Deedee's — Restaurant in Santa Clara

I had heard from various friends, over the course of last two years, about a good vegetarian Indian restaurant in Santa Clara called Deedees. Now the name sounded odd to me and call me stupid, but I put off visiting the place purely based on that. I am used to seeing Indian sounding names for Indian restaurants- a Shalimar or a Madras Cafe or a Bangalore Cafe or a Andhra Bhavan or Aachi Aappa Kadai. So the name Deedees rang no bell and didnt really work for me.

Fast forward to last week when a good friend suggested that we meet at that place for a weekday lunch. I figured if nothing else, I could claim that I had been to Deedees and write a review about it. On a surprisingly warm Bay Area afternoon, three of us met for lunch at Deedees. The place is slightly bigger than a hole in the wall, not too far from Santa Clara University. It is hard to find and pretty small. We arrived a tad earlier than peak noon hour and were able to find a good place to sit. I took a peek at the buffet and it seemed, well, different. And so started an excellent culinary experience.

Deedees, as I researched once I got back to my computer, is a Gujarati style restaurant with a history. It made its name at a previous location in Mountain View until the economy and a series of unexpected events brought them to their current location in Santa Clara. They were trying to regain their past glory and going by the food, I can confidently say they are on their way.

The buffet had some native Gujju dishes, of which I recognized Gujarati Kadhi, Khaman Dhokla, and Shrikhand. They also had poori’s instead of the usual naan. The sabzis were excellent. There was also lemon rice. A lady brought warm rotis (not naans) to our table. The food was great. It felt close to home cooked. The typical masala flavors of an Indian buffet were surprisingly absent. And then there is the Shrikhand. It was heavenly. I went in for seconds and enjoyed every smooth and buttery inch of it.

I kicked myself for not going to this place earlier. Now I know where I am recommending folks at work. Deedees reminded me that sometimes, its all about the food. The name...

RUDE OWNERS INSULTED YS IN FRONT OF EVERYONE FOR ASKING REFILL. These people are such a scammers. They say it’s buffet but don’t want you to eat more. They won’t refill the food soo easily. You have to keep on ask them for chapattis. At a time you’ll get only 2 roti. If you want more they won’t even mind you next time when you’re asking for roti. When I asked them for more rotis these people started shouting at me In front of everyone saying “why do you need more rotis? Eat rice” then I said I got only 10 rotis we are 4 people that was not enough. Then the lady over there shouted at me “oh you want to eat more than 10 rotis? Oh you want more food?” Acting sarcastic in front of everyone. All the people were looking at us. Why does it matter to you how much I eat? I pay for what I eat I’m not getting free food. THEIR FOOD IS WORST AND TASTELESS AND OVERPRICED FOR...

I visited this place in year 2000 when I was 11 years old during US trip. As an Indian this place was a relief for a Brahmin vegetarian like me. I still remember their chole samosa. I searched the same flavour here in India but could not find anywhere as here at many places its over oily samosa and over masala in chole. Their chole samosa was perfect and I remember the sliced onion they sprinkled in the place. I used to wait for it to be ready and used to go and pester ki kab tayyar hoga. After much delay it was worth the wait. Their chole samosa not sure if still they serve is something I still miss and have missed so many times. After 22 years I still remember it. And today just out of curiosity searched this restaurant and it's still there. If I ever visit CA again I will come here for Chole...