Roti Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in San Leandro

This place has some great food. I grew up with Indian food as a staple. There are things about this place I really enjoy. There is some room for improvement though. I placed a big order so this review will be extensive.

For a quick look, I rated everything by number:

Samosas (Lamb and Veg): 2/5 Sambar Soup: 3/5 Naan (Garlic and Onion): 5/5 Lamb Rogan Josh: 5/5 Dal Mahkani: 5/5 Paneer Chili: 5/5 Kheer: 3/5 Mango Lassi (Not received): 0/5 Chai Tea (Not a Lassi): 0/5 Overall Average Score (Lassi not included): 3.5/5

Because the Mango Lassi was not included and I really enjoy rice being included with my entrees, I will round that up to a 4/5.

First, my order was not complete. I did not get my mango lassi. They offered me some 'Chai' Tea with my order. This is not an acceptable substitute. The tea was stale, burnt, and didn't even taste like it was Chai to begin with. It tasted like a truly unfortunate amount of some bitter spice was spilled into the tea. Unsweetened tea is usually delicious. This was a BIG failure.

Second, I would like to mention something good. Every entree came with a small side of rice. I really appreciate this. Indian food without rice is a culinary crime. Big success.

Third, before even starting in on the entrees, I always go for the samosas first. Fried food should always be eaten hot and crispy. While the samosas were hot, crispy was nowhere to be found. The dough was thick, chewy, and undercooked. The fillings were very dry and kinda bland. The Lamb was drier than the potato, but both absorbed so much sauce that it didn't leak out of the bottom. The tamarind and mint sauces helped somewhat. But, for people who don't like those sauces, the samosas were inedible. Immense sadness. Samosas are a classic favorite. Having them basically be a deep fried doorstop was extremely disappointing.

The Sambar soup was fine. Nothing incredible or horrible. Just some decent lentil soup.

The entrees saved the day. They were really well made and they were exactly the spice level I requested. Medium spice gave me enough heat to feel the burn, but not enough to drown out all the amazing flavor. Complete 180 from the samosa fiasco. The Dal Mahkani, Paneer Chili, and Lamb Rogan Josh were all top quality. No complaints whatsoever. I would return just for the Lamb Rogan Josh. Chef's Kiss 🤌

The Kheer was pretty standard. Not much to say. Kinda thin and soupy I guess. Felt like it could use some more rice to give it some substance.

Finally, the naan was extraordinary. It was the best naan I have had in a while. Perfectly soft and crispy in all the right ways. Not too heavy on the toppings (garlic or onion) but enough to know they were there. I am so pleased with their naan.

It almost felt like the entrees and naan were cooked by a master and the appetizers, desserts, and drinks were prepared by a dishwasher. That tea kinda tasted like dish water. If Nuns ever ran out of soap, that tea could be used to wash the mouths of sinners.

Overall, I really enjoyed my food. There were a few unfortunate mishaps but it is still solid. I would definitely...

Update 7/15/2021 Oh man I've missed this place. It is soooooooooooo freaking good. They make the food like your mom or whoever your favorite person that cooks your meals. It tastes homemade but just amazingly good. The service is really great too. It is super clean! they really make a great impression. Everyone is super friendly. They are a hidden gem for sure. I've had some of the best Indian food dishes here. Definitely must try!!!

Update 1-19-20 The buffet is sooo good. They have a lot of variety of veggie and meat options. The goat Curry, chicken Tikka, fish pakoras, the veggies with Curry, the chana, pallak, it's all really so delicious. The food is warm and fresh. They bring fresh naan to your table and soda is included. The staff is just super friendly and attentive. The desert ohhhhhh the gulab jamun is warm and it's perfection. We have finally found our favorite Indian place!

The food here is so delicious! We are so glad to have tried it. We will come back soon to try the buffet. The chicken curry medium spicy was amazing. The lamb Roganjosh and chicken curry were so tasty. We are picky eaters when it comes to Indian food and we just loved it! The food was really fresh and felt like it was homemade. the portions are generous. The ambiance was great. The place is super clean and the waiters are super friendly. Definitely recommend it. We are happy to have...

Indian food has always ranked high on my list of favorite cuisines, and I just touched down in Oakland a few hours ago! While my husband is off getting a haircut next door, I couldn't help but notice this delightful Indian restaurant right beside the barbershop. Talk about perfect timing—I was absolutely famished with a capital "F"!

The best part? It was a buffet-style setup! No need to agonize over a menu; I could dive right in and sample a bite of everything they had to offer. And let me tell you, I went all out! The naan bread was simply divine—hot, fresh, and utterly perfect.

After indulging in such a feast, I treated myself to a soothing cup of hot tea, savoring the full experience. I even enjoyed my meal solo since my hubby was still in the chair next door, and you know what? It was surprisingly nice to take a moment for myself. The staff here are incredibly kind and welcoming, making me feel right at home.

A big thank you for such wonderful food and service! I can’t recommend this...