TAJ INDIAN CUISINE — Restaurant in Stafford

I had previously been to the Taj in Fredericksburg (on Rt3) many times over the years and have always really enjoyed it. I love how they’re not afraid of spices, heat, nor making food the way it’s SUPPOSED TO BE MADE! Not making food for Americans, which is the kiss of death for ethnic joints.

So, when I heard/saw many months ago we were getting this Taj here in Stafford, I was excite for it to open… and waited a very long time too! Then, finally we were able to go one day for lunch, since their website said they’re open at 11AM. I went only to be disappointed to see their door saying they open at 11AM, but a hand-written sign saying they are only open for dinner, at 5PM. So, I left and came back a week later.

When I went in, they were very busy (which I find disappointing, as there is another Pakistani joint less than a mile from here, and it’s always dead, but it has great food – why not go there too?), but we were able to score a booth. The menu is large and loaded with all the dishes I like and even though there was only two of us dining, I got many things with the idea of bringing home leftovers and sharing with the family the next day.

All the food we ordered was PERFECT! It’s Punjabi style Indian, which has a LOT of carry-over flavors from Pakistani style eats, which I’m very familiar with (and love so much more than “regular” Indian food) – So I absolutely loved it! Presentation was spot-on too! They use the Thali (a tin bowl to serve food to share at the table) to plate their dishes. Their naan was INCREDIBLE! Perfectly made and a great size. We ordered is without butter (which is how you’re supposed to eat it) and uncut, so we could rip pieces to use as a “utensil” while eating each bite.

Spice levels are legit! Be sure you’re ready for what you ask them to prepare! We order a couple in “medium” and several in “spicy” and those dishes were pretty much dialed in. Service was very friendly, helpful, and sincere too.

Overall – I am so very happy this place is here as I can now get the flavors I love quicker, easier, closer! BTW – The leftovers that I shared with my family the next day were met with rave reviews as well. We’re a Pakistani family, so we are quite familiar with curries… we really enjoyed what they’re doing here and will most...

Taj Indian Cuisine is where patience goes to die… and then gets reincarnated as more patience. We ordered, they said “10 minutes,” and then like a cruel magic trick, every 10 minutes became another 10 minutes. I half expected them to hand me a sleeping bag and say, “Stay the night, your food’s almost ready.”

At one point, we gave up trying to measure time and sat in the back of the van, eating an entire bag of chips like we were on some sort of post-apocalyptic road trip where Indian food was the last hope for humanity.

When we finally got the order, I noticed they had forgotten an entire $24 dish. We called to let them know because, you know, that’s what normal humans do but the phone disconnected. Tried again. This time, I think they called Verizon to remove their phone plan. At this point, I’m imagining a chef in the back yelling, “Tell them it’s ready in 10 minutes!” while unplugging the phone.

And yet, despite the slow-burn chaos, the food itself was absolutely incredible. Rich, fragrant, perfectly spiced — the kind of meal that makes you briefly forget you were ghosted by...

Amazing food. My husband and I ordered takeout at the restaurant so I cannot speak on how regular service is, but staff we interacted with were pleasant and seemed to keep things running efficiently. Our order took a little longer than anticipated, quoted 25-30 minutes but took closer to 40 minutes. We split an order of kheema samosas. The outside was crispy and the filling inside was super flavorful, the green chutney was a perfect accent to it as well. The chili garlic naan was good. I ordered the punjabi goat rasa at the hot spice level and my husband ordered the butter chicken at the super hot level. Neither were very spicy, but they were delicious. The butter chicken was smooth and tomatoey and the chicken was tender.The goat was rich, there are bones so that is something to keep in mind for that dish. The rice was perfectly cooked and the...