Biryaniwala - Papatoetoe — Restaurant in Ōtara-Papatoetoe

Tattooed Guy at the Counter: Serving Up Attitude Like It's on the Menu!

My partner and I went for dining at Biriyaniwala yesterday afternoon, on the 13th of August, and had a disappointing experience with the customer service. The CSR at the counter, who had a tattoo on his hand, greeted us with a bad attitude and didn’t say a word. We had to take the menu ourselves and sit down. The CSR then disappeared into the kitchen, leaving us waiting for 15 minutes with no one else in the restaurant to assist us. There was no bell or any way to call for service. After 20 minutes, the CSR finally returned, and when I asked if I could place an order, he curtly informed me that orders had to be made at the counter. I mentioned that he should have told us this when we arrived and pointed out that he had been missing for the past 20 minutes. His apology was insincere and felt fake. While we were dining, we noticed that he was also rude to other customers. Despite all this, I chose not to argue, as I had driven an hour just to enjoy their biryani. The biryani itself was decent with an authentic taste and good quantity, though the side curry was cold, which I’m unsure is normal. However, the attitude of the tattooed guy at the counter was simply...

Hands down the BEST South Indian breakfast buffet in Auckland!! Everything on the $16 buffet was delicious and thoughtfully made. The fermentation process was on point for the dosa and idlis - crisp and light dosas served fresh as you dine. Their coconut, groundnut and ginger chutneys are next level! Sambar- a perfect blend of tamarind sourness and balance. The food took me back home- I could close my eyes and remember my mother's cooking- the same perfectly spiced coconut chutney with the perfect idlis and moreish sambar🤩🤩 The meduvada was perfect and the upma was exactly how you want it to be the perfect texture with garlic deliciousness. Now coming to the chai- I haven't had tea this good since I last visited India! Cardamom milky properly brewed tea to wow your socks off!!

We walked in with the Sanskrit mantras playing in the background- very typical of the morning rituals of temples or udupi restaurants in India

The incredible experience brought tears of joy and happiness of having food that is real, authentic close to home and heart, available in a restaurant.

I would give them 10 stars if I could as they are not only selling food but sharing a joyous experience 🤩 Take your time and drive out to...

I recently celebrated a birthday dinner and got food from Biryaniwala in Papatoetoe to go, and unfortunately, the experience was far from satisfactory. We spent $200 expecting a delightful meal, but it turned out to be a regrettable choice.

The tandoori chicken, a promising start, was overshadowed by the excessively salty lamb kebabs that were practically inedible. The chutney, surprisingly sweet, did not complement the dishes well. The chicken korma was overwhelmingly salty, making it unbeatable, and the butter chicken lacked the expected flavor.

The only saving grace was the chicken biryani, but even that was marred by the disappointment of finding only one piece of chicken in it. To make matters worse, the naan bread was as hard as a rock, left untouched.

The overall inconsistency and lackluster quality of the dishes not only made us feel like our $200 was wasted but also ruined what should have been a special birthday dinner. We won’t be returning to Biryaniwala, and I strongly caution others considering it for a memorable...