We Desi: Indian Bistro — Restaurant in Town of Babylon

While shopping at the outlets yesterday, I decided to order lunch here. My husband got Chinese and sat with our 5 year old while I ordered. Please note, this is not a restaurant where the food is already out for you to choose, you have to wait for it to be prepared. In that time, I decided to go next door to get Chipotle for my 5 year old. I mentioned to the man at the counter that my husband would receive the food while I stepped out. He asked if my husband was with me, and I replied yes, to which he responded “we don’t allow outside food in here” because my husband had took a few bites of his food while I waited.

While I respect a restaurant’s right to set policies, the tone and approach felt unnecessarily rigid—especially given that I WAS supporting their business and the dining area was mostly empty. Our intention wasn’t even to eat inside there, but the wait time was significant. It seemed like a moment where discernment could’ve been used, as there was only one other couple dining inside. As a new restaurant you would think the owners would want to build rapport with the community, but that’s surely not the way to do it. It left me feeling unwelcome after I was happy to support a new business with ethnic cuisine, especially since the options at the outlets are not very diverse. The experience left a bad impression, and I likely won’t...

The famed Biriyani, But here? Oh, here at this fine establishment, they've redefined what Biriyani means altogether. Instead of the delicate dance of flavors, they've served me a sad mountain of yellowish-red rice that had apparently drowned in chili powder and turmeric. No saffron, no subtle spice blend, no layers of flavor--just the culinary genius of dumping in every chili pepper known to mankind. My taste buds? Obliterated. My soul? Questioning its life choices.

Let's talk about the meat (if you can call it that). Normally, you'd expect tender, juicy chicken or succulent mutton infused with flavor, right? Not here! Instead, the dry, stringy meat they served tasted like it had marinated in the air...and nothing else. Who needs marination when you have the bold, burning punch of chili powder.

The white rice served is another half-baked.

Mutton curry was good but the channa will take to a hospital.

If you enjoy pain, a complete absence of flavor, and a one-way trip to your nearest gastroenterologist, this place is your paradise! As for me? I'll be cleansing my palate and my stomach...

I can't tell you how excited I was to be walking through Tanger and find a great new place to eat...Indian takeout no less! We were fast to jump on this one!

The pricing is perfect, we usually spend $200 on Indian food, so it's a special occasion thing, but this is quality at a fraction of the price.

Everything is made fresh, and the aroma of curry and naan fill the air. Everything has so much flavor, and the spice is not overwhelming...perfection! They do have bottled Mango Lassi, which I love with Indian food.

We tried: -The Signature Experience (Choose your rice, curry, legume) Go down the line and build your plate for $14 -Garlic Naan (They are made to order from scratch, the process is really awesome...the dough is stuck to the side of the high-quality stainless steel and clay oven, called Tandoor!) -Murrabba Caulifower (I'm hooked, so delicious 😋) -Achari Chicken Wings (So juicy and filled with flavor) -Patiala Chicken Tikka (The char grill really elevates the flavor)

Don't forget dessert! We had the Gulab Jamun....a sweet ending! It reminds us of a warm, softer...