Sham India's Oven — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Their weekday lunch buffet is scaled back (actually, almost all Westside Indian places have scaled back) and doesn’t include extras like papad, but they will deliver a basket of freshly baked naan bread to your table (plain w flecks of black Nigella seeds; and garlic cilantro naan).

Compared to some other Westside places including one less than 3 blocks away, India’s Oven doesn’t seem to Americanize the flavors too much except for maybe slightly toning down the spice levels of some of its curries.

I went for the weekday lunch buffet and thought it was decent, but some dishes and condiments were a little too salty. I enjoyed the Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Heaven (laden with dried red chilies) the most for the flavorful Northern style sauces. Temperature of buffet items were lukewarm during my first round, but on my second round, I made sure to scoop items from the center of the serving containers since the center is right over the flame.

Unlike other Indian buffets, this place didn’t offer salad plates nor soup bowls. I also wasn’t a fan of the rice pudding (they used wheat vermicelli when I went) nor the carrot halwa dessert. Chai tea was expensive at $3.50, but they offered a free refill if desired. However, they offered free one hour validated parking, but I’m a slow eater so I still had to pay $3.00 for the 15 minutes I went over an hour.

Service could be better in terms of attitude and attentiveness, but that’s for the lunch staff and I don’t know if the dinner staff is better or not.

Overall I’m still rounding...

This is the worst place in LA I have ever encountered such horrible service and a disgusting attitude by the owner.

We've been here 5 times and up until the 4th time service was great. Ordered a tomato soup and came in this tiny little bowl which was 1/4 the size of a regular tomato soup we got the last 4 times. Asked the owner what happened? He said the last time their small bowls were broken so they had to bring the bigger bowl. So the last 4 times your bowl was broken? This owner tried to justify and lie his way through. I have never seen such cheap attitude specially coming from the owner.

They then brought our Thali dinner with several dishes. Right away I noticed they reduced the portion of the chicken tikka masala and the rice. This seems to be the norm here where they try to impress you but as soon as you become a regular here they will reduce portions on you and reduce food quality. By the way the food did not taste the same this time.

The owner also when he was arguing, he took off his mask right in front of our food and started arguing and spitting. Absolutely disgusting during COVID. You didn't even check for our vaccine cards. So I called the LA health department and reported these guys and they will be up for an inspection. I hope they close this restaurant down with such horrible service and...

The Sham Indian Oven is a solid choice for those craving authentic Indian cuisine. While the food may not be exceptional, it's certainly above average and satisfying.

The Yellow Dal Fry was a highlight, with a rich, creamy texture and a subtle blend of spices. The Jeera Alu, a potato dish, was also well-prepared, with a nice balance of flavors and a hint of cumin.

The Malai Kofta, a vegetarian dish featuring paneer and vegetable dumplings, was creamy and flavorful, although slightly sweet for my taste.

The Garlic Naan was soft and buttery, with a pungent garlic flavor that complemented the meals nicely. The Tandoori Roti, a classic Indian flatbread, was cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and a soft interior.

Overall, Sham Indian Oven delivers consistent, above-average Indian cuisine that's sure to please. While it may not be the most innovative or exceptional, it's a reliable choice for a satisfying meal.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Price: Moderate

Recommended for: Those seeking authentic, comforting Indian cuisine without breaking the bank.

Will I return? Yes, for a reliable and satisfying...