Bawarchi Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Hoover

This has been our regular Indian takeout spot for years but obviously something has changed. The food was really spicy tonight despite ordering it mild but that was the very least of the problems. The people working up front asked me for my ID to pickup food my husband already paid for and took pictures of my license front and back before allowing me to leave. I would understand if something (literally anything) had been said to me. I can only assume that theft is a big problem based off this interaction but something needs to be said to the customer prior to grilling them about what was ordered, asking for email proof of the order and photographing someone's ID. I don't expect to have to submit legal documents to be photographed to pickup takeout. This wasn't a door dash, Uber eats, or a 3rd party order nor was it a large order. We had 3 items total as is our norm. Myself or my husband always picks up our own order there. To top it off, these 6 pieces of chicken were my dinner portion of butter chicken. The rest was just sauce. The last couple of times we got takeout, it was more sauce than anything else but we kept going back bc it was good, quick, close to home. Sad to see this go downhill but we won't ever be returning after being treated like hardened criminals on a butter chicken run.

ETA: In response to the comment, the issue was never asking to see my ID. I can completely see why you'd need to do this as a business. Verification is important. I have no problem with that whatsoever. The issue is taking a picture of my ID without asking any kind of consent or explaining why along with the miniscule amount of food. The girl asked for my ID and I showed her it in my wallet where my full name could clearly be seen. She had me take it out and proceeded to take pictures of it without saying anything to me. That is wildly inappropriate and I stand by my original remark that we will not return. The spice level was truly the very least of...

Bawarchi marks as one of the oldest indian food joints in Birmingham but I believe there are things they need to change. Things that need to be upgraded.

We went for few things which I believe could have been a better experience

Food options- need more and new options. Sides like papadam, papad or bite size appetizers. Experience- i love the quite vibe and clean tables but a salt-pepper or a fancy table cloth can add to the experience. I liked kirkland water served here, something I find unique here. I would appreciate things like finger bowl, more tissues etc Service- really really nice and sweet staff at greeting. I guess they also felt things could be better but didnt know if their opinion would mtter

Now comments on my order: Dosa- i could clearly see the chutneys served in takeaway plastic means they were frozen and premade for long. Dosa batter tasted sour. It clearly means its not fresh. Its not stale but still Chef’s do need to taste test of dish before it goes out.

Dum Biryani- spice level was way below the spice level asked on the table. The dum zayka was good. They are known for this because their dum cannot be copied by any other place. Yet, need to figure out what would be the table’s preferred spice level and prepare a dish accordingly

Bavarchi recommended Paneer butter masala- amazing curry. I would say worth for covering up of what else was there on the table.

Naan bread- liked the Kulcha and naan. Did make it well balanced in terms of balance between crisp and soft textute.

Conclusion- I may come back if any friend insists but wont be a personal preference unless things change

Recommendation- i want a joint which attracts me and keeps me coming back not because its old and well known. In terms of rising competitons in the Indian restaurant market, you need to upgrade or else will be history.

Also need more fresh ingredients...

I do not wish to say a bunch a bad things about people's efforts in the restaurant industry. I do realize how difficult it is to make profits, but this restaurant is dreadful.

They environment is dull and un-inviting. I was greeted with "take out?", instead of a welcoming hello. My friend and I dined in, and were given 2 bottles of room temperature waters, with no concern of us needing glasses, ice, or straws. The menu is so crammed with items that it looks like a 'newspaper' page, with small use-less pictures, and bring your readers if you need them. I could not handel both conversation with my friend, and reading the overwhelming menu. This many different many menu items offered is not a good thing in my opinion. So, I ended ordering the $19 Chicken Tikka Masala along with my friend, no soup, no salad offered, and it does not have a side item. We stuck with the bottle water cause the drink prices are high as well. We heard the loud sizzling sound of our food coming. As it was presented, it looked like leftovers. The outside of my chicken was indeed sizzling hot, but the inside was barely room temp. I know this dish was slow cooked, but the quality was very poor. Plus, there were a mixer of grilled and raw onions underneath my two rather small chicken quarters. I refused the meal and left. In my opinion, the owners of this Indian restaurant, came to America for the sole purpose of ripping us off with cheap frugal tactics and over charging everyone for low grade cheap products, dry and impatient customer service, and still expect us to believe its authentic. What a joke! Such an insult to their own culture, and I adore the culture of...