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47-50th Sts-Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, V)
49th St-7th Ave (N, R, W)
Times Square-42nd St (1, 2, 3, S, 7, N, Q, R, W, A, C, E)
Serving Northern and Southern Indian cuisines. Catering Services for all occasions and parties. Free Delivery, minimum $15 order.
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A regular lunch spot for Indian food, more because of the convenience than the quality of food -- though the food itself is good; the naan is always hot.
It's affordable, with meat and vegetable combos available in the buffet style service counter. They also offer anything off their menu, including samosas and biryanis.
Delivery is quick and pretty good too; online ordering available.
Visited New York recently and the night we got there my boyfriend and I were looking for something quick and easy nearby since we were tired from the long trip. This place was only a couple of blocks from the hotel and Indian food sounded good, so we gave it a shot.
I had the lamb saag and my partner in crime had the lamb curry. We agreed that the lamb was very tasty and tender but felt the sauces could have been more flavorful. The naan was good but nothing to write home about. Service was fast and the prices were good considering what they could charge in NYC.
I hate to say this, but I've had better Indian food in Utah, and all the other meals we had in NYC were a lot better.
My coworker highly recommended this Indian place for lunch. I haven't eaten at the restaurant yet; always ordered food for delivery. Expect delays when it's raining or hailing outside, otherwise it is a 30min wait until they arrive at the office door. My only gripe is the delivery guys... some are very petty & out right rude.
The food is pretty hearty. They have vegetable curries and meat curries. My favorites are the Samosa (2 medium size pieces crisp turnover filled with spiced potatoes & peas), Chicken Shahi Korma ( boneless chicken cooked in mildly cream sauce) and Chicken Vindaloo (chicken cooked in highly spiced sauce). Each comes with a generous side of rice & salad. Usually I split the food order with a couple of coworkers. It's heavy eating. If I were to eat the entire entrée, I'd be hit with food coma for the rest of the afternoon. Average entrée $7.00 - $8.00
Being Indian, I know good Indian food. This place feels just like home and the people are incredibly friendly, which is something that is uncommon for Indian restaurants. Because you don't get waited on, the prices stay low and reasonable. They also have a really good variety of foods from the Punjab and South regions. Their mango lassi's are also very tasty. Overall this is definitely a place to visit if you are in Times Square and are sick of the typical American fare. I will definitely be coming back to this restaurant next time I'm in NYC.
Good Indian food, and undeniably one the least expensive ones in Midtown. Tried many others and clearly Minar and Kashmir 9 are the best ones around. If you like spicy Indian food, try Chicken Vindaloo! A little greasy, but you'll enjoy it. Has a nice tangy taste to it. The Butter Chiken/ Chiken Makhani is just about okay and I did not like the Chicken Tikka Masala. Chiken Bhuna Saag is 5 stars. You'd enjoy only if you like Spinach though!
I love this place. It is a grab and go,cafeteria style place with nice choices of ready made foods. Their combos are around $7 and you have your choice of meat and a veggie dish. I have tried their ready made chicken tikka masala and it is very good. Their vindaloo (made to order) is spicy and also very good. They give you a generous portion of chicken in all their curries - I get it with rice and it lasts me about 3 meals. All orders come with a small "salad", lettuce, onions and hot peppers.
I go out of my way to pick up their food to go on the way home, but they have a decent sized dining area if you want to eat it there.
I have never been disappointed with their food. The people behind the counter can be a bit brusque at timess but all in all, great value and taste for the price. Why can't they open a restaurant in the eastside, dammit???
The quentisental choice for a good Indian meal during your work hours. I usually get the tikki Marsala or the Vindaloo and tried the other veggies dishes here and there. As I can admit, I am pretty limited in the different types of Indian dish, I may be missing out the best dishes out there. Average dish is about $7 or $8 a pop so it doesnt hurt your wallet but it sure does bust a gut. I'm sitting here with my belt unbuckled. What a wonderful feeling.
I am not a huge Indian food fan. In fact, you could probably say that I dislike most Indian foods, but this is because I have a very sharp sense of smell and that does not usually bode well with curries.
However, i AM a huge fan of Malaysian curry (roti canai, anyone?) so I've been on the search for an acceptable Indian curry that I could eat since K is an avid curry fan.
One of my co-workers suggested that we visit Minar since it was relatively close to our office.
This is a no-frills Indian restaurant that I have heard is very homestyle and authentic. They have many, many different curries on the menu with vegetarian and meat (lamb, goat, chicken) options.
I ordered the Chicken Shahi Korma, which came with either naan or rice and a small salad. Simply delicious! With the naan, it was very close to the roti canai that I love... I could definitely eat this again. The boneless chicken was moist and not dry as you might imagine some curried chickens to be. At $6.95, definitely does not break the bank and is in fact a very good value for a Times Square lunch spot.
They also have the usual buffet style lunch, where you can pick your meats and veggies for the lunch special price.
It can be quite chaotic here but they are efficient and fast.
There is seating for about 20 people or so, but we decided to bring it back to our office cafeteria.
For me, Minar represents India.
Minar is dirty. India is dirty.
Minar is crowded. India is crowded.
Minar is disorganized. India is disorganized.
Minar is chaotic. God knows India is chaotic!
However, I promise you that despite all the negative aspects of Minar (India), you will thoroughly enjoy the food, somehow begin to embrace the chaos, find hidden efficiency in their disorganization, and leave very happy - all for $7.95. That's right, India is also cheap!
I'm bullish on this place as it's one of the few really solid and inexpensive Indian joints west of Curry Hill that won't frighten away squeamish eaters. Like many of those lunch-time restaurants, Minar is cafeteria-style, from the buffet to the tables. Pitchers of water are available to chase quail curry, tikki masala, lemon chicken, and all your veggie favorites. They really brought the Hill to Flatiron. ANd the price is right--most lunch combos are around $7-8. Bring a friend or get take out. All cars go!
My experience of Minar has been through their lunch specials and delivery. It's fast, inexpensive, and surprisingly consistent. The vegetarian lunch specials with naan bread or basmati rice range from $4.95 to $5.95. I really enjoy the Saag Paneer while my current meat dish is the Lamb Biryani. Raita is included with all lunches.
The best part about Minar is that they are willing to deliver down to Chelsea.
Minar would be 3.5 stars elsewhere in town, but this gem gets extra stars for its authenticity in the bleak land of sandwich and salad joints in the environs of Times Square.
First time I came here I was absolutely clueless on what to do. The line was nearly 20 deep, I couldn't figure out how the menu corresponded to the hot table, and the ladies behind the counter were scowling at me fiercely.
Since that first intimidating encounter, I've got the 6-word mantra down: veggie combo on rice to go. 3 vegetables on rice runs you $7.55 with tax. (two meats and a veggie runs $1 more)
The daily standbys are good (aloo gobi, palak paneer, brown and yellow dhal, veggie korma) and the specials are nice to mix it up. Jason S is right when he says that bhindi (okra) on Fridays is the best. Today's combo? Spicy stewed mustard greens, chickpeas and aloo gobi on rice.
When it's really crowded I like to see what design the counter ladies draw on my take-away container to designate that I am the owner. If you're wearing gingham, watch for #. The small pleasures.
Final thoughts: dingy Indian oasis in ghostlands of Cosi', Pret a Manger and Cafe Europa.
(if you like Shalimar in San Francisco, Minar is along those lines, but less smoky, and your whole head won't be sweating after a meal)
One of the things I am thankful for is good cheap food near Times Square. Minar is such a place, serving up Indian food cafeteria style. The food served in a standard round aluminum takeout container is packed full but somehow I can finish it and not feel like i ate too much. I can go on my afterwork run without feeling like i still need to digest. The food is spiced just right, and their vegetable or meat combo offers a nice variety. When you order dishes that are not out in the serving trays, it can take awhile but it's worth it. It was here that i was first introduced to a dosa. Try one!
Cheap, very good, good selection.
Pros: the lunch special is pretty good steam table affair. The meat on bone lamb curry is excellent, the nan is baked to order. made to order food is better than the steam table, but steam table is pretty good and refreshed often, especially during the lunch hours when every table is filled my indians.
Cons: dosas are nothing special, but its a punjabi restaurant so you shouldn't go here for dosas anyways. Channa is a bit bland for a punjabi place. very surprising.
Latest obsession = Minar.
Definitely a weekly lunch stop for me from now on. You can order easily from their website and get it delivered or save tip money and pick it up. I went safe and got the Navrattan Curry, which is an all vegetable curry. Huge, fresh, and slightly charred naan, an ass-ton of rice, and the cheap prices just drove it home.
I had faith there were non-touristy and authentic food places around Times Square, and Minar is exactly that.
Been a customer since Y2K. When ever i get a craving for a quick curry i always seem to think of Minar. Its the cleanest express Indian joint i've been to not only in NY but in my recollection. Like most curry in a hurry places they have the usual buffet style veggie and non veggie selections, but the Dosa's are not to be missed as well as the Paratha's.
My veggie friends tell me that the the staple dishes - Saag Paneer, Alu Gobhi, and Alu Matar , are on par if not better than most.
Me a true curry / meat lover usually have any of the lamb/goat dishes and the chicken vindaloo. Most all dishes are medium spiced - i usually like them to bring the heat.
Two words clean, and Dosa - invariable the first is key to any express especially curry joint, never got ten sick in all these years. Service is quick and direct - so if your browsing the menu step aside please.
Only draw back they close too early - so if you are out for happy hour in midtown you'll have to find some other joint to sweat your alcohol out.
The price is decent and the location is close for those in the Time Sq area. I came here since I was in the area after some training, it seats about 20, food is alright, but they don't give as much as the other place near Herald Sq. They need some interior design help.
I used to frequent this place often, since I worked a block away, and now I miss Minar badly. I'll admit I didn't stray much from my favorite order, which was the meat combo of: chicken tikka, spinach, and cauliflower/potato. I've also had the chicken curry, which was good.
The fact that Minar is located in an area filled w/ some of the most bland and boring food in NY makes it even more amazing.
Everybody I've brought to Minar has become a fan. Pretty good track record, huh?
Restaurant food 4 star
Home party catering food 5 star
Wedding party catering 2 star
Gurdwara ( sikh temple) catering ( for wedding &private events) 4 star
Thats right , most of my outings are at Desi Parties, desi house parties/kitty parties, desi wedding parties and to the gurdwara so i eat a lot of food directly/indirectly prepared by minar.
The reason their food is ok at wedding parties is not entirely their fault, a lot to do with the venue also , but it is sub par as the GANDU host (folks havin the wedding ) are FUCKING CHINDI/GUJU ppl PANCHo aka cheap motherfuckers.. oh well ....
so over all they have been very consistent and they go all out and have the yummiest food for home catering if you spend the MOOLAH..
***Note - Food Delivery Review***
WOW... that was FASSSSST... I called Minar at 12:55pm to place an order for delivery...
Chicken Tikka Masala
Rice
Cucumber Raiti
Naan
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM...
*telephone rings*
Me: "Lehman Brothers"
Delivery Boy: "Hi, you order from Minar? I'm in the messenger center."
Me: OK!!!
*looks at time*
1:02pm....
Yes folks... That delivery boy made it to my office in 7 mins.
The food was yummers too... I liked that the chicken tikka masala had a slight spiciness to it... i love spicy anything... and they gave a side of lettuce, sliced peppers and onions too.. very refreshing...
Walked in to two people throwing up at their table. No joke! It was hectic and chaotic.
I love this place. Great Veggie specials.
Okra Friday are the best......
........try the onion kulcha
CON-wicked bad breath after eating curry, and fresh raw onions.
This is about as good as midtown lunchtime takeout Indian is going to get this side of the Arabian sea.
First of all, they get mad props because the woman on the phone is incredibly polite, and yet also businesslike. I have never seen her, but I can tell we would be friends in some other reality where I am waiting tables or working on the line in the kitchen.
Secondly, everything I have ever had there has been fantastic. Whether it's the inauthentic UK-Indian curry joint stuff, the standard North Indian dishes and street food style appetizers, or shock beyond shock, the obscure Punjabi specialties I only know about from my roommate's home cooking (Rajma, Sarson ka Saag, Makki ki Roti, etc). They also have a few different kinds of chaat, which is how you know they're catering to a South Asian crowd and are not just a cheapo curry row wannabe dishing out Chicken Tikka Masala and Onion Bhajji to midtown goras.
Thirdly, they send plenty of tamarind and coriander chutney, as well as dahi, which is thin Indian yogurt that gets splashed liberally on everything. My only complaint here is that I wish they were more straight up about the fact that dahi = raita, and when you order "raita" what you get is an extra large tub o' dahi. Dahi which comes free with your order anyway.
Fourthly, they are always fast, hot, fresh, and belly-filling without making me want to retch afterwards, which is all I really ask in a lunch takeout experience.
i've ordered twice from here, both times the vegetarian lunch combo. i'm four blocks away, and when my order arrives less than five minutes after i hang up the phone, that should pretty much tell you the quality of eats. truly indian fast food.
I led my friend here for lunch (Irene F :-) ).
The curry here is delicious. I get it with lamb and chickpeas. It will run you about $8 for lunch. This place does get packed, so either take it to go or come here at around 2 or before 11:45.
I like the cabbage and onion they give you on the side.
The food is fresh and definitely worth it for a tasty lunch.
This place feels like a lunch spot in India: exceedingly simple, no-frills decor; lots of Indian people having lunch; and simple but good food (which cannot even be taken for granted in India).
I wish they had steel plates and cups (instead of plastic ones) and really take us back to Hyderabad.
Minar minarets above the rest. Okay, terribly cheesy, but this place does tower above. I can recall only one of many visits when the food was not up to par. Truly the best value Indian food in the city. The atmosphere isn't great but doesn't need to be. Complaints about a lack of 'kick' are mostly unwarranted since Indian restaurants generally do 'Americanize' their food to appeal to the taste palettes of the masses. Definitely check this place out for a quick, affordable, and delicious bite.
Tip: Traditional fare is good, but feel free to try the rarer lamb kima dish.
Mmmmm....Minar! My friend Max S led me here for lunch, and I must say, I walked out a lot happier than I walked in!! The food was delicious, from the makhani chicken to the palak paneer, and the okra was less greasy than other places I have had it. Of course, it really just does not compare to Jackson heights, my beacon of all that is delicious in Indian food!! Yum.
The place is crowded, the naan is hot, the crowd is relatively friendly, and the food is good. A great place to keep in mind for lunch under $10 in this area!
Good place for takeout lunch in midtown. i've tried a few dishes but my favorite by far is the chicken tikka biryani. it's a spiced boneless chicken dish w/ flavorful rice. I've tried the lamb version and it's not as good - this is the first time that's happened at an Indian restaurant for me...go figure.
The nan and samosas are solid too.
Kati Roll moved and you should read all reviews under a restaurant listing. But since you have a taste for fast cheap Indian food walk two steps to Minar. I wasn't impressed with the inside of this place. Something about it tells me it used to be a pizza joint. (mmmm ... pizza ... uh! SORRY ... Indian food right)
Buffet style. Cool. Friendly staff who joked with me about making my friend wait for me for so long. Daily specials. And reasonable prices. We went pre-show and there were only a couple customers so service was fast and efficient. Now something I've never seen before is this new fangled "GoMoBo" where you can text your order to the restaurant. WHOA! Modern technology is out of control. They also deliver for free.
My friend had never had Indian food from a menu before so the staff helped her decide. Sweet of them right? I ordered the Curry Fish Special and it was fresh made so it was piping hot. My friend got the Chicken Tikka Masala, a good starter dish if you're trying Indian for the first time. They give you a lot of food. Ugh I ate so much so fast that I thought I was going to puke. The food was alright. I've had better Indian food for sure. But for what it was, I was satisfied. It just needs some more spice and flavor. The Mango Lassi is the bomb! I relished every sip! Mmm ... I may not eat here again but I will come back for that perfectly creamy sweet treat.
A tiny hole in the wall place, you should go early if you want a table otherwise it's only a short wait for cheap and flavourful Indian.
Brisk and efficient service from the ladies behind the counter, don't go for any small talk it's always too busy.
A great lunch place for those working in the Times Square area.
Minar is the best take out Indian in the central mid-town area. The food is generally very good though I find the spices to be a little muted. The meat can occasionally be dry/tough but is usually good. You get a lot of food for around $7 (you get bread OR naan - if you want both it is an extra $1). There are many dishes to choose from for their lunch combos and they rotate daily specials.
The line can be long but they are efficient and move you through the cramped quarters very quickly. Look at it this way - a long line is a good sign - and a long line that moves fast is even better!
Minar is pretty good food, but it is not necessarily the most welcoming place for someone who is intimidated by Indian food. The line can be long but moves fast, which means the place is a little frenetic; the main form of communication with the kitchen seems to be screaming, and the ladies can be impatient with indecisive customers. They're not mean or unfriendly, just shrill. Very, very shrill.
Some dishes come with some sides, though if you don't know what's what, it's difficult to tell the sides from the main dishes. Best bet is: if you go during lunch rush, go with someone who's been before and can guide you. If you want to experiment and ask questions, better to go when they're not crowded.
The food is good and evidently pretty authentic. Whatever you're getting, pick up some naan. Price is reasonable for midtown. If you go during lunch rush you almost certainly will have to share your table if you're lucky enough to get a table.
There's not much special about Minar, but it gets the job done. I have ordered from them on Seamless Web at least thirty times, and it's like the McDonalds of midtown Indian food. I mean that in a good way: they are fast, they are consistent, they are plenty tasty, and they are cheap, cheap, cheap. If you're not too picky, Minar really hits the spot.
Pretty good stuff for the $8 lunch combo. Giant naans and lots of sauce but not they skim on the meat. The curries were pretty good; they got the usual stuff. I really liked the goat curry which sounds nasty but it's pretty good. Also comes with a choice of vegetable. Very quick and easy.
"Masala dosa, STAY!"
I love how they shout out whether things are to stay or to go. I always get a Dosa, and they're pretty good. A little oily, but no worse than your average dosa, and largely pretty tasty. I often ate there. You get free water and cups on the table. But, it's crowded and noisy and very cold in the winter because so many people keep coming through the door. Thumbs up for a quick, cheap meal!
Fast, kinda seedy decor with lots of desis at lunch time. The portions are a bit on the small side, but what can you expect for the prices. I think the food is usually pretty good, but not really great. They do Americanize their food so make sure that you tell them you can handle the hear. Mostly do take-out or delivery to avoid the uh.... "ambiance."
good, fast and cheap but not enough 'kick' in the dishes for me.
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