Shalimar

Hours of Operation: Lunch & Dinner daily

Categories: Indian Restaurants, Restaurants

1. 
   User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

   by Eric

   05/18/2007

   Incredible food.: And, I'll say it: the atmosphere is not as bad as other reviewers have stated. Yes, it is a flourescent-lit room, and yes, the kitchen is exposed to the clientelle with only the glass counter and the chai station separating the two. And yes it is loud, and yes, it is self-serve (for drinks and flatware at least)...and if you dine in the "TV Room" you have to walk through puddles and the trashy alleyway... BUT this place is so downright authentic...so incredibly genuine that is simply MUST be this way. Located in the heart of SF's Tenderloin -- the food incredible, the service friendly, and the cost so moderate, that I cannot recommend this place high enough (assuming your stomach can take Pakistani/Indian cuisine).
   Enjoy

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2. 
   User Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

   by Nilu R.

   11/05/2006

   Food is tasty but SO dirty!: Ok so the food tastes good, but just dont go into the bathroom. The restaurant is filthy, the service (not much in the way of service) is surly and if you sit inside for more than a minute you smell like a curry-cicle...all my friends love this place but it has made me sick and turned me off indian food.

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3. 
   User Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

   by Jeremy Hudson

   07/06/2006

   Don't believe the hype: Notwithstanding its Tenderloin location, long waits and questionable hygiene, I was very excited to try the food at Shalimar. Conversely, I believe I have a fatal attraction to hole-in-the-wall restaurants in sketchy neighbourhoods. Before I came to SF a few weeks ago, several people, including Indian and Pakistani friends had recommended the place to me. Which leaves me very disappointed that, after my second visit, I really don't think it's anything special.
   
   The restaurant is famous for its tandoori lamb chops. On both occasions I found them to be of only average tenderness - surely the key criterion that such grilled meat shoud be judged upon. tanThis certainly does not compare to my favourite Pakistani restaurants in London - my fellow diners, 2 of them Londoners, agreed.The rest of the food was pretty standard fare although the Nihari was delicious.
   
   One should take my review with a pinch of salt, given that my palate has probably been conditioned to liking British-ized sub contentinental cuisine and perhaps this is really authentic Pakistani food. Nevertheless, I can only tell you how good I think it tastes, regardless of its authenticity, and hence will give Shalimar an average rating. I look forward to exploring more of the menu at arch rivals Pakwan to see where I prefer them or not, but in the meantime, it's no more Shalimar for me.

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