Saravanaa Bhavan — Restaurant in Plano

Probably my most disappointing restaurant experience in town. I’ve been to saravanaa in India and UAE but never had such HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. We went there as a group of 8 (so that’s already good business!) and the guy who showed us to our table showed us one table when we reminded him we were a group of 8, he said out loud in front of the guest who were occupying the table next to us, “they are done and leaving now” the guests looked embarrassed and just got up while not even finished with their drink.

We ordered ghee dosa, masala dosa, Chana batura, vada, rasa vada, kesari baath & filter coffee. The lady who took our order was so rude and kept rushing us to give our order. She wasn’t helpful when asked what she would suggest and she responded with “everything is good here, you just choose anything”. Our orders all came at separate times which was also fine, but lot of our orders came out wrong. They brought us plain dosa instead of ghee thinking we wouldn’t know the difference and when we corrected her she kept arguing and finally took it back to change it with a grumpy face. This is just an example of the food. It felt like we ordered something but she chose to ignore us and order whatever she wanted.

We tried ordering a masala dosa to go and to chase us out she said “it’ll take 35 mins so you’ll have to go and come back for it” and we were still having our sweet and coffee. So she had plenty of time to put it into the system. My mom had to intervene and be stern with her to take the order and the dosa came out in 10 mins! Which made it look like they just want the money and don’t care about anything else. I get they were busy but that’s not an excuse.

Apart from the vada and rasa vada nothing else tasted authentic. It was so bland and plain. You would think at least the food would be good despite the service but nope it was very disappointing and especially for the price you pay it’s not worth being humiliated and disappointed for. I’m definitely not going back and neither are the 7 other disappointed...

Reduced the rating from 5 to 3 as in last couple for visits, the sambar is not served hot. It's not even warm! That's a big minus point.

Nice ambience, clean and professional staff.

Toilets are much better and cleaner than other Indian restaurants. That's a plus point.

Food taste, prices and freshness is really good. I would recommend this place for a family visit.

We have been here couple of times and the food has always been made and served fresh.

We have tried Dahi vada, Sambar vada, Idli Sambar, Mysore dosa, plain dosa, Rasam and butter milk from the south Indian menu.

In the north Indian cuisine, we have tasted Kadai Paneer, butter naan, stuffed naan and Gulab Jamun.

Since it is primarily a south Indian restaurant, you will have to wait a tad longer to see food on table, if you prefer the north cuisine.

The south Indian food reaches your nose buds and mouth within minutes of ordering though. So, plan accordingly while you sneak through the menu.

The taste has been pretty good for everything with special mention for the dessert. We seldom find the Gulab Jamun so soft, fresh and hot in other Indian places.

The areas to improve would be to add a bit more options to the menu like Dal Makhni, Shahi paneer. But, the good thing is that whatever they have offered in the menu is what they are really good at.

Offering hundreds of items with sub standard taste is what is also not good.

I forgot to mention that their utencils are super clean too. No old food residues on steel based Thali and glasses that we normally see, if they have been washed in dish washer.

Very good restaurant. Remember there is no buffet, only Thali is the option or food on order.

They sell fresh sweets too. We have not tried but they do look fresh, full with Desi ghee.

Will I...

I have been a regular visitor (once in 2 weeks at least) to the Saravana Bhavan on Ohio Drive, Plano. I must admit it has always been an exquisite culinary experience that deserves every bit of its 5-star rating.

The taste of the dishes was nothing short of excellent. Each bite was a burst of authentic flavors that transported me straight to South India. The chefs at Saravana Bhavan have truly mastered the art of creating dishes with rich, well-balanced tastes that linger on the palate. What impressed me the most was the consistent quality across the menu. Every dish I tried maintained the same high standard, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to delivering excellence with every order. It's evident that Saravana Bhavan takes pride in maintaining top-notch quality in all aspects of their culinary creations.

The prompt service added to the overall positive experience. The staff was attentive, and the dishes arrived at the table with perfect timing. It's refreshing to see a restaurant that values both the quality of the food and the efficiency of its service. A special mention must be made for their South Indian meals. It's a proper feast for anyone seeking an authentic South Indian dining experience. The variety, presentation, and, most importantly, the taste of the South Indian meals makes it a must-try for anyone looking to savor the diverse flavors of this region.

Overall, they have set a remarkable standard for south indian vegetarian food excellence. From the superb taste and consistent quality to the prompt and courteous service, this restaurant is a must for those seeking an authentic taste of Tamilnadu cuisine. I wholeheartedly give it a 5-star rating and look forward to returning for more...