Tandoori Grill — Restaurant in California

Today, I had the pleasure of trying out this restaurant as part of a group of eight people. I tried multiple dishes, and these are my ratings:

Chili Chicken: 1.3/10 Sadly, the chicken had a texture similar to that of jelly or rubber. The sauce was similar to barbecue sauce in both text and texture, and it didn't fit well with the spices and wasn't good in itself.

Chicken Tikka Masala: 4.1/10 The base flavor was alright, but it was very bland and the chicken had a stiff, rubbery texture.

Mango Chicken Curry: 9.1/10 The mango added a subtle fruity flavor to the overall nicely seasoned curry. The chicken was perfectly cooked

Chinese Style Vegetable Noodles: 7.6/10 Good base flavors and nice seasonings, the vegetables complemented the noodles well.

Fried Chicken Appetizer (can't recall the name): 8.7/10 The meat was cooked perfectly and the outer layer was seasoned well, it goes especially well with the green sauce they serve in the beginning.

Vegetable Samosas: 8.9/10 They were crispy on the outside and had a nice texture on the inside, were seasoned nicely and the fillings were chosen well.

Aloo Gobi: 7.9/10 The potatoes were cooked well and seasoned nicely. They serve as a nice flavor base to add sauces to.

Roti: 8.2/10 While a bit less soft than expected, the bread tasted great and had a good texture overall.

While the appetizers and breads tasted great, most of the main dishes didn't taste very good, so the food gets a total of 6.0/10, which equates to 3 stars.

Service: Upon arriving, we were greeted nicely and served water and sauces. The staff took and delivered our orders quickly. One specific dish that we ordered mild ended up being too spicy for the recipient, and they immediately redid it. They came to our table multiple times asking if everything was alright, but not so often that it would be disturbing.

Overall, the service here was great and gets a rating of 9.1/10, which equates to 4.55/5 = 5 stars.

Atmosphere: The restaurant was sparsely decorated on the inside and while it was clean, it was partly untidy. The music was slightly loud, but it added an authentic touch to the atmosphere.

Overall, I rate the atmosphere 5.8/10 which equates to 2.4/5, but I am giving it a rating of 3 stars.

All in all, our experience here was enjoyable, but dragged down slightly by the low quality of some main dishes. Therefore, I am rating this...

I went for dinner and it was okay. Honestly, the food is phenomenal. It tasted amazing. But it’s hard to look past how severely understaffed they are. There was one waiter between my table of 5, a nearby table of what looked to be about 10, and several two-people tables. Our water wasn’t refilled fast enough and it took our waiter more than half an hour to take our order. The entire dinner took 1.5 hours, but we generally eat a meal in 45 minutes. The decor and ambience were also underwhelming. An hour and a half could be tolerable if there was decent entertainment, but we just had to sit there for long periods of time, waiting for food or water.

Also, their prices are comparable to prices at other Indian restaurants, but their portions are very small in comparison. None of us were super hungry, so it wasn’t a problem, but you generally expect to get more food at a restaurant. I think management tries to cut corners wherever possible, and it ruins the whole thing. We were sat in a separate area meant for larger tables and it was significantly colder than the rest of the restaurant. There was no heater or other type of insulation.

They also lack professionalism. Our waiter was nice, and he dressed appropriately in a turban and a traditional shirt, but the only other waiter had scraggly hair and wore jeans and an oversized t shirt. I know many people who work in factories and fast food who dress more professionally than that man.

When it came time to pay the bill, they’d misplaced it and didn’t know what to charge us. We had to tell them what we ordered. Not a huge deal, but it was quite odd.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend it, and I certainly won’t return. The service was substandard, the restaurant/ambience was lacking, and they were severely understaffed. The food was amazing, and I would love to find another Indian restaurant that could rival it, but the improper management makes it impossible to enjoy...

Tandoori Grill - A Hidden Gem in Manteca, CA

During my recent visit to Manteca, I had the pleasure of dining at Tandoori Grill, a small yet inviting restaurant that offers a comforting and cozy seating arrangement.

The moment I stepped in, I was welcomed by the exceptionally friendly staff who went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was delightful.

Masala Papadam - 5/5 Our meal started with the Masala Papadam, which was an absolute treat. The crispy papadam topped with a flavorful blend of spices set the tone for the evening.

Masala Dosa - 4.5/5 Following that, we tried the Masala Dosa. The dosa was perfectly crisp on the outside, with a savory and well-spiced filling inside, making it a delicious choice.

Chilli Paneer Appetizer - 4.5/5 One of the highlights of our meal was the Chilli Paneer appetizer. The paneer was fresh and cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of heat and seasoning. It was evident that the ingredients were of high quality, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

Chicken Curry - 4/5 For the main course, we had the Chicken Curry. The curry was rich and flavorful, though I found it slightly less spicy than my preference. However, the taste was still impressive, and it was clear that the chefs are skilled at balancing flavors.

Overall, Tandoori Grill is definitely worth visiting again, especially for the hospitality and the taste of the food. The staff's willingness to cater to specific instructions and the quality of the dishes make it a standout choice in Manteca. If you find yourself in the area, don't miss the chance to enjoy...