Tikka Shack Indian Grub — Restaurant in Madison

Tikka Shack was a first try for us. We wanted to check it out since it is a new Restaurant in town and we were curious to see and taste their flavors!

The Restaurant is super modern, nice vibes, beautifully decorated, great atmosphere and the addition of the kiosks to order online and pay and just wait for your order is a plus, specially if there are many people in line.

We went for some of the less spicy options in the menu, however, they still get you in the flavors and you get a kick of those spices. We ordered the Lamb Kabobs with a side of veggie and the butter Masala with rice, which were very tasty. We asked for a side of Naan bread because hey, that's a staple for Indian food when you eat it!.

Depending on the previous experiences with other Indian restaurants you probably will see that the portions are very small compared to other places, however, the flavors were there, maybe is a way to make sure you come back for more :-)

We were impressed with the weekly specials they run and it is a great way to attract visitors around the area that want to give them a try, better than just having a lunch item from the menu...next time we will try that option

The service was very good, we went before the crazy lunch crowds will be out and about, so we ordered and didn't have to...

If this is what passes for Indian food, even the British would’ve packed their bags and said, “Nah, we’re good.” I’ve had bottled water with more flavor. Every dish tasted like someone whispered the word “curry” over plain rice and called it a day. The salt and pepper added the most flavor to the meal and I had to add those to the meal by myself.

The tikka? Not a hint of heat. Paneer was surely imitation Paneer, it tasted more like Tofu. The shack? Should’ve been condemned for lack of spice. I ordered something “Xtra hot,” and it came out tasting like hospital food on its best behavior. If blandness were a crime, this place would be serving a life sentence.

The service is non existent, the server brought us the wrong order at first. When he finally came around with the correct order he gave no utensils to eat it with. You have to get your own utensils for a sit down meal that you ordered through the kiosk. This is lousy fast food service at its best.

Serious note: Indian food is supposed to sing with flavor — this menu...

We’d been counting down the days for Tikka Shack in Madison to open, like kids waiting for Christmas morning. Unfortunately, when the doors finally opened… it felt more like coal under the tree.

The line was out the door (great for them, not so much for my stomach). By the time the food came—well, most of it, because some of it never showed up—the excitement was gone. What did make it to the table was bland. I came for bold Indian flavors and got… cafeteria vibes. Honestly, I’d have gotten more flavor ordering scattered, smothered, and covered hashbrowns at Waffle House.

Pros: The curry-level excitement in the air (too bad it didn’t make it to the plate).

Good crowd = maybe it’s me, not them. (Indian level expectations)

Cons: Food so bland I kept reaching for the salt like it was a lifeline.

Missing dishes… like a magic trick I didn’t sign up for.

Overhyped. Madison, we deserved better.

Final thought: I wanted tikka fireworks. Instead, I got a sparkler...