Zaika Indian Bistro — Restaurant in Woburn

Not being in the mood to cook lunch on a Saturday morning, the wife and I were searching for something delicious to eat. We settled on Indian food but having had sub-par experiences in Waltham with various spots, we decided that expanding our search a bit might yield better results. So we searched on the iPad and came across this place which had numerous beaming reviews.

We got into the car and about 25 minutes later we parked in a metered spot and walked into what is a fantastic Indian restaurant.

The smell emanating from the buffet are absolutely insane and walking by it to get to our table was torturous. The misses put her purse down, I hung my jacket on the chair and then we rushed over to the buffet which had an extensive selection of dishes. You had your classics like chicken Tikka Masala and Palak Paneer and even samosas. But they also had numerous other dishes including a lamb curry, a couple of fish dishes and another featuring chickpeas known as Chana Masala. Probably a dozen plus savory dishes to pick from.

While we were picking their buffet apart they also brought us some garlic naan bread and we chowed as if it had been our first meal in days. We inhaled everything and went back for seconds, thirds and... possibly fourths? The spices, the heat, the proteins, the seasonings, it was all just so damn good.

Surprisingly too, everything was still very moist, something that isn't always the case in buffets were the food can sit out for hours. Nope, not here folks.

Oh and did I mention that they had an extensive dessert selection as well? They had Gulab Jamun (spongy milky balls soaked in rose scented syrup), Kheer, Mango pudding and various other things. I had both the Gulab Jamun and Kheer and both were a fitting end to a great meal.

Considering it was just $10.95 a person, it was an absolute steal and you'd be hard pressed to eat such great food for that kind of price... anywhere. I've been to numerous Indian buffets all over the Boston area and this could easily be the best one I've been to. We were both very impressed and left very happy (and full).

Service was quick, attentive and friendly including the owner who checked up on us a couple of times and also answered a couple of questions we had about to food. The place was clean, nicely decorated and made for a great experience. We cannot...

I've been frequenting Zaika for a long time for the lunch buffet, which used to be outstanding. But my most recent three or four visits, over the past couple of months, have been relatively awful.

Food-wise, quality has slipped tremendously. Flavors are simply not there anymore and what's offered in the chafing dishes often seems old and a bit crusted over.

On a recent visit, a paneer dish had no sauce at all, appearing to be dry rubbed with spices, which I thought might be the intended presentation. Just after I scooped some onto my plate a waiter stopped by with a refill, and the cheese cubes were covered in sauce. Where was the old sauce? Evaporated presumably?

Another time, the few small bits of tandoori chicken on offer looked -- and tasted -- as though they had been reheated at least once. Flabby, greasy, and beyond disgusting.

Samosas, usually an easy win, almost completely lacked seasoning on my last visit. I didn't even want to finish the one I'd taken.

Service has equally slipped. Management and waiters can't be bothered and no longer even ask whether we'd like something to drink other than water. On a recent visit the buffet was out of dessert bowls; I asked a waiter for one and waited...and waited...and waited. And finally, just gave up, paid and left -- I never saw another staff member in the dining room.

The restaurant also seems a bit dirtier than it used to. The bathroom, always an indicator for me, stinks, and on my last visit was full of fruit flies.

I'm sorry that this place has gone downhill so much. I used to love it, and I hope that it will get its act back together. But for the time being, I don't...

LOCATION/ATMOSPHERE: Located in Woburn Center/Main Street, it was in a smaller location (long skinny place), and when I walked in, I thought there was no way this could be a good place, but I was very wrong -- it was super! The place was packed all night long, on a Thursday night, and I was not surprised, based on the very tasty food! And I loved the traditional Indian music that was playing all night - it was very nice.

FOOD: -Dinners: We got the Shrimp Korma (our favorite), the Chicken Tika, Mixed Grilled Non-Veg platter, Lamb Samosas, Curry Sauce (super!), Naan Bread Basket (with the Garlic, Vegetable, and Onion variety mixed together), and the Peshwa bread (best! = stuffed with raisins, almonds and coconut - the perfect slightly sweet flavor and perfect consistency!) NOTE on the breads = All cooked perfectly, with a light crisp along the edges, and the doughy inside consistency - we loved it!!! -Beverages: My colleagues got some tasty Mango drinks that they loved! I got some club soda that was good, and a regular sized Taj Mahal beer that I loved!

STAFF: We started with the manager = he was super-friendly, and knew the menu inside and out! And then we had a regular wait-staff person who was also very customer focused!

We DO recommend this place = check it out (and don't be surprised, as even though it is a small place, it really has excellent food, and you will notice the amazing smells outside the restaurant, as you are...