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Tarka Indian Kitchen
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Gluten-Free Indian, Gluten-Free [Edit]
5207 Brodie LnSte 120
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 892-2008
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
301 reviews for Tarka Indian Kitchen
Review Highlights
"All the goodness of the Clay Pit but quick and modern."
(in 65 reviews)
"The Garlic Naan is out of this world good."
(in 53 reviews)
"And, don't forget to try the mango lemonade."
(in 21 reviews)
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301 reviews in English
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Review from Caitlin W.
Austin, TX
1/22/2012
I'm a relative new-comer to the Indian food scene. For years I was intimidated because, for the life of me, I had no clue what a single thing on an Indian menu was!
But now, oh boy, am I hooked! I really love Tarka--it is fast and easy, and just oh so tasty. Each time I go I try something new on the menu: Tarka Aloo, Tikka Misala, Vindaloo. And did I mention the Naan bread? Mmmmm. Everything I have had has been wonderful.
Granted I am no expert on Indian food in general, but I think this place has got it down. Owned by the same people as the Clay Pit (known for excellent Indian food in good ol' ATX), Tarka is their answer to a mad dash at lunch. I can't say what it is like at dinner since I've only ever been for a midday meal, but I can't imagine it changes much.
The service is friendly, the food yummy, and all for a great price. So go, and don't forget to try the mango lemonade...man that is some good stuff.
PS. I love spicy food and the medium (3 spicy levels on all the food: Mild, Medium, Hot) is pretty dang fiery. I love the options they give...perhaps one day I'll brave the hot...wish me luck! -
Review from Jason G.
1/26/2012
The food is fine, it's quick, has good parking but I'm just not blown away by anything in particular and so 3 stars is where I'm kind of stuck. I think I'm also a little bummed they replaced Cosi and for no fault of their own I'm projecting my inner sad on them.
I think I might give an extra star if their "Hot" spiciness level was actually hot and not just a couple of jalapeno slices on the top of my dish. I did get the proper level of indigestion for a crazy spicy dish, but if I'm going to deal with that, I better have a delicious reward up front. Is this TMI? Perhaps TLI?
So I guess if you are in the mood for some quick Indian food (perhaps for lunch) and you're in the area, might as well give it a go.
BTW, my 3 star reviews are never great, I know this, I'd give them 2 stars at best. -
Review from Nilesh N.
1/22/2012
Does not live up to the hype
I don't know why everyone has rated this restaurant so highly, it just does not live up to the hype for me. I like the ambiance of the restaurant and it is a quick place to get some grub but the food just doesn't do it for me. I heard the that this place is owned by the same folks as the Clay Pit, I wish they would hire the same cook as well. -
Review from Trent Z.
Austin, TX
2/7/2012
I'm always a little bit skeptical of fast food restaurants. But I love Tarka! I live pretty close so I end up here quite often on Sunday evenings. It's easy to get to and the parking is plentiful. After having one too many terribly mediocre Indian buffets, my expectations were not high the first time I came here. But boy was I pleasantly surprised. The inside is nice and clean, the staff is friendly, and seating is plentiful. I ordered the Lamb Briyani since I love lamb. It was easily one of the best labm briyanis I've had. It's rich, bold, and flavorful. They aren't kidding around with the spiciness either. I found out through experimentation that medium spiciness is just the right amount of heat. Fair warning though, I eat spicier food than most, so you may be well served to start with mild. In fact, I loved the lamb briyani so much that I kept getting the same thing every time. Eventually I will try another dish!
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Review from Justin W.
Austin, TX
Updated - 1/17/2012
Received a very nice message from one of the owners apologizing for the bad service. He asked for a little more info and then sent me a gift card. Can't argue with that. I appreciate the follow up and look forward to eating there again!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/1/2012
Usually great service, but today was an awful experience. After being greeted by someone who, after… Read more »
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Review from Sara B.
Austin, TX
11/18/2011
I'm probably here at least once a week. It's fast, relatively cheap, and the food is great. Is it Clay Pit? Of course not, but it is consistently very good and that is worth a lot to me. I usually get the Paneer Korma, and I can't leave without having some naan.
Not somewhere to head for a special night, but for quick night out, this place is perfect. -
Review from Chuck S.
Austin, TX
1/26/2012
I've been to Tarka more times than I can remember and have tried several of their dishes, all of which were delicious. My favorite is the chicken korma and the lamb biriani. I get these prepared medium spicy and it's just right. I love spicy food, but if you tell them you want it hot you'd better be prepared for some serious heat! My only complaint is that sometimes there just not enough places to sit!
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Review from Stacey M.
10/24/2011
I would go here if I were with people who were unsure of trying Indian food, or if I were hanging out in that shopping center and didn't feel like driving anywhere because I was starving. It's a cute and clean little place with fast service.
This is like fast Indian food. It's fairly authentic. The naan and chicken tikka masala are good. We've eaten here a few times, but truth is, if you want Indian food, you really can find better Indian food at other places. So, this is definitely not the place we think of when we think of good Indian food. I think it's overrated.Listed in: Indian food...
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Review from L L.
Austin, TX
10/29/2011
This place is great! I should start by saying that I am not an Indian food person. I love it, yes, but it doesn't always love me back, which is why I stopped eating it at restaurants and just took every opportunity for meals at Indian friends' houses (talk about yum!). Then, I fell in love with restaurant Indian food all over again during a research trip to Guatemala (huh?), after falling in love the first time years ago during studies in West Africa (what?). Which brings me to Tarka. What a journey!
Now, I will always always always prefer Indian food that friends cook, just as I'll always opt for my mom's Cajun cooking to any junk I get in a restaurant. That said, Tarka was pretty darn tasty. I've tried the chicken tikka masala (aka the national dish of Britain), the garlic naan, and the samosas. Timid, I know. I'm still testing the waters with this new relationship. All was excellent, though, and I will definitely be back. It's definitely not the cheapest place around, but I always have enough for two full meals. (The portions look deceivingly small, but they definitely pack a punch.)
A good addition to my occasional take-out rotation. -
Review from Elise K.
Austin, TX
1/1/2012
I've been searching for good and affordable Indian since moving to Austin. Tarka is set up in the style so common here, i.e. Panera Bread, where you choose your meal and order by the cashier and then the waitress/waiter brings your food. I ordered the lamb shag a perennial favorite of mine, super hot (you could choose from mild +++). First off it wasn't super hot and second there were jalapenos on top. Now c'mon, I've heard of localization and catering to the public but this is too much. Indian food uses curry not jalapeno peppers. While the heat of the dish was certainly not curry hot and reeked of jalapenos, it was delicious none the less. The naan bread was too hard and didn't contain the garlic inside like a pita. I would come back if I was in the area however I wouldn't drive here specifically as a destination. The interior btw is quite lovely.
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Review from Trina H.
12/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
i think this is the ONLY time korma wasn't a bitch.
i am a total newbie to Indian food. from what i learned (from poor resources, mind you), Indian food made you sweaty, farty, poopy and just not a great person to be around after consuming said food.
husband and i were actually looking for another place to eat, but gave up searching for it once we saw other options. i wasn't about to go to an chain to eat (BJs? psssh) and i almost dragged husband to dickey's next door, simply because i thought Indian food only offered lamb or goat. again, very miseducated in this cuisine.
so, being the adventurous lady i like to believe i am... we walked in. i was super happy to see that they accept Go Local cards (woot! Go Local!), and then my eyes fell right on the korma dish. i don't know. i betcha it was destiny.
ordering was easy. i ordered the korma with chicken and some garlic naan. husband ordered the shishboombah... kidding! sheesh kabob. lamb, mind you. i gave him the stink-eye for eating such an adorable animal. what? chickens aren't that cute.
we sat down, waited about 10 minutes and before we knew it, our food had arrived. my jaws dropped. not only did it smell good, but it looked good! i didn't know how to eat it, probably because i was in pure awe of the beauty of the food... but i finally said to myself, "ahh eff it." and jumped right in.
i could not contain myself from mmm-ing, oooh-ing & ahhh-ing.
then, husband convinced me to eat the cute, dead little animal. OMG WHERE DID THE GAMEY TASTE GO?! there wasn't any. you actually were able to taste the lamb and not the grass it ate. i hate to admit it, but lamb is delicious.
oh and the mango lemonade? DRINK IT! and pretend you're on a tropical island.
all in all, i am HOOKED, ADDICTED to Tarka. i cannot wait to bring my parents, friends, strangers, whomever crosses my path and is hungry. i will bring them here. -
Review from Peter J.
Austin, TX
10/14/2011
Take out food (Biriyani) that is so spicy (if you ask for it) it can perk you up :)
Yes, even for an Indian refugee who asks for the hottest strains. What are my intestines thinking? -
Review from Chiqui B.
Kyle, TX
9/12/2011
Here's how I judge restaurants of foreign cuisine. Are there people of that nationality eating there? Example: Are there Mexicans eating at a Mexican restaurant? If the answer is yes, then that place might be pretty good. Are there Indians eating at Tarka? Why yes! I trust that they know what they're doing.
As a mexi-asian, I get my craving for rice every once in a while and I loooove tarka's biryani. -
Review from Ryan S.
Austin, TX
9/21/2011
Not much to say. I did not like the food. I supposed it is meant to be more of a fast food / Panda Express type of place, but I prefer more authentic Indian (Pakistani) cuisine. If that is what you are looking for then this may not be the place for you.
If you are looking for a quick meal and are not concerned with quality, this is the place for you. -
Review from Kat L.
9/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Solid!
My boyfriend had been raving about how good this place is, so when we found ourselves in South Austin this morning we decided to let me finally give it a try. I gotta tell ya, I was not disappointed!
While hard-core Indian fans might be a little underwhelmed by Tarka's approach, I think that people who are new to the cuisine would really find a lot to love here. The menu hits all the major bases of Indian food, from vinadloo to korma, naan to laasi, but keeps the menu small enough not to overwhelm a novice. They also offer very clear descriptions of the dishes, so n00bs should have confidence that they have a good idea of what exactly they're ordering.
I like the fact that the prices are pretty reasonable and the food is tasty! I also noticed it dances a little close to being "fusion" cuisine, as my vegetables korma had jalapenos in it (which I'm pretty sure aren't so traditional!) And they have excellent jasmine rice too!
I will DEFINITELY be back for more! -
Review from Manish P.
Austin, TX
11/2/2011
Review is long time coming, I have eaten there multiple times since they have opened.
Being vegetarian, I always order the Malai Kofta and it is always spot on and I have also tried the Tarka Aloo Nananni which is also good but I always end up back to the Malai Kofta.
Enjoy -
Review from Nicolette H.
Austin, TX
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is Pei Wei, but for Indian cuisine. It's fast, delicious, and cheap. Great place for lunch! The Malai Kofta was pretty good for a fast food Indian place.
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Review from Mohit M.
Austin, TX
8/19/2011
Speaking as a South Asian, you can always tell the quality of an Indian/Pakistani restaurant by the number of desi people that are there, especially visitors from India! I'm always surprised by the diversity of the crowd at Tarka and am glad to see fellow Americans relishing in the delights of fine Indian cuisine.
The portions are perfect, well-spiced, fresh and flavorful . I appreciate the inventiveness of the "Naaninis" alongside the more traditional vegetable dishes and curries.
To those readers who think this is NOT authentic Indian food, you are right. But by bypassing the more traditional Indian eateries in Austin you are will also be happily passing up the oil, grease and general lack of cleanliness.
I'm all for supporting local-establishments and poo-poohing the chain restaurants, but I hope that Tarka gets franchised and ends up on every American street corner a la McDonalds or Starbucks.
Jai ho! -
Review from Ashley S.
8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wasn't expecting an Indian version much like Pei Wei's Chinese concept: Walk in, look at menu on the wall, order food with cashier, take # & sit down. It is tucked in the midst of a busy shopping center, not entirely easy to find.
I confess I am a noob when it comes to Indian food. My only experiences with Indian food have been with Clay Pit & G'Raj Mahal. Therefore, I had no idea what I wanted to order because I never do the ordering (helpless girl alert) since I'm indifferent to things I am not familiar with. With that being said, I took a chance and ordered their "Naanini" with shredded lamb. Wrapped in toasty naan, the presentation made me think it was an emapanda or an interesting take on a sandwich. I had the option of masala fries or a salad, and I should have gone with the salad because I didn't fancy the seasoning on top of the fries. The garlic naan we ordered separate had entirely too much garlic & basil (way over the top) and I wasn't impressed.
I was also pleasantly surprised they have a gluten free menu, as well as vegan options. I'm always on the look out for these types of alternatives, in case someday I dine with someone who has these limitations...or I become one of these people who desires such an intense diet.
There is also a location in north Round Rock for the northies. Whatever you do, get the mango lemonade! You won't be let down.Listed in: South Austin Ventures, The Asian Sensation
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Review from Elliott N.
Austin, TX
9/17/2011
My girlfriend and I were optimistic about coming to this place; having recently moved from DC, we had pretty high expectations. We were not aware that this was a "fast casual" atmosphere similar to a Chipotle but decided to give it a try anyways.
Service was quick and the staff was friendly. The restaurant was clean and the bussers did a good job of keeping tables rotating in on a busy Saturday night. We ordered two curry dishes as well as the samosa chaat and the chicken pakoras. We were happy with both of our appetizers; I had never eaten a pakora before and was really happy with the lightness of the batter and the seasonings added that helped to contrast the lovely sauce it was served with.
We ordered the chicken coconut curry and lamb korma; my girlfriend doesn't eat lamb so when my curry arrived, I was a bit confused. I have never eaten korma that was so sweet and pale in color. I thought that the cooks had switched our curries and proteins and tasted the coconut curry, which was also too sweet. That was probably my biggest qualm with the restaurant was that the curries did not seem well-seasoned; I have eaten at a number of Indian restaurants all over the country and this one just didn't seem up to snuff.
Admittedly, I was pretty encouraged by the number of South Asian people eating here, which is always a good indication of the success of an Indian or Pakistani restaurant. Maybe they were eating something I wasn't or maybe it was just an off night.
Probably would not come back here any time soon. -
Review from Regina C.
Travis, TX
12/14/2011
Curryboy and I, Dragon Lady came here tonight because I was craving Indian food. I am SO happy he chose this place because I absolutely loved it. We got the Dahl Makhni, the Malai Kofta and the Lamb Biryanis. ALL just wonderful.
We did finish off the meal with the Ras Malai which I did NOT enjoy at all, but he loved it and happily took it all in.
This is a must! -
Review from Shannon O.
Austin, TX
Updated - 9/4/2011
Man, I feel like a buzzkill with all the great reviews.
We went to Tarka again last night and decided that it will probably be another 6+ months before I wander in again.
We had the chicken tikka masala and the saag paneer. The tikka was too salty and the saag was just bland. The naan was good, but I can't live off of naan. (well, I could but...)
The husband didn't even finish the food and that's very unusual for Indian. It wasn't horrible or bad, but just bland. Perhaps it has really tuned into the suburban palatte of safe inoffensive ethnic food. Remember that King of the HIll episode where Hank resists trying Japanese food and at the end you he says something like "This chicken tempura takes alot like fried chicken strips" and he was so proud he was being adventurous and eating Japanese food?
Yeah... I think this place is along those lines. If my mother who asked El Chile "Can I have an omelette without any Mexican ingredients?" wanted Indian, this would be the place I'd take her.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/25/2009
We went here tonight and it was packed.
Upsides: they were efficient getting stuff out of the… Read more »
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Review from G B.
Austin, TX
8/10/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The best biryani I have had in Texas. I have tasted biryanis from NJ, Chicago but this one takes the cake. Flavorful and a rich savory smell, plenty of meat!
I go there every time I visit Austin, and so far have taken all my visiting friends there. -
Review from C. M.
Austin, TX
8/11/2011
My husband and I had a night without kids and eating out is how we best like to take advantage of 3 fewer mouths! We walked out of a Mandola's to come to Tarka and I am SO VERY GLAD we did! I ordered the coconut curry (which came with rice) and a pineapple lassi. Both were delicious. We split an order of na'an bread.
The portions are huge, there is a very nice beer and wine selection, the atmosphere is comfortable, the service is quick...and the food is lovely to look at and to eat. The prices were affordable, especially for the amount We will definitely be going back. I may even bring the kids.Listed in: Austin - Eats
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Review from Jessica S.
Austin, TX
8/28/2011
I eat here at least once a week and have yet to be disappointed. It is hard finding good reliable places for dinner southside.
I usually get the tikka masala with chicken or paneer and a order of garlic bread. Awesome comfort food. The portions are big, I always end up taking home leftover curry and naan. -
Review from Sarah C.
8/16/2011
Food is good - it does the job, at least. The quality and freshness is great, as is the service - which is a lot more than can be said for the more "traditional" Indian restaurants in Austin.
The service is excellent, the food is good an the ambiance is nice, but if you grew up eating real Indian food - or you know what real indian food tastes like, this stuff is a little lackluster in comparison.
In this sense, it isn't bad, but I suppose it is the difference between Chipotle and a real Mexican restaurant (although I wouldn't be caught dead at Chipotle)... -
Review from Arif M.
Austin, TX
5/29/2011
Took my eight year old to Tarka last night and she said at least five times "Daddy this is very good" lol. We have been there before but she really enjoyed this time. The food is definitely North Indian. She ordered Chicken Pakoras and loved it. I shared her masala fries and they were good. I ordered Sheesh Kabob with extra naan and it was tasty. She shared my rice and said it was very flavor full. We also ordered mango lassi which was good too. We ordered Ras Malai to go.
Overall everything was great. The food was delivered in around 5 minutes. The only reason I have taken a star out is because I think the portion sizes are a bit small. -
Review from Laura G.
Austin, TX
4/27/2011
I used to have this "Aunt". She was definitely old, would absolutely pinch some part of me, and there WAS an aroma that accompanied her, even when she was outside of her home.
But, whenever she saw me, I scored an easy $5 spot, she never had anything but comments on how I must be a "genius" or a "model", and she the treats flowed like she had gone on vacation to Candy Mountain.
Tarka's kind of like that.
The seating is poo (even outside you'll get those weird gangs of invisible gnats, & every table is off balance), there is an scent that goes along with Indian food, and you may immediately feel the urge to scream "TO GO" after you place your order.
But the bottom line is the food. It is deLIGAlious! With their prices, if you do grab it to go, don't forget to TIP HEAVY. The portions are comparable for the prices, but the quality of the food makes the price a VALUE. The staff is clean, fast, & friendly, & they deserve many kudos.
It's not a bad start to a South Austin restaurant that I hope stays longer than it's quickie food image has implied. -
Review from B M.
Austin, TX
7/8/2011
Yesssssssss. (Sigh of satisfaction)
If we need food after a jaunt to the shopping center, we are always lured away from the other eateries by the heavenly smell of Tarka. If friends want to eat greasy pub fare in the center's backyard, I meet them with my perfect portion of Indian goodness, and everyone is happy. I love Tarka's food so much that it's my #1 choice for take-out, but I'm docking a star because my dad tells me that none of their curries are as spicy as they should be. -
Review from Eric B.
5/10/2011
I've never actually been here, I've only ordered delivery from them. But it's always been tasty. Some favorites from here have been the Korma, the naan (especially the garlic naan), and the veggie pakoras.
I echo the other review(s) that say that this is basically Clay Pit lite. I think this is owned by the same people? Anyway, good, filling, cheap indian for when you don't want to plunk down a bunch of cash at the mothership Clay Pit.
Oh, the one thing I had that I didn't like was the chicken "Nannini"...chicken was too dry. -
Review from tim b.
Cedar Park, TX
6/27/2011
Best fast food indian in town - but not overly impressed.
I am used to having the flavors of my indian food spices carress and embrace the meat and vegetables in the dish.
But while the flavors overall aren't bad - they taste like perhaps someone loaded the sauce into a pellet and shot my meal with a paintball gun. -
Review from Chris W.
Buda, TX
7/3/2011
Oh man, Tarka is easily my favorite restaurant in town now. The chicken Tikka Masala medium hot is my go-to dish. The flavors are amazing. I love the aromatic rice, just watch out for the cardamom pods. Bite into one of those suckers and you'll be tasting it for hours! The Saag is my backup, and every once in a while, a Korma will sneak in as well. I usually go with chicken or lamb, and can easily put down a whole bowl of curry plus an order of naan myself. I would lick the bowl if I could. . .actually, I'm not sure what's stopping me.
Service is quick, and my food has never been anything less than excellent. The fast casual model is definitely the future of restaurants. I could go to Clay Pit, wait an hour, and pay twice the money, but now I don't have to. -
Review from art k.
Austin, TX
10/13/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Oh Tarka, what should I say about you? As a self-professed Indian food snob (blame my heritage), I walk into any 'Indian' food establishment with my nose turned up, fully expecting a below-par experience, either service that lacks substance or food that is untrue to the original cuisine (read - tuned to the American palate) . It was with a similar mindset that I first cautiously stepped into Tarka, prepared for a mild-as-baby-food meal, especially considering the 'order at the counter/take-out' style of the establishment. Oh what joyous blow it was to my ego!
I have one word for you - BIRYANI. It may not be the perfect 'dum-shtyle' or richest biryani in the world, but it is full of flavor, brought to your table in a matter of minutes and is made to suit your spice level. And I do not mean peppered with chilli flakes to make it 'hot'. The 'medium' and 'hot' levels are both excellent and my preference depends on the day in question. I have had other items on the menu as well, but am not going to waste my breath reviewing them here. You can try them out if you please.
Bottomline - if you like Indian food and love biryani like I do, you need to check this place out. -
Review from Jeremy J.
Austin, TX
10/31/2011
This is one of the few places I can honestly say is never, ever bad. It's fresh Indian food at fantastic prices. It's also not surprising that the food is great, since Tarka was opened by the owners of Clay Pit. I eat Tarka about once a week and have never had a single complaint, where it's eat-in or take-out!
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Review from Dana R.
Austin, TX
3/27/2011
I seriously feel like I'm taking crazy pills when I hear people talk about this place! So many people seem to love it, but to me it tastes like Just-Add-Water Indian food! Since it's sort of a fast food joint (a la Pei Wei) I guess they don't take the time to let the food simmer and stew, but that's what makes Indian food taste so freaking good.
I don't understand the obsession with this place, and I don't understand how the same people who run Clay Pit (which is amazing) can do such a lackluster job at Tarka. Honestly, if you're looking for generic "whatever" food, just go to the BJ's that's in the same shopping center, at least there you can get a tasty beer and a pizookie. -
Review from Marcus B.
Petersburg, VA
5/8/2011
I feel a little bad giving one star, but it does not deserve anything more than one and a half stars. This place is just plain not good but has prices as if it was. Lunch and beverages for two and a shared "starter" cost $27
Not only is the menu rather light on authentic, popular Indian dishes and the dishes they do offer could also be on a menu from many other regions west of India, but the whole restaurant makes you feel like you are in some sort of mess-hall. Ordering and dining, you feel like you are in a loud, second rate fast-food place.
The food is just plain not good. I am not someone to turn their nose up at food just because it is not perfect, but my experience at Tarka was just so unsatisfying that I know I will never eat there again unless there were some major change in management and interior design that kept the noise down. Everything, from the hardly seasoned meats, to the single salad dressing they offer that tastes like someone dumped ketchup into french dressing, to the wilted lettuce; everything was so unremarkable and made a negative impression that we ended up leaving half the food on the plate. I never leave food to be wasted, either I eat it or take it with me to eat at a later time out of principle; the food and experience was so poor that I broke with principle.
Did I mention that lunch and soda for two plus an "appetizer" cost $27 -
Review from Liz S.
Austin, TX
11/2/2011
I love this place. You can order online and run in and grab your food (if you eat and work at the office like I do). The food is always fresh and very good - haven't had anything but great meals. Perfect for lunch. It can get pretty busy, so make sure you have plenty of time if you plan to dine in.
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Review from Claudia D.
Austin, TX
Updated - 12/29/2011
The place was nice and clean, and the employees were very friendly. The place can be a bit crowded, especially at lunch. They did however, have a good variety of foods. I loved how the dishes were customizable, allowing you to choose sauce, meat, and spice level. There was a nice spred of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options to choose from. It is one of the few place in town where I can enjoy a vegan meal that actually tastes good. I always get mild coconut curry with veggies, and one roti on the side. You get a nice big bowl with rice, which makes it good for leftovers. Does catering as well.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/16/2011
A wide selection of delicious Indian food. Had a good variety of wines and beers to go with the… Read more »
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Review from Fresh S.
Carrboro, NC
3/10/2011
Americanized Indian Fast Food restaurant.
There should almost even be a drive-thru. The Tiki Masala, while savory and 'tasty' was little more than a slightly less processed version of the canned Chef Boyardee I was involuntarily subjected to as a child, with a few spices sprinkled in. This "curry" dish was distinctly lacking the sort of ginger, cumin and chili flavors one would expect from a standard boilerplate masala. Unfortunately for the word masala, it is loose enough to where people can make and sell such as gross misinterpretation of any Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi versions of masala I've ever tasted. Also, the petroleum plastic bowl and plastic cup, which seem to be about one step away from being disposable, are neither convincing nor flattering.
The naan, while also savory, aesthetically pleasing and sprinkled with garlic and chopped cilantro, tasted like soft pizza dough. This bread was clearly over-leavened (American dough, anyone?) and seemed to be what I interpret as 'intentionally chewy,' rather than the flakier authentic naan I'd expect.
For a place named "Tarka" (which apparently means "seasoning"), it all makes sense now. "Seasoning," as opposed to authentic "flavor" is what you can expect from this establishment to mask the grimace of what I presume to be the over-processed tomato paste that constitutes the majority of their sauce. -
Review from Sarah S.
San Francisco, CA
6/12/2011 1 photo
I tried Tarka for the first time today and thought it was excellent! Clay Pit is usually my staple for Indian food in Austin, so I was excited about trying this place since it's owned by the same people. The menu clearly marks vegetarian and vegan items, as well as items with nuts. I had the minced vegetable kabob which was really four vegetable patties on top of sauteed vegetables with a side of rice. My friends both had biryani dishes, which they both liked very much.
Food is a little pricey here given the fact that there's no table service, but I found it to be an excellent value for the portions/quality of food. This is definitely a good choice for a casual meal when you don't want to wait so long for Clay Pit. There is also plenty of seating inside. I will definitely be back.
