What a great, fun and friendly place this is. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Saturday and were seated right away. It was filling up fast so I'm glad we arrived when we did. Our server Jessica was awesome. She recommended some great Indian beers and a vegetarian dish for my wife. The Tandoori chicken I ordered was so flavorful and the portion was huge with rice on the side. We had 2 appetizers that were delicious. We hardly had room for the Indian dessert which I believe is made from a family recipe by the owner Amar. The owners Jesse and Amor visited our table and were super friendly and attentive. But that's not all later the Indian music starts with a light show!! We had a great time left stuffed and we will surely be back. read more

I've been to Chak De California a couple of times, and overall it's a really solid spot if you're looking for something flavorful but still casual and easygoing. What stood out to me the most was just how good everything tasted without feeling too heavy. I don't remember every single item I tried, but I do remember that the food had a nice balance--it wasn't overly spicy, oily, or overwhelming. Everything just felt well put together and enjoyable to eat. I also want to give credit to the chef because you can tell there's real effort put into keeping the flavors authentic. Even with a more modern style, the food still has that genuine taste to it, which isn't always easy to pull off. It doesn't feel watered down or overly adjusted--it still respects where the flavors come from. The vibe of the place also adds to the experience. It's pretty relaxed, not too formal, so it's easy to just go in, order, and enjoy your food without overthinking it. Good spot for hanging out or grabbing a quick meal. Overall, even without remembering every detail of what I ordered, I can say I left satisfied both times. It's the kind of place you'd go back to, which says a lot on its own. read more

Chak De California has an impressive menu selection for Indian Food! My experience here was a fun one as I was celebrating my birthday with friends. The service was friendly, although they took a while to get the check; aside from that, the music / DJ was doing his best and we were living for it, so if you want a quieter spot to eat, this may not be the exact place for you at night time. The Palak Chicken was amazing and the butter chicken spicy was to die for. I am craving it again right now actually. Overall, a fun find in Pasadena that provides wonderful Indian flavor. read more

Great service! The samosas were so good! I also got the curry. They give fairly large portions, which I really appreciate (esp in this economy ) I'm curious to see what their brunch menu is like! read more

A friend recommended this place and I like indian food so why not? The space was giving low profile club vibes, even got a live DJ spinnin. Their menu had a lot of interesting items, but one thing that stood out to me that I had to try was the crab dip. The crab dip came with small slices of garlicky naan and it tasted sooo good. I ordered the chicken naan wrap for my entree and it was delicious too. Our waitress (whom started a few days ago) was the nicest person ever! read more

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Came here for a friend's birthday party. Only had the vegetarian options. They're pretty good, I'd definitely come back here next time I'm in Pasadena read more

Chak De California - Indian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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My friend and I went over the holidays so it wasn't too busy at all. We loved the chicken tikka masala, the cheese naan, and the chai. Between us, we shared those and an appetizer and were absolutely stuffed until past dinner time. I highly recommend going here! read more

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Chak de California is open in a new spot (just a few doors down) in Pasadena but I had been to the previous tenant and loved how they decorated that space, so I was really happy to see a restaurant take over and not have the beautiful aesthetic go to waste! What we ordered: + Gol Gappa Shots: their take on pani puri. The puff balls were crunchy which was great, the mint flavored water could be more flavorful and the filling was good but I also think from form of freshness (herbs or onions) could be good here! -- BUT looking at the menu, maybe the Dahi Puri Chaat is more up my alley! + Murg Makhani - their version of butter chicken. Lots "tomato gravy" as on the menu was delicious and very creamy. I would 100% come back for this dish. There was plenty of dark meat but my personal preference is to make the pieces smaller. + Palak Paneer with Lamb - very aromatic and the lamb was tender! Have never had paneer with meat before and it was solid! I would definitely come back and try one of their more fusion varieties next time. read more

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We had such a wonderful experience at Chak De California in Pasadena. Every dish we tried had its own unique flavor and just the right level of spice. The golgappa shots were so creative, the paneer tacos were absolutely delicious, the Dubai platter was beautifully done, and the gobhi Manchurian and biryani were both outstanding. What made the experience even more special was the hospitality. The owner lady personally kept checking in on us, talking to us, and making us feel so welcomed. The entire staff was attentive and warm throughout the evening. A very thoughtful touch was the complimentary kulfi at the end in three flavors: malai, mango, and rose. Such a sweet gesture and the perfect ending to the meal. Great food, warm people, and a welcoming atmosphere. Definitely looking forward to going back to their breakfast menu too. read more

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Not too sure how this place got this high of reviews. Online it said it was open at noon but they didn't open till 1pm. Ok no problem.. we went somewhere else and come back at 1. Once seated we order the food...They told us the sizzling plate will take about 35 mins which we said sure. Little did we know.. the whole meal took over 40 mins to come out. I'm not sure how they could've been this slow for the stuff we ordered. It wasn't like the place was full. Almost through the meal the server brought out the sauces. It just seemed like the flow of what came out wasn't carefully thought out. The taste of the food was just ok. I wouldn't rave about this or think it was worth coming back for. It didn't mention goat cheese was going to be on the pizza which did catch us by surprise. There was a fork on the floor that I found at my table when I sat down and since I was the first to sit at that table it was a bit odd.. like was the floor not cleaned? Only reason I came was to use my Amex Resy credit.. but nothing really stood out. read more

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Had lunch here today! The restaurant is beautiful and the food has a nice presentation. Price is reasonable! read more

Chak De California - Indian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Authentic new Indian Restaurant! Came here on a dinner date spontaneously last night with my other half last night and so glad we did!! There aren't many indian spots in Pasadena that are formal sit-down so Chak-de takes care of that in good ol' Old Town Pasadena right on colorado ave. It's across directly from Prince Pizza and all the other local eateries. It looks like it *just* opened and here is my experience: FOOD ORDERED 1) GOL GAPPA (appetizer) -11$ very authentic and if you've never tried it, you should! thin little crispy appetizier with potato and chickpea in it (you pour the sauce in it before eating) 2) CHAK DE SIZzING SAMPLER - 36$ - you should definitely GET THIS especially if you have a group of people. it 's under the "tandoor" section and comes with tandorri wings, seekh kebab, paneer, and tandoori chickn masala! - skip the other appetizers if you don't have room - definitely easy to share with 4 people; we happily took leftovers home 3) CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA - 20$ - typical staple and nothing spectacular compared to other restaurants; yummy taste as usual. get this if you are with people who don't like to try new things and want to play it safe. my man always wants this and i have no objection - comes with rice so don't order extra 4) GARLIC NAAN - must - get this to eat with your main curry b ased items. 4 pieces was great - usually naan is naan but we both think this one gets a special shout out as they were 4 large crispy thin pieces that were freshly wood fired and good quality pieces for an indian restaurant!! 5) MANGO LASSI DESERT DRINK - don't skip! :) always great everywhere. chak de's doesn't dissapoint - they ran out of lamb and samosa the day of our dinner so they nicely offered a MANGO LASSI which we didn't expect OVERALL *You can make a reservation on RESY * Food was SO GOOD despite not all items available * Service was attentive with one waiter on a monday night. *Parking is street or nearby structure *Large restaurant for family seating - for both casual and celebration dining Will be back when craving indian food! Hope this place makes it! It took over Lounge 54. btw lol so funny to dine where you used to party. xx OCT 2025 review read more

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Here's a polished version with the same vibe: Absolutely loved this Indian gem tucked right in the heart of downtown! I went with a couple of girlfriends to celebrate my birthday on a spontaneous Saturday afternoon, and it couldn't have been more perfect. Food -- absolutely scrumptious Service -- excellent Ambiance -- chic and inviting A perfect little celebration spot! read more

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Really yummy Indian food, I tried the chicken tikka tacos and they were delicious! Service is very friendly and they have Indian California twist. Service is great too. read more

Chak De California - Chicken tikka tacos - Indian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Indian food always seems to hit the spot whenever I want delicious, flavor-packed cuisine. I've tried a few places around Old Town Pasadena, but I haven't tried the relatively newer Chak-De. It's spacious and modern, and right off Colorado, so I came here for lunch with my friend. We got the classic Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Vindaloo, Garlic Naan, and Basmati rice, as well as Mango Laasi. The Mango Laasi was very delicious and it's a must have here! Of the two entrees, the Chicken Tikka Masala is definitely the better of the two, featuring that classic Masala flavor. It is what I always gravitate to when I go to a new Indian spot. The only blemish here is that there's just not enough proteins and the Masala is a bit watery. The Lamb Vindaloo is a bit more of a mixed bag because while it is good, it's a bit strong in its vinegar taste. I think a more layered, complete flavor would help. It's also missing some of the heat that I come to expect from Vindaloo. Thankfully the garlic Naan delivers in its strong flavor to balance everything. Overall, the food is good enough for us to come back and explore more. read more

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Passing by the restaurant, the first things that grab your attention are the shockingly colorful sign and the thumping DJ/bar right next door. Honestly, the eccentric, non-traditional vibe made me seriously doubt the food would be any good. I was completely and pleasantly surprised. The flavors didn't just 'pop'--they were vibrant and unforgettable, truly hitting the spot. I savored every bite. I'll definitely be back, especially now that I hear they've moved down the street into a nicer, updated venue. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! read more

Chak De California - Indian Near Me - Pasadena, California

We wanted to try this place because they have pani puri (called gol gappa shots here). The Frankies is like a pita wrap. It came with fries and the fries were so good! That was really unexpected. The fries also went really well with the Palak and Murg makhani we ordered. Those 2 curries came with rice. We preferred the makhani sauce over the palak but both were good. The garlic naan came out hot and fresh. There was not a bad dish, would definitely come again. The restaurant is surprisingly big inside and very nicely decorated. It felt upscale. The service was quick, but the waiter kept forgetting our orders. I wish they would just write it down. There are several parking structures nearby. 1st 2 hrs is $1. read more

Good Indian food with lots of flavor and a nice ambiance. Inside has great aesthetics. The Gol Gappa shots, Murg Makhani, and garlic naan were my favorites. Gol Gappa with the red sauce dip was a sweet refreshing appetizer and reminded me of the street vendors in India. The Makhani was flavorful and I was impressed how soft and tender the dark meat chicken was. That was the same for each chicken dish. I've been to other Indian spots where the chicken is dry, even in Artesia which is supposed to be little India. It is pricey, but you can get a $25 coupon off $75 at InKind app. The palak with its strong spinach taste wasn't for me. The Frankie was okay, I was pleasantly surprised how crisp and good the fries were so maybe a side order of the Masala fries is an option. Parked at the Park & Walk - Schoolhouse Garage which is a $1 for the first 2 hours. read more

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Went there for an early dinner--great location and a lovely ambience. The service was a bit slow, which is understandable as they were likely preparing for the dinner rush. The samosas were good, and the paneer tacos were excellent. We also tried the veg Hakka noodles, which were just okay. They offer a happy hour from 3 to 7 PM with reasonably priced small bites and drink options. read more

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The ambiance and the service were on point! The fusion dishes here are reallly well made. We ordered the chicken tikka and paneer tacos, chicken tikka sliders and the chicken tikka pizza, all were SO YUM! but when it came down to the more traditional dishes like chicken tikka masala or palak paneer, they were not well liked. Definitely not authentic flavors. So overall I would come back here for the delish fusion dishes but not so much the traditional dish's! read more

[TL;DR: Eat here, it's good, cheap, and quick food. Nice ambiance.] Let me first say that I do recommend eating here. If you're in Pasadena and want good hot (temperature) Indian food, this is not a bad place to pick. I am a snob when it comes to Indian food so that is why I give it 3 out of 5 stars. I think many people are too quick to give one or five star reviews, for me I give points where they succeed and do not give any points if they do not meet those expectations. Three out of five for me means that they met expectations but I was not "wowed". I want this restaurant to do better because Pasadena and the SGV are in dire need of really good Punjabi places and I think they can do it. The main thing they need to turn around is improving the taste. It's not bad, it's not bland, and I feel like I am eating a paneer breakfast burrito as opposed to a real Bombay Frankie. So what did they do that succeeded? * Ambiance: Absolutely nailed it, it is the first thing one notices when entering, and it cannot be overstated that the owners really know how to decorate a restaurant and make a restaurant that will look amazing in person as well as in photos and videos. Many Indian restaurants have a "hole in the wall" vibe that while I do find endearing, it is nice to see something different. Indian food deserves deep respect and creating a restaurant atmosphere that shows the necessary respect towards the food in a way that is different than what I have typically seen I think is wonderful. Indian food can be a prestigious meal to eat for celebrations and having fun with friends in addition to something that is more intimate and reminds one of home. The place reminds one of the more upscale restaurants one sees in Delhi or Mumbai. So if anything, it is quite authentic to contemporary India. * Service: Our server, Roberto, fantastic man. He was quick, attentive, deeply cares and respects Indian cuisine and is willing to ensure the customer satisfaction that any restaurant endeavors to achieve. He is doing an excellent job there. We got our meal quick enough, not too fast and not too slow. He's passionate about the restaurant, the customer experience, and the food which is great to see. * Food Temperature: The food came out HOT, and I mean that in a good way. Too often in the US (and even in Indian restaurants in the LA region) the food comes out way too cold. Indians know that their food always should be served at a hot temperature to guests, to do otherwise is extremely disappointing and can be seen as a slight. The flavors and texture work best at hot temperatures that slowly cool down. Chak De achieves this basic but overlooked Indian culinary tradition, so it has to be said. Well done, bravo. * Price: The cost for everything ordered was to be expected in Pasadena, at time of writing this, it cost (prior to tip) around $53 for chicken korma/jeera rice, vegetable pakoras, and paneer frankies with fries. As one can see in the photos one receives a lot of food, and I think $53 for a nice place on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena is a fair deal. * Fresh Ingredients: The chicken, veggies, etc. were all fresh. Not too common to experience these days so to have such excellent sources of meat and veggies is genuinely great and is commendable. What could they have done better? * Lack of People: Anyone with eyes can see currently Chak De is suffering from a lack of customers. This makes other guests unwilling to go inside and eat as they will suspect that the food is not that good. Additionally American restaurant guests will be concerned it will take more time for the chefs to get your food out to you as they will need to come from a cold start. Everything is easier to do when you're in a flow of things. This can create a vicious circle that is difficult for even good restaurants to escape from. Restaurant goers generally care more about food taste compared to ambiance (and many will hesitate to admit this, people will prefer taste even over to quality, taste should always come first.). * Food Taste Compared to Tradition: While one does relish the meal's temperature heat and fresh ingredients the flavor is leaving more to be desired. Something with the spice mixture to salt ratio or something is just missing. It needs that soul in it, that only family run places like Baba's Sweets or even langar at a gurdwara know how to bring that soul into the food. Chana masala is one of the most boring foods imaginable yet it was the most amazing thing I had in my life at a gurdwara. The only way to achieve that is with good spices and soul. Chak De's food is almost there, but not quite. Getting to 80% good takes 20% effort, but getting to that final 20% excellence is going to take 80% effort, and Chak De needs to be focused on how to bring that soul into their food. Seeing them serve continental European breakfast to me seems like they are unfocused, double down on what you are good at and focus on your strengths. read more

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We ordered the Dahi Puri Chaat, chicken 65, and lamb masala bowl to share. Even though serving size for Dahi Puri Chaat was not too big, it was well seasoned and flavorful. I would definitely order this again! Server was very attentive although it also wasn't busy. Chicken 65 was a miss. It has the texture and consistency of orange chicken, but it was an odd blend of savory, spicy, and salty...kinda bland yet strongly flavored at the same time. It didn't read very Indian to me. I would not get this again. The lamb masala bowl was also only ok. It was lacking salt, and I'm used to masala being more red or orange in color. I understand they are trying to do fusion but not very successfully in my opinion. While the Dahi Puri Chat was good, I'm not sure that alone is enough to entice me back. There are other Indian restaurants I prefer in the area. read more

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The chai was unique, and in an amazing way! If you non sweetened teas I WOULD recommend . We also got one of the paneer do pyaza and it was very flavorful. Loved it! They also gave us a wonderful rose ice cream for desert. Very good service. read more

Chak De California - Masala Chai - Indian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Friendly service, but definitely worth seeking out! Must-order: Daal makhani, any of the curries, keema pav. Can skip the Frankie. read more

We were on our way to a restaurant we usually go to and love just by this place. The gorgeous design of this restaurant grabbed our attention and boy we were so happy we took a chance on this place. The food was incredible the owners clearly cares about the experience this place is providing. We had the lamb sliders 10/10, the chilli chicken 9.5/10, and the naan lamb wraps 9/10, we also had the chai which was authentic and delicious 10/10. We cannot wait to come back and cannot recommend this place enough! read more

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First time I've been here. It's relatively new. Good happy hour and tasty food. I'll come back to try more. Friendly service.

Came to this place seeking Indian food and received the best experience. The service was quick and Shubh K is the best. Super friendly and super helpful and helped me navigate the menu despite my dairy allergies which I truly appreciated. Also on Saturdays they have a DJ that plays EDM music and there's lights and it's just a super fun environment. read more

Chak De California - DJ - Indian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Beautiful ambience.. very cool and chic. We found this on the way to NorCal, and it didn't disappoint. Food quality was great. Service is prompt and best part is ambience & a full bar with awesome drinks read more

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Excellent new Indian spot in Pasadena! We saw this place a couple weeks ago and decided to check it out tonight. We had mango lassi, mixed pakoras, samosas, chicken tikka, chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, chole, garlic naan and our favorite--the gulab jamun cheesecake. Everything was so fresh & flavorful! Taran, our server, was fast & attentive. The owners, Amar and Jesse, came by to talk to us and were so easygoing and kind. You can tell they want to give their community the absolute best! In about a month or so, they'll be opening up a lounge with a Punjabi DJ in the connecting space. We can't wait to check that out as there's nothing like it around here. It's gonna be a party! They've certainly got the space to do a lot of big things here. In all, we're blessed to have a new Indian spot to try and from the looks of things, this place is going to be epic! We'll be back soon! read more

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This place needs serious help in Kitchen. I have given 1 star for food , probably would give half a star if there was an option .service guy way trying hard but missed the mark every single time . Ambience gets 5 star. This place is neatly done and in a very nice area , but they probably need a new chef or completely purge the kitchen and the menu . Gol happy way too salty, kebabs had Zero salt, Biryani was like a left over rice done with left over chicken by a 6 yr old ; allu gobi was mushed up with too much salt , paneer was not even cooked with onion and was awful; even plan rice was very bad . Water was Saratoga , that is why they get 1 star. read more

Congrats to these people!!! From the kind service, to meeting the owner - who greeted everyone at the door, and stopped by to make everyone feel comfortable. We came on a Saturday night and they had music playing and people dancing in the second section next door. Lively night with wonderful company. The FOOD was just incredible. We ordered the samosas, gol gappa shots for apps (delicious), but the real winner was their Chicken Tikka Masala. My husband and I kept saying "wow" all night, even hours after we got back home. We WILL be back. Colorado blvd has such a hard time keeping restaurants open, but if there's one I need to do my best to spread the word, it's THIS ONE. The people, the food... just a great night. read more

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Come here if you want great Indian food with a vibey club like atmosphere. The decor and live DJ are fun and fancy. The service was great - our waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu items catering to both a vegetarian and dairy free friend. I especially enjoyed the garlic naan - it was super buttery. The appetizers were also delicious - loved the pakora and samosas especially. The sauces are essentially the same for a lot of the apps but had such great flavor ranging from sweet to fresh to spicy. read more

Beautiful atmosphere and delicious food! The Chicken Tika Bowl and Tendoori Wings were the best. Also, staff are fast and friendly. Definitely a place to consider when in Pasadena. read more

Chak De California - Indian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Meh. Ambiance is nice, good decor, spacious seating, no rush. This is the main plus. Food was over salted but okay - but lots of other good Indian in the area, so no need to settle for just okay -but maybe a good option if in Old Town. Service was slow and not acceptable - I had to get up and ask a waiter most of the time when I needed something. Also, fyi, overheard another customer having an issue with the restaurant with InKind (sounds like the restaurant doesn't accept it). Fine in a pinch (and if you aren't in a rush or with young children), but better options are out there. read more

Food was beautiful and service was great. Restaurant was very nice as well. I'm not an expert on Indian food but what we ordered was very nice. Chicken tikka masala. read more

5 stars - Absolutely obsessed! This place is a gem in Pasadena Just had an incredible dinner at Chak De California on Colorado Blvd, and I'm still thinking about every bite! The restaurant has such a cool, modern vibe--beautiful decor, great energy, and perfect for a fun night out in Old Pasadena. We started with the Gol Gappa Shots--these were an absolute highlight! Crispy, flavorful, and bursting with that tangy-spicy goodness. The presentation was fun and creative; they really nail that fusion twist the place is known for. For mains, the Palak (spinach, mild) was rich, creamy, and perfectly seasoned--super fresh and not overly heavy. Paired it with the Chicken Tikka Masala (mild), which was hands-down one of the best I've had. Tender chicken, silky sauce with just the right balance of spices and tomato richness--flavorful without being overwhelming. We asked for mild on both, and it was spot-on. Couldn't skip the Garlic Naan--fluffy, buttery, garlicky perfection that we used to mop up every last bit of sauce. And the Mango Lassi was refreshing and sweet, the ideal cooler to everything. Server Shubh K was friendly, attentive, and made great recommendations--service felt personal and welcoming. Everything came out hot and timed perfectly. This spot reimagines Indian classics with a California flair, and it works so well. If you're craving elevated Indian food in a stylish setting, run (don't walk) to Chak De California. We'll definitely be back--maybe next time to try more of their fusion items! Highly recommend--5/5 stars all around. Chak de! read more

Great atmosphere, great food, great service, lovely place!!! Recommend for a date or night with friends.

pretty insane food. tasty, fantastic service s/o to Tain! spicy level is good for good flavor but not knock your socks off spicy. would recommend tikka masala, sampler plate, and definitely the cheese naan! coming back again :) read more

Chak De California - sampler! - Indian Near Me - Pasadena, California

We went for lunch on a Saturday to try The new Indian restaurant in town. On the whole it was Pretty good. The interior was modern. For appetizers we tried the gol gappa ( what I would call pani puri) this was disappointing. Not a lot of flavor. We also ordered the chicken 65. Very nicely marinated. Very tasty. For mains we got the lamb biriyani - lamb maybe a tad chewy. But both the lamb and the rice was very nicely seasoned. Definitely recommend. I didn't like The Hakka noodles with chicken. We asked for it to be spicy. Wasn't spicy and had more of an acidic taste. Too much tomato? Finally the kheema was just okay. Not bad but not great. The sizzling platter was very good. Lot of meat and all very good. The garlic naan was good. Service was attentive and friendly. Though it was only one guy for the whole room. Many of the tables were empty so it was okay. They likely have to increase servers when it gets busy. Hopefully it gets busy. I'd love to come back again and try some other dishes. read more

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I've been on the hunt for great Indian food for 7 years here in LA. This is by far the best Indian food in town! Staff is extremely friendly, saw them helping a disabled individual when they were in trouble. Grant recommends great choices for food as well-the indo Chinese chili paneer is chefs kiss. For the vibes and ambience, quality of food, AND service this is more than reasonably priced. Please give this places a shot-will be a repeat costumer. read more

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