Punjabi Junction — Restaurant in Virginia

Punjabi Junction is an excellent restaurant with an authentic, comfortable, elegant, and luxurious atmosphere which highlights the historical and cultural nuances of Punjab, India. The large wooden wall-map of Punjab is a beautiful work of historical art. I experienced a warm welcome, amazing customer service, and an overall positive energy in the environment. The staff are friendly, caring, and ensured excellent quality service during the entire visit.

The food at Punjabi Junction is absolutely delicious and of Michelin 5-star quality! The food is cooked with tremendous love and great skill by caring hands and loving hearts. All ingredients were fresh and food portions were generous. My Chole Bhature had the perfect crunchy texture and uniquely tangy, spicy taste. My Shrimp Biryani was also spiced and seasoned to perfection (the waiter had courteously asked about spice preferences beforehand). The bread was soft, warm, and fluffy. The Mango Lassi (dessert) was smooth, creamy, and so refreshing on a hot summer day. I recommend getting many different types of dishes to share at a table.

I felt great joy in celebrating my outing with my friend at Punjabi Junction. I highly recommend this...

I enjoy Pakistani food, so when in areas with Pakistani restaurants, I try to try new ones… I recently came in here with a colleague for lunch. The place was clean, I could even see in the kitchen and it looked nice. Service was fine. The menu is filled with the typical Pakistani/Indian delights.

We tried their chicken tikka (boneless) kabob. The flavors were really good and the meat was tender. It came out perfect. The naan was incredibly soft and perfect texture and density too. Their veggie biryani was more of a mix of curry into the rice, versus the right way of making it with curry folded into the rice with some other colored rices folded in as well. The flavors were just a messy/overall single flavor, rather than tasting the different flavors. The karahi was really just a stewed chicken curry, versus a freshly made stir fried (in a karahi) style curry with fresh tomatoes and chicken. I could tell by how melty and stewed down the chicken was. Overall, the flavor was ok, but it didn’t resemble the karahi I’m familiar with from making ir and eating it in Pakistani family kitchens over the years.

I still enjoyed the visit and if I came back, I’d...

The allure of Punjabi Dhaba food has been there for a while. And during the holiday week, when the food search landed us back on Punjabi, we sadly realized we have to cross state boundaries to be at any such restaurant with a decent rating ( ok, from folks who seem to understand this food and can contrast from the rather bland stuff dished out from any non discrete Indian buffet joint in a nearby strip mall). So we took the 60+ minute drive hoping for a Punjabi lunch. After crossing the second toll booth, we sighed - we have paid the price of a buffet as tolls, the food better be good. It was a good Indian buffet lunch and ofcourse for that price. Was it worth the drive and tolls - maybe not. Did we experience the expected Punjabi flavors - no. What is good? - Daal, Tandoori chicken, Tandoori Roti (instead of standard Naan), Chicken Biriyani. Kiddo loved Butter Chicken. Ambience, Service & staff were excellent. What needs to be better (for another 60 minute drive)? - Better spread, more appetizers, lassi or juice. And atleast one signature item to tempt folks to return ( even if it costs a...