Taj Mahal Cuisine of India
5416 California Ave, Bakersfield, CA, 93309
Taj Mahal Cuisine of India Menu
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Address :
5416 California Ave
Bakersfield, CA, 93309 - Phone (661) 633-2222
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
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Lee S.
Went here with my family, Wife and son. The decor is classic Indian restaurant, a lot of tables no booths. Service was friendly, quick and curtious. Did not have to ask for refills. Ok... so the food here we go. Starter, Paneer, fantastic, cheese was crumbly and the onion and bell peppers served with were perfect combo with the cheese. I recommend this for sure. Main course. Chicken Tikka Masala, very good, not to buttery which I prefer. Spice was good as well, portion was small for 12.95.... Chicken Tikka, Wow best Ive had in a while, smokey flavor, but not burnt or dry, which I find is more the norm now a days. Served with a light sauce which I found delightful, also nice onion, bell pepper combo. we got Rice for the table, very good, I liked the add of Cilantro. Why four stars, the Garlic Naan was little burnt and very thin, did not hold up to me picking up my food with it like I love to do, I had to eat with fork.... overall I would recommend this place, I would just warn it is pricing if not going for buffet.
(4)Emma G.
I've been coming here for two decades. I've eaten them at my Indian friends' parties. Though I've moved away, the owners always recognize me when I return. I was bummed tonight to come in and find the restaurant empty on a Saturday night. You guys should be going here! I always love palakh paneer and Chana masala. Their lunch buffet is a great deal. Love the mango lassi and samosas, too. Good food, friendly ownership, check them out!
(5)Margarita C.
My boyfriend and I come here at least once a week. We have tried numerous Indian restaurants but this is by far the best one. We love the chicken tikka masala medium spicy, vegetable pakora and the samosas. I definitely recommend it.
(5)Mark K.
Got my usual, chicken tikka masala with rice and garlic naan. Pretty good all around but a bit pricey since they charge for each item. I was low on naan and they asked if I wanted more so I said sure. Didn't really think they would charge for it. So with a glass of wine it was about $30, much more than I would have thought. Personally I will not be back, not because the food was bad but simply based on price.
(3)Gera C.
Best Indian food In town. Me and my BF really enjoyed it. Also friendly and fast service.
(5)Felix G.
This was my second visit to this location and yes I would still come back again.....some day. The lunch buffet is what I would recommend that way you are not stuck with something you didn't really like. The food was good (I posted picture of my lunch plate) I would give it 3 out of 5 stars. Service was good I would also give it 3 out of 5 stars. Cleanliness was very good, napkins very clean, table cloths very clean, glass of water very clean, buffet area very clean and organized so I would give it 4 stars out of 5. Now the last and somewhat least important was the decor. This place really needs a make over. Although it is nice and clean, it is so plain and boring. I would picture maybe some elephants painted on the walls and perhaps the TajMahal painted on the was as well. Also missing some plants or Palm trees.... Just something to make it feel more modern. All this place has is large mirrors on the walls. It just felt like I was at the gym.
(3)Liss P.
Last night I had dinner at Taj Mahal Restaurant. It was excellent as always. The atmosphere isn't too much to desire, however, the food is really good. I ordered Chicken Malai with their flat bread. Dinner for 2 was $60. But that's because they charge $15 for each dish of Chicken Malai, $8 for each flat bread and additional for a plate of rice and then the sodas. Because the chicken Malai is so delicious we don't mind spending this amount.
(5)Shan C.
I've visited this location several times for dinner and it can be on par with Zaika for Indian/Pakistani food in Bakersfield. I read about the lunch buffet being a great value and checked it out today with my father. We were severely disappointed with how cold the food was and how little was remaining at 2pm. Check out other places locally for a buffet or perhaps arrive sharply at 11AM for fresher food.
(1)Enrique A.
It's ok. Maybe the third best place in town. It has the standard menu of most Indian places but nothing to really stand out. The lunch buffet is a good value but it's not tasty enough to make me come back for dinner when there are better places in town.
(3)Domingo A.
I really enjoyed this place, yummy food and really good prices. You will not be disappointed, the non bread is off the hook.
(4)Yonnie Z.
I had lunch at Taj Mahal yesterday for the first time - been meaning to come here to try the lunch buffet at only $7.99. There was an entire row of food options (at least 3 veggie options, 3 meat options, and a salad bar). From what I recall, they had: - mushroom masala - 2 other types of veggie options - chicken tiki masala - chicken curry - chicken pieces (grilled) - samosas The food was decent; plenty of seating, and the service was friendly. I could only muster down 2 plates and that was it. :) For just $7.99 plus tax + tip, I think this lunch buffet was a good value.
(3)Andrea D.
I have been eating at Taj Majal for years and they are always delicious. It is pretty expensive, but worth it if you are craving really good Indian food. My favorite dishes there are Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Malai, and Palak Paneer. They have a buffet lunch that is much more affordable and typically serves good dishes. The service is great, clean restrooms, linens, and dining area. They do have two TV's playing which can be entertaining or a little loud depending on what's on and where you are sitting.
(5)Eric F.
Great service.. Good food.. They pulled out the chair imagine that.. Two thumbs up! I would recommend this place for everyone who can beat great food and customer service.. I'll be back soon..
(4)Kate F.
I've been here a couple times, mostly just to pick up takeout. They have a really large menu with lots if options. Some if my favorite are: vegetable pakora, paneer masala, lamb korma, and chicken tikka masala. I've also had their samosas which are really good as well. The portion sizes are really large and there is plenty leftover. Inside the restaurant is cute and quite big. I've had a couple of their Indian beers at the bar while waiting for my takeout. The servers there are really friendly and helpful if you have questions. I saw some previous reviews about the cleanliness of the place but it seemed super clean every time I've been there so maybe they've changed. If you love Indian food this is a great place to try!
(4)Katherine V.
I came here for dinner with my sister and we ordered mango lassi, sweet lassi, samosas, chicken makhani, chicken malai, basmati rice and naan. Everything was yummy but they must have new cooks because the butter chicken was less sweet than I remember.
(4)Wendy N.
I came here over a Saturday night and much to my surprise it wasn't overly busy. The atmosphere was perfect: not too quiet and not too noisy. Perhaps the best part other than the amazing quality of the food is the prices. You can get some of the best appetizers for under $5--that's if you can also handle the perfectly proportioned meals that you'll be ordering that are under 20$. The staff is absolutely friendly and helpful. And also, please, do yourself a favor and get anything with lamb, you'll thank me later.
(5)Cathy G.
This is my favorite place in town! Food is delicious with always the right amount of spices for my taste. My favorite is the chicken makhani. It's always very creamy and tasty. I have yet to be disappointed. All - you - can eat buffet for $7.99, although I never seem to have any room for a 2nd plate.
(5)Ajay S.
We stopped here for dinner while coming back from Vegas to SF on late Sunday night. We initially went to Cafe India at 9:15 PM and the guy said it's closed(their site says it closes at 10:00) So we called taj and dropped in. Food was very good and customized to spicy on request and served quickly. Prompt service and clean ambience overall good place for families. Highly recommend and will drop in again when driving thru Bakersfield.
(5)Kynan C.
The Taj Mahal is one of my regular lunch spots. My work buddy Jer and I hit this place at least once a week. We all have the places we frequent for lunch and this is one I do. Probably even got there today! I typically do the buffet, the food is tasty and it is always super fresh, plus the price is great. A secret off menu item, ask for Chili Naan, it's dynamite! The other day I decide to stray off the buffet path and we ordered off the menu and it was fantastic! The flavors were defined. I always order hot hot hot, I love the spice. Two of my favorite dishes are Chicken Masala, and Lamb Jalfrezi. Service is always very polite, and you get to watch Indian Kung Fu movies!
(5)Rajasekhar V.
Excelent... We loved and enjoyed it.. Especially rasamallai. Best food with in range.
(4)Jacqueline H.
Best Indian food in Bakersfield. Our favorite dishes here are chicken tikka malai, chicken tikka masala, and there is a cauliflower dish that is great. There dining room is large and there is never a wait for dinner.
(5)F U.
Staff is awesome, never complain about it~ they rock! The buffet is nice, choices are there, atmosphere is ok, cleanliness is fine. Bring me the NAAN, hahaha it is good. Great for a lunch when you don;t know what ya feel like having and want something new to try.
(4)Yaneth F.
I've bee here twice, and I strongly recommend the Paneer Malai!! It has the perfect blend of spices and the homemade cheese is amazing. Then you pair it with cheese naan and OMG it's delicious! The service is great and they constantly check on you. I actually forgot my leftovers on the table and the owner walked out to the parking lot to give it to me. overall great place, good ambience, great for large groups too. I will definitely go back!
(5)NBehati C.
Love this place amazing atmosphere food is delish, I love there lunch specials an dinner is awesome as we'll if looking for a place this is the place to eat. You won't be let down
(5)Greg B.
They made my Lamb Vindaloo spicy, as it should be, but the taste was too heavy on cinnamon. All in all, considering it is in Bakersfield, a nice place to dine.
(4)H P.
Enjoyed lots food here during my stay in Kern county. Woww I missed your food too much. Very nice Indian food in Bakersfield. -Himanshu
(5)Phil M.
For about a year I would eat at Taj at least twice a month, usually ordering to go because the atmosphere is cafeteria with awkward Indian soaps and music videos blaring. Then one visit my wife and I ordered the usual: chicken malai, rice, and naan which resulted in a bad experience. The rice was rotten. It wasn't even questionable. It was definitely well fermented and smelled awful. We asked to switch it out with another kind of rice, which the server did with hesitation. Then they still charged us for it. My stomach turns when I think about the experience. We haven't been back to Taj or any other Indian restaurant since.
(1)Su C.
The curries were so great. Esp dal makhni. Very authentic lassi. The meal combo is worth it.
(4)PatrickJ T.
Their lunch buffet is not bad, and the price is right. The food was pretty good. They make about 8 to 12 entree choices for the buffet. Honestly, the only name I remember among the choices was the chicken tandoori. It was tasty with the sauce added to it. My favorite item was the Naan! Normally, I do not like bread to much, but the Naan was so good! It was good just by itself, and I also put it to good use by wiping down the curry with it! An awesome combination. The ambiance was simple. There is a room set aside for bigger parties or meetings. The main portion of the restaurant has the tables for everyone else. Service was good and attentive. They kept my water glass full. I would come here again, if I was craving some good Indian food at a fair price. You should try them too!
(3)Alisa I.
Food is consistently tasty and hot. Service is very good. Lunch buffet - which is also offered Sat and Sun - is the best value for variety. Been coming here for years and will continue to do so.
(5)Umesh T.
Driving back home from Vegas in the absolutely crazy pouring rain with horribly poor visibility, we made it here for dinner and from out in the rain. I had the seafood dinner special with the fish curry option. The Fish tandoori was pretty good while the alu gobi was simply amazing and tasted home cooked. The daal makhani, though not strictly daal makhani, was really really good, once again having a home-cooked taste to it. With the fresh naan, I'm all ready to call it the perfect dinner. The chicken hyderabadi played it's part in maintaining the high bar set by the vegetarian dishes, and the jeera rice didn't disappoint either. On the flip side, the chicken agra was wishy-washy in taste and didn't help the cause much. The fish curry was the worst of the lot and there was no flavour in the fish itself. Although the last two dishes dropped the ball, the few vegetarian dishes they had played really well to maintain my 4 stars opinion of the food; I only wish the Indian restaurants here in the Bay Area were just as good with the vegetarian dishes --- and for that, I am more than willing to overlook the not so sublime areas of that dinner. And oh, skip the "rice pudding". Totally.
(4)Aaron P.
Roaches in the buffet, we walked out. Sorry to the dudes that were already half way through their plate.
(1)Mini S.
The lunch buffet is good. Variety of options for veg and non-veg options. Taste was good too. A good Indian restaurant on the way to Las Vegas from San Francisco. The Ala-Carte is good too. We had our dinner there on the way back from Vegas.
(5)Rhee-views R.
When I asked about spicy dishes, we were told they could make any dish spicy, and they did it well. FYI:Buffet @ lunch would be a great way to try a variety of dishes.
(4)Ren M.
With first time having Indian food, I have to say the food was good. The servers were nice, but I think due to our crashing in near closing, I felt we were being rushed. Other than that, the chicken masala was ok. Due to Indian food having rep for bad smell, my experience was not quite as I expected.
(3)kcp K.
On the way from Vegas, we went to this place without having any other option. When we reached there @ 3:00 it was closed, buffet was over, still they asked 5 of us to eat. We ordered 5 different biriyani's. While ordering itself he asked for spicy level, I don't know how one can make instant biriyani with different spicy level. Within less than 20 min we all got whatever we ordered. Literally it's just tomato rice with raw chilly powder mixed on it and they added meat, chicken, shrimp on diff biriyani's. We all ate couple of spoons and cannot eat without raita. Btw they charged extra for raita. Everybody asked for togo box and left that place. They should first learn what biriyani is before they put it in their menu. We could have gone to chipotle or any pho place and enjoyed the food. Even if there is no other option please don't choose this place. Even the people over there is very rude. Never ever go to this place. Cannot save without rating, that's why 1 star.
(1)Michael L.
Imagine that you're in Bakersfield, California. Give yourself a good fifteen minutes to acclimate to the hybrid alfalfa/cow fart/beer smell and the dreadful heat and humidity. Take stock of the 300,000 mouth-breathers spread out across a landmass large enough to fit 58 Hollywoods. Soak up the squat buildings, the bad drivers, and the "Cowboy Up!" bumper stickers. Are you still there? Now imagine you're with a group of friends. And this group of friends decide that it's time for nourishment. What comes next is inevitable, "Where the hell are we going to eat?" It's an obvious progression of the conversation, and one that's easily hurdled. A few people throw out ideas. Some are shot down, some are accepted. A consensus is taken, and the group heads off to discover new culinary frontiers. Now, that would be the short version. But this is Bakersfield, California we're talking about. Land of eight million dream-cicles. There is approximately one McDonald's hamburger stand for every four people in Bakersfield (numbers are estimates only). Throw a rock out of any window, out of any building in Bakersfield, and you will hit a Carl's Jr. Need to eat? Drive in a direction. Any direction. Today, it was Indian food, served at Taj Mahal. Yes, that gastronomic delight from that country somewhere way over there. Curries, biryanis, and lassis (unfortunately, no bhang lassis on the menu here) served with a smile, or at the very least, some confused expressions. "You want an order each of cheese and spiced beef naan? And mango chutney? And lamb biryani? And a mango lassi?" Translation: "You are fat, American pig." The stunned waiter brought my food out dutifully, along with the food of my luncheon companion (who ordered shrimp tandoori, and gladly helped me with my feast as well). The lamb biryani was a little dry, but good. The naan was fantastic, though, and I had to order a second mango lassi when the first one mysteriously disappeared into my mouth. We feasted like royalty. Bakersfield royalty.
(3)Avishek P.
I do not understand why this restaurant has such good ratings. It was a horrible experience for us. The food tasted awful. We ordered chicken tikka masala and lamb korma and both were tasting the same. The service is also very poor and the person who took the order was trying to cheat us. When we ordered for just two servings for 4 people, he said it will not be enough and we should order for a third dish. He then pointed to the costliest item on the menu card, when asked for a suggestion. When the food arrived, we found the quantity to be more than enough and we had to-go some of it. We had ordered one chicken biriyani also and it was the worst biriyani I had in my life. It was just masala rice and that too wet and sticky. I had taken my family and parents with me and it was a big disappointment for all of us. The experience will haunt us forever.
(1)Kat F.
I was home visiting my family for the holidays and found a special treat; Taj Mahal. Even though I grew up in Bakersfield, I have never been to this restaurant. I now have someplace to get great Indian cuisine when I'm in town! We ate family style, so our plates varied from: Chicken Malai, Shrimp Malai, Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, Vegetable Samosa, all the way to the Chicken Biryani. I have amazing Indian cuisine in Washington DC and didn't think I would find excellent Indian in Bakersfield. To my delight, everything we had at Taj Mahal was wonderful. If you like Coconut and shrimp, you will love the Shrimp Malai. My family doesn't have a lot of experience with Indian cuisine and were pleasantly surprised by the their meal. They will definitely be returning and so will I.
(4)Kiki B.
It has been a while since I last ate here it was not as good as I remembered but saying that I still did enjoy the meal. The naan bread was excellent and the vegetable korma was scrumptious. The only problem was that the veggie samosa tasted like it may have been frozen - I am no chef but the pastry tasted a little odd like a freezer taste. I enjoyed the TVs playing Indian music videos, however, the decor could be a little updated. So close to being extraordinary with a little fine tuning.
(3)Ron R.
I have made a habit of Indian food every city i go to. I have probably been to close to 30 restaurants in the last year or two. This is not the best place I have been, but the best in Bakersfield I have tried. Good dishes, good breads, and good samosas.
(4)Adrian M.
My family and I eat here often and have never had a bad meal, and in fact have always had a great meal there. I have tried more than half the meat dishes, and my wife more than have the vegetarian ones. Just all damn good. They have a nice lunch buffet. My only complaint is I'd like to see one more main dish choice, but they tell me the vegetarian dishes are more popular, so they stick with two meat ones. The guys there are friendly, and the proof in the pudding is that most of the time we go there there is at least one Indian family eating there, and often there are lots of them. In fact today we were there for lunch and two Indian families were throwing an engagement party for a young couple there.
(5)Melissa C.
This is the main place to go for Indian Food in Bakersfield. I recommend going at dinner, because some of their best items are rarely available during the lunch buffet. I love the Paalak Paneer, Aloo Gobi and the Chicken Madras for sure!
(4)Heather W.
Fantastic food! I had the vegetarian special, and my husband had the chicken vindaloo for dinner. The service was friendly and quick. They gave us a UCSB student discount which was really great. It was really nice and clean too. Definitely worth a visit.
(5)Joanna C.
Indian food what's up??? Taj Mahal makes me so happy :) This place is delicious! Lunch is the ideal time to check out this place if you've never had Indian food before. They usually offer a good variety of dishes plus its buffet style between 11am to 3pm. The staff is pretty friendly. I personally enjoy the music & the videos they play during the day. Its hard to place a favorite dish, but if you go during dinner I'd recommend ordering the Tandorri Chicken or the Chicken Tikka Masala. Yum :)
(5)Christian H.
I'm writing this review on the experience I had with this restaurant many years ago, (maybe, 2008 or 2009?) based on what I remember. Considering my young age (back then) and me remembering the food and restaurant name, it must have been a great place, just because of the fact that after all the years, I still remember it and wish to go back someday. (Live 8 hours away from there or so.) We were greeted by the owner (I assume) at the front door after he saw us outside looking at the menu. He almost rushed us inside. From what I remember, there was a small buffet, and you could also order from there menu, whichever you preferred. The small buffet has various Indian meats, dishes and spices. I remember one particular dish called "Curry Fried Rice", which was Fried Curry Rice with some peas. That's the only dish I ate, which I enjoyed very much. (I'm vegan). Although there was a wide selection of foods in the buffet. I also remember the staff being very friendly and never had a problem with anyone that worked there. Overall, the food is great and so is the staff. I do remember my parents complaining over the pricy-ness of the food, but that was all. I would caution myself about the food if I went now though, and eat small portions, since all the food looks like it has hefty amounts of sodium and calories.
(4)Tim S.
No bueno.. Seriously some of the worst Indian food I ve ever had. I was stupid enough to not take a look at the buffet before we were seated and got started. The Owner was walking around ... Seemed like a sleezeball and shady.. He took our money and 10 minutes later told us the buffet was closing...
(1)Shelby H.
Awesome lunch buffet! Service is impeccable. The curries are really flavorful and authentic. The naan is so wonderful and fresh. Also the samosa's are quite tasty. Very good place and lunch buffet is a good deal. Two people for 25$ with tip!
(5)Vi N.
For my first foray in Bakersfield dining, I headed straight here at the suggestion of one of my friends who frequently stops by with his family whenever in the area. I was sort of expecting a lot, and it didn't quite live up to it. My party of 3 arrived here around 2pm. It's located on a strip mall with plenty of parking. There were a few tables scattered around the restaurant with patrons seated, but there were plenty of open tables available. Each table already had utensils and napkins set, and we were told we could sit wherever we wanted. Our server was sweet older gentleman and walked us up to the buffet, back to our tables to get menus, and then once more to the buffet after we'd made up our minds, all the while with a smile. The buffet was good, but nothing was great. There wasn't anything I disliked, nor was there anything that I was dying to keep eating (always sad when you're at a buffet!). The naan was crispy and topped with herbs, and I've never had naan like that. I wish I'd tried their samosas since I'm reading so many comments about those right now on yelp. I'll be giving this place another shot since it was highly recommended by my friends, but next time I'll order off the menu.
(3)Jeremiah T.
ok so this place advertises a 7.99 buffet but really its 10.99 and comes with a drink. Anyways the food was good but overpriced and I essentially got charged for a soda I didn't want
(3)J V.
Flavorful, well-prepared Indian food. I get Indian a lot in LA/NY, and I'd put this place up against any of them. I went for dinner and did not try the buffet that other reviewers mention, but who judges a restaurant by their buffet? Definitely one of the better restaurants in Bakersfield.
(5)Mikey B.
Excellent dinner tonight. I ordered the vegetable samosas, the lamb tikka, the naan, and an iced tea. Lets review them, shall we? The Samosas were excellent. The order came with two of them, still smoking hot from the oil. The flavor was mild and tasty. The potatoes, peas, and spices all blended perfectly well, with just a pinch of salt in them to hold it all together. The lamb tikka was simultaneously fantastic and a mistake. The flavor was fantastic, the blend of tomatoes, peppers, onions, spices, and tender yet chewy lamb all worked great together. The problem stems from when I ordered, the nice man that took my order asked "Mild, Medium, or Spicy?" I answered without remembering I was in an Indian place "Oh man, I love spicy!" The Tikka came out smelling of rocket fuel as a result. The dish was terrific, but HOLY HELL was it spicy. I'll be getting medium or "Spicy, but not practical joke spicy" next time. The naan was just what you want in bread - thin, firm and chewy, lots of flavor, and impossible to stop munching on. I'll be eating here again, so far (especially since desi cafe closed) this is some of the best Indian food in the area.
(4)Austin C.
We found this restaurant on our way to Fresno. We would have given the restaurant a 4 or even 5 because the food was truly amazing. Unfortunately however, our waiter was like a used car salesman. For example, once I said, "we're just going to share from those two plates," and he says, "no, you need another dish - here, let me show you which one." Another time I said, "I'd like a 12 oz beer" and he said, "let me get your wife one as well." And he comes back with two 22 oz beers. At the end of the night, there was $30 extra on our tab, a full plate and a half of leftovers and a full bottle of beer sitting on the table. I could just sense his grin as he was ringing it up... "SUCKERS!" If you want to go here, know how to say "No." You probably won't see me there though.
(3)Barbara D.
We walked in at lunchtime and it happened to be Buffet time...sweet. Our bill came to 20 bucks for two...all you can eat, you can't beat that. All the food was tasty. I tried everything in their buffet line and nothing was nasty and everything had a different, tasty seasoning. I was impressed with all their meat selections. They also have a large bar in the back and the place has a decent atmosphere, slightly above average decor. The service was pretty good also, always had our water glasses filled and dirty plates removed before we got back from the buffet. I'm surprised at how many different cuisines this town has, so I don't know if I'll come back here because of all the other choices out there. However, if you're craving Indian...this is a pretty good place.
(4)Nandini B.
It was quiet a pleasant surprise to see an Indian place all the way in Bakersfield. They close their lunch at 3PM and we managed to reach 5 minutes before that. The only lunch option is the buffet. The food is ok. The service is ok. The lassi was quiet refreshing.
(3)Jeff F.
My wife and I went to the Taj Mahal for new year eve. We were planning to go to the Thai restaurant next door but it was closed. The cuisine was amazing, just spicy enough to be a real wonderful. The food is fresh and prepare just after you placed your order. The owner was very kind with us and gave us a lot of advices on the food to order. I highly recommend this restaurant to any one who wants to try Indian food.
(4)Axel S.
Much better than most Bakersfield food. I had Chicken Tikka Masala and Onion Naan. Highly recommended.
(4)sri v.
One of the best (or value for money) buffet I had in a while. We were driving back from Grand Canyon, had a stop over here for lunch. the buffett was limited in items, but was very well made. Definitely liked the Khadi
(4)Joseph C.
I love this place! Chicken Tikka Masala is my personal favorite dish out of anything (Thanks to this place). The staff is delightfully cheerful and they put a smile on my face every time I walk in. Complete with a full bar.
(5)Christine I.
SO GOOD!!!! I love this place, they have amazing naan and samosas, my favorite staple to any Indian meal. I usually get the Veggie Korma and a random other veggie curry. I got spicy curry last night though, and it was like death in a box. So good, but so spicy!!! Be careful when you order spicy, it's much less intense when you heat it back up, then it's just amazing again. Great food, really nice guys. I am excited to go in and get the lunch buffet too!
(4)Mackenzie C.
Taj Mahal is one of Bakersfield's most well known Indian restaurants. The food is decent enough, and like most Indian restaurants, they nickle and dime you for everything. The atmosphere is beyond dated and could use a serious makeover. My suggestion to anyone looking for a good Indian restaurant in Bakersfield should check out Cafe Indian; it's superior to Taj Mahal in all respects.
(3)Shirley F.
Me and five coworkers stopped by during a business trip from San Francisco. We wanted a change of pace from the usual central valley chain restaurant scene so we popped into Taj Mahal. We were a little nervous, since there were only two other tables at peak dinner time on a Thursday night. However, Taj Mahal did not disappoint. We ordered the usual: chicken tikka, garlic naan, a couple veggie dishes, lamb curry. We were impressed with everything. Four stars for Central Valley but maybe only three stars in a major city.
(4)Tangerine S.
Really good lunch buffet! They change it up constantly too. I went two Saturdays in a row and they had different side items to choose from. They are reasonably priced, and the people who work there are all quite friendly! This may start to be a Saturday tradition!
(4)Cheri W.
I have eaten here for quite a few years now, back when it was in its' more quaint space, and my family prefers a la carte ordering (spicy) to the ever-popular buffet. It is more flavorful, love the chicken mahkhani! We are regular customers. Do wish the buffet had more selections at the $8.95 price.
(4)First L.
What happened to this place? Oh yeah, expansion and higher rent, lower wages for the cook, and cheaper igredients for the food to make up the margins. If you like Indian food, you won't like this place. If this is your first time here, you won't like Indian food.
(2)Raj L.
I have nothing good to say about this place. I went there for dinner with couple of my friends. We ordered Paneer tikka. It was really bad it seems to me that mixed ketchup and hot sauce to cook the paneer. We ordered Dal, Baigan Bhartha and chicken malai, none of the stuff was good. Oh yeah, veg. briyani - never order a veg briyani from restaurant run by punjabi's. I agree with gentlemen that $2.50 for plain nan are too high. My standards are high for Indian food!
(2)Risaia D.
This restaurant has made me wish it was out of ten rather than out of five, because I feel I am doing a bit of disservice here, but hope to clear it out with the content of the review. If I could I would give it a 3.8. If prices were slashed by about 2 bucks across the board I'd call it a 4.2 The food itself is great, I quite enjoy it and will be back for just that. I ordered a platter with lamb curry, and had a taste of goat curry a friend ordered. Everything on my tray was good, but some better than others. The crispy bread with mint and tamarind sauce was a wonderful way to start a meal. The naan was fantastic, and the curries were great. The accompanying chicken was good, but not quite great, and as a result was relatively forgettable. When I read the reviews here, there seems to be some issue people have with the owner pushing things onto diners like "a used car salesman", and I can see why that could be cause for complaint for some, but I'm not really complaining. Frankly I thought it quite reasonable. At some point we had run out of bread, and he offered us more. Of course we took it unthinkingly and were charged for it, but really what do you expect? It's easy enough to say no, and easy enough to tell him it's bothering you that he's asking. In my eyes it's good service, but it's service in the form of a warm friendly party host that you have to pay for. You could say it's difficult to refuse when he brings the item he feels he can sell to you, but at the same time I'd have to get mad at food carts for telling me they're selling something. Though, I was a slight bit miffed that he told my sister and I that a platter was only enough food for one person and that we needed two of them, then saw that there was quite enough food to go around for two people of a lesser appetite, but it's all fine since you're able to take it home with you anyway. Afterwards, the owner then gave us the wrong bill, but it was a simple mistake and it was cleared up easily enough. I'm not sure if it's normal, but after paying there was a free dessert, which easily made up for any sort of mishap that happened beforehand. Overall it was a good experience. Good food, friendly staff. Prices are a few dollars above what you'd expect to pay but still worth regularly paying in my eyes.
(3)Prasanna B.
3.5 stars decent Indian place for food.Little spicy, so I liked it. Family owned, so not managed very well.Needs a lot of refurbish. Restrooms dirty, old furniture and dirty paintings on the wall doesn't add to the ambiance.
(2)Vince A.
Okay, this isn't the WORST Indian food I've had, but it's just not good. The first time I tried this place in 2002 I was majorly let down by the fact that the meal was overly salty instead of flavorful. Then, when I went a couple of years ago, it was better, but still not that great. On the upside, the mango lassi's are good.
(2)susie l.
this place has the best indian food. Their buffett is excellent & the Nan is to die for...
(5)Stefanie H.
One of my favorite restaurants in Bakersfield! I've always received the kindest service here, and have always loved everything I have ordered. The service is quick, including when I order take-out. I wish Bakersfield would get more restaurants such as this.
(4)Spencer S.
Excellent food, may want to go to the lunch buffet because dinner can get quite expensive if you order more than one entree. It's not on the menu, but as a vegetarian alternative to the Chicken Malai ask for Paneer Malai (with homemade cheese), it will blow your mind. One of the few restaurants I have been too that know how to make a extra spicy dish that maintains it's flavor.
(5)chad w.
This is an indian buffett. They have great indian food, and its cheap, you can't beat that. If you like indian food, then deffinately come here for lunch and try it out.
(4)Mystery S.
enter at your own risk.,,!!!!!, this place is terrible,the guys wont smile upon entering the rest and wont say a thank you when u leave knowing that the food you ate was pale and recooked with lots of msg thats gonna have your tummy tickle till you sit in the bathroom for long.we ate the lunch buffett and could hardly see anyone around us,looks like the locals knew of the pale and overcooked food.naan was dry the chicken entry had the same color as the veggies, desserts were chilled which means kept in the ref for days and days.no taste,unsavory and helpless we left eating two samosas and some rice just to fill before heading out on the fwy.avoid coming to this place if the owners are not serious and passionate about their food.if they lost interest in cooking why would it interest you in the first place...!!!!!!!!. moral of the story look for crowd in a buffett place and if u dont see a damn soul,do not enter..!!!!!!!!!
(1)Megan H.
This review is for the lunch buffet. I hate to give one of the few locally-owned ethnic restos a bad review, but it must be done. The truth is, the weekend brunch is weak. The mango lassi was thick and barely mango-flavored, the naan was only so-so, the buffet was not very interesting or fresh tasting (the usual selection of buffet offerings was far too mildly spiced, boring and tough samosas...tasty kheer, though). The one dish I might come back for was the lamb which was tender and tasty, but I definitely wouldn't do the buffet again. I would say the service was very pleasant and professional, except for one thing. When the bill came nothing was broken down (there were four of us eating brunch and the bill had just one price for all four of us, the tax, and the total written on it). However, on the way home we felt the price seemed a little high ($25 for two with tax and tip) so I called and indeed, the buffet should have been $7.95/person. What's uncool is that when they asked what we'd like to drink at the resto, they told us it was included in the price for the buffet, and it turns out that was obviously incorrect. We didn't catch it at the restaurant or I would have asked them about it then. As it is, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt but be a little more cautious if there's another (non-buffet) visit...
(3)Solomon J.
Very authentic restaurant. To add to the ambiance, they have two TVs showing a continuous stream of Bollywood movies. The food was fantastic and service was great. The place was clean enough considering all the frying they do.
(4)Dina S.
Honestly I highly anticipated going to Taj Mahal w/ my friends who are from out of town We are all Indian food virgins, so we didn't know what to expect So I thought buffet sounded like the best option to go to I tried everything just about everything except the fried vegetable stuff & the only thing I didn't like was the cabbage stuff I loved the lentil soup, balsamic rice and one of the curries I forgot which one lol but anywho the service was a little awkward We couldn't understand what the waiter was saying& he kept pointing at a picture on the side of us and talking about it The servers stood over by the bar and kind of waited for us to get up and get more food& one of the waitresses there looked absolutely miserable, it was hard to eat with them just watching us I had to drink my friend's water because they never gave me a refill We went on a Sunday so the buffet wasn't 7 bucks it was like 10.99? I would go there again to the lunch buffet that is only 7 bucks
(3)Debasree B.
Great food. We tried the hyderabadi chicken and it was delicious. Only complain is that the price of nun is too high ($2.50 each). In Bay area, the standard price for nun is $1.
(4)Yogen K.
We ordered a la carte and absolutely loved it! Got there just before lunch closed and they still happily served us for almost 45 mins past closing. Highly recommend it!
(5)Keisha G.
I've been coming to this place for a few years and I was back in town and this was the first place I wanted to go to get a taste of Bakersfield cuisine. I was a little sad they had no samosas or chana masala because those are my favorites, but the mushroom masala was very good. A change from before was that we got garlic naan and a plain naan with our meal. Good, but nothing special. Overall, I really love this place and it satisfied my Indian food craving.
(4)Pauline A.
My bf and I found this place on Yelp on our way back from Las Vegas! The food was fresh, authentic, and absolutely fabulous! The bf raved about the food. We highly recommend this place.
(5)Don L.
I don't come here often which is a shame but I don't know why this place doesn't pop up instantly when I'm deciding where to eat. Anyway I recently went in again for the lunch buffet and now have decided to make with the review. Enjoyable all around. The service has always been attentive and I can't get enough of the Bollywood movies playing in the corners. Last time the Bollywood version of Weekend at Bernie's was on. I must say that it loses nothing in the translation with the addition of songs and dance. So.... Awesome. The food is always good. My typically picky-ish eater of a friend mentioned how he liked the fact that they had such colorful sauces because if he knew what was in the food he probably wouldn't try it and he's glad he did. Off the regular menu there is a good variety of dishes that are actually spicy when they say it's spicy. Taj Mahal is a staple of non-traditional Bakersfield cuisine that is much needed and much appreciated.
(4)