Taj Mahal — Restaurant in Gauteng

We have been supporting Taj Mahal for the last three years, ordering take-away at least once (if not twice) a month. Food was amazing and very decently priced, friendly and efficient service etc. - basically everything you are looking for in your local. Sadly though, we most likely won't be back after tonight.

Sounds like a change in management but, if that is the case, they urgently need to get their game right. Ordered food as usual, and was told it would be 20-25 minutes. That turned into 45-50 minutes of waiting and being told every 5 minutes "only 5 minutes more". Seeing that the food was already paid for, we couldn’t leave. Normally, we don't mind waiting, but a straight and honest estimation would have at least offered us an opportunity to make alternative arrangements. We were certainly not the only delayed order, as several other clientele were also waiting, even though there was only one sit-in patron. The manager didn’t even have the decency to engage with his clientele to explain the delays but left it to the floor manager.

In fairness, this miserable experience was not the latter’s fault, but apparently due to laxness on the side of the kitchen. Case in point - after all the wait, the food was bland, the chicken was undercooked and no usual small cucumber side. Sorry guys, you mucked this one up and lost a regular – get your...

I enjoyed the first lamb bunny I had here, thereafter, you could taste that the meat wasn't fresh. I also ordered a lamb Biryani, not much taste (tooo dry) and once again not fresh. No Flavour in the Biryani. after having a few bites of dry rice and moving the meat aside after a few tastes, I had to throw the meal away in disgust. I read previous reviews and I admit that every outlet can have a bad day, but not when I ordered 7 to 10 times in a row and all was horrendous. Only the very first time did I enjoy the meal. You guys say you cook daily - perhaps, but I can say that the meat is stale or re-used from previous dishes from previous days. You guys also need to work on packaging your biryani. Go to Durban and visit Solly Manjra's - way cheaper and divine. Your cubes in the bunnies are funny, making six little toddler bite size pieces from a single piece. The chicken is also noticeably stale and dry in the tandoori. It has good flavour, but the presentation and when you get into the chicken , it is terribly dry and off. Ridiculous. Gave you guys too many chances as I stated the first time was good, however, I have to finally...

The food was so good, we forgot to take photo. Please see empty plates :)

The staff were very friendly, and recommend that we each order different curries to share at the table, each main dish included basmati rice - so there was more than enough to share around the table. This worked so well, we could each share and taste, it truly was great experience. We also had the chance to try the butter naan - this was delicious! The curries were also paired with a fresh salsa and sauces.

The curries are available in different styled heat, to what you can handle from mild to hot. We had the mild and medium, and still it was so good! Sometimes curries can be too hot, but this was just right.

We also tried their ice cream, and would definitely recommend - the pistachio ice cream was especially delicious, they have an assortment of flavours available.

Would...