Star India — Restaurant in San Francisco

I should probably preface my review that I was having the lunch buffet, as I typically review full-service restaurants.

The lunch buffet was gone for a while during the pandemic, and has returned, although with a much higher price: $21.95.

Higher price, I can accept, but not poor service.

I have been here a few times in the last two months, and while I can't claim that at $21.95, the buffet is a good value, given the small selection of foods they carry, they do have something I enjoy, which is lamb.

Therefore, while I know I don't need to tip the typical 15%-20% at a buffet (typically I am told to tip $1-2 per person), I always tip as if I were in a regular restaurant, because I like to support smaller restaurants.

However, today's experience really has me thinking if I would ever visit again.

When I arrived at around 11:30AM (they open at 11AM), there was literally one single piece of lamb in the buffet. I took the piece and inquired if the owner could please get some more lamb.

Reluctantly, she agreed. About 20 minutes later, she brought out some lamb, so I went there to get some more. And she has the nerve to tell me, "Make sure you leave some for other customers. "

I said that, because the amount she prepared for a BUFFET is paltry to what it should be. I got like 3-4 pieces of lamb, and that was about 2/3 of the amount she brought out, LITERALLY. (see photos)

I didn't want to argue with her, so I finished my food quickly (and also for the first time at this restaurant, only tipped a couple of dollars because I was just so upset with the way I have been treated.)

I think it's perfectly ok for my parents to tell me to leave some food for others, but at a buffet, this is unreasonable, especially given how little food there was to start with (and then the tinyu. amount of lamb with which the restaurant refilled the serving tray).

I am sorry to say, this is a restaurant I will never visit again. It's not reasonable having to spend about $30 and then be told how to eat at a buffet. Yes, I didn't dress in my normal Pata* and Coto, but that's no excuse to treat someone, period.

(By the way, I noticed immediately the difference in the way I was treated at the moment I walked in, because they didn't recognize me as they usually did, and I can only assume it's the clothing I was wearing, which is the only...

I've enjoyed Star's lunch-buffet -- consistently wholesome and generously ingrediented -- quite a few times over a couple of years

... sampled every item, finding each dish seasoned well and mildly ... an handful of complementary sauces; some peppy, one opened my sinus, but none raised a blister, and all delicious... there are small platters available; you might enjoy trying a dab of each.

Tame and tasty Chai beverage, with sugar available alongside.

Enough variety to warrant two or a few trips to Star's buffet-table; attentive service to... oh, yes, Naan: not flatbread; puffy, soft-chewy, good enough to eat, fun supporting an open-face sandwich

... "Would you like more Naan?"

I've been to most, if not all, Indian restaurants in San Francisco, and I can confidently assert that this is the greatest Indian buffet spot in town in regards to value! I'm a vegetarian, and I can proudly vouch for all the vegetarian dishes they serve here, save for the saag paneer, but that's just because I don't really like that to begin with. The chana masala is divine and is what primarily consumes my plate estate when I dine in. They also serve varying dishes containing potato which are delicious too. Of course, they have plenty of dishes with meat for you carnivores out there, which my family and friends praise highly too. (Chicken tikka masala is always available, don't worry!) They have lentil soup, salad, pakora (both vegetarian and chicken), and even dessert available for buffet. The waiters are always extremely attentive, and every time I'm about to ask for more water, they're already on their way, pitcher in hand and a smile on their face. There's never any pressure to leave regardless of how long you've been there, so feel free to come in and enjoy a nice, long, healthy feast in a restaurant filled with a caring staff and...