Desi Bites — Restaurant in Urbandale

New Review - New Visit: After our previous disappointing experience, we thought of giving Desi Bites another try - with the hope that things might have changed for better. Over the weekend, we ordered Paneer Biryani for To-Go. The wait time was standard 15 minutes. Our order was ready in 15 minutes. Food was hot. Packing was good. We returned back home and opened the box. Paneer Biryani looked good. We had ordered Medium Spicy. It wasn't so spicy, but nevertheless, the Taste was good. Saalna and Raitha also tasted nice. Portion Size was sufficient too. Overall, a better and improved experience.

We've been visiting Desi Bites since the time when it started few months ago. When it started, it was small, but, the food was very tasty. The taste was unlike any other restaurants. And, the price, too, was decent, not very expensive. But, as they started expanding and receiving more footfall, the taste and quality of food items have deteriorated and the Quantity of each portion has substantially reduced.

Towards Jan-end, we visited Desi Bites for Dine-In, as well as, a To-Go order. We bought Vada-pav and Mysore Masala Dosa for Dine-in. Both the items were below standards. The Pav had a burnt texture (there's a fine line between fine roasting and serving it burnt). Mysore Masala dosa - being from the place of origin of this food, we very well know how it should be. But, here, the dosa was very very flaky. As soon as you touch, it would crumble, just like pappad. Also, there was no Red chutney inside. And, even the potato sabji inside was just enough for half dosa. And, it was served with Peanut Chutney. For Masala Dosa, the best combination is Coconut chutney. These are all the features for a Mysore Masala Dosa, which if you get it right makes a perfect dosa.

We were disappointed and repented for ordering these menu items.

Next, we reached home and opened the To-Go Order. We had ordered Garlic Naan, Butter Naan, Kadai Paneer and Paneer Biryani. Kadai Paneer was great - nice taste and as expected. The naans were soft, which was good. But, the size of both types of naan was very very small. The naan-size was just half as compared to other restaurants. This was not the case earlier. Earlier, the size was decent.

Next, comes Paneer Biryani (PB). We've had PB several times in the past, and we had liked the taste. But, this time, the PB was similar to - if you mix few color grains of rice to plain Basmati Rice and add few pieces of paneer to it - this was how it was. Plain whitish in color with no biryani masala at all. Soon after opening the box of PB, I immediately called up the restaurant and provided my feedback and expressed my disappointment about the items.

The restaurant staff/chef, being from the "Land of Biryanis", we had assumed that their Biryani should be great by default, but sadly, we were mistaken. We've even tried Veg Biryani a few times here, but again, even that has been disappointing. You could find only 3-4 pieces of veggies and that too, they were not fresh.

Well - if the Management is serious, they will try to make changes and ensure that this does not repeat for other customers. Else, it's just another review for them.

But, after this latest experience, atleast we know - what to order and what not...

Konark – A Hidden Gem That Deserves the Spotlight!

Konark is hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had! From the moment I walked in, the inviting ambiance and the aroma of authentic Indian spices set the perfect tone for an unforgettable meal.

The food was absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was bursting with rich, perfectly balanced flavors that transported me straight to India. The Pongal was simply divine—crispy, flavorful, and served with the most delicious chutneys. The attention to detail in both taste and presentation was remarkable.

The service was just as impressive. The staff were warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable, ensuring that every part of my experience was perfect. They took the time to explain the dishes and offered great recommendations, making me feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer.

Konark is a must-visit for anyone who loves authentic Indian cuisine. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Indian food or trying it for the first time, this place will exceed your expectations. I can’t wait to go back and try more from their menu! Highly...

A True Hidden Gem!

I've been coming here for a while now, and every visit has been fantastic. This is my first review, but ironically, it’s because of a small mistake with my takeout order. Mistakes happen, and honestly, the dish I received was still delicious—even though it wasn’t what I originally ordered.

What truly impressed me was the service. Later that evening, I received a phone call apologizing for the mix-up. I was genuinely shocked—in a good way! In today’s world, small mistakes with takeout are just part of the experience, and I never expected a follow-up, let alone an offer to make it right. The next day, when I returned, not only was my meal replaced free of charge, but they also comped me a tea! That level of customer care is rare and speaks volumes about their commitment to their guests.

Beyond the excellent service, the food here is consistently great—flavorful, fresh, and well-prepared. If you're looking for a place with amazing food and even better hospitality, this is it....