I've eaten here many, many times over the past few years, and their food is extremely well made, has excellent flavors, and I cannot say enough great things about the spices, the menu, and the value of what they provide.
There are a few other Indian places in the Treasure Valley area, and I've eaten at most of them, but they pale in comparison to the quality that Spice has!
Now, there are a few points I want to make, explaining why I only gave them 4 out of 5 stars.
They only open at 5pm, so you can only visit them for dinner unless you want to reheat leftovers the next day.
If you order a take-out meal, they don't pay a lot of attention to detail. I prefer no green peppers in my meals, and a lot of their entrees have green peppers in them either for flavor or as a filler. When I call on the phone and place an order for $80 for many entrees, and specifically request NO GREEN PEPPERS, I would appreciate it if there were no green peppers.
The portion sizes are all over the place. When you order curry (masala with sauce), if you are like me, you either want to soak all of your rice in the yummy goodness, or dip your bread (naan, roti, etc..) in it. But if your plastic container that comes with your meal is only 1/2 full, you quickly run out of the sauce (my Hindu friends call it "surwah"), which means you end up with a lot of leftover plain rice.
I understand they make a lot of rice at this place, most of the meals they provide include it. But if you stir it every once in a while, you won't end up giving your customers rice that includes a bunch of clumped up globs that are really inedible.
You used to, but you no longer have a website. Websites are not expensive. Instead of using the excuse "The people who owned our website shut it down, we didn't own it, but we have a Facebook!" is a terrible excuse. Get a website, they are super cheap and a successful restaurant should have one, even if it is simple.
Lastly, Papadum is not expensive, but your menu says that it is included in every entrée. What it does not say is "Only for dine in". When you go to a Mexican restaurant, many of them give you homemade chips and salsa. If you order your meal to go, they put chips and salsa in the bag, they don't say it is only for dine in. Do your customers a favor who don't want to dine in, give them the Papadum they deserve.
My last bit of critique is for your customer service. Some members of your staff have excellent customer service and phone skills, some do not. Don't just let any person get on the phone and talk to your customers, let the people who have good customer service skills do that. My experience personally has been that the women that work at your establishment are good at it, the men, not so much. Don't take it as a negative, take it as constructive criticism!
All of that aside, keep up the great work Spice, continue being the shining example of Indian cuisine that you have been, and your competitors will continue to eat your...
Read moreSpice Indian Cuisine in Meridian, Idaho, is a delightful destination for anyone craving authentic Indian flavors in a serene and welcoming setting. The restaurant's atmosphere, characterized by soothing background music and warm hospitality, immediately sets a relaxing tone for an exceptional dining experience.
Our culinary journey began with a crispy lentil sesame wafer, served with a tangy pickled onion spread. This appetizer was a perfect symphony of textures and flavors, wonderfully setting the stage for the main courses.
We chose two of the restaurant's renowned dishes – Chicken Tikka Masala with a 'New York level' of heat and Butter Chicken at a 'Boise Hot' level. Both dishes were masterfully prepared, with the Chicken Tikka Masala offering a spicy yet creamy delight, and the Butter Chicken presenting a rich, buttery sauce with just the right amount of heat. Served alongside fragrant Basmati rice, these dishes were a testament to the chef's expertise in balancing flavors.
A highlight of our meal was the Garlic Naan. This Indian bread, fresh from the tandoor, was soft, buttery, and infused with the perfect amount of garlic. It was not just a side but a standout item that perfectly complemented our curries.
To accompany our meal, we enjoyed two glasses of crisp Chardonnay, which harmonized beautifully with the spicy flavors of our dishes. For dessert, a shared Mango Lassi provided a creamy and refreshing conclusion to our meal not to mention is a great way to cleanse the palate.
In conclusion, Spice Indian Cuisine is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. From the exquisite flavors of India to the attentive service and ambient setting, it's a culinary journey that leaves a lasting impression. Whether you're a spice enthusiast or prefer milder tastes, this restaurant is sure to satisfy with its diverse and...
Read moreI used to work next to Spice. They were always closed during lunch hours but today was my lucky day to have dinner there!
Walking in, you can smell the fragrance of all the spices. It smelled very good! I grabbed myself a table. The waiter got me some water and a complimentary appetizer. It looked good! The chip was sort was savory and really light. The chutney was red and bright in color. I didn't really care for it but it was nice that they brought it out to me!
For dinner I ordered the Aloo Gobi. The Indian restaurant by my house serves rice with their dish but unfortunately, Spice doesn't. So, I ordered a side of rice to go with my meal and and side of butter naan.
The Aloo Gobi was great! It had the perfect amount of heat. You can taste the rich tomatoe and spices in the dish. The rice was nice and fluffy! A perfect match to the Aloo Gobi. The naan was soft and chewy! You can taste the butter on top.
The only downfall about my meal was the portion. The Aloo Gobi came in the same bowl as my side of rice and half full. There wasn't a lot to this meal. It's basically potatoes and cauliflower. I got a few big pieces of cauliflower but overall it lacked in volume. I don't mind paying a good amount for food but I want to make sure I'm paying for a good size meal.
Overall it was an ok dining experience. My waiter was nice but very dry. Dinner was tasty but I wish I got more...
Read more