Athidhi Aalayam - Vegetarian Cuisine — Restaurant in Frisco

Athidi Alayam – A Bold Entry With Room to Grow

Located right next to Sri Krishna Vilas, and following the line-up after Bharath Bhavan, Athidi Alayam is the newest entrant in this popular food stretch is the new kid on the block trying to make a statement — and it certainly does, at least in terms of decor. Channeling the bold, contemporary vibes reminiscent of Rameswaram Cafe in Bengaluru, the interiors aim to impress. And visually, they succeed.

But as every seasoned diner knows, it takes more than ambience to make a restaurant click.

The Food: I've visited Athidi Alayam a few times now, and my experiences have been a mixed bag. Their Masala Puri is actually quite good — a definite highlight worth trying. However, the South Indian Thali doesn't quite hit the mark. It's serviceable but lacks the depth and freshness one might expect from a place aiming for repeat visits.

The real letdown, however, was the Malai Broccoli Tikka. What should've been a creamy, charred delight was sadly undercooked, bland, and practically inedible. We had to send it back — a rare move, but justified in this case.

The Bigger Issue – Water: Here’s where the experience took a surprising turn. Athidi Alayam does not offer complimentary tap water. Yes, you read that right. Diners are required to purchase bottled water — there is no free drinking water available, not even upon request. This is not only disappointing but, frankly, puzzling. Water is a basic expectation at any restaurant, and for a place positioning itself as a family-friendly, casual dining spot, this policy feels off-putting and out of sync with customer expectations.

What’s more confusing is that when the restaurant first opened, they were offering bottled water free of charge. The decision to completely remove complimentary water service feels like a step backward.

Final Thoughts: Athidi Alayam has the potential to become a go-to neighborhood eatery, especially with its vibrant decor and promising snacks. But inconsistent food and unfriendly water policies create an unnecessary barrier. Here’s hoping the management reconsiders some of these decisions — especially the one about water. Because at the end of the day, a restaurant is remembered as much for its hospitality as its food.

Rating: 2.5/5 (+1 for decor, +0.5 for Masala Puri, -1 for Malai Broccoli Tikka, -1 for the...

Oh gosh! What happened to this place?!? I used to love to eat here. It seems to have gone downhill fast! My wife and I came here this afternoon for lunch, and had an awful experience.

For one, the waitress was clueless about the items on the menu. I asked her what’s the difference between bhel puri and special bhel puri, and she didn’t know. I then asked her what’s the difference between the Veg grilled sandwich versus a Bombay grilled sandwich. She didn’t know again. Being from Bombay, I was tempted by the latter and ordered it nonetheless. Unfortunately, it was a soggy abomination of a sandwich! Completely drenched in mayo, with a small pile of what appeared to be broken leftover chips from a prior diner’s plate! Calling that plate a “Bombay grilled sandwich” is a sin! And they made us wait nearly 45 mins for it - even though there was only a handful of people there.

They were also out of multiple items on the menu (tava wada, Andhra style dahi wada, etc.)

My wife ordered a rava dosa without onions, and after 30 mins, a different lady came up to ask if she wanted a rava dosa with onions or chilies. It was as though the waitress didn’t bother to pass on the “no onions” instruction to the kitchen.

They also gave us two plastic water bottles - don’t know why they are not using regular/reusable glass, steel or brass cups? Why waste so much plastic?

After the initial order, the original waitress just disappeared. Never bothered to stop by and ask if we needed anything.

All in all, still love the ambience but just two stars for the food and truly zero stars for service! They should really upgrade their menu to explain what the various (similar sounding) items are, and train their wait-staff to know the difference. Also, a computerized system for the wait-staff to send instructions to the kitchen would be nice rather than making the customer explain twice!

Original review from August 2025 below:

Been here twice and loved it both times. The ambience is nice with tasteful decor, and the food is tasty. Love the Lord Ganesha murthy towards the front of the restaurant. This will quickly become our go-to dinner place especially...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Absolute Gem for Authentic South Indian Vegetarian Food!

A Must-Visit in Frisco!

I consider myself something of a connoisseur of South Indian vegetarian cuisine, having tried nearly every restaurant in the North Dallas area. I can say, without a doubt, that this restaurant is not just the best—it's in a league of its own.

From the moment we walked in, the experience was exceptional. The ambience is warm, clean, and inviting. It has a modern yet authentic feel that makes it perfect for a family dinner, a casual meet-up with friends, or even a solo meal where you just want to enjoy incredible food.

The customer service was impeccable( Deepak). The staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely happy to explain the menu. They made excellent recommendations and ensured our water and coffee cups were never empty.

· Rava Dosa: Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside. It arrived piping hot and was an absolute delight with the accompanying coconut chutney and sambhar. · Idly: These were pillow-soft, fluffy clouds that melted in my mouth. They were so light and fresh, clearly made with care and expertise. · Sambhar: This was the star of the show for me. The flavor was incredibly complex, tangy, and hearty, with a perfect balance of spices and vegetables. It elevated every single thing we dipped into it. · Filter Coffee: The perfect finale. Strong, aromatic, and frothy—served in the traditional steel tumbler and davara set. It was the authentic, soul-warming cup of coffee I crave and so rarely find done right.

This meal wasn't just "good"; it was a nostalgic trip to the best flavors of South India. The quality and authenticity truly beat all other restaurants in the North Dallas area.

I would strongly recommend Athidhi Aalayam to anyone looking for a pure vegetarian South Indian culinary experience. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the cuisine, you are in for an unforgettable treat. I will most certainly be...