Cheap delicious Indian chow in DC?
I was spoiled in my tiny college town, where two Indian restaurants duked it out across the one main street (called Maine Street) and provided us with a seemingly constant flow of perfect mango lassis, scrumptious naans, spot-on dal mahkani...Now, in the nation's capital, it seems to be very slim pickings unless I want to pretend it's 19th century colonial Bombay, and pay accordingly. Is there anywhere within the city limits I can go with a thin paycheck and relive those glorious tandoori nights? Thanks!
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Capital Hill Tandoor grill is pretty good.
http://www.capitolhillgrill.com/
Avoid at all cost, the trio (?) of Indian places on Conn. Ave. in Woodley park. They are beyond bad.
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I agree with some of the earlier posts that White Tiger isn't that spectacular. I've been less than impressed with it on a few different attempts. I will say that Jyoti in Adams Morgan is truly great food and very reasonable in terms of price. I am the last person that would recommend a vegitarian meal but I had something with dal and potatos on the advice of a friend and found that I even liked that dish.
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Naan and Beyond (there are a few locations) delivers too--the combo entrees are a huge amount of food for under $8, if i recall. The selection is somewhat limited, but everything is pretty good. Nirvana (on Farragut Square) is a hit and miss buffet that explores different regions of Indian cuisine on different days at lunch--never been there for dinner, but it was my very first introduction to Indian food and I will always remember that tikka masala as the most perfect thing I had ever eaten (how had I not had curry until age 20?).
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Lowbar
Feb 19, 2007 06:00 AM
When I worked briefly in Rosslyn I would often walk over the key bridge to Amma in Georgetown for dinner when I had to work late. Good South Indian Food, good service in a casual sit-down setting, very reasonably priced. Best bang for your buck would be one of the excellent lunch buffets in the suburbs (Minerva, Udupi Palace, etc), but Amma works in a pinch and won't put too big of a dent in your wallet.
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Lettuce Eat
Feb 18, 2007 06:19 PM
Heritage India is indeed very good, but the other posters might have mentioned that it is on the pricey side (for Indian food). Your thin paycheck may not be amused.
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There are a lot of hole-in-the-wall Indian places in town that don't advertise and get little mention anywhere. The City Paper has a pretty complete list of restaurants of all sorts including Indian. Their reviews are very limited and, like Zagat's subjective ones, not always trustworthy but it's a good starting place since you're new in town. Not to mention on a limited budget.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/fo... -
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Forgot about Aatish in the 600 block of Pennsylvania Ave, SE. http://www.aatishonhill.com/
Another daily inexpensive lunch buffet at $8.95. Gets good reviews from the City Paper for good, cheap Indian/Pakistani food, Tandoori. Not beautiful but tasty. -
My two meals at White Tiger -- years ago now -- were decidedly underwhelming. In the District proper, Indique, Nirvana and Heritage India are probably the best bets, but there have been downhill signs on this Board as to each. When I worked near there, I used to get very good, cheap vegetarian fare from Indian Delight in the Post Office Pavillion (but I haven't been since the owners opened Nirvana)
If you're willing to go a mile outside the District, Passage to India in Bethesda is excellent. And I've been hearing very good things about Saravana Palace in Fairfax.
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Try the White Tiger at 3rd and Mass Ave, NE. They have a $9.95 lunch buffet M - F and a $10.95 Sunday brunch special.
The best recommendation I can put out there is that there was an official welcome party for the Indian Ambassador when he arrived in Washington. A lot of officials from the Embassy frequent it as do Members of Congress. The only Indian-American Congressman, Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, has used it for cocktail parties as has Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
They must be do something right in additon to decent prices.
