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Tawaa Indian Cuisine
Rating Details »
- Nearest Transit:
-
168th St-Broadway (1, A, C)
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch
25 reviews for Tawaa Indian Cuisine
For the location, it does what it needs to do: give the area a bit of variety. I just moved nearby and decided to wander around. This area is going to be home for, at least, a little while.
Joa, a Korean place nearby, is closed on the weekends it seems. So I kept wandering north to the Starbucks on 168th and Broadway. I didn't want to settle for a Starbucks sandwich in a box (and I've been doing that a lot lately - Starbuck's wifi access is addictive.) What I prefer is to grab something nearby and then head to Starbucks.
Lucky me that Tawaa is just a couple of doors down, and that I love Indian food. I had the veggie malasa with two sides - chick peas and spinach. It came with na'an and it hit the spot. I literally moved to the neighborhood last night and have one cup of yogurt, cherries, diet soda and an Odwalla B-monster drink in the fridge. That's it :(
The bonus? They were really friendly.
I have had better Indian food, which is why it gets just three stars. This is a place that you're thankful is there because you're not limited to the usual. However, if they upped their game with the food the star level would go up.
For where it's located, the price and the amount of food they give you, it's worth it if you don't want the usual.
*BTW, I got an environmentally friendly take out box. Recyclable plastic, not styrofoam, so maybe that's a new change.
Despite the fact that this place was closed down by the health inspectors a month ago, I was pretty much the first one back inside once they took down that pesky orange sign.
Okay, everyone agrees - it's not the best Indian food you'll ever eat, but everyone also agrees that it's a fair attempt for a fast food place way way uptown. I like it because you can be in and out within 5 minutes with food that lets you escape the routine of hamburgers, deli sandwiches, and MSG-laden Chinese food.
I like it here. You're not going to be transported back to the streets of Mumbai with a single bite of the chicken vindaloo, but you will have a reasonably tasty meal at a good price and be back at work in no time.
Ok. We get it, there is better Indian cuisine to be found downtown...Basically any food you are going to ingest is going to be better downtown...but when the only food options this far uptown involve deep fried [insert vegetable/meat/fruit here], this is a great alternative to artery clogging.
They offer good Indian fare, reasonable prices, quick service and large portions. I enjoyed the sauces and the chicken that I had...the rice was good too...and the vegetables were fine. I got exactly what I expected: Indian food that was prepared in Washington Heights.
If you are looking for great Indian food...what the heck are you doing this far uptown?
While there are obviously far superior Indian places available, for what this place is, a fast food Indian joint looking to provide something new for hospital employees, this place does its job. My favorite is the chicken tikka sandwich. About as Americanized as you can get but its pretty damn yummy. Employees are nice too. Overall its exactly what it is billed to be.
Ek! Closed by the dept of health...not good.
I ordered from here based on the fact that my husband brought home adequate takeout from here a few months ago.
I placed an order online on their website. I received the confirmation via email. 50 minutes later, nothing. I called. They had my name/address, phone number, but they told me they didn't actually have the order??? The woman on the phone was so rude about it too, like it was MY fault their online ordering system is incompetent.
They had the nerve to try and convince to place an order then, and said it wouldn't take that long, depending on what I ordered. At 9:00PM, I don't have time to wait another 50 minutes for a botched order.
You would think that in this economy, businesses would actually place some value on customer service.
What a waste of my time.
I ended up ordering from a competitor. Something I will be doing from now on.
UGH. If I could give this place half a star I would. I ordered the veggie tikka masala with two sides. The guys behind the counter were pretty nice. I didn't look at what they put in my environmentally unfriendly styrofoam container until I was back at work. Apparently their definition of a vegetable is an onion. I am not a huge onion fan in general, but this was basically onion tikka masala (if you could call the sauce that). Scattered among the onions I think I caught a glimpse of a measly stalk of broccoli. I can't imagine this bodes well for the rest of the food.
The portions here are HEARTY-when the delivery guy dropped my food off I started doing reps with the bag in the doorway (but i digress...)
Washington Heights is not known for its Indian food so I'm just glad they're in the neighborhood!
However, the food is average a best (Paneer Tikka Kabab however was great) but very filling and reasonably priced. So when you are having a 'call-it-in' kinda day, ring up Tawaa and let the food coma commence :)
This Indian fast take out food is actually better here than some of the other local Indian restaurants to my surprise. For a few bucks, u get fragrant basmati rice w/ entree and 2 sides plus naant. It's actually a lot of food and inexpensive too. The veggie potato samosas and condiments are really good here. The food is flavorful and not bland. Service was quick and friendly.
Not easy to find parking b/c it is Wash Hts plus the hospital is next door.
This is really a 3 1/2 star rating and as I write this I am sending mental brainwaves to the Yelp team to finally grant us a half star option...
Tawaa could use a boost since the kinda low rating kept me away for a while. This Indian joint was surprisingly good! I took a risk and went with the meat dish-chicken tiki masala and wow, it was really tasty. Also the eggplant in spicy chili was perfectly spicy with a lot of flavor. No complaints about the bread either, everything was pretty solid! And thank God too, cause in the wastelands of the upper 160's the options suck!
I agree with the posters who say they have had better and hey, there is some great Indian food in NYC...about 100+ blocks away. Tawaa is a welcome runner-up. It's going on the menu rotation above the fridge.
Just ordered delivery from Tawaa. The woman kept me on hold for about 5 minutes but I was in no hurry so it didn't bother me. She was extra helpful and apologetic b/c of it. I asked her if the Vegetarian Tawaa Masala was vegan and she said "no, there's milk in it". I asked her what was vegan and she said not much as most dishes contain cream, milk or yogurt...then she said the okra and the chickpea dishes were vegan so I told her to put together whatever she had as a vegan platter and send it over with vegan bread (that's the Roti, the Naan contains milk and eggs). BTW the okra and the chickpea dishes are NOT on the menu, so if you are vegan ask what options you have when ordering.
She said it would take 25 mins and the food came in 20. The total came to $8.62 (less than the min $10 delivery but they didn't charge me extra) and that's pretty darn cheap. The food was surprisingly spicy and really good. The okra was not slimy, the chickpeas were cooked great and the roti was still super warm when it arrived. I probably won't order from here too often but it's a nice change from the usual Empire Szechuan.
I can't believe that this little restaurant has been in existence for like 3 months, and I have missed it this whole time! I am so excited that there is finally pretty good Indian food in the Heights. I took out yesterday, and I ordered in today and the food came quickly. I would not go there everyday, but it's really not too bad for a small little joint like this. This is NOT a sit down resturant, mind you. But it's a good take out option for people who live in the hood.
Oh by the way, a lot of very good vegetarian options! It's great for me since I don't eat meat!
Its moniker: Tawaa. Slogan: Tasty Indian Food. I'm not ridiculously picky about Indian food. Sure I appreciate GREAT Indian food, but having worked near Curry / Murray Hill for 6 years, I have finally built up a tremendous GI tolerance for Indian sort-of-fast-until-it-sits-on-the-steamer-for-a-lo ng-time-and-man-look-at-that-oil-rise food. That stuff may be greasy, but it usually tastes like something. Nothing complex, but something. If I had closed my eyes to eat the two types of dal, the chicken tikka and the naan that came in my $9 platter, I don't think that I could have told the difference between the three dishes. In fact, I may not have pegged this food as Indian.
I certainly appreciate the fact that it is cheap. And it is definitely a much needed shot of diversity in this small corner of northern Manhattan. But this food wasn't tasty and was only vaguely Indian. I hope that they get better, but maybe for now (to avoid false advertising), the slogan should just be "Food".
Tawaa: 4005 Broadway at 168th Street, New York, NY 10031
Telephone: 212-795-3374
Fax: 212-795-3376
info@TawaaNY.com
http://www.TawaaNY.com
7 bucks for a full on meal--doesn't get better than that. as the medical center crowds flood out of the hospital and into restaurants, tawaa is one place where you won't be disappointed. with a wide variety of foods that also accomodate vegetarians, you get your choice of two entrees with basmati rice and you feel very, very satisfied after plowing through all that food.
their chicken masala, eggplant curries, you just can't go wrong with them. there's definitely no sitting option--takeout only, so find a shady spot in the minipark across the street and tuck in!
I only ordered take-out once from this place and immediately vowed never to do it again. First of all, it took over an hour (I lived ten blocks away). Second of all, all of the components of my meal which included yogurt were funny-tasting... as in the yogurt had been sitting out entirely too long. The only thing I could choke down was the chana masala and it wasn't good. Do yourself a favor and venture MUCH FARTHER DOWNTOWN for real Indian food. This is a very sorry excuse.
YUCKKKK....Ok maybe I'm just not a fan of indian food but jeez was this bad. I went out on a limb to try something new and got crap. Judging from the reviews it seemed like an ok place and when i actually saw the food I said, i can't judge a book by it's cover. But I was right, it was bad and I ruined my lunch because I hated this food! I tried eating the chicken, and it was bleh, and the rice wasn't even good either. I only ordered 2 sides because it came with the meal. And FYI prices for a combo meal is 7.95. times are hard. So not my cup of tea, maybe for you it is.
I am indeed a fan of Indian food, unlike my girlfriend, Chelsea J. She'll eat it if I do, but I do love it. Tawaa just opened a few weeks back and I couldn't be happier. It's cheap and delicious. Now don't get me wrong, it's not the absolute greatest food in the world--especially if you go out the end of the night when stuff has been sitting out--but it gets the job done. The restaurant has all their food pre-made and sitting in hot trays. Needn't worry however, they go through food so fast (the business they do is incredible) your food is always hot and non-congealed. The one real downside to this place is that they haven't quite figured out a good way to serve their waves of customers. I'm sure they'll get it soon however; if they don't, the inconvenience of waiting fifteen minutes in a big crowd could get annoying.
Great, quck indian food at good prices. I always get the vegetarian platter with a choice of a main dish and two sides. Always good and really filling. The staff is friendly too. No seating though so it's a grab and go.
I have tried to like this place, I really have. I keep thinking - maybe this time it'll be better - but it never is. The naan is the best part. Everything else is just bland bland bland. Too bad.
I'm so glad this place is up here now. The area needed it, and the food is really tasty. I've sampled all of their lunch specials, and I've yet to be disappointed.
Decent Indian food, though I've definitely had better. Having it up in WH adds some variety to the limited number of restaurants up in the area. I give it 3.5 stars.
$7 for a whole filling meal? what's not to love? and their chicken marsala is soo tasty and yummy and soft.. ooh what other kind of good adjectives should i put in? its not just the area's token indian restaurant but a good one at that.
Good Indian, at great prices, in a neighborhood where (for now, at least) it's the only Indian for a mile north or south. One of the best fast food choices -- and possibly the best value -- in the immediate area. For around $8, the Tawaa Masala (vegetarian or meat) is enough food for a full meal now and a small meal later. Grilled entree with rice, two small sides of your choice, excellent large nan, and two sauce cups (ask for both raita and green [coriander sauce] cups; both are great and free).
I am not the biggest fan of Indian food in the world, but my boyfriend really likes it, and this place is a cheap take-out standby for him in his neighborhood, so I figure I'm going to have to like it. Luckily, they do enough to broaden their menu for people who don't like Indian food, by including a lot of dishes that I'm sure aren't at all traditional, like some panini style pressed sandwiches. I went at dinner-time, when they looked a little less than fresh, so I went with the chicken tawaa masala. My biggest problem with Indian food is finding stuff without curry or that doesn't upset my stomach too much. This did just fine. It was spicy, sure, but I managed. And for take-out, the quality of the meat was pretty decent. What I liked the most was the samosa, which I had a bite of. I'll have to order those again. But really, the best thing about this is that if you're getting a meal, you get a ton of food- two sides and a big entree- for a pretty good price. So is it the best Indian food in the world, no. But I probably wouldn't like it all that much if it was. I'm sure I'll have to go back, and I have no problem with that.
hooray, this place finally seems to have gotten their act together since they opened. we order from here at least 3 times a month. favorite dishes come from the Tawaa entrees. we tried the shrimp, chicken, vegetarian and paneer and they've all been delicious as well as the two smaller side dishes that accompany them (chefs selection). our generous meal portions always come with warm tasty naan. we've tried the pakoras and weren't disappointed. aaaah, diversity in the 'heights. it's best for delivery or take-out, as the space is very tiny. do it up.
