spices. You can absolutely tell when you have eaten as much Indian food as we have when this stuff is fresh. The Hyderabadi had a beautiful coconut flavor and we also had a gluten-free chickpea-based bread. My wife makes these at home and she is an excellent cook. This was even better. If you want a cheap meal, this can run to $15-18 per main, but the wine is not at all expensive compared to the scandalous mark ups I have seen pretty much everywhere else. To get high quality Indian authentic beer and Indian wine is highly unusual. I cannot emphasize what a gem this place is. Anyone who lives in the Lexington Park area has no idea how high a quality this place this is on a GLOBAL scale and believe me, we absolutely know about Indian food.
(5)Shai J.
This place is simply amazing. I've ordered from here on three occasions, and each time I was surprised at how delicious the food was. Bollywood Masala has discovered a way of improving every one of my favorite Indian dishes beyond expectation. Usual favorites: Samosas, Paneer Pakora, Paneer Makhani.
(5)Thomas G.
Drinks are a tad pricey and they never seem to have lamb, but I love coming here. Great drinks and food, and a great atmosphere.
(4)Sherry H.
Used to go here all the time when they first opened and loved. Went all the time. But when then the management changed, as did the cooking. Now it is nothing special. Never go anymore.
(2)Brian T.
I don't eat Indian food much, but both times I've been to Pax River on travel, I've stopped at Bollywood Masala for dinner, and each time I was not disappointed. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly (I dig the Bollywood movie posters hanging on the walls). The couple who own the place were helpful and courteous. They made great recommendations for someone like me who isn't familiar with Indian cuisine. The first time I went, I had the paneer madras - extra spicy - and it was a underestimation I won't make again. If you ask for really spicy food, you're gonna get it! Delicious, but I've never sweated so much in my life during a meal. Tonight, I had the lamb hyderabadi. It had much less spice (still a decent amount though), and it went really well with the roti I ordered (pick any bread on the menu, you really can't go wrong). A nice find in a place like this that's so crawling with uninspired chain restaurants. Highly recommended to newbies!
(4)Jesse L.
great atmosphe with friendly service. the menu is very extensive and I feel like many of the curries taste very similar but fortunately that also means they all taste great! I would highly recommend the lunch buffet! all you can eat for ~$9-10.
(5)Alina S.
Lamb achari! Delicious, not on the menu, and perfect if you need something not too spicy.
(5)Stephanie M.
This place is wonderful. The food is delicious, people are courteous and it is very family friendly.
(5)Randi R.
Best Indian food ever!
(5)Remash G.
During my last visit, 8/10/2010, the food was really good. The heat factor was perfect for my taste and the spices were top notch. A new coworker ate with us. It was her first time eating anything spicy and hot. She did not dig the flavors too much so Sonny made her special dishes. They were good (yah, we got to try it too). She liked them and enjoyed the always good naan. The service is definitely top notch and we kept getting naan refills without needing to ask. Ohhhh yeah!
(5)Rob B.
Amazing lamb and chicken Loma
(5)Amy C.
We dined here for the first time on Valentines Day 2014, and again in March 2014. My husband read the reviews here on Yelp, and decided to give it a try, even though on his own he would have never tried Indian food. It was a first for him, and he loved it! I loved it! I was so happy he loved it, as we are a gluten free family, and now we have another restaurant we can add to our list!
(5)Nikhil P.
Amazing food. Warm and Personable owners. Highly recommend the Chicken Tak-a-tak and Lamb Madras!
(5)Mark G.
This is for both the restaurant and the lounge (next door). We went there the other other night to see a local band in the lounge. Sonny, who seems to run the Lounge side, was there; he greeted us and was very friendly. Not seeing what we wanted on the Lounge menu (which tends to be more bar food oriented) we went next door to eat at the restaurant (more on that next), The Lounge is pretty straight forward, comfortable chairs and couches to sit in, a nice bar, and all around nice atmosphere. Sonny mingled with folks, lots of free sample drinks, and made sure folks were having fun. Made for a good evening, in part because he was so welcoming. The Restaurant side, the father is equally as personable. He greeted us, and as others have commented (and other family members) walks folks through the menu. A lot want to order the naan as a appetizer, for example, and he explains it is to be eaten with the meal. The Masala Tea is a winner, a nice chai tea with a slight "bite" from ginger. Menu items have spice ratings, they are accurate and maybe a little misleading. I got the Bollywood Special (made with a ghost chili) which is rated VERY spicy. It is, in that there is most certainly a VERY spicy element. The mis-leaning part though is, the spice fits perfectly with the dish...it is there, but blends with the other flavors and spices. In other words, do not be scared off by the spice ratings; spicy yes but not the mouth numbing fire heat you might expect from "very spicy". The dish itself was perfect blend of spices, "heat" and flavors. The kabobs are probably not what one might expect, think more along the lines of fajitas with respect to how they are served; on a sizzling plate of onion, lettuce, green peppers, etc. The meats are the stars, nicely cooked, juicy, well spiced; the runner up would be the lettuce. The lettuce gets a amazing char from the plate, and mixed with the other flavors from the meat, onions, etc. is fantastic. With the endless line of chain restaurants there in California MD, this family run one is a real gem and worth checking out. Give it a chance, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Laura M.
Absolutely our favorite place to eat in the county. The staff is always pleasant and is great at helping you pick out the perfect meal for you if you are not familiar with Indian Cuisine. Sometimes the wait for the food can be a little long, but it doesn't really matter as long as they keep the Garlic Butter Naan coming!
(5)Ali A.
The most awesome Indian food you will ever have in your life!!!!
(5)Ingrid K.
Lunch buffet is $9.49 with sales tax. Excellent, fresh food. Definite favorite for this area. I'll be back! :)
(5)Scott S.
Hands down the best restaurant in St. Mary's County.
(5)Joe S.
Sweet Baby Jesus! If you have never had Indian please go, try it before you die you won't be disappointed. I am a repeat customer can't you tell.. :)
(5)Cat F.
The best place for Indian in southern Maryland! I've been here several times now and have tried a wide range of dishes from the butter chicken, biryani, lamb rogan josh, okra, mattar paneer, saag paneer, garlic naan, pakoras and also their lunch buffet. I haven't yet been disappointed with anything we've ordered. Service on a busy night can be slow (but that's a good sign when the place is packed!) and sometimes the owners will tell you what to order, which is great if you're a novice, but frustrating if you know exactly what you want! I agree with other reviewers - the decor could be improved and the staff is courteous, especially the owners. I'll be back again soon... very soon!
(4)Andrea L.
Indian food is one of my favorites and when we moved from Seattle I knew it would be one of the cuisines I missed most. Was pleasantly surprised to find Bollywood when we moved to SOMD. Who would have thought?? Great food and service. We've really enjoyed the meals we've ordered. It is a little bit on the expensive side compared to what I've had in the past, and in one dish the shrimp was slightly over cooked, but honestly those issues would never stop me from eating here or recommending it to people! If you like Indian food, eat at Bollywood! So glad this restaurant is here!
(4)Mark C.
Came to the area for a class from Los Angeles where I eat a pretty good amount of Indian food. I lived in SF in an area which was affectionately called the Tandoori-loin because of the prevalence of good Indian restaurants in the area. All that to say, this place was really good - possibly the best Indian I have had to date. The spiciness (hot vs spices) was good but not overwhelming meaning you could still taste the food but it was hot. The owner came by and asked us what we were looking for and recommended stuff. His recommendations were perfect. If you are visiting the area, I would definitely recommend it. The Naan was good and big and tasty. The inside is clean and nice enough. Prices aren't cheap but reasonable. They took the restaurant.com certificate happily which was nice and saved me some money. We had left overs and ate them the next day and it was good. Would go again.
(5)Lisa M.
My girlfriend and I had lunch here today. We had the Buffet, which was reasonable at $9. The food was WONDERFUL!! And then I realized why... The owner looked familiar. This is the same Family that operated Masala Waldorf in the shopping plaza next to Bed Bath & Beyond. What Joy! No wonder everything was so good. After a brief chat with the owner, who is as friendly as always, we learned that they had to move out of the old location due to issues with the land lord... California MD definitely lucked out an we will definitely be going back. Next time for dinner, and with a big group :)
(5)Ryan H.
I must have missed something. I did not get the 4-5 star experience that most describe here. The girlfriend order two chicken dishes (one was butter chicken, forget the other) and some naan. I was very surprised when I picked it up on my way home from work and the bill was almost $50. A bit expensive for some chicken and rice, but I could deal with it if it was as good as others described. Sampling the two chicken dishes, neither one of us could tell any difference between the two. I felt they were both pretty bland. Maybe we just made some bad choices but I don't think I'll be back after the high price and bland food experience.
(3)Anna B.
This is a great place, with wonderful staff and wonderful food. The dishes are not so hot that you can't taste the wonderful spices (I even had Vidaloo here once). It is a good place for a mixed group of meat eaters and vegetarians. They are so accommodating. It's got a great vegetarian selection and is vegan friendly, too. It's one of the best places to eat in St. Mary's County. I went here to celebrate my birthday one year. Everyone loved the food. A few people would have like to have a drink with their meal, but there's no alcohol, so you should know that. Try the Lassis instead. I would recommend this place to everyone. The prices are very reasonable.
(5)Rachel L.
The best curry you will find in Southern Maryland. The service is so so, but the curry is delicious.
(4)Josh H.
Some of the best Indian food I've ever had. If you're new to Indian food I heartily recommend the chicken makhani in addition to some naan (garlic, butter, chili, or any combination of the three).
(5)Jonathon B.
Very good food! Finally a good Indian place in St.Mary's County. Server was friendly, and prompt. We will definitely be repeat customers.
(4)Chris M.
The food was great. The staff was good. The decor needs some work. I'd go there again. The Chicken Tikka Masala is not the "normal" style, but was excellent (and the waiter warned me what to expect).
(3)Kristi M.
We went there a few weeks ago and the food was very good. Speedy service and two servers helping. Can't remember the names of the dishes we had, but we did have the spicy shrimp cream dish (me), medium lamp cream dish (husband), and the deluxe Naan ( they substituted one of the breads for something we liked better. The decor need a big update. It wasn't dirty or smelly, just some of the overhead light fixture awnings seemed to be lose on the wall and the whole restaurant needed new paint. We will be going again.
(3)Keri C.
I stopped in here after hearing about "wine down Wednesdays". I was immediately welcomed by the staff and Sonny extended his hospitality as if we were old friends. I have since returned (and Sonny remembered my name after having only visited ONE time... which is something I strive to do in my professional realm) numerous times and am starting to navigate my way through the menu. I have noted improvements made in the menu content itself; the new menu offers a nice description of the fare, which is an Indian-Chinese fusion... I am pleased with my options thus far. The salmon was particularly tasty. I look forward to getting better acquainted with the food. As for my experience here, The staff are very inviting and welcoming, and Sonny is sure to make everyone feel like they are in a very modern episode of "Cheers". Aesthetically the lounge is very pleasing... comfortable, hip, modern and relaxing. When there is live entertainment there is plenty of open space to dance... at least until this place really catches on.. which with this kind of "wow" service the people are sure to come here, and keep coming here.
(4)Erika C.
If you are looking for quality Indian food in South Maryland than Bollywood is the place to visit. I order the curry fish, veggie samosas, and the garlic naan. It was was hands down the best Indian food that I have tasted. The inside of the restaurant is set up family style which gives it a home-like feeling and the staff was very helpful with my order. I ordered my food as a pick up and it was hot and ready when I arrived. The portions are generous and I highly recommend this place if you are looking for fresh tasting Indian food.
(5)Erin A.
this place is amazing! I cannot wait to return, delicious food and very ncie staff. Reasonable prices. Check it out!!
(5)Katherine S.
Food very good as other reviews note. However on a busy Sat night even with a reservation we waited 30 min for table then another 75 minutes for food! If not for the great food reviews and smells going by us we would have left. Took over half hour to even take drink order (ps they do serve alcohol despite what yelp says). Then another long wait for drinks to arrive and they forgot what we ordered. Very inexperienced staff totally disorganized, mixups with orders (never got our appetizer at all) very very slow turnover of tables. We ordred a chicken tandoori and they brought a different "assorted chicken" dish due to having none of the tandoori - it was delicious but would have been nice to let us know ahead. I am sure at a quieter time would be fine, however $100 dinner for 3 it is reasonable to expect adequate staffing. I would not go back on a weekend night.
(3)Snow T.
Great food. The owner is fantastic. Very vegan friendly. I love samosas, but would suggest the pakoras instead. Their samosas are good, but the pakoras are always awesome!
(5)Toaster O.
Best Indian food in all of the DMV by far. Try the: Butter Chicken...it takes twice to become addicted Kashmiri Chicken...amazing Vegetable Korma....also amazing. the Chai is delicious and I swear it has crack in it to make me drive an hour just to get my fix.
(5)Evan H.
This is indian food at its best! I am never sure exactly what the different items on the menu are even though there are great descriptions, but that is ok because the owner is very knowledgable. I haven't ended up ordering what I had picked out the last couple of times going because he has recommended different things to me and they have been AMAZING. I don't think I am even going to look at the menu anymore - just ask what he recommends.
(5)Chich S.
The food here is EXCELLENT. One of my fav indian places i've ever been to. The chicken tikka and the makhni are delish, and the naan is great. Desserts are yummy too (especially the pistachio ice cream!). The staff is friendly as well! Now whenever i travel to Pax River, i always make sure to eat here at least once.
(4)Steve P.
Truly authentic Indian Food! If you have never eaten there, just ask Sunny for a suggestion. He will be happy to personalize anything to meet your tastes. Their signature dish, Bollywood Chicken, is made with the Ghost Chili Pepper - the hottest pepper in the world! It is amazing! This is my favorite place to eat in St Mary's County!
(5)David H.
We ate a late lunch here on a Sunday, so it was pretty deserted. The chef came out and gave us a sample of some sauce we were considering, and discussed a number of different options on the menu. The waiter was also very knowledgeable and helpful. The decor/building maintenance needs some work, but the food and staff are first rate. Highly recommended, we'll be going back.
(3)Amber J.
Surprisingly good Indian food. The food is great. The service is good but could be better. Sonny is an amazing host.
(4)Chad G.
Best Indian food in town and some of the best I've ever had. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is a fan of Indian food.
(5)Hunter G.
Bollywood Masala is the current Indian offering in Southern Maryland. I say "current" because sadly we have had what seems like a succession of Indian restaurants here (Taste of India, Curry of India, India Garden, etc.). Our current Indian offering is a major contender for best food! Bollywood Masala has real authentic cuisine and the food is excellent. The location is convenient to the base, but is located is a space that needs much work! The owners are very friendly, Sunny especially. He can offer you suggestions of some of their best items. Be sure to try the Porri as an alternative to the Naan, it is delicious! The service is sometimes slow, but that is just a small price to pay to enjoy the delicious food!
(4)Jane L.
Yummy! Great Indian food in Southern Maryland. Staff was very attentive and had wonderful suggestions. Can't wait to go back!
(5)abby h.
A group of us have gone to the Lounge at Bollywood twice now to play the Tuesday night Team Trivia. Both experiences were bad. The first night we noticed service was really, really slow. The wait staff is johhny on the spot when you first sit down for a drink order and then that is about the last time they come by. Our last evening there was awful. We arrive at 6pm with a group of seven. We are given one menu to share to order any food. The server returns within a few minutes before we can each take a turn looking at the menu, then doesn't come back to take our order for 30 minutes. Okay so it was getting crowded. We finally get our food ordered at 6:50 (mind you we sat down at 6). Two appetizer orders came within 30 minutes, then two naan pizzas arrived 20 minutes later. However the last two orders for our table finally showed up an hour and 20 minutes from when the order was placed! Really! We would flag down the server and she would tell us the food would be out in 2 minutes even though the people who ordered it told her please check, they were starving. Oh and then once trivia was over and everyone is paying the bill to leave, the naan breads which were ordered 2 hours earlier show up. Food okay. Service deplorable. One poor wait person cannot handle the number of people in the bar during trivia. It isn't like the restaurant doesn't know it would be busy. Hire more help!!!!!!!! For now, we are going elsewhere. Or bring Chipotle burritos with us to eat in the bar. Ridiculous.
(1)Stephanie K.
This is one of my favorite restaraunts. The people who run it are awesome and always willing to change dishes around to suit your tastes (and they ask a lot of questions to figure out what your tastes are). The food is AMAZING. I used to live really nearby, but now I've moved about 2 hours away and I miss it all the time. Go here, you won't regret it.
(5)Julie D.
We ate dinner with our college student daughter. The waiter remembered her AND which dish she ordered (!!) from other visits. Food was excellent. Friendly atmosphere. We could hear our own conversation (which is not the case in some restaurants). We'll be back when we are visiting our daughter.
(5)Karen H.
What a surprise - decent Indian Food in Southern Maryland! Vegetable samosas were awesome. Totally hits the spot if you're craving Indian.
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