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There are not many Indian options in the Heights area, but Tarka is the best. I always order Chicken Korma (medium spicy) and it's definitely my favorite menu item. The service is quick and friendly, and this location is nice and clean. The food comes out quick and is reasonably priced. The only thing I would suggest for an improvement is to increase the amount of rice included with the entree.
This was my first time ordering from here and my good was amazing. It definitely packed flavor. I liked that I could choose my own spice level. I ordered it to go and it was still hot upon arrival.
Delicious. Ordered a pick up during the week to cover lunch + dinner plus next day lunch and it was a fairly quick and easy.. Staff was nice. Ordered garlic naan, vegetable samosas, chicken tikki masala, chicken biryani and mango lassi. Garlic naan - good portion, for me personally not garlicky enough Vegetable samosas- good and crispy, 2 large samosas filled with potatoes and peas. The seasoning was on point. The dipping sauce paired well. (You can also eat alone bc it is seasoned so well) Chicken tikki masala - came with a small white rice, the masala was delicious. (I also used it as a dipping sauce for the naan), there was a good portion of chicken and it went well with the rice. Chicken biryani - just enough of spice to make me happy, tender chunks of chicken mixed with deliciously made rice. I love biryani and their version was pretty good Mango lassi - in heaven, never had one and this was a great first time! I tried not to drink so much of it in the car ride home but it was soooooo delicious Def in my list of quick food spots by the house. The price was reasonable. Total with everything was $37.78. It adds a different option other than my normal Chinese or Vietnamese choices or the fast food options. Def will order in the future.
I'm by no means an expert on Indian food, I actually had never even tried it until a buddy and I decided to be adventurous and try something new for lunch.. I don't know how Tarka matches up with smaller mom and pop Indian food places but it blew our socks off! The tiki marsala was so flavorful and had the perfect amount of spice. The lamb was so tender and juicy and the rice played its role as a side dish to perfection. The cheese naan was also incredible, we were damn near fighting over it at one point and regretted sharing it but it was a lot for just one person so we made the right call lol. We came back I think a few weeks in a row and tried their coconut chicken and I think I even loved that one more! Just insanely good (at least for some noobs that aren't well versed in Indian food). Their desserts were also really good and I loved the stark difference between the warm and syrupy Gulab Jaman and the cold and milky Ras Malai. Also, maybe the unsung hero of this whole experience: their drinks but especially a light pink one they have. I don't think it was strawberry lemonade, I think it was some floral drink but it's amazing. I'll have to update this review once I figure out the name. ***UPDATE***: it's a strawberry rose lemonade (I'm pretty impressed that I kinda nailed it with my description??? Lol). Amazing drink, super light and refreshing. I think I loved it because it reminded me a bit of an agua fresca.
My friend has been raving about this place so I decided to try this place out for lunch today. I normally would get a tikka masala but I ended up ordering the chicken coconut curry and I loved it; no regrets. I thought the portions and the price were good. The place a lot seating and the environment was clean. I would definitely come back here!
This might not be the best indian food in town, but for the price, it's hard to beat. The restaurant is clean and the food is fresh. I appreciate that you can order at the counter, and the wait is not long. I ordered hot spice, and it is spicy, but not overbearing compared to other restaurants' spicy.
This is a modern casual Indian food kitchen that serves up some great food. We ordered the chicken tikka masala and it was creamy, rich, and loaded with spices. The masala was amazing, beyond my expectations. The medium spice level was quite mild, and so most eaters can probably go for the hot. The garlic naan was also spot on. Very light and fluffy. Could have used a bit more garlic. What a great place to get some quality food at an affordable price (and not have to wait so long). You'll want to add this restaurant to your list in the Heights.
Love Tarka!!!! Super fast food, Indian style. Pakoras are my favorite. Tarka Daal is really good with the basmati rice. Beyond Keema is a best seller for all my plant based lovers. Mango Lassi is also delish & yes they have a vegan kind. Garlic naan is always super warm & the pav is like a vegan roll super yummy! Reasonably priced & great portions. Staff are always really helpful and knowledgeable about what to order. Lots of seating options cafe style.
We ordered matter paneer, channa masala and vegetable pakoras! Those are very good and very pleasant! I'd love to try more Indian foods there!! :) Keep up the good business there! :) Vegetarian friendly place! :) Good service and love it! Come and enjoy Cheers I
The food is delicious, the portion sizes are generous, and the establishment has a visually appealing atmosphere. The staff was also very friendly.
Went back to Houston for Father's Day weekend and was craving Indian. I was visiting a friend so we settled on something quick and nearby. We got the chicken pakoras, chicken biryani, lamb vindaloo, naan, and gulab jaman. The pakoras was courtesy of their app's sign-up offer. I think the pakoras was okay but perhaps not worth being priced at half that of an entree given how much you get, also thought it could have been crispier, had a soggy-ish texture. The chicken biryani was not bad, decent portion size, decent heat (I got hot), and flavors were on point. The color of the rice was slightly off compared to other biryanis but for the price and being made-to-order, it's hard to complain. I thought the lamb vindaloo was a bit too tangy and sweet for my friend's and my tastes. Wasn't quite expecting the sweet & sour taste profile more reminiscent of Americanized Chinese rather than Indian curry. For better or worse, you can taste the gamey-ness of the lamb. Naan was okay, it had a texture that reminded me of tortillas, more doughy than crispy. Personally I like my naan closer to the almost charred Neapolitan pizza crust. If you haven't had gulab jaman, it's basically fried dough in a rose-flavored syrup. Very heavy. I would say it's pretty close to the ones I've had elsewhere. Tarka is good for fast casual Indian food, but I'd check out Aga's or Biryani Factory if you want something more authentic.
My husband and I visited Tarka for lunch, and the place was clean and easy to navigate since you order right at the counter. The menu isn't traditional (it's more of a fusion style) and they even offer bowls with rice and the protein of your choice. We ordered the "Not Biryani" lamb, which is basically a fried rice dish with tender, flavorful lamb, and it was very good. We also tried the coconut curry chicken, which had mild, delicious flavors and came with basmati rice. The garlic naan was another highlight; they make it fresh to order, and yes, you do pay for it since it's not complimentary. Overall, it was a great experience. read more
Tried out Tarka Indian Kitchen recently and honestly... I'm a little confused. The service was friendly, the place was clean, and the food came out much faster than expected. We picked up our order about 3-4 minutes after getting the "ready" text and it was still before the estimated pickup time, but the food honestly wasn't that warm which is wild because everytime I pick up Indian food from any place even if I am a bit late it is piping hot or pretty hot. I don't think they even have a heat lamp or have the AC on too high. The smell of garlic when we walked in had me excited, but unfortunately the garlic naan ended up being the best part of the meal. We ordered medium spice since we were sharing with a younger family member who likes spice but doesn't want to sweat through dinner like we do. What we didn't expect was how sweet everything would be. The tikka masala tasted like sweet yogurt with a little garam masala for color. The chicken vindaloo was even more confusing. Vindaloo is usually tangy and vinegary, but this one was also sweet. It honestly tasted more like sweet tomato sauce than anything resembling a vindaloo. Nothing tasted bad in a spoiled sense, it was just very Americanized and very very sweet. The two stars are for three things: the clean location, the fast friendly service, and the garlic naan. If you have a very mild palate or prefer sweet food, you might enjoy this place. But if you're hoping for bold, tangy, flavorful Indian food, this probably won't be it. read more
Was in the mood for some lentil soup, so I got the Mulligatawny soup. Not bad. Hit the spot. Also grabbed some vegetable samosas and some garlic naan. The samosas were good and the naan was just average. I think they need to cook it longer for a little better texture. As always, the restaurant was clean. The staff was prompt, friendly, and the food came out fairly fast. read more
8 months ago
There are not many Indian options in the Heights area, but Tarka is the best. I always order Chicken Korma (medium spicy) and it's definitely my favorite menu item. The service is quick and friendly, and this location is nice and clean. The food comes out quick and is reasonably priced. The only thing I would suggest for an improvement is to increase the amount of rice included with the entree. read more
1 year ago
This was my first time ordering from here and my good was amazing. It definitely packed flavor. I liked that I could choose my own spice level. I ordered it to go and it was still hot upon arrival. read more
Delicious. Ordered a pick up during the week to cover lunch + dinner plus next day lunch and it was a fairly quick and easy.. Staff was nice. Ordered garlic naan, vegetable samosas, chicken tikki masala, chicken biryani and mango lassi. Garlic naan - good portion, for me personally not garlicky enough Vegetable samosas- good and crispy, 2 large samosas filled with potatoes and peas. The seasoning was on point. The dipping sauce paired well. (You can also eat alone bc it is seasoned so well) Chicken tikki masala - came with a small white rice, the masala was delicious. (I also used it as a dipping sauce for the naan), there was a good portion of chicken and it went well with the rice. Chicken biryani - just enough of spice to make me happy, tender chunks of chicken mixed with deliciously made rice. I love biryani and their version was pretty good Mango lassi - in heaven, never had one and this was a great first time! I tried not to drink so much of it in the car ride home but it was soooooo delicious Def in my list of quick food spots by the house. The price was reasonable. Total with everything was $37.78. It adds a different option other than my normal Chinese or Vietnamese choices or the fast food options. Def will order in the future. read more
1 year ago
I'm by no means an expert on Indian food, I actually had never even tried it until a buddy and I decided to be adventurous and try something new for lunch.. I don't know how Tarka matches up with smaller mom and pop Indian food places but it blew our socks off! The tiki marsala was so flavorful and had the perfect amount of spice. The lamb was so tender and juicy and the rice played its role as a side dish to perfection. The cheese naan was also incredible, we were damn near fighting over it at one point and regretted sharing it but it was a lot for just one person so we made the right call lol. We came back I think a few weeks in a row and tried their coconut chicken and I think I even loved that one more! Just insanely good (at least for some noobs that aren't well versed in Indian food). Their desserts were also really good and I loved the stark difference between the warm and syrupy Gulab Jaman and the cold and milky Ras Malai. Also, maybe the unsung hero of this whole experience: their drinks but especially a light pink one they have. I don't think it was strawberry lemonade, I think it was some floral drink but it's amazing. I'll have to update this review once I figure out the name. ***UPDATE***: it's a strawberry rose lemonade (I'm pretty impressed that I kinda nailed it with my description??? Lol). Amazing drink, super light and refreshing. I think I loved it because it reminded me a bit of an agua fresca. read more
Business owner information
Tinku S.
Raul: Thank you so much for visiting us and taking the time to write…
My friend has been raving about this place so I decided to try this place out for lunch today. I normally would get a tikka masala but I ended up ordering the chicken coconut curry and I loved it; no regrets. I thought the portions and the price were good. The place a lot seating and the environment was clean. I would definitely come back here! read more
This might not be the best indian food in town, but for the price, it's hard to beat. The restaurant is clean and the food is fresh. I appreciate that you can order at the counter, and the wait is not long. I ordered hot spice, and it is spicy, but not overbearing compared to other restaurants' spicy. read more
11 months ago
Service was great, everything was clean. Food is amazing. Don't know why it took me so long to come here read more
This is a modern casual Indian food kitchen that serves up some great food. We ordered the chicken tikka masala and it was creamy, rich, and loaded with spices. The masala was amazing, beyond my expectations. The medium spice level was quite mild, and so most eaters can probably go for the hot. The garlic naan was also spot on. Very light and fluffy. Could have used a bit more garlic. What a great place to get some quality food at an affordable price (and not have to wait so long). You'll want to add this restaurant to your list in the Heights. read more
Love Tarka!!!! Super fast food, Indian style. Pakoras are my favorite. Tarka Daal is really good with the basmati rice. Beyond Keema is a best seller for all my plant based lovers. Mango Lassi is also delish & yes they have a vegan kind. Garlic naan is always super warm & the pav is like a vegan roll super yummy! Reasonably priced & great portions. Staff are always really helpful and knowledgeable about what to order. Lots of seating options cafe style. read more
We ordered matter paneer, channa masala and vegetable pakoras! Those are very good and very pleasant! I'd love to try more Indian foods there!! :) Keep up the good business there! :) Vegetarian friendly place! :) Good service and love it! Come and enjoy Cheers I read more
2 years ago
The food is delicious, the portion sizes are generous, and the establishment has a visually appealing atmosphere. The staff was also very friendly. read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
Went back to Houston for Father's Day weekend and was craving Indian. I was visiting a friend so we settled on something quick and nearby. We got the chicken pakoras, chicken biryani, lamb vindaloo, naan, and gulab jaman. The pakoras was courtesy of their app's sign-up offer. I think the pakoras was okay but perhaps not worth being priced at half that of an entree given how much you get, also thought it could have been crispier, had a soggy-ish texture. The chicken biryani was not bad, decent portion size, decent heat (I got hot), and flavors were on point. The color of the rice was slightly off compared to other biryanis but for the price and being made-to-order, it's hard to complain. I thought the lamb vindaloo was a bit too tangy and sweet for my friend's and my tastes. Wasn't quite expecting the sweet & sour taste profile more reminiscent of Americanized Chinese rather than Indian curry. For better or worse, you can taste the gamey-ness of the lamb. Naan was okay, it had a texture that reminded me of tortillas, more doughy than crispy. Personally I like my naan closer to the almost charred Neapolitan pizza crust. If you haven't had gulab jaman, it's basically fried dough in a rose-flavored syrup. Very heavy. I would say it's pretty close to the ones I've had elsewhere. Tarka is good for fast casual Indian food, but I'd check out Aga's or Biryani Factory if you want something more authentic. read more
Please come here. You will not be disappointed. This place is an "order at the counter place", it's not fancy, but the food will surely make up for all that. The owners have it right: focus on good food at a good price and this is exactly what they have achieved. I went with a colleague here for lunch and he's from India. Even he said the flavors were very authentic Indian. I ordered the hottest tikka masala, it's wasn't hot up to my standards, but I eat really spicy. Overall, yes, please come here to eat. I will definitely visit this place again when I'm in the area. read more
Tarka is by far my favorite new "fast food" night. After a long day of work when I do not feel like cooking, Tarka is my favorite thing to call in to eat at the restaurant or take home. I have been making Chicken Tiki Masala for years and it is never as good as what I get from tarka. This is such a great spot, extremely consistent, with lots of seating a menu options! We always get some Naan bread, Medium spice Chicken Tiki Masala, and Hot Chicken Vindaloo. I cannot recommend this place enough! read more
11 months ago
3 years ago
This is my takeout spot for a meal once a month or so when there's a craving for Indian food. Again, not too many good options nearby. I got the Tikka Masala and Korma for takeout this time and the taste was way off. Tasted sour for the Tikka masala for some reason and tasted awful. The korma was just literally heavy cream. Not sure what was up with the food but I think I'll be taking a long break from here. read more
Business owner information
Tinku S.
Jason,…
Ahhh... the deliciousness that is Tarka. I came here for Indian in a hurry and they never disappoint. The chicken tikka Marsala is always a hit, as is their naan, but today I tried something different. The biryani has more rice than is humanly possible to eat.. but I did my best. Medium spicy wasn't very spicy at all, and the jalapeño more than made up for it. Everything came out pipping hot. It's like a shrimp fried rice. That soup though read more
3 years ago
Been to Tarka a few times and their food is usually pretty good. there's plenty of accessible dishes with your choice of protein, as well as some more authentic stuff. It's a walk up service counter and the food comes out fast. However my friend did get food poisoning from the chicken tikka masala here :( hence the two star knock off. read more
Business owner information
Tinku S.
Janet,…
1 year ago
Alright, pretty fast Indian-fusion food. Got everything to go. I ordered the chicken biryani and added paneer because I love paneer lol. This was hot and really good. I liked it a lot. It comes with a yogurt sauce and honestly I would ask for more yogurt sauce because it really makes the dish. Get garlic naan if you want more carbs! The mango lassi isn't bad either. I would come back! read more
4 years ago
Tired of Mexican food I decided to try something different.. glad I did!! Other than the food being amazing one particular staff went above and beyond to help me pick out my food! Thank you Carla for making me not feel stupid I will be back Only con. Food that was supposed to be super Hot was not .. I wanted my nose to run.. read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Tinku S.
Magomed: Very sorry for this experience. We would love to get some…
1 year ago
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More info about Tarka Indian Kitchen
721 W 19th St
Ste 7
Houston, TX 77008
The Heights
Directions
(346) 802-2096
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http://www.tarkaindiankitchen.com
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Ask the Community - Tarka Indian Kitchen
Is the meat halal?
What are the best dessert options?
Great rasmali. Which is always my favorite Indian Desert next to burfee, which they don't have. I don't really like gulab jaman but if that's all there is, I can do it.
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