Taste of Little India — Restaurant in Merced

Spectacular service, Lyra is a doll and goes above and beyond. Friendly service and knows her stuff! The food is ALWAYS epically delicious. Parm is one of the best cooks in Merced. I will never go to another Indian restaurant so long as I live in Merced and these doors are open. They always aim to please and the freshness of their food is amazing. Everything is made there. It’s a truly home cooked meal for a fair price. As for the atmosphere, it’s little like coming home when you walk in. There’s always someone to greet you as you enter and there is always a smile on their face. Dinner time is the best time to go, they really take great care of you the entire time you are there. And their vegan options are phenomenal, if that’s your thing. My personal favorite is the Chicken Tikka Masala but substitute coconut cream for regular cream, as I’m lactose intolerant. Or to change it up I get the Tofu Masala. I come in hungry and leave feeling good about what I ordered and plenty of leftovers for the next days lunch! Thank you, TOLI for providing a truly superior dining...

The food was absolutely delicious and there was real vegetarian variety. I had the dal makhani and my mom had the tandoori shrimp. We split the mini-bhatura appetizer. All of it was fresh, flavorful, and attractive. I asked and was briefed on the secret spiciness scale -- always appreciate a server and kitchen willing to take a risk on someone's culinary machismo. HINT, hot-5 (middle of the at-your-own-risk spice level) was on a par with habanero picante sauce and less spicy than el Yucateco XXXtrahot Mayan sauce. A peek in the kitchen showed what could have been (a much younger version) of my smiling grandmother! Only reason I'm dropping stars is for, hopefully situational, slow service. Staff were well informed and courteous, but the dining room was super disorganized. We got seated and served just before the dinner rush, and afterwards service slowed to an uncomfortable crawl. We unfortunately watched some potential customers walk away. I had to get up to ask for the check and it unfortunately put my mom off her appetite. I hope that things get sorted, I have...

We've driven by this place often, but never stopped. The exterior didn't give me a very high confidence as to what I would find inside. Well, my assumptions were wrong (as is often the case with assumptions :-) ). Everything was clean and the food was fresh, very flavorful, and wonderful. My wife and I ordered a combo-plate for two which includes Chicken Tikka Masala, Daal Makhani, rice, naan, and a couple other items I've forgotten the names of, one with lamb dish and another with a piece of baked/spiced chicken. I would have licked the plate if it were not for my wife's presence and the fact that the naan is pretty effective at wiping up the last of the sauce.

The prices were very reasonable and the staff was friendly and fast. We will be back.

UPDATE: Our second meal here was outstanding . . . Malai Chicken Kebab and Spinach Stuffed Naan. I don't understand why this place isn't packed . . ....