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Klay Oven Indian Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Indian Indian [Edit]
414 N Orleans St(between Hubbard St & Kinzie St)
Chicago, IL 60610
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River North
(312) 527-3999
- Nearest Transit:
-
Merchandise Mart (Brown Line, Purple Line)
Clinton-Green (Green Line, Pink Line)
Clark/lake (subway) (Blue Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Thu, Sun 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 3 pm
Sat 5:30 pm - 11 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Garage, Street, Validated, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Adrienne G. said: "Bombay wraps is a great place to go when you're tired of the plethora of sub shops in the loop. I've been here several times, and love their chicken tikka and chicken reshmi wraps. I love these two so much that I have not tried the…" read more »
139 reviews for Klay Oven Indian Restaurant
Review Highlights
"I can't wait to visit their lunch buffet."
(in 30 reviews)
"Love love LOVE the murg korma and garlic naan."
(in 12 reviews)
"I am so used to India House (which is absolutely amazing."
(in 14 reviews)
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139 reviews in English
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Review from Annie N.
2/8/2012
I cannot thank Klay Oven enough for a wonderful experience here. I had to organize a big lunch for work (about 30 people), and usually the number is never finalized until the day before, or even the day of, meaning I often have to pick places that are easy going, and frankly, able to deal with people showing up last minute.
I called Klay Oven before hand to ask for information. They were very friendly and helpful on the phone. Given the fact that they have the buffet with or without our group, I didn't expect them to give me any trouble - but you'd be surprised to find out how many places don't appreciate a big group. They tell me just to call a day or two before hand to give them an estimated number.
Two days before the event, I got a call from Klay Oven. They wanted to know how the number of guests. I was pleasantly surprised by this. I organize these events pretty often, and this is the first time a restaurant call me to remind and confirm with me before I call them. It might have been the timing but regardless it gave them a huge plus.
When our group arrived, the customer services could have not been any better. There were more people than expected, and the manager (I assume so because he was older and wearing a jacket) was SUPER accommodating and friendly. He kept track of the guests the whole time and reminded me everytime someone else came in. Our waiter was super attentive and my water was never empty. He made quite a few trip too as some people found the food a bit spicy.
The food itself was delicious. They had lots of option both meat and vegetarian. I remembered 3 types of vegetarian curry/potato and 4-5 other meat options. Along with salad (delicious chickpea salad), appetizers, 2 types of rice (white and spiced), and nan. There were plenty of food - a great choice if you are new to Indian cuisine or if you just want to eat it all in one meal. I tried all I could eat (that was anything without meat), and nothing failed to impress me. They also had 2 types of desert: kheer and mango kulfi (I think, I didn't try this so it might have not been). The kheer was very good as well and it cured my craving!
From the beginning to the end, everything was perfect: food, ambiance, decor, services, and even location (less than 5 mins walk from the Brown line). I'd recommend this place to everyone, and if you have a big group, don't hesitate, contact them! -
Review from Katelyn E.
Chicago, IL
1/1/2012
I love this place! Five star review, yes siree!
I came with a group of friends on New Years Eve. We made reservations on http://gdine.com and for twenty dollars and some change, we enjoyed a lovely 3 course menu. Our waiter, Joel, was absolutely fantastic and made our dining experience that much better.
I had the vegetable samosa for starters and it was delicious. The plate came with two giant samosas the size of my hand. They were a bit spicy, but so great! The husband had spicy shrimp skewers and he gobbled them up as soon as he got them.
For the main course, I had the chicken tikki masala. Super delicious. I asked for mine to be mild and Joel made sure it was! The dish also came with rice and naan. Again, super delicious. It's served family style so you can taste other people's dishes, if they are so inclined to share.
For dessert, I ordered the mango ice cream and it was perfect. Light, tasty, and a perfect compliment to the more spicier parts of the meal. The husband ordered rice pudding but only took one bite- he wasn't too big of a fan.
The restuarnt itself was great too- the ambiance was a bit more upscale, and quiet- perfect for a romantic date night! We're definitely returning here! -
Review from Teri Y.
12/12/2011 4 Check-ins Here
We were there on a Sunday for their lunch buffet where we received a zero level of customer service. No, there were not rude or anything. In fact there wasn't a chance for them to be rude because the staff hardly uttered a word. We were seated by the host (or maybe manager, since he wore a blazer) and brought to our table. And then he walked away. Not a single word telling us that we were welcome to start the buffet at anytime. OK, so we started the buffet on our own. There was only one other employee there who acted as the "busboy" and we ended up ordering our masala teas from him at the end of our meal. And then the host/manager appeared again at our table only to drop of the check, again without uttering a single word, and then walked away. Later, he came back to our table, swooped up the check + money and walked away, again without uttering a single word. Not even a thank you. And then we left. No byes or thank you please come again.
So yes, literally zero customer service at Klay Oven. Oh what a difference in atmosphere during the Karma Kitchen events held at Klay Oven on every second Sunday of the month.
Klay Oven needs to do something. Their varieties for the buffet is not as impressive compared to other downtown Indian buffets, and plus zero customer service.... not very smart of them. -
Review from Kathy P.
11/25/2011
3.5 stars.
The good: the decor is nice and we had pretty good friendly service. They were a little slow on refilling our waters but overall our server was attentive (much better than India House's...every time we go there, the servers aren't very friendly and don't seem to want to serve us). Also, our samosas were packed with lots of meat which was awesome and their garlic naan is the best! Lots of garlic goodness on it.
The bad: the flavors aren't as good as India House's and they use lower quality meat as there were a few pieces of lamb that I was not a fan of.
Although their prices are a little less expensive than some other places and they do have better service than some other restaurants, it's not enough for me to go back since the food always comes first for me. If I'm craving Indian, I'll rather pay a bit more to get food that blows my socks off. -
Review from Pari P.
11/1/2011
There are only a small handful number of Indian restaurants around the area but Klay Oven stands out with the buffet option, the fine decorated interior, and cleanliness.
The buffet is a great deal for the amount of variety that is offered and comes with complimentary naan bread that is freshly made. Unfortunately, the food at the buffet was kind of bland. I realize that they may hold off on the level of heat to cater to a wider audience but I couldn't taste the spices either. Based on other people's review, I'll have to try ordering off their menu next time.
Being in the downtown area, you can expect to pay more than other Indian restaurants. If you are craving Indian food for lunch, there are other options around the area where the food is better and costs less. But if you are feeling gluttonous and want a buffet, Klay Oven will satisfy that urge. -
Review from Eli S.
Chicago, IL
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
The meal was very expensive, but incredibly good food! I had the Chicken Madras and it was so flavorful. I also tried what my friends ordered, the Chicken Marsala and Murg Saag and it was all very tasty.
The only issue was the bill, which was a lot more expensive than it looked on Yelp. Went here with some friends who had a Groupon so that help alleviate the financial burden and eat the meal mostly guilt free.
Great date spot though, the ambiance was very intimate. -
Review from Grant N.
Chicago, IL
11/14/2011
The food was ok, but the service and ambience was horrible.
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Review from Hannah C.
Chicago, IL
8/18/2011
YUM! Great food, no overtly gluten free options, but I've never had a problem and our servers have always been receptive. The service is always on top of it, but don't expect them to give you all smiles. I know this is a funny detail but I love the seats here -- they are so comfy, I always feel like I could easily fall asleep comfortably after eating...! It appears to be really fancy inside, but you can go super casual or more formal.
For you veggies out there -- they have so many excellent vegetarian options, it's almost overwhelming. I used to really love the Bhindi Masala (Okra), but lately it's been oily (that's my only compaint, in fact, that things seem to have become more oily). Veggie biryani is also great. To top it all off, it's well-priced, especially if you're doing everything veggie. -
Review from Maram K.
4/8/2011
Friends and I went here last night after trying to dine here last Friday. Place was packed then because people were trying to use their Groupons at the last available date. I kinda felt bad for the workers since they had no idea what to do with so many people. And it's a shame people are giving poor reviews based on that.
Anywho, we ventured in about an hour before closing and the place had about 4 other tables. It's a medium-to-small sized dining area. Ambiance was beautifully lit, decor was stunning and the seating was very comfortable.
Now, my friends and I dabble in Indian cuisine quite a bit so we usually know what we're in the mood for and always order a variety of food to get a good taste of everything. We ALWAYS have leftovers. We ordered our "usual" (the items we always order from a new Indian restaurant to test the waters). Upon ordering, our server gave us a few alternative recommendations and we accepted. We got their Klay Oven Naan (regular indian naan with spices and raisins), a spicy Shrimp Masala, their Lamb chop tandoori, a chicken green masala and yellow dal. He recommended the shrimp masala and chicken green masala over what we initially ordered (shrimp biryani and chicken tikka--generic I know).
We also ordered Mango Lassis to start, and I have to say, they were the best I had. The texture was nice, and they used fresh yogurt. The yellow dal was fantastic, smooth and mild. The bread was amazing (it was 5 bucks a piece, we would've ordered more if it wasnt so expensive for a small piece). The lamb was amazingly seasoned and very filling. The chicken was good and spicy and I'm glad we ordered that over the norm. Now, the shrimp was a bit disappointing ONLY because I think we were in the mood for a biryani. Our own faults, we shouldve stuck to our guns.
All in all, it was a very pleasant experience. We frequent another Indian establishment but would not mind coming in here a few times instead. -
Review from Melodi S.
Chicago, IL
11/7/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
I love this place! I dont get to eat Indian food often but any chance I get I come here. The mixed grill is phenomenal, the tikki masala is perfect, and I love the generous wine list. The flambe for desert is my favorite. The service is always pleasant and prices are good. Must try!
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Review from Tricia L.
1/28/2011 4 photos
It's like walking into someone's home. The atmosphere is decorated with warm, earthy tones, there are booths with colorfully beaded pillows, and elegant curtains. Both the host and waiter were very friendly.
I also noticed this was the only Indian restaurant I've been to where they have their own cocktail list. A mojito with my naan and chicken? Sure!
So it comes down to value of the meal and quality of food here. I really wanted to like it more. But sharing a combo appetizer (all of the offerings were battered and fried - the veggie hash, potato, shrimp, and chicken - with the exception of the samosa), ordering the chicken jalfrezie, naan, a drink and tacking on tax and tip totaled a whopping $40 for myself alone!
The $14 chicken entree was meager in portion size and a little heavy on the peppers and onions. I wouldn't order this again, as it was salty and otherwise had little flavor. The naan was okay, but I would have liked it to be more doughy.
Easy street parking on Hubbard. +100 on Opentable. -
Review from Deepa J.
Chicago, IL
6/26/2011
I stepped into Klay Oven for the second time in about seven years since I'd forgotten why I stayed away from a place that is fairly popular.
The food reminded me why. Revolting is hardly a word I use with appetizers especially my favorite Indian ones -- but the samosas and the aloo tikki I ordered that night were just that. Bad bites come in big portions - at least that's what it felt like as I struggled my way through the apps.
The bread (nan) fell flat as well although the mixed vegetable dish my friend and I ordered was good - the only redeeming taste of the night.
Maybe the kitchen was off-base the night I went back and I would readily believe that my experience was an aberration rather than a rule. However, as far as dining goes, it's a one strike, one bad experience rule that I play by...and Klay Oven just got struck out. -
Review from Charles A.
Chicago, IL
4/20/2011
Good Lunch buffet. $11.
Noticed they serve Chimay beer, and have a nice looking bar selection.
Will go back for dinner some time.
Good service, Velvet atmosphere. -
Review from Riccardo S.
New York, NY
6/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's not a bad place...it just doesn't stand out. If you're willing to go there for a lunch special, it's completely standard inoffensive Indian buffet fare, which if you're with a small group that is in a rush, works just fine. On the other hand, if you'd actually like to do lunch take-away, expect to get nailed by dinner prices...which is kinda sleazy by me. If you're in the middle of all these offices, why not do lunch specials?
I did find a special place in my heart for the naan though, particularly the paneer naan.
I expect to go back, as it's close, cheap, and (fairly) cheerful. It just won't be tops on my list. -
Review from Sarah B.
Chicago, IL
11/30/2010
My folks were in town over the Thanksgiving holiday and mentioned wanting to go out for Indian food. I initially thought of taking them to Devon but remembered that I had a Groupon for Klay Oven.
From the start I was impressed. After reading the Yelp reviews, I expected slow service and mediocre food. Not so! Maybe it was because the staff knew I had a Groupon or maybe they stepped up their game. Either way, everything was on point.
Our service was fast and very friendly. We were trying to decide on meat or veggie samosas. The appetizer offers two pieces and we did not want four (two veggie, two meat) since there were only three of us. Our server kindly offered to bring us three of our choice. Very nice!
I had the palak paneer (good but not spicy enough), Mom had the Chicken Tikka Masala (very tasty, smoky flavor and spicy) and Dad had the Quail--I think also in a Masala sauce (had an heavy sauce that overpowered the taste of the meat--Dad said it could have been chicken, lamb, beef, etc., the sauce made it impossible to taste the meat).
We also ordered a bottle of wine that was well presented and a basket of Naan that was hot and fresh.
I loved the dark atmosphere. What a lovely place to have a date. I will put it on my list for such an occasion.
Overall, I was very impressed and surprised. I would recommend Klay Oven for a downtown option in Indian cuisine.Listed in: Desi Delights
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Review from Sima T.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2011
I had an event here last night for my company and the staff was amazing to work with. I planned the event remotely from San Francisco and Vishal, the manager, was super responsive and helpful throughout the entire process.
The wait staff was super swift and brought out all 5 courses right on time in addition to all of the wine pairings. The presentation of the food was excellent in addition to the taste.
Klay Oven definitely did their part in making the event go smoothly. -
Review from Mary ann C.
Oak Park, IL
4/3/2011
Mmmmmm. Used my groupon today for carry out, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
Upon calling, the person on the phone was very helpful, suggesting a chicken and lamb dish to try. Loved the chicken, chooza tikka masala. The lamb kabab was fine but not something I would order again. The chick peas (channa masala) was tasty and a tad spicey. The palak aloo (peas and potatoes) and garlic naan were nice accompaniments to the other dishes. Totally LOVED the Klay Oven Bread, which was a flat bread with a sweet filling of nuts and raisins. Fabulous!
Looking forward to another meal from Klay Oven! -
Review from Susan F.
I work right by the Klay Oven, and while I haven't participated in the buffet during lunch hours (prob not a good idea for the tum-tum), I did order myself some soup and naan.
If you order online, this will only cost you $7.28. There are 3 soups offered(chicken based, tomato based, and a vegetable one) I opted for the regular naan $4, because garlic was $5. Hey, I'm not gonna put down $10 for lunch, yo. If I wanna do THAT, I'd go to "Au Bon Pain in my wallet"!
Anyways, the soup runs $5, so the 18% discount online is a great deal!
I had the chicken soup(Mulligatawny) which was reallly good, and it had a good amount of spice* to it. It was served in a 7 ounce or 8 ounce cup, which is more reasonable than most soup places. The order of naan was huge! And it was nice and hot, most importantly.
*They didn't give me napkins which didn't aid me in my, "oh man this is spicy let me wipe my nose" routine. :( There was also no spoon, so I had to request that (which took 4 minutes). Who knows why...
But, simply put: This lunch was perfect and I will totally do it again. -
Review from Elina G.
Chicago, IL
5/9/2011
Chooza tikka masala was amazing! Loved it so much that i tried to find a recipe online.
Saag Gosht was also very good.
They were overwhelmed when Groupon was about to expire, and were not staffed properly. However, once the manager realized that the kitchen is unable to fill all orders, he allowed groupons to be used at a later time. Granted it happened after waiting 1.5 hrs in the restaurant + order placed 2 hrs before that...
5 stars are for the food, which was excellent. -
Review from Kristin P.
Chicago, IL
3/2/2011 Seated via OpenTable
We live close by, but for some reason it took us months to finally come by and redeem our Groupon. When we did, we were extremely surprised with how wonderful it was given some of the mediocre yelp reviews. I thought the atmosphere was cute and lively, given that the place in such an odd location.
We did the veggie samosas as an appetizer. These were huge and very tasty! For the meal, we shared palak paneer and bombay aloo with rice and garlic naan. Everything was delicious, and the garlic naan was some of the best I have ever tried. We had a bottle of pinot noir with dinner as well. The bill came to around $70 which seemed reasonable, but with our groupon we left feeling like we had robbed the place. Will definitely be back. Sure, I love going up to Devon once in awhile, but when I am not in the mood for that trek I will be heading to Klay Oven. -
Review from Thelizjake P.
Chicago, IL
8/29/2011 4 Check-ins Here
My wife and I quite enjoy this establishment. The ambiance is quaint and relaxed, dramatic draped curtains accent the main dinging area, dim lighting sets a romantic feel, and the service is extremely attentive and work as a team. The food is average to above average, as I would, and have, returned on many occasions for items such as the Vegetable or Chicken Biriyani and Morge Pakora. The host and staff are extremely polite and courteous, as they took the time to answer any questions we have and cater to any request which was made.
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Review from Vineet S.
10/19/2010
After reading reviews on Yelp decided to give it a try. We visited it on Sunday afternoon.Luckily when we arrived they were having 'Karma Kitchen'. The waitress explained this unique concept.
In Karma Kitchen the guests are given zero dollar cheque at the end of meal. So one would wonder who pays for the bill. The person who just ate before us gave some donation in according to his understanding, like this the cycle continues.
We could not try much since during this Karma Kitcen they just have only option of food which is Thali.Thali basically has small quantities of Vegetarian Items. We started off with Mango Lassi which was good.Thali has Lentils,Aloo Matter(Green Peas cooked with Potatoes),Chick Peas,Rice,Tandorri Roti(Bread),Curd and Salad.Food is foloowed by Masala Chat(Tea) and Kheer(Sweet Dessert).Everything was very tasty.Would definately stop by again to try some regular menu food items.
Note: Karma Kitchen happens on one Sunday of every month for 3 hours. -
Review from Bernice L.
Northbrook, IL
7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for lunch yesterday for their yummy lunch buffet. $11.95 for all you can eat + naan works for me. :) I wish they were more on top of the freshness of the food and refilling everything, but I guess they were super busy. The service was excellent. I actually have been there for dinner too and had a great experience. :) Definitely great Indian food that everyone would love!
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Review from Jennifer C.
Chicago, IL
9/10/2011
I can't remember the last time I felt more unwelcome when walking into a restaurant. The staff was very rude and unfriendly. I ordered take-out and when I took out the Groupon they seemed downright disgusted. I don't know if the host was having a bad day or what but I wouldn't go back for the customer service alone. The food was also very bland and greasy (there were grease stains all over my bag and receipt) and outrageously overpriced compared to other places.
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Review from Pamela V.
10/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
We'd been dying to try this place out and use our Groupon. But were discouraged because every time we tried to make a reservation on Open Table, we found that there was no availability in the next 3 hrs. I gave up and called Klay Oven and got a reservation a half an hour later. We were literally the only people in the restaurant. When we entered the restaurant they seemed unprepared and treated us like we showed up early. Something is off there.
We started with the garlic naan, chili paratha naan, and paneer paratha naan. The garlic was a bit too strong, the chili paratha was so hot my nose ran, and the paneer paratha felt like a cheap, spicy french bread pizza.
While our water glasses were always filled, the service seemed impersonal. I didn't feel our business was valued, despite being the only patrons there. We can't be the only ones, I watched a lunch patron come in and complain about their order. The portions are much smaller than their competitors. My boyfriend's Chooza Tikka Masala was sort of bland. And my Matar Paneer do Piaza was simply ok.
I can't see myself returning here again. This place can't compete with India House or Gaylord's. Never mind Devon Street.... Sorry Klay Oven.
I can't help wondering if this is a place that strictly caters to the lunch crowd and simply coasts at night. -
Review from Alison E.
Chicago, IL
11/23/2010
Very solid Indian food. We'd ordered delivery from Klay Oven before, but for Mister's birthday we decided to head out to the actual restaurant (which happens to be within walking distance almost directly between our places of work). The restaurant was cute, though the decor wasn't as awesome as my current fave. We got the vegetarian appetizer platter to start, which was good. I really loved the samosa, though it was not exactly to Mister's taste. (For him, samosa can really make or break an Indian restaurant.) The water guy was extremely attentive (I had only had two sips and he refilled! XD) until we actually got our food, and then curiously disappeared, which was sort of annoying. I got chana masala, which was pretty standard (if a bit spicy), and Mister requested a vegetable korma, which was very good. The Naan was pretty fantastic.
I would definitely consider going to Klay Oven again if I didn't very slightly prefer another place about the same distance from my work. -
Review from Joe R.
Chicago, IL
8/13/2010
I see that someone gave it three stars but said the food was excellent.
I give Klay Oven an enthusiastic 5 stars! Co worker and I have been doing the Indian Lunch buffets once a week for the last 6 weeks. This was the most recent place and it was so good I was compelled to get on yelp, which I do once in a blue moon to write a review.
Out of the 5 places I visited in the last 6 weeks, Klay Oven is the only place where I made 4 trips to the buffet. 4 trips. The Chicken Tikka Masala was splendid as was the Daal Makanni (sp?). The Tandoori chicken was very moist (and we caught the tail end of the buffet!). The service was excellent. There was a host that helped us at the buffet when we had questions about a dish that you were to make on your own. The bus team even came up to us to tell us that if we were going to make another trip to the buffet, that we had five minutes before they started tearing down.
After going to numerous Indian restaurants in the last month, I have finally found the Indian Restaurant to take my wife to the next time we are downtown together. -
Review from Jacob J.
Thanks to Groupon and Klay Oven for the offer. Otherwise, I may not have known about nor cared to venture downtown for Indian food. Why should I when Devon Avenue is within reasonable distance of my residence.
When you don't know or aren't sure when dealing with a cuisine you don't often eat; do yourself a favor and look up reviews or ask for a recommendation. If some of the other reviewers did so, I think they would've dealt with far less problems. But that's only half of it. Read on.
Nice atmosphere which is welcoming with a serene pond at the foot of the entrance. Music is ambient and usually some sort of Middle East folk or Indian instrumentals. The restaurant is dimly lit whatever time of the day it is and has a cooling feel to it. Clean and comfortable. Deeper inside, there are vibrant colored walls and detailed areas of seating perfect for that special date or party.
Klay Oven's greatest failure is wait and host services. Unfortunately the heavy of this burden falls on a few guys, the hardest working in my opinion which is the runners. I wish I knew this fellow's name, I'd say he's Mexican with an accent, a sharp guy with details and knows the menu thoroughly. You know when you try to speak another person's language or order ethnic entrees, how people of that background repeat back the same words you spoke as if to hear it in a proper sound and then acknowledge it. This dude did that to me(!), not once but twice! I'm Indian, but a Southie and not a Northie, terms which carry more meaning to Indians. Significant difference is that we southie's would pronounce some entrée names differently than those from the North. Most Indian restaurants found anywhere are typically North Indian in cuisine, FYI.
Since my first visit I've been back a couple times for the food which is stellar, but I've been boring and ordering the same dishes over and over. First let me reiterate that the host and waiters are tediously slow and I'm not quite sure what their role is other than wasting our time. I walked in on a Sunday just after they opened and another time during early evening on a week night. Both times the runners were running their asses off helping customers. (Literally running at one point.) Not sure where the host or main waiters were. I'd guess having a smoke or doing their hair. No offense, just I assume that when a business opens for the day, a restaurant already has staff ready to go. This place is located downtown, so I would assume some level of professionalism. Yes? Though not the case.
On that Sunday around early afternoon, we waited for fifteen minutes plus before someone came over and welcomed us. Another five minutes to get a table in a place which was only 5% full at the time. Ridiculous. The runner was handling their phones, taking phone orders, trying to assist new customers as they entered and fill drink orders all at the same time. Insane and all the while, new walk-in's grew more and more tired of the treatment.
After much wait and trepidation, we were happily surprised with the outcome of the food. Every entrée was tasteful and kept our taste interests piqued.
A few memorable entrees to mention: Aloo tikki, fried potato patties. Aloo samosa, vegetarian samosa. (I don't ever order non-veg samosa, because it's usually a waste of money.) Mila Jhula because it's an appetizer plate and I can't pass on the opportunity of having one. Poori which is a large circular puffy bread different to naan and great for dipping. Though it can be oily. Many of the chicken and lamb dishes are very good. My favorites are on the seafood menu, such as lobster masala and (I think it's called) Jheenga nariyal. The latter was composed of tiger prawns which are butterflied, spiced and grilled to perfection. Tiger prawns so big that they are as big as your fist. Four pieces offered. The lobster masala had some big chunks of meat and was an excellent dish we fought over finishing the following day. Not to be mistaken with crab masala which I am told is not taste worthy and they are considering removal from the menu.
A few entrees can make your bill rise pretty quickly, so it's best to inquire with a waiter on how much food is needed to fill your lot. The best deal for the new walk in is the buffet. On one occasion I spent almost $120 dollars on top of a Groupon for three people with leftovers for home. Another time almost seventy dollars for two and of these two visits, these were the charges without booze! I think some of their pricing is far too high, but then again, I haven't a clue how much their rent is per month.
For good parking, I typically find some by Doughnut vault or park in the garage and I think the restaurant will comp you on it. -
Review from Ben K.
6/20/2010
This is an awkward 3 stars. The food is pretty excellent. Their samosas (both meat and vegetable) are fantastic, just the right crispiness and flavor inside. Their chicken tikka masala is equally great, being extremely well spiced and well cooked. The naan is solid. On food quality alone, I would eat here in a heartbeat.
Unfortunately, the service and the prices are terrible. 4 people getting two appetizers, four beverages and four entrees should not be able to amass a $120 check. But that's what happens when standard indian food entrees are priced at $14-20 each. Also, we sat eating spicy food without getting water refills for the entire meal. The experience as a whole was tasty but left me bitter and spiteful. -
Review from Acie B.
Oxnard, CA
9/18/2010
Lunch Buffet is a good value... Pretty damn good. Trademark heat of indian food prepared as good as or even better some of the better Indian places I've eaten.
I don't pretend to know "authentic" or "great" Indian food, but this place gets the job done right.
Good service = +1 star -
Review from Sujan P.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 5/1/2010
I assume one of the owners or management staff was very kind and sent me an apologetic email for my experience there and offered to extend, what I can only assume, a token of apology. I appreciate that type of follow up. I guess I was wrong about their customer service. Will update again pending re-visit!
UPDATE: The manager/owner who asked for my address to send some sort of consolation gift never followed through. I emailed him again to find out what he was talking about exactly asking for my personal home address and no response. Perhaps he hasn't checked it, but it's over 1 month now. This just attests to poor form, I like the business saavy-thought though "Oh I'm sorry, let me send you a token of appreciation and feel free to re-write your review so our establishment doesn't look so bad." Well ya know what? This goes to show that it's utter crap! Have fun feeding your customers watered-down indian food (make sure you fill their water glasses every 10 seconds during buffet time so they eat less and you profit more) and don't forget your secret ingredient-- more bits of brillo pad, the department of health would really love to hear about that, I'm sure.
As I said before,
"Never been back.
Friends have never been back.
Never suggested it to anyone.
Better food, service, and ambiance at another Indian restaurant not so far away. "1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/9/2010
Food was ok. what was not ok:
1. Brillo pad in my chole, brought to attention of manager (owner?),… Read more »
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Review from Emily C.
3/21/2011
STAY AWAY.
I have never had so many problems trying to use a Groupon. One would think that if a restaurant offers a Groupon, they will be receptive to receiving it. Not so. Not only was the service incompetent, but the servers are indifferent about it.
My fiance and I both love Indian food, so we each bought a Groupon. Four attempts later, we have not been able to use one without a problem.
FIRST ATTEMPT: Arrived for lunch on a Saturday with Mr. Fiance. They informed us that they have a lunch buffet. It was much cheaper than the menu options, so we said that we would do that. We then asked our server if we could order an additional dish to go (for dinner), since the buffet for two wouldn't add up to the $40 Groupon. He said that was fine. So we both got the buffet and I ordered a mango lassi and lamb vindaloo to go. When the check came, the same server informed us that we couldn't use the Groupon on the lunch buffet. Normally that would be fair, if we hadn't already discussed using the Groupon with the server! What!! We asked to speak with his manager, and was told unapologetically that rules were rules, and that the first server was mistaken about the Groupon but there was nothing he could do. I cancelled the lamb vindaloo but had already started in on the mango lassi. The entire affair was worth $30 down the drain.
SECOND ATTEMPT: I returned with a friend for dinner on a Wednesday night. We ordered off the regular menu and everything went fine. The bill came to a little over $40. Since I was providing the Groupon, my friend offered to pick up the rest of the tab / tip. But, our server informed us that he could not accept a credit card for the remainder of the bill if we used a Groupon. What??? He said that when you use a Groupon, the remainder is cash only. We asked to speak with his manager, who confirmed this absurdity. My friend told him that it was illegal for him to impose such unfounded conditions and that she would report him to the Better Business Bureau. He shrugged.
THIRD ATTEMPT: My birthday. No bigs. Mr. Fiance and I arrived for lunch again. Already knowledgeable about how buffets and Groupons don't mix at Klay Oven, we agreed ahead of time that we would order off the regular menu and finally shed our cursed Groupon. When we arrived, however, our server informed us that they were catering a special event that day, and so we couldn't order off the regular menu - - we could only do the buffet. But they couldn't take the Groupon for it. Since we were already there, we decided to chuck another $30 down the drain on the buffet.
FOURTH ATTEMPT: "Hello, welcome to Karma Kitchen!" Er, what? When I heard this upon walking in, I thought that Klay Oven's nasty tricks had finally caught up with them, and they had gone out of business. Karma, indeed. But nope, instead, the servers informed us of a new thing they have going on, the first Sunday of every month I think, where you pay nothing for your meal because someone already paid for you the month before. You have the option of paying for someone else's meal the next month. Exasperated, we asked if we could put our Groupon towards someone else's meal and be done with it. They said yes. Hallelujah! But upon sitting down, we were presented not with Klay Oven's normal menu, but with a "Karma Kitchen" menu, which had only vegetarian options. Since the fiance and I are both paleo (basically a high-fat, high-meat, low-carb diet), this was untenable. Also, what a scam! No reasonably-sized person could eat $40 worth of vegetarian food in one sitting because it costs NOTHING to make! No wonder it's free (although I must suggest that Karma Kitchen seems like a very dubious business model). In short, we decided not to go through with it because (1) we wanted to eat meat, (2) this is not normally a vegetarian restaurant, so we felt that we were misled, (3) we could not possibly have eaten the whole Groupon's worth of spinach and would thus lose money, and (4) we were just generally really pissed off that Klay Oven consistently finds sneaky ways to get us to pay for food we never wanted. We just wanted to use our Groupons. And after four attempts, we have not been able to do so. I want a refund. -
Review from Rudy W.
Oakland, CA
1/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went there for lunch, therefore the food was terrible.
I think it is better if you order the food ( I think)
but having a bad food during lunch, would prevent me to go back for dinner. lol -
Review from Eric S.
Chicago, IL
4/25/2011
EDIT: Klay Oven's management was gracious enough to send me a $40 gift certificate in order to give them another chance. I went there in the evening and didn't let them know who I was. My friend and I had a very pleasant dinner on their patio. The food was good, about where you'd want it to be vis a vis the price. Overall I judge Klay Oven to be a solid choice for competent Indian in the neighborhood. It's good, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it, like I would for, say, Sabri Nahari on Devon. I never really did have complaints with Klay Oven's food, but rather with their handling of the Groupon. In my recent visit the service was as it should be: I didn't think twice about it. Three or three and a half stars is about what I think they deserve when they are not behaving oddly inflexible toward their patrons. I'd definitely go back during lunch if I was in the neighborhood. Kudos to their management for reaching out, I'm glad they did.
Original review: I'm very upset at this place. After buying their Groupon, the Klay Oven folks did everything in their power to stop me from using it. I can't even remember all of the weird reasons and excuses they threw at me: the kitchen was closed to non-buffet patrons for some reason, or it couldn't be used because they were privileging some other function, or because of some alternative vegetarian restaurant idea that didn't appeal to me, and so on. And every time the manager/host was completely inflexible and unwilling to work with me, which was annoying after driving all the way there, parking, etc. Shame on them for treating customers that way. Finally, the food is okay and all, but its not the sort of thing that you'd drive to, as your local Indian is probably comparable - the Indian in my neighborhood certainly is. -
Review from Char Y.
Chicago, IL
3/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
We came for lunch on a week day with full intent to use the groupon. However, once we arrived, we were informed that they had lunch buffet. We agreed that it is a better value, since the entrees on the menu were highly priced (around $15-20 each) for lunch. The buffet was ok, not many varieties, but greasy. I was seriously full for the rest of the day without addition in take of calories.
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Review from Kayu T.
Chicago, IL
11/10/2010
I've been here a dozen time during lunch buffets since its the only Indian restaurant around my work. Lunch is around $12 (w tips + tax included) - its a good deal with lots of variety.
Foolish me decided to give this place a try for dinner. Here's what we got:
Matar Aloo Samosa (2pcs)- It was BIG but I can care less because it was not good. The dough wrapper was hard as rock and way too thick. It was not fluffy or tasty. The filling was too dry and the flavor was very dull. I ordered this because of the beautifully worded description "mango seasoning" - yea, FAIL. What mango? There's not even mango poo in sight or taste... not that I know what mango poo taste like.
Naan- Nice and hot. It was the norm.
Rice - Good texture, perfectly cooked but just warm.
Murg Saag- Sigh. The sauce was super dried and it was lacking probably 100 spices/ingredients. Like the Samosa- it was very flat and the taste was very single note. Its a disappointment.
Lamb Curry- My bf got this and the curry itself was good but the lamb was beyond dry. I suspect that it was leftover from lunch or last night and was re-grilled then dumped into the sauce.
Indian Beer- Light. Decent.
Overall- I would come back for lunch only. It was definitely not worth $60. -
Review from Andrea R.
1/13/2008 Seated via OpenTable
I'm probably not the best judge of Indian food because I haven't had much of it in my lifetime, well, besides the semester in college I spent in London. And there I ate lots of Indian food since it was the only thing with taste. But then again I was also eating lots of subway and McDonalds that semester. So with my limited experience of Indian food I found Klay Oven to be really good.
My fiance and I scored these reservations last minute on a Saturday night- we even received 1000 points from http://opentable.com for dining there. When we walked in the restaurant was practically empty- hmmm, so that's why we got the 1000 points! Have to admit I was a little worried about the lack of people dining here on a Saturday night, but immediately liked atmosphere of this loft style restaurant.
Once seated we were immediately given some crispy bread (not nan, but more like crackers) and delicious sauces to dip it in....mmmm. We devoured it and I was all ready to ask for more, but my fiance reminded me we would soon have nan on the way. We had more than just nan on the way- somosas, crab masala, palak paneer (cube cheese in a yummy sauce), rice, and yogurt. Everything was absolutely delicious!! I especially enjoyed the nan (any type of bread usually has my name all over it), the somosas, and the palak paneer. The yogurt didn't really do it for me, but others may like it because my fiance was all over it.
And the service may have even been better than the food- they were so attentive (yet not overly so) and the timing that we presented with all the food was just perfect. There's something to be said for being one of the only few tables in a restaurant!
I haven't tried many Indian restaurants in Chicago so I'm not sure how Klay Oven compares, but they get a stamp of approval (or I guess 4 stars) in my book!Listed in: My favorite restaurants in…
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Review from Carolynne M.
Chicago, IL
2/1/2008
I rather enjoy it when I go to a restaurant and it is virtually empty. This practically ensures that I am going to get awesome service. So when I walked in at 6pm on a weeknight to see only 2 other tables taken I was psyched. And Klay Oven did not disappoint. It was like having your mom over when you are sick. "Can I get you anything else dear?" "How are you doing, is everything to your liking?" I loved it.
Things that I would recommend from the menu:
Kesar Chaval (basmati rice pilaf)
Garlic Naan
Seekh Kabab (I generally dont like lamb but I LOVED this)
Chooza Tikka Masala
I would stay away from the Matar Aloo Samosa appetizers, as they were dry as well as the Aloo Tikki, which had little flavour.
All in all, a good downtown choice for Indian food. -
Review from Liz G.
Chicago, IL
11/3/2010
We recently went on an Indian kick and in less than a week at here and at India House. I'm giving both 4 stars, but push come to shove, we're going to come back to Klay Oven rather than India House.
Pros: Great food- the Naan was delicious, the palak here was better than the one at India House and overall, I felt the food here was a little bit better.
Cons: Impersonal/slow service. I certainly don't expect my server to fawn over me, but the service was seriously slow. Sure the water glasses were kept full, but it took an eternity to get our leftovers boxed up and our check dealt with.
So, as long as you've got some extra time, Klay Oven is pretty darn good. -
Review from Rocky B.
1/5/2009
A group of friends and I hit up Klay Oven after the One of a Kind Show at The Mart last month and it was just as good as I remembered it to be. I hadn't been there since umm the early 90's when I worked around the block from the place.
Unfortunately the place was pretty dead on a Saturday night. Granted it was hella cold outside but still...it was pretty sad. Service was top notch, great selection of wines and the food....OMFG. I asked for my dish to be extra spicy and they definitely delivered. Usually places don't think you can handle the extra heat and will just give you the normal amount of heat but these people did not hold back.
Our server gave us extra rice and naan for our table at no charge and were also very efficient when someone at our table spilled a glass of wine by bumping it with their menu. I swear you can't take some people anywhere.
Yup, I'll be back when I want to get a nice sweat going on...extra spicy please!
