Desi Dhaba Indian Cafe

 

0

25

Sami K.

Cupertino, CA

Last night a friend from PA asked me out for dinner. He suggested three Indian restaurants in Newark and Fremont. On the basis of previous Yelp reviews, we decided to visit the Desi Dhaba. I arrived a bit early, and the place was completely empty. I started chatting with the owner who seemed to be a very nice guy. I asked for his recommendation which he was quick to provide in three words: Chicken Tikka Massala. Upon my friend's arrival, we promptly ordered the main dishes as recommended by the owner and some naan bread.
20 minutes later, the place was still empty and the food has not yet arrived. Not too a worrisome fact except that this place has signs throughout the restaurant that say "Indian Fast Food". So if you go there expecting a quick meal, you are probably in for a bad surprise. However if you are like me who likes fresh food, you may appreciate the wait.  a few minutes later the food arrived. I can't say that the Chicken Tikka Massalla was special, but the bread was out of this world. We wind up ignoring the rice and the main dishes and ordering more of the naan.
OK I have to go now. Dinner is ready. we are having red snapper with Cumin..yum yum

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Elite '08

54

133

Matt R.

Oakland, CA

Yeah, there are Indian buffets all over Berkeley and North Oakland. They feed all the students, dishing out troughloads of butter chicken and overcooked tandoori meat. But that stuff's not really satisfying. My introduction to Indian food, so many years ago, was at Tandoor India on Chestnut in West Philly, and I still hold every buffet to that standard (although I'm sure they've changed in 15 years...Yelp reviewers seem to think so). Most are judged, and found wanting.

So while driving down 680 toward Monterey, the GPS fails locate a Marie Callendars. I always wanted to experience that bit of Californication--but after several miles of following the Garmin voice prompts the Saabaru finds itself parked in front of a sports bar that clearly USED to be a Marie Callendars, but is no longer. What to do? A quick scan of the shopping center options points toward Desi Dhaba. If I'm away from home, I want something different. And Fremont's different is often better than Oakland's different, thanks to Silicon Valley demographics.

I was very happy with the detour. The prices were a little high, as mentioned in other reviews (probably reflecting the 20-30% increase in basic food prices since February), but the food was pretty damn good. The lamb curry, aloo ghoba, and keema naan were all two steps above the standard East Bay steam table fare. Rich, complex, spicy (at medium heat), with quality meat and vegetable bases instead of greasy and creamy sauces, this reminded me of what I was missing. No troughs of superfluous fat, but nice tasty slow-cooked meat, vegetables with substantial seasoning, and good chewy and smoky naan.

I'm glad that MC's was out of business.

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Elite '08

67

338

Ryan T.

Fremont, CA

I have been coming to Desi Dhaba every so often since it opened about 3 years ago (at least that's what I recall). I can't say if the ownership has changed, or maybe just their cooks, as I noticed in the veggie thali I ordered as takeout tonight that I had naan rather than chapattis like I've had in the past. Nevertheless, I still had delicious food. The thali had palak paneer as the main dish, with a rather different sort of raita (not sure what it had besides the cilantro), and the daal was rich and flavorful. The basmati rice was different too, but I can't put a finger on why. And the chai I had was just heavenly--I wish they had a larger cup of it, but this worked for me.

Wonderful that Desi Dhaba makes its home in the Fremont Hub, right in my neighborhood. For sure, I'll be back.

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Elite '08

90

515

Mary T.

Sunnyvale, CA

I came here with Cal and DC last night. It was a last minute decision after we did some shopping at Newpark and the Hub. The sign said Indian fast food, so we were intrigued. Cal and DC love Indian food, and I think it's pretty good. The lady at the counter was nice and didn't pressure us to order right away, like some places seem to do. The tables are kind of small, and they weren't that comfortable. I liked the big screen TV and the Indian movie that was playing. It seemed like we were at someone's home.

As for the food. DC and I opted for some apps, instead of a full on meal. The samosa and the samosa chaat were pretty good. Cal had some lamb dish, but the lamb was pretty dry. We also had naan, which was okay. My favorite had to be the samosa chaat because of all the fresh cut onions underneath. Soooo yummy! I should have ordered the chai, but we all ended up getting canned soda instead. $35, incl. tip, for three of us. Not bad. I'd definitely come back, if I'm in the area.

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0

9

Aman G.

Newark, CA

I always wondered what was on the menu and how good it would be. So, I went in on a lazy sunday. There was about 6 people inside. I ordered the goat curry combo which came with rice, one medium sized piece of naan. and mungi dhaal. The dhaal was in a small cup and was kinda salty. There was lots of rice and the goat was not boneless so be careful. It was just okay for me, thereal hardcore spiciness was not there, I think you have to tell them to make it really really indian spicy. Next time I will order a chicken or shrimp dish. Also, the prices were a bit too high for the quality of food. They accept credit card which was convenient.

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3

38

Jen E.

Fremont, CA

First, I have to say that I laughed out loud at my desk at AccioSoyMIlk's review that said something about a sign for the "Togo's customers" not to take the pickles....
Ummmm.... the sign said that "To Go customers" can't take the pickles, but you can BUY them to take with you....
I was a little skeptical at first, I've seen this place many a time and wondered about it.  When I walked up to check out the menu, I noticed that it was about 1/2 full of Indians - always a good sign for us gringos looking for a good ethnic place...
I ordered sev puri, which the lady said she didn't have, but suggested something else, no idea what it was, but it was good - sweet and spicy with yogurt on top...
I ordered the garlic naan and sag paneer for my 16 mo. old and I.  It took a while, but it didn't seem like there were a ton of people working there.  The naan was good, not too thick and doughy.  The sag paneer was a bit spicy, but not so much that the baby couldn't eat it.  
We also ordered a mango lassi which was a nice complement to the heat.
Definitely better than Chaat Cafe.  Only advice is that they are not real "customer service oriented" - don't be turned off - the food is pretty good.
Drink the water out of the Alhambra filter thing - the ones in the pitchers is out of the tap and doesn't taste so good....

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10

171

AccioSoyMilk ..

Millston, WI

A small, out of the way cafe/restaurant. It has a hole in the wall sort of quality, but the interior was relatively clean. I made my order and sat down to wait. There are several tables, but it seems it wouldn't be good for a group over 8. They do seem to cater and deliver, as I saw they had a van parked outside. The cashier assumed all I wanted was a Pepsi, but I am in search of good Indian food, DARNIT!

They have a sign by their pickles and what not letting Togo's customers know that the food there is NOT for Togo's customers. Seems rather far for someone from Togo's to grab pickles but I guess some people do.

I was confused to see my rice and curry come out in bowls rather than plates. I had to get up several times to get plates and utencils. I asked for medium, but it wasn't too spicy. I was a little disappointed. However, I was happy to see that they used dark meat, so the chicken was tender and actually tasted like the curry. Perhaps they assumed that because I'm East Asian, I can't handle spice. Grrr. I'll order hot next time and show them!!

It hit my hunger in the right spot and I ended up finishing everything. I even considered ordering naan (rice comes with your meal, but not naan) as it was only one dollar for a plain one, but I decided against it.

The layout is actually a lot like Chaat Cafe. You order, (and if it were crowded) they give you a number, you wait, they bring out the food. Water is free, as there are several pitchers and glasses waiting. Thankfully they didn't come around with a gross looking cart with leftover food to take my plates.

Tucked in the corner of the Hub, I'd say it's better and friendlier than Chaat Cafe that's by the Barnes and Noble.

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