I have been to Indian restaurants of all origins across the USA. Northern/Southern recipes, and in Charlotte, Ballentyne, Pineville, Lancaster, Indian Land. Basically, we try everywhere. If my family decides to go out to eat, it is usually Indian. I also had south indian business partners at one time in my life. This restaurant opened in a strange spot, in Stallings(technically), but I live very close and often post on many local foodie social media pages and google reviews. I tried this place after they opened, and another time a week later, and then I decided to give it a 3rd try as they had to had time to make adjustments. First of all, every other indian restaurant asks you the customer what "spice level" do you want, I hear that asked normally on every dish. Even on Naans or other breads, or even Dal. On my first experience here, I was ordering at the counter and there was a little bit of a communication issue with the counter person, so I decided to play it safe and order Idli, and a Dosa- with some chutneys, and some of the rice. The Idli was standard, the Dosa was in pieces by the time I got home. Chutneys were not normal south indian Chutneys- one was basically like a tomato soup, the other one was thin and indescribable.
I ate the Idli, tried the other items but the rice was not fresh, it seemed like it was mushed together. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I decided to try again the next week, really wanting such a close Indian place to be delicious. I was helped this time by a gentleman who asked if I "knew this was an indian restaurant"? I went for their "meal" of the day- I got home to a box of pretty much the same as I ordered the first time, I told them, please spice level "mild". None of the food was edible. I had some plain white rice that I ate from the tray of food, but that was it. I had now spent almost $50 on 2 meals. I decided to do the right thing and write to them and tell them, I am a local neighbor. Again, thinking maybe they have other items on their menu like Gobi, (that is a family-favorite for us) as they had Gobi listed on their menu the first time I went in. So this time, after communicating with them on messenger, someone told me to come in and bring receipts. So I did, a very very young boy helped me at the counter, I told him I came in 2x before soon after they opened, but I really needed a little less spice. The young boy said-"no problem", then I showed him my receipts, he went to the back to talk to who he said was his uncle, and came back twice and told me, we will not charge you. I asked can I get Gobi with mild spice, he said yes, I said great, and I would take a Dosa w/paneer and a Lemon Rice to go. I went and sat down and a few minutes later the young boy came up to me and said, mis-communication, we will give you only 50% off of one item. I said- no, please get your uncle or manager, I've taken the time to save these receipts and come back for the 3rd time to try the food, and honestly, the customer that returns is your customer. Try and keep them. The Uncle comes out and he says to me over and over "NO GOBI -NO GOBI -NO GOBI", which tells me they make Gobi one way and that is it. Every Indian place we go, we get delicious Gobi. So he was not giving me Gobi and could of cared less I have already spent almost $50 at his restaurant and that I told him I lived nearby and loved Indian Food. I got home with a Dosa(that was ok), watery tomato chutney soup, something else green with not sure flavor chutney, and not Lemon Rice- some other rice that was the same rice I got the second time, with heavy hot chili notes in it. Will not be returning, and will stick with Ruchi or Mystic Spice or Aroma's or others. With a kitchen full of staff, they can't adjust spice levels, or care about locals, there are plenty of other Indian food restaurants around and I cook a lot of my own and am well aware of taste profiles, plus the Uncle was not exactly pleasant with yelling "NO GOBI" at me. Too bad I had to come here to Yelp about this bad experience for a local spot. I wanted to love it.
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