Desi (11 spots!)
Updated: Mar 12, 2021
1. Spice Rack - Franklin Park, NJ
Parking: Restaurant is in a parking lot
Setting: Sit in and takeout
Order: Chicken lollipops, Schezuan fried rice, mango lassi, soda (Total $40)
The chicken lollipops were covered in plentiful sauce. The flavor went through the skin and was great both inside and out. I personally felt like the sauce spread over the Schezuan fried rice was overbearing. There just seemed like there was too much of it. It would've been better to have it on the side so someone can add however much sauce they prefer. The lassi was solid, a decent mix of the mango and yogurt flavor.
2. Spice Grill - Parsippany, NJ
Parking: Restaurant is in a parking lot
Setting: Sit in and takeout
Order: Chicken Hakka Noodles, Lollipop Chicken, Mango Lassi ($30)
This has been one of the only Indochinese restaurants that actually get the chinese taste right. The entrees are large enough to be shared by two people (I couldn't finish 😅). The mango lassi wasn't all too good, but you definitely can't leave this place without trying the lollipop chicken!
3. Classic Nirala - Elmwood Park, NJ
Parking: Restaurant is in a parking lot
Setting: Sit in and takeout
Order: Ribeye Steak with Fries and Chicken Karahi with Rice (Total $40)
Definitely some of the best steak I've had. Very juicy and flavorful. But don't come in expecting the steak to have a Pakistani spin on it just because its a Pakistani steakhouse. I just say that because most of the bad reviews I've seen is from people who are upset the steak tastes like "American" steak. The fries are pretty great too! I wasn't too much of a fan of the chicken karahi but it wasn't that bad either.
4. Chai Baba - Haledon, NJ
Parking: Street parking
Setting: Sit in and takeout
Order: Chicken tikka sandwich, chili chicken wings, chicken lollipops, strawberry mojito, mango lassi (Total $40)
Sorry all for not posting in so long. Been on a diet lol jk. The chicken tikka was great, very flavorful, a bit heavy with the mushla (seasoning/spices), but I liked that. The chili chicken wings were amazing, the perfect mix of spicy and sweet. The chicken lollipops would've been better if they had the sauce that the wings had. They were a little dry and lacking in flavor. The mojitos are very sweet kind of similar to soda. Mango lassi was solid, not too bad, but not the greatest.
5. Simply Chai - Hoboken, NJ
Parking: Metered street parking
Setting: Sit in and takeout
Order: Masala egg toast, sweet tooth mango dosa waffles, magic masala chai, chai latte (Total $40)
This place is right by the Hoboken pier, near Pier C park. The masala egg toast was a combination of flavors that just fit perfectly together. I personally didn't like the sweet tooth that much because I felt like the earthy spices of the dosa waffles didn't mix well with the tangy mango sauce. I preferred the chai latte over the magic masala chai. The latte was topped with ground cardamom as opposed to cinnamon, which at first sounds weird but it tasted wayyy better with it.
6. Papa Pancho Pizza and Moghul Express - Edison, NJ
Parking: Restaurants are connected and both located in a parking lot
Setting: Sit in and takeout
Order: Chicken tikka, jalapeno and chutney mayo flatbread, drumsticks of heaven and mango lassi (Total $24)
Both restaurants are one and the same pretty much. They have both signs on the outside but one menu to order from. The pizza was amazing, it was the perfect blend of chicken tikka and pizza. The drumsticks of heaven aka pretty much chicken lollipops were also just as great! The mango lassi was not too bad, it tasted as you'd expect it to taste.
7. Fuchka House - Jackson Heights, Queens, NY
Parking: Street parking (limited)
Setting: Food cart/takeout
Order: Regular fuchka (Total $5)
By far some of the best fuchka I have had. I would seriously consider driving out to NY with my main goal being getting some fuchka. I'd just recommend not eating it in your car like I did cause the smell of the onions and eggs are pretty strong.
8. Kabab Paradise - Lake Hiawatha, NJ
Parking: Parking lot next to restaurant, street parking also available
Setting: Sit in and take out
Order: Mixed gyro platter, mars burger, galaxy fries, honey mustard solar wings, beef kufta kabob skewers, volcano burger, beef karahi, pluto burger (Total $90)
Mixed gyro was different than other platters because it was more on the sweet side but it was still pretty good. Mars burger looked and tasted delicious. Galaxy fries had too much going on, too many different flavors, it was okay to eat and nice to look at but I wouldn't get it again. Wings were on point 👌🏼 I kinda wanna try a spicier flavor next time tho. Beef kufta kabobs were pretty bad, they were very tasteless on their own and needed sauce to taste edible, def not worth the price. The toasted bread that came with the skewers tasted soo much better than the meat. Volcano burger was okay. Beef karahi looked a bit gross but it didn't taste that bad. The pluto burger was a great combination of meats and the picture doesn't do it justice
9. Burger Walla - Newark, NJ
Parking: Limited parking, paid parking lots (be careful with residential parking areas)
Setting: Sit in and take out
Order: Chicken burger, large fries, mango lassi (Total $14)
The chicken burger tasted good but it was a bit small to be filling lol The fries were ehh, they didn't taste that good on their own but luckily this place has a bunch of different kinds of sauces available. The mango lassi was on point.
10. Monsun - River Edge, NJ
Parking: Parking lot behind restaurant
Setting: Sit in and take out
Order: Desi Chicken Wings (Total $12)
They ran out of chicken lollipops for the day so I had to get the next best thing. Was not disappointed. The food is a bit pricey for the quantity but it tastes great!
11. Kati Roll Company - Midtown Manhattan, NY
Parking: Limited parking, paid parking lots
Setting: Sit in and take out
Order: Shami Kabob Roll (Each roll is about $6-$7)
Who knew combining two simple foods, parathas and kabobs, could have some delicious results. This is a perfect stop for a quick lunch bite in Manhattan. The seating is very limited and the lines might be long during busy hours so be prepared!
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