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Tiffin

4 star rating
based on 75 reviews

Categories: Indian, Pakistani  [Edit]

710 W. Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19176
(215) 922-1297
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
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Dinner
Alcohol:
None

75 reviews for Tiffin

Review Highlights   

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"I had the chicken tikka masala, samosa, nan, and rice." (in 9 reviews)
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"It is the best Indian food I've ever eaten." (in 3 reviews)
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"If you see the Mango Chicken or Butter Chicken, jump on it." (in 11 reviews)
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Photo of Gabriella R.

 

2

15

Gabriella R.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
10/18/2009

I love good Indian food, and Tiffin is, hands down, the best Indian eats you can get in Philadelphia.  Everything is cooked to order and it is absolutely divine.  Our favorites?  Chicken Tikka Masala & Chicken Tandoor.  The mango chutney is excellent (and available to take home!), and the naan is a crowd pleaser.  We do always order the same thing when we go, but hey, I don't believe in messing with a good thing.

This place is definitely a must-go in Northern Liberties.

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Photo of Kathryn M.

Elite '09

17

105

Kathryn M.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
9/15/2009 2 photos

If I had to pick the best Indian food I have had in Philadelphia to date, this would definitely take the cake. I uploaded a couple of pictures taken from dinner but apologies for the already half eaten Samosa and Onion Bhaji - priorities of eating beat out the camera.

The Samosa was good, not the best ever - a bit mushy and somewhat bland, but still quite good. The onion bhaji was good but a bit greasy. We ordered the Chicken Kali Mirch and the Goan Fish Curry special for our entrees. The Chicken Kali Mirch was my favorite and had a fabulous kick. It was potentially even better the second day - I loooove when that happens! My brother and friend adored the Goan Fish Curry which had a lighter spice but a great peanut buttery texture and taste that was spot on. I would have liked a slightly stronger kick but that's just me. Also, Tiffin is BYOB so be sure to bring something along with you!

The ambiance (oh yeah, I said it) was awesome -- once you get inside. I absolutely love the upstairs with its exposed brick and huge doors. Don't be thrown off when you are looking for the place and parking as it's not in the best of areas and is sort of sitting alone on a dark area of Girard.

Also of importance were the prices, it was totally reasonable. The three of us had enough food for both dinner and two lunches the next day and spent $40! Thank you Tiffin, I will definitely be returning.

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Photo of Julia N.

Elite '09

38

88

Julia N.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
8/17/2009

I ate in at Tiffin for the first time with a bunch of people. We sat upstairs, which is a spare but nice space with its exposed brick walls and photos of India. It was quiet enough to talk to everyone at the table, which I appreciated.

Eager and hungry, we started off with two orders of all the vegetarian appetizers and then some - samosas (excellent, but how can you go wrong with a samosa), chat (just one variety here, but it's tasty) and onion bhaji. My fish eating friends said the kali mirch was bangin (end quote).

Main course was a big old paneerfest. I think Tiffin's paneer is the best in the city - creamy, chewy, with just the right amount of firmness. Saag paneer was smooth and spinacious (I made that one up), if a little underspiced. Paneer tikka masala was just right, and the malai kofta was dense and rich with a subtly flavored cashew sauce. I also enjoyed the sweet, layered peshawari naan.

So, after all of us had gorged ourselves, the time came to look at the bill. A friend took Price Is Right-style bids - how much for an unreasonable number of appetizers and main dishes for everyone? The lowball $1 bet won by a lot, and we all left full and happy with leftovers and more money than we expected.

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Photo of Amanda F.

Elite '09

8

59

Amanda F.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
8/19/2009

Hands down my favorite Indian food in the city so far. I've only gotten delivery so I can't speak to the in store experience, but everything was so nicely packaged in its little plastic containers that it was almost worth it just for that. The meal came with a few different kinds of chutneys and condiments, and lovely basmati rice.

The samosas were crunchy on the outside, soft, tender and spicy on the inside, and the chicken vindaloo was fabulous. ACTUALLY spicy, not just "spicy." My mouth was a little hot after ripping apart the tender chunks of chicken, stewed with (red peppers?) The whole meal was highly satisfying, and one serving was enough for two people, with the appetizers.

A bit pricey but totally worth it. I'm just waiting for an excuse to order again!

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Photo of anna marie c.

Elite '09

69

179

anna marie c.

Philadelphia, PA

1 star rating
9/14/2009

dear tiffin,

alas, you will never ever hear from me again.

your food is good, but your service was subpar.

so first off, my sister (who is from out of town) accidentally called your mt airy store.  45 minutes later, our food wasn't here.  she called and the answer was "you called the wrong store".  so why did nobody call us back when you realized that mistake?  

but now our hearts are set on indian food, so we call your nolibs store.

over an hour later, our food arrives.  it's not warm anymore, and i'm so irritated we gave the delivery guy a 2.50 tip.
he calls my sister's cell phone and says that customers normally give him at least 10% of the bill (our bill was $31, in case if you were wondering) and wanted more money!!

seriously?  how can a place hire a driver like that?

never again tiffin, never again.

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Elite '09

3

45

Jon D.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
7/20/2009

I had my first real Tiffin experience a couple of weeks ago and it was mind-bending. My prior experience ordering Indian food in Philly (Ekta) was good, but not remarkable. But worst - it took nearly an hour to get to us.

Tiffin on the other hand was quick, and the food was melt-your-face good. The samosas were perfection; the nan, despite the trip, were warm and delicious, and best of all was the paneer "bbq" which was creamy and amazing, with flavors I didn't know I could sense.

I've been to India, North, Central & South, and this held up with the best I ate there. It was perfection delivered. I can not wait to order it again.

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Elite '09

22

66

Hannah T.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
6/24/2009

I have only ordered delivery from Tiffin, so I can't speak on its atmosphere or table service.  That said, I'm a fan.  First of all, they delivered all the way to the Grad Hospital area.  Nuts.  I've had places in Rittenhouse refuse to deliver more than a 10 block radius; then, here comes Tiffin zipping all over the city.  Second, hooray for vegetarian options!  I ordered the Aloo Gobhi and Tandoori Vegetables.  Both were pretty good but I preferred the Aloo Gobhi, which seems to marry the flavors of the herbs and spices more than the Tandoori Veg.  

In any event, I am pleased that Philly is finally getting around to some decent Indian food.  I'll order again, though that $15 delivery minimum is a bit steep for just one person.

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Photo of Kate O.

 

0

4

Kate O.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
9/28/2009

I had eaten takeout from Tiffin, but I had never eaten there.
It was my birthday weekend, and I wanted Indian food so a friend and I went there for dinner on a Sunday evening around 7.
When we went in, there were people eating in the storefront area, but we were told to go upstairs to the dining room.
It was a little confusing because there wasn't a host once we got up there, but we were seated quickly by a server.
We got water right away, but we didn't have a server come by for a few minutes.
Once he got to our table we had already decided what we wanted, and ordered an aloo gobi, malai kofta and a paneer tikka masala.
The food took forever to come, and the worst part in the small, quiet dining room was a really annoying group right next to us, that kept droning on and on and made our hunger seem amplified.
Finally, the food got there and was amazingly delicious.
The little dishes are, as my friend said, 'deceptively deep' and you feel almost like they are bottomless!
Everything we ordered was wonderful, and the dishes we chose aren't always on the menu, so we were very happy with our dinner.
And, the wait probably wouldn't have been so bad if we hadn't been so hungry and if there had been more than one server upstairs.
Overall, it was really good food in a nice clean atmosphere and it is worth it to go there if you want delicious food at a reasonable price.

Photo of Luke L.

 

2

16

Luke L.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
9/22/2009

Tiffin how I love thee. Your filling servings and random "accompaniment" that hasn't changed in a while. None the less on a day when you want something with a different kinda spice you always answer. You even deliver for a $15/min order. The butter chicken is one of my stomachs favorite pre-nap time foods. I am no Indian food expert but I know good food when it enters my mouth. I have never ventured off the Butter Chicken / Chicken Tikka Masala  "shhhhh I think their the same thing" I would highly recommend tiffin... It doesn't get 5 stars...because, well let's face it I don't just throw out 5 stars like new jersey throws out un-employment checks.

Photo of Asa T.

 

1

6

Asa T.

Wayne, PA

4 star rating
8/7/2009

Tiffin was a wonderful restaurant in which to have Indian food. It's location in Northern Liberties surprised me due to the fact that I had no clue that there were any good restaurants in that area. However, Tiffin is quite the exception to this belief, and it really does seem to have its own niche in the neighborhood. The upstairs dining room is very quaint, making for a very personal and home-style dining experience.

Decor: (4/5)
Service: (3.5/5)
Plates:

Vegetable Samosa (5/5): Basically, they're mixed veggies made into a ball and thrown together in a frier. These tasty little apps were out of this world; I could eat these for days.
Lasooni Tikka (5/5): This app is also made from God's hands. It's essentially a piece of chicken marinated in garlic. It's delicious and very flavorful.
Chicken Tikka Marsala (4/5): This plate is a very classic Indian dish and needless to say, I was more than delighted to try it out. This one is a staple for any first-time Indian foodies.
Lamb Chettinad (5/5): This plate was easily the highlight of the night. The lamb was cooked very well, and the sauce was phenomenal.

Overall, I give this place a 4/5 because the price of the entire meal is incredibly worth it. I've never eaten such good food for such a low price; I almost felt like a joke was being played on me. I'd be more than happy to eat here again, and I hope everyone gives this place a chance to shine.

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Elite '09

5

34

Seema K.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
8/10/2009

I'm an Indian who loves spicy food and I have been searching for the best Indian food in the city.  Sadly, 90% are oily Americanized North Indian buffets.  Tiffin, on the other hand is VERY close to what I'm looking for.

First of all, they deliver, to almost anywhere.  You won't get the cute little metal tiffins you get in India, but plastic tubs aren't so bad.  I've never had it delivered, so I'm not sure about any delivery issues.  I eat in the restaurant which is fairly small.  If you sit on the first floor you can see the kitchen so you know they're actually making their food.  My dishes of choice are garlic naan, Lamb Vindaloo and Chicken Tikka Masala.  I have never been to a place that made vindaloo even close to being right, let alone this spicy.  It is extremely spicy, too much for me sometimes, so I wonder how non-spice eaters handle it.  The CTM is nice and creamy, although since it tastes so good it's probably really bad for me with all the cream.  But it's worth it once in a while.  The servings are big enough that I have to take some home, which is always a good thing.  The only mistake I made was ordering Kulfi once.  They try to be fancier around dinner time and charged me way too much for frozen condensed milk and pistachios.  Though I imagine if I ordered that at a place like Bindi it'd be 2x as much.

This places is a tad pricey for most people who are used to cheap Indian food, but it tastes much better than most of those places.  The food can definitely be spicy, so I'm not sure what people are talking about with "no flavor."

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Elite '09

18

67

Frank R.

PA

5 star rating
4/29/2009

We order from Tiffin at work all the time and we love it. Tonight was the first time I ate at the restaurant -- fabulous.

If you don't get the Butter Chicken you will live your life regretting it. It's the best Indian dish I've ever had, and I have had my fill of Indian food.

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Photo of Kaz H.

 

1

70

Kaz H.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/31/2009

Overall I thought Tiffin had great food. I didn't like the ambience too much, maybe because of the lack of cultural painting or portraits.

I had the chicken tikka masala, samosa, nan, and rice. All were very good.

The server was friendly and efficient.

The only downside of the experience was probably the neighborhood. I'm not from Philly, so I don't know too much about the area of the restaurant, but it just seemed really shady and run-down...

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0

25

Christian F.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
3/19/2009

Wow, the crispy lamb made me wanna kill myself.  My first time last week, but I LOVE Tiffin.  Best Indian food I ever ate.  I've never been more satisfied.  BYOB though and bringing booze is a MUST.

Also no stomach grumblies afterwards.  C'mon, that's good.

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Photo of Melch R.

 

1

10

Melch R.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
8/13/2009

I dig Tiffin. It links up with Ekta as my favorite Indian food in the city. It doesn't blow my mind or anything like that, but they do have some dishes that you don't see so often from time to time.

Photo of Jean E.

 

0

3

Jean E.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
8/13/2009

We ate at Tiffins last night after reading such good reviews.
We ordered the Butter Chicken and the Chicken Tikka Masala (which by the way are pretty much the same thing), and an order of naan. I've had chicken tikka masala at a number of places, as it's my favorite dish, and Tiffin's version definitely lived up to my expectations. The portions were plentiful - we couldn't finish our dishes, but got it to-go. Everything was fresh and delicious. Food: 5/5
Service was perfect. There is no corking fee, as Tiffin is BYOB. Service: 5/5
The dining room is clean and bright. It does not have air conditioning, just ceiling fans. It's not bad unless it's a hot day. We were a little warm when we first walked upstairs, but quickly acclimated and were fairly comfortable.  It looked like they were in the process of expanding or renovating part of the downstairs. Decor: 4/5
As for the area, it is very run-down and dirty. I would not feel safe walking around there at night. Thank goodness they deliver! We went around 7pm and had no trouble finding a parking spot in front. Location: 3/5
Most dishes were between 10-15 dollars. But with the large portions, it can easily serve as two meals. Price: 4/5

We will definitely be back to their dining room, and I plan on tryingout their delivery service soon!

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Elite '09

156

269

Meg C.

Philadelphia, PA

3 star rating
12/8/2008

When it first opened, I was obsessed with Tiffin. But the quality of the food is just okay, you definitely get what you pay for here.

Although I am grateful they deliver to my hood, it usually takes forever to get my food. As in, we need to order before we actually get hungry or else we'll be starving by the time it comes. The delivery people are always nice and apologize if the food is late.

The Chicken Vindaloo is nice and spicy, this is probably my favorite entree. The runny Baingan Bharta looks like it has been put through a food processor, which is strange. Saag Paneer, usually my favorite dish, is just okay. Tiffin's doesn't have as much cheese as I like and it isn't very smooth.

I love that they include a side dish, it is always a pleasant surprise to try something new. Once they sent chicken soup that almost put my mother's to shame (almost, mom, just almost). But the condiments leave something to be desired, especially the mango chutney.

I recommend not ordering nan if you're getting delivery because it tends to be a bit soggy by the time you get it. Instead I keep some in my freezer, it takes only a minute or two to heat up in the oven.

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Elite '09

33

172

andrea t.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
3/18/2009

I've never been to the actual restaurant, but I have had delicious delivery.

yes they deliver all the way to my hood ( rittenhouse area) which is amazing.

it's pricey but fresh!

the roasted vegetables are awesome

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Elite '09

22

43

Daniel G.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
3/2/2009

I love Indian food and Tiffin delivers to fishtown, so it has become my default.  A big downside to ordering from them is delivery usually takes over an hour - so remember to think ahead, or eat at the restaurant for an expedited experience.

I recommend the Lamb Saag or Chicken Vindaloo, but suggest avoiding the Kheer.  

PS- If you eat at the restaurant, I also recommend you try and get seating upstairs.  The hardwood floors and exposed brick are a lot more pleasant to dwell within than the IKEA décor below.

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Elite '09

21

182

Jake V.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
Updated - 1/18/2009

Eight and a Half Dollar Brunch Buffet.

31 letters that equate to the best deal within the city limits.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 3 star rating
    7/14/2007

    It's nice to know there is ethnic food that is not in West Philadelphia.  

    The food?  Delicious and… Read more »

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Elite '09

35

125

Caroline P.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
11/7/2008

Finally I have experienced Tiffin. It wasn't bad, it wasn't fabulous, but it was pretty good.

I did the online ordering (which was very easy) and a very friendly, nicely dressed gentleman dropped it off at my work.

I had the malai kofta lunch special (my indian obsession) and naan. The malai kofta was alot different then the others I have had - it had whole cashew nuts in it-and the sauce was awesome.  We got all kinds of rice, vegetables, beans and sauces too. Tons of food!!

Prices were reasonable and overall I was happy with the whole experience. If they delivered to the roxborough area I'd probably be getting take out all the time :)

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Photo of Pat D.

 

13

47

Pat D.

Oreland, PA

5 star rating
8/31/2008

I'm writing this from the perspective of a take-out customer since I have never actually been to the restaurant(s).

My name is Pat and I am a Tiffinaholic.  I admit it.  I just can't stay away.

I started ordering from Tiffin for lunch almost as soon as word was out that they did this cool lunch thing called "tiffins".  Modeled after a lunch-time practice in India, It's a set meal consisting of 3 dishes plus basmati rice and a few accompaniments (relishes).  Each day they offer 3 different tiffins:  there is a common vegetable dish, a common dahl and a main dish that is different -- you can select from one of 2 vegetarian dishes or one meat dish.  The cost is $7.50 for veg and $8.50 for meat.

You used to be able to order just a single tiffin, but I think the high price of gas, plus the fact that many people weren't even tipping the delivery people, made them put a $15 minimum on delivery.  That means you either need to order with someone else & get 2 tiffins, or increase your order by adding a side dish, a bread, an app or even just by ordering a regular meal instead of a tiffin.  You can order by phone, or you can order on their website.  I find it really convenient to order on the web site.  I even pay for it (including the tip, if I wish), via PayPal.  That way, when the food is delivered, all I have to to is meet the delivery person, smile, and begin drooling -- no wasted time fumbling for cash.

I work in center city (west), between Suburban and 30th Street Stations.  You can pick your lunch delivery "window" as 11-12 or 12-1.  No matter which I choose, it usually gets there noonish.  Since I work in a high-rise, the driver calls me about 2 minutes out so I can just pop on down to the lobby to fetch my lunch.  I have even ordered for later in the day, and ordered a "feast" to take home on the train for dinner.  My husband likes Indian food, but my daughter will KILL for it, so it's usually a party when I bring it home.  The down side is that I need to put up with stares on the train because the aroma tends to waft through the car and cause spontaneous IFFs (Indian Food Fits) amongst the other passengers.  I find it's also wise to have another bag I can put the Tiffin bag into just to avoid leakage.

The food is awesome.  It is spicy, so be forewarned  (my tolerance for spicy food is not as great as it used to be).  They will not adjust the spice on the tiffin meals, probably because they are making them in bulk and Indian food has layered spices -- you can't just add a dash of hot sauce at the end to take it up a notch.  Be careful to check your order.  They are a lot better than they used to be, but sometimes an item is missing, sometimes they forget to give you a plate or plasticware.  If you do find a glitch, just call them and they will do their best to make it right.

Whether you just want a treat at lunch that will drive your coworkers crazy with the smell, or want to make an event of it by getting a bunch of people to order at the same time, give Tiffin a try.  They post their new weekly menu on Sunday, so you can check out the website on Sunday night to get your juices flowing for the week to come.  They also have monthly app and main dish specials.  I have found that they are branching out more and more lately with different dishes, probably as the result of input from a new chef, therefore they repeat old favorites, but also have some very interesting new things.  Now they've added a "Tiffin card" that you can sign up for, promising deals like "a Tiffin and a movie", a free meal on your birthday, and other stuff.  You can be the first in your neighbor hood or cube farm to have one!

If you see the Mango Chicken or Butter Chicken, jump on it!  You won't be sorry!

http://www.tiffin.com

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0

6

Pete G.

Philadelphia, PA

2 star rating
9/7/2009

Ok but not great.   The chicken tikka masala which had a nice sauce but the chicken could have been better.  The lamb saag's sauce was ok but completely covered up the flavor of the lamb, perhaps because that meat was not great quaity either.   There was something ovoid,  hard and apparently inedible in the first urvashi I had (one of the September special appetizers).  Service was uneven, as our water wasn't checked at all for refill and I had to ask a couple of different waitrons.  When I asked to get my leftovers packed up (they'll be ok if I mix them with other stuff), for some reason the waiter didn't pack the rice, but did after I asked.  Finally the place is really out in the middle of nowhere over on Girard, and driving or cabbing from center city is a must.  I'd choose one of the west Philly Indian restaurants over this one.

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s l.

Philadelphia, PA

2 star rating
6/4/2009

Pricey and mediocre.  I'm lucky to be closer to West Philly joints that are cheap and soooo good they make me crave Indian food daily.  

I feel like it's a starter restaurant for people scared of Indian food.  So if you're a beginner, go for it, it's not bad.  It's just not that good.

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Elite '09

251

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Alexandra M.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
6/4/2008

Whoever let this baby grace the streets of Philadelphia deserves a hand job, and a good one. It really has kicked everything else out of the water (where the hell did I get that expression). In any case, I ordered the Sagg Paneer which featured a smooth densely flavorful spinach curry and buttery paneer. My friend got a chickpea dish which wasn't quite as good, but it's hard to beat Sagg Paneer. The atmosphere was also nice, not a hole in the wall feel, the nann was floury, and the service was attentive.

So hopefully that person has gotten a hand job by now because I certainly got enough foodgasms while eating at his/her restaurant. Congrats!

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Elite '09

103

121

Annie M.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
11/7/2008

Woohoo! This definitely fulfilled my craving for Indian food. While the place isn't located in the best location, don't be fooled by rough exterior. I came here for lunch and found the restaurant to be quite empty (yes! faster food!). Well, I thought I'd get faster food but the service here was actually really slow (esp if there was only one other table being served besides ours).

Besides that fact, the food was great! I love the butter chicken and aloo golbi (sp?) here. The flavors were good and it was plentiful. Prices were okay... about  $10 per plate. I don't recommend getting the skewers appetizer though because it's not worth the price.

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Elite '09

6

104

Sarah B.

Clementon, NJ

3 star rating
6/8/2009

The atmosphere is alright, although a little quiet, which can be creepy.  The service was impeccable, and the food was good, just not terribly memorable.  A little pricy for what it is.  I like that you can order online.

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Elite '09

15

34

Ryan G.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
6/6/2008

To quote Veronica Corningstone from Anchorman, "God no, it smells like, like a used diaper... filled with... Indian food."  If Indian food were any grosser looking, I'd still love it - especially if it's from Tiffin.

I recently took a trip to London which to my surprise was the Curry Capital of England.  I was shocked at how many Indian restaurants there were - literally two or three to a city block... maybe that's an exaggeration - but a lot.  We tried a few out there and none compared to Tiffin.

I've never ordered and had it delivered, but apparently it's so ridiculously busy that the man on the phone will tell you, "Ok, give it about an hour and a half."  If I'm craving it, I need it faster, so I always pick it up.

The pricing is fair, maybe a little on the high end for ordering take out but everything is so delicious that it's worth it.  My suggestion - Lamb Saag.  If you're worried about the price or have been to Tiffin a few times and want to try other Indian food, go to New Dehli.  It's at 40th and Walnut, 10% student discount, $11 per person buffet and the deserts are like none I've ever had.  We usually get the honey balls... probably because I think it's funny that I ask for balls for desert.  Man... I'll never grow up.

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Jack S.

Philadelphia, PA

1 star rating
10/24/2008

Since first ordering from Tiffin in April 2008, each experience gets more disappointing. Yes, some items are really delicious, but many are not--too watered down, too cold, etc.  Today, my order was completely wrong--the main tiffin item and a side was completely missing, on top of being delivered 40 min after my 11-12pm window. And, again, everything was cold. So, I had a bland lunch of cold rice, beans, and 2 packages of spicy pickles. Great.....................

They just lost a customer, and they can keep my $7.50 credit--anyone want it?

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Jessica M.

Raleigh, NC

4 star rating
7/23/2008

Just to get this out of the way, in response to Nate's review, you can order anything from Tiffin at anytime. If you want a piece of their pre-planned Tiffin Menu of the night, you have to order it in advance. But they also have a regular menu -- you can find it online if you scroll down on the home page and click on "Tiffin Store". Yes, I know, and I agree, the site is super confusing (-1 star), but the food is so good that I can't help but be forgiving.

I've never actually eaten in the restaurant, but I've gotten delivery at my father's pad in Fairmount many-a-time (we've only ordered from the "store" menu, since neither of us are good at pre-planning), and they've pretty much destroyed Indian food for me. And I mean in the way that Saad's has ruined falafel. It's close to perfect.

It all tastes so fresh, and unlike most other Indian joints, it won't weigh you down -- you might actually be able to do something afterwards that doesn't involve napping! The prices are typical for this kind of fair and so are the portion sizes. I highly recommend any of their lamb dishes. The lamb is so tender!  The saag dishes are pretty fantastic, too.

Yeah, but them not delivering past 46th is some hot mess bull. Where's the love, Tiffin? If they expanded their hearts...er, delivery circumference, I guarantee it would become the weekly delivery feast of our household.

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Alex M.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
3/31/2008

I effing love this place.

it could be a bit cheaper but its still affordable. the best part? the bike ride down girard. in the rain.

i literally spent 30 minutes making love, i mean picking apart, the Masaledar lamb chops.

I wouldn't get delivery because they are ALWAYS really slow...like 90 minutes slow.

Bonus special move: LIMCA! Its like soda. but limier.

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5

Shawn H.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
6/4/2009

Amazing! I love the butter chicken. The atmosphere is pleasant as well. It's a byob, so you can bring whatever. The service was really quick. It usually seems to take longer but this was the first time I went during the week and it took about 15-20 mins to get the entrees after an appetizer.

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7

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Afsheen F.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
3/25/2008

When we moved to Philly, I was worried about being able to find good Indian food in the land of hoagies, whiz and Tastykake, but Tiffin has saved the day.  They turn out delicious and affordable food that's prepared with obvious care and attention.

As with most places, there are some hits and misses, but we really love the Butter Chicken (note to native Philadelphians: this isn't actually chicken floating in a vat of butter, sorry to let you down), Chana Masala, and Aloo Gobhi.  I'm not thrilled with the Samosas and the Nan is usually soggy from sitting around before it gets home (even when we pick up), but those are really minor issues, compared to the relief of finding very tasty and affordable Indian food nearby.

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Lauryn Z.

Philadelphia, PA

2 star rating
9/27/2008

After all the hype about Tiffin- it was the highest rated indian restaurant in Zagat, and the opinion on Yelp seems to be more of the same, I was THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED.  I've been to many indian restaurants and eat indian food about twice a week and I must say I don't quite understand why people think this place is so great.  

We started out with an appetizer- Aloo Papri Chat.  The chutneys were extremely watered down, and it was totally overgarnished with cilantro.  I couldn't even finish this food.  

Next up was the main dish- I had ordered Saag Paneer- medium spicy, it showed up mild and bland with the spinach not shredded enough and only about 5 cubes of paneer.  My boyfriend ordered the Malai Kofta spicy and it was just average.  

Overall, very subpar compared to other indian restaurants we've been to.  I don't think we'll be returning.

Go to Karma instead.

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Jennifer G.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
4/25/2008

Tiffin is hands down the best Indian restaurant in Philly. A little gem on Girard Avenue, Tiffin was just what the neighborhood needed- something other than pizza and fast food. The service is great, parking is abundant, the trolley stops almost in front of the door, the bus stops at the corner, you can order online or by phone for delivery and all the ingredients are super fresh! They don't cook with trans-fats.

My favorites (I'm vegetarian):

1) Malai Kofta
2) Paneer Masala
3) Palak Paneer
4) Onion Baji
5) Samosas

Don't forget the soda- I love Thumbs Up and Limca!

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Totally I.

PA

4 star rating
9/7/2008

Awesome!  We got there late in their service one night and wound up having an incredible meal.  The setting was nice, clean rustic, not so Indian I guess but the food came through with authenticity and freshness.

I'm used to hating Chicken Tikka.  It's always dry, far overdone and utterly bland.  I was reading the descriptions on the menu and didn't even realize what I was ordering, it sounded so good.  When the dishes arrived and I realized I'd gotten the damn Chicken Tikka, my heart sunk.  I dug in with no anticipation but was immediately blown away - nothing like having low expectations and getting great stuff.  It was perfectly done and ever so succulent.  Just about everything else was also excellent, only my Lassi was a little overly yogurt-y.

I will be back for sure.

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Elite '09

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261

matthew l.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
2/17/2009

Something completely incongruous, and appealing, about all the people running Tiffin being in white shirts and ties, dressed more like accountants than restaurateurs.  Seldom in any restaurant but Indian are you welcomed by such beguiling aromas.  Somehow at Tiffin those aromas seem intensified as if the smells that don't matter are filtered out leaving only a distillation of the essential.  The food is very very good.  The balance of their spices so on target, and so different with each dish, no 55 gallon drum of the house masala here flavoring half the dishes with just a tweak here and there to differentiate.  Lower Girard is no longer to be viewed with trepidation and Tiffin is definitely a reason to earn its own GPS setting.

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Paul F.

Philadelphia, PA

4 star rating
9/15/2008

Philly has a particular dearth of decent Indian places. Tiffin has indeed filled that void for me, I can't believe it took this long to discover it. While yet to venture to the restaurant, I've enjoyed take-out several times since discovery and while not the best Indian I've had, I have been more than impressed each time.

Avoiding their website is probably a good idea but I guess necessary if you're checking out the menu. It'll take a while to figure it out but don't be deterred. A couple of ordering attempts have resulted in server errors so I've given up. Also keep in mind that delivery may take a while so give yourself plenty of time (up to 1.5 hours) but again, well worth it.

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30

109

Jennifer F.

Philadelphia, PA

5 star rating
10/1/2007

Tiffin is just fantastic.  Their food is great, the website informative, and the staff friendly and professional.  But, if you're trying to order online from a Mac, beware that Tiffin's website isn't 100% compatible with your computer...at least that's what they told me on the phone after I tried placing my order 2598047593847698 times online and kept getting an error screen.  Boo!

Update:  I have ordered online from Tiffin a few more times since I wrote this review and haven't encountered any technical difficulties.  This place has officially become my delivery establishment of choice.

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Chris P.

Lawrence, KS

5 star rating
7/30/2008

Oh man, and then there's Tiffin.  Tiffin has the best Indian food I've ever had.  Period.

The naan ... superb.  Great texture, great flavor.  And then there's the butter chicken.  Oh lord.  So amazingly tender.  Mind you, if you're not a fan of spicy, you should probably stay away from it.  It doesn't particularly start out hot, but it builds, and by the end, your entire mouth will be aflame.  

Tiffin's also pretty cheap, especially for the quality of the food.  The atmosphere is subdued, quiet, but more than adequate.  It is a BYO, so bring a bottle of something to calm the heat (we brought ice wine, which worked quite well).

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