South Bend Indian?
I hope that this thread will update our board on the topic of restaurants and also grocery for Indian in South Bend area. There's been some unhappy turns lately. I'll set forth the situation as I see it, to see if there are any other Indian restaurants worth trying in SB area, and if there is any Indian grocer at all.
Happily for me, my own favorite place--Taj on McKinley--continues to be in business. That place has undergone some basic changes in recent years but continues to work for me.
Who has tried the newish Indian place on Edison, a couple hundred yards West of Grape? (India Garden?) I did their buffet just once and thought the food was fine but a bit mild. I liked that they brought fresh nan to the table for the lunch buffet. But I still prefer the spicing at Taj and I've gone back there since.
Star of India on Grape Rd. has apparently closed. I used to like Star best, but only before their move around the corner from Edison to Grape several years ago. (The move seems to have involved also a change of chef and recipes.)
The only Indian grocers that I have know about have both closed. One was the grocery that used to be at the back-left side of the building on Grape where Star was. There was another Indian grocer on 23 across from the Sears side of the University Mall. Where's a guy supposed to buy nan packages and enormous spice bags?
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Bada Bing
Mar 28, 2010 11:02 AM
Sorry to report that Taj was boarded up when I tried to stop in today for lunch. There is a notice from the Health Dept., and because I recall hearing that Taj was on probation some time ago, perhaps they got another violation and ended up being shut down. On the other hand, there is also a handwritten sign saying that the place is to be remodeled and reopened "soon."
On the brighter side, the Kabob House has finally opened (on Grape just north of Edison, where the old Star of India was). Because it's not exactly an Indian place, I'll write up a review separately from this thread. It's definitely worth trying. The place was pretty quiet Sunday at 1pm, but then I think they only opened two days ago.
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Star of India
3915 Grape Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545›1 Reply -
India Garden is Star of India in another location, it's the same people. And the grocery has moved with them to the new location, it's actually better stocked now. The woman at the front operating the register is exactly the same.
Also, in the old Star location there's a new Pakistani place opening up, so there should be 3 places in town soon.
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re: Naunihal
Bada Bing
Dec 7, 2009 06:06 PM
Actually, when I walked up to the closed grocery storefront behind Star of India a couple months ago, I saw the place pretty much dismantled, and I chatted with a woman who said that she was Khazakstani. The sign on the street where Star was already says Kebab House (or some such), so we might be on our way to something new in the area!
That said, there doesn't seem to be much activity in opening up these places, so maybe the economy is slowing their start up?
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re: jes7o
Bada Bing
Dec 8, 2009 08:06 PM
Wow, I had no idea. Thanks. I went today to the market next to India Garden, and it had everything I recalled from the old Star of India market. Seems we're decently provided for here, after all!
By the way, I enrolled today in an introductory Indian cooking class at the Heritage Square Martin's. I'm not a total beginner myself, but I'm sure I'll learn a thing or two. The session is January 30 around 6pm, and you can get tickets at the Martin's customer service counter.
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jes7o
Dec 5, 2009 01:51 PM
Taj was always my favorite, and I hear that it has gotten even better lately. We're going to the buffet tomorrow. India Garden was just "okay" for me. The service was horrid, and the curries were very VERY soupy. I believe that there is now a store next to India Garden which has both naan packages and enormous spice bags. If you're ever in the mood to go for a road trip, we really like the Taj Mahal Restaurant and Store in Fort Wayne. It's on West Jefferson Blvd.
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