The Great Indian Kitchen — Restaurant in Cleveland

Worst Dining Experience – Extremely Disappointed and Deeply Embarrassed

I rarely write reviews, but this experience left me no choice.

I recently visited this restaurant with my friend, her husband, and their two kids, along with my own husband and child. I had recommended this place to them with high hopes, proudly telling them that the cuisine was from my home state and that they’d be getting an authentic taste of back home. Unfortunately, this turned into one of the most embarrassing and frustrating experiences I’ve had in a long time.

We placed a large order—over $200 worth of food—and were initially told it would take 15–20 minutes. We agreed and waited patiently. What followed was beyond disappointing.

They brought out plain bread with absolutely no gravy or curry to go with it—how does that make sense? Meanwhile, they served idlis and one dosa to two of the kids, but the third child had to wait over 30 minutes for their meal. Each time we politely asked about it, we were told, “Just five more minutes.” That promise was repeated at least seven times—and still, the food never came.

Then the biryani arrived—clearly pre-made—and still, no sign of the gravies to go with the bread. A member of our group, who is diabetic, waited nearly an hour before finally asking again about the vegetarian gravy. Again, the same response: “Five more minutes.” Yet we noticed that other tables, who had arrived much later than us, were being served before us.

This wasn’t just poor service—it felt like we were being disrespected for no reason. When we politely raised our concerns, hoping for a sincere apology or explanation, the staff became defensive, argumentative, and dismissive. Not once did they acknowledge the delay or inconvenience. Not once did they apologize.

As someone who had proudly brought friends here expecting a good experience, I felt ashamed. I even spoke to them in our native language, calmly explaining that serving plain bread with no gravy, delaying food for children, and making one dosa every half hour is simply not acceptable. Their reaction? More arguing—no accountability, no effort to make it right.

We finally left—without eating—deeply upset and still hungry. All we wanted was a basic level of respect and a sincere apology, and we received neither.

To the owner/management: I sincerely hope you read this. This wasn’t just a delay—it was a complete failure in hospitality, communication, and basic customer respect. I brought guests here expecting a taste of home and instead left completely humiliated. You’ve lost not just one family, but everyone we know who now knows this story.

I hope you reach out, because this experience deserves to be acknowledged...

I want to preface my review with two comments.....1) I have limited past experience with Indian food, and 2) there were some really good things about today's experience, but I do have some critiques. All that said, I will be going back and it's definitely worth you trying.

First, the food: Being a bit of a novice with Indian food, I went with a staple - the Butter Chicken - as did the rest of my group. As a side, I ordered a couple pieces of parathi (a flaky Indian flat bread). They were both absolutely delicious! That said, here's the critique: The butter chicken came in a very small paper bowl....basically a side dish bowl, rather than an entree bowl, but it carried an entree price. It would have been filling enough for lunch if it had come with (or served over) rice....which is cheap, but it didn't. We thought maybe we didn't get rice because we ordered bread sides....So we when we checked out, we asked if it normally comes with rice (?) - No. Beyond that, it had very little chicken in it.....Maybe 2 ounces. Again, it was absolutely delicious but, without rice or bread included, it seems way over priced and would not have been anywhere near filling on its own. (With the bread side - for which we each paid extra - we were all satiated, but it was an expensive lunch.) While we were there, another patron received their dish - which looked like biryani - and it was a nice, full plate. So, some items on the menu might be more filling & better value.

The interior (the furniture, walls, floor, and fixtures) has been "tired" for a while, including under the last two restaurants that were there.....and not much has changed. I'm hoping they or the landlord will put a little money and effort into sprucing up the place.

So, in summary, don't expect great surroundings if you're dining in, and maybe inquire about dish sizes before you decide what to order, but the food (in what I've tried so far) is absolutely delicious and I think it is definitely worth you giving it a try, particularly if you like...

1 the address of this restaurant is inaccurate, this sits all the way at the corner and the end of the street not in the middle where the actual entrance of the listed address is. 2 the outside the awning says Omar's Grill and then there is smallest ever sign in the window the has the name of the restaurant. These two things combined made this restaurant annoying and uneasy to find. Inside the restaurant no one was out in the lobby to greet us my husband and I just sat ourselves, we grabbed our own menus from the table around us and eventually someone said they would come back in 5 minutes to take our order. 10 mins pass by and we had to call someone from the back to come out and take our order, mind you my husband and I were literally the only ones seated at the restaurant everyone else who came in ordered take out. We ordered our food it did come out quick it did taste good. When we were done all the sudden this lady from the back comes out talking to so sweet and polite and asked us about our food. AFTER WE PAY SHE ASKED US TO GIVE A 5 STAR GOOGLE REVIEW. SHE PRESSURED US TO SCAN THE QR CODE AT THE COUNTER AND GIVE A 5 STAR RATING ON THE SPOT. She asked about 4 times for a 5 star review, very weird and desperate. To the restaurant: Your location listed on your website does not accurately depict where you are. You need better restaurant sign. This place does not deserve 5 stars The atmosphere and ambiance is drab and baisic a 2 at best the service is about a 3 the food was good so I will give a 4.5 for what we tasted. Don't pressure customers to give you a 5 star rating as they leave its inappropriate. You can encourage us to rate you on Google but pressuring customers to scan something right on the spot and give a 5 star rating is a scam. Also my husband and I ordered 1 appetizer 3 snacks 1 piece of bread and 2 Mango Lassi it was 63.00 way over priced for the type of feel of the restaurant which was super casual...