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Tandoor India Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Pakistani Indian, Pakistani [Edit]
106 S 40th StPhiladelphia, PA 19104
Neighborhood: University City
(215) 222-7122
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
51 reviews for Tandoor India Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The buffet items are always fresh & hot."
(in 32 reviews)
"Tandoor is BYOB while New Delhi has a stocked bar."
(in 10 reviews)
"For non-veg dishes: Try the Chicken Tikka Masala."
(in 4 reviews)
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Ben F.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 12/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I am intrigued by the Lamb biryani. The range of flavors are as savory as a sink into the bone, so intricate; I don't think I can remember all I tasted but here's an attempt...Lamb biryani is a mosh pit.
The lamb itself, which was rough in some places more than it was tender in others, but regardless harbored a strong spot in my stomach. I did have trouble enjoying the container stained fully with a food stuff because of the heat, I put the pipper in the fridge for a couple. The rice was not bland, and captured the multitudes, like grains with rain. There was a stick of cinnamon chilling in the center of this creation. Dish transcended dish and stormed into a angst sixteen year old. Perhaps there were onions maybe, hard to distinguish and other vegetables. The teeny bopper wanted desperately to coalesce.
Some other things,
I think I enjoy other dishes more than the lamb biryani such as the tandoori chicken or the chicken tikka. The samosas are banging, they're potent with a bark and a bellow; A present of potato rapped in a dough. Their Mango lassi is fantastically sweet and powerful. The Raita a cool slightly thicker than milk sauce may be important to handle the spicy capacity of the dishes here at Tandoor. But this time, I did not ask for the yogurt. I have a tolerance to spice that allows me to enjoy globs of wasabi, hot sauce on popcorn, all sorts of wild, ass kicking tarnation sauce, but I did order the medium level not quite death by spontaneous combustion. I tip my hat to those who handle the "spicy", apropos of many kleenex and large glasses of milk, ouch. But hey, the music is soothing in the background. Bobbling to a tabla, singing to a sitar, the spices at this place have blow my mind through a funnel of naan. Spirals of styles. The rice captures the saga of the saag paneer, (I tried making paneer once for a couple hours and produced nothing in comparison to the consistency of the spinachy haven and do not mistake for a mire what comes out of the paper cover on the portable metallic basin of the hand out at this beautiful establishment with carved wooden elephants). Plants in pots hang from the ceiling. Cloth patterns are in picture frames, but the original americana of the joint peeks out from under the rug. Take note that take out from Tandoor has been a staple feature of warm comfort food on a winter night for my family for years.
N.B. I recommend trying multiple items with a large party to get the full effect.Listed in: Friendly to the Lactose…, Inception of the food baby, Lunch under ten
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/31/2011
Be it Alu palak or lamb biryani this place is the galub jamun, it rocks with a sweet savory kick… Read more »
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Review from Matt C.
Philadelphia, PA
12/7/2011
Funniest thing... I went here expecting a not-so-great meal... Why would I go somewhere expecting subpar food? I don't really have an answer for that, just wanted to try it I guess. And hey, I'm glad I did. Everything there is clearly homemade, everything was really pretty damn solid.
They had goat, which was the first time I had ever eaten goat. And it was really tender and tastey.
Despite it being the last half hour of their lunch buffet everything was still pretty fresh.
I will say, I do still prefer New Delhi (which is right around the corner and the same damn price) but this place is a really solid alternative choice. -
Review from Arleta M.
Philadelphia, PA
9/27/2011
We used to eat here more frequently, before we had children. So today we decided to go to eat there with the kids. BAD Idea! I ordered mild chicken tikka masala, because I am breastfeeding. Raise your hand if you want spicy breast milk! It came out so hot, I had to send it back. The waiter acted like he didn't hear me, when I told him it was too spicy. He finally took it back, and brought it back, it of course tasted the same. WTF! Then he refused to make eye contact with me. The Matre D asked every other patron how there food was, but did not come to our table. Flames are now shooting out of my mouth and my ears. I asked several times to speak with the manager, and they acted like they could not understand me . She finally came over, I explained, and she offered to recook it, but by now its too late, my kids have reached the bs limit. She then sends over a free diabetic coma for desert.
Also, they do not have a changing table. So I had to change the baby on a chair.
I have never had to leave a restaurant hungry. Needless to say, I will never eat there again. -
Review from Zachary D.
Philadelphia, PA
11/29/2011
Lunch takes four hours here -- 30 minutes to eat, three hours and 30 minutes to recover from the food coma. But, if you are looking for a classic American Indian lunch buffet near Penn, this is the place to go. While not inspired, the food is tasty and plentiful. I will be back.
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Review from Kate Z.
Philadelphia, PA
12/12/2011
I keep coming back to this place, and am always happy. Their take-out portions are very very generous, and a great value. I almost always end up ordering the Navratan Korma, which they make very spicy on request. It has all the vegetables I crave, and even sometimes comes with paneer cheese, which is a nice surprise. The raita sauce cools down the heat and balances the flavors. The take-out portion makes two good meals for me.
The buffet is good too when I'm in the mood for something quick, although I usually prefer to have leftovers. Although I found I prefer the chicken dishes on the buffet at Sitar, Tandoor's samosas and desserts are much better. I would say for the buffet I would switch between Sitar and Tandoor. I enjoyed my meal at New Dehli as well, but in the end I always end up back at Tandoor. -
Review from Julie E.
Sun Valley, CA
1/5/2011
They charge a good price for students' buffet -- right around $12. The staff is friendly and I certainly enjoy the taste of the food, but I'm probably going to avoid this place in the future because the last time I ate in there, 3 out of 5 people in my party were sick the next morning from the food, and then after that when I ate food that had been catered, I was the one who got sick (though not super sick -- I just felt like crap, but still).
But, I mean, if you're willing to risk eating bad food, like I said the staff is friendly and the decor is interesting. So, hung over Penn fratboys whose fathers donated a building to the school so you could drink yourselves stupid 5-7 days a week and go to Indian buffets right on the gentrification border of West Philly / U City, go for it! -
Review from Jessica S.
Philadelphia, PA
8/6/2011
The food is delicious. It's not fancy, it just tastes really good and isn't very expensive, either. The curry goat is delicious and has actually big pieces of goat (not lamb, goat). The food actually seems closer to Indo-Caribbean cuisine than traditional Indian... but what do I know about Indian food? Nothing, really. Except that I love it and I love it when they make it.
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Review from Steve S.
7/6/2011
From the buffet, the chicken biryani is very good. They tend to make their tandoori chicken very spicy for my tastes, and other dishes seem to be heavier on spice than other places. I'm sure that appeals to certain tastes. We ordered chicken tikka from the menu which was decent, and channa masala which was ok. The naan wasn't too inspiring, and the mango lassi was not the best I've ever had. It's a good choice if Sitar and New Delhi are closed that day.
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Review from Gavin S.
Philadelphia, PA
2/4/2011
Negative reviews? Nice guys finish last I guess.
All I know is I have been eating here since my brother was a student at Penn and decided this was his favorite Indian place in West Philly. These days when we want Indian food one of us drives from East Falls all the way down to West Philly to get it here, and we have never had a bad experience or been disappointed. The staff have become friends.
In short, to me Tandoor India is what Indian food should be, and at good prices with friendly staff. -
Review from Grace S.
8/24/2010 14 Check-ins Here
My boyfriend and I really like this place and we prefer it over the other Indian restaurants we have tried in Philly. It is reasonably priced and the portions are very filling with lots of protein in the meat dishes (we almost never finish both our curries). Their naan is good but not the best that I've had. I like their eggplant vegetarian curry although some people may not like that there is no texture to it becuase the eggplant is mushed up. The chicken tikka masala and biryani are good but we prefer the lamb korma and the house special Makhani chicken. The saag is also very delicious and the chili chicken is very good but it tastes more like a Chinese dish because the chicken is fried and there isnt really a curry sauce.
Their buffet is reliable, cheap and good as well but the atmosphere is a bit dingy so I prefer delivery. They usually take about 30-40 minutes to the Domus on 34th and Chestnut. -
Review from J. Christopher E.
Philadelphia, PA
10/28/2010
I've tried the buffet and on another visit tried ordering off the menu since sometimes the buffet isn't the best way to judge a place.
I don't like the food here. For me, a good Indian restaurant has to have good Chicken Makhani and there Chicken Makhani is not so good. I also was not very impressed by the naan or any of the other buffet items I tried (a little greasy and a little bland).
I'm not going back. -
Review from Stef S.
9/29/2010
Not too impressed, but I think it's decent for Indian food if you have a craving. The place is clean, and the staff is friendly. I find it a expensive ($10.95 for the makhani chicken dish). The food is apparently more authentic and less "creamy" than the Americanized dishes. While I find this true, it's still pretty greasy.
But they had gulab jamun.. yum! -
Review from Molly O.
Norman, OK
8/13/2008
eeek! I actually really like this place. It was my first indian buffet.
The service is alright, I was dining alone a couple of weeks ago and was ignored the entire time. I just got my own damn refills.
The food was great. They have fry bread, which most places don't.
The sauces here are my favorite. I love dessert and it's always those milk balls or barfi so I'm happy.
I can say the New Dehli is better..but I like this place too. -
Review from Zanna H.
9/17/2008
Ooops! I thought I reviewed this place when I first joined Yelp.
Let me correct that over-sight now.
This is my favorite Indian buffet. Their food is always tasty the naan is not dry or overly greasy. The buffet items are always fresh & hot. I don't mind the lack of service really. Give me a pitcher of water and let me chow down & I'm good! The plate clearing is always pretty timely and the staff & owners are friendly. I love coming here when I want something cheap, quick, when in University City. -
Review from Gwen M.
Philadelphia, PA
9/4/2007
The good: Very friendly service. Well-stuffed samosas. (I hate when all you get is crispy outside and no yummy peas-n-taters inside.) Speedy preparation.
The bad: Overcooked chicken swimming in a weird oil broth is NOT chicken tikka masala, at least not anywhere else that I've had it. The naan is also really oily. Bah. -
Review from Cara N.
Brooklyn, NY
11/12/2008
I ate here one Monday evening because New Delhi was closed and I was craving Indian food. This place isn't that great. I mean, the buffet line was almost out the door, but I highly doubt that that was reflective of the quality of the food. I ordered lamb saag, and it wasn't all that great. In fact, I boxed up my leftovers, but ended up leaving them on the table. I knew I wouldn't want to finish them.
A homeless woman came in asking for change, and once she left they sprayed air freshener in the doorway. I'm assuming it was necessary, but that just rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sensitive, I know.
Anywho, I won't be going back. I'll just make sure that I time my cravings so they happen between Tuesday and Sunday.
If you're thinking about trying TIR, just walk around the corner to New Delhi. -
Review from Julia C.
Philadelphia, PA
10/9/2010
I came during the work week last week when a friend invited me to join them.
The buffet is usually what i get. it's a good deal. Inexpensive ($7.95 Lunch, $11.95 Dinner) for All-you-can-stuff in your mouth.
Tandoor India Restaurant, has a good selection of Vegetarian and Non_vegetarian dishes on their buffet.
Of course, start out your meal with a salad, Veg Samosa and if you eat meat, Tandoori Chicken. It is delicately spiced with yogurt and cooked in clay oven. I don't think your palate will be satisfied with just one piece.
I am always satisfied with the buffet because they have a favorite: Saag Paneer. Yum! Also, another house specialty Navrantan Korma which is mixed vegetables in a curry sauce. The night we went, they had the Kidney Bean Curry and Cabbage Curry. Both really good. Also, you can usually find Channa Masala, made with plump and tasty Chickpeas. Very nice.
For non-veg dishes: Try the Chicken Tikka Masala. Spicy and flavorful.They also had Chicken spare ribs. In a spicy sauce.
I had two plates and was stuffed. But, not too stuffed for a little dessert:
I had Pista Barfi which is ricotta cheese and Pistachios. Very nice. -
Review from Sean R.
8/16/2010
I was so hung over and tired on Sunday, and the only thing that I wanted to eat was some Indian food. After searching Yelp for a while, I decided to order from Lovash, but after entering my online order plus delivery charge to where I live, food for myself was over $40. I tried a few other places and Tandoor was the only option that would deliver to my place. (I really did not want to have to drive anywhere to pick it up, it was enough effort to get off the couch to answer the door).
After placing my order, one hour and $29 later I was a happy camper.
I do not have much Indian food experience, but I thought that the food (Chicken Korma and Saag Paneer) was pretty good. The naan could have been better, it was very rubbery from being wrapped in foil for delivery. -
Review from Dave H.
5/23/2008 6 photos
Tandoor's lunch buffet is decent - everything tasted as it should. Of course, I sometimes pile spices on my food like there's no tomorrow, so perhaps I was unduly influenced. However, I'm pretty sure that I evaluated the food correctly, as my friend (herself a native of India) told me what to eat, how to eat, and the proper seasonings (including quantities) to apply.
Mind you, said friend and I ate at this small spot FOUR years ago (time flies when you're having fun), so take my comments with a grain of salt. -
Review from Bill M.
12/23/2007
Tandoor is a good restaurant, it's just that everything they do New Delhi does a whole of a lot better. This wouldn't be much of a problem if they weren't less than a block away from each other.
Tandoor doesn't really offer much service to go along with their buffet, while New Delhi brings you out dessert and plenty of good drinks. Tandoor is BYOB while New Delhi has a stocked bar. it's these examples and a few more that just make Tandoor come up a bit shorter.
You almost get the same exact food with both. You pretty much pay the same exact prices at both. But New Delhi just offers more all around.Listed in: Top Restaurants, West Philly Living, Caliente!
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Review from Tom G.
Brighton, MA
8/15/2008
Delivery. It was average Indian cuisine. Kind of greasy, overly seasoned, and the chicken wasn't too tender. It's fairly cheap and, if you go/went to Penn, you know that it breaks the cycle of garbage pizza and garbage Chinese in the area.
Seriously, for a college area, UCity really was awful for take-out options. Tandoor ranks in the upper tier of take out options in the area...but that's not saying a ton. -
Review from Lauren H.
4/13/2011
The buffet options taste pretty good and the price is right ($8 lunch, $12 dinner), but the food is *very* oily. I've eaten here three times, and all three times I've ended up with a grease-induced stomachache. Given the choice, I'll take New Dehli every time.
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Review from Justin O.
Urbana, IL
6/6/2011
I reviewed this eatery by mistake.
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Review from Schuyler L.
Philadelphia, PA
3/15/2010
Oh my goodness this place is good!!! Don't tell everyone about this place, I want it all to myself!!! It's definitely a hidden gem! I have to admit that I ate so much it hurt. A close rival to New Delhi, I think it might be just a little better. What really tiped the scale for me was desert at the buffet and more selections of main dishes.
Stale buffets are no fun, this is definitely not one of those. We went on a rainy night during the week and the the buffet was moving nicely.
The family atmosphere only added to the experience. Don't be shy about getting to Tandoor India. Top notch, perfectly flavored food; these people really know what they're doing.Listed in: Asian food
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Review from Jon L.
PA
1/31/2007
Tandoor India has a great Indian buffet with all the essentials at a great price. They're constantly bringing out fresh trays -- granted, they sort of have to, with the popularity of the buffet -- so you never have to worry about getting old, cold, or dried out dishes.
My favorite dish is the saag paneer. I could just keep loading my plate up with the stuff for hours, honestly. But the naan -- I love exploring the great breads of the world -- the naan is deliciously oily, and it you can pile whatever you want on top; it won't get too soggy.
At dinner, I believe the buffet is $9.95, and it includes a choice of desserts and coffee. -
Review from mike l.
Brooklyn, NY
3/24/2007
this is our go-to indian lunch buffet when we're back east. They've got your standard selection of Indian buffet food, but it's solid & worth a trip.
My review - straight forward but reliable, just like Tandoor. -
Review from Marissa R.
Philadelphia, PA
4/28/2009
I feel bad writing a poor review about this family-owned local restaurant... but... what I ate here was really less than average.
The food was mostly dried out and tasteless. I was hungry and had to pay for the meal no matter, so I did eat it.
If you're looking for a quality, tasty Indian meal, check out the one on 38th near Chilis OR the one at 40th and Chestnut- New Delhi.
I will not make the same mistake twice. -
Review from Jack S.
Philadelphia, PA
2/3/2009
Just ordered delivery from here through http://campusfood.com
Time of delivery to 21st street: Under an hour! Excellent for noon-time.
Food quality: Good to very good. Had the chicken in the coconut cashew sauce, the nut bread, and the mixed pickles. "Medium" hotness was pretty spicy. I'd skip the ricotta cheese dessert next time (tasted freezer-burnt).
Overall, it was a successful first-time experience. The order was correct, and hassle-free. -
Review from Gada D.
Philadelphia, PA
10/15/2009
Over the summer I ordered from here without incident. Then comes fall and a particularly cold evening.
We placed our order or tried at first. My friend repeated the order three times. The repeated her card number 2 times. Then became tired of repeating my address. I gave them my address the 4th time. We were told we'd get our Indian goodness in 30 - 45 minutes. Not a problem. We were fine with waiting. We thought the repeating-ourselves-thing was pretty comical until...
Over an hour later we had no Indian goodness. We called the restaurant. We let them know the time frame they gave us and that it was well past that time frame. The person on the phone didn't seem to understand "we've been waiting over an hour. Can you tell us if the driver is near?" Several times. This time the repetition wasn't comical. Then came Irate Guy On Phone. "DO YOU WANT YOUR FOOD!? DO YOU WANT YOUR FOOD!? WHY DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHERE THE DRIVER IS!? WHY!?" My friend and I looked at each other as if to ask what just happened while Irate Guy On Phone kept screaming "DO YOU WANT YOUR FOOD!?," Etc.
Driver finally showed up while this phone call was taking place. My friend collected the food and paid the tab.
The food, mediocre. Before to night I was fine with waiting to get it on the latter end of the stated time. Tonight, a little late because of a lovely nor'easter but the person who answered the phone left such a rotten taste in my mouth that next time I will get into my wheels and haul my butt to pick up from a much better restaurant with less abusive service.
Bad service made the mediocre food... meh.
Portions or naan and poori: fail. Yeeeeeaaahhh. No.
Will I order take out or delivery again from this establishment? Nope.
In short, Tandoor India, you bite and not the way I like. -
Review from Vishal A.
Philadelphia, PA
6/9/2010
Tandoor did not live up to expectations. The food was bland and oily. I highly question the palettes of people that are giving this place anything higher than 2 stars.
My roommate and I had take out from this place a little while ago. We both agreed that the food was mediocre at best. The next day, we were both sick from it.
They did throw in free desert, which was nice. Perhaps they do this to win over customers who otherwise would not be satisfied.
I'm never going back again. -
Review from Colin S.
Smithfield, RI
12/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
The buffet is meh. The selection is reasonable but the food is not exciting. Given that the buffet is all you can eat, however, you will not leave hungry.
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Review from Lori H.
Philadelphia, PA
12/11/2009
We went here on a Monday night as New Delhi was closed. We would have been better off picking another cuisine instead of substituting with Tandoor India. The staff were so dour that they would have been better suited for working for a funeral home than a restaurant. All the food was mediocre at best and the selection on the buffet was very small compared to ND. We finished our pitcher of water and were not provided a refill. The rice in the rice pudding was overcooked.... and I got very bloated after eating here - a reaction I have never had in the past to eating anything. My fiance had the same outcome.
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Review from Michael C.
New York, NY
6/5/2007
Expensive buffet, poorly seasoned and dry meats, the only thing bumping them up one star is that their vegetables are passable. Otherwise, I'm probably never going back here. Bad Indian food in my opinion, look elsewhere to get your Tandoori.
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Review from Sara C.
Ferndale, MI
1/8/2008
The other reviews seem to say it all: the food just isn't that great. Not to mention I came down with a terrible stomachache after eating here. But, if you like your Indian food good and greasy - you're in the right place.
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Review from Sue G.
Philadelphia, PA
7/1/2008
I've eaten here many times over the years and have never been disappointed. It is not the best buffet around, but it's still quite delicous. I'm amazed at how negative most of the reviews are. Perhaps I should make another visit...since it's been awhile. I just hope that the quality hasn't gone down since my last visit, because I really liked this place.
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Review from Alison t.
6/27/2007
Not the best buffet option in the area. Everything is bland and tastes like it is reheated from frozen, samosas are especially mediocre. Go around the corner to New Delhi or Sitar India.
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Review from Marc M.
Philadelphia, PA
9/17/2008
Tandoor is one of the best Indian buffet restaurants. It's always consistent. Never too busy. Service is adequate. Since it's buffet you don't need much. The food is good and the husband/wife proprietor are very friendly. I eat here with some frequency and it's always worth while and no expensive. Easily recommended.
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Review from randt n.
Philadelphia, PA
1/11/2009
in our search of tasty indian food in west philly, we walked away disappointed. the malai kofta balls were like clumpy cream of wheat. not so good.
it seemed to cater to the university student crowd with it's overemphasis on the buffet. give me some love, not buckets of food.
ok, enough knocking it. the baigan bharta was decent. but we'll keep searching. -
Review from Daniel D.
Brooklyn, NY
6/9/2007
This buffet leaves a lot to be desired. I find that if you order off of the menu, you will have a much better experience.
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Review from David L.
Willingboro, NJ
5/29/2006
Buffet is probably the best I've had in the area, and for only $7 one would really get their money's worth. I love raita. I could easily put it on anything, and thoroughly enjoy whatever I was eating, and they do raita the way it should be done here.
