Royal Taj

User Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

GREAT INDIAN FOOD! My hubby and I were so surprised after our meal that there wasn't a line out the front door waiting to get in. We go there around 5:30 for dinner and were the only customers in the place and we thought maybe because we were early, but we left by 6:30 and only 1 other couple arrived. We think it's because of it's poor location in a deserted strip mall. You could barely find the place because the strip mall looked condemned. Anyways, besides the outside appearance, the inside was very nice with linen on the tables and a fully stocked bar. When we first arrived we were immediately given ice water and a basket of pampadom (spelling might be off..sorry!) and 2 dipping sauces. We then started off with the samosas for an appetizer and they were so flavorful and delicious and came with a sweet chutney dipping sauce. I ordered the chicken vindaloo, which was the best I ever had. It was really spicy and the gravy was seasoned so perfectly. The rice was also really pretty and colorful. The naan was grilled perfect and had the right amount of garlic rubbed on it. I also got the mango lassi drink and it tasted like freshly blended mango with a slight tangy yogurt undertone. It helped me tremendously while eating my spicy vindaloo. My hubby got the tandoori dinner which came out on a sizzling platter and made the whole room smell soooo good. He loved everything about it. We were so excited after our meal and can't wait to return many times. We just wish they would move to another location.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I'm a second generation Indian-American and I've been to every single Indian restaurant in the Phoenix metropolitan area. This is the best Indian restaurant period. If you enjoyed the Star of India restaurant in Ahwautukee a long time ago, then it's the same chef that made that place so popular. I hated the old chef at Royal Taj but when they brought the Star of India chef here 3 years ago, it changed everything. The meat is prepared well. They bring all grilled items on sizzling fajita hot plates; they don't microwave it on regular like a most of the Indian restaurants in the valley. The curries are not watery and the saag paneer is actual sag and thick! Most of the bad restaurants like India Gate and Star of India rip you off by serving a soupy and watery saag.

The restaurant is kind of a hole in the wall in a strip club which isn't atypical of the Phoenix area. The chef's wife attends to everyone. Sometimes, they have a Hispanic girl who helps. The woman doesn't speak English well but she understands it perfectly. Look, this is an Indian restaurant so if you are expecting perfect aka normal service, you are not going to get that here. However, the service isn't rude but imagine if an Auntie is waiting on you. We have eaten here on several occasions so she knows us and thus we get perfect and loving service. If you go there often, you will get taken care of. The place usually has 3 tables occuped so the one-woman waitstaff works.

Okay the bad! The lamb is a little tough. The flavor is fine but they overcook the lamb bhoti kebab. The naan can sometimes be burnt but never to the point that its unedible. Stay away from the buffet. The buffet caters to non-Indians/mainstream and it's really bland so that John Doe can eat it.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I am originally from the New York and had access to many very good Indian restaurants but when I came to Arizona to attend ASU, I was immediately disappointed by the lackluster selection. Royal Taj is just about the only really good indian restaurant I seem to have found. I also enjoy Delhi Palace too, but Royal Taj is really my favorite. The staff is also very friendly every time I go there.

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