Jewel of India Restaurant — Restaurant in Hanover

I have consistently encountered poor experiences at Jewel of India, culminating in a particularly disrespectful incident on July 19, 2024. After months of avoiding the restaurant, I decided to give it another chance. I ordered my meal through their QR code, and although the amount was deducted from my Discover credit card, my order did not process. I showed the transaction notification to the staff member assisting me and opted to place my order again, which successfully went through, leading to a second charge on my card. I requested a receipt to ensure that the first transaction would be reversed, and he agreed. He was cordial and respectful. While I was enjoying my meal, the owner, an older man wearing a turban, approached me. He began arguing rudely, insisting that the order had gone through only once and that I needed to resolve it myself. I explained that I had already discussed this with another staff member and would return if the transaction was not reversed. His angry and harsh tone escalated, and when I questioned his behavior, he responded, “because I’m the owner.” Frustrated, I decided to pack my food and leave. This incident is not isolated. Years ago, at their previous location, I ordered aloo gobhi (potato and cauliflower). Upon discovering the cauliflower was undercooked, I requested a redo. The staff's dismissive attitude was palpable, and I overheard them speaking in Punjabi about me, which I understood. They returned the cauliflower (after 20-30min) pieces after microwaving it, leaving it dry and unappetizing. Despite my dissatisfaction, I tipped them. On my next visit, as I sat down, the old man remarked in Punjabi, "Gobhi wala agaya hai" (the cauliflower guy is back). This blatant mockery was the final straw. Not only was their food subpar, but their behavior towards me was also incredibly disrespectful. One dines out to enjoy a meal and pleasant atmosphere, not to be ridiculed by staff. It was at this point that I decided to boycott the restaurant. Their consistent mistreatment of me, a brown customer, left me feeling unwelcome and discriminated against.

On another visit last year, I simply asked to sit by a window, and the owner argued that I needed to bring more guests to warrant such a request, which was unnecessary and rude. As a brown customer, I can't help but wonder if the owner treats white customers with the same disdain. Many of my brown friends have also stopped dining at Jewel of India due to similar experiences of rudeness and disrespect. I am a paying customer, deserving of basic respect and courtesy, not ridicule. In contrast, I frequently dine at "Taste of Punjab," a food truck in Lebanon, where the staff is consistently warm and welcoming. This stark difference in customer service only reinforces my decision to avoid Jewel of India...

I enjoy leaving positive reviews, and I do often. However, today, I feel compelled to be honest about MY experience. In so way am I suggesting that this is a "bad" restaurant or that you should not go there. I am simply telling you that MY experience will prevent me from ever returning, and you should be aware in case you too find yourself in a similar experience and maybe are better prepared to respond WHILE you are there (which I did not). Yes, I should have. I was with a guest, was embarrassed, and didn't want to take away from or create a distration to our experience. We were the only two people in the restaurant for lunch. Our server (who seemed like he may have been the owner) had very little to say to us and seemed annoyed that we wanted to sit and dine in. The look on his face while he poured our water suggested he was frustrated being there. As he walked away I asked for a menu. He turned around and said you can scan the QR code on the table. I told him I didn't have my phone with me. Without saying anything, he walked away, returned with two menus and tossed them on the table before walking away. My friend looked at me and said "wow, he's having a rough day". Even though we were the only two in the restaurant, it took WAY too long before he returned to take our order. After we gave our order he walked away without saying anything. I said "excuse me, would it be possible to have my order medium to hot spice?" He nodded and walked off. Our meals were 1) warm and 2) my meal was mild (very mild). Frankly, the sauce tasted like it was from a jar (which I have had). It most certainly did not taste home-made. Our rice was also cold, and not thoroughly cooked either. Our server NEVER returned to ask if we needed anything or if we were enjoying our meal. Actually, we never saw him until 20 minutes AFTER we finished our meals when he returned with the check (NOT separate checks as I had asked). He said nothing, only dropping the slip on the table (without a pen). I waited at the register for several minutes as my friend went out to make sure our parking meter hadn't expired. I even contemplated just walking about. I was furious at this point. He finally came out of the kitchen, still without saying anything, looking annoyed and reached his hand to me for my card, never asking "how was everything". After he ran my card he ripped the receipt and literally threw it at me while he was turning to walk away. I almost said something at this point but stood there in disbelief. I will NEVER return to The Jewel Of India. If you go, be prepared on how YOU will respond if you are starting to have the same...

Hungry from a day of driving around central NH, we stopped for food in a town called Hanover. We found this Indian restaurant next to a small college in town.

From the dozens of labeled takeout packs under warming lamps near the front door, the place appears to cater to the students, most of which prefer to order via DoorDash or other similar services instead of walking to the restaurant. The establishment was brightly lit, and the hustle and bustle of the waitstaff made for a less than calming atmosphere. The hostess was a terse, efficient m, but otherwise accommodating woman, who instructed us to order online using the QR code at our table. We’ve used this approach before to read menus, but it it was strange to have to stumble through the Square interface on our phones — an interface that eventually failed to register our order. Explaining this to the hostess, she admitted the system didn’t always work, and took out an order pad, making me pause wondering why she’d made us go through the hassle for ten minutes.

The chicken korma and lamb curry were good, but I’ve had much better at home in Houston. The rice was perfect, as was the naan breads (a plain and a raisin filled). Samosas were good but a bit cold. The spices were not too hot nor too mild. It was nice to have a few good beers to select from to accompany our meal. When it came time to pay, I was taken aback by the price. The bill was 30-50% more expensive than a similar meal in Houston, depending on where you were eating. I’m not sure if this pricing was because of their location near the small college (and therefore the only Indian restaurant in a convenient distance) or a...