Chennai Masala — Restaurant in Hillsboro

We were at this restaurant for Festival lunch with friends & family. After waiting for almost an hour with a buzzer in hand watching people coming after us being made to sit before us was upsetting to begin. Finally after asking at least thrice why we were not being accommodated, the manager decided to give us our place. There was a long Que for the buffet & I had barely made to seat the owner asked one of our friends to hurry up as she had other people waiting...Really.... Well to add to horror one of friends had to leave & he made all the payments...Our Bad luck....as the lady came again in 5 mins knocked on the table & asked the rest of us to hurry up....... This made me get up to tell her it was rude to ask customers to rush their meals. To this the manager said " I have been doing this to everyone today You tell me how to manage?" I told her it was not my business.....to which she got furious & said "Never come back again if you don't like this!! We all got upset & we left the place without finishing our meal which was all paid for. I have been to busier food places in more than 5 countries...I have never had anyone say this to me..I guess people from "Chennai" are fine with being treated like Filth at this place... I am still wondering this happened to me in US... Please don't go to this place to get insulted.... I hope a legal entity is reading this so they can do something about this. I am guessing how this kind of businesses are allowed to run...

This is the worst Indian restaurant I have ever been to for the following reasons:- a. The service is pathetic. The waiters are rude and have no people skills. They are aggressive in their tone. There is one head waiter who looks everywhere except you when he is taking an order. b. Once you are done eating, they never bring the checks even if you ask them to. They will wait until you get up and go to the counter. This is someone not the case if the customers are white. I have noticed that the waiters are friendlier with white folks than with Indians. One of the head waiters once hit his head when I requested him to split the bill instead of doing one bill. He stared and me and yelled 'Why didnt you tell me earlier?' c. Food tastes bad. Once they served me stale coconut chutney. When I politely brought this to their notice the waiter got defensive and went into denial. The waiters clearly lack professionalism. d. There is a lady who walks around talking to people. She is well known for her cheeky remarks which she might think is funny but actually they are crass and uncouth. e. Some of their food tastes terrible. Other Indian restaurants serve far better dosas and Idlis. f. This place is an insult to South India and to Chennai. Stop fooling the public! There has clearly been a decline in quality and service over the years. i hope they close...

Chennai Masala was an authentic, nostalgic experience that will ensure I’ll be back on a weekly basis.

The dosa was exceptional - fluffy, flavorful, and just the right amount of masala. Chutneys on point. The real litmus test of any South Asian joint is the chai, and Chennai Masala surpassed my expectations. Brewed in real milk, proven by the thin layer of milk fat on top, served in authentic cups… this was the best chai I’ve had in the PDX area.

The real reason I feel obliged to write is the heartwarming, outstanding customer service. Jitu and Vivek made me feel like I was back home, at a favorite aunt’s living room. I ordered to go, but felt the need to sit down, have conversations with the staff, and shake their hands on the way out. They kept checking up on me to make sure I had everything I needed, almost like I was some long lost relative or a VIP regular customer. I can’t remember the last time I felt so warmly welcomed at a restaurant so popular, and so busy. They even threw in a lassi and refused to take money for it!

Chennai Masala, you’re a home away from home. Thank you for personifying South Asian hospitality, and giving me an experience of being home, with family. You have a fan and a loyal customer for years to come.

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