Bryan & College Station, Texas

I made sure to say “buffet” in the title because I know that the biggest reason people don’t try Indian food is because they don’t know what to order. Honestly, even if you ask the staff, you still can’t be 100% sure you’re not ordering something that will char your esophagus.

Spice Bowl definitely has the “Esophagus Charring” stuff, but you ask them to make you something less spicy and they will oblige. In fact, for the less adventurous, try the buffet. The buffet usually offers dishes that are not on the super-spicy side. Usually included on the buffet is Saag Paneer, Korma and Tandoori Chicken.

Saag is usually a creamed Spinach and mustard curry dish.

Paneer is hunks of a hard ricotta type cheese.

Tandoori is a type of clay oven, and if something is “tandoori” style, it’s usually marinated in a tomato sauce, yogurt, ginger, garlic, coriander, cayenne, clove, cumin, cardamom, salt, saffron, garam masala and annato marinade over night, then baked in their oven.

Garam masala is a North Indian blend of dry-roasted spices.

Naan is the traditional Indian Flat bread. (Roti is whole wheat Naan).

Korma is a slow-cooked curry stew, usually includes cauliflour and peas.

Vindaloo is usually very spicy (usually potato).

Aloo is Potatoes.

Makhani is a buttery tomato sauce.

A Pakora is a deep fried vegetable fritter made with a chick pea batter.

A Samosa is a stuffed and fried turnover usually made with potatoes and peas.

A Pappadum is a thin wafer. Can be spicy.

Tikka means pieces.

As far as my personal suggestion, other than trying everything on the buffet, Chicken Tikka Masala is my favorite, and my wife’s favorite is Saag Paneer.

Their Chai is excellent, either hot or iced, and try the Gulab Jamun (although it’s not for everyone).

Gulab Jamun is a double cream and flour dough, sugar, cardamom, rosewater and saffron. Very sweet, but very yummy.

The lamb is very good here too. Try the Rogan Josh if you are a lamb fan.

My suggestion is that you let them know specifically how spicy you want your food. We made the mistake once of telling them that my wife’s mom was from England, and she was used to spicy. Wow, that was a very anxious meal.

The staff is very pleasant and the atmosphere is great. They almost always have Indian music playing, which I think is a good thing.
Their menu explains what each dish contains, so you’ll have a good idea of what you are ordering.

If you are up for spicy, you will NOT be disappointed.

The entrees will run you on average of about $10, and the buffet is around that much as well.

Oh, it’s over by the Lack’s on Texas and Southwest Parkway.

Enjoy

jorge