Samosa Garden — Restaurant in California

When it comes to a true hole-in-the-wall restaurant offering authentic Indian/Chaat food, "Samosa Garden" will have you covered. I actually have been to this place at least a dozen times dating back to the early 2000's; even before writing reviews was a thing. Located directly in a strip mall on Florin Road east of Highway 99 and just a few blocks from Stockton Blvd., this small family-owned and operated business has been dishing out some of their signature Indian dishes for a few decades.

I made my most recent visit during the afternoon of Sunday June 5, 2022 at around 2:40pm. Since this was going to be a lunch/dinner, I wanted to order enough food that would carry me through the rest of the day. The inside of this place is as no-frills as you get with several booths and tables for dining. However, with the occupancy restrictions (as of 2022), only one table was available for indoor dining. Luckily nobody else was dining inside so I enjoyed my meal when it was hot and ready.

Now onto the food itself.. In all my years reviewing several business, this place has NOT changed their prices! To put it all in perspective, here is a rundown of the most popular entrees and sides:

#1 meal (vegetable of the day, Dal, rice, Roti or Puri) - $3.99 #2 meal (vegetable of the day, Dal, rice, yogurt, Aloo Tikki, Roti or Puri) - $4.99 #3 meal (chicken curry, vegetable of the day, rice, Roti or Puri) - $5.99 Hot Chaats - $2.99 Cold Chatts - $3.99 Samosas - 85¢

With these rock bottom prices, you can get your Indian fix on and still be under ten bucks. Therefore, I went with the #2 meal; the vegetable of the day was Baingan Bharta (fire roasted eggplant mash cooked with spices), Dal (yellow lentils, tomatoes, & spices), Indian white rice, yogurt (also known as Curd or Dahi), Aloo Tikki (sweetened boiled potatoes with curry spices), and Roti (round whole wheat flatbread). I also went with one Samosa (fried pastry complete with spiced potatoes, onions, and peas) that included sweet & sour sauce and Cilantro Chutney spicy green sauce. I completed my order with a 12 oz. can of soda. After tax & tip, I spent an unbelievably low $9 for everything.

My samosa arrived in just under 2 minutes while my main entrée was brought out within 7 minutes. Everything was piping hot while it smelled amazing. The aromatic scent of the curry might be too much for many people but not me as I love eating all curry dishes from different countries. The eggplant was seasoned very well while the Dal had a perfect consistency; much like a creamy lentil soup. I particularly enjoyed the Aloo Tikki as I could easily consume a few of these without hesitation. But the real winner was their Samosa as it had the perfect crunchy batter on the outside with that spicy potato compound complete with peas & onions on the inside. This is why people order these by the dozen and at only 85¢ each, I can see why these are a big hit.

All in all, "Samosa Garden" is reasonable, affordable, and excellent option if you're looking to dine on a dime, literally. The older lady (who I believe is the owner) that took my order is the one to go see as she has always treated me with respect during all my past visits. Many people have complained about the lackluster service with her daughter being disrespectful to customers. As I never enjoy critiquing a business based on am employees' behavior & attitude, customer service can go a long way. And for my recent experience, I am giving Samosa Garden a...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Samosa Garden in the vibrant Florin area of Sacramento, CA, and I must say, it was an incredible experience. This hidden gem, tucked away in a real hole in the wall, has been serving up delicious Indian cuisine with the same menu for the past 20 years.

What sets Samosa Garden apart is the remarkable consistency they've maintained over the years. Not only have their prices remained unchanged, but their commitment to quality and authentic flavors has never wavered. It's a testament to their dedication and passion for delivering exceptional food to their customers.

This amazing restaurant is truly a family affair. I've had the pleasure of watching the owner's kids grow up over the years, as they help out at the restaurant and contribute to its warm and welcoming atmosphere. The personal touch and family involvement make dining at Samosa Garden feel like visiting an old friend.

The food at Samosa Garden is nothing short of delicious. My go-to order is the #2 combo with puri, and let me tell you, the puri always arrives piping hot and fresh. It's a true delight to savor the crispy, golden-brown puris alongside the flavorful curries, which change daily. Every meal is a new adventure for your taste buds, and I can confidently say that in my 20 years of dining here, I've never had a bad experience.

In addition to their delectable main dishes, Samosa Garden also offers an array of amazing sweets and snacks. These treats are perfect for satisfying your cravings or exploring new flavors. It's like having a taste of the vibrant Indian dhaba experience right here in Sacramento. You'll save yourself the airfare and experience the same authentic flavors and warm hospitality.

I highly recommend paying a visit to Samosa Garden. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Indian cuisine, this restaurant will captivate your taste buds and leave you wanting more. The combination of delicious food, affordable prices, and a welcoming family atmosphere make it a true gem in the local dining scene.

Make sure to carve out some time to indulge in the flavors of India at Samosa Garden. Your palate will thank you for the incredible journey, and you'll walk away with cherished memories of a fantastic...

I normally don't leave reviews but feel compelled to dispel some misconceptions about service here. It's an absolutely lovely little hole-in-the-wall Indian food place. Prices have remained low because the wonderful woman who owns and runs the restaurant wants to keep them low for her community, which is admirable. She runs the restaurant with the help of her family, including her daughter and occasionally her son or other family members. Both mom and daughter can maybe appear a little rough around the edges to newcomers, but I take it more as them being efficient and striving to serve as many people as possible. During slow times when I've visited we've had longer chats, and they're both quite friendly. They primarily serve delicious vegetarian curry, potatoes/aloo, dahl/lentils, chana/garbanzos, and of course the fried potato patties/aloo tikki and potato samosas. My usual order is two #1 for $3.99 each, which come with jasmine rice, bread, dahl, and your choice of vegetarian main. They also serve usually one lamb and one chicken main, but they keep them separate from the vegetarian options, and I think it's a dollar or two more for those. Samosas and aloo tikki are $0.85, and the mint/green and tamarind/red chutneys now also have a small charge. For under $20 for two #1 meals, four aloo tikki, four samosas, and one red and one green chutney, my husband and I have plenty of food for dinner and lunch the next day. These days, you'd be hard pressed to find any takeout at these prices, not to mention Indian food. I hope this place...