Hari Foods — Restaurant in Indianapolis

Loved loved loved this place!!! Hari Om Foods has recently opened and has very quickly made its place as one of my favorites eateries in Carmel for me!! So relieved that Carmel finally has a place that offers decent chaat and snacks. If you are a chaat lover like me, you'd be equally delighted in trying out their Bhel. Their Bhel is something else, but definitely a must try item. It is not your usual bhel, a bit unconventional what with a mix of sprouts, potatoes, tomatoes, onion, pomegranate, cucumber (yes cucumber in a bhel, but trust me the end result is mindblowing!) It has a beautiful amalgamation of flavors and the chutneys just give the right punch to this flavor packed bhel! So def a must try on their menu. This place has become our favorite go to for quick snack bites. I have tried everything on their menu right from samosas, khaman, dahi vada, kachori(occasionally), sandwiches, vada pav, veg puffs etc etc .. and everything was really good!! If you're looking for a homely meal, you should try their thaali. Their kaadhi reminded me of my grandma, it was just the way my naani made it... Very homely. Two words best define this place - simplicity and authenticity. It might feel I'm going a bit overboard with my review, but I truly feel, if a place deserves the appreciation, it should be given its due recognition, so more people are encouraged to try out and have a similar satisfactory experience. Apart from the snacks, Hari foods also offers a wide array of indian sweets and dry snacks ranging from motichoor laddoo, jalebi (my fav) dry gulab jamun, varies types of barfi/milk cakes, pastries (must try their pineapple pastry) also sev, fafda, gathiya and the likes. If you want to have jalebi fafda this is your place for the combo! The owner is very amicable and sociable and we are so happy and glad that Hari foods has the kind of good indian food to offer that was missing in Carmel for a long time. As they are relatively new, their menu is evidently still developing, I wish they also include dabeli in their menu, kacchi dabeli would be something so nice to have on the...

Second Visit [still 2.5 stars]

Did go back and ordered: Pav Bhaji, Chole Bhature, Vada Pav, Kachori Chat, and Ghee Jalebi.

Jalebi and Chole Bhature were good but not great! Kachori was good also but maybe better if taken by itself vs. in Kachori Chat. Would recommend these but will not recommend Vada Pav or Pav Bhaji; these are not worth your money. No where close to being authentic.

First Visit

Kudos to the owners for starting a pure vegetarian restaurant in the city; we definitely need more of these. It was very crowded and for a minute it almost felt like we were in India, which was nostalgic. The staff is super nice; don't worry if you're not familiar with the items they are serving as I'm sure the owners would help you select some on your initial visit.

Regardless of my below review, I think non-Indians (and maybe Indians too) should definitely try their food to get a feel for Indian street food, although not as delicious as you'd get back home, it is still better vs. what we get here in the states.

2.5 stars: We had Vada Pav, Bombay Sandwich, Pav Bhaji, Gulab Jamun Pastry, and Butter Scotch Pastry. These savory items are pretty popular street/fast food back home.

You wouldn't like these at Hari Foods if you have had these items in India or at home before. They were mostly very bland and not flavourful. I would suggest owners/chef to rework their recipes to enhance the flavors of each of the three items we ordered as the original flavors of these three should be very unique. They didn't ask for spice level, so assuming everything they are serving is at the same level of spice, which isn't appropriate for Indian palate.

While their portion sizing/quantity is fine, I feel like some of the items are overpriced, so suggest doing some price testing exercise. E.g., $10 for Bombay Sandwich is not worth it; I think it should be ~$7. Similarly, the price of Pav Bhaji should be lowered by a dollar at least.

We would definitely go back to try other items and may reorder some to see if things have improved (review will be updated based on subsequent visits,...

Hey fellow food adventurers! Just got back from an amazing culinary escapade at this hidden gem in Indiana, and I've got to spill the beans about it. We were a group of eight, wandering into this spot for the first time, and boy, were we pleasantly surprised! First up, a huge shoutout to the staff – these guys were the epitome of hospitality. They even opened a tab for us, which was super convenient and let us order to our heart's content without worrying about the bill every time. Trust me, that kind of flexibility is a game-changer when you're exploring a menu as tempting as this one.

Now, let's dive into the main event – the food! Good quantity and good price! If you're into vegetarian cuisine, this place is like hitting the jackpot. We feasted on a parade of dishes, each bursting with authentic Indian flavors. The Jalebi was crispy and sweet, the Rabri was creamy heaven, and the Ragda Patties (my personal favorite) were out of this world. We didn't stop there – Chole Bhature, Bhel, Dabeli, Dhokla, Mango Lassi, you name it, we tried it. Each dish transported us straight to the bustling streets of India. The flavors were so spot on, it felt like a culinary journey right there at our table.

But let's talk ambiance. This eatery's got a cozy vibe with limited seating, so be prepared to get up close and personal with your fellow diners. It's all part of the authentic street food experience, right? Sure, there's a bit of a wait, but that's just proof of how popular this place is. And honestly, the wait just builds up the anticipation. Every minute you spend waiting is paid back tenfold when you take that first bite. So, if you're cool with a snug setup and a little patience, you're in for an unforgettable treat. This isn't just a meal; it's a full-on flavor fest that'll leave you dreaming about it for days. Whether you're a local or just passing through, make sure to add this spot to your must-visit list. Trust me, your taste buds...