MAdness Of MAsala - Authentic Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Lower Providence Township

We have been to the weekend buffet at Madness of Masala three times this year and that's saying a lot because we rarely go back to places that often. My wife in particular is a huge fan of the buffet and on one occasion, she even got her friends visiting from New Jersey to meet us there so that her friend and her husband - both foodies themselves - could try out the buffet.

What's Great:

1. Extensive Selection: They have a wide variety of items - both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Something I particularly like is that the non-veg options include mutton - something few Indian buffets seem to include. I believe every time we have been there they have also had a fish item, although I have generally found that item to be an afterthought and not as worthwhile as the mutton item, which is pretty good.
2. Fresh Variety: There's enough variety so even though we have gone back on a few occasions, we have found new items to try. That keeps the place fresh.
3. Good Refill Policy: Unlike several other buffets - Indian, American, Chinese you name it - where restaurants try to keep costs manageable by simply not refilling their trays, these guys are good about refills.
4. Solid Service: Service is good. They are generally good at refilling waters or clearing out dirty plates even if one has to occasionally ask them to do those things because the few staff members there are managing several different activities at the same time, including keeping the buffet trays refilled.
5. Separate Veg/Non-Veg Tables: For anyone going in who is vegetarian, they can take some comfort in the fact that the veg and non-veg items are on separate tables. Thus there is little chance of someone using a serving spoon from the non-veg section of the buffet over to the veg section of the buffet.

What Needs Improvement:

1. Tiny Bathrooms: I find the two bathrooms to be extremely small. In terms of size, they would surely compete with airline bathrooms. As Indian food is generally consumed by one's hands, I definitely wash my hands before starting to eat and occasionally, I will wash my hands in between plates so that I can take my next plate of food more easily. But every time I go to the bathrooms, I have to be very watchful of the tight space I am in.
2. Spiciness of the food: The food here tends to be on the spicier side. For my wife and I who grew up in India, that is not an issue but for my daughter who's lived here her entire life, she does find most items very spicy. On our last visit when I mentioned this to one of the wait staff, he noted that the kitchen would be happy to make something for our little (6-year old) girl upon request.
3. Unclear Pricing: The first time we went there - likely around February 2025, I believe we were charged $20 per person but when we went again in April, we were charged $22 a person. I was unclear of whether the prices had increased in the two-month period (unlikely) or whether the person charging us $22 had simply made a mistake. I JUST checked as I was writing this review and in spite of looking at their webpage and their Instagram page, I still don't know exactly how much their weekend buffet is priced at. They should fix that.
4. No Knives Available: Another minor thing is that they do not have knives and that proved to be an inconvenience for our guests.

Bottom Line: All in all, this is the best Indian buffet out there - slightly better (although a bit more expensive) than Aman's Indian Bistro in Phoenixville, the only other buffet I know of in the area. On any given weekend, when going out, Madness of Masala is always an option for us as we enjoy the wide assortment of...

If you're looking to embark on a culinary journey through the tantalizing flavors of India, look no further than "Madness of Masala" restaurant. Nestled in the heart of Trooper, at 2851 Ridge Pike, this gem promises a symphony of spices and a celebration of Indian cuisine like no other.

During our inaugural trial with "Madness of Masala", with certain hesitation, we ordered a take-out; simple but favorite Indian classics: butter chicken and palak paneer with a butter naan. From the first bite to the last, each dish was a testament to the culinary prowess of the chefs.

Let's start with the butter chicken, a dish that needs no introduction but deserves endless praise. Madness of Masala's rendition was nothing short of perfection. The tender chicken pieces bathed in a velvety, creamy sauce infused with just the right balance of spices. It was mild, as per our request, yet bursting with flavor that danced on the palate with every bite.

Next up, the palak paneer, a vegetarian delight that often steals the show. And steal the show it did at Madness of Masala. The creamy spinach sauce enveloped cubes of paneer, creating a harmonious blend of earthy greens and rich, indulgent texture. It was a comforting embrace of flavors, each spoonful a reminder of the culinary magic that Indian cuisine effortlessly invokes.

Of course, no Indian feast is complete without a side of naan, and the butter naan at Madness of Masala was a revelation. Soft and generously slathered with glistening butter, it served as the perfect vessel for sopping up every last bit of sauce from our plates.

But beyond the exquisite flavors, what truly sets "Madness of Masala" apart is its unwavering commitment to authenticity and quality. Each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail, ensuring that every bite transports you to the bustling streets of India.

As we are skeptical before ordering at "Madness of Masala", one thing became abundantly clear: this is not just a restaurant, but a culinary haven where every meal is an adventure waiting to unfold. Needless to say, we'll be ordering again and we will visiting as well to savor the...

Note: We have been visiting Indian/South Asian restaurants for over 25 years. We know our way around the menus & cuisine.

Visited for the lunch buffet priced at $19.99 per person.

Walking in, We noticed the restaurant was simple and clean. Other reviews complained about the dining room. We found it to be fine.

Having arrived shortly after they opened the buffet was full and looked great. The smell was lovely and enticing.

That's where our positive experience ends.

We were barely greeted when directed with a point to a table after asking for lunch for two.

After sitting for some time, we went to the buffet to start our lunch.

We made our plates and returned our table after navigating the buffet with unacceptable signing that gave little indication of what was in any dish or heat/spice levels. A server had still not visited our table.

Several minutes into eating a silent server, delivered a pitcher of water and walked away.

The Gobi 65 ( a favorite dish) was prepared "dry" was so over fried it was unidentifiable as Cauliflower and although heavily sauced had none of the delicious flavor the sauce brings. I feel strongly it was not made fresh. I'd guess it was prepared yesterday if not earlier and thrown in the catering tray.

There were chicken dishes that were breaded and fried "nugget style" that were full of bones and cartilage. A few were mostly bones and scraps with little to no meat. Someone is going to choke to death.

The fresh carrot & potato dish was so overtly spicy that you could not taste either vegetable.

The Biryani Rice with chicken thighs was painfully dry and overcooked.

Honestly, there was nothing redeemable about this experience. We made a 2nd trip to the buffet and tried other dishes and were equally frustrated as with the first.

Our 1st set of dishes sat on our table for too long before being collected and we has to ask for more water.

It felt like most everything was reheated and made long before the restaurant opened perhaps by days.

We were excited to visit this business so close to home and left angry, disappointed, hungry and $40 poorer.

Service was down-right...