I've been a customer of this location since opening day. Even though it is 8 mi from home, this is the closest IE to us. The entire menu is excellent. The quality is consistent, service is pleasant and cordial. For some of the reviewers below, the clarification is that IE is predominantly a takeout place. Mylapore is meant to be more of a sit down restaurant. The filter coffee at IE/Mylapore is the best in the Bay Area. The service is consistently awesome and I have to credit and thank Ahamed, Latif and Shahrukh for that. Each one of them is consistently very cordial, courteous and professional. read more

Amazing taste, quick service and basic ambiance. Number of tables is very less, but most get a takeout. The Thatte idli (w/ and w/o Podi) both delicious. Sambar is lip-smacking. Sheera is a bit on the oily side though. Benne dosa is worth the hype ! Decent filter coffee. read more

This has become our go-to place for authentic South Indian coffee and delicious food. The benne (butter) masala dosa, idli, and onion samosas are all amazing and consistently satisfying. What really keeps us coming back and the real secret ingredient here is the service. Ahamed always greets us with a warm smile and, in my humble opinion, makes the best coffee around! He is always smiling, incredibly hospitable, genuinely joyful and turns a simple coffee run into the highlight of the day. Come for the dosa, stay for the coffee, and leave happy! read more

Idly Express is a chain - I've been to the one in Fremont, Milpitas, and this one! Came on a Thursday at 7:30pm and it was pretty busy! This location has outdoor seating and one indoor table reserved for seniors. Honestly, I really love Idly Express as the food is consistent no matter which location and its comfort food. It's a no frills place. If you love carbs + sauce, you will love the food here!! Sometimes I don't even know what I'm ordering, but it's always good!! I've tried basically all their snack menu, dosa, onion uthappam...I think my favorite to order is their super combo and also their $5 daily specials! Sambar and all the chutneys are full of flavor read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Benne Dosa, super combo (was missing the vada tho..), Adai + aviyal (Thursday $5 special - good deal!!) - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

Came in excited because of the reviews, but left underwhelmed. Service was cold and inattentive no real greeting, no asking if I was dining in, and my food was handed to me packed to-go without utensils. Not a welcoming experience, especially after a long drive. Food was mediocre at best. The idli was fine, but the sambar was bland and lacked flavor. For a South Indian spot, that was disappointing. Between the poor service and underwhelming food, I wouldn't return. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Idli sambhar - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

Small simple South Indian restaurant that offers counter and to-go service. I had their medhu vada, like a savory donut with yummy dippings and something like a dal soup, and their filtered coffee. Good for breakfast or lunch I would think. Clearly I was trying this for the first time, but it was very good and I will be back to try new things! read more

Love this place for a nice hot meal. Especially on a cold night. The sambar is delicious and hearty their idols are nice and fluffy and the vada is nice and crispy. I tried the super combo recently and it came with a mini masala dosa which was a nice surprise because I thought they didn't do any dosa at this location. The service is quick and the guy at the front is always helpful and happy. This time he offered us a complimentary Dahi vada which was super nice of him! :-) read more

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What a horrible place. Terrible service. One table where a bunch of guys were chatting and sipping tea. And two little tables outside. Menu was the bare minimum. A joke for a decent location. Not idly express but depress! read more

Placed a huge order on jan 1st. found a piece of plastic in Benne masala dosa when i was almost done eating.. Tried calling the place but it went to automated ordering system..sent a message to the owner just letting them know on facebook.. no response or any apology. terrible! read more

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Great food, decent service...just wish they had more tables+chairs to sit and eat. They literally have 4 tables...some of the food does not travel well (such as Dosa) and is best enjoyed when eaten fresh. However that may not always be possible with limited seating capacity. This place has multiple locations all around Bay Area...experience has been consistent across all locations. Today I try ghee podi thatte idly - it was to die for...so so delicious. I was disappointed that they served only one though...I thought each plate has 2 but I was mistaken. Anyhow, of course I plan to come back! Oh and they have specials after 4pm ..will try again soon! read more

If you ever wondered what it would be like to order a dosa from someone who's clearly never eaten one, welcome to Idly Express in Alameda (San Jose, CA). This place is a crime scene against South Indian food. What they served me wasn't a dosa -- it was a sad, limp pancake in cosplay. I've had more authentic flavor from a frozen waffle. And the best part? They've plastered signs outside telling customers to clean up after themselves -- as if we're in a high school cafeteria -- but still have the nerve to ask for tips. Tips for what, exactly? The DIY dining experience? The privilege of eating something that tasted like defeat? I made the rookie mistake of tipping before tasting, and I regret every cent. The food was bland, rubbery, and absolutely joyless. I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy -- they don't deserve that kind of suffering. Save yourself the disappointment (and a few bucks). If this is their idea of South Indian food, someone seriously needs to take the spatula away! read more

Hungry after running some errands with UPS I decided to check out this spot. I'm not a huge Indian foodie, so take my review with a grain of salt. I was so amazed by the amount of food I received for what I paid. The meal was served quickly and I ate it at the outdoor seats. I regret that I don't remember what I ordered, but there was soup, some sort of carbs, donuts, and some dips and sauces. At first it was good, but the texture of the carbs and soup and donuts were too mushy and similar that I started to feel sort of sick. I believe I may have ordered some sort of combination of side dishes and not a main so that's why. I would definitely try again and choose something that has a distinct flavor and texture to differentiate from the mushiness and mild spices. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

Amazing food - food is always fresh consistent and tasty. Great service. Meet Mr. Ahamed here everyday and he greets with a smiley face. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Sambar made at home using Mylapore express powder - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Idly Express has quickly become one of our favorite go-to spots for a quick, delicious breakfast and coffee. I've always been a big fan of Mylapore, so when I heard they had opened an extension close to my home, I was genuinely excited--especially since this area of San Jose needed a place like this. The food is consistently fresh and flavorful, and their authentic filter coffee is simply outstanding. But what truly sets this place apart is the warm, welcoming service. Ahamed and his team always greet you with a smile, making you feel instantly at home. The way Ahamed connects with customers creates the charm of a small town café, where everyone knows your name. A perfect combination of great food, amazing coffee, and heartfelt hospitality. read more

$10 for 1 idly and 1 vada combo!!! Is it worth it? What are your thoughts? I didn't realize till i picked up my order that the combo is no longer 2 items each plus price has gone up. Fyi Manager reached out via DM to share factual data. $8.77 + $1 customary tip =9.77 ~ approx $10. I gave a higher 20% tip when the combo consisted of 3 items. Thank you. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Pleasant service n tasty quick food to go. Few tables outside for seating. - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

Food was good- service fast. Ambiance- na since it was take away. No place to dine which is an issue. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Idli vada chutney sambhar - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

I've been visiting this place from their Day1 and they have been providing consistently great South Indian food over the years. Their food makes my day and their staff (Shiva & Ahamed) make our days better with their friendly interactions and jovial nature! read more

Idly Express is my go-to for comfort food. It's a quick service, mostly take-home spot and everything tastes homemade and authentic. The food is fresh, never oily and feels healthy. The filter kaapi (coffee) deserves a special shout-out and is consistently good! The $5 specials are an incredible value. Ahamed and the team here are always warm and welcoming. Highly recommend! read more

I love Idly Express as the food here is consistently fresh, yummy and hot. I love mendu vada, tomato chili uttapam and its authentic filter coffee. The Dosa batter is also good, fresh and not sour at all unlike batters from other places. Ahamed and his team are warm, smiling and always welcoming! I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great South Indian meal and truly flavorful filter coffee! read more

Really tasty and homestyle South Indian food. Mostly serve take out only with some small outdoor seating if needed. They also have a variety of to-go curries and snacks which are equally delicious. My favorites are their - Thatte Idli (steamed rice cake): large and super soft. They have a secret sauce in how they make their batter with freshest ingredients - Pongal: soft and well cooked - Vada: crispy Indian doughnut served with a variety of chutneys and sambars - Podi idli: spicy tiny button sized idli soaked in idli powder - Filter coffee: simply the best coffee in the world. they make it strong and frothy enjoyed eating here and will definitely return in the future read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Menu - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Ahmed bhai gave us excellent service. Always welcoming, and pleasant. We went here every morning for our vacation time. Food is great and service is excellent. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Idli vada combo with chutney and sambhar - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Our favorite spot for fresh idly's. Their tatte idly size and taste is absolutely amazing. We always do DoorDash and assume the service is fantastic due to its packing. All items are packed well. They even have fresh batter for sale. We love their authentic flavors and ambiance. Must try for South Indian tiffins and simple rice dishes. read more

Exactly what my girlfriend was looking for. She used to have South Indian food all the time and says that every dish exceeded her expectations. Fantastic food at a cheap price and friendly staff. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

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I have been coming to Idly express Almaden almost every day for my morning coffee fix. The coffee is great! Ahmed always greets customers with a smile. He now knows exactly how I like my coffee and makes sure it's perfect every time by asking me. I appreciate that special touch as a daily customer. We count on Idly express on rainy days when we cannot cook and need something quick. It's a 5 min drive from my place. Ordering either online or on phone is a breeze. Feedback: I love the samples they usually keep for customers, upmarket, bhajji, kesari, etc. Past couple months they have reduced the frequency of doing that a lot and usually it's only kesari. Will be nice if they can maintain the frequency and variety. Tiny lil things that make a difference to your day. PS: the new automated phone assistant is hilarious. The first time I was wondering what's up with the guy. read more

Went to idly express to get some chutney and sambar to-go. I wanted 16Oz of chutney. But they said they have it in 4 Oz containers. Since i needed 4, I requested if they could pack in one 16Oz container (one way to avoid material waste of 4 cups). But they rejected the request and gave 4 small 4Oz containers. Until i reached home and saw the reason why they give in 4 oz containers. They didn't fill chutney to full, they left gap in every 4 oz container. Suspicious on amount of what I paid for, i took the measuring mug and checked how much Chutney was actually packed in these containers. They charged $8 for 16Oz but when checked, they packed 13 Oz. This explains why they didn't want to pack these in 16 Oz container, since the skipped amount would have been much more evident. First of all, prices after covid have shot up; on top of that, they do something like this! read more

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Hands down the most authentic idli I have ever eaten!! Whenever I visit Bay Area, I make sure to stop by here. Their chutneys, vada and sambar are amazing too. It's mostly a carry out place and can get super busy on the weekends. It would be easier to place order online. There are a few tables to sit outside. Service is efficient and friendly. I highly recommend their filter coffee, BEST EVER!! read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Idly vada combo - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

Delicious! We came here based on the Yelp reviews and didn't recognize a single dish on the menu. Ordered based on the pictures and loved everything we tried! We've already been back twice and I look forward to our next visit. Staff is super nice. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Dipped idly - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Picked up their masala chai--it was perfect for unwinding on a Friday, with the comforting flavor, taste, and aroma of elaichi. read more

Idly Express - Almaden - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

So happy that they finally opened a branch in south San Jose. No more driving to Milpitas for their food. Note: this is a take out restaurant. While they do have limited number of table and chairs in case you want to eat there but there is no sit down service. What to eat here : Basically order anything and you can't go wrong except some elements on a couple of dishes ( mentioned below in detail) Things I have eaten multiple times: 1. Thatte idli 10/10 2. Idli vada combo 10/10 Dinner only items I have tried : 1. Parota kurma 6/10 parota was not flakey, the edges were too crispy to eat. Our a was decent 2. Bisibele bath 8/10 3. Puliyodarai 8/10 4. Samosa 10/10 3 pieces 5. Onion tomato chili uttapam 9/10 6. Curd rice 5/10 it could have been better in so many ways 7. Masala vadai 5/10 I am not a fan of this dish as much and I find this vada to be a bit dry The food is always served fresh and delicious. Really a solid reliable place to go to for a quick to go anytime of the day breakfast, lunch or dinner. Their filter coffee is also top notch. Extra points for selling vegan filter coffee :) read more

More like 3.5 stars. We got the thatte idly and the masala uttapam. You get 3 huge unlisted in the tgatte dish that are super soft. I think they gave more rice than dal in the batter to make them that consistency. The uttapam I hkt was with tomato,onions and chilies. You get 2 small to medium sized ones per dish. I am not a big fan of their chutney or sambhar but just glad there's this south indian option closer to where I live so I don't gave to drive till Sunnyvale everytime a craving hits. read more

Sadly, the quality of food here has declined. Lately, I've noticed that items like idly and vada often taste stale or sour, which is disappointing. I've stopped dining here and now make the extra trip to Mylapore Express. I really hope the owners take this feedback seriously and work on improving the quality, it used to be a good food. read more

This is a new South Indian food spot that has been open for 3 weeks. Based on the crowd, they have met a big unmet need in the area and are doing extremely well. I can see why my visit. Note that this is set up as a take-out (hence "express") joint though they have some small tables inside and outside that you could use. The staff were super friendly and cheerful, I hope it stays that way and is not a temporary phenomenon given the newness which I have seen happen in other spots. The food was excellent and everything we ate was delicious. I wish them much success. read more

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Great service and excellent food as always! Ahamed is excellent at customer service, he's always friendly and kind to all the customers.

I'm a regular customer at Idly Express, and they never fail to impress me. Even though this location is mainly a delivery and takeout store, the quality of the food is consistently excellent--always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. What truly sets them apart is their amazing service. A special mention to Ahamed and Shiva, the store managers, for their outstanding hospitality and constant support. Whether it's a quick pickup or a delivery order, they always make sure everything is smooth, accurate, and handled with genuine care. Idly Express has become one of my go-to spots, not just for the great food but for the exceptional service every single time. Highly recommended! read more

Expensive! Portion smaller than pictures. Even food is good. Too much satni items. Don't expect the quantity for price read more

This is one of the few places that make me feel at home with awesome food and service. The team here, especially Ahmed, know most of the regular customers and make us feel at home. Thanks read more

This is a South Indian food, primarily takeout, with very limited seating. The food is excellent, I usually get their Thatte Idli and Filter coffee atleast once a week. The staff is super friendly, specifically Ahmed, always greets customers with a smile. read more

Love all the branches especially almaden. Best service and awesome south indian food. The staff is exceptional especially Ahmed Ibrahim - he takes care of us so well. Thanks for your service. read more

I am here every week - love the food and the chai! Ahamad always greets me with a huge smile and is always willing to help me figure out what to try. Highly recommend! read more

Idly Express - Almaden - My favorite CHAI!! - Indian Near Me - San Jose, California

We are regular customers! Great service and amazing food. Special shout out to staff Ahamed for his friendly service, warm greetings and always welcoming with a smile. read more