Thanjai Mess – Indian Restaurant Houston — Restaurant in Houston

An Authentic Taste of South India in Houston!

I recently visited Thanjai Mess Houston, and I’m still thinking about the food days later. This place is an absolute gem for anyone craving truly authentic South Indian flavors—specifically those from the Kongu and Tamil Nadu regions. Every single dish I tried was outstanding, and the experience felt like a delicious trip back to India.

I ordered quite a spread: Kongu Naadu Vellai Biriyani, Wedding Biriyani, Chicken 65, Nethili Fry, Paneer Fried Rice, and Samosa—and I can confidently say every item was amazing. • Kongu Naadu Vellai Biriyani: This was the absolute highlight of my meal. Perfectly cooked, aromatic, and beautifully mild yet flavorful—the kind of biriyani that stands out for its simplicity and authenticity. It tasted exactly like the traditional Kongu-style vellai biriyani you’d find back home. Truly exceptional. • Wedding Biriyani: Rich, fragrant, and full of that classic “wedding-style” depth of flavor. Every bite felt celebratory. The spices were balanced perfectly, and the texture of the rice and meat was spot on. • Chicken 65: Crispy, juicy, and seasoned perfectly. It had that ideal blend of spice and tang without being overwhelming. Definitely one of the best Chicken 65s I’ve had in Houston. • Nethili Fry: A treat for seafood lovers! Fresh, crunchy anchovies fried to perfection—flavorful, addictive, and beautifully spiced. • Paneer Fried Rice: Soft paneer chunks with perfectly stir-fried rice, full of flavor and not greasy at all. It had that comforting Indo-Chinese taste done right. • Samosa: Crispy exterior with a flavorful, well-spiced filling. A great start to the meal and a...

We visited Thanjai Mess in Houston on Wednesday, just a few days after their grand opening, and the experience was extremely disappointing. Lunch was offered only as a buffet for $16.99 per person—no à la carte menu available.

Coming to the food… honestly, it was the worst South Indian meal I’ve had in Houston. Every single item was bland and completely lacking flavor. None of the non-veg dishes tasted right, and the goat curry was especially hopeless. We went in with high hopes, excited to try a newly opened restaurant, but the quality and taste were nowhere close to acceptable.

If this is the standard they’re serving in their very first week, I genuinely don’t know how they plan to keep the place running. Definitely not...

The food at this South Indian restaurant is definitely flavorful—starters, main course, and gravies tasted good. However, the buffet pricing doesn’t feel justified for the limited variety offered. There are several other restaurants that provide a more extensive and delicious spread for a similar price.

The biggest disappointment was the desserts, which were a complete letdown compared to the otherwise tasty meal. To improve the overall experience, the restaurant should consider adding more items to the buffet or revisiting their pricing strategy. With a few changes, this place could easily stand out, because the core dishes are...