Panjabi Rasoi/The Great Barr Cafe — Restaurant in Sandwell

My recent visit to Panjabi Rasoi did not live up to my expectations. The food took an hour to come, and the customer service was poor. Here is my review of the restaurant:

Food: The food was not worth the wait. It was average at best, I had parotai which when they did come hardly had any filling inside. I also ordered 2 cups of tea which did taste good but the 2nd cup was cold so had to take it back to the till and ask for another - for £3 a cup, it was definitely over priced compared to other places and you barely got a small mug full. The recent price increases at this place do not reflect the quality of the food.

Service: The customer service was poor at best. The staff were not attentive and because I'd paid for the food at the time of ordering, they knew that we couldn't do any thing about it. . When we asked about the delay in our food, they were unapologetic and weirdly kept saying that they prioritised larger orders over smaller ones which was a rediculous way to run a cafe and treat their customers. Other people who were arriving after me where getting their food before me.

Atmosphere: The atmosphere was okay, but it was overshadowed by the poor service and food. It was also very cold as the place was being heated up by a single calor gas heater.

Overall, I was disappointed with my experience at this cafe. The long wait for food and poor customer service made for an unpleasant dining experience. I would not recommend this restaurant to others and I will not...

Went here today and I have to say, it will definitely be the last time. The service is so poor it’s actually really sad to see. The lack of organisation and the failure to acknowledge dining customers is shocking. There’s no sense of prioritisation and it’s clear it’s all about getting the orders in regardless of the number of customers you have waiting on site for their food. They need proper staff front of house to manage the customer experience, having 2 kids try to manage this is so unfair on both them and us as a paying customer. It’s almost as if the owners are oblivious to the pure disappointment on the faces of their customers, I took one look around and saw the anger on every face in there today. We waited almost an hour for drinks from the fridge to be bought to our table…how is this acceptable?! When we finally had our food brought over, we had to ask for plates, cutlery and basically everything else that we should have gotten! I honestly am only saying this because I think the concept of an Indian cafe is fantastic but if you’re not careful, people will not come back if today was their first experience. Invest in having the right people at the right time and turn off your online orders for an hour if needed when you have a restaurant full of people waiting for their food because they are more...

I recently had the pleasure of indulging in one of the best dosas I’ve had in a while—and I’m still thinking about it. From the first glance, the dosa was a thing of beauty: perfectly golden, crisp on the outside, and paper-thin, with just the right amount of softness in the middle.

The texture was spot on—crunchy edges that gave way to a soft, slightly chewy center. It had that subtle tang from the fermented batter that pairs so well with the spiced potato filling. Speaking of the filling, it was flavorful without being overpowering. The mashed potatoes were seasoned with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and a hint of green chili—warm, comforting, and aromatic.

What really elevated the experience were the accompaniments: a creamy coconut chutney that was fresh and mildly sweet, a spicy tomato chutney that packed a punch, and a piping hot sambar, full of veggies and perfectly balanced in spice.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of South Indian cuisine or trying dosa for the first time, this one is a must-try. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you how simple ingredients, when done right, can create something...