Punjabi Tandoor — Restaurant in Carlsbad

​I always try to begin a review by highlighting something positive, but in the case of Punjabi Tandoor, the only compliment I can offer is its convenient location. Beyond that, the experience was a profound disappointment. ​As a Punjabi, I was excited to taste food from my home region, but it seems the owners have spent so much time in the USA that they've forgotten what our cuisine is supposed to taste like. I can state with 100% certainty that the food served here is not authentic. It was painfully bland, lacking the complex and robust spice profile that is the hallmark of Punjabi cooking. The dishes tasted of little more than turmeric and salt, a far cry from the rich flavors I know and love. ​What soured the experience further was the owner's attitude, which I felt was quite rude. While I could hear him speaking Punjabi with his colleagues, he consistently replied to me in English, even when I addressed him in Punjabi. There's nothing wrong with speaking English, but using our shared language offers a personal touch and a sense of community. It felt like a deliberate and impersonal snub. This establishment deserves its one-time visitors; it’s a classic case of "once a customer, never a customer again.

Look at the presentation and delivery, to top of it samosa was something that I can't even eat. an Indian low grade dhaba will do a better job. Not worth spending your time and...

I don't normally post restaurant reviews, however we were celebrating my Mom's life and we wanted Indian food for her celebration.

My husband raved about this place and their lamb curry. So, I ate here twice to try it out. First the chicken curry then the lamb curry, the latter was out of this world good. That said, I felt comfortable enough to get food catered based on taste. I was concerned, however, that no paperwork was exchanged or given a receipt for our deposit. No brochure with pricing, no paperwork at all. My husband felt Lucky was a stand-up guy and wouldn't disappoint. Well, he was WRONG. Lucky did disappoint, the lamb tasted nothing like the single serving we received. The sauce was watery and the meat was tough.

Furthermore, we had to get a friend to pickup the order. No worries I get it, we were not in the delivery radius. My husband confirmed that the price included plates, $20 pp for 30 people, when our friend arrived they refused to give her plates. Let me see, we paid over $600 for food and your not going to include plates??!!! Our friend had to go buy plates on the way. Not good...

So... Jonny and I were stopping at a 7-Eleven by the place we are parked tonight to grab some drinks for the truck. In the same parking lot was a little strip mall/food court/way cool gathering place with outdoor seating and entertaining areas called The Restaurants at Carlsbad. A place that looked like it was a way popular location Pre-Covid. We decided to walk around and check it out. Unfortunately many many of the businesses are now closed...possibly not surviving the pandemic. But in the corner with a great big neon OPEN sign was an Indian Restaurant called Punjabi Tandoor. Neither of us have ever tried Indian food and I've been hesitant not knowing whether or not I'd like curry. Well let me tell you what.... the meal I ordered for Jonny and I to taste and share was freaking FABULOUS 😋. It was Curry Chicken, Veggies and Rice done mild. Guys...Jonny and I both agreed, it is definitely on the approved list and we will have it again. Highly recommend you try it if you haven't. Full of flavor. Thank you for the...