Paratha Wala Inc. — Restaurant in New York

UPDATE: The other day I went to this place called Curry in a Hurry. It's Indian, and not Bangladeshi, but the food was wayyyyyyy better. The portions are way larger, the food is way less expensive, and the chairs are actually comfortable (I'm still in complete disbelief how Paratha Wala managed to get literally the most uncomfortable chairs possible). It's in Manhattan, but if travel isn't an issue for you, I would definitely suggest you go here instead. The address is 119 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016 This is not a sponsored update. I was just astonished with the contrast between my experience at Paratha Wala and Curry in a Hurry when I went

The food here is nothing special. Just incredibly average. I got the biryani with lamb. There was barely any lamb with the rice. For TWENTY ONE dollars, I would expect better tasting food OR at the very least food in larger portions. There's a food cart outside my campus that has way better food in much larger portions, for only SIX dollars. I don't know how bad you gotta mess up to have worse food, in lower portions, for more money than a food cart. On top of that, the chairs were incredibly uncomfortable. I switched to the booth seating expecting it to be more comfortable but it was somehow even more awkward to sit in. I'm really not the tallest person and yet I had to basically hunch over the table to eat. I honestly have no idea how this restaurant has such high ratings. Everything on the menu is completely overpriced, even for the city, the food isn't even that good, and the location itself is nothing special. You're better off getting food from one of those food carts LOL

One last thing, the workers were staring at us for the whole time we were there. We were not being obnoxious customers or making too much noise. They were just staring at us for no reason and it was very uncomfortable being met with the stare of every worker every time I looked up to talk to my friend across from me. We also had to wait like 6 minutes for a worker to come over and clear the table to give us the check. I don't understand how you can be staring at the whole table for so long and not acknowledge that we're not eating. There were only a couple other tables so there's no reason why it took so long.

In the end, the only redeeming thing about my visit here was the fun I had with my friends. Without them, I would have had zero positive experiences at this restaurant. I would not be so critical if the prices weren't so insanely high. But considering how much money we all paid, the experience was incredibly...

Beware. After my second visit at Paratha Wala, I've left irritated. The food here is fine, but the service is spoiled by shady tactics used by the staff.

The server will include an automatic 20% gratuity on your charge after tax on your original bill without telling you. Then, when you are signing on the tablet, hope that you don't notice and allow you to pay an additional tip calculated on top of the gratuity that was already charged. This will result in around a 40% to 50% tip in the end.

During my first visit, I noticed that this is what our server had done, and decided I would chalk it up to a mistake - perhaps, he forgot to tell us that tip had already been charged. I was skeptical of that, but I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt.

During this second visit, a few months later, I asked our server, Amina, if tip had been charged already to make sure this would not happen, and she personally ensured me gratuity was not included. She flat out lied to us in order to finesse a larger tip. After this second experience, I can only conclude this is a practice done by the servers at Paratha Wala to garner themselves extra tips and immorally take people's hard earned money.

Both servers on entirely separate occasions remained quiet as you make the curated error of tipping twice, demonstrating that this is a purposeful tactic. I'm sure they're aware that no one would be so impressed by their service, they would tip again after the mandatory 20% gratuity they conveniently avoid letting you know about.

Additionally, from the beginning, our server offered still water (which would've been an additional charge that they again, would not have mentioned unless you asked). After further inquiry, they offered tap water as a last option. If we hadn't asked, they would have taken advantage to likely increase the cost of the meal.

You'll notice other reviews mentioning how pricey their final total was - I'm curious if they realized why their total felt so high?

I'm disappointed because I want to support South Asian businesses, but these practices are predatory and classless. It completely ruined an otherwise decent meal. I cannot recommend this...

So I ended up breaking my own rules, ‘never go back to the place you already reviewed!’ I had a meeting in queens & the restaurant happened to be there . I was hungry & tired so went to take a break.

Service was great. Loved the niceness & helpfulness of the stuffs! I think if I am not mistaken I saw the owner yesterday. He seems very nice. Didn’t get a chance to say hi tho, he was busy !

They did take the outdoors seating backside of the restaurant. It looks nice & comfy. At night it will look probably much cozier!

I ordered butter chicken, mint drink & golap jamun . Besides golap jamun being too sweet like last time ; food was great!

So after 6 months or more, I went there for the second time .And the service, the food, the vibe was still continuing to be great. Much appreciated 👌♥️

So I had been seeing pictures of this Bangladeshi / Desi Halal restaurant, and it looks real nice. But then I saw someone complaining about the food & also said it’s little pricy. When someone say something negative about my country or food or anything I have to check it out. I didn’t plan it but still end up there.

The place is very clean, really beautiful, stuff s r wonderful, the Shef was very nice. I end up making a lot of Tiktok there🤣 My followers loved them!

Now, the food was really good, I had no complaints. I wish the tea was authentic Bangladeshi chai because that’s what was missing. Hopefully next time I will see it there.

The items I tried for those price was ok, other items I forgot to check the price😷because I got distracted making tiktok. My bad, it’s gives me chance to go back there! Although from my city it was real far but I will definitely go back there because the vibe was great.

I think this is one of my longest reviews ever🤣Thank you guys for a wonderful service👌Keep up...