Indian Masala Tadka — Restaurant in Dallas

There is food that fills your stomach. And then there is food that drags your soul through the fire, kisses your memories on the mouth, and sends you back to a childhood you forgot you had. That is what Indian Masala Tadka did to me.

I just moved to Dallas from Atlanta, where I had a tiny Indian joint under my loft. Family run. No gimmicks. Just soul in every spoonful. Since getting here? One disappointment after another. Restaurants that look the part but have no heat. No hands in the kitchen that actually belong to the people who built the recipes. I was starting to think the real thing did not exist here.

Then I walked into Indian Masala Tadka.

This place does not beg for attention. It does not care about TikTok or influencer lighting. What it has is fire. Family. And food that grabs you by the collar and demands you pay attention. I am writing this with sweat pouring down my face from a butter chicken labeled as medium spice. Medium. And it is everything I have been missing. Rich, unapologetic, beautifully layered. A dish that punches and hugs at the same time. It made me feel like a child again, tasting something honest for the first time.

Forget Shiva Bar and Grill around the corner. That is for people who want Indian food that does not talk back.

Indian Masala Tadka is the best Indian food in downtown Dallas. Maybe in all of DFW.

Give them your time. Give them your money. Give them the reverence they have earned. And when that first bite stops you cold, say thank...

It’s sad to leave a review like this but the only reason why I gave this restaurant a 2 star is for the service(she was the saving grace from getting no stars). The young lady was very sweet and nice. Didn’t check on us until after we were done eating but the service was good overall. Now let’s get to the food. The veg pakoda was very subpar I’ve had a lot better. Now the main issue is had was the palak paneer. I’ve never had it this water and flavorless. I eat this dish often while in Florida(where I live) and the color isn’t the same. I couldn’t even tell spinach was in it. Very disappointing to say the least. Finally the mango lassi was just straight yogurt. I couldn’t even tell it was really mango outside of the color because the taste wasn’t there. They should really take pointers from my favorite Indian spot in Tampa Florida called Curry Leaves. This place missed the mark completely. I don’t understand the comments and question if they know what it’s supposed to taste like unless I happened to get it on a bad day. I will tag a photo(table has white cloth) of the palak paneer I’m used to seeing and eating...

After being here a couple times I feel confident in my 4/5 rating. Overall great food,some dishes have been a little oily. The place is small and not the most vibey place, but clean and cute.

First visit in Dec: Chicken korma - solid but felt like it was missing something. Korma is one of my favorite dishes but this one didn't excite me. Gobi machurian - did not disappoint except for the sogginess, but that was simply bc I took it to-go and was too lazy to properly air fry it to get it crispy again. Would love to get this fresh at the resto. Hot and sour soup - a bit oily, and I wasn't expecting mushrooms for whatever reason, but it was good

2nd visit Chicken Rogan Josh - YUM!!! Great flavor, stewy consistency, and a hint of the fruitiness that I love. A bit oily, which I know is necessary to some degree but it does feel like overkill. Chicken Tikka salad - this was a good buy!! Only $11 and it included chicken till, tomato, cucumber, red onion + a yogurt sauce. Took a couple bites and it was bombbbb. Saving it for...