Desi Flavors Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Temple Terrace

Update review: There's been a price change to $19.99 for the weekend buffet. Lunch buffet close at 3:30pm today, I was in around 2:40 and there no more tea left. I was told they will not make anymore since the kitchen is closing. I have seen food being brought out after the request and they are not going to make anymore tea is pretty much what they are saying. I didn't have to drive over for 45 min and pay more than before to get "No tea". I wouldn't have sat down if they told me that's the situation. Pretty disappointed I have to say. I might be back less until I crave Indian again. (I wasn't craving today but hoping they have goat and mango mousse and my Chai, 2 out of 3 wasn't there...) regretting coming in today.

Old review: Excellent lunch buffet on weekends. I can't say it's the best Indian restaurant but it's one that made me break my record of eating Indian food 3 times in a month. It's hard to find an Indian buffet after Covid and I found Desi Flavors by accident and persistent research (after my usual restaurant sold to another chain). Desi Flavors got my favorite Indian Chai / tea and the combination led me to try it out. It met my expectations with tea and the varieties in the buffet. There was food that I never tried before each time I come (it's the 3rd time today). Btw, Chai comes with the buffet and I chugged it bc it's so good. On my second visit I brought my friends and they had mango mousses (that's out of this world tasty) They have some stables and change up some each time. My first time here, I didn't see any paneer dish. I love most of their desserts and some dishes are sorta fusion. I read some reviews before coming so my expectations weren't crazy high during my visits. Their food isn't piping hot but they were refilled quickly and seemed fresh since I was here when they just started service. Their nan isn't the clay oven puffy type but given the overall quality and diversity, I can live without it. Besides the free Chai with weekend lunch buffet, there's also free lemonade or some sort of flavor beverage next to the Chai. Anyone who lives nearby is lucky as I live almost an hour away. I highly recommend trying this hole in the wall if you like Chai and Indian buffets. I appreciate them for being around and providing options. Some dishes could be a bit spicy, try a bit to see what you like if it's a concern. Most of the food is flavorful, some a tad more spicy, but nothing I can't handle with yogurt to balance it out....

This is actually my second experience with Desi within a week.

Last Sunday I swung by for a takeout order of okra masala for myself and chicken pulva for my teenager. Yum, yum, in my tum tum. And my mouth. And for my memory bank of flavors that “take you back like whohoo bars”. I had been craving bang bang bowls for months but they went out of business. And since the last time they stepped me though what topping of my meal I liked most as bitter gourds and okra I knew what I wanted. 10/10.

Today was the Saturday Buffet/Special. The three of us ordered mango lassi sweet to drink and 2/3 thought it was delicious. I tried almost everything.

Only didn’t like one item, the fish, bone-in was too much work and effort and still found pieces in too many bites and flavor. I’m going to guess fresh water.

Although I now eat meat more regularly, I still found the two best dishes to be the chickpea masala (right side of plate) and mixed veggies with spices left side of plate). I wish the labels were put out sooner so I knew what I picked and preferred. So I may possibly even be wrong with my description.

There were many saucy options that would go better with small bowls than a plate and technically there were the small sauce bowls. But this was all first time/beginner learnings. I digress. Make the decision before you plate up if your carbs are gonna be bread/naan or rice. This will help map out your plate and the saucy items and how to keep them contained.

There were these phenomenal baby carrots that I thought look like chicken strips. My teenager had asked me to grab some 2nds for them and they kindly shared a few. Delicious!

All in all 12/10. Definitely recommend.

I’m not sure on price because I ended up being gifted the meal by my friend. I thought it was $21.99 ≈ $22/ adult. But our total price was higher than expected. So maybe the lassis. Idk.

The atmosphere was comfortable and cozy. The Desi music/show in the background was more authentic than following the habit of modern/trending music! Clean space and very helpful staff. I assume it’s a family owned business. And I also assume they are doing well for themselves. The place started getting busy as we...

My wife, two daughters, and I came here for the first time and we were all incredibly impressed. There was nothing that disappointed us. The variety of naan was wonderful (onion was out of this world). Heat levels are great for Western palates because medium isn’t crazy hot, but adds a nice spice while hot has a very very nice kick that doesn’t ruin the flavor. Sadly, I wasn’t brave enough to try the extra hot, so I can’t comment on that. We shared Butter chicken, Chicken shahi kurma, Chicken tikka masala, and Malai kofta. We had a hard time deciding what our favorites were because they were all so good!. The prices are fantastic. Our server Bindu (Bindoo?) was super knowledgeable about every single dish all the way down to every step of preparation. She was absolutely amazing! And I have to mention the anroma and cleanliness of Desi. They were exceptional! Before coming here, we stopped at another Indian restaurant called Minerva that’s only about 10 minutes from home. It was dark, the guy at the register acted like we were interrupting his phone conversation, it smelled stale and a little musty, and it looked dirty (I’m thinking it was dark to hide the dirt). At Desi, we walked in and the aroma was so inviting! It’s a wonderful smell that makes you even hungrier and excited for your meal! And it’s so clean, too! We will absolutely be back!! Thank you for such a...