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Aslam's Rasoi

4 star rating
based on 239 reviews

Categories: Indian, Pakistani

Neighborhood: Mission
1037 Valencia St
(between 21st St & Hill St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 695-0599
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Hours:

Mon-Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$$
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only

239 reviews for Aslam's Rasoi

Review Highlights   

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"i got the chicken tikka masala which was perfect." (in 29 reviews)
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"I also really enjoyed the samosas and the goat cheese naan." (in 9 reviews)
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"Try the chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, dal, mixed tandoor, lassis." (in 21 reviews)
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One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?

Photo of Aaron J.

 

3

71

Aaron J.

San Jose, CA

5 star rating
6/5/2009

Loved it!  I'd definitely go back again anytime I was looking for some Indian food that was a little "out of the way" from the South Bay.  Great food, great ambiance, super-friendly staff.  My only complaint is that the food was so good, we ate too much and had upset stomachs the rest of the night!

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Photo of Kristin L.

 

1

14

Kristin L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/14/2009

this place was so, so good. my roommate and i came here because after getting stuck on the bay bridge on my way home, it was a little late for most of the indian restaurants in the area to be open- but we had seen that this one was open until 11 instead of 10.

first we split the goat cheese naan- really good. the fruity-jammy type sauce they brought over went really really well with it. the goat cheese was rich but luckily it wasn't too full of it to spoil our meal.

i got the chicken tikka masala which was perfect. they cooked it to the exact spiciness i asked for. good size portion, just enough for one meal. the chicken was tender and juicy. a little pricy and rice isn't included. the basmati we got was cooked just right though.

the service was fast and very friendly. the restaurant had nice decor and we were lucky enough to sit right near the window for prime people watching. overall, a lovely experience, and we definitely plan on returning.

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Photo of Andrew K.

Elite '09

244

1694

Andrew K.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
10/22/2009

Everything I had was good -- in a clean, upscale environment -- with friendly service:
papadam
sweet lassi (mmm)
chicken tikka masala (saucy with white meat, and medium as i requested)
garlic and BASIL naan (extra good)

actually biryani was only so-so.
And, my tummy wasn't perfect afterwards.

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Photo of Oren F.

 

3

24

Oren F.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/27/2009

My friends and I agree.  This place is some of the best Indian/Pakistani food.
I've never been disappointed and always more than satisfied.
It's family run so the service is as personal as it gets.

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Photo of Sweetbeej A.

 

1

18

Sweetbeej A.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
Updated - 10/25/2009

Homies, lay off the crack, save some $ by skipping whatever cheap Indian/Pakistani place you think you should go to, and GO HERE INSTEAD.

I just got back from another excellent meal at Rasoi. I am adding an extra star because every single dish I've had here has been delicious, and the service is consistently so nice and friendly. It's a sad commentary on this city that this is so unique here.

Tonight, we were asking about ingredients in our favorite cucumber salad. The waiter (who also works in the kitchen sometimes, and is the owner's son) gladly told us. One of the ingredients is roasted cumin. Since neither my husband nor I cook with cumin, we continued our inquiry... roasted cumin? How does one do that?

He went into the kitchen came out with a little plate of cumin seeds, and the ground roasted cumin which they *roast and grind on the premises.* He also showed us their oregano and fenugreek - also ground fresh. All their spices are.

He then said that due to the economy, they were going to cut some of the prices, and introduce a "prix fixe" type of combo next week. OK? So now you have no excuse.

And mind you, we're not super regulars, or anybody's best friend there. We go in every now and then. But you know, this is what dining out should be like. Special. Fresh, selective ingredients. Friendly service. An interior that is clean, inviting, and interesting, not just some sleek mod design that most upscale restaurants seem to be fascinated with since the late eighties.  Rasoi's is a true dining experience.

And by the way: before you go, take off those skinny jeans and put on some normal pants. You look silly, and you'll be glad by the time you leave that you have some extra room to fill your tummy.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    7/5/2009

    The food here is excellent. The Okra dish  - dang I can' t remember what it's called - is wonderful.… Read more »

Photo of Antara B.

 

12

73

Antara B.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 11/24/2009

Though my stars haven't changed, just want to reiterate, that I went again, this time with a large party of over 20 people ... and we all had a fantastic time. We were predominantly non-veggies in the group (only three of us, including me were vegetarian) so there was the risk factor that their non-veg could suck. But it didn't. My group loved the food -- the fish pakoras were a hit, I heard. The Paneer Tikka Masala is still my fave, and the Bhindi masala was really good too -- so green and colorful and fresh tasting. The service was excellent. We were celebrating a bday, so they were kind enough to put candles on the cake we had brought and let us serve that as our dessert. Definitely one of my top favorite Indian restaurants in the city.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    11/6/2009

    Great place! We got the Paneer Tikka Masala (asked to replace the Chicken tikka masala with paneer)… Read more »

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0

2

G M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/18/2009

My favorite Indian restaurant --  The owner and his family are always nice and when I order my food mild, they actually make it mild.  (I love Indian Food, but it's usually too spicy -- even when ordered mild.)  My only complaint is that it could be a wee bit cheaper.

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Elite '09

8

44

Sarah A.

Westland, MI

5 star rating
11/2/2009

I love Indian cuisine, so I had to get my fix when I was in San Francisco!  I checked to see how my fellow Yelpers rated the Indian restaurants in town and this one looked the best.  I ordered the samosas and saag paneer.  My friend got the chicken vindaloo. Everything was so tasty! The spices were just right.  I really liked the decor of the restaurant and the service was great.  When I go back to San Francisco, I'll be dining at Rasoi again for sure!

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Photo of Gail T.

 

0

5

Gail T.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/14/2009

If I could only give one single 5-Star rating on Yelp, it would go to Aslam's. I *LOVE* this place! It's the perfect combination of great food and excellent service. The people here are SO accommodating, friendly, and sweet! My boyfriend and I were regulars by our second visit - they really go the extra mile to show that they value your business. And the food? Oh man...

My standard order:
Drink - Sweet (sweet goodness) Lassi
Appetizer - Vegetable Pakoras: Vegetables such as cauliflower, eggplant, and such in a light, somewhat spicy chickpea batter. Perfect for dipping!
Main Course:
- Saag Paneer: Homemade cheese in a creamy spinach sauce.
- Chicken Korma: Chicken in a mild, creamy sauce with cashews and almonds. My personal favorite for naan dipping.
- Pulao: Basmati rice with saffron, cardamom, and other spices.
- Garlic Basil Naan: Nuff said.
Dessert - Kheer: Rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom (among other spices). They recently changed it, which kinda scared me (if it ain't broke, don't fix it), but now it's even BETTER! Warm kheer goodness.... mmmm.

We have had other things on the menu, and everything that we have tried so far has been delicious. I'm kind of a wuss, so luckily you can specify how spicy you like your food.

Any time friends or family from out of town come to visit I bring them here. They're always a little iffy at first since it's kinda new to them, but by the time we leave they love it *almost* as much as I do.

p.s. For those complaining that the food is too "saucy", it's perfect for naan dipping!

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2

33

A K.

Cupertino, CA

5 star rating
10/5/2009

This is one of the best Indian-Pakistani restaurants in the bay area, great balance of price, decor, service and authenticity of the food.  I've been there only twice, been a long time fan of Naan & Curry, but his place is my new favorite. (Unless it's 2 am in the morning, then Naan&Curry will save your life :))

Mixed tandoori (grill) is superb. Everything I tried had great flavor, murgh makhani, chicken madras and chicken bharta, esp. the last one which has eggplant.

Kachumber salad is nice too, but I didn't like the tangy dressing they used, simple lime +chaat masala they use on pakoras would be better.

Kulfi (saffron ice cream) is very good but served straight out of freezer, should be served at the right temp. so it's more soft and creamy. It gets better just sitting on the table for 5 mins though.

If it's freezing outside get a hot chai quick and you'll be ready for a nice dinner. :) Service is also very warm and attentive.

I was surprised to not see that many Indians here, only my table and one other guy in some other group were Indians. Usually I'd take that as an indication of not so authentic food (less spicy, more creamy-sweet kinda taste), but food here is really good, spicy and authentic.

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0

1

Jennie L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/10/2009

Amazing!  I had a birthday get together at Rasoi and the food and service were equally unbelieveable!  My husband and I both think that Rasoi is THE BEST Indian food we have ever had.  Here's why...

The tandori chicken is nothing  like we've ever before.   It's actual pieces of chicken rather than the typical kabob pieces that are usually dry.  The chicken is so moist, seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection.  We've been to Rasoi multiple times, and each time the chicken has been perfect.  Which is unusual because sometimes restaurants don't have the same consistency with chicken.  I also ordered the Bengan Bartha (eggplant) without shreds of ginger because I'm not a big ginger fan. Delicious!  Another item we ordered was the Chicken Korma, which has a sauce that reminds me of the shrimp dish at ChaChaCha.  It's creamy and great for naan dippin.  Oh!  I almost forgot the samosa and  the AMAZING green sauce that is on the side.  I can dip everything in that green sauce!  The onion kulcha is also my favorite!  

Overall this is my FAVORITE Indian restaurant in the city!

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9

138

Matthew D.

South San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
Updated - 9/14/2009

Okay, I went back here with my friends recently and the result is exactly what I predicted--if I got an entree here, I would give the place five stars.  Yup, Aslam's Rasoi deserves an enthusiastic five stars

I had the lamb biryani.  It was a bit too spicy for my tastes, but the overall flavor of it was very fine and delicious.  The next time I order this, I will get it with no heat at all.  I spoke with the waiter (who was the chef's son) and he said that this could very easily be done--they are happy to customize spiciness to your preference.  I also had some of the tandoori chicken--a masterpiece in its own right.

Everyone else here absolutely loved their food.  The service was also excellent.  Our waiter remembered us from last time and was happy to see us return.  This may be the best Indian restaurant I have ever been to--not just for the food but for the overall experience.  It's one of those places that is worth driving out of your way for.  It is also where my ten-year old daughter wants to go for her birthday, and I'm glad about that--gives me another excuse to go to the Mission at eat more of Chef Aslam's creations.  See you there!

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    8/31/2009

    I met a bunch of my friends in the city last night who were all going to Ritual Roasters.  Looked… Read more »

Photo of Teresa A.

 

5

15

Teresa A.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
Updated - 9/15/2009

An extra star for the staff finding me on Yelp to let me know I'd left my super-cute felt hat under the chair!

Gold star for Aslam Rasoi and their thoughtful staff.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    8/25/2009

    I've been here a few times and always had a nice meal, but now that I live in the neighborhood, I… Read more »

Photo of Chris F.

Elite '09

32

78

Chris F.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
10/16/2009

There was something... off about this place when we first walked in. A sort of over-eager just-remodeled (maybe?) feeling where the waiters were a bit *too* smiley. All of that washed away once the food arrived. Chicken masala, lamb vindaloo, raita and poori. Oh, the poori. Like a savory version of the most delicious carnival elephant ear you've ever had. The meats were cubed, which struck us as odd at first. The presentation didn't impress but the complexity of flavor, the taste of the grill, and the perfect amount of spice made us swoon a bit. We never managed to shake the feeling that something was a bit off, but we just didn't care. The food was too good.

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Elite '09

28

76

Steve G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/2/2009

The three Indian/South Asian restaurants on this stretch of Valencia occupy an interesting hierarchy, at least in terms of price.  Dosa is at the top, Aslam's is midrange, and Udupi Palace is the least expensive.  You'd think that they would have eliminated at least one of the three, especially in this economy, but surprisingly, all three seem to be doing well, which is great, because they all offer something a little different.  Of the three, Aslam's serves what generally pops to most people's minds when they think of Indian/Pakistani food - Pokoras, Tandoori dishes, chicken, lamb and curry dishes, etc.  And it is good, really, really good.  They can adjust the spice from mild to brain-melting, and everything is great.  I love the decor, which is nice blend of modern and traditional motifs.  They do a really great job here, and they are worth checking out.

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2

17

Rebecca M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
9/8/2009

My boyfriend had been wanting to take me here for months and we finally got around to it on Saturday September 5th.  My man and his parents have eaten here several times and they are huge food critics.  I was kinda stuck on Masala near 9th Avenue and Lincoln before my most wonderful experience at Aslam's.  

I wanted to give them 4 1/2 stars, but only because we were super hungry and we had to wait a while before having our orders taken.  They were short staffed, so it wasn't really their fault, so I don't feel bad giving them a 5 star review...The server was also really cool and kept apologizing for the wait, so it's all good!  They brought us delicious papadum and that ohhhhh so awesome yogurt and sweet sauce to snack on while we waited for our food.  

My boyfriend ordered a lamb dish (lamb happens to be their specialty) and I ordered the saag paneer (creamed spinach with homemade cheese).  Gor sides, we had the Pulao (rice), garlic basil naan, goat cheese naan and Mango Chutney.  OMFG!  Best Indian food in SF!

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Photo of joe m.

 

0

47

joe m.

Boca Raton, FL

4 star rating
10/8/2009

I am from Florida and always seek out Indian food while in this wonderful city. Hit a home run with this restaurant. Seated by the window for great people watching. Ordered a sauvignon blanc while noting that there were several Indian wines on the list. Imediately the owner/chef's delightful son quickly offered to have us taste a few. He comes back with two whites and two reds and we began an unexpected and improptu wine tasting.Never been to the place before and we were treated like family. By the way the whites were certainly passable but the reds have a ways to go. Great start! The owner's son is a recent culinary school grad and has such a wonderful passion for food and wine.
The suggested lamb korma and chicken saagwala dishes were scrumptious. The lamb was in a yogurt cream sauce while the chicken was in a light cream sauce over fresh spinach. Both outstanding.
Speaking of outstanding ,we ordered rice pulao as a side. Incredible as was the nan and accompanying sauces.
A complementary rice pudding was a a finish to a wonderful meal. Try this place. You will not be disappointed.

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0

1

Keren P.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
10/19/2009

Seriously, this place is as good as it gets on every respect. Tonight was the second time we've been to Aslam's and it was again simply fantastic. The food was just amazing. I kept mumbling "amazing... amazing..." The only draw back to amazing food is that you're gonna eat more than you can! Can't stop! So be forewarned!

The service is out of this world, fast, kind and personal. The decor manages to be cozy, homey and elegant and classy at the same time... don't know how they do it! usually classy places feel a bit cold. Not here!

Oh, the service - I wasn't sure about my drink, so first the waiter brought me samples of the regular Lassi and the Rose Lassi (my friend got the mango Lassi, which was sooooo good). And then he told me that they make the lassis spiked with Vodka... So I got the spiked rose Lassi. It sounded good, even though I am usually a very light drinker.

Anyway, I thought the spiked rose Lassi was too strong for me. The waiter replaced it to a regular rose Lassi, said he wouldn't charge me for the spiked one, and offered me to finish it if I'd like. At the end he didn't charge me for the Lassi at all!!! So awesome!!!

What did we have - All Yum!!
We're vegetarian:

Drinks: Mango Lassi, Rose Lassi
The assorted appetizers (Samosa, veggie Pakoras, Papadam)
The eggplant Pakoras
Veggie Vindaloo (potatoes in curry sauce)
Paneer Tikka Korma

All unbelievable.

I also want to recommend the Saag Aloo which we got last time and was fantastic.

This is the best Indian restaurant I have ever been to, and I have been to many. Highly highly recommended. LOVE this place, the people, the food. Go today!!

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Photo of Tracy K.

Elite '09

64

105

Tracy K.

Phoenix, AZ

4 star rating
6/21/2009

Of all my culinary adventures, I had never ventured to try Indian food until my friend suggested Aslam's Rasoi. Both friends I dined with here were shocked that I had never had Indian food.  I guess I was kind of shocked too.  But for my first experience with this tasty and robust food, I was glad that I had it at Aslam's.

A little fearful of the spice-level and subsequent digestive calamities it may produce, I settled for the Chicken Tikka Masala -- chicken sauteed with herbs, spices, tomatoes and cream. My friends had the Chicken Madras -- chicken curry cooked in a spicy coconut sauce with golden raisins -- and Seekh Kebab -- ground lamb mixed with a bunch of herbs and spices. Thankfully, the waiter asked us that important questions... "how spicy do you want it?" We all responded... "mild!"  Yes, we all are a little spice-phobes, but too much spice can ruin a meal for me. My entree was fantastic. Very rich, and filling -- I was only able to eat about half of it. My friends also enjoyed their entrees -- although one friend thought the food wasn't as good as it had been on previous visits.

We also order some Pulao -- a Basmati rice cooked with saffron, cumin, cardamon and cinnamon. It was very flavorful, yet light. We also order some regular Naan bread and a goat cheese Naan that were great compliments to all of our dinners. And, a great way to sop-up the delicious sauces.

I really like the atmosphere of Aslam's too -- it wasn't too Bollywood-ish. It was really colorful and cozy. We had a table in the corner by the window, a bit set-off from the rest of the diners. And the bench/couch I sat on was very comfy with plush pillows that I could sink my tired back into.

Overall, I'd have to say my first adventure with Indian food was fantastic. From now on, I'll make sure to keep this savory cuisine on my list of go-to foods. Now, I just need to find a great restaurant like Aslam's in Phoenix!

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40

30

Jaime R.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/11/2009

man, i feel like i am giving away too many 5-stars today, but i have to give it up for one of the best Indian-Pakistani restaurants in the city, and the best spot for overall service with a smile. a group of us was out this past friday night to celebrate my older GF's birthday, and we were pleasantly surprised by how super-friendly the owner's son was to our party. he really made a special night, even "mo beta"! the food was plentiful and great, the drinks rich and quenching, and the atmosphere delightful; as the kitchen is closed off from dining room, so you don't come out smelling like naan & curry.

as i mentioned earlier in my post, it was my GF's birthday, so we had a cake waiting for her (as a surprise), but even more surprising was the bottle of champagne the aslam's rasoi crew gifted my GF. i don't think i have ever seen her drink this much champagne in our long, 3 months of dating. to the man/woman everyone raved about the food; even the never-to-pleased GF's mother who thinks everything is just "OK" spoke highly of the grub. to have  impressed her, aslam's rasoi must be on to something good. we'll definitely be back to aslam's rasoi with GF's family. it might just become the default dining spot when the GFs people are in town.

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Photo of margarita r.

 

0

19

margarita r.

San Mateo, CA

5 star rating
6/14/2009

Aslam is the best cook ever!!!!! I cannot compare this indian/pakistani restaurant to any other restaurant out there. I've eaten everything, everything on the menu and still have not been disappointed.

I've only eaten in the restaurant twice so I cannot make this review on service,

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Photo of Michael E.

 

34

225

Michael E.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/14/2009

Large portions, pretty tasty.  They have lots of the classic entrees, but also some others that you won't find at every single other indian place in the city.

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Photo of Monica L.

Elite '09

24

241

Monica L.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
6/2/2009

Being used to getting getting my Indian fix from the TL (among other fixes..), I was ill-prepared for the posh ambiance of Aslam Rasoi. "Gettin' jiggy with it" was playing as I walked in. Excellent. Nothing I like more than rappers turned actors rapping.

This is the only place I've ever enjoyed Saag Paneer. The cheese is firm and flavorful instead of tasting like spinach. I never order tandoori anything for fear I'll be forced to nourish myself on dried out carcass. To my surprise, the tandoori chicken was incredibly moist and flavorful.

I'll be back when I just want Indian food-the crack in the Mission doesn't compare the TL variety.

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Photo of Christine M.

 

168

267

Christine M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
3/23/2009

The food is fantastic, and whether you are eating in our taking out, the servers are incredibly nice.  
My only annoyance, which by no means warrants a star deduction, is the music.  Maybe I am just naive when it comes to this particular genre of music, but I could have sworn they played the same song on repeat for the 1.5 hours I was there.

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Photo of Shauna S.

Elite '09

21

180

Shauna S.

San Mateo, CA

3 star rating
6/1/2009

Slightly torn here... came here with two friends and we decided to go family style. We ordered plain naan, onion kulcha and the appetizer plate (which came with samosas, pakora, and papadum). Everything was well portioned for two people, not so much for three, meaning not quite family friendly servings. Plus just having to order plain naan is odd to me, but I'm not going to dock them for that. The onion kulcha was delicious with the raita and the naan.. well that was normal. We split the samosas and pakora but at least I can say I walked away knowing the pakora was good, can't really say the samosa impressed me.

We ordered the chana masala, lamb korma, and half tandoori chicken all at medium (we asked for pepper on the side). The food came out without the pepper on the side so my roommate who adores hot foods had to wait and the waitress had to be reminded to bring it out. I am generally not a fan of tandoori chicken but it was well prepared, tender, and overall good. Chana masala was decent with some good notes to it but I was sort of sad with the lamb korma. That plate came out with a few pieces of lamb which made us all wonder what would have happened if we did individual plates (someone would be starving). The korma itself was bland so I was grateful when the pepper arrived to give it that extra push.

On the bright side the waitress was accommodating when we requested wine and brought two tasters for us to decide upon. After the meal she brought us a shot of mango lassi which was delicious. So the service was great but the dishes were just not that impressive.

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30

125

Tiffany V.

Daly City, CA

4 star rating
4/1/2009

My friend and I were walking around the Mission. We wanted dinner but we didn't have reservations anywhere. We walked past this place and it was seemingly empty so we decided to just go in. They have this sign saying they got 3 1/2 stars on Yelp. I thought it was funny they would post that since that doesn't scream great food Haha.

I wasn't sure on what to order. I decided to play it safe and order the Aloo Gobi which I've had before and know tastes good. My friend ordered the Chicken Tikki Masala, Naan, and Rice. The food came really fast! I really hate potatoes so I was pleasantly surprised when most of my dish was actually cauliflower! Happy happy joy joy. I wish the Naan didn't come brushed in butter. My friend said the chicken portion was huge compared to other places.

The service was great and the waiters were really friendly. We thought the decor was very interesting. I thought it looked like the inside of a church. It ended up being $35 for the both of us with tip. I offered to pay that night so I'm glad the bill was so cheap! Haha. My friend and I kept wondering why they had such low ratings so I decided to look it up and they actually have four stars. Haha, they really should update that sign!

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33

86

Amanda M.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
3/13/2009

-1 for not having vegan samosas!!
I've only eaten here once but the service was great and the food was definitely good. I love the atmosphere as well, it is very nice inside.

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Photo of Matt B.

 

8

123

Matt B.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
6/2/2009

2.5 stars...I love Indian food, but I don't get this place.

I have no problem paying a premium for a quality difference (Amber in San Jose being a good example of expensive and well worth it Indian food), but I think Aslam's Rasoi charges a lot for food that is only slighty better than some of the cheaper Northern Indian standards (Pakwan, Shalimar, India Clay Oven, etc) in the city...I can't see myself going back.

Also charging for A LOT for side dishes in this economy did not impress me. $4 for a little side of yogurt sauce is absurd.

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29

11

Annie C.

Cupertino, CA

5 star rating
2/19/2009

Much competition with Dosa down the street, but I tried both in 2 days. Dosa is South Indian, while Aslam is North Indian.

As you can see from my 5 star rating, I loved this place. My single friends and I came here recently for a Valentine's day dinner and was greeted by the nicest staff EVER! They were so hospitable that our experience from the start was more than we could ask for. The venue was large and allowed a lot of room for us to feel comfortable.

Their dishes can be described as: Indian Food Orgasm in my Mouth! OMG, I  finished every last drop of the sauces their dishes came in with the garlic Naan. SOOO yummy, I wanted to have more the very next day, but as Valentine's this year fell on a Saturday, Aslam's was actually closed the next day, a Sunday. Instead, I decided to try Dosa, a place I had initially tried to book reservations for on Valentine's Day but was told by staff that they were all booked. I was disappointed with what Dosa had to offer and their ridiculously expensive prices. Dosa might look more modern, but modernity means nothing when the food is mediocre and doesn't punch you in the face.

Aslam is the bomb. Try it. Great for first time Indian Cuisine goers!

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1

33

Srikanth S.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
9/7/2009

Aslam's dining room has a window into the kitchen, which I thought was really neat.  I spotted Chef Aslam through the window and he shot me back a hearty grin -- and every time I looked back in he seemed to spot me and shoot back the same grin.  It started feeling awkward.

In any case, I have to give Aslam's HUGE credit for preparing its curries (or at least the Bhindi Masala I had) without boring indian restaurant goop.  I asked for it hot and it came out spicy enough but the kind of spicy that is too much like white noise -- heat without the flavor of the chilis.  Save for that complaint this is probably the best bhindi masala I've had at a restaurant in recent memory.

I was not totally jazzed by the fact that Aslam's, like a lot of other indian restaurants these days, it seems, requires that you pay for papad.  I ended up opting for the assorted appetizers - samosa, pakora, papad, and the items themselves were solid.  I have to call Aslam's out on the chutneys though -- they might as well have been aiolis, with none of the bite you except from a solid chutney.

I also got the raita which I found to be better than the average restaurant raita.  Too often I get restaurant raita that is exactly (or inferior to) what I do at home -- prepare the yogurt, add shredded cucumber, add powdered and toasted spices, whip -- but Aslam's had something going on that I could not quite figure out, and couldn't help but devour.  

Overall a solid north indian restaurant, although (in my mind) north indian restaurants are generally terrible.

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Elite '09

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86

Kristy H.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
7/6/2009

Mohammed Aslam was the chef at Roti in West Portal & Burlingame I believe, and he left to open up his own restaurant, hence Aslam's Rasoi. Great location in the Mission, it's right near everything. Aslam's is decent. Sometimes it can be hit or miss. Their service is also hit or miss. Their naan is fantastic, just like Roti's. Their tikka masala, not so hot, tastes like Campbell's tomato soup or something. I much prefer their lamb dishes here. The lamb vindaloo is great and the chicken bartha is decent. Not as upscale as Roti or Amber, but definitely a convenient location and decent restaurant.

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3

166

Roger H.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
4/25/2009

Overall: 3.5
Been on an Indian kick lately and my travels brought me here via Yelp! and just walked in on a Wednesday night.  Definitely gonna give this place another chance.

Food: 4
I loved that they had a wine from INDIA.  Really!  The mataar paneer was killer but not spicy enough but I can't really blame them. They probably thought I was a white boy so they probably toned it down on the spices.

Service: 3
The staff was casual and friendly but the server forgot about our appetizer so it's hard to give this place 4 stars.

Decor: 3.5
The decor was cool and a lot nicer and cleaner than most of the other Indian restaurants

Value: 4
It was a little more expensive than other Indian places but the portions were big enough to feed two.

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2

20

Nika w.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/10/2009

I came here with a friend of mine.. The atmosphere is really relaxing.

I do not remember what we ordered, particularly since we ordered so much, but the food here is DELICIOUS! A little more pricey than other places, but well worth it. Very romantic as a date. Besides the food, I also thoroughly enjoyed their wine and there was this vodka-mango drink I tried...

You can't go wrong with anything here!

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Elite '09

40

173

Swetha G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
4/5/2009 5 photos

Yeah I'll go back. =)

The food is gooooood! Our table of four got a bunch of dishes and ate family style. Since we have different levels of spice intake we asked for a variety from medium, to in between medium and hot, to hot! They nailed everything. Some of the dishes we ordered were the saag paneer, chana masala, vegetable jalfrezi, we also asked for samosas. For drinks we had chai and one person in our group got a mango lassi spiked and seemed really happy with it. For dessert my friend got a saffron ice cream. She was only mildly into it but our other friend really liked it so I don't know how good it was, it looked really pretty though! But for our entrees, we were universally happy with everything and loved the way the food was seasoned. All dishes were super tasty. Service was great too. I like that this place is only a 10 minute walk from my house, I can't wait to go back and try out more stuff!

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0

1

Shirley M.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/5/2009

My boyfriend heard from a friend that this place was good, so we decided to try it out. It was great! We had the Samosas for appetizers and I had the Murgh Masala. So awesome! We went on a Wednesday late afternoon and it was pretty dead, but it didn't matter. The look of the place was great and our waitress was really friendly!  I love Naan bread!!

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40

124

Rachel J.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
1/14/2009

Aslam's Rasoi was the inaugural restaurant for my SF Cheap Eats A-Z list, chosen based on the name and yelp reviews. So we were surprised to walk in the door and discover that someone we know works there. Conflict-of-interest disclosed.

It was a slow night, so we were seated quickly and ordered saag aloo and navratan korma with garlic naan and rice. The saag aloo was quite good, as was the naan, but the navratan korma was disappointing. It looked like it was made with pre-cut grocery store vegetables and definitely wasn't as good as some we've had in the past at cheaper restaurants.

When the waiter delivered the order he said, "Here you go ladies........" (us trying not to laugh) "...Oh I mean lady and gentleman, sorry." Profuse apologies followed, but the hilarious ego damage was done.

If we had been ordering off of the meat menu this place wouldn't have met the cheap criteria. Then again, people seem to really like the meat dishes, so maybe I would've given this place more stars if I were a carnivore.

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11

382

Melinda C.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
7/29/2009

Yum.  Really enjoyed the chicken tikka masala, grilled eggplant (pureed with cream, though), and roti platter.  Probably not the best I've ever tasted, but the sauces were great, and I was pleasantly satisfied.  Clean ambiance and best of all, no wait on a Friday night (around 9pm-ish).  Service was also amazingly quick - our food seemed to come about 5 min after we placed our orders.  In theory, this may not be a good thing in terms of freshness, but it didn't show in the food, and I would come back for a non-hip, non-scene-y dinner in the Mission.  Most entrees around $12.

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47

48

Jojo L.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
1/9/2009

I used to eat here almost every week.

I've had the Machichi Pakoras, Samosas, Chicken Tandori, Tikka and Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Chicken Saagwalla among others. The food is pretty good but I've had much better Indian food in SF, considering the prices they charge.

Service is good. Most of the dishes have too similar of flavors though. Not very innovative. A couple times the chicken was really pink on the inside with too much fat. Not good. If I'm craving Indian food in the Mission, I might return but Pakwan or Dosa would be on top of the list.

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0

13

Brenda S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/25/2009

love, love, love this place.
i live around the corner and go any time i can.
there's never a crowd when i get there, and i tend to get there early, and the service is great. food comes out quick and i can't help but lick my fingers every time. it's a good place for indian food first timers.

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16

48

Zhi Q.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
1/25/2009

We came here for dinner at 8pm on a Saturday.  A party of 4, we were seated relatively quickly even though we had no reservations and the place looked pretty full.

I'm don't know much about Indian food other than they usually ask you how hot you want your meal on an arbitrary, but seemingly scientific scale (1-10, mild/medium/hot, etc.).  Anyways, it tasted good to me.  The Chicken Tikka Masala (which I understand is a "wuss" on the 1-10 scale) had me wiping up every last drop of the sauce.  The garlic naan was  perfectly crispy and chewy at the same time, great for dipping.

As for price, It was about $25/person for ordering an entree each, 4 portions of rice, 2 naan, and drinks.  Totally reasonable, totally good for a casual dinner on a Saturday night or any night.  There were several tables of 10+ people, so you could definitely bring a whole reunion dinner or the like.

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