Agra Tandoori Restaurant — Restaurant in Burnaby

Really 1st experience is the worst experience..... called up to inquire details of whether they do home delivery.... the lady on the phone said yes..... then i asked if there are any delivery charges.... she said yes and it will be $4.... and minimum order $30....

so I did order more than minimum and said yes to the delivery charge so the guy who took the order said $5...... i said i just now called and inquired and they said its $4.....

Then i asked when do you ppl charge $5... he said =10kms.... i said as per google maps it u can check its 5.8kms... then he said i dont think so... i said u can check....

Then i guy said this time we wll charge $4 but next time we will charge $5.... and when i inquired about the order time they said 45min..... so i completed the order at 12:50pm thats about the order....

now after 55min i call back.... tracking for the order.... the lady on the phone says its 45min to 1hr.... then i asked why i was informed only about 45min..... then she says we deliver only after 5pm.....

so i said when called to inquire they said they will deliver and take delivery charges as well.....

then she gives me an explanation that just for my order they had to call the delivery driver.... she said she will call the driver and inquire...

then i called back after 1hr 15min.... they lady on the phone says ya... the driver left just now..... then i again started to ask her questions.... she said what you want me to do..... i said when u guys charge to deliver then i expect that in time i have all the rights to demand for the food on time....

i asked her to place me on hold and call the deriver and tell me the status...... and she disconnected my call.... what a pathetic service....OMG...

Now the driver buzzes my apt number and he cannot hear me on the intercom.... so i went downstairs to give him access....

he handed over the food and ask me to pay.... so i politely said i will check the order and pay....

he says check it in the balcony.... i said i will not... i have a home and i will check it there only....

so the guy said return the food........ this is what his behaviour was and returned the food and asked him to leave and and was walking back .... then he starts to apologies and says pay me cash $20 else if card then i will take off the delivery charge as i am late.....

then i told him i am pregnant and ordered the food and this is what i got from you guys..... really not impressed.... i told him on his face that i will post this on Facebook and never order or come back to your disgusting restaurant which has such a bad service.....

i did pay the full bill excluding the delivery...

As close as authentic Indian with a class of fine dine. Amazing choice for a date, birthday/anniversary, or special occasion celebration with a group. This area has literally very few restaurants in general, but this is amazingly good!

Being an Indian, its near about impossible to get the exact and authentic taste. Sourcing spices and other ingredients, plus modification of the taste to suit the local clientele is always a given in any ethnic food. And then again every state in India has their own nuances. People from each state have an affinity for their own version of Biryani or butter chicken which we are used to growing up in that state. However this place is really quite good because no matter where you're from you'll love it. Leave aside the 1-2 stars because they are from 3-5 years ago. Pretty sure the management and staff has changed since then.

The entrance is sectioned off, and has a nice waterfall sound that makes it soothing and takes you into a different world. Spacious and Covid19 guidelines are followed. Entire area including washrooms are super clean. Staff is really attentive and got the menus and took the order right away.

They serve alcohol too which is a bonus. Ordered the dinner special. Got 10 items for $18.5 which is a good deal. Tandoori leg piece, salad (kachumber), raita (curd with mild seasoning), naan, rice, daal makhani, butter chicken, chana masala and a lamb dish (replaced this with another chicken dish, the chef kindly accepted my request via the server). Bonus was the dessert, gulab jamun! And a small sachet of mukhwaas (aniseed as a mouth freshener). If you're here alone, for the first time, or want to sample a little bit of the best of Indian food, this is the best option.

However the service could be more friendlier. They had a constant stream of takeaway orders and some of the East Indian drivers were super rude to the girls when they found out pickup orders weren't ready, slamming doors and all. I guess this changed their mood obviously. So I wouldn't hold it against them as they tried the best. Also, the to go boxes were styrofoam, I haven't seen them in Vancouver in ages. In 2021, really?

All in all, a great experience considering the price and alcohol plus amazing food quality. Be sure to specify your spiciness level and tell them you're from India else you'll get the toned down or sweeter version.

Definitely recommend and will repeat if in the area.

P.S. They have opened a new branch in South Burnaby, in Market Crossing Mall/Marine Way Market. Will recommend that if closer, considering its...

Veggie samosa and naan (plain and garlic) were good. Malai kofta (paneer ball in butter chicken-style sauce) was a bit bland and I didn't like the palak chicken (spinach chicken) much, but mixing them together gave a better mix of sweet and spice. We got both mild which has no spiciness, so I'd recommend something spicier even if you can't handle heat. The servings are surprisingly small, but served in nice little metal pots (about 1 cup in volume).

Two orders of naan was enough for two people, so don't let your server oversell you.

All of the above was $33 with tax.

Overall, it wasn't terrible, but I probably wouldn't return. Everything is "Fair".

Update: Increased rating from 2 to 4 stars. Came back with a Groupon and was pleasantly surprised.

Had shrimp pakora to start. Butter naan, mixed tandoori grill, and chicken jalfrazie for entrees.

The shrimp pakora was fantastic. Lightly battered and nicely spiced.

The chicken tandoori was good. I liked the fish tandoori, but my wife didn't. Neither of us liked the lamb tandoori a lot.

Overall, I liked it and including the Groupon it was $27 plus tip, so it's reasonably priced for decent food. Otherwise, it seems overpriced for the amount and quality of food.

Update: Came back with another Groupon and enjoyed the fish pakora and lamb rogan josh. Also ordered the chicken dopiaza, but didn't like it much.

..Summary..

.Great. fish pakora shrimp pakora lamb rogan josh

.Good. chicken tandoori fish tandoori chicken jalfrazie Veggie samosa and naan (plain and garlic) Malai kofta (paneer ball in butter chicken-style sauce) (don't get mild)

.Did Not Like. chicken dopiaza lamb tandoori palak chicken...