Rani Chettinad - The Indian Kitchen (Hyderabadi, South-Indian, North-Indian & Indo-Chinese) — Restaurant in Waterloo

When it comes to an Indian restaurant, one cannot expect anything short of the royal treatment. That's why we visited the aptly named Rani Chettinad (170 University Ave W #19, Waterloo, ON N2L 3Е9) - specializing in Hyderabadi, North Indian, and Indo-Chinese cuisines, this newly opened restaurant in the University Shops Plaza has quickly become a go-to for UWaterloo students missing India! Hoping to try a variety, I got the chicken tikka masala and shahi paneer for the sabzis: creamy gravies, succulent chicken, tender paneer, and the perfect ratio of spices - could you ask for anything more from your meal? Paired with a freshly made buttery garlic naan and a fluffy onion kulcha, the meal was the perfect combo. However, what's a royal feast without dessert and chai? The soft, light rasmalai had the perfect balance of sweetness that embodied pure indulgence, while the warm chai served as the best comfort for the chilly weather outside! Rani Chettinad encapsulates the essence of royal dining, offering an extravagant culinary experience that's reminiscent of the opulent flavors and warmth of Indian cuisine. Should you find yourself near UWaterloo and craving Indian cuisine, this new eatery is definitely worth a visit. Highly recommended!

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SUMMARY - Tasty and filling food, Expensive for the portion size + Curries don't come with rice or naan

FOOD - We ordered the Anchari Lamb Gosh, Butter Naan, Mutton Kothu and Manga Laasi. The food was pretty good. The manga laasi's are 7/10 - they tasted kinda yogurty. The naan is was a little too thin and a just a tiny bit burnt. The lamb curry had a good spice level for me but a lot of people would not be able to handle it. I loved the spice though.

PRICE + PORTION SIZE - But the portion sizes seemed quite small. I'm not sure if it was the plating or just that the portions were actually that small. The plating was also a little awkward. For $18, I expected the lamb curry (aka the anchari lamb gosh) to come with rice or naan but it didn't. I had to buy naan separately. And the amount of curry was quite small. On the plus side, the food was quite filling.

CUSTOMER SERVICE - Lastly, the workers seemed exhausted and looked like they didn't want to be there. That's understandable, they were probably students juggling work and school. But they could've at least tried to be a bit more alive and happy when serving us. Even when they came to take our order, they looked dead inside. But maybe they could've been having a bad day so I wouldn't say this isn't a reason to not give this...

I had a very disappointing experience at Rani Chettinad Restaurant. While I was initially excited to try their South Indian food, the visit quickly turned unpleasant.

We found a STRAND OF HAIR in the chutney, which is completely unacceptable from a hygiene standpoint. What made it worse was the reaction — or rather, the complete lack of concern from the staff. When we informed the server, there was no apology, no offer to replace the dish, no manager check-in — just indifference, as if this was normal or not worth addressing.

Finding hair in food is already a dealbreaker, but to be met with zero accountability or care is what truly ruined the experience. It showed a lack of respect for customers and basic food safety standards.

It’s unfortunate, because the food had potential, but after that incident, it was impossible to enjoy the meal. Cleanliness and customer service are non-negotiable in the restaurant industry, and Rani Chettinad completely failed on both fronts during our visit.

I would not recommend this place unless serious steps are taken to improve hygiene and train the staff on how to handle such situations professionally.

I BELIEVE A FOOD INSPECTOR IS VERY MUCH NEEDED IN...