Indian Food--Please Sir, I'd Like No More

[PaloAltoCougar]

Where would you rank Indian food among international cuisines? I'm not much of a international foodie, so I'm certain there are many countries whose fare I would find objectionable, but among the more common entries (French, Italian, English (!), Thai, Spanish, German, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, etc.), Indian for me is currently in last place, and it's not close. I was reminded of this the other night when a client (whom I hold dear, as the people are great and the company is very well-run and among the top Indian multinationals, and I'd say this even if I didn't fear one of them might stumble upon this thread!) sent a couple of officers to meet with me. They picked the restaurant and my heart sank when I learned it was a local Indian eatery. And when I drove up to the restaurant I was plunged further into the depths of depression when I observed the restaurant's tagline, "Vegetarian Indian Restaurant." I tried to flash the Bat Signal to cowboy but neither he nor his herd came to my aid.

I'll skip the review since I can't recall a single food title, although myriad chutneys and a sauce that was apparently shipped in instantly from the surface of the sun figured prominently in the various courses. While the meal wasn't horrific, it was unsatisfying and reminded me again why I patronize Indian restaurants only under duress. At least my dining companions were very nice and the conversation was pleasant. They kept telling me how healthy each food item was, but the only apparent benefit was that I would never suffer the effects of overeating.

Anyone here rank Indian food in the upper echelons of their dining preferences?

[Indy Coug]

Indian food is the biggest crapshoot of the "mainstream" international cuisines. It can be really bad, but when done right it can be amazing.

[Lost Student]

With just a few exceptions, my Indian food experience has been limited to Bombay House in Provo. My wife and I would go there on date night pretty often and we both liked it a lot.

[YOhio]

Totally agree, PAC. Not a fan.

[Uncle Ted]

I have had both very good Indian food and some very bad Indian food. The good was in Canada at a place that we just trusted the owner to feed us. It ranked up there as some of the best. Of course, some of the worst food I have every tasted was also Indian. In that case the curry was so strong it wasn't even enjoyable to smell. I think the key is to get the cook to turn down the spices significantly if you are not use to that kind of food.

[USUC]

I love Indian food. The only bad Indian I've had is grocery store bought "heat up" type. The best Indian in Utah hands down is the Tandoori Oven in Logan. Its in a gas station. The best I've had is a place in Curry Row on Manhattan. Couldn't even tell you the name.

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[jay santos]

Not my fav, but there is some good stuff. You have to like curry or you're done before you start. Not much variety, but I like curry. The naan (flat bread) is amazing. Another downer is that a lot of food is veg. And when it's not veg, generally that means it has a little bit of chicken in it. Taking a bite of chicken curry with your naan and your red onion and garlic and chili pepper to go down with it can be a very very good bite of food.

[CJF]

I really like Indian food. The problem is, most Indian food literally hates my guts. Made for a very interesting three week in Mumbai a few years ago.

[SeattleUte]

Totally agree, PAC. Not a fan.

Same here. Anytime the norm to serve a cuisine on a buffet, beware.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Same here. Anytime the norm to serve a cuisine on a buffet, beware.

lol. So much for Chinese food then.

[Jeff Lebowski]

It can be really bad, but when done right it can be amazing.

^this.

[SeattleUte]

lol. So much for Chinese food then.

Maybe that's your Norm for Chinese. Sad.

[Coach McGuirk]

Real Chinese food sucks so much balls.

[BigFatMeanie]

Vindaloo, tikka masala, anything cooked in a Tandoori oven, saag, korma, rotis and naans in all their forms and with various dipping sauces - all delicious. Indian food rocks! Chicken and lamb are the main meats because of the whole sacred cow thing. And Santos is right. You generally need to like curry or else you're toast. All of the dishes above are basically variations of curries.

Yeah, crappy cheap vegetarian Indian buffet food sucks; however, Indian food in general ranks near the top for me.

Filipino food is in last place in my food pantheon. Hawaiian food is not too far ahead. It's like Bleh and Meh were twins at birth and became Filipino food and Hawaiian food respectively.

[Donuthole]

Vindaloo, tikka masala, anything cooked in a Tandoori oven, saag, korma, rotis and naans in all their forms and with various dipping sauces - all delicious. Indian food rocks! Chicken and lamb are the main meats because of the whole sacred cow thing. And Santos is right. You generally need to like curry or else you're toast. All of the dishes above are basically variations of curries.

Yeah, crappy cheap vegetarian Indian buffet food sucks; however, Indian food in general ranks near the top for me.

Filipino food is in last place in my food pantheon. Hawaiian food is not too far ahead. It's like Bleh and Meh were twins at birth and became Filipino food and Hawaiian food respectively.

India is so far behind Thailand on the curry scale that it's hardly worth comparing them. Indy and JL have it right, with a couple of additions:

It can be really bad, but when done right it can be amazing. However it is usually not done right.

I agree with you on Filipino and Hawaiian food, though. Utter crap. Seriously, that L&L has lasted as long as it has (and grown, it appears) is honestly baffling.