Shahnawaz Restaurant and Catering — Restaurant in Artesia

Shahnawaz happening? Sunday Brunch buffet, that's what's up.

Shahnawaz specializes in Indian/Pakistani cuisine. I originally stopped by on a Saturday, awaiting their lunch buffet, only to find their buffet is now only on Sunday. Perturbed, I went to a local paratha spot to scratch that Indian food itch. However, like a champ, I came back the very next day to show Shahnawaz' buffet who's boss.

$18 Sunday Brunch buffet (includes soft drinks, masala chai & lassi)

Shahnawaz' buffet is meat-centric, which is fine by me! Marinated short ribs, ground beef, fish & chips, roast beef. Even Philly cheesesteaks! I never imagined chowing down on Philly cheesesteaks from an Indian/Pakistani buffet.

Puri, naan, chicken biryani & basmati rice are the main carb options, to keep people from eating too much meat. Rounding out the buffet, lamb nihari, haleem, mutton keema & palak paneer are just some of the many choices to select from.

The dessert bar consisted of creamy kheer (rice pudding) & sugary shahi tukra (syrup-soaked ghee-fried bread). Halwa is served with the meat. I believe suji ka halwa (semolina). I've only had gajar halwa, so it was interesting experiencing a less sweet version. Lassi (sweetened yogurt drink) was also at the dessert bar. I poured some lassi into my hot masala chai for sweetness and as a lightener. After finishing 3-4 buffet plates, then a couple helpings of kheer & shahi tukra, I was ready to tap out. Until...........my eyes spied customers with mango lassi in their plastic cups! Seems Shahnawaz upgraded their lassi while I was too busy stuffing my face. Knowing full well the insane amount of sugar in canned mango pulp, I threw caution to the wind and polished off 2 cups, prior to leaving.

Service was good. My empty plates were removed in a timely manner. The layout is a bit confusing. It goes from dessert bar to salad bar to main entrees. It works fine at first, but when customers start heading for dessert, the new customers are in line for food, so "Are you in line for food?" "No, I'm getting dessert" becomes the common chatter. Socially distant indoor dining, with a tent that reminds me of "Arabian Nights" in place for outdoor dining.

I left stuffed, I left happy & I needed a nap. Just what the prerequisites for a buffet are. A tad more expensive than most Indian buffets in Little India, Shahnawaz serves up a lot of freshly cooked & grilled meat. Not to mention the included soft drinks, masala chai & lassi. The food was prepared with skill & love, and although I shouldn't regularly partake in the wonton gluttony like I did this occasion, for a cheat day, I have no problem coming back for more of Shahnawaz' Sunday...

This place can easily deserve 5 stars. As others have pointed out buffet on weekends is the best deal. The place gets very crowded over the weekends and it is mismanaged. There was no usher to greet us when I went there for the first time with my wife. So it's a bit confusing when you enter the place. But I realized quickly that you need to pay before eating. I dont know if you need to leave a top here or not because it is self service and you don't get a waiter but I left an 18% tip. We were shown a table to sit at but it was so awkwardly placed that I had to get up twice while I was eating to make way for people that were leaving at other tables. Eventually I decided to rerrange our table and chairs so I don't get interrupted while eating. The food menu during the buffet is mind boggling. The mutton biryani was excellent. There are multiple dishes of chicken, goat and lamb. There is also fish and other meat. I found that the goat and one chicken was off as though it wasn't fresh..or may be it was just a flavoring but it wasn't to my taste. There is a lot of chaos in the place that can be avoided by good management and hiring additional staff. There are enough non vegetarian and vegetarian dishes that you will leave satisfied. The deserts are good and they also have bbq outside that I didn't try because I was full just by tasting some of the food I like inside the restaurant. Our neighbours dining next to us were kicked out and their table was occupied by some other people because they took a teeny bit long to return when they left to get their second serving of food. They had to find another table to eat poor fellas. Overall I liked the food. Ambience is bad because of the chaos. Staff is helpful but overwhelmed. I would recommend this place to anyone if they want to try good food. The price is right for people that have a good appetite or else it might sound a bit expensive but I think it...

Depends who you talk to eat here or not eat here

So we went for lunch on Sunday and they had a buffet going on 25 dollars per person

The place is crowded not because of people but very unorganized and one third of the place was I guess under construction or something

It was hot in there I mean hot.

Now the food

From there salad to sweet dishes

Salad humm three star

Fish and chips 4.5 ( they cut the pieces too small not the chips people the fish LOL)

Tandoori Roti 5 stars

Beef nehari 5 Stars (Awesome taste)

Lamb something 5 Stars (Not bad except oily)

Chicken tandoori 2 stars ( Not cooked properly. I guess they get busy and have to fill the bucket more from the kitchen in a given time)

Lamb Payah 4 stars (Payah needs less water in it)

Haleem how did I miss it Dad liked it but I avoided it

At least four or five vegetarian dishes and I did not taste them me being carnivores.

Sweet dishes are ok

I guess they pulled dishes out of fridge and did not warm them ENOUGH and just put it to serve.

Mango lassi was ok

Tea is also served and all other fountain drinks.

I liked my food because I pick and chose very carefully

Ooh rice biryani I avoided that and the white rice had a little bit but rather stay with the roti

The price seems to be a bit high for a buffet but of one will go to any Chinese or all you can eat buffet you may pay almost the same or less not sure have to find that out

Ohhhhh the barbecue out side they can work on that just by looking at it it seemed to be ok

Will I eat here again

Yes sure for Nihari, Lamb and Roti

I have missed a lot of dishes but the pictures are for all the dishes they...