Curry Hut — Restaurant in Augusta

More than three months have passed since I indulged in their delectable soup - I remain unsure if it was the Mulligatawny or Dal, but the taste lingers in my memory. The trip to Augusta was fleeting, making their tantalizing soup a onetime indulgence rather than a regular treat. Yet, it's undeniably the most savory soup I've ever savored. To satisfy my longing, I plan to explore local Indian restaurants or even attempt to recreate that delicious soup using the recipes provided by ChatGPT for Mulligatawny and Dal.

I dined at the restaurant alone, where I was greeted by the restaurant manager, Vik. As I walked in, he asked, "Is it just you?" – a question that I often encounter at various establishments. While some might take offense, I don't. In fact, I find it quite amusing.

This question is one I get most of the time when I dine out solo, and it's never been an issue for me. My usual retort is "No, it's me, myself and I," which always seems to lighten the atmosphere. So, when Vik asked me if I was alone, I didn't see it as an offense but just another opportunity to respond with my signature humor.

Living life can become quite the challenge if one picks up offenses from every little thing. To me, adopting a sense of wit, humor, and tactfulness in managing my own feelings and experiences has always been my philosophy. This approach, I've found, is far more beneficial than expecting constant sensitivity from others in a world that sometimes lacks it.

To the solo diners out there, remember, the power of how we interpret the world around us lies within ourselves. As long as we maintain a lighthearted attitude and a smile on our faces, any interaction can be a pleasant one. And in my case, dining alone under Vik's management was indeed a positive experience. Stay positive and make sure to pack up your sense of humor, wit and self-confidence.

Vik displayed a remarkable depth of knowledge as he patiently and thoroughly responded to my inquiries about their extensive menu. Our engaging conversation not only touched on food but also ranged across a variety of subjects, all of which was captivating. His informative insights, paired with his warm, friendly demeanor, painted the picture of an ideal restaurant manager.

Furthermore, Vik exhibited genuine interest in my dining experience, making a point to periodically check in on how I was finding the food. His attentive inquiries and the offer of additional assistance underscored his commitment to impeccable service.

Beyond Vik, the server who brought my foods was equally commendable. They excelled in their role, mirroring Vik's exceptional dedication to customer...

From the outside it doesn't look like much and even as you enter you may realize it may have been a taco bell at one point, but what Curry Hut has done with the place is far, far better. The dining room isn't very big (most taco bells are pretty small) but it is nicely appointed, the tables are clean and each have a flower on them. The drop ceiling is painted and looks new, with no sagging or stained acoustic panels. What impressed me was how clean the restaurant was. From the ceiling to the floors to the nicely printed menus, this place is awesome. There is a kitchen take out window as you enter, but no overpowering odors from the kitchen and everything is just clean and classy. The young man who was my waiter was attentive, polite and helpful. I like trying new things and this time I ordered the chicken vindaloo which was listed as a 'spicy treat'. When asked what level of spice I would like, I usually go with medium and requested it this time as well. My waiter cautioned me about how spicy it might be and I felt confident I could handle it... I should have listened to my waiter. The dish was fresh, hot and delicious but medium spice was more than I was used to or could handle. Speaking with who I believed may have been one of the owners, he said they try to stay as close to 'authentic' Indian cuisine as possible, and this would be medium in his country. My mistake was not realizing in it's basic configuration it is already considered a 'spicy' dish even at a mild setting. That is what I should have ordered, and I will, next time. Listen to your waiter folks. The garlic naan I had was also fresh and amazing. I ordered two chicken samosas as an appetizer which were quite large, crispy, hot and delicious. They were served with two traditional dipping sauces - one green (very mildly spiced) and the brown (sweet, probably raisin-based?). Together on my samosas they were delicious. Lastly, I was given a run down of available drinks and opted to try the Indian lemon-lime soda. It was great, probably more limey tasting than Sprite. All in all, this is a great little restaurant serving excellent food in a clean, friendly and cozy atmosphere and while I'm in town, I'll be back. Would...

Not recommending this restaurant! 🚫

Recently, we stopped by this restaurant on our way to a trip and unfortunately, our experience left a lot to be desired. We ordered Chicken Karahi, Naan, Rice, Biriyani, and Tea, hoping for a delightful meal. However, the only saving grace was the Chicken Karahi - the rest was a disappointment. Let's start with the Biriyani - the taste was simply awful. It lacked the authentic flavors and fell far short of what a Biriyani should taste like. As for the Tea, well, it was more like a cup of water with a light brown color and a strangely blunt taste. I can't even bring myself to describe it as tea. But that's not all. Now let's talk about the scam we encountered while checking out. The bill didn't provide a breakdown of costs, which immediately raised suspicions. Little did we know, regardless of the number of people in your group , they automatically tack on an 18% mandatory gratuity charge. We were only 5 people and ordered separately. They didn’t write about the gratuity charge anywhere in this restaurant and This information is conveniently hidden unless you meticulously scrutinize the entire receipt, which is only available electronically on your phone. If you choose not to receive the digital copy, you won't even realize you're being scammed. Essentially, even you have to choose minimum 15% to tip. if you decide to tip 15%, they are still raking in an extra 15% with the added 18% gratuity charge. This blatant exploitation of customers is absolutely senseless and unacceptable. Considering our disappointing food experience and the scam we encountered, I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone. It's unfortunate that such practices overshadow any potential positives. Save your time and money by seeking out a different dining option. 🙅🏻‍♂️ NB: We confronted the manager and after several rounds of arguments they paid us back but I guess they are used to and will continue this...