I am a New Yorker. I truly am a New York Bitch. I hate everyone and everything. When I find a place, like India Cook House, that I love this much, I tell everyone how fantastic it is, and they know...it must be that good. My manfriend and I go there on the weekends for their brunch/buffet. They have a really good selection and a really great price, with both meat and meatless selections. Everything is made fresh and always comes out piping hot. They have samosas, pakora, tandoori chicken, eggplant, saag panir (I think that's what it's called), naan (both garlic and plain) and my personal favorite, cold chick pea salad. They have tons of other delicious dishes, and usually switch up one or two of the dishes to really keep you on your toes. The service is also top notch. My glass of water is ALWAYS full. With the amount of spice they add to the dishes, they certainly watch your back and provide you with a full glass of water. The staff is very polite and will answer any questions you may have regarding their dishes. The bathrooms are also very clean, something I personally find to be very important. This is one of my favorite places to eat. Living in Orange County often makes me feel limited as to my dining selections. If I'm looking to go to either Starbucks or Chilis, then I guess I'm in luck. There certainly is no shortage of average tasting chain restaurants in Orange County. India Cook House, however, is a beacon of hope in this sea of blah. The food is phenomenal, it's consistently phenomenal. I won't give out five stars unless I truly think it deserves it. ICH, as I've coined it, deserves all five.
(5)
Peter Y.
More like 3.5 stars. I have been steadily coming here over the years and it always satisfy my craving for Indian cuisine. I used to work near Pioneer street in Cerritos and tried many different restaurants. However, I really enjoy coming here from time to time. I'm definitely not an expert in Indian food BUT it all tastes good to me - especially the warm naan breads. The service can be somewhat challenging at times but I still enjoy coming here. Cheers,
(3)
Selena H.
Review is for the lunch buffet only. Come with coworkers about once a month. The lunch rush does make this place fill up so get here asap. The selection is standard with a salad/veggie bar, chicken masala, fried veggies, saag paneer, chicken tikka, some lamb items and other misc/standard fare (according to my indian coworker). They do provide a basket full of fresh naan bread which is delish. Overall, the food is pretty good but nothing too special. But for the lunch price, it will keep our group coming.
(3)
Aryn F.
I'm giving India Cook House three stars, not because I really think its a good restaurant, but because I think its pretty good for what and where it is. I'm from New York, I've had lots of indian food from a few different regions. India Cook House offers some of my favorites (saag!), but certainly isn't the best I've ever had. Rather, its the best I've had in Irvine. Service, like others have said before me, is a bit off. Yes, i've had to wait for a long time to get my water glass refilled, but it wasn't the end of the world. Yes, the waitstaff isn't always friendly, but I don't let that interfere with my meal. Also, if you're worried that the food will be too bland, just reassure the waiter that you like spicy food when you order. I find that it produces better results.
(3)
Nicole S.
Awesome Indian Buffet. Food is good, service was ok. Servers could be more attentive to customers. We needed more water and naan and they kept passing us or telling us to wait...kinda frustrating. I would still go back for the food.
(4)
Jade K.
food was great. alot of choices. very inexpensive
(5)
Magi Y.
I love this place, but do NOT go for their lunch buffet. The lunch buffet was NOT worth it. Their dinner menu is much better. I always get the chicken tika masala with their garlic naan. It's just sooo good.
(4)
Esther K.
This place is not bad. I went there with a couple friends for lunch, and the food was all pretty good. The service wasn't great, but the food was enjoyable. I think our only problem was we went there after the food had been out for a while, so it wasn't AS enjoyable as it could have been if it was fresh. But overall it was good and yummy and I wouldn't mind going back :)
(3)
Josh C.
My first visit to Irvine, I made a point of checking out the local Indian buffet. I was coming from the UCI campus, and boy did that stretch of Culver give me a feel for Irvine - shopping plaza after fast food joint after gas station after shopping plaza. Would I ever get my hands on a piece of naan gripping some saag paneer? Eventually I stopped at a T.G.-appleb-chili-steakhouse-type of place to make sure that I hadn't actually gone too far. An involved consultation process with three of the employees there concluded with the verdict that I should keep going because there was a plaza a little further up the road that had "a lot of foreign style foods there." Perfect. As it turned out, the lunch buffet at India Cook House was the turning point for a nice Sunday afternoon in Orange County. The place was pretty packed, which seemed like a good sign, and it also meant that the food on the line was being regularly replenished and thus was hot and freshly prepared. I was very pleased with the selection of dishes, as well - most of the stand-bys and a few variations in addition. The food was also not too oil-heavy, which is a common problem at Indian buffets. The chutneys were excellent, naan was great, and the kheer finished things off nicely. I am sure to make numerous repeat trips to India Cook House.
(4)
Grace J. L.
Came here for lunch with my mom on a weekday and the lunch buffet was amazing + relatively cheap ($9 per person)! I love Indian food and I think this is one of my favorites in Irvine.
(5)
Bido C.
Went there last month on a Saturday for lunch buffet at the price of $8.95, it was awesome! Definitely exceed the price value. Even though not a wide variety of selection of food, ALL the food is good! Their chicken tandoori and two or three (forgot) types of chicken curry were all delicious; I ate too much naan because of their curry sauce. Lamb curry was good, too. I give 5 stars for food and 4.5 stars for service. Absoutely a MUST TRY
(5)
Landon Y.
Yuka K's review is disturbing, so i am certainly going to be on the lookout on my next visit there. Thanks Yuka for the heads up. Yes, I dare to go back! Of all the Indian buffets i have tried in the OC and LA, India Cook House is still my all time fave. They always have my personal favorites, saag aloo, chicken tikka masala, lamb shank and lots of naan that keeps coming. Oh, and don't forget the fruit cocktail yogurt! For $8.95, their lunch buffet is a great deal and is one of the most comprehensive of all that i have been to. I think the one thing that sets them apart from other Indian restaurants, is that their lunch buffet is everyday of the week, even Saturday and Sunday! Take my advice and wear your stretchy pants for this one. You will not be disappointed. Come hungry.
(4)
Jess P.
This place has good service but nasty food. I did not like a lot of the food here compared to other indian food i had. The best thing here was the chicken tikka masala and it was only alright. First and last time I'll go here again.
(2)
Rick W.
Initial intention was Mentatsu which was right next door to it, and they were closed, so freaking hungry which I eventually gave this place a shot. What's worse can happen when you're already hungry, right? Everything will taste good no matter what, that's my theory! Ha! So don't try it without any adult supervision! But hey, 7.95 for lunch buffet ain't so bad after all, i mean attractive and tempting. Although the selection is not much, but how much can a person eat at lunch hour especially on a working day. I hate food comas. Getting caught passed out in your office by your boss ain't pretty. I really don't know what the names of the food, but I can only remember so much. I know I had the red sauce chicken thing and some eggplant stuff. Also I had another yellowish brown curry with I had it with the rice and over with my Canaan. The food is really decent for its price. There are a few better ones, but of course they cost more. This place is great for a quick fix and when one's really hungry. Maybe next time I'll come back during dinner times, just based on the reviews from others, they seemed worthwhile for another trip back.
(3)
Christopher S.
Ahh, my very first Indian Buffet! Everything was fantastic, from the Tandori Chicken, to the various vegetable dishes to the rice and fresh Naan. Bread and water service was poor, but the food more than made up for it. If you find yourself in Irvine, stop punching yourself in the nuts and eat here, you'll feel better.
Hands down the best Indian buffet with the best selection and price- only $9! Bonus star for being close to where I live! I've only been here during the lunch buffet (11AM-2:30 PM) since dinner costs $11 per entree which is steep if you want to try different things. I always look forward to the Chicken Tikki Masala, the Palak Paneer (spinach and cheese cubes, when available) and the fruit salad in the dessert bar (it tastes just like mango lassi). I always eat too much when I come here. Not convinced? If your Indian friend eats there and likes it, then it has to be good. NOTE: beware of parking,, there are many compact parking spaces and a lot of bad drivers. :oP
(5)
Micah W.
I can't say enough about this place. Not your everyday tikka masala americanized indian place. This is as close the real deal as it gets (according to dr. patel)
(5)
Ana T.
I'd like to thank my vegetarian besty for enlightening me of the fact that not all vegetarian dishes in the world have to taste like tofu or cardboard. mhmm~! malai kofta + garlic naan! soo goood!
(5)
Doug W.
This is good authentic and reasonably priced, appropriate for Irvine. We get takeaway of the chicken tikka masala (they have a 1-10 spice scale), saag paneer and a variety of naans. Also, a good lunch time w/variety!
(5)
catherine k.
My friend first took me here a year ago, and we ordered the fish masala and chicken masala, two exquisitely made dishes. Indian food is naturally rich in flavor with all the curry and spices, but it's also rich in calories as well. If you're gonna eat curry, either get the garlic naan bread or enjoy it with the rice. This is definitely not a place for the health conscious or carb-conscious crowd. Otherwise, the taste is DIVINE. Try it at least once in your life. The staff are friendly, and you know it's a genuine place when Indians come to eat here with their family. The chefs are also Indian as well, a plus!
(4)
Helen K.
If I could, I would go to their buffet every weekend. The chicken makhni is really well done, and the palak paneer is addictive. (You might have to badger the staff to get naan, or drinks, but the palak paneer should distract you from the unpleasantness.) At night (possibly for environmental reasons? to help you sympathize with people who suffer from partial blindness? to create ambiance?) they only turn on three small lights in the middle of the ceiling. The vegetarian thali is big enough for two people (even two hungry people) and almost too much if you have a mango lassi with it. Service will be non-existent, and you won't get the array of deserts at the buffet, but if you split a meal, it's still worth it, and reasonably priced.
(4)
calvin a.
For dinner i always order the chicken tikka or the tikka marsala which is 12.95. For lunch i love coming to their buffet its about 8 dollars a person that will keep you full and smelling indian for the entire day
(5)
Jonathan E.
Best indian food I have ever had. Good service. Great and fresh naan. My go to spot. Go with the chicken tikka masala and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Charity '.
i tried this place because it's what many recommend. But honestly, Tandoori in Marketplace serve better food. I ordered the "buttered chicken", and vegetable samosa, and they are both bland. What a waste of money!!
(2)
Ylissa A.
I don't remember what I ate, and I honestly don't know the difference between good Indian food and not so good Indian food is. However, you know it's good Indian food when you see A LOT of Indian people eating here. On the outside, this place doesn't look like much. It's kinda tucked away in a shopping center. But this place is a true hidden gem. The food was AMAZING. The buffet had a HUGE selection and there was not one thing I ate that I did not like. Everything was rich and oh so yummy. I'm definitely coming here again if I'm in there area again.
(5)
Stephanie S.
I love the Chicken Tikka Masala here! I'm not sure how the dish is supposed to taste, but I've been told the authentic version is less creamy. India Cook House's version is very creamy, but it works. They give huge portions of sauce, but meager amounts of chicken. The service is decent except for this one time when the waiter accidentally charged us double for dessert and decided to avoid telling us by pretending to give us an additional dessert "on the house".
(3)
Nick J.
Great lunch buffet at a great price. Dinner prices are pretty standard for Indian restaurants, but the food quality is hard to beat in this area. I'd compare it to Mayur (which is way more pricey) - but I've never actually eaten there. Food is quite authentic - not that Indian food at a house is ever ANYTHING like indian food in restaurants, but if you look at the crowd, you'll see quite a few Indian's here (always a good sign of Indian food restaurants).
(4)
K W.
Dinner menu beats the lunch buffet hands down. The buffet is sort of instructive to sample different items. However, made-to-order makes all the difference. The freshness factor and not sitting there under heat lamps for hours is key.
(4)
Szu L.
CALLING ALL BUFFET LOVERS OUT THERE!! India Cook House has a great lunch buffet for $8.95 per person. With a great assortment of Tandoori curries with chicken and lamb. Try the Mango dressing for your salad. It tastes really good! The chick pea salad with onions is also a good one to try. They also have vegetable curries and fried seafood. For dessert they offer an indian milk cheeseball, rice pudding, carrot pudding, and a mango treat. Today was my first time here for lunch and I liked almost every single item I ate. I am definitely going back!!
(4)
jen L.
Oh my, I dont' know why this place is not reviewed that high. I don't get it because I LOVE this place and have been coming here for about a year now. I introduced my friends to it and they LOVE this place. Everyone at the restaurant is so friendly and nice too. I haven't gone for the buffet that most people have gone too. I usually go for dinner and order dishes I like. My favorite here is MURGH MAKNI!!!! It's a little bit of heaven. It's really creamy and tomatoey and I always ask for more sauce and less chicken because I love dunking my garlic naan in there. The garlic naan is great. I have had their palak paneer too and it's great too, if you like the homemade cheese. It's kind of a hit or miss kind of thing for some people. The fish masala is tasty too. I would recommend this place for sure. I seriously crave this place sometimes.
(5)
Ted M.
This is as good as it gets for India food in my books. I have travelled to India many times and this place still gets it right about how to make good Indian food. They're gravy is thick and not soupy like other places, the rice is also unique and I like it a lot. I don't go into the buffet much, I find the buffet food to not be that tasty and spicy enough. If your craving Indian food it's still good but I prefer the dinner. Whenever a friend or family come into town and want Indian food I always point them in this direction. Prices are also very reasonable for the type of food they have.
(4)
Lady V.
I say don't come here for their buffet but go with their menu items. I just had their Lamb Malai and so wonderful that is. The sauce complement with the lamb. I am picky with lamb because they are like goats that if cooked wrongly it is a disaster but here they know how to do it.
(4)
Goutham G.
I have only been here for the lunch buffet, and it is truly nothing special. I always go in purposely fasting in the morning, hoping to stuff myself silly. Then, I finish my first plate and realize I don't really want anything else. The pakoras and samosas are a nice touch, but like most of the food, both are too heavily fried. The vegetarian options are also somewhat limited and bland. When I was last there, there was a thoroughly unimpressive palak paneer. Alas, I am still trying to find a buffet here that can hold a candle to Woodlands vegetarian in Langley Park, MD.
(2)
Seth G.
Stopped in for dinner last night with a friend for the first time. The India Cook House did not disappoint. Both the vegetable samosas and chicken tikka masala were very good. The latter's sauce was so good that it was only right to finish it off after the chicken had been consumed. The garlic naan wasn't too shabby either, although it seemed it was a bit light on the garlic side strangely enough. The price is extremely reasonable considering the quality and quantity of food presented; generous portions will make it difficult for you leave this restaurant feeling hungry. The waiter we had was congenial and performed his job very well. I'll be sure visit if I find myself in Irvine with a craving for Indian food.
(4)
Jinra I.
6 words: ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT-LUNCH-BUFFET. 3 numbers: $8.95 Infinite: water refills.
(4)
marilyn v.
NO DOUBT MY FAVORITE INDIAN RESTAURANT. I've only been to... 2 other indian restaurants so I guess i'm not an expert but its damn good here. I was introduced to this place by a friend that is Indian, she said this place is her favorite too! Everytime I go, I always have left overs. The leftovers still taste good after you bring it home! YUM, i'm salivating just thinking about this place. oh.. slow service, but what-evs. Decor is okay too, but I'm still give 5 stars because the food is so goood. MY FAVS: Matter Paneer : vegetarian dish, very flavorful.. has peas and cheese Chicken Masala: yum.
(5)
Teresa H.
$8.95 for a clean delicious buffet is more than I can ask for. Had the garlic and plain naan, chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, fish pakoras and dessert. All delicious. Oh and don't forget to try the chutneys.
(4)
Ian J.
Good prices and good flavors. I'm no expert on Indian cuisine, so I can't vouch for how Americanized India Cook House is, but in my experience with Indian restaurants in the US, ICH is above average. The evening atmosphere was fairly nice compared to what I had expected, and both my co-diner and I enjoyed our food. The chana masala was a little more tomato-y than she's used to, but it had a good depth of flavors and a little spice. My chicken malai was very rich (tons of oil or ghee in the sauce as I found out when I reheated it the next day and the emulsion broke), but lacking the depth of the masala. The samosas were tasty although not extraordinary. We'll definitely be back.
(3)
Cathy W.
For the love of Indian food, my entire department had a department lunch here! I called ahead of time and let them know that our party of 17 would be arriving. They were very willing to take our reservation and our table was ready when we got there. One person was not able to make it and they sort of gave us a tough time about the extra chair since the restaurant was very full during lunch time (guess everybody was there for the lunch buffet!). I think we did end up having another person come after the empty chair was taken away and they were still a little snooty about the change.. but hey, I would be too if you brought such a large party! The food, overall, was pretty good and I was surprised that they didn't run out of anything during the lunch rush. We had a couple vegetarians among our group that loved the food as well. :) I definitely recommend the lunch buffet - just don't anticipate 5-star service because after all, you are just going for a $8.95 lunch buffet.
(4)
Roxi M.
This place serves decent Indian food. Don't order anything TOO spicy, though. I am a big fan of spicy food, but once when I asked the waiter to make a dish super spicy, it overtook the flavor :-\. Compared to other Indian restaurants, this place is A-OK. The service (with some certain waiters) can be a bit slow sometimes.
(3)
Melody K.
Just had lunch here today. The food was decent, buffet style. My Indian friends told me about this place so I think it is authentic. I only gave it 3 stars because of the service. You may think what service its buffet. You stand in line to get your own food. They were good about refilling your drink. The thing that really got to me was that we were JUST another customer. They kept rushing us to get out. I went with 12 people so we took up a few of their tables. We got here at 11:30 so we would not have to wait long. (It gets really crowded in there) After they left the bill we were calculating how much each person owed. Some people needed to pay with a credit card and so we gave them that first, that we we would know the balance of the bill. One of my coworkers had all the cash and the waiter kept trying to take it from her. Dude wait till we give it to you!! He stood behind my coworker for a few minutes still trying to get the cash. Do people really dine and dash that often?! Or do we just look that shady?
(3)
Amy K.
I haven't tried the lunch buffet, but dinner is pretty good, depending on what you order. It's not as good as some of the Indian restaurants in Artesia, but if you don't want to drive up there from OC, India Cook House isn't bad. We had no trouble getting a table on a Saturday night. The appetizer combo was an assortment of fried chicken and assorted vegetables, and it was hard to tell one from another until you bit into them. I really liked the garlic naan and the okra. I would have those again, but skip the appetizers.
(3)
L P.
Food was good but the service was great. Ate here on a Wed night and my date arrived really really late - about 20 mins before they closed. The owners were nice enough to let us in, get situated, and order whatever we wanted. They never rushed us, even though most, if not the entire, staff had already gone home. At the end of the night, the owner just gave us our check with a smile! Prices aren't cheap but aren't prohibitively expensive either. Pretty much in line with all other decent Indian restaurants.
(4)
Ranz N.
Me and my co-workers usually come out here for lunch on our slow days. It's even better when we let our VP, CFO. CEO. and company owner know we're heading to the cook house, we end up getting free lunch because it ends up getting expensed. The only good thing about this restaurant is their brunch/lunch buffet and it is freakin good! Their vegetarian selection is great. Pakoras, samosas, rice, naan, masala, gulab jaman. The ambience is relaxed, mix of college students and business people. The waiters are attentive despite it being a buffet. On top of all that, it won't break your wallet. Parking is plentiful since it is located in a big plaza, although that might make it hard to find for first-timers. I suggest to get there before the lunch hour rush, because the line get's long. Dinner is not as promising as their lunch. why? NO BUFFET! duh!
(4)
Shams N.
I love this place! This little place is in the strip mall with Caspian restaurant and the Arabic market. The outside looks really dingy especially with all the construction but it is cute on the inside. Their food is fantastic. I usually stick to what I like so we usually order 2 orders of the chicken tikka masala mild, the veggie rice, and the cheese non. I have tried the sweet non and the garlic one and they are all fantastic!!!! The non is warm and crispy and soft just YUM! The chicken tikka masala is always on point, the flavors are delicious I just don't know what they put into it! The rice is always great too. The only thing I hate about this place is the guys that work there. They just stand there and stare at you! I am not kidding they fix themselves at the other side and just stare. I would totally give this place 5 stars but the creepy waiters that stare and look like they are trying to x-ray my chest every time they come to the table just makes it a very uncomfortable dinner. So we have decided to just order it to go from now on! My boyfriend gets all frustrated and its not like you can say something...because then you know your food is coming out with someones spit in it. So the clear solution just take it to go.. But as for their food it is amazing it tastes home cooked and delicious!!!
(4)
Tina L.
Mmm the food here is sooo good! We went here because it was in the Entertainment book and it was so worth it. Kenny loves the curry here and swears by it. We had the Chicken Marsala with rice and nan. The curry was cooked to perfection and my favorite part was that it was nice and creamy. Yum! Can't wait to go again but beware, the food is heavy!
(5)
Jenny Q.
Great lunch buffet but I wouldn't head there for dinner. Very pricey. Service is ok, but I usually go for buffet and they are aiming for the numbers. By that I mean, I have low expectations for service and moderate hopes for good food. If someone asked to go for lunch, I wouldn't say no. For dinner, I'd rather head to Dosa Place.
(3)
Caroline B.
This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Irvine. I was recommended this place by my Indian roommate when I was looking for a good place. The Indian food here is some of the best I have ever had. The Chicken Tikka Marsala is amazing. I took my boyfriend here who had never had Indian food at all and he is hooked. He compared it to crack, it is so delicious and addictive. I also think that Palak Paneer is very good here. The service is very friendly and they always remember me. They are very attentive with water and asking if everything is alright. On more than one occasion I have gotten free dessert. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for Indian food in Irvine. DInner for 2 is usually around $30.
(5)
Paul A.
This place has a badass lunch buffet. I love Indian food, especially Samosas. I could come here for the lunch buffet and just eat the Samosas. Anyway, they have a decent spread and everything is good. I've been here for dinner too but quite frankly, it's a bit pricey off the menu so I just stick to the lunch buffet.
(4)
Karen K.
Best Indian food I've ever had. My favorite is the Murgh Makni which is chicken in a red sauce made of spices and yogurt. Shrimp Masala is also a favorite of mine. I love going to this place for dinner but their lunch buffet is a great deal. For dinner, I suggest the Non-Vegetarian combination meal. It comes with Chicken Tikka (chicken baked in a clay oven), Murgh Makni, Saag (spinach sauce), Lamb, and some other side dishes that I cant remember, but everything is delicious. The portions are generous. Two people can easily be full off of just one combination meal. However, my husband and I always order this as well as another dish and we finish everything! The prices are reasonable and the service is great.
(4)
Alisha C.
my friend and I ran in, just as the lunch buffet was ending. they told us to hurry up and let us Indian food binge for twenty minutes. I didn't taste a terrible amount of the food, but I'm pretty sure it was delicious. they rushed us, but the food was good and the price was right so i'll be back
(3)
Emm C.
i give it a 4 to keep the average at 4 stars. Any more and it's over rated! We had the Chicken tandoori and palak paneer. I am usually wary of tandoori bc if done wrong, it's all dried *but* to my surprise it wasn't. In fact it was SO juicy. Palak paneer was good but only had a cube or two of cheese - a bit too little cheese for its namesake (palak or paneer? whatever). agreed, food was heavy. Nice decor and waiters were in pants and button-downs. this is a cool part of Irvine where you can find persian next to korean next to chinese next to japanese.
(4)
Fak U.
good price. good food. nuff said.
(4)
Alexander L.
Decent eats for a price that's surprisingly low for the amount of food you can pig out on. The food gets a little repetitive, but that's really okay since so many people are going through and stuffing their faces. It's a great place to go to make sure your money goes a long way. I wasn't a huge fan of their small dessert bar. They did however, have Howitzer 10000 which is an extremely difficult to find beer - even if you're in an Indian restaurant. I would have gone, if I didn't have to drive back home to San Francisco in like 30 minutes.
(3)
Bhanu S.
Horrible customer service n bland curries
(2)
Steven L.
This is a good alternative for the LA folks craving for some Indian food when you're in the OC area. Located inside a strip mall. Good tasty Indian food. Buffet style...All you can eat for one price. Just because it is all you can eat doesn't mean it lacks the great cooking. On the contrary, India Cook House has all of the usual meats: chicken, beef, lamb. Enough varieties to keep your taste buds entertained. Friendly staff. Happy Eating.
(5)
Duncan M.
i'm so torn about this place. my family and i have eaten there on many an occassion and i found the food to be quite good, somewhere in the 3 1/2-4 star range. they even catered my wedding with what i thought was their best food to date. however my wife and i went back for the buffet a few months ago, i went back for seconds which was a massive mistake. i took a bite of the tikka masala and got a slimy bit of chicken. while i immediately stopped eating it never really dawned on me how bad uncooked chicken was until a day later i came down with what i thought was initially a fever. it turned out to be salmonella. i have never felt so miserable in all my life. after reading Yuka K's review i can't say i'm surprised. decent to good food, just be very careful.
(1)
Jalop N.
A strip mall gem in a non-descript section of Irvine (yea, this one is even MORE non-descripter than usual). Easier than ordering at McDonald's since you grab a seat and then go at it at the buffet. No niceties besides the offer of a drink. I recommend the delicious Chicken Makhni. The garlic naan was out. of. this. world. Chunks of garlic were baked on the naan and functioned well in sopping up the various sauces that drenched the entrees. I wished they had saffron rice as the regular rice was bland. Good food for a good price and you don't have to fight for parking. Aaah, OC's small victories against LA.
(3)
Andy K.
I have been here for lunch buffet a few times. The food is reasonably good. The only negative is that there is a waiting time and long lines, during lunch hours. If you want to go for the lunch buffet, avoid the peak time (12 to 1:30).
(4)
Crissy Crissy B.
3.5 for an awesome lunch buffet, one of the best in the area. I like this place. I would have to say that I rank Indian food in my top list of ethnic dishes, so i've eaten at many Indian places, and i'd have to say that this place is pretty damn good especially here in Irvine. lighting is dim, but the place is spacious and perfect for large groups. the wait is long though, and it can get very busy during dinner hours. the expansive array of curries here are quite abundant, so you have something new each time you come here if you plan to eat here 50 more times. i highly recommend the lamb tikka massala, matar paneer, and most of the chicken dishes. get the garlic naan too. one thing that i didn't like was that the glasses for water were small, and needed to be refilled constantly. however, service wasn't so quick to deliever that. give the place a try
(3)
De Z.
Typical Indian buffet. Everything was tasty except some funky lamb dish that was more fat and bone than anything else and a fried fish entree that looked like it had spent way too much time under the heat lamp. Every time I have visisted they have been very busy which is a good sign for any buffet place. The waiters are always replenishing those items that are running out. This place is always very clean. For the quality and quantity of the food I have nothing to complain about. Does anyone recommend an indian restaurant that does not offer a buffet for lunch????
(4)
Krys G.
Oh I'm so bummed someone had a bad experience here. I've been there with friends and even for my birthday, and they seem to do well with large parties. Never tried the buffet lunch deal, so I can't say much on that, but the chicken tikka masala here is pretty much orgasmic. We usually order it "medium" in terms of spiciness, since the one time recently we did "hot," I was unable to eat the leftovers. Nuclear. Anyway, the lamb chops are fantastic, as are many of the curries. I'd never claim to be an Indian food connoisseur, but this is a great hole-in-the-wall place for tasty Indian. One thing I can say is that their service can be hit or miss. There seem to be a lot of guys wandering around (never a woman on staff in sight, mind you,) but oddly no one can be flagged down. Also, don't ask the bussers for much, they're pretty useless. Also, the parking lot is a total death trap. Lots of people backing in and out, not looking, running people over, driving too fast, too slow, whipping around corners, you name it. You may not survive. Oh, and their sister restaurant (same owner, same great quality food) is the India Restaurant on Pioneer in Artesia, which is much closer to me in the LBC. Smaller square footage, and crammed on Saturdays but great for take out.
(4)
Kat L.
The only Indian lunch buffet I like. And I've tried practically every buffet location in Southern California. The variety isn't too great, but the food is goood! My favorite was the mushroom masala and tandoori and I love their desserts
(4)
Brian D.
Buffet is definitely selling this place short. Go for the dinner during non-buffet hours. Far better preparation and selection.
(3)
Jason K.
I'm giving this place 4 stars because of the variety they offer at their lunch buffet compared to the other Indian buffets I've been to. They usually have 3 chicken dishes, 1 lamb, 1 fish and 3 or 4 vegetable dishes to choose from. They've also got samosas, salad items and desert. You can also request fresh naan. For $8.75 for lunch, I consider it a great deal.
(4)
Daniel w.
Not impressed... with the food nor the service. I usually write longer reviews... but this one isn't worth it. Skip this one. Try Tustin's Dosa Place, or Long Beach's Natraj
(1)
Linda Y.
I really like this place. $9 for a lunch buffet = happy Linda! The variety might not be as wide as other places, but they have the essentials: palak paneer, samosas, chicken masala, tandoori chicken, lamb shanks, yogurt salad. I really like the chutneys. Don't eat too much rice though. I heard most Indian buffets add baking soda to the rice so it'll fill you up more. I friggin love the fruit cocktail in mango sauce. SO GOOD. I can eat like 10 little dishes of those just for dessert AFTER eating the buffet food hahaha. Fresh naan? Heck yeah! The only thing that sucks about going here is the parking. The parking spaces are teeny teeny tiny so be careful when you park here.
(4)
Giselle U.
I come here for the garlic shrimp tandoori. This place definitely gets crowded during weekends, but weekdays are fine.
(4)
Irvine R.
Exceptional food. Great ambiance. I go to this place so often. I usually don't react well to spicy food but this place has just the right amount of spice.
(5)
Camilla T.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is delicious - I love the murg makni and the chicken palak. I have brought several friends to this place, and everyone has really enjoyed it. The staff is very friendly, and they always provide great service. My 6 year-old nephew and 11 year-old niece can't get enough of the yogurt sauce :)
(5)
Brian E.
By far the best Indian food in Orange County. I have been going there so long and so often that I am now on a first name basis with many of the servers there. The dinner menu is better than the buffet, but the buffet is excellent as well. My favorite dishes are the Karahi Chicken and the Chana Masala medium spicy on either. Their portions are ample, the naan and rice are great. Everything about this place rocks: eat there!
(5)
Marian B.
For the lunch buffet price, the food was very good. The service isn't excellent. It took them forever to bring us water and naan, but it's ok. The food made up for that.
(4)
Tanya M.
I have only been there for the lunch buffet during the week. It's pretty darn good! One of my favorite Indian dishes is Tandoori Chicken and it rocks there! Obviously I am not Indian, but having lived with Indians and tried home cooking as well as various restaurants, I would say that this place makes pretty good food. I love spicy food, so I say that the food is not too spicy. I still pile on the green chutney and achar (aka: pickles). For $9 you get a good variety of freshly prepared dishes as well as deserts, unlimited Naan, real table cloths and napkins, friendly wait staff, and pretty clean surroundings. Whether you've tried Indian food or not, I would recommend this place. Oh! one more thing I like about this place, is that I always see a huge variety of cultural backgrounds there.. Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Caucasian, Pakistani, etc... Happy eating!
(4)
Kenny B.
Ordered catering here for lunch at work a few times, and I've been pleasantly surprised. Lots of good flavors here, and some of the spicy dishes are well worth the pain you might be feeling later on. Eaten chicken, lamb, etc. here and I enjoyed it all. Naan is excellent, sauces and spices can be too hot for some, but I like my spicy food! I haven't been to the lunch buffet, but must try it out sometime.
(4)
Oliver T.
Great lunch buffet, but iffy dinner items. In fact the dinner items might even be just lunch items that were reheated. I hope I'm wrong on that one but that's how the palak paneer (creamed spinich and cheese) and chicken tika (both items that you can get from the buffet bar) came across. I would have given this place another star were it not for that dinner experience.
(3)
Michael A.
went here for the lunch buffet, mmn... i was the first one there, got there right at 11, nobody else came in until about 11:20. this was a sunday mind you. everything was warm and NOT hot, which is NOT something i'd expect being the first people to get to take a stab at the food. honestly, meh, even though 8 something sounds like a steal, it's not, i'd say maybe 6 bucks for the meal. we only made 2 rounds before we left, 3 if you include my last round of fruit which i ditched because it tasted like crud. i HAVE been here for dinner, twice maybe, and the chicken tiki marsala is absolutely DELICIOUS. i would come here for dinner, the portion is big enough so that you don't leave hungry but the quality is about 5 million gazillion times better than the lunch buffet. 2 stars for the lunch buffet, 4 stars for dinner, so all in all, a 3 star establishment.
(3)
Patricia F.
Frequently eat here because of proximity to home. Not bad, not amazing... decent buffet. Good service. The curries are heavy and can leave you feeling waaaay too full. They give you generous portions for take-out too so good for sharing. Good Nan and Paratha bread.
(3)
Cindy C.
India Cook House by far this is my favorite Indian restaurant. They have a great lunch buffet for $8.95 with all your usuals. Samosas, Frittas, Chicken Tikka, Palak Paneer, Chicken Curry, Tandori Chicken, etc. A must try the next time you're in Irvine!
(4)
M B.
The best Indian food in Irvine, and at a decent price. The restaurant itself is sort of a "hole in the wall" kind of place that doesn't look like much from the outside and definitely looks like it was converted from an old diner-type restaurant on the inside, so we probably never would have found it or chosen to come in if one of our coworkers hadn't recommended it. But, we're so glad he did! The food is fantastic, and even though we've tried other Indian restaurants in the area, we keep returning to this one because the food is so much better even though the prices are generally lower. We've ordered several things from the menu, and have never left disappointed. My only words of warning: dress warmly (the air conditioner is always a little too high) and be assertive about asking to have your drinks refilled (beverages like iced tea often sit empty for quite a while otherwise-- not good if you're eating spicy food). Note-- I have only been here for dinner, never for the lunch buffet.
(5)
Carrie B.
This is the very first place I tried Indian food and while I admit I thought it was just okay at first, I probably wasn't in the right place to rate the restaurant. Now after numerous Indian restaurants and a more refined palate, I totally look forward to eating here. Lunch buffet or not, this place is great. The chicken tiki masala and garlic nan is delish!
(4)
Gary Royale T.
I am going to have follow everyone else and give this place a 5 out of 5 simply for their taste and the quality of food they provide during the buffet lunch hour. The only thing I highly recommend doing is showing up a bit earlier at aboout 11-11:30. If you get there during the lunch hour, it would take you a long time to get a plate of food because of the line. I dont blame the crowd there because the food is delicious. I would come here instead of Natraajs anyday of the week.
(5)
Kendra D.
we've eaten here a few times now and have been more than satisfied every time. we've had take out for dinner, and also gone for the lunch buffet. i can't say that i'd be wiling to drive much farther than the 10 miles i drive to get there though. the decor inside is your usual tacky indian restaurant but i've learned that the cheap decor is no indication of what the food is like. the food has a nice flavor and is seasoned well. i particularly like the lamb baryani and vegetable korma. my husband usually goes for chicken tikka masala as it's one of his all time fav's and he's pleased with how they prepare it. the only thing we weren't all that thrilled about was the mix tandoori grill. it's kind of a rip off because you really don't get that much food for the money. you're better off ordering two curries. you'll also be pleased with their portions as they are very generous. we usually order 3 different dishes/curries with some naan and the two of us can eat 2 full meals off of those 3 dishes.
(4)
Samuel C.
Good ambience, decent food, but no wow factor here.
(3)
Craig C.
this place hasn't changed one bit in years, which is a good thing! Their lunch buffet has the best Indian food in Orange County and usually without much of a wait no matter how busy it is.
(5)
Veronica P.
really good indian food. The chicken curry, vegetable curry and the chicken tikka masala are all really good. The meat in all the dishes is tender and they have big pieces in all the dishes, so you definitely don't feel gipped. They always have items to make a salad and fresh fruit as well. The desert selection is decent, but they only have like 3 things. the place is decorated nicely. The service is nice and they give your a basket of fresh naan at your table. I always feel as though they don't give enough though. We always ask for more and the service is a little slow and usually forget to bring it to us. That would be my only complaint about the place and that they should have more items in their buffet, but for 8.95 it really is a good deal so eat up!
(4)
P S.
Pretty poor quality indian food. Clay over is quite a bit better, but they have problems as well. Surprised by the poor quality of Indian food in Irvine.
(2)
An D.
I love their all-you-can-eat lunch buffets!! It's only $9.00 and sooo satisfying! My favorite is the chicken masala! Oh! And you get unlimited naan...which is great!
(4)
J. N.
The best Indian food I've found in Orange County, so far, but not the best I've ever had.
(4)
Anh N.
I used to frequent here with my co workers when I worked in Irvine. On a recent visit to the lunch buffet, the food was lackluster and like Anita points out the naan was kinda yucky. The place was packed as usual with the office lunch crowd, but for some reason the food just wasn't as good as I remebered. Chicken tikka masala and chicken curry were bland, the spinach paneer was a bit watery (yuck), and the tandoori chicken was kinda dry. The best thing was actually dessert. Galub Jamun wasn't too mushy, the kheer was creamy and not too sweet , and mango pudding with fruit cocktail wasn't half bad. If it weren't for the desserts I probably would have given this place a 2. Sheesh...sweet tooth gets me every time....
(3)
evan p.
This is quite possibly the best indian food in the area. Everything is good. The lunch buffet tends to be lower in quality than a dinner, but it's also $8 compared to whatever like, $15 a person at dinner. stuff sits around a little, it's worth the price difference. I drive here from orange to get indian, past 3 good indian places on the way. All of the waiters are very nice, and I go here monthy, and have never had a single order, drink, or service issue. That's a pretty good track record. Especially for 'foreign' food.
(5)
Gudia A.
Always go there for their lunch buffet. It is the mos exntensive buffet I have seen ANYWHERE. the have about 20 dishes and 4 dessesrts... their lamb curry, tikka masala, saag, are awesome.. and their carrot pudding, rice pudding and gulab jamuns are always fresh.. have a opton of garlic and regular naan, the waiters ar always walking around filling your water cups.. great service for the price..the buffet is 7.95 or 8.95
(5)
Rob R.
yea like the other reviewer below me i really dont think you should count on me as an authority on indian food cos i really havent had enough of it to know what is good & authentic & what isn't, but for this review im listening to my taste buds and everything i tried here was really good. comparing this to the last place i went (Crown of India) in Los Anglees this place is much better and around the same price .
(4)
Hash k.
Love their lunch buffet. Lot of options great tasting indian food in town. If you really like Indian food you should try their dinner. It's very authentic and very tasty. Service is the best.
(5)
Shelley T.
I have select tastes in Indian dishes, so I will not advertise myself as an Indian connoisseur. I admit, I have more of the lame American tastes, but alas... Their Chicken Tikka Masala was great. The Tandoori Chicken was very good - not as dry as it usually is. The Naan was great. Their Chai Tea was smoky - none of us liked it - but my parents said that they go there all the time and it's usually great. I don't care for most Indian vegetable dishes because they mostly contain peas and potatoes, which feel heavy, taste like Thanksgiving dinner, and are not my thing, but I LOVE the spicy green sauce and I add it to just about every bite of food. Their sauce was delicious and spicy.
(4)
chair n.
i've been here a few times and it's been good everytime EXCEPT once when my chicken was undercooked. that kinda killed it for me.. but i still go once in while, i just don't order chicken. -_-; their lamb tikki masala is delish but even "very spicy" is not that spicy. gets kinda crowded on the weekends but i've never waited more than 10 minutes.
(4)
Simon H.
i can't say much about the specific ordering of dishes for this indian restaurant. however, i can tell u a good amount of what the lunch buffet is all about! for $9 dollars, you can have a full indian lunch buffet. it's not some tiny buffet section in the restaurant, it's actually a decent size with a good amount of selections! all sorts of curry, chicken, lamb, desserts, all you can eat naan, a few kinds of indian fried foods, vegetables and a lot of other stuff! seriously, 9 bucks, not a lot for something like this! i've been to the lunch buffet about 3, 4 times and everytime it tastes consistent from each other and very good! of course, it's a buffet after all, so the quality isn't top notch. however, judging it according to buffet quality, it really is better than a lot of places i've been to! if you want buffet, got a lot of room in your stomach and want some indian food, i totally recommend you this place. it's next to caspian, hidden behind the dennys on culver. anyhow, hope this helps!
(4)
Dave S.
We had been intending to try India Cook House for a while and we finally popped in recently. After they sat us and gave us menus, the staff proceeded to ignore us for a long while. After we finally got their attention and ordered the food took a long time. We had chicken tikka masala and yellow dal. The chicken had little taste and it was actually kind of sweet which was really weird. The big downer was the Dal. It was watery and completely tasteless. This was in general the most tasteless Indian we've had in a while. It was disappointing especially considering the good reviews. In terms of service, as mentioned they took forever to take our order. When the check came, my GF noticed they hadn't charged us for the Dal. She pointed it out and the server took the check away without a word. Five minutes later he reappeared and just handed it back to us...not a word. I don't know what I expected from them, but maybe a thank you, or something? Anyway, this was just really a disappointing experience.
(2)
Jonathan W.
Went here last summer on the advice of a coworker who is Indian. I have only been during the lunch buffet because there is too many delicious options for me to choose. The buffet was priced well, $10ish, for all you can eat, I got like three plates full and a couple baskets of naan. The Chicken Tiki Marsala is good along with the samosas. I prefer to get alot of there food with thicker sauces and use the naan to soak it up. They also had plenty of vegetables and different meat options like lamb. I went back several times during the summer but haven't been in several months due to school, but I try and go when I am in Irvine.
(4)
Diana P.
WAIT. I came with a friend my first time for lunch when they opened an hour before, so there wasn't a wait. A lot of people came in after us while we were there. SERVICE. Slow. They never asked if we wanted to order off the menu or eat at the buffet. Water took awhile and naan took one round of food before it came out. FOOD. 4 stars goes to the Chicken tiki masala with garlic naan. That's the only thing I remembered because it was undeniably my favorite! Other foods were good or decent, but nothing compared to their CTM. If you need some greens/veggies, I definitely recommend the cauliflower. None of the dishes were that spicy which is good for me because I can't handle spicy too well. I tried one of each of the foods on the left (more authentic) side of the buffet and loved them all!
(4)
D B.
Very horrible service and below average quality food!!! Please do not step foot in this restaurant if your are looking for good Indian food. The waiters curse at each other and just don't care about the service and food. We waited for everything and our food didn't taste good at all.
(1)
K W.
I was itching for some Indian food. Ok let's begin. I've been to enough places to know if it is good or not. The garlic naan had very little garlic if it had any and burnt was the predominant flavor. The buffet had some options but not the good ones. The rice was the best part of the experience. Should have gone to Annaporna on the south end of the center near walnut. Sorry cookhouse we won't return.
(2)
Tanya S.
I came here with a few friends for dinner so they could try Indian food for the first time. There weren't enough plates, glasses, or napkins on the table, and every time one of the waiters poured out water, we got an unwanted shower as well. We waited about 25 minutes without anyone asking us if we were even ready to order, and had to ask twice for someone to serve us. And then for the real problem. We waited over an hour for our food, with the waiters all lying to us about how much longer our food would take. We waited patiently for the first 30 minutes but every time we asked how much longer, we would get the same "5 minutes" line. And they weren't even genuine about it, no eye contact, no apologies, just the same excuse to us and every other table waiting. About 4 other tables were complaining too, and after the first hour, the waiters actually lied about which table's food they were bringing out next in order to keep all their customers. This was the last straw and we left another 15 minutes later without ever seeing our food. If you're not able to serve all your customers, please admit to it rather than wasting an hour and a half of our time. Not only were we in a sour mood because of that ridiculous service, but I'm personally embarrassed that this is the experience my non-Indian friends have with Indian food. I've been here once before (also a rather long wait) and I know the food is well prepared and tasty, which is the only reason I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1. Basically, they need to really up their service, honesty, and attitude towards customers.
(2)
Tom S.
Today I was majorly disappointed in their lunch buffet, and their service. Sure, it's a buffet and we get our own food. They close at 2:30 and I arrived at 2:00. The tandoori chicken was empty and I asked one of the Indian waiters if they were planning on replacing it. He snarled something unintelligible in his language which he knew I did not understand, and then walked away. Long story short, it never was replaced. Their naan bread is good. But not when you are just about to finish your meal. I asked another server if he was bringing some and he assured me he was. As I was almost finished, he brought a basket of bread to my neighboring table, and she didn't want it so he just gave me to me. It was lukewarm. Neither the surly Indian nor the nice, but incapable Latino guy ever filled my water. I've never had such shoddy service, but the man I usually presume is the owner/manager was not there. There was some guy looking like a real slob in a blue shirt that might have been in charge. He looked as though he just wandered in off the street and should have been thrown out. ICH was always my go-to Indian restaurant. Now I swill try Anapurna, at the other end of the shopping center. I ate there once before, and as I remember, it was pretty good! Adios Cook House! Your crappy service today lost a regular customer!!!
(2)
Mai T.
Food is very tasty and are good shareable sizes for the amount that you pay. I would highly recommend the sweet naan, it's stuffed with potatoes and peas and is sooo good. The service however just does the bare minimum and we waited for our food for an hour. HOUR. We were there around 9 p.m. on a Sunday night and there weren't many other people seated before us. Maybe order to go to avoid the wait, because the food isn't worth that much time.
(3)
Cathy W.
Let's get to the bottom line. This is my 2nd time that made me come back. 1. The food especially the naan bread. Served after you got your buffet. Choice between regular or garlic bread. The bread was so fresh, warm, crispy and soft inside. In addition to the curry and tandoori chicken that's my favorite. Flavorful, savory and best to go with the bread. 2. They have wines!!! 3. Ambiance is kind of meh.. Old dated but get you a feeling that you are dining at the 60-70's era restaurant? 4. The younger servers are pretty attentive and thumbs up for that. So if the owner sees this review, please appreciate the staff you hired. 5. Salad bar can be improve further with more selections.
(5)
Guru Kaustubh T.
Hello, The food lacked the basics at this place. Food at this place lacked the spices and the vegetables used appeared to be frozen veggies. Who so ever cooked appeared to be an amateur. I'm surprised they got 3.5 stars from others. I know I will not go back to them.
I have to change / update this to a 5-star. Now that I have been to many different Indian Restaurants only to be disappointed. I always compare others to India Cook House. India Cook House..their food is somewhat fresh and consistent. Maybe due to the volume of customers which causes constant food being brought out. There has been a change in the employees. The waiters are now the young generation that are serving you at the tables.
(5)
Aarun V.
Decor - 6/10 Food - 8/10 Service - 5/10 I remember we sat next to a table who had a steaming hot dish. The ceiling was so low, and ventilation was so poor that the smoke descended upon our table and caused a coughing fit. I have been here in the past for the lunch buffet, this time I had taken my entire family plus relatives from overseas to dinner. Perhaps it was an off night, because the food and people working there in the past I recall were very helpful and kind. Unfortunately, such wasn't the case this time.
(2)
Ahmed E.
Great food and service. Second time here great food and good service. Took some time for food to get ready for the buffet
(4)
Diana T.
Came here on a Sunday around 11:30ish and it was not crowded at all. We did the all you can eat buffet lunch special which was only $8.95!! What a deal for all you can eat! There are limited items to choose from but everything was so good! You pretty much just walk in, wait for a server to seat you, then you just get up, grab a plate and then pile on your food. Everything was flavorful. I'd describe the dishes but I forget the names of everything!! The limited variety of foods that they serve is good because it will let you get the chance to try a little bit of everything without unbuttoning your pants! NOTE: -Ask for a basket of garlic naan
(4)
Julie S.
The food was amazing!! Really fabulous Indian food. I had the shrimp masala and my husband had one of the combo plates. We both loved everything. The only bad part was that the service was slow. We went at 5:15 for dinner and there was only one other party there. But it took at least 30-40 minutes for them to bring our food. However, I would definitely go back, and maybe order take-out instead
(4)
Danny N.
This place used to be my favorite Indian restaurant but after trying out several others in and around the area I must say the quality and variety of food available is now very poor. Even the service is below average. This is officially my last time coming here. Hasta la vista baby!
(3)
Christy W.
I like th food ,but it would b nicer if they bring out the Nah bread quicker instead after 20minuts when my lunch about over !
(3)
Moe K.
We got there 1.15pm, and I was waiting for BBQ Chicken and each time I check on buffet they where out and I keep asking why don't you bring it and we find out if you are even inside the Resturant they don't want to waist money and make chicken, if they ready to closed the after 2 pm, another word Make sure go early, and their service is very poor. Their food ok for what they charge.
(2)
Lannie N.
Let me say this, I enjoy coming here. The food is good, it's just I feel like there are so many Indian restaurants that offer a good lunch buffet. I do think the servers are super nice here, however I've just had better. I really like Haveli in Tustin and some other places in Anaheim. So I would definitely come here when I'm in the area, and when I'm with my friends, becaus
(3)
Amy S.
The food was awful, the service was even worse. This use to be our standard go to place, but the quality of food and service has declined drastically. The food tasted watered down with no flavor. All the gravy was so thin and unflavorful. I will never return to this establishment.
(1)
Armie T.
Went here yesterday with my boss and coworkers to celebrate the closing of a case. This review is for the buffet and service. Because my boss loves buffets. I, myself, don't understand the appeal, but whatever. We went around 12:30 and the place was PACKED! Noisy and bustling, filled with business people and Indians. Which is always a good sign. The place was super clean, though, for the middle of lunch rush. I packed on salad, watermelon and melon in my plate. Here's a plus about this buffet that's rare some other places: no rotten veggies in the salad bar. Also no stray veggies or sauces. Amazing job y'all. From the buffet I got dal, lamb curry, chicken makhani, allu gobi, fish pakora, gajjar ka halwa, gulab jamun. We also got wine and chai. The curries. Decent. Nothing really THAT special. There were others, but I just wasn't interested in them, my coworker liked them, so maybe next time. Fish pakora was awesome, the only drawback being it was a bit salty. But hey, I'm just happy with the fish pakora. Did end up drinking am entire glass of water to get rid of the saltiness. That chai though. Not the best. We asked for no sugar, but I guess they make it with sugar because we got sweet af chai. And it was cold. No thanks. Gajjar ka halwa was lackluster. Gulab jamun was okay. Good, but not great. Service wasn't that great. Besides the guy who brought us our first basket of naan, no one came back to check our water or naan. Oh well. Overall I'd say this place is probably best suited for quick lunch at the last moment. Nothing that lasting about it though.
(3)
Michelle J.
Tried India Cook House based on recommendations from Indian friends who rave about this place being authentic and homestyle. I find the flavors a bit on the bland side, but still delicious and it doesn't give me gas or bloating like some other restaurants do. I would give them 3 stars, but their chicken tikka masala knocks it up a star because it is the best that I have ever had. The tender chicken melts in your mouth like butter and the sauce is knock your socks off good. I would come here for the chicken alone. Lunch buffet is a great value that offers many selections to try including their famous chicken tikka masala for under $10. Buffet items are not as fresh as other places that I have tried, but I would come here for the selection.
(4)
Sydney T.
Craving for indian food so we stopped by for a quick lunch. Service: friendly and pleasing to the eyes compared to many other indian places we've been to...ie they are not sloppy looking. The place looks clean and organize. Their chicken dishes are tender and tasty. Price is reasonable and plenty of parking. Tips: on weekend, parking lot is very busy.
(4)
Amanda D.
I don't understand why this place gets anything less than a 4 star. I say the food and service are both impeccable. They have a good wine list compares to other ethnic restaurant Buffet is fully ready by the time they open ( I am a open bird) Greeted by the owner to see how I was doing. I love the cauliflower!!! the curry cabbage with peas are pretty good too. They also have precious fish curries.
(5)
JoAnne M.
This review is strictly with regard to the service. Food, although pricey for the amount you get, is very tasty. I called in at 10:30 to place an order of 8 lunch meals and asked if I could come in at 11:45. I was told no, 'you come in at 12:15. I have the lunch buffet to set up' Um, excuse me? No, setting up the lunch buffet and balancing your job duties isn't my concern, and a togo order should not take over an hour and 1/2. Then I get there and I ended up waiting 1/2 hour anyways for it. The one older gentleman, started to help me, walked away, poured coffee, left that, walked to the buffet, disappeared into the kitchen, came back and added up my check, walked off somewhere else, took his time and couldn't complete one task at a time. Other people were complaining they hadn't received their naan, or a waiter at the table etc. 3 younger guys were standing around shootin the breeze with one another, not lifting a finger to help any of us waiting and frustrated. The I was handed two heavy bags and a hot try of rice. I asked for a box or bag for the rice. You would have thought I asked them to stick the tray up their ass, three of them stood there staring at me, like, I was nuts for not being able to carry all this food back to my car... And this is not the first time this sorta thing happened. So sorry this place has such lousy service and a wait staff that is a joke
(2)
Kannan M.
We have been a regular for lunch and dinner for quite some time now. It was our go to restaurant for Indian. It gradually fell out first on service and then on taste. Gave it one last try today, and definitely black listing it from our options. These days I can never expect a courteous service here. Calls to refill empty food bins in lunch buffet goes unanswered. Naan served is either too dry or outright inedible. Not much options for people who don't eat meat either. Service should get better first.
(1)
Jen L.
I've been here twice, tried both the buffet and the dinner menu. The buffet is average, nothing great. The selection is limited and the quality of food is mediocre. Their curries and sauces that were out were all mild and lacking taste. On the flip side, when I have come here for dinner the food I ordered off the menu was spectacular. Not sure why! I suggest ordering the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Chicken Vindaloo, those were my two favorite menu items here! Service is just okay, nothing to rave about and nothing to complain about either.
(3)
Jon P.
First time here. Dirty place. Fruit was expired. Told waiter and he didn't do anything. When we paid, they double charged me and took forever.
(1)
Eve C.
It's an authentic Indian food restaurant. I've lived in South East Asia for yearsss. Having said that, the food tastes just like the ones that my Indian friends made. In other words, some are slightly "too authentic" and pungent for non Indians, like me :D Five stars for *the price, $9+ for lunch buffet. *Chicken Makhani *Fruit Cocktail (Tastes like Mango Lassi) *Basmati Rice *Food varieties Minus one star for (These are okay) - Lamb shank - Chicken Tandoori - Salads - Desserts - Spinach I'll come back again to dip my garlic naan and top my Basmati rice in the Chicken Makhani sauce :)
(4)
Zz Y.
I don't usually write reviews, but India Cook House made me write it. I usually like buffets, but this place is the worst for Indian Buffet. They call it chicken Biryani which is not actually a biryani. It is a mix of chicken curry and rice with absolutely no flavor. This is the first place, where I chose white rice over Biryani (because it tested so bad) The Samosa's are not crunchy, pakora's are too salty, Curry has no salt. Other vegetables are stale and SERVICE IS HORRIBLE. VERY VERY SLOW I had tried this place few months ago and had experienced the same. I thought, that was one of those days, but I think that's how it is. No Wonder they charge less and still the whole place is empty. Yelp, if you could give zero star, I would like that. THE WORST PLACE
(1)
Eric C.
Wow, this lunch buffet is great. How the hell do they make money after I downed 4 plates of curry/ veggies/ masala/ garlic naan/ rice/ fried fish. Just 9 dollars for lunch and I skipped dinner. Pretty dark place, so just ask the waiter for a seat next to a window.
(4)
Michael P.
Come right when it opens al the food is really fresh. The knon takes a while at this time but definitely worth the wait. $9 for ayce, worth.
(5)
Karthik K.
Fud is mediocre, and service is poor.. The only reason u wud want to get into this restaurant is if u want a taste of pathetic service.. Ambience 6/10 Fud 5/10 Service 2/10 Personal opinion - not worth the single star rating fr the fud, not worth a single penny tip fr the service..
(1)
Darin W.
Some of the best Indian food in OC! Dimly lit and the place looks questionable, that's where the best Indian food comes from :). Love their Chicken Makhni, a nice alternative to Chicken Tikka Masala, and there Chicken Tandoori is wonderful. The buffet is a great value if you eat two or more plates.
(4)
Hema K.
We were a party of 20+ and service really sucked. One of my friend asked for a bottled water for her infant and seal was already broken. We were served with appetizers - samosa, veggie pakora. Both were terrible. I really have tasted better. Oily samosa and chewy pakora instead of crispy. Main course: dal makhni - it was so so paneer masala - this tasted better with good amount of creaminess tandoori chicken - by all means disliked it. It was too dry and overcooked. kadai lamb - there was no hint of spiciness and tasted sweet shrimp manchurian - my friends got sick and some complained that the shrimp tasted raw. My experience was not that great dining here for dinner and not visiting again!
(2)
Simar M.
Me and my family came here for the first time for the buffet and I absolutely loved the food. It had right spice, it was fresh. Good to have a new place in my list for good indian food.
(5)
Queen T.
Love this place! The food is really authentic. And the flavors are spot on. My favs are the ck tikka masala, tandoori ck, the lentil soup, veggie samosas, cauliflower and potatoes. Of course u come here just for the food. The place is not fancy or anything by all means. However it is clean, adorned with many table tops, so If u wanted to bring in a large party they could definitely accommodate you. And I must say the few times that I have been there the service has been right on. This may be due to the fact that I'm always there during slow hours, and they really don't have much else to do. Even so, they are always kind and very catering. If u love Indian food as much as I do. This is a great place to try! So lucky that we have one in OC! 5 stars bcz it's exactly what I'm looking for in a place like this.. Food, service. And they are both superb.
(5)
Tiffany L.
Wow. Possibly worst dining experience IN MY LIFE. Came in on a Friday night and the place was relatively busy, but we thought no biggie- just one or two big parties and small parties here and there. BOY WAS I WRONG. Waited an hour just for the food to even come out and at one point we just wanted to leave because it was so ludicrous that we had to wait so long for some damn curry. Just as we got up, all the people working there got into a frenzy- insisting that our food is "already coming out" (something they had said 15 minutes ago). So they give us some complementary tea, but at this point I'm so tired of their bull crap that all I want to do is get up and not be accosted by three waiters while doing so. Whatever- food comes and everything is fine.. UNTIL WE NOTICED THAT THE CHICKEN WE ORDERED WAS PARTIALLY RAW. You know yeah, we did rush you.. But did we say we wanted to forsake our health for expedient service?! NO! Seriously undercooked raw meat was shown to the manager himself and he denied these accusations even when he cleared the plate for us. If it's (as you insist) "cooked in 800 degree temperature".. Why does it look and taste raw? None of the food was out of the extraordinary-amazing and it definitely was not worth my time. Our waiter was also extremely rude and did not seem apologetic at all. Four of us ordered four entrees and he kept pushing us into ordering naan when we already ordered more than enough food. Attitude was out of the roof, as every single time he would bring food I expected the comment "can you move that so I can put your food down.". UM the table clearly has more than enough space- put it down yourself. "Can you hand me that plate". Dude am I the server or are you the server here? Whatever man. The one highlight of this establishment is that they refill your water like they think you've been dehydrated for years. In the two hours we spent here we probably downed two jugs of water from how often one of the waiters came by to give us water. Experienced mild stomach discomfort after leaving and I will not be back. Service and management is enough to deter me from coming back.
(1)
Isheeta B.
Their food is good, but it can be a little inconsistent. Their service is like any typical Indian joint. When they are busy, it takes time to get food if you are ordering by menu. I really like their paneer masala and mushroom bhaji!
(4)
Izzat A.
Came here for dinner with a coworker Wednesday night. We asked for some mango lassi and the waiter said it wasn't available, then a few minutes later, another person (perhaps the owner) stopped by and we mentioned it and he said of course we can get you mango lassi. Ordered some pakorey and samosas as appetizers. The pakorey were fine but the samosas were not very good at all and I suspect were frozen store bought ones. Anyways, I ordered Paneer Tikkah Masala and it was really good. Also tried the yellow daal which was also good and the aloo matar which was decent as well. Ordered garlic naan and parathey and they were solid. Finished it up with ras malai and it was pretty good. I'm Pakistani so I've got a pretty high standard for Indian food. This place wasn't bad. Certainly not the worst but definitely not the best. The service (outside of the one guy who got us mango lassi) was lackluster. Overall, I'd come back here again.
(3)
Down L.
The hubby and I are frequent visitors to India cook house. Growing up in the Bay Area, I know what good Indian food consists of and unfortunately OC doesn't deliver- until you go to India Cook house. The CTM, lamb kabob, & garlic naan are perfect. The waiters here are nice and they remember my order (including drinks!). They're nice and respectful and always willing to help you decide based on your taste that day. India cook house is my go to restaurant for Indian food in Orange County. No doubt. :)
(5)
R P.
This place used to be one my favorite but after my experience last night I will never return here again. I went with my husband and 2 year old for dinner on Saturday night and it was pretty empty. There were 4 waiters there all looked like they did not want to be there. Half of them didn't even have their shirt tucked in they just looked sloppy. I got an appetizer which came out pretty quickly but when I wanted to order dinner no one was coming over to take the order. I was watching the waiters just standing around drinking water. They kept looking on their cell phones but no one bothered to come over to take our order. Finally we had to call one of the wairers over and placed our order. 35 mins go by not a single person came by to tell us what was going on with our food. Finally we got so frustrated we just got up and left. My husband went to the counter to ask them if they could just pack our food to go they tell him the order was never placed. To wrap it up this place needs a major lesson on customer service. It does not exist here. Noone gives a damn. Everyone there looks like they are miserable to be working there. My advice to the owner keep this crap up and you're gonna get shut down very fast. There needs to be some major changes here.
(1)
Awesome G.
I JUST LOVE THIS PLACE One day, I decided to take a trip to a place called "India Cook House" I haven't been to many Indian places before but, I really liked how clean and nice the ambiance was. My server offers me a nice booth even though I was only one person! As soon as I sat down I was giving naan. They asked me what I wanted to order, I ordered a chicken tikka, YUMMY IT WAS DELICIOUS! It came out sizzling hot! I was just about to cry, it was delicious! I fell in love and now whenever someone says "Indian Food" I think of this place. If your fooling for quick service, or a nice place to grab a bite, but still get quality. This is the place to go!
(5)
Jayson O.
When I write reviews, I like to think of a word or two that really summarizes my overall experience, and in this case, the best word I can come up with for India Cook House is....'Average'. Admittedly, I have not been here for dinner, but I have been here a handful of times for the luncheon buffet ($8.95) and I always walk away with the same thought "I just didn't live up to what I had in my head." First thing you should know is that it is tucked away in the corner one of the most ridiculous south Irvine parking lots ever. At peak hours, navigating the lot and its extremely small painted car stalls is an exercise in patience, but that shouldn't be a reflection on India Cook House, the lot can be madness at times. Second, it feels a bit crowded inside. The wall mounted mirrors attempt to make the place look much larger than it really is, but during the lunch rush, you'll take note that the buffet line can easily weave in and out and curve around tables on the perimeter making is slightly distracting, awkward, and even annoying when you are trying to relax and enjoy a meal when there's a constant shuffle of people walking by your table if you are seated there. But the real reason you're there is for Indian food, right? Well, while I give them credit for a large selection of items, and freshness, there's nothing there that has just knocked my socks off. Last time my coworkers and I were there, we all took note that our curry was 'bland' at best. Some of my chicken wasn't trimmed properly resulting in some bites of gristle, and lastly I thought some of the sauces seemed a bit thin. I love tika masala, and I am just 'okay' with theirs. On the plus side, staff does seem attentive at lunch, tea is fresh, Tandoori chicken is ample, and a nice supply of warm naan is available to all (but this pretty much is standard, staple fare for all Indian buffets anyway, no?). I also like that they have lamb in the buffet, not too many Indian buffets do anymore.
(3)
Sunha P.
Worst restaurant, worst food and worst service. if there would have been any rating in the negative i would I have given the same. This is first and last visit here. People are making faces continuously like why we are here and need to call them again and again if we want anything. Opened the restaurant but don't know what is cutlery. ZERO customer service and customer satisfaction. Pathetic food, people,service, restaurant. Don't waste your money and time guys and don't spoil your precious family time.
(1)
Nola C.
Used to really like this place. The last few visits haven't been very great. Ordered to-go on my last visit because I figured I wouldn't have to deal with the lack of service if I ordered to-go. I was wrong. The two younger guys working the front have no service and even proceeded to make comments I would only assume are about me, mumbling "only in America." And then when I left saying thank you he just stared at me blankly. It's uncomfortable to say the least. The food was just average. chicken tikka masala wasn't as flavorful and the naan was soggy. I think that's probably my last visit. Will have to see what else is in OC for Indian food.
(1)
Sanj M.
This update is just on service- We still love the food! My husband and I have loved coming to this place.But off lately the service is really bad- if you have read my previous reviews- Service is something that I like it more than just ok kind. My husband and I have loved the service here, but they have hired some middle-age men- who talk very poor english and one waiter actually made a hand gesture when my husband ordered beer. It is kinda offensive because its lower class men in India, who do not drink alcohol do this hand gesture to indicate alcohol or people who drink alcohol. We literally burst into laughter when our waiter did this, we just couldn't wrap our head around someone who would work at a restaurant which serves alcohol, to do this. As bad the service was, we still love their food. When we decided to box some of the food, our waiter just bought boxes for us to box the food; which they hadn't done before. Hmmph, wasn't really happy! I will give 3 out 5 on service.
(3)
Bosun O.
This food was what the kids of nowadays would call "LEGIT" or "THE BOMB". I came in about fifteen minutes before they closed(I'm sorry). They didn't make me feel hurried at all. It was a pleasant experience. The waiters were awesome, attentive and polite. I ordered the chicken tikka masala. It was the most delicious thing I've tasted since I firsted success. I will be back!!!
(5)
L I.
Our family went to eat there yesterday 1/10/2015. I was shocked by charging double. I asked a guy what was the price for lunch buffet. He was saying price plus tax. He did not answer me directly. After I asked him again, he told me sorry he charged me twice. !!! I knew Indian is cheap (nothing wrong with cheap, I am cheap too), but this guy did was bad business practice. The food was horrible. No spice and flavors at all. I do not understand all high ratings people gave to this restaurant.
(1)
Tony B.
Very poor service. Waiters seem clueless and we were left waiting to order and for food far to long. Waiter looked like he walked off the street in his sweatshirt! Food was plentiful enough but little to no taste, throughly disappointed as we love Indian food. Will not go back there again as there are so many better places in the area.
(1)
Erica S.
We have been here for dinner twice and lunch buffet once. We have absolutely no complaints. We always share the vegetarian combo dinner with garlic naan and the lamb tika Marsala. It's all delicious! We always have leftovers for both of us..so portion sizes are really good. Haven't tried any of the desserts yet...the staff has always been friendly and we never have an empty water glass which I greatly appreciate.
(5)
Eric B.
My favorite indian restaurant and perhaps my favorite restaurant in all of Orange County. However, they say they open at 5 but they usually aren't open then. I appreciate punctuality and it was disappointing that they weren't open when they said they would be.
(5)
Su C.
$8.95 for lunch buffet not a bad price, very reasonable however... No air conditioning on a day when it's 102 outside makes for a less than enjoyable experience. The food was bland. But you can't beat the price however I'd rather pay more for a good meal and good experience than for the opportunity to stuff myself till I'm obese
(1)
Ritika T.
Whoa! An Indian buffet I actually like? What? I fell in love with India Cook House. First of all, the place was filled with multiple parties of Indian people who were probably fresh off the plane. I saw a huge birthday party table filled with Indians. You KNOW it's a good spot if the natives are flocking to this place. The lunch buffet is amazing! $8.95 for all you can eat fresh, delicious, flavorful courses. Start with a little samosa and pakoras. The pakoras are to DIE for, but try not to fill up on them. Move on to the rice and daal. Fill up on naan and paneer. And finish it all up with some carrot cake. What else could you want?? (Oh, and I'm a vegetarian, but I hear the chicken is amazing). The people here are friendly. I'm very impressed by the quality and taste of the Indian food here...and that says a lot because most I've been to are mediocre.
(5)
Simon J M.
One of my favorite Indian restaurants to date. The only unfortunate thing is it its half a country away from where I normally live in Michigan. I come from a place for the high Indian population of we have lots and lots of good restaurants. This place could easily compete with all of them. We had the mutant paneer, the naan, samosas, mulligatawny soup, and some sort of mushroom dish. All fresh, tasty and well spiced. We got the medium spice because we have never been to this restaurant before, or we could go much hotter. It was just at the right level to be tasty. I did however have some problems with the restaurant, like they were looking out of the windows at me at 4:59 waiting for the five o'clock bell to ring so they can open the doors and turn the sign to "open". This is just terrible business practice. I'm also pretty sure they were trying to commit some sort of psychological exercise on me, as with all the directions ahead with the wait staff, I never had one person repeat a visit. There was a new person every time. It was like one of those videos with a change something small every time like the color of the person you just see if you're paying attention. They were all happy and attentive, very professional, but every time they went into the little double doors to the kitchen they... transformed. Either that, or the cloaking device the aliens used in order to study us, was not functioning properly. Overall, I will happily go back in the future. Even when I do figure out when the implant came from.
(5)
Ryan J.
Came here a few years ago for the buffet and really enjoyed the food and selection. I've been meaning to go back and have some more.
(4)
Chris F.
This place is in my top six Indian buffets of all time. The selection is good and the quality consistent. If you are not familiar with Indian buffets the main thing you must realize is that quality can vary greatly with each visit. Tikka Masala is one of my favorite Indian dishes and a plate of that with some aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower) along with some naan would make me a happy camper.
(4)
Sam L.
The buffet is okay and the place is pretty clean but what I wanted to address and complain about are two of my three biggest pet peeves when dealing with the restaurant's procedures and staff interface. 1) Bringing out the check too early or before I even ask for it. As if to say "hurry up asshole" and pay me. Chinese restaurants are notorious for doing this and I've been to plenty Indian joints but this was seriously too early...they brought my check over before I was even done with my first plate! 2) As the table adjacent and behind us emptied out...guess whose going Windex cleaner spray bottle happy?!?! WTseriouslyF!?!? I could taste the Windex and even felt it on my arm! If my table wobbled, I would've flipped it over, made unpleasant remarks about Russel Peters and stormed the F out.
(1)
Patrick N.
At $8.95, this lunch buffet is one of the best meal deals in Irvine. In fact, regardless of price, the food at India Cook House is some of the best Indian food I've ever had. I went during a busy Saturday lunch rush and new trays of fresh food were periodically being brought out. As a result, a lot of the food was still fresh tasting and the meat didn't dry out. And the gulab jamun dessert was perfect! I had to get two.
(4)
Nandakumar R.
Have visited plenty of Indian buffets, but this is the only place where its economical and best. In $20 two of you can leave stomach full and satisfied. Just taste their mutton gravy in the buffet, you will want to come here daily.
(4)
Ed S.
Food is meh, customer service is very bad. Waited over 20 minutes for naan after asking three times, and after they started distributing it they skipped our table completely and served people who came after us. The guy at the register and they waiters are not very friendly in general.
(1)
Joy H.
4.5 stars. I've been here for both lunch buffet and regular dinner service, and am fully pleased with both. Buffet has a good variety, if a bit typical, and everything is consistently fresh. My favorites are the tandoori chicken, which is always hot and perfectly tender; and the palak paneer, which is very creamy. Spinach and chicken biriyani are also great here. Ask for garlic naan and definitely get the desserts - all four options are great. Their carrot pudding especially stands out. At $8.95/person, it's cheaper than nearby Annapoorna and tastier too. Dinner service is decidedly less busy. Usually, there's just a couple family groups and small parties. Pappadam is served with spicy mint and mango chutneys as you browse the menu. The waiters are patient, though not personable. If you're looking for a filling meal for two with guaranteed leftovers, the combo meals are a nice mix at $17.95/person. This includes naan and rice. I usually choose the Special and Non-vegetarian combos. Overall, this is a solid choice for authentic Indian food in the area.
(5)
Prashanth S.
Buffet is ok. Not the best in town.
(3)
Christie B.
Great Indian restaurant in Irvine. Food is delicious and authentic. The hubby and I ordered chicken korma, garlic shrimp masala, garlic naan and onion petals. All were great choices, we were very happy with our meal. The only minus was the wait time for the food. It did take quite some time to get our order out. But it's not a fast food place, so I'll let it slide. Besides, they make it fresh to order, so if it came too fast that might be concerning. Our drinks were always refilled at a timely manner. Overall will definitely return!
(4)
Franklin Y.
After eating "the best Indian food in SD" and being a tiny bit disappointed I came here at my friend's recommendation and boy was I glad he told me about this place! The Good :D! - The Lamb Palak was DELICIOUS. My friend warned me that it would look like turd (which it totally did!), but looks are always deceiving! I found myself NOMing away at it with their rice and nan bread! - Service was good! They came around for water and cleanup consistently! They were friendly and very helpful! - The price is soooooo much better than the place I went to in SD. Around $10-15 for a curry dish. - Portion size is reasonable! My friend and I ordered 2 main dishes and naan bread and we were too full to eat the whole thing. I was happy to eat the leftovers for lunch the next day! The Not so Good D:! - The place is kind of dark and a bit empty so it might feel a bit awkward even walking in here. - Our other dish the Chicken Paryani (Chicken Rice Dish) was a bit on the dry side and could have been a bit more flavorful. But in the end it worked out well with the curry (which I should not have to have to do) and the nan bread (which I should do) - That parking lot is a bit crowded and tight sometimes :[ Definitely want to come back here to try their Lunch Buffet and other Curries!!!
(4)
Andrew P.
Came back for the lunch buffet and pretty similar experience to years past. The food's ok, would have liked more choices, the stuff present was well made. The service continues to disappoint however. Lots of servers standing around, trying to look busy and pretty at the same time, not really paying attention to the customers. We never got our water refilled and at the end, I spent several minutes waiting at the counter to get someone to recognize that I wanted to pay our check.
(3)
Bo D.
This place is truly amazeballs. The lunch buffet is sooooo good, and I fill to the brim every time. I love the chicken Tikki masala. Yes and Yum!!! Please do go for lunch at some point the staff were pleasant you will not regret it. I cant wait to go back. I wish i was still a student at UCI.
(5)
Samantha H.
Indian cookhouse is hands down.. the best indian food restaurant on the entire planet! The papadam, the garlic naan, the vindaloo, the tikka masala... just wow. I thought Indian food was gross until my boyfriend introduced me to this wonderful place. Must try!
(5)
Arthur S.
My wife and I come to this Indian restaurant a couple times a year, and think it's a decent place - thus the three star rating. We both enjoy Indian cuisine and include India Cook House in the rotation. Our visit this week ended up being a bit curious. The restaurant wasn't crowded, and we were immediately seated. They brought the menus quickly, and it was a bit of a wait for the obligatory (and tasty) popadums and chutneys. I ordered somosas - I prefer the ones with lamb but these folks happen to only serve the potato/pea meatless ones; that's OK - I'll live. I tried for the first time a lamb and lentil dish, whereas my wife got the non-vegetarian special. The waiter was really confused about the wine list; I wanted a glass of white zin (just proletarian Beringer) and he had absolutely no idea what that was, asking several times if it's a red or a white. I had to point it out to him on the menu. When I was about halfway through the appetizer, they brought over all the main courses. I was hardly eating slowly, so I have to confess that this was irritating. I thought I had an ample quantity of food, and I have a pretty good appetite. No complaints about the quantity or the quality; it was really tasty and spiced appropriately for the level I had requested. My wife ended up with a rather staggering amount of pretty good food, and ended up taking at least a third of it home. The rice that came with the meal was good but not particularly a large amount; I would have preferred a little more. With one exception, although we had our water glasses constantly filled and a number of waiters coming by during the evening, they were hardly friendly - I'd say politely civil, similar to what other reviews here have noted. One gentleman in "civilian clothes" with his wrist in a huge cast was very outgoing and personable; he may have been the manager. It took a surprising amount of time after we were obviously done to receive the check. I had brought a coupon from a monthly mailer - I think the first time I can recall this restaurant having a coupon in my (Lake Forest) area. They had taken the coupon during the meal, but when the check arrived it hadn't included the reduction for the coupon (I think it was 50% off the second entree, or something close to that). I mentioned it to the waiter, and he nodded, and took the bill away. A little later, a new bill arrived and it was MORE than the first one! That irked me; I just paid the second bill, which had somehow grown to an even fifty bucks for the two of us with no specific itemization, threw on the ten buck tip, and left in a moderately foul mood. The coupon really wasn't a deal-breaker for us - as I said we're sporadic customers of the place - but this was a bit over the top. We enjoyed our meals but as stated above were a bit perturbed by the service. I'll continue to visit once in a while, but it isn't much further to hit the Guru Palace or several other nice places in the area.
(3)
Alia C.
This place is really good! I'm from la but have a sis who lives in Irvine so she brought my mom and sissy here and boy were we impressed. Variety for vegetarians and non vegetarians... Food is fresh, Tasty and service Is very fast and efficient. They keep bringing fresh food. It gets pretty busy so prepare to wait a bit but well worth it. They try their best to accommodate everyone in a timely manner. Will definitely be hitting this place up again soon. =] overall must try if your in the area!
(4)
M.B. R.
For the past few months. my husband and I have gotten food from here. For the most part the food is ok, but there've been several issues. First off, when you order to go, the containers are not well sealed and by the time the food gets home, it's soaked through the bag. Secondly, they add bread on the top of the food, than drop in the sauces, which breaks the thin breads, leaving a bunch of pieces of bread in the bag Thirdly, when you order on line, no matter what time it says it'll be ready, always add an extra 15-20 minutes, so if the order says it'll be ready in 30 minutes, and you get there in 30, it will NOT be ready and you'll just have to sit and wait. Finally and this is the reason i'm frustrated tonight. I really craved Indian food and was looking forwards to this for weeks. Finally I ordered it and came home. The chicken tandoori, which i really like was completely RAW. like pink and bloody on the inside. I'm pretty disgusted by this. I'll be looking for other Indian places from now on.
(2)
N C.
Good value for lunch buffet, even for vegetarians. For $8.99 you get about 3-4 veggie dishes, 3-4 meat dishes and 3-4 appetizers along with 4 desserts, endless condiments and fresh hot naan :). Taste is pretty good too.
(4)
Dave B.
I love Indian food so I've been to many Indian restaurants. Of the 4 that I've tried in the Irvine area, this is, so far, my favorite. The selection is good and the flavors are good too. They use an acceptable level of spice (more spicy would be fine with me, but its not so bland that they lose me on that basis). I would recommend it. I eat here at least twice a month.
(4)
Elaine N.
I seriously can't remember the last time I went out for Indian food. When my friend mentioned this restaurant for his birthday, I was totally down!! I'm always a little skeptical when it comes to trying new Indian food places because I know the flavors are very vibrant and sometimes I'm not entirely sure if my stomach can handle it... Nonetheless, my friend insisted that this place would be great, and I'm always up for trying new things. Anyway.. I ordered the Lamb Tikka Masala - lamb marinated in spices and yogurt and blended in curry sauce with a side of Naan and Rice. Wow, this dish was awesome!! I loved the lamb and the flavor of curry sauce, I wish I would have gone medium spicy though... mild was just not cutting it. All of my friends ordered something different, so we got to try lots of dishes. My favorite was probably the Chicken Korma, diced chicken flavored with kashmiri herbs and cooked with yogurt and cream.
(4)
Harold V.
Tried the lunch buffet with a group from work. The food was just OK, nothing outstanding. The selections were limited and those items that were available were mediocre. This won't be a "go-to" restaurant for good Indian food, but the price is very reasonable.
(3)
Caroline D.
I love Indian food and this is by far the best place I have ever been to! I have gone to places in every city I have lived and nothing compares to India Cook House! The Chicken Tikka Masala is amazing, the sauce is very creamy and the chicken is tender. I have tried other dishes as well and have never ordered something I have not liked. The owner is there every time I go and is very friendly! I don't know how anyone could not love this place!!
(5)
Jade C.
The daily Luncheon Buffet (11am-2:30pm and 5-10pm) for $8.99/per person here is a great deal! You get to choose from over 25 items including salad, desert, fruit, tandoori chicken, naan bread, rice, and a bunch of sauces (spinach, chicken marsala, and more). It's not the best Indian food I've tried but it's pretty good. My favorite hot dish is the naan with chicken marsala and the tandoori chicken! The sauce is delicious and the tandoori chicken is well seasoned. I really love their rice pudding desert! I would advise you to not come here during rush hour. I came here around 1:30pm on a Friday and the place still was half full but everyone had already gotten their food so there was no line to wait in. I can easily see how someone can get frustrated if they had to wait in line for the buffet.
(4)
B G.
so went here as my dinner date wanted Indian food. We had the veggie samosa as an app. They came out hot on the outside but still cold on the inside. Fail. We got the chicken tandori and chicken korma. It was serviceable. Nothing too memorable about it. I wouldn't be thrilled if someone asked me to eat here again. Naan was good though! Oh and beware of parking during the busy times as this center gets super packed.
(2)
Olivia G.
I've been looking for an Indian restaurant in the Irvine area that matches the quality of the one I miss back in England, without a massive price tag, and I've finally found it. Loved this place, friendly staff with attentive yet unobtrusive service, great food. Had dinner rather than the buffet lunch. Three main courses, rice and naan, two beers, under $50. First of many trips!
(5)
Brad M.
Food was good, but service was awful. I was eating dinner by myself. Restaurant wasn't very busy, yet it took 15 minutes for them to take my order. It then took about 20-30 minutes for my food to show up. Unfortunately, they brought just a platter of chicken even though I had ordered a combo. The waiter said the rest would be right out. Ten minutes later, he brought naan. Vegetables took another 10-15 minutes. When they finally brought the bill, they tried charging me for everything a la carte ($35), not the combo I ordered ($13). After about five minutes of waiting for them to bring the corrected bill, I got up and walked over to their counter area so I could pay and leave. I didn't intend to spend anywhere near this much time on dinner, so it pretty much ruined my plans for the evening.
(2)
Angela C.
Lunch buffet 7 days a week from 11am-2:30pm. They have not changed the lunch buffet price in at least the last 5+ years we've been going. A lot of options to choose from for a reasonable $8.95 which includes Naan which you can choose plain or garlic. The hubby and I have been to several Indian buffet places in Orange County and this is still our favorite spot due to food quality, options & flavor. We like variety and we're cheap, so we stick to lunch rather than going for dinner. If one of these days they decide to offer dinner buffet, I'm sure we'll start visiting in the evening. There's something about Indian buffet though...perhaps because it's AYCE but more so I think it's because of all the spices, but the hubby and I always get FOOD COMA and end up passing out & napping for several hours after we get home. We often times are so full that we end up not eating dinner. Sometimes we've even skipped breakfast so that we can eat more. So if you think about, we're kind of getting 3 meals for the price of 1. Now that's a great deal. Woot woot! Tip: If you go on a weekday, then I suggest going early for the freshest food. Ideally it's best to go during the weekend since it's a lot busier therefore the food is turned over more quickly.
(4)
Jen H.
We had such a terrible experience here. Literally waited an hour for our food and when it came it was mediocre at best. The curries lacked flavor and our paratha was burnt. Really disappointed.
(1)
Ronjini M.
I've been here many many times over the past 5-8 years and always been about the same. It has a great priced brunch. The food is predictable, but good. The servers are funny and nice, but maybe that's just because I'm Indian. There's an older gentleman that speaks like 5 languages, Bengali is one of them (the one I speak). I generally find this is great for groups, we can all have what we want and don't have to spend an arm and a leg. I have definitely had better Indian food, but they set a pretty good standard for what you should expect in and Indian restaurant. Lunch time special is $8.95, can't beat it.
(3)
Alan B.
We had a perfectly mediocre meal highlighted by: watery chicken tikka masala served with a stingy quantity of chicken, so-called rack of lamb that arrived with most of the heart of the chops removed ("there's nothing wrong with them, that's the way they come") and tasteless bengan bharta. The onion kulcha and vegetable biriyani were actually pretty good.
(1)
Angel Q.
Came here on the weekend, but I feel like the food isn't too fresh. Maybe its not the freshness, but I felt that something is missing. Maybe its because I've had better tasting Indian food else where. I think this place is authentic though, which is what I liked. Its not bad for a buffet, and I won't mind coming back occasionally. My favorite dessert that I remember was the donut hole fried dough dipped in sugary syrup. The service is very good and I had a very good experience here. The reason I put a 3 star is because the actual buffet food didn't quite impressed me. Its not bad of course, it just didn't impress me or was very memorable.
(3)
Gabriel S.
Nice atmosphere and a well-priced, varied buffet during lunch time. Dinner menu is even better, though pricier. The service is mediocre, but the food is good enough that it's forgivable. The palak paneer, tandoori chicken, naan, and all the Indian cold basics are top notch.
(5)
Roger R.
Whenever my boyfriend and I find ourselves in Irvine during lunch, we thank the lord for this place and rush our booties over to their selection of awesome buffet styled food. I usually HATE buffets because food is poor quality but not this place. I LOVE everything they have, especially the chicken makhni and those dessert cheese balls thing. Definitely our go-to place when we're hungry! All the other Indian Buffets that we been to do not compare to this place.
(5)
Surya V.
The food is good enough but I felt like an intruder the whole time I was there. It could probably be because the waiter at the front door gave me a nod instead of pointing me to a table, it could be the guy who asked me "you're only one right??" while pouring me some water after I signaled to him, it could be the fact that they did not clear the plates off my table the whole time I was there, it could be because I was never offered naan while the neighboring table got seconds, it could be because I said 'thank you' first after paying the bill or it could be the fact that the waiter checked how much I tipped right in front of me. The dessert was excellent though.
(2)
John K.
India cook house is the best indian restaurant. Mr. Singh is a cool owner and always enjoys serving us. Other waiters like manny and shiv were also really good and fast. The food is awesome. The indian buffet has so many items on it and it was all so good especially the chicken makhni spinach lamb paneer and more. The dinner has many awesome selection and the owner and waiters always recommend. I personally love the chicken tikka masala, aloo gobi, lamb, paluck paneer and alot more. Every time i have a chance to come to irvine i drop by to india cook house
BOY I must've gone on a bad day or something because every other review here is super positive. I stopped in here for a quick bite. It was kinda late.... around 1.40pm. The restaurant still had around 5-7 tables eating or getting ready to leave. The person who led me to a table, led me to a dirty table. I couldn't understand why since there were a bunch of already set up tables all over the restaurant, but he HAD to lead me to a dirty table where he made me wait while he cleared it and then replaced the soiled tablecloth with a clean one. I informed him I was having the buffet and promptly walked off while he set the table. I filled my plate with a little of everything and returned to find cutlery, a glass of water and an unclean napkin waiting for me. There were spots of food on the napkin. I started to motion for someone and then changed my mind. It was already a bad start and I just wasn't in the mood to be argumentative seeing it was late, I was hungry and I had a lot of stuff on my agenda for the rest of the afternoon. The food tasted average, some were good like the spinach, the dahl, the cauliflower pakora and a fish pakora thing. The only problem was, everything was at room temperature even though the buffet trays are supposed to keep everything warm at best. Even the naan the server plopped on my table was at room temperature and didn't taste like it was freshly baked. I'm not sure if I would return even though at $8.95, the selection was pretty good. For the same price, I got an outstanding buffet at Dosa Place in Tustin where everything was piping hot and the complimentary dosa was made fresh, unlike the naan at India Cook House. Perhaps a la carte would've been better, or even, if I had gone in there earlier, maybe the food would've been warm or tasted fresher. However, the key to running a successful buffet is to have the food taste the same no matter what time your customer walks through the door. Throughout my meal I was torn between whether or not I should leave a "You've Been Yelped" card on the table. Considering I don't really have many (I was lucky to scrounge some of Jenny J's) to begin with, I ran it over and over in my head and in the end, didn't leave one. By the looks of things, it doesn't matter what kind of meal I had, or what kind of service I received. It seems this place was popular before I ever went there and probably will remain so regardless.
(2)
Richard T.
Lunch is the bomb, a much better value than dinner. Full lunch buffet for $8.99. Get there before noon so you don't have to wait because the line gets very long. As you walk in, you get seated and immediately get in the buffet line. The meat dishes here are very good. I had the Chicken Tikka Masala, Tandoori chicken, and the Lamb shanks. The veggie dishes are also very good. I had: Aloo Gobi (Calliflower), Saag Aloo, and Veggie Korma. But what sealed the deal was the garlic Naan with the Mint/Mango chutney. The dessert is typical, but you probably won't have room for it anyway.
(4)
Dave L.
The lunch buffet here is excellent. The food is fantastic with multiple choices to pick from. Make sure you come hungry because it is all you can eat. One thing to watch out for is how crowded it gets during the week around lunch time. Get there early. The desserts are excellent. One of my favorite places to go if I'm really craving Indian food and hungry.
(5)
Resh A.
The food here is so good! I love the chicken tikka, lamb keema samosaS, and lamb or chicken kabobs, oh and the garlic naan- mm!! The service is okay and not very friendly so I normally like to do take-out.
(4)
chris b.
Why 5 stars? Maybe I just don't know any better since I have only been to two Indian restaurants, but the food here is pretty f-ing delicious. It's right up there with the authentic food I had at my friend Rahul's house a while back. Chicken tiki marsala is the way to go for the non-native eater in general and its artery clogging goodness is amazing here. The sauce is good on everything. Chicken, rice, nan, everything. The food goes great with India's nationally treasured King Fisher beer. I like to roll here with Taylor A-L and friends on Friday nights to get our carb on. We pretty much pig out, swear loudly and rabberrouse amongst the mature couples and sophiticated yuppies that seem to have a tendency to go on dates here. We tend to order things here as spicy. One time my friend Kan tried to order extra spicy and the convo went something like this: Kan: Extra Spicy please: Waiter: Extra spicy too spicy, just regular spicy. Kan: I like spicy food though Waiter: This too spicy Kan: Then who orders the extra spicy? Waiter: Me. Kan: Fine. regular spicy then. As it turned out I recall Kan did find the regular spicy to be quite spicy.
(5)
Kevin F.
Buffet! Ugh, the name strikes fear into my heart. The thought of buffet always leaves me conflicted as I try to balance getting my money's worth with staying fit and trim. And then sometimes buffets are hit or miss as a place might balance quality with quantity. However, the price is right at Indian Cook House. Come on dowwwnnnnn! For about $11, there was a solid and flavorful selection! Suprised was I! The fruit was fresh, the rice was chewy (how I like it), and the chickens and lamb (the meat part is what I care most about) was juicy and soft to eat. The meats proved so good that I went back a second time and just got a plate of meat. Sadly, it seems like a whole family of chickens had to die for my sake. But yeah, what an awesome buffet for the price. Its a bit hidden though, in the corner of the Hertiage plaza, right by Caspian, but its worth the hunting.
(4)
Sonia M.
A lot of Indian restaurants have a tendency to be tragically inconsistent. A place that delivers delicious food one day, will be mediocre the next. That's why India Cook House, although a little rough around the edges, is still, in my opinion, a solid OC Indian restaurant. I was quick to assume India Cook House would be the same sad story, but so far, so good. The ambiance can be a little interesting, not to mention the mismatched decor and socially awkward staff- but if you can get passed that, you can enjoy a delicious meal for an affordable price. We always get a tandoori dish and a few starters to begin, but everyone does things a little differently. The chicken seekh kabob is solid- I order it every single time. Most of their tandoori dishes are good. The chicken tikka is delicious also. If you are a little more adventurous- try it a little spicier. The main dishes that have been consistently good for me are: Murgh Makhani, Palek Paneer, Veggie Korma and Paneer Masala. I also recommend the daal makhani if you like lentils.
(4)
Sandra S.
Alright let's make this simple: Ambience-1 star Service-1.5 stars Food-5 stars I must admit that I'm a newbie to Indian food and Indian restaurants so I really don't know what's out there but if this place can make me a fan of Indian food after being resistant to it for eons, I'd have to say it's pretty darn good. The naan is to die for. Try the garlic naan, it is divine.
(4)
Derrick G.
3 stars = A-OK That is exactly how I feel about this place. It must because I am one of those rare few that went here for dinner instead of the lunch buffet. There were four of us here for dinner on a Sunday night and everyone ordered a dish to their liking and we still ended up sharing some with everyone else. There were two orders of the veggie malai - one medium and one hot. Unfortunately there must be a fine line between hot and medium because the hot had an immediate in your face spiciness and the medium left you wanting just a little more kick. Another friend went with the veggie korma - medium spicy and I would give it the same critique on the spicy factor. I was the only one that went with some meat by getting the lamb tikka masala. I must say, I think i figured out why everyone else opted for some veggies - mine didn't have any. So in conclusion, I think on a normal family style circumstance, I would have to mix up getting a veggie dish and a meat dish so that I can get my fill of each. The curries all had good flavor. I wish that this place would take the same hint from most other indian places and not charge for having naan with your indian food. Its almost like going to a chinese restaurant and not getting rice with your meal. Speaking of chinese, you might end up with better service at a chinese place than this indian restaurant. The service is lacking and they came back several times to try to grab our bill while we were talking and even picked up the bill and looked to see if we "hid" the credit card under it. So yeah... when they packaged up the food, they must have thought we all wanted to share the leftovers and that both couples lived together because they separated 2 curries and put two of them in the same container. Still doesn't make sense to me. oh well... maybe a try for the lunch buffet instead.
(3)
S. A.
If you go during their lunch buffet hours; you'd love it. Plenty of items - yummy items. However if you go during their dinner time, you'd better have a group of friends with you because most of their items are good for sharing, so if you go alone you will be stuck with one item that seems a lot of only one thing. Their menu is not like ehhh most American restaurants where each plate come complete with several items in it. You get the picture. No Pork or Beef here. only chicken, lamb and seafood. The food is good (really spicy though) but go during their buffet hours and you won't be disappointed. Remember to try their Feature dessert (Gulab Jamun). Otherwise grab 3 or 4 of your buddies and go for the exotic dinner, where each of you can order different items and share it.
(4)
Mico C.
Red chicken tandoori, orange chicken masala. yellow potatoes, white rice pudding. Clay oven delicacies include: jumbo shrimp, seekh kabab, lamb tikka with curry sauce- vindaloo, jalfrezi, korma and makhni. real cutlery and glass, that's class. Birds are prepared in a clay oven (tandoor)- the result: crispy outsides, tender insides. Seasoned with cayenne pepper, red chili powder and yogurt. The invention of Kundan Gujral from Peshawar (1947). Masala (sauce mix) is made of tomato, coriander, coconut cream, turmeric, and paprika. Next to Caspian, Curry House & Mochilato
(4)
Justin W.
Asked my friend from India where the best Indian food around was and he turned me onto this place... I went at like 9:30 one night like 30 mins before they close to get a togo order after work... The staff was extremely welcoming and friendly offered me a drink while I waited for my togo etc definitely a great experience... Then I got home with the food I got a mixed grill with fish lamb chicken beef it was AMAZING everything cooked to perfect spiced mmmm yum.. also Chicken Tikki and a Chicken Tikki Masala.. their rice and Nan bread was sooooo delicious wow... they also give you free cracker type bread with a spicy and a sweet dip... I literally have no complaints about this place I only want more.
(5)
Anita C.
Love me some India Cook House lunch buffet. The number of dishes is plentiful. Lamb? Check. Chicken. Check. Mushroom masala. Check. So much tastier and a better deal than Clay Oven. Not the best ambiance, but the food more than makes up for it. My big clunker can't squeeze into the narrow parking spots near the restaurant so I have to park further away. Good way to walk off all that food.
(4)
Black X.
If you live within ten miles, or wear Depends feel free to eat here. If not be prepared to stop every few exits to run for your life or to clean your soiled shorts. After eating your stomach might begin to growl. This will not mean that you are hungry. This is a warning. For some reason Tandoori Chicken, fried vegetable fritters, mango chutney, and rice pudding do not mix very well after ingestion. It also doesn't help being served by a rude staff--with the exception of the 6'4" giant Indian Manager who is always nice. He needs to take his waiters out back and kick their ass--then drag them over to The Clay Oven for customer service training. So overall--the food is pretty good for the short time it will be with you.
(3)
Yong Oh C.
I had the lamb vindaloo and my friend got the aloo gobi. The vindaloo was watery, bland, and not spicy at all. Same story with the aloo gobi: bland and flavorless. The lighting here is too dim in my opinion. I like the vibrant colors of indian food (especially masala), but the dim lighting doesnt help bring out the color, failing to make the food visually appetizing. It would have been one star but the service was very attentive.
(2)
Charlie S.
I come here for the lunch buffet when I'm in the mood for Indian food. Food is amazing, I'm a huge fan of their lamb and chicken tikka masala, I prefer to eat these with their fresh naan! The lamb is meaty and tender, and if you're a fan of bone marrow, you're in luck ;) Scoop out the big bones and often times that marrows just waiting for you to spoon it out! Their chicken tikka masala has never disappointed me, its tomato-ey, creamy, and rich. The chicken is again tender and flavorful. I've NEVER had bad service here, even when they're busy our plates or constantly cleared and waters refilled without being asked. Their fish pakora is OK. Their curried vegetables are awesome- I love the cauliflower and potato combination! Their desserts are a sweet ending: the warm carrot mash-like pudding is sweet and retains a carrot flavor, and their gulaab jamuns (fried milk balls in rose-water) are soft and ooze sweetness. If you're unsure to try it, just do it. They're delicious!
(4)
Mr R.
Wow before you eat here you need to google the OC Restaruant Inspections by the health department. I will never eat here
(1)
Jeremy L.
These guys probably, by far, have the largest buffet selection above Swaad and Clay Oven. I've been here a few times and it gets super crowded. It is good though. I don't know if I like it any more than Swaad or Clay Oven, and feel like if it's crowded here I could just go to either of the others and be fine with it.
(4)
Sandie V.
I think in general, Indian food is a Hit or Miss. In this case, it was ALRIGHT. I got the Chicken Tikka Masalla, which was okay. My friend got the Lamb chops--please do not get! It was super duper dry and puny. =/ Should of stuck with a curry dish?? The garlic nan bread was pretty decent, I liked it because the garlic wasn't too strong. For the price, this place is just OKAY.
(3)
S R.
Love this place for their lunch buffet! Cheap (8.95 per person) and delicious. The service is very good and the owner is always friendly. The food is better than the average Indian food joint and I really like the naan bread as well as the different curries available for their buffet. Never been for dinner - but try the lunch buffet for a taster!
(4)
Gigi M.
Not as good as Saagar but good. Good lunch buffet deal. Love the carrot dessert, helva? Haven't been here for over a year so maybe I shouldn't even be reviewing it!
(4)
Calvin D.
A decent india buffet for lunch for under $10... compared to many other indian lunch buffets i have been to, this place has a huge selection! They had all of my favorites which included samosas, chicken masala, tandoori chicken, lamb shanks... the only thing i wish they had here was some more spicy dishes! I think they had a salad bar too but i wouldn't know because i don't eat salad... I wasn't a fan of the desserts though, because i am a cake and ice cream kinda of person haha The best part was the curry smell wasn't too dominating here so I didn't smell like curry when I came back from lunch... which i'm sure my coworkers appreciated haha
(4)
heather l.
i'm no indian food expert.....but this is my FAVORITE india restaurant....i don't really want to go anywhere else i've been dining at indian cook house for probably over 5 years now...i love their $8.95 daily lunch buffet! i bring a lot of friends by to taste their menu and everyone loves it! dishes i LOVE: mango lassi - not too sweet, very thick and smooth (that's what she said...haha), just the right amount of mango flavor....mmm...i get this every time i go there garlic naan - YUMMMMMMMMM....i think i could eat endless baskets of this (until i get full)....so flakey and chewy....i love the garlic flavor.....i use this to dip in all the different curry sauces....mmmmm..i can't get enough.... tandoori chicken - mmmmmmmmmm cooked to perfection...nice and juicy legs (i really only like eating drumsticks on chickens...it's handheld!)....amazing flavor lamb chops - only problem with these is they don't give you enough.....i inhale these.....sooooo flavorful and juicy chicken tikka masala - i know i know...typical dish an "american" would order....but who cares??? it's freakin GOOD......i love pouring the sauce over rice and dipping my garlic naan into it.....i NEVER waste any of the sauce...i actually think i could be happy just eating the sauce and don't even need the chicken PS parking is super sh***y there....all the spaces are really really tiny....trust me..your car will fit in between the lines but you might be concerned about not being able to get in and out of your car, and definitely be worried about people dinging your doors.....there's a persian super market and persian restaurant in the same lot...so it's pretty packed most of the time we had the buffet today and i don't remember the names of all the curries.....the lamb one was had a nice spicy kick to it....i loved the cheese in the vegetable one....and the chicken one looked and tasted similar to the tikka masala.....the vegetable samosa and pakora were delicious....wasn't a fan of the desserts except for the yogurt fruit cocktail.....the rice pudding and the ball one have a ginger flavor to it and i'm not a fan of ginger i also love how majority of the guys that work there are indian....i don't know...i just like it when people of the same ethnicity as the restaurant cuisine work there...so far...i've loved their service....they're very quick and efficient....keep our water glasses filled....some of them recognize me and give me a friendly hello and smile....i also notice that they clear out plates quickly as well... feel free to share "better" indian restaurants...i'm always looking to try something amazing.....for everyone else.....try out their buffet!!!!!! i really do love this place....and after having their buffet...go in for dinner and order off their menu...mmmmm...=)
(5)
Faisal L.
The best authentic Indian food in Socal. Service is friendly, food is amazing, specially the Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer and the Lamb curry. Afternoon buffet is unparalleled - less than $10 for high quality food and dessert.
(5)
Robert W.
Great lunch special and amazing mushroom masala. Waiters could be more energetic, one of them was giving me a real zombie vibe.
(4)
Josh K.
This place is pretty gooooooooooooooooooooood.
(4)
Ashley D.
Good, but there are way better places in the area.
(3)
Ash L.
Located in a busy shopping center just off the 5, India Cook House looks like it is a small place from the outside, but using Time Lord technology its actually bigger on the inside - I think the use of mirrors helps. They have a buffet lunch, but this review is strictly based on dinner service. They can fit a bunch of people into this place, and yet it still feels intimate when you are at you table. It's decorated very nicely with a toned down (tasteful) Indian theme, which I appreciate. The wait staff is also very professionally dressed and all look very sharp, adding to the nice atmosphere. The food is very well priced and I was impressed with the portion size. I see lots of people leaving with doggie-bags, and I have had plenty left over myself. The food is really great and comes out hot. I like my Indian food SUPER mild (I am a wimp) and I was very happy that my dish was served at my spice level. One minus is that the staff is not in a hurry. Especially if it is busy, it takes a while to get a server over to your table. I had to ask several people for my check last night - I was in a hurry, and they weren't. Other than that, I'm a fan.
(4)
Hannah J.
My Indian friend introduced me to this place my freshman year and it has been my favorite Indian restaurant that I've been to so far. The buffet is ALRIGHT, but if you come here for a regular meal... you can close your eyes and you're transported to India.. no joke. The tikka masala is DELICIOUS and so is the mater paneer :) garlic naan is always DELICIOUSSSSSS. Just a quick tip: Apparently in Indian culture, it's rude to call the waiters -- they will check up on you periodically to make sure everything is okay, then again you can't expect everyone in America to know how to comport them self in an Indian restaurant.
(4)
Sue T.
This is my default place for Indian food in OC. It's a small location but with full of good food and friendly service. The chai is great and they're very generous with it too. I was introduced to this place by one of my friends who's a big foodie (mind you, this girl knows her indian food as she's probably been to india more often than me :) and the place definitely served the purpose. I've had everything from chana masala to baingan bhartha and liked them all. Will have to go back sometime soon.
(4)
Dena D.
We went for dinner on a Sunday night. I was happy with the selections on the menu (many delicious sounding appetizers.) We ended up with some vegetable pakora, which were very good. The portion size was actually huge! For the main dish we had Chicken Tikka Masala and Chana Shaag, as well as some garlic naan. While I thought the chicken in the CTM was good, the sauce was a little sweet for my taste. The Chana Shaag, however, was a little bland, and I ended up mixing in a lot of coriander chutney. But, overall, Ienjoyed my India Cook House experience, and the price was decent. What keeps me from giving them that 4th star was the service. It was SLOWWWWWW (and there was basically no one in the place. ) I would definitely go back for another try. With such a small sampling of dishes my first time out, I think I would like to go back for the lunch buffet to see what their star dishes might be.
(3)
Bridgette A.
Came here for a business lunch with colleagues... generally enjoyed our time. As usual, I ate way too much at their buffet, but it was because the food was quite tasty. I have to say, I think I liked this better than the indian food I've had in Artesia, which surprised me. However, it still was not 5-star worthy. It was delicious, but not knock-your-socks-off great. A bonus was that we ended up staying in there for a looong time and the staff was great about it... they didn't rush us out or anything. I'd recommend it, and I'd head back if I was in the neighborhood.
(4)
D R.
I LOVE India Cook House, but just a warning...if you're going to the buffet, you better go with an empty stomach. Also, don't make any intense plans after the buffet, you will be sooo full and sooo sleepy. zzzzz... As far as best vegitarian items to order outside of the buffet (see here: indiacookhouseoc.com/ima… ), you can't go wrong with any of the creamier savory curries like malai kofta and shahi paneer (this is my current fave!). If you want something with less sauce, but still a lot of flavor, go with the mushroom masala. And don't forget to try the palak paneer, it will make you a spinach lover. As far as naan, you don't have to go all out with the garlic naan (and this goes for all indian restaurants) as you're going to have a lot of flavor in the curry dish anyway. But if you want to shell out a little more, go for it, esp if you're a garlic lover :) Desserts (should you have room in your belly) Gulab Jamun is very popular--you'll see it pretty much everywhere. I highly doubt you will not enjoy it, although, be sure to keep a nice tall glass of water around as it can be quite sweet. Kheer is a fave of mine. Think rice pudding so it has a lighter sweetness than gulab jamun and is quite refreshing after a heavy meal. If you want something more like an ice cream, go for some pista kulfi--another fave.
(5)
Yuka K.
BIG EEK. I am freaked out, perturbed, disgusted, scared. OK first off, I ate here last night, and of course, the meal was delicious, the mango lassi was yummy with hints of pineapple, and C said his Karahi Gosht was awesome. On the way out, I heard big clanging in the kitchen, which is behind the blacked-out windows adjacent to the main dining room, and faces the parking lot. I looked in that direction, and down at the shin-level grate area beneath the blacked-out windows... and gasped. There were two FULL serving trays of meaty curried something on the kitchen FLOOR maybe on a mat, behind the grate. I could poke my fingers through and touch. C mumbled, "LET'S GO. I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT OR I'LL BARF." Because it looked like what he had just eaten. FYI-- OC code allows restaurants to prepare large quantities, and to cool in containers 6" off of the floor... but so close to the gusty foot traffic and ground level debris from the parking lot is worrisome. I suggest you pay attention to this grate area before entering. If I do ever get over this, I certainly will take a look into the kitchen first, and secretly go without C, because he's done.
(1)
Rose T.
This place used to be great back in the day but they have slowly gone downhill and i really don't enjoy a lot of their dishes. None of them are very flavorful compared to really good indian food. If you want great indian food check out some of the places in tustin. The selection is very slim for vegetarians sometimes during the lunch buffet.
(2)
Kenneth G.
I have been coming here for years and I think this is *the best Indian food in Orange County*! Period. End of story. The food is consistently good and is ver reasonably priced. I think that their lunch buffet is probably one of the best I've had at this price point. They even offer garlic naan now with the lunch buffet and I was very pleased about that. Their dessert bar (for the buffet) is just rock in'. I always have the gulab jamun and the carrot pudding -- they are sweetened *just right*. Either can be spoiled by having it be too syrupy sweet. And the gulab jamun is never hard or leathery. I obviously cannot say enough good things about this place. I use this as my go to when I have "Indian virgins" or those that think they "don't like it." I've got a good track record on this tactic here! If you love your Indian food like I do, make the time to eat here. You'll be very glad you did!
(5)
Naomi M.
Delicious~! I love the flavorful food here. The chicken Tandoori is amazing! I also like the Indian music in the background! It adds to the whole experience. :)
(5)
Garth R.
I use to frequent this place when they were in the Entertainment Guide since my friend is a fan of that guide. I loved the Chicken Tikka Masala, the creamed spinach, and the fresh nan. Their mango lassi is is good and the fluffy rice with "saffron" is so palatable. Unfortunately, I have a story about this place which kills my rating... One week night evening we were there having dinner and while we were waiting for our dinner to be served a cockroach crawled across the table. I could not believe it and I would probably never have noticed the fast little mofo but my friend trapped it in their cloth napkin. He asked me what to do and I said tell the staff! He flagged a wait staff and said "I have a little friend in my napkin you need to dispose of". Needless to say, I would have stated it a bit differently. The wait staff took the napkin from my friend and proceeded to open it, I'm assuming because he did not understand wtf my friend was telling him. Luckily, the little bugger did not escape but he closed that napkin real fast and ran away with it. Now, one would think, even if the staff thought we planted that little bugger, they should have offered some compensation. They offer nothing but an apology and it was a poor one at that. I wish I could get over this incidence, but it is stuck in my head, cause I really want to go back for the masala.
(1)
Mike S.
I've been here for both lunch and dinner. Lunch, just make sure you get in early as it can get packed, and the food is fresher (just my experience). However, I am a huge fan of their dinner items, particularly their vegetable korma and malai kofta. As far as punjabi cuisine goes, the variety is excellent and accommodates both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. I definitely recommend giving it a try.
(4)
Jon T.
I've been here twice for their all you can eat buffet, it's a pretty good deal but I always tend to dissapoint my cheap asian side and fill up on rice, but it's just because i LOVE rice with chicken tikki masala. the chicken tikki here was a lot sweeter than most places i've been to in the past but its neither better or worse, just different. Their garlic naan is pretty good to dip in the curries and most items are pretty good! They also have fruits in the buffet, and all for just around 10/11 bucks a person with tip! not bad at all! I definitely knocked out after i got home from intense food coma, but i'd do it all over again! :)
(4)
Jewel A.
I usually go to Artesia to get real Indian food, but I was craving for Indian and was headed to Tustin so I stopped here for the lunch buffet. What a mistake... The chicken curry: chicken was very dry and very hard to chew. The sauce tasted strange... The basmati rice: hard and dry... The naan: very oily and flavorless... The tandoori chicken: strong red food coloring... I couldn't even finish one plate...what a waste! This place is located on a strip mall, so far less attractive than the streets of Artesia. The only reason I gave 2 stars instead of one is because the service was friendly...
(2)
Christine J.
My absolute favorite indian buffet place in orange county. Whenever I get the cravings for some gooooood authentic indian food, I bee-line it for indian cook house. Their food is amazing and they have all the classics. Their desserts - they are half the reason I come here! I practically eat just to get to dessert. They have rice pudding, mango pudding, the sugar dough balls and the carrot sweets (so sorry I have no clue what they are actually called). The staff isnt always the friendliest but who cares? You came for the grub!! Almost always enough seating unless you come in during rush hour which is surprising since you get the linch buffet of your life for only $9!! I can never stand up straight after I leave cuz my nelly is so full of delicious Indian happiness.
(4)
Saloni M.
This place is delicious!!! Very rich Indian food made to your taste. The service is fabulous and the prices are reasonable.... Garlic naan and onion kulchas yummmmm I've been going to this place for past 10 years....can't go wrong
(5)
Travis C.
I've been to 10 different Indian buffets in OC and this is the BEST one! And definitely the best in Irvine. The buffet meats are wide in variety and cooked very well!
(5)
Eko K.
One of my favorites indian restaurant to go to. The brunch is amazing, has a lot of variety of dishes.
(5)
Shan C.
Best indian buffet I've been to ever. Staff was really alert and on point with naan and water. A buffet that was $8.95 with chicken briyani and a lot of meat dishes...wow!
(5)
Mike P.
It's official, Indian curry in Irvine sucks. It must be catered for the customer's taste buds. For dinner my friend ordered a lamb curry that was supposed to have the "chefs secret ingredients" while I ordered the plain lamb curry. His was ordered hot while mine was ordered medium. Both of ours tasted almost the same, bland and not really spicy (his seemed like it had a little tomato flavor in it). The lamb was moist but not super flavorful, it just tasted just like the curry, bland, without the lamb itself having any contributing flavor. My other friend got the chicken tikka masala, which came out red. In my experience, the best chicken tikka masala is usually an orange and brown color, with the curry being a little oily. His tasted like a lot of cream and stretched with tomato paste or something. I didn't even ask to try his chicken. The differences in chicken tikka masala may be due to differing cuisines between the regions that I'm ignorant about, but I do know what I like and why. Indian curry is supposed to be super flavorful with lots of spices, most of the spots in Irvine I've tried so far fall flat. The good was the naan, which was soft and a good size. I prefer my naan to be soft and fluffy vs thin and crispy which some places do. They also give you this thin crispy bread that you put this green stuff and orange jam with. Seriously, if you were to buy anything here, you should buy this if you can. 15 bucks for curry, rice, that appetizer bread thing, naan and curry. Way overpriced for less than mediocre food. Check out Nina's Indian grocery in Lake Forest. Although it's set up like a panda express, there's less emphasis on trying hard to look like a legit restaurant and just providing good food. It's a more casual dining experience at a much cheaper price for way better food. Check out that spot, avoid this place.
(2)
Mi G Y.
Onion Kulcha (naan) is the best I've had in Irvine. The food was good but it took about twenty minutes to prepare. If you want something a little spicy, don't order MILD, in the restaurant, it means NOT SPICY AT ALL. Maybe next time I will ask for little spicy, rather than mild. The food is better, even with the sweet curry like Malai, phlegm generated in my throat after the meal was much less than in Annapoorna ( I guess Annapoorna uses sweeteners other than sugar in the sauce). I am happy that I visit this restaurant because Annapoorna had a long line of customers.
(4)
Teshia O.
The food is amazing & the staff are very helpful!!!! I highly recommend this restaurant if you like Indian food!
(5)
Johnson L.
In the Costa Mesa area? Craving some genuine and great tasting food? Want a great bargain on a lunch buffet? Come here and don't waste any time thinking about it. The atmosphere is more upscale than some other Indian buffets and the food here is top notch. They even have lamb shank! Everything else from their curry chicken to naan is very good. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Edwin D.
Good food, but not the best Indian food I have ever had. If I am in the area, I would eat there again. But I would not go out of my way to return. The service is good and the food is what I would expect from a buffet style restaurant.
(4)
Arash M.
Went for the buffet and I mean you cant ask for more for the price they gave but it was okay at best. The atmosphere was very old with a popcorn ceiling and such but the food was not to bad. One thing that made me upset was that the waiters pretty much have 2 jobs. Get water and nun. They were not doing those 2 jobs in a timely matter. Bang for your buck if youre going to the buffet.
(3)
Andrew L.
Lunch buffet $8.95. They serve a decent variety that includes rice, chicken masala, chicken curry, lamb, fried fish. I've only eaten here for the lunch buffet. Also the buffet deal is everyday which is a plus Verdict: food is pretty good. It's authentic Indian food that is served warm and fresh, which isn't always the case with buffets. Chicken masala is one of y favorites. It's got a creamier sauce. While the chicken curry has got a kick. The chicken curry could be better tho. It's not too creamy. More of a liquid consistency but I'm a little biased cuz I'm normally a fan of Thai curry. Another plus. You expect these places to be stubborn and rude. Think again. Servers and staff are friendly, welcoming and attentive. Did I mention you get garlic naan brought to your table too? Just for fun, here's a punny joke: sCURRY on down to India cook house. Pay NAAN attention to other reviews. Food is decent. Pretty good. Service is satisfactory
(4)
Rajeev S.
Plus-Price-Price-Price!!, much better Indian food compared to other Indian Joints,good seating,etc Cons-Parking,Waiters and general tidiness of the hotel.Its kinda stinky inside...and some of the dishes can be made better...
(3)
Nick H.
Bargain and Old School! India Cook House is a Staple! Back in the very ealry 2000's, Irvine was still relatively new at the "corporate" setting. There were not too many places around for Indian food, yet alone a buffet. Yup, this place sports many countless memories of the "extended lunch" for me. Old School to say the least. This place still manages to put out a decent buffet. Not the best and not the worst..but pretty good for the area. I am not sure about the Indian population in the area, but this place is a toned down restaurant compared to others in such areas as Artesia and Cerritos. Lunch Buffet is your best bet for a pretty good bang (pop) for your buck, Put your spicy dial on low and enjoy a pretty decent meal. Me, I like my curries and I like them strong. 3 Stars and AOK!
(3)
Mike P.
This is the best Indian food around. I have not had better Indian food except in the UK. The Chicken Tikka Masala is amaxing & garlic Nan is great. This is our favorite Indian restaurant.
(5)
Chris K.
Came here for dinner, and it was pretty good. We first ordered some garlic nan. Really yummy. If I could, I would just sit there and eat nan all day! For our entrees we ordered Chicken Tikka Masala. I think everyone recommends this dish (and I can see why). Although I wish they gave a little more chicken in the dish. We also ordered this tofu plate, but I don't remember what it's called. I tried looking on the menu on their website, but could not find it. (If I ever find out, I will re-edit this post.) For dessert we ordered three different ones and just split them all. 1. Gulab Jaman (indian cheese ball). Don't let the american translation fool you. I don't think there was cheese in it...(i could be wrong though). It was more like a soggy doughnut. Soggy because they drench it in this sweet syrup like liquid. It was a cinnamon taste. 2. Kulfi (pistachio ice cream)- Interesting texture for ice cream. But I think this was my favorite dessert of the night. 3. Kheer (rice pudding)- They put way too much rose in this dish. Overpowering! But if you like the taste of rose, you might like it. Prices are decent and they give you a good amount of food.
(3)
Bara T.
Had a craving for Indian food, so last weekday stopped by for the buffet lunch. Since I was by myself, and being female, it was hard to get noticed to be seated, I don't know, I was just ignored. After waiting for like 10 minutes, I just left and went to Trader Joe's to get some frozen spinach paneer and head back to the studio for a microwave lunch.
(2)
Andrew T.
A friend had shown me this place and was not disappointed. The chicken tikka masala was one of the best I have ever had. It was a bit more creamy that I am used to and I loved it. The samosas were alright. We ordered the lamb ones and I was surprised it only had lamb in it. The naan was fresh and a perfect compliment to the curry dishes. The service was not the best, but the very tall man who seems to be the manager was very friendly. My party definitely over-stayed but he would come by with a smile making sure we were content. The ambiance is great, maybe even a little too dim as I saw the table next to us use their phone lights to see the menu. Great food, reasonable prices, good service. Definitely will be back for the lunch buffet.
(4)
Mem D.
Chicken korma mild, garlic naan, and a side of samosas. We've been coming here for 10 years now and this never gets old. The best Indian food in the OC!
(5)
Sara Y.
Not the best Indian food out there, but it is certainly great for those new to Indian cuisine, such as me! I first tried Indian food because my friend said this place was where she first tried Indian food as well. This place is always busy for lunch and such a great price for the lunch buffet! We always come in, get 2 waters, and then start loading our plates with curry! The chicken curry, spinach lentil, and the spicy tofu curry are my favorites. I love love love the garlic naan, I could easily go on a carb overload! I also love those goat cheese donuts in honey for dessert as well as the mango pudding with fruit cocktail. I went to other Indian buffets but their mango pudding tasted fake and gross. I prefer the food here compared to other places and this place is the most affordable. I have since then tried other Indian places in Newport Beach which were outstanding but were very pricey! At least here you get a quick fix for cheap! The service is always spotty here but all Asian places have shitty service anyway. You go there for the food, not the service. $8.95 is an awesome deal and other yelpers are right... You also get an immediate bowel movement afterwards for some reason. Anyway, it's a plus I guess, and I feel less guilty about stuffing my face!
(3)
Lily A.
I came for lunch ... AYCE buffet at $8.95 and if you add tax and tip it's around $11! The food is decent. The servers are all male. Hmmmmm...I won't say anything. The tandori chicken is pretty damn tastey. And there is a cheese curry with peas made with homemade cheese which I had seconds because it was that good. It reminded me of tofu. Also the naan is delightful especially with the spinach thingy! Sorry I have no idea what it was called, it just said "spinach" on it. The music is fantastic, although I wish they would bust it louder and start a bollywood dance routine...that would have locked in the 5 star rating for me. So for now India Cook House, I leave with 4 happy stars. Plate 1: yelp.com/user_local_phot… Plate 2: yelp.com/user_local_phot…
(4)
michelle k.
I've heard great things about this place and today was my first visit. I'm in no way an expert w/ Indian cuisine but I do love the spices in their food. The dishes were overall tasty but I was disappointed w/ the bland eggplant and the fish that was sitting out for too long, so the batter didn't hold up. Service could have been better. There's an older gentleman that may not understand English or is very forgetful. I had asked for more naan and straws. He said ok but never came back with it. I had to ask another gentleman but we still never received our naan. They have a mango beverage that is absolutely tasty and worth the try. I saw half the restaurant drinking this so of course, had to try it. The price is amazing, $9/person for the lunch buffet. Definitely worth it. Give this place a try!
(4)
Nancy C.
India Cook House provided food for 40 people for my husbands birthday. Raj took our order and made sure I had everything I needed. Since it was a surprise party we were really tight on the timing and when we arrived to pick up the order everything was ready to go! Everyone commented on how great the food was. We had Chicken Tikka, Veggie Korma, rice and naan. Some people commented that it was the best Indian food they had ever eaten (myself included) and we felt really good at our choice especially given our guests reactions :-) Some of my friends that were at the party are already thinking of calling India Cook House for their next party-I highly recommend them- Hats off to Raj and staff for a great job and to the chef for the delicious food!!!
(5)
Theresa V.
I LOVE India Cook House. I went here when I was in high school and then throughout my UCI days, and now that I have moved back to Orange County, I continue to go here. The food is consistently flavorful, the fresh nan they send out to you as you sit down is always warm and tasty, and the staff and service are great. It's a place to get your Indian fix at a great price!
(4)
G M.
Have been coming here for years but the last two visits have been very disappointing. The food is very good but if they are busy the wait after you order can be as much as an hour!
(3)
Lauren B.
Nothing fancy, dector is a little out dated but the food here is excellent. Chicken tikki masala is super tender and so is the chicken tandori. I have discovered raita here which I LOVE it is a yogurt dipping sauce you use with naan. good stuff, hits the spot. :)
(4)
James J.
I have a five star foe india cook house
(5)
Paul L.
This sad but charming little restaurant tucked away in the corner of Heritage Plaza probably deserves more attention than it gets. On the two separate nights that we ate here, the trickling sounds from the peculiar indoor water fountain were livelier than many of our fellow diners, of which there were not many. But the Chicken Tikka Masala was excellent. Tender and creamy, it's probably one of the better curries that I've had in a while. The Tandoori Chicken was also a standout. The Lamb Palak was less successful, however, for the meat was dry and a little tough to chew. The Palak Paneer could have used more seasoning, but the rest of the vegetable dishes were on point. We especially enjoyed the Raita, which added just the right amount of tartness to balance out our meal. 3.5 stars
(3)
Jennifer T.
This is what I call an Indian restaurant. Daily Lunch special is $8.95. Great variety of spread. Service is good. Orders came pretty quickly. Menu prices are not that expensive. Chiken Tika Masala and Veggie Korma are super delicious! The restaurant is somewhat "dark". But the overall place is very clean. This place gets crowded during dinner time (especially weekend)
(4)
Annie H.
This is one of the best deals for a tasty lunch buffet! Came here because the boyfriend missed Indian food, and both of us left satisfied. I tried everything but the desserts (not a fan of Indian sweets aha). The fried fish was not too oily, but had a lot of batter compared to fish. The tandoori chicken and chicken curry were moist and very flavorful. The samosas were tasty, but the dough was sometimes over fried. Complimentary naan was very tasty and we were given seconds! Ambience was really nice, and service was prompt and friendly. Definitely coming back again!
(4)
Alre H.
Eat It or Beat It? **EAT IT!!** So years back, I was very skeptical about Indian food, profoundly due to the strong curry taste and smell. However, after trying Samosa House in Culver City, my taste buds have completely 180'd. So when I was referred to India Cook House by a family member, I didn't hesitate to try the place out! ICH has a lunch buffet 7 days a week for $8.95 and boy is it worth it! They have many dishes ranging from chicken curry, lamb curry, and their amazing tandoori chicken to unique kinds of dessert! The inside of the restaurant is very nice and has very friendly service! CONCLUSION: EVERY buffet item is very delicious and not too strong tasting or smelling and the crowd is a great mix from white, brown, yellow, and all the way to their own people! So I say, EAT IT!!!
(4)
James D.
$8.95 for an all you can eat lunch buffet that's actually really good. Don't forget to try that mint sauce by the salad bar. You can dip your bread in it. Tasty.
(4)
Kriti J.
delicious food.. I ordered sumting out of the menu... "panner pyaz ki burji"... .. as it ws made 2 order... it ws so yummy.. nd flavour.. of ginger ws so good... on the other hand.. i odered... malai kofta.. they were jus ok in frnt of paneer burji.. luv da food!!
(4)
Lily L.
Food is good. Service is bad. Asked for naan 5 times and nothing. The only thing they actually do and they cannot even do that. 4 waiters standing around starring at you and nothing.
(3)
Qui C.
To be honest, we were looking for Annapoorna. (Where the heck is that place!?) This is really good. $8.99 for lunch buffet with lots to offer. The chicken curry and lamb shank stew were my favorite. The dessert are delicious. The naan is very yummy here, soft and warm.
(4)
Alexis T.
Probably the BEST indian food in the world. the watermelon is my favorite!
(5)
Bree G.
Came here today for the Lunch Buffet! :) Today, I came for the Buffet after seeing on my phone that it got some good reviews on yelp and I was pleasantly surprised at really liking it! The deal-- $8.95 all you can eat is AMAZING. Basically, this is a great opportunity to try tons of yummy Indian food and see what you like best! They have Channa Masala, Samosas, etc. and tons of vegetarian options (which I really appreciated). It's also cool that they have deserts to choose from and also provide naan. I think the service was a little slow due to how popular the place is, there were a lot of people there for lunch and I can see how it can get confusing for the waiters to keep a good eye on the table. Although it was slow, everyone was super nice and my boyfriend and I were not in a hurry, so this was not a problem! :) Everything tasted great and it was a great price, so I'd definitely come again! :) One of my new faves! Just be warned, you will be stuffed when you leave! :D :D :D YAY!!!
(5)
Anand S.
I really couldn't have asked for a better experience. Our server Gagan was extremely helpful and responsive to all of our requests and the food was of the utmost highest quality. If you're looking for a pleasant ambiance, superb north Indian food, and great customer service I highly recommend India cook house.
(5)
L W.
I love this place so much. I've been coming here since I moved to Irvine in 2009, and their dishes have the perfect combination of flavor, texture and spice. The waiters always remember me (even though I only go a few times per year) and are very friendly. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because I wish it was a tad less expensive. The chicken tikka masala and veg. korma are delish!
(4)
Jun C.
Probably one of the best Indian restaurants in OC. Very reasonable price for lunch buffet. Good choices of meat, veggies, deserts, fruits at lunch. I like their chicken the most! Unlike many other Indian buffet out there, chicken in India Cook House is always fresh and juicy. The managers are very polite and comes to your table for refilling water every now and then. They are pretty good in serving and I usually don't even have to ask them to refill my water because they notice ahead and refill my water. When you come in, they guide you to a table and you can choose between garlic and regular naan. Naan is included in the buffet price. I have been a regular in this restaurant and only had one occasion that I wasn't satisfied with their service. When I was guided to a table, a young waiter threw knifes and forks to the table. The knifes and forks bounced off the napkins and disarranged on the table. I didn't tip nicely of course on that day. I should have gotten the waiter's name but I was just in shock mode at that time.
(4)
Lawrence L.
Came here recently on a Sunday for the lunch buffet and was pleasantly pleased that it was still here. I used to come here all the time when I worked closer in Newport Beach. The AYCE lunch buffet is all that I have ever had and there is enough of a variety to satisfy an indian food craving. Not bad for $8.95 per person.
(4)
Vijay R.
India Cook House is my favorite Indian Restaurant ever! I am very picky when it comes to good Indian cuisine because I have such high standards with my mom's cooking. I honestly think she should open up a restaurant. India Cook House was a great find when I was back at UCI. I think they had some sort of coupon in the University newspaper. I have gone for buffets and dinner time, and the quality of food is the same, excellent! They have amazing garlic naan, palak paneer, chana masala, and much more. One thing is if you think you can handle the spice, be cautious. I normally order medium spiced at most Indian or Thai places, but one night I decided to go for the hot spice. My mouth was on fire the entire evening! One last tip is that it may be a little difficult to find the place. If you are going on Culver coming from UC Irvine side, you want to make a right on the last light before the 5 freeway. The restaurant is hidden on the very end corner of the huge shopping plaza.
(5)
Alina M.
I go here for one thing only and so I'm gonna write about that one thing only: my kryptonite--chicken malai--the chicken in coconut sauce. Mind you, this is not like those Thai coconut curries where they're nice and refreshing, no, not at all. This is a ridiculously fatty dish with full Indian flavor, so be warned. But you will also get addicted to the incredibly rich coconut taste. I savor this dish. I almost think of this as chicken coconut frosting that I'm slurping up with my naan. Slurp, slurp, slurp, as it goes to my thighs, my butt, all of my chins. Do I care? Not while I'm in my coconut zone. Truth be told, you can't do more than about five full bites of this before you go into a pleasure coma. And when you take the leftovers out of the fridge, they're congealed solid. Don't overthink it. Just pop it in the microwave, and get it to a liquid state. By the way, they also make lamb malai which is also very, very good--same sauce. But, although I am a lover of all things lamb and all things coconut, I go with the chicken malai on this one. It's divine!!!!!!
(5)
TiffandSai K.
For those who do not want to read thru, here is a breakdown! -1star for being very dirty -2star for horrible food that is nothing but ketchup/spaghetti sauce based -3star non exsitent customer service *TIP save your money and eat elsewhere, and if you take a chance to eat here, then pay w/a cc cause you may be disputing your charge! Yelp needs to offer -(negative) stars, this one would be a negative 3stars here's why. Ok, so my husband and I tried this place out yesterday my husband being indian we have tried almost every indian buffett from La to OC. So I pretty much know what we are looking for,and not! We walk in and are seated next to the wall, don't get too close because everything that everyone has ever ate is on that wall that your elbows are rubbing against gross! ( a gallon of paint is like $15.99 @walmart! I mean let's take some pirde in your establishment!!!) Here's the -2star, the table cloth already had the last persons meal on it ya know how they hang down and you end up wiping your hands on it instead of your napkin; ok so your busy and you don't have the time...NOT! It takes 2 seconds to throw on a clean table cloth! Ok so the most important -3stars THE FOOD! Yuck!! First of all your rice is old and moldey ( hubby being in the rice biz we knew what we were talking about) on my plate was chicken curry: horrible they must've been in a quick hurry because the spices were raw!(1st rule of indian food..cook your spices very well!) I spit it out. Next on my plate of grossness the all time american favorite the Chicken tikka Masala, the pieces of chicken were big chunks of dry unflavorful(most likely because of the fact they were so big and not marrinated enough). And took some water to get down yuck! On to the veggie korma(1 of my favs) this was really nasty, as the 'gravy' if you will tasted exactly like spaghetti o's sauce; korma would normally be made with a buttermilk base and is (typicaly) yellowish in color NOT red! It was so nasty. Last and FINALLY least the baigan bartha(eggplant which would be another fav) well...I can't really describe except to say It was just the thing to make me look at my husband and say let's get the hell outta here! Now all we took 1 bite of everything on our plate never touch the Naan or our drinks, so we went up to the counter and my husband asked for the bill, the man gave it to us and then realized we had just walked in(we were here all about 10min) and he asked if something is wrong, husband said no, but I of course feel the need to express my opinions, yeah I said the food is horrible! He said oh sorry come sit down and we will make you something from menu...don't thinks so, when we refused he said well what's the problem I once again try to express what was wrong w/the food, as I'm doing this the man is charging my credit card WTF!! Our plates did not even look touched. Oh well thats why you pay for things on your cc so if something like this happens you can disput it(which we are doing as I write this!) Lesson for the owners of this....'establishment' get an indian cook book, take a little pride your business and learn some most needed customer service! ***this review was written about a year ago, and just decided to post. We have not been back since nor will we ever!
(1)
Kaung K.
I go to this Indian Cook House often. Environment: It is close to the college and only a few miles away from university, so commute to here is not that bad. It is also located in the compound with other restaurants, ATMs, stores, and shopping markets so there are so many to do before or after you have lunch or dinner here. Service: There is no wait time to be seated at all 99% of the time! Well, I might be making up percentages, so let's make it 98.9999% of the time to be realistic. The same goes for both lunch buffet and dinner. The greeters and servers may look as if they are staring at you, without smiling but let me tell you, very friendly and nice people there! They attend at all your needs from water refills to anything you want promptly. Food (Full Menu and Price Here: indiacookhouseoc.com/men… ): BUFFET. $8.95 Buffet is at a very good price and in my opinion; it's worth it for what you pay for. Must be a personal bias but I'd say if you want to make it really really really REALLLLLY beyond worth it, just go for the food you like, instead of tasting varieties and having yourself full. I always have rice and Chicken Tikka Masala and I get full only after 3-4 mounted plates!!!! Good deal for me! They have varieties of curry and desserts for you to try. There is food for vegetarians too just in case you are curious. Mainly the place is for everyone. No need to worry about being spicy or not too because they're not! You should try all their desserts too! I forgot the names but they're all easy find at the left corner. Rice pudding dessert is good and so are other sweets available there. DINNER: Dinner is not buffet but still at a good range $9-$16 per plate. Don't worry of not getting enough in the plate they serve with! I ordered curry for dinner and got as much as I can eat during the buffet!! Well, not as much but very comparable because I always get full and need to make it to-go! DRINKS: Drinks are not included in the buffet price but you can order for a nominal price. SIDES: Their NAN is pretty good too! You can have many sides from the buffet counter or order separately as well, especially for dinners. Either way, the prices are really good. TABLES: They have tables for from couples to groups; all tables are easy to combine to give you a huge group table too. So, no big deal and no need to worry if you are going with large groups. However, I am not sure if you'll need reservation or not for that many people though. Tables are always clean and have layers of covers to ensure they stay clean in case one group of customers needs to be seated as soon as the previous group left. You can ask for any seats too if they are available to suit you. NOISE: Except for chats, which you can hear as whispers anyways, there is no noise at all; except for the music playing in the background. And no no. Their music is not loud at all, in fact, it's a very soothing music that put you in a peaceful mood while you eat (and socialize with your family or friends). TIP: Well, personally, I make sure I don't drink as much water while there during Buffet hours!! Simply because I want to stuff more food than water! Haha. - Ko (Tweeper @KaungKo on Twitter)
(4)
Rosemary T.
Like any other Indian buffet. I like it a lot since they have lots of choices to choose from. My favorite was the lamb curry. It's hard to find lamb curry that doesn't have a real strong of lamb taste; their is done perfectly. Also, their chicken tandori is great and amazing. It was one of my other favorite to eat there. Yummoo. Would definitely come back again, just not quit worthy of a 4 star yet, but definitely a 3.5.
Excellent food and service, every time we dine here. My boyfriend is from England, and looooves a good curry, so we had been searching for months before finding this restaurant. It is a little hidden, in the corner of the parking lot where Caspian is, next door to Super Irvine. We have always been here for dinner. My favorites are: Shah Paneer, GARLIC NAAN, and rice. The shrimp and veggie dishes are also very good. The portions are large and the prices are great. We are always impressed by their service, too. Our water glasses are never empty and the waiters are friendly. The owner?/Manager is always there supervising and walks around to ask customers how they are enjoying the food. I encourage you to eat here if you haven't already! Delicious and fresh Indian food.
(5)
A A.
We have been going here for years and the food has always been excellent. But, the service has continually gotten worse. Tonight the service was horrible from start to finish. First, we never got any appetizer plates so while we ate our appetizers, food and sauce fell all over the table and the menus. After waiting for a long time, we had to get up to bring a waiter to our table to take our order. Waiters were just standing around together instead of checking on guests. Waiters only brought water when we flagged them down even when they were already pouring refills for the table next to ours. At the end, we asked three different people, one person appeared to be the manager, for the check so we could pay our bill and after 10 minutes, the bill never came. We finally just got up and paid at the door. We've always had a problem with waiting a really long time to get the bill. How hard can it be to print out a bill? If you are on a timed schedule, I suggest you eat somewhere else. The service is so bad, you will be late.
(3)
Glen L.
Got some chicken tikka masala and lamb vindaloo for takeout. The rice was very good and the entrees looked and smelled good too. But somehow they managed to make spicy Indian food bland. The chicken tikka masala was barely passable. The sauce was a little underseasoned but the chicken itself was tasteless. It should be a crime to serve tastless lamb vindaloo. Come to think of it, how is it possible to make bland Indian food?
(2)
Mala N.
I am disappointed with their buffet. And the restaurant could do with a facelift. Same deco for the last 15 years!
(3)
Lara D.
Nice small Indian food place. Have been several times and the food is always good. Love the Chicken Tikka Masala. Friendly service and the food never takes too long.
(4)
Duncan W.
Here, the price is CHEAP, but the quality is a bit lacking. Indian food certainly has a lot of flavor potential compared to a lot of other cuisines, but I noticed things were just done "alright". The chicken was very dry, but people scoff that thing down (I admit I was one of them). Lamb curry was actually really good. Still, I much prefer Annapoorna.
(3)
Dylan M.
This restaurant is great! Love this place for a good lunch place. Their buffet is a definitely reasonable price and their selection is really good. Love.this.place . This is a really approachable place for those who have never had Indian food before. NOMNOMNOMMM
(4)
N S.
Great lunch buffet, and very reasonably priced! It's not a gourmet place, but has the Indian food you're craving when you think "Indian sounds good." Put the achar (fermented/pickled veggies) on top of your dishes for an instant awesome flavor. I ate it alone first and it reminded me of Windex, then someone told me to use it as a condiment and wow- amazing!
(5)
Neil W.
Good food and they serve popadoms while you are browsing the menu. That's all it takes for me.
(4)
Yasaman J.
I really like their Chicken Tikka Masala....There service is always fast and the staff are always very nice.......There naan is always so fresh.... The only thing is that inside the restaurant is too dark....I had their lunch Buffet once and for sure I will be going back for it again....:-)
(5)
Neha C.
The food here is great especially for dinner. The garlic naan is delicious as well as the paneer and channa masala. Mango lassi is great too! Sometimes the servers get jumbled up with orders and forget or mix up your order. Other than that, I've been here many times and have taken food to go! Great place for normal Indian food.
(4)
Cat N.
yay i love indian food! i came in with my girlfriend for the lunch buffet. the bill came out to be $20.00. not bad... the food overall was pretty good and tasty. the only thing i disliked was the naan. it was boring and lacked favor. seemed like it was done lazily. everything else though was pretty satisfying. the service here was pretty good. the water guy is really on top of things =). our naan took forever to come out and that was my only complaint (sorry i like naan). bottom line... if your in irvine and feel like some cheap indian food with variety, then come here.
(4)
Rami D.
Only $8 for the lunch buffet! The chicken was delicious and was not fatty. The buffet came with an assortment of samosas, rice, veggie and non-veggie dishes. This was truly one of the best Indian Restaurants that I have ever been to. They have a large space, and it was pretty packed. The buffet line moved very smoothly and the staff was very helpful and pleasant.
(5)
Kathleen H.
Really unsure if I would want to come back here again for lunch or for dinner. My husband and I came for dinner recently and thought it was quite nice (we got a set menu...) So, I invited a girlfriend from London who loves Indian food to experience India Cook House lunch buffet. BOY was that a mistake. I later learned, London probably has the best Indian food in the world. But, I digress. Point I was trying to make...it was a mistake inviting here there because: - the waiters are so rude! They took away her plate even before she finished eating - instead of asking whether she wanted garlic or regular naan, they just brought a basket and tossed it on the table... - no one came back to refill her diet coke and once we got the bill and sat there talking, no one even came back to offer us water. - The Tandoori chicken at the buffet was totally dried out ...and the list goes on... What a disappointment.
(2)
Rachael S.
We've been coming to India Cook House for years. My husband and his grandma introduced it to me a long time ago. We always come for the lunch buffet. You can't beat the price and the various dishes. The service isn't the best but it's a buffet so what difference does it make. However, there is one server that I adore. He's an older gentleman. He always greets us and welcomes us as if it were his home. He always provides us the best service, unlike the other servers. This particular server is one of the reasons we come back. The buffet is an excellent way to learn what you like so you can order it the next time. I highly recommend ordering the garlic naan instead of the plain naan - it tastes better. It's a great place to come if you're vegetarian or you have people in your party who are vegetarian.
(4)
Amy K.
Came here for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I ordered the chicken tikka masala and the chicken was so tender and moist! The flavor was slightly sweeter than I have had before at other places, but it was very good! I loved that you could customize how spicy you wanted your dish to be, I got mine on medium and it was just right. It was creamy and so delicious. The tikka masala came with rice and a crispy bread. The rice was good, not a ton of flavor but it balanced the tikka masala perfectly. I also ordered the garlic naan, and it was really good. It has a really strong garlic flavor and was fresh and soft. Total bill (with no drinks) came out to about $16 with tip. Not bad, and had leftovers! I liked the atmosphere here, people were friendly kept our water glasses full and took care of any empty plates quickly. The inside of the restaurant is very clean, with pretty place settings. Will definitely be back to try their lunch buffet!
(5)
Keith S.
My favorite restaurant. I normally get the vegetarian combo, unless I'm there during the lunch buffet, and it feeds two people. Try the sweet nann. Lunch or dinner, I always eat too much of this delighful fare. I've never had bad services. There is always someone eyeing the table from across the room, which seems creepy at first, but it's to monitor your needs; i.e. water glasses, empty plates, etc. Five stars every time.
(5)
L H.
Food - eh, if that. Service - AWFUL and the staff doesn't care. Waited over 35 minutes for our food. Asked at least 6 times where it was. Never refilled our water. We ordered naan and that showed up 5 minutes after our food, only because we asked twice. Restaurant was freezing cold and asked repeatedly if they could adjust the a/c. Never happened. We moved tables and had to take silverware and napkins from the empty table next to us. Will never go back again.
(1)
Maria M.
This place is the bomb! Its not expensive and the food is really good. I recommend going when the buffet starts to get the freshest food. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you like Indian food.
(5)
Kaan K.
You just can't beat the lack of AC on a hot day. So sweat it out with extra spicy chutney.
(3)
W M.
Great buffet, lost of food and verity too. They have chicken kabob which is great for a buffet. Large dining area with lots of tables
(4)
Seth E.
So, having a British hubby, I happen to have a weak spot for Indian food. This definitely tickles that spot, oh, so good! First off, the price of the buffet at $8.95 is a super good value. Their lamb shanks were tender, the butter chicken in coconut milk and chicken curry were all particularly wonderful. A special item not to miss is the "Milk Cheese Balls" for dessert. Seriously delicious. They look like big floating burgundy spheres, but the interior is moist, delicious goodness. I could tell you what is in it, but the owners might get mad at me. Mr. Singh did welcome us as we arrived and service was quick, efficient and courteous.
(4)
Gayani D.
The food was very tasty, but the ambiance was awful. The restaurant is SO loud that I could not appreciate the nuances of the taste of the food (which is essential to appreciating Indian food!). I felt like it was a herding house for cattle. The tables as too close together, and they need some sound elements to absorb the din. I will not be dining there again if I can help it.
(3)
Mimi P.
I really think the best way (and the cheapest way) to enjoy Indian food is to go for the lunch buffet. Almost all Indian restaurants offer Indian buffet, and it usually cost under $10. Dr. P and I were both craving for some Indian spices. A little googling, and we found India Cook House in Irvine. We parked our car, walked up to the restaurant, and immediately we were welcomed by Indian spices aroma. It made us even hungrier. Lunch buffet is $8.95/person. There were about 5 meat dishes and 8 vegetarian dishes, as well as a salad bar and 4 desserts. For my first plate, I got Chicken Curry, Chicken Makhni (tomato cream butter sauce), Fish Pakoras (fried), Lamb Shank, Veg Korma, Aloo Bengan (Eggplant with Potato), Aloo Gobi (Cauliflower with Potato), and Spinach. The most unique offering was the lamb shank. I have never seen lamb shank in any Indian buffet. There were tender meat and tendon near the big bone. The meat was very flavorful. I had 4 big pieces of it! The Chicken Makhni and Veg Korma were my favorite. Everything on the plate was delicious. Tandoori Chicken was moist and tender. Yum! Vegetable Samosa was stuffed with potato with Indian spices. It was tasty. Nan Bread was the only disappointment. It was thin, hard, and dry. I only had a few bite and didn't touch it again. Dr. P grabbed some desserts. There were rice pudding, Gulab Jamun (Milk Cheese Ball), Fruit Cocktail, and watermelon. I never liked Glab Jamun, but Dr. P insisted for me to try a bite. I did, and the one at India Cook House didn't taste all that bad. It tasted sort of like a wet donut. But I'm still not a big fan of Glab Jamun. But we both love the Fruit Cocktail. It was made with mango yogurt with can mixed fruit. The mango yogurt tasted like lassi. We had two plates of the dessert. The food at India Cook House was tasty. But if we have to compare, we both thought Haveli's food tastes better. But we don't want to be too picky, and India Cook House is closer to our home. We enjoyed India Cook House's lunch buffet a lot. Will be back again.
(3)
Natalie P.
Good for a cheap lunch buffet which was $8.95 but overall it was just average to me. The garlic naan the server brought out didn't have much garlic flavor and was a bit limp/soggy looking and . I also was disappointed to see that their spinach curry dish didn't have the usual cheese cubes and wasn't creamy. It looked as tho they blended spinach and water in blender. Other than that, the variety was decent. They had mushroom marsala, chk marsala, lamb shank, chk curry, tandoori chk, and some fried food. My favorite item there was their mango pudding dessert.
Meh... This was like the worst Chicken Tikka Masala I had ever had. the sauce was quite watery and non creamy. Food was a little on the pricey side.... The naan was pretty good... It was fresh and our service was great but I just really wasn't impressed with the quality of the food.
(2)
Grace C.
I love Indian food, it's probably my favorite cuisine after Chinese. I'm from the Bay Area - I've been spoiled with lots of hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurants that serve delicious, flavorful (not just creamy) and fresh food. I'm about to relocate to So Cal and I must admit, I'm a little worried about the Indian-scene down here. India Cook House was the first Indian place I checked out. I went during lunch and had the buffet (I didn't really check if you could opt for the regular menu), which was at an affordable price of $8.95 per person. The restaurant was very clean, though a little dim, with a good number of servers. There weren't a lot of items - maybe around 12 - but all of the most common dishes were available (tandoori chicken, lamb shank curry, two kinds of chicken curries, aloo curry, samosas, fried fish, daal curry, saag, paneer curry, kheer, to name a few.) Nothing was particularly memorable, but everything was decent/average. It would have been great if things were a little spicier and more flavorful. The chicken in both of the curry dishes was very moist, which I was surprised since it's usually dry at other places. The complimentary naan was so-so. It was thin and crispy, not the fluffy, soft and buttery kind. It was on the bland side of things... In sum, this place was mediocre. Not bad enough to bash, but not good enough to praise. I took a look at their regular menu and depending on how desperate I'll get, I might consider returning to try it out.
(3)
Lizzie C.
Love this place. This review is just for the lunch buffet. Usually the places i've been taken to for indian food gets kinda expensive. This place is so cheap for AYCE lunch buffet! AND it comes with hot delicious naan! Which you can get plain or with garlic. I always get with garlic. Everything is great here. You have chicken, beef, lamb, and this awesome cheese thing that i eat way to much of. They also have a salad bar and fruit too. And a small dessert bar! I always come here when I can. It's also next to an indian grocery store and a chinese mom and pop bakery as well as a Persian or maybe indian bakery too. Oh man food food food!
(5)
Jeff P.
I came across this place when doing some errands. Service is average, as waters walk around with a relatively grumpy face... Nonetheless they were polite. I am not crazy for Indian food, but this place had very good food selection. As it is a buffet style, it made it easier for me to pick and choose. Decor needs some TLC.
(3)
Philip S.
I was shocked. I went for dinner and it was really good! I had the chicken masala and lamb as well. The quality of the curries is much different from the buffet and worth it if you prefer quality over quantity. Let me put it this way. Tuesday night at 9pm, the place was half full and all the clientele were Indian. This place must be doing something right.
(4)
M S.
The chicken curry has the best sauce. Food is very good and they have a large selection at the buffet. Service is poor.
(3)
Sid A.
Now I must preface...being Indian, I want to say that I'm especially hard on this place because it is rare that an Indian restaurant comes close to serving high quality food. That said, if I was to recommend an Indian restaurant to a friend, this is one of the few places that would pass the test. The place is clean, the service is good, and their lunch buffets are very well priced. It comes with good naan (garlic or plain) and plenty of choices for entree. The quality of the appetizers (samosas and pakoras) are generally very good, and the desserts are excellent (gulab jamuns in particular). The weaknesses come in the form of poor quality of main entrees. They are mediocre at best. Some who have had little experience in Indian food will find the large selection amazing and well worth it, but I am still looking for the restaurant with a buffet at a great price that serves quality throughout the meal. The food is edible and clean as one would hope, but it is not up to the flavors of what proper Indian cuisine is like. This place is good, and it makes it in my top 5 Indian restaurants of the general OC area. But it barely makes the cut... 3 stars are given just based on value alone. Just goes to show how hard it is to find a quality Indian restaurant...this is not a bad place to start though.
(3)
Les L.
Saturday lunch buffet for $9 - ya! Their chicken tikka masala is wonderful. Their pakoras a little on the bleh side and a bit overly spiced with rye? Rice pudding wonderful. Naan bread just decent.
(4)
Dave T.
Fairly easy parking and consistently tasty buffet. I'm not Indian, but my Indian friends enjoy this place as well. The food is not very spicy, but it is flavorful. The variety offered at the buffet could be a little greater, but we always find favorites to enjoy. The dining area is spacious and kid friendly.
(4)
English G.
Great Indian lunch buffet for $9.95! Come before 12pm as after that you will not find a table. Food is great for the price for meat lovers & vegetarians alike.
(4)
Michele W.
Great bang for your buck for an indian buffet. And decent food. no explanation necessary.
(4)
Ilina L.
Food is not all that great. Service is ok.
(3)
Bryan D.
Pretty good. Nothing special just a ok but the buffet is a good value.
(3)
Joseph T.
The food here is divine! I will come back soon.
(5)
David v.
India Cook House is all about the lunch buffet. They do the buffet everyday (including the weekends) for lunch and it only costs $9. Yes, you heard right... $9 for a buffet. And yes... The selection is decent, the food is pretty good, and the service is great. I love this place for the Tikka Masala. Just drop some rice on your place and then drop a heap of the stuff on top of your rice. Then spoon my of the sauce on stop.... Oh the insanity! Some of there other stuff is pretty good like the Palak Paneer and on this past visit, they has some interesting fish croquette or something that was awesome as well. The plates get picked up when you go back for more and your water gets refilled frequently. For the price, you can't beat India Cook House. I don't understand why someone would pay $7 for fast food when you can just drop another 2 and get food that isn't microwaved or severely processed. India Cook House gets a 4... out of 5!
(4)
Stephane G.
Consistently good quality fresh food at this all you can eat buffet. The spicyness has been tone down for American taste, but very tasty. Naans are outstanding. Service prompt, friendly, but not overly so.
(4)
James B.
Great place. We were seated very quickly even though it seemed like a pretty busy night. The service staff here was very polite and prompt from ordering and throughout dinner. We got a mushroom appetizer, samosas, garlic naan bread (delicious), tandoorish fish, and fish masala. Everything was good, especially (IMO) the fish masala. Lots of food too so had enough for a good sized reheated lunch the next day as well. Definitely will be back. One word of warning: this is in a shopping center with horrible parking if you are there during any high activity period so be prepared to drive around a while waiting for a spot or park farther away and have a walk.
(4)
Nick K.
Best Indian lunch buffet in Irvine. It was so good I got some Masala on my work shirt, but wore it with pride! Lots of variety from entree to desert, all full of flavor. Service staff seemed quiet but nice. The place could use a renovation, but the fresh and great tasking food still makes up for it.
(5)
Dee S.
I forgot about Indian buffets until I came back to Irvine from KC! I love the buffet. I've been for dinner as well. I will say that both meals are quality. I want to see that the restaurant is clean. They replenish with fresh warm food and it's a great bang for your buck and tastebuds!
(4)
Caitlin R.
Really glad to have found this place. My husband & I used to go to our favourite Indian restaurant at least once a week back home, but since moving to Irvine, it's something we've really missed. We've tried a couple other places but haven't been very impressed. I ordered chicken tikka masala, and my husband ordered lamb tikka masala - I know, we should have mixed it up a bit! Next time. They were both delicious, and the garlic naan was really, really good. We went on a Friday night and the place was about half full. While the service was quick, our server wasn't very friendly. He seemed a bit annoyed when my husband asked him for a beer recommendation. It didn't bother us much, because we came for the food, not the service, but a friendly server would have made the experience even better. All in all, delicious. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Jocelyn K.
Indian cook house is one of the best Indian restaurants in Irvine. It is decently priced compare to many of the other restaurants and the food is pretty flavorful and delicious. Best of all, the price of the $9 all you can eat lunch buffet can't be beat. I have to admit that the food during lunch isn't as good as it is during dinner, which is understandable since they are mass cooking it for the buffet. On the other hand, the food for dinner is good but it is kind of pricey, even though it is much cheaper than most. The service is super good in my opinion. When I wanted to take my left over curry home, I only had a bit of rice left so the waiter gave me more fresh rice to take back, for free! I thought this was really nice of him. Compared to most of the restaurants in Irvine, this is rated among the best. However, outside of Irvine, there are better Indian places to eat at. I would have liked to give Indian cook house 3 1/2 stars but since there is no option like that, I give it four for it's great service and food.
(4)
Jennifer S.
This is THE place to go in OC for indian buffet. It's cheap - 8.95 It's open for lunch buffet 7 days a week. The food is delicious and not too ghee-y. They are always busy (a sign of a good restaurant), but not so busy that you have to wait, usually. Consistent quality. I have been coming here with people from work for years, and it's always good. It's in the corner, by the Super Irvine. Oh yea, and the parking in that shopping center sux.
(5)
Ralph S.
So very close to work and the price is very reasonable (for a buffet) goes for about $11.00 after tip/tax. They have about 4 chicken dishes but my two favorite are chicken makani and curry chicken. The lentils are great and the naan is always warm. When you walk in you might get the impression you will have to wait but they actually sit you right away and the service is pretty good too. They keep your wated glass full and you could be in/out of there in less than 45 min if you wanted to. I recommend you start off with salad/fruit bar and dont forget to save room for dessert which include sweet carrots and rice pudding so yummy! in my opinion, this is one of the best indian buffets in OC...
(4)
cherry l.
This is my all time favorate indian place! The korma is heaven sent creamy deliciousness. The palak paneer has the right blend of spices. Their chicken tikki bbq is soft and tender full of flavor. The service is friendly and the buffet price very reasonable. I've been to just about every indian resto in orange county and this is the best. I only gave a 4 and not 5 stars since the decor needs an update but that doesn't even matter since the quality of food exceeds everything else.
(4)
Rajat J.
I was pretty disappointed by this place. I was hungering for some indian food and I remembered seeing this place so I went by to get takeout. It was kind of pricey (20 bucks for an entree and naan) but then I got home and realized there was quite a bit of food (I had two meals out of it). Unfortunately what they had in portion they messed up in taste. The chicken tikka was incredibly watery, and while it was edible it was not anything special. Probably not going back again.
(2)
Izajah G.
This place is amazing! My family and I have been going here for over 10 years and the managers always remember us! Amazing food, great service, very reasonable prices, and the best rice I've ever had. The Chicken Tikka Masala is a must, but everything is amazing, especially their vegetarian dishes!
(5)
Sunny B.
Nice clean place, staff is friendly, food is good! Worth$$
(5)
Joanne C.
We've been trying out other Indian Lunch Buffets, and everytime, we keep saying that Indian Cook House is better. SO.....we're done trying other places... this is THE INDIAN RESTAURANT we will go to only from now on. Therefore, they get a 5 stars! :)
(5)
Julian F.
Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the expectation. Our vindaloo was basically tomato soup, vinegar, potatoes and chicken. No spices and no flavor. Apparently, the head chef is off every other Wednesday, so they don't make good food on the alternate Wednesday. I think that information should be clearly posted on the door!
(1)
Simir S.
Good Indian food, excellent spice levels, very good staff. The onion bajia and chicken tikka are excellent.
(5)
Won P.
This is my 4th time here and I noticed that I never wrote a review for this place. I come here on the rare occasions that I have time to drive down to irvine to have lunch with a few friends and get the 8.95 all u can eat buffet lunch. Man wat a deal! and for $9 bucks, the buffet is pretty darn good. The main thing I like about this place is that its not too spicy. When u come in, they take your drink order and give u a fresh basket of nan (which is their indian bread). In terms of the actual buffet, the chicken dishes ( i apologize. i totally dont know their names but their the 2 chicken dishes there) are really good. its like a chicken curry or something. My favorite dish there all the time is their samosas. I love the filling on the inside along with the casing on the outside. be aware, because this place is so good, a lot of people come here at bout noon so get there at 11 30ish and ull be good :) o and a quick note though, the place is a bit hard to find though cuz its like in the corner of the plaza there but once u find u, ull be so happy u went.
(5)
Alex P.
*This review is for the lunch buffet only. I can't believe that I haven't reviewed this place yet. But then again, it has been a while since I've been here - I used to be a regular here in my Pre-Yelp days, which was many years ago. Anyway, I came here for lunch with a friend today and it was just as good as I remembered. For $8.95 (which you can't beat considering that if you go to any take out Indian place, a two item combo will set you back about the same amount) you can eat all the Indian food your heart desires and your stomach can handle. They pretty much have your typical fair set out, all of which seems to be refilled and moved along pretty regularly so you don't have to be afraid that something has been sitting out for too long. From the samosas to the saag paneer to the chicken tika masala, they have something for anyone, all of which is pretty damn tasty. All this served up with some freshly made naan and you've got yourself the makings of a gluttonous afternoon. I know that I walked out of there with a food baby. It was borderline painful, but it hurt so good. Thanks India Cook House! I won't wait too long to come back for lunch.
(4)
Pink D.
This is my new favorite Indian restaurant. My favorite dishes are Veg Korma and Potatoes and Cauliflower. Both are excellent here. I asked for them to be less salty and VERY spicy and they come out perfect!!
(5)
sheree k.
For $8.95 all you can eat Indian food, it's pretty freakin awesome! There so many choices of food and they give you the free bread (nan) as well. The service is nice. Check this place out if you have an empty stomach and if you have a big craving for Indian food.
(5)
Ivana Y.
Awesome lunch buffet that stays fresh and refreshed--I don't think I ever saw an empty chafing tray, the staff keeps coming out to refill the buffet with food! Good times. The tandoori chicken is as good as I ever had, whatnot with the crisp red layer and juicy moist meat inside. There is a large assortment of curries and lots of vegetarian options too. I was very fond of the vegetable korma (I really enjoy the texture of the cheese cubes) and LAMB SHANK curry. The staff was very quick and efficient--I don't think my water glass was ever empty. The dessert station was quite nice too, separate from the rest of the buffet line so that there won't be traffic jams. If there's one thing I would like from India Cook House, it would be complementary chai tea to be served at a DIY station, to help me digest the massive amounts of food I eat. Next time, I'll just order it a la carte. I highly recommend India Cook House otherwise, you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Maite H.
I had another great lunch buffet at the India Cook House. I'm a fan of the food quality, buffet selections, and good service! The restaurant is still one of my fav Indian restaurants! 4 Stars
(4)
Bob E.
Never did lunch buffet. Have only eaten dinner here. GREAT curries and breads. Very well made and fresh. Indian coworkers directed me here, and, yes, they were right. One of the best Indian eateries in this area (Irvine)
(5)
ReBecki P.
To review an Indian place, you must have tried the following: the buffet, the vegetarian items, and the naan! LOL at least that's what I look for! My boyfriend's family invited me here for my birthday and what a treat it was! Plenty of room for a big family and the servers give you recommendations (probably because of our white and Chinese faces). Tasty to the last swipe curry on your dish: chicken palak (spinach), vege jalfrezi (mixed), and chicken tikka masala. Just had their buffet lunch last Sunday and it wasn't too crowded, plenty of dishes to choose from, rice pudding with a gulab jaman (sweet ball in syrup) to top it off. Mango lassi is sweet and they never stop serving you water. Prices are decent for the portions. I live near Little India in Artesia, but India Cook House is definitely my go-to for Indian in Irvine.
(4)
Shashank S.
This review is about the buffet. It includes a wide verity of food, so dont make the mistake of filling up your stomach with just one dish. The food quality is very good, that is the veggies are fresh and the chicken tastes fresh too. I am a little disappointed with the taste, but only by a little. The curries are not as thick as it needs to be, and the spice levels are medium (for an East Indian its quite low ). Desserts are interesting. But you will enjoy the ambiance. This place is crowded during lunch hours and gets a little noisy. Overall its a good place to have lunch, but I wouldnt visit this place too often.
(3)
Alea G.
I came here for the lunch buffet a couple of days ago. The buffet was pretty decently priced and the restaurant is kind of cute. They've got quite a few options in the buffet, but I wasn't overly impressed. Apart from maybe the Chicken Tandoori, everything was super bland. I've had better tasting chicken curry from Trader Joe's (no hate to TJ's curry). What I did love here was the garlic naan. Oh man. That stuff was legit. In the end, it was okay Indian food. Not my top choice for Indian food in the area, but it also wasn't bad.
Two Punjabi Indian people I know recommended this restaurant. I figured it HAD to be amazing! Ummmmmm...am I missing something here? I thought the food was very Americanized (bland and not spicy when certain dishes usually are). A huge disappointment. I would not return here.
(2)
Vivian M.
My sister in law's uncle recommended this to me because I wasn't sure which Indian restaurant to try out here. This was clearly a winner. After reading through some of the reviews on here my boyfriend and I decided to hit up the lunch buffet last week. So the best way to know where this place is, is that it's in the same parking lot as the Irvine Family Medical center. It's to the left of the HUGE building if you're facing it, just a quick tip for that. Thanks to some of the other reviews on here for suggesting to come before 12pm to avoid waiting to be seated and a longer line for food. They weren't kidding. We got here at 11:55am and this place was PACKED. We got the last table available without having to wait, which was awesome. We did have to wait in line for food though, but that took about five minutes, so it wasn't so bad. The selection of food was probably the best I've seen out of the Indian buffets I've been to. There was plenty of salad, fruit, garbanzo bean salad, dipping sauces, fried amazingness, and chicken/lamb/veggie/fish options. All are awesome. Also, they give the standard basket of naan as soon as you sit down with your plate of food so that the naan is hot. The desserts were awesome too. I can't remember their names but I tried a little of most of them and they were awesome. For their buffet the food is not spicy, so for most people this is perfect. I however, can't wait to try this place for dinner so I can see how spicy they make it.
(5)
Justin B.
Pros: Bread, $9 all-you-can-eat lunch buffet Cons: If you don't get here early, you'll have to wait My coworkers and I go to this place a lot. At least once a month probably. Anyway, for $9, you can stuff your face with some tasty Indian food. I love getting their chicken tikka, chicken tandoori, and the lamb. I also like dipping their bread into all those different sauces. Anyway, great place if you're looking to eat like a pig for cheap.
(4)
Lai T.
This lunch buffet is ok, but there are better lunch buffets in the area.
(3)
Chris S.
Mmmm mm good! Great food, quality and price
(5)
Christine K.
I'd like to start by saying that there are BETTER Indian buffets in the Irvine area for either the same price or a dollar more. Swaad, on Alton, is one of them. Go there instead! I've had better Indian food, and much better service elsewhere, so this place only gets 2 stars. I always look forward to the lamb shank, and here, it was really salty and the meat was not on bone, but mixed in with the actual curry. This leads me to believe that they reuse and reheat older food for the buffet. The chutneys were good, though. I will admit that.
(2)
Louie L.
Wasn't impressed. Their chicken tikka lacked flavor, and the shrimp vindaloo was a bit watery. But I did enjoy the tandoori chicken and the paneer. The wait is short, service is ok, and the parking in this area is not so good. Overall, the quality of the food is almost similar to that of a fast food Indian restaurant.
(3)
Diana Y.
I was hemming and hawing between 3 or 4 stars, but had to go to three because it took them FOREVER to bring us naan. It wasn't super busy when we were there, but for some reason it was never ready, and we kept having to wait for it. One thing that I did like was the the garlic naan had a good garlic kick but wasn't over powering, unlike the garlic naan I had at their sister restaurant in Artesia. The food was the usual Indian buffet fare. I like the spicy chicken masala, the sauce is really flavorful, that was actually the favorite of my whole group. Tandoori chicken was good too, very moist, even though it looked like it might not be. I liked the mango dessert they had. Ended up having 2 big bowls at the end of my meal even though I was already stuffed. It's kind of like a more watery version of the mango lassey with canned fruit cocktail. I know it doesn't sound too good, but I liked it a lot. =) For the price, I think it's a good deal for what you get. I don't think I would come back here for dinner though, this would be a purely lunch buffet, stuff your face for $9 type of place.
(3)
Annie D.
Ah, the infamous Indian Lunch buffet. I usually am pretty lenient when it comes to indian buffets, but I was very disappointed with India Cook House. First, they did not ask whether we wanted garlic or regular naan. And secondly, they did not refill the steam trays which were getting pretty low. The chicken in the Tika Masala was dry and the sauce was bland. The saag was a very dark green color that looked almost inedible. Thank goodness the iced teas were good. I probably would not come here again.
(2)
A B.
I came here for dinner, and was very disappointed. The waiter was politely rude. The fish was stale and stinking. The chicken karahi tested bad. I rate it one of the worst Indian food i have had since i came from India, ages ago. I was even going to throw up, but I didn't want to make a show. I have been here for lunch buffet, and they seem okay. Maybe for dinner, when the restaurant is mostly empty, the assistant chefs might be taking over. Update - today was a Wednesday, and another post on Yelp says the head chef has the day of on Wednesday. So stay away from this place middle of the week
(1)
Angela C.
I've been wanting to try different ethnic foods and a friend recommended this Indian Restaurant to us. Since it's literally less than 5 minutes from my apt, my BF and I decided to spontaneously pop in. I've only had Indian food twice before (once was in Hong Kong and it was delish!). I gotta say, I love Indian food even though a lot of people seem to have an aversion towards it. From the outside it appears pretty tiny and dinky, so I was quite surprised when I walked in and felt like I was in some fancy, high class restaurant! I ordered the "exotic curry dish" which was a mix of lamb and chicken in their special chef's curry sauce. It was really good! What was even better was what my BF ordered, which was the "garlic chicken marsala" (cooked tandoori/clay oven style)... both dishes were about $12 and comes with a flatbread and jasmine rice. We ordered the garlic nan for $2.50. It was not as good as the nan I've had in the past. It tastes a lot healthier hahaha... the nan is less oily and less garlicky than the ones I've had before, but it was still good with the rest of the meal~ The service was good and our food arrived quickly. They also have an all-you-can eat luncheon buffet daily that lasts till 2:30 pm... it's only $8.50, how worth it is that?! I must try next time!
(4)
Eric M.
A little spicier than I expected but pretty good first time (except for the child in the next booth screaming in Chinese). I've never seen curry cabbage but it was yummy, as was the fresh watermelon, salad (I know, how can you screw that up but I have seen it happen), and those milk-cheese balls floating in liquid sugar. And fresh naan bread! Mmmm
(4)
Marilu G.
Friend and I found ourselves in this part of town late at night and craving some indian cuisine. Went online and found this place. Upon entering, we both liked the dark ambiance of this place due to the dim lighting. The place was not that full but then again it was pretty late and past dinner hours. We were starving...i ordered the vegetable korma (a vegetarian dish) and my friend ordered the chicken korma. we ordered a side of rice and naan to go along with our dishes. the food was pretty great. i have ordered this same dish at other places and really enjoyed the taste of the spices at this location. in addition, at other indian restaurants i have asked for "hot" (meaning spicy!) and have been dissapointed. i ordered hot and i got hot! good thing the server kept coming to your table and refilling my water. I ordered some take out and was pleasantly surprised that they did not skim on the takeout portions. overall, a great dinner. i will definitely be checking this place out again if i find myself in the area.
(4)
Eric G.
Had lunch here great deal and really good food. Will return for sure
(4)
Jin L.
the host dude was a meanie. i had no idea what he was saying because he kept mumbling to himself, and then he yelled "stop! stay there" when i started walking because i thought he said follow me... he needs to stop mumbling! i went for lunch. 8.95 ayce not so bad. food was just eh for me. this was my first indian cuisine experience so i had no idea what half the stuff was. they had labels for the most obvious dishes like "chicken" but the rest of the stuff had no labels so i just grabbed a lil bit of everything. everything that i tried was just ok. nothing struck out to me. and it was a bit dirty. i get that it's a buffet, and not everyone has the skills nor the coordination to scoop food and bring it allll the way to their plate without dropping shit here and there, but i mean it wassss messsssy EVERYWHERE. it almost made me iffy about how clean it was in the back.... regardless, all in all it was just ok. cheeer up host dude!
(3)
Hemesh P.
good north indian food we feasted here in celebration of our friend's 30th bday ordered the onion bhaji to start: kind of like fried onion straws the papad was good with chutney we ended up creating our own buffet. the star was probably the malai kofta. sauce was really good. also ordered the paneer curry, palak paneer and veg biryani. samosas were good too. wow that's a lot of food but it hit the spot parking is a little cramped and the interior was dark but other than that great place with great food! i think i've been to the buffet for lunch several years ago. can't remember what it was like but its pretty legendary
(4)
David S.
This one of my favorite places for Indian buffet in Orange County. Just Don't expect a smile and a warm greeting when you walk through the door. I give the service overall one star. I gave four stars for the buffet food quality. I've never been here for dinner. That sag paneer has a pasty texture, rather than pureed.
(4)
Fred T.
The lunch buffet is OK. With tax and tip, the buffet was about $11/person. It is a tad pricey for the selection and quality. Dinner is OK as well. The food is about the same but there's table service. You pay a slight premium for the wait staff.
(3)
Nisha S.
my friend and i came here today for the lunch buffet. the food itself was average... nothing to get really excited about. you can probably find the same dishes in almost every buffet. however, the service was pretty bad... it took a long time for a waiter to come by our table when we were asking for more naan and it took forever to get them. we also saw people walking in who had ordered naan for takeout and even they had to wait because the owner messed up something. they were obviously getting upset and the owner did not seem to care, which is no way to treat paying customers. the only good thing about this place is that the price of the buffet is cheap and they refill the banquet pretty frequently. overall, if you're craving some indian food and don't want to spend too much money, this could be an option. however, there are definitely better options out there.
(2)
Mike I.
Less than $10 a person for the buffet is a pretty good deal. I liked the chicken makhani the most, the chicken curry was pretty good too. Naan was warm and fresh, plain and garlic available. The lamb was not that good and more bones than anything. I liked the vegetable curry a lot. Overall a competent and good indian buffet, but nothing super special.
(3)
Alice Y.
If you're a noob to Indian cuisine, this is the place you want to go to take that first bite of mouthwatering curry and naan (a Punjabi flatbread that'll make you wonder where it's been all your life). I first came here for dinner with my roommates and we ordered two curries, garlic naan, and a shrimp fried rice. Everything was delish and that's when I got hooked into Indian food. We later found out that India Cook House has a lunch buffet for a low price of $9! Since then, my roommates and I have gone out of our way for this buffet; and if one of us craves Indian food, we make sure we get some in our belly real soon. It's a great deal, and the best part is that they have chicken tandoori and chicken tikki masala in the buffet. Chicken tandoori is similar to barbequed chicken without the marinated part. Chicken tikki masala is my fave, along with all the other Yelpers before me, and for a good reason at that. None of the curries here are all that spicy which makes me a bit sad because spicy = love, but I'm still a huge fan of all their other curries. So if you can't handle the spiciness, don't fear for they have plenty of non-spicy and mild curries to go around.
(4)
Geraldinne E.
So my husband and I were craving Indian food and we had visited this restaurant once so we said what the hell let's go there again. Once we were done we remembered why we hadn' t been there since we went there a year ago. To sum it up the place is very :shoulder shrug: meh. Here's the break down: The good: The chicken tikka massala and the garlic naan are very good. The bad: Staff are a little bit rude. The host who sat us bang things against the table as he was placing them down for us. Also, I feel like the price is a little steep for the portions they give you. My husband is a big guy so you can't expect him to get full with a little bit of rice and like 6 sausage links. (The menu said it was kabobs but I call shennanigans on that one) The ugly: The place is always dark! Wtf! I strain my eyes to read the menu. It's also creepily quiet. Idk if it's just me but I feel eyeballs on me the entire time I was there.
(3)
Akta A.
I usually get my food to go and it is ready within minutes of me calling in. Their food is tasty and their portion size is pretty good for the price they charge. Their lunch buffet is better than other Indian restaurants in the area.
(4)
Elisa C.
I've only ordered take out for dinner before. And it was alright. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and they gave a lot of sauce, but there weren't many pieces of chicken. I'm not sure how Tikka Masala is genuinely supposed to taste because so far, they have all tasted different at each Indian restaurant I've been to. Really different. But if I could make a suggestion, I wish that the Tikka Masala was a little creamier and they should add more meat! One order, I got only like...7 pieces of chicken, and its not that cheap either ($12.99)... I would come here for lunch, but I'm not sure if I'd like it considering that the dinner I had here was only alright. Oh well either way, its been the better Indian food I've had in Irvine. I'm still waiting on a really tasty place! Any suggestions?
(3)
Richard M.
This place is tucked into a strip mall with quite a few ethnic type restaurants. I came here for the lunch buffet and wasn't disappointed. They had a good choice of dishes, and all the entrees were HOT, that's worth the price of admission alone. The service was good, kept refilling the drinks and bringing more nan bread. The curry dishes had varying degree's of heat, not everything was super spicy. And the tandoori chicken was good, I'm not big on tandoori chicken. But I did enjoy the curried goat.
(3)
Lisa D.
I've never been here for dinner before - butt the lunch buffet is actually one of my favorite Indian lunch buffets. I am CRAZY about the desserts. I'm not sure what it's called butt the one dessert that is made out of carrot is to DIE for. ugh. i seriously could just go there just for that. I really like the fact that they have a lot of options here - unlike some other Indian buffets. and the bread is DELISH! My favorite - other than the carrot dessert - is the chicken! I'm not sure what it's called butt it's red and it's sooooo goooooooood. i always have to have another helping of it! YUMMY.
(4)
Sassy-and-Pablo D.
Delicious and fairly priced lunch buffet (on weekends too!) Down side: Parking... Be ready to fight with a persian for some parking... or be a whimp and park in the next lot!
(4)
Kris C.
I've been to India Cook House twice, and during the most recent visit I wondered why I don't eat there more often. The lunch buffet is served everyday and is pretty cheap- around $10. The food is really good, and there is a variety of vegetarian dishes- vegetable korma, curry, lentils, paneer- along with non-vegetarian dishes- lamb, chicken, etc. The quality is great, and it's not spicy (in case you're not into that sort of thing). There is a good turnover on the food, so it's always fresh. Appetizers (samosas, pakoras), salads, fruit, desserts, and an assortment of sauces and chutneys round out the buffet. India Cook House is tucked away in a shopping plaza, but it is well worth the hunt.
(5)
Brinda J.
I LOVE THE BUFFET!!!!. THE BEST SATURDAY LUNCH BUFFET IN THE AREA!!! There is always a wait because this stuff is amazing. The best bang for the buck!
(5)
Karen C.
This place is less than decent. I'm mostly vegetarian so I ordered Aloo Gobi and my friend had the India Special which included Lamb Curry, Vegetable Korma, Raita, Chicken Tandoori and Chicken Tikka Masala (which we did not get for some reason). I don't know what other Indian places all these reviewers have been to but this was not at all what I think of when I think of authentic Indian food-- or at least what I expected. Aloo Gobi had huge pieces of cauliflower and potato but were very mildly spiced. I asked for mild not knowing that their definition of mild means absolutely zero spiciness or flavor. Our waiter did not explain what any of our dishes were in the India Special when we received all the dishes and only until later did we realize we did not receive two chicken dishes. The Raita was a pathetic watery yogurt with little vegetables and the veggie korma was mostly cheddar-y paste-- overcooked and decently fragrant. The lamb curry and chicken tandoori were the highlights of the India Special (which is not saying much). Lamb curry had three pieces of lamb in a tomato curry that was pretty flavorful (but reminiscent of chili in flavor while I expected more of a traditional spicy and fragrant curry). The chicken tandoori appeared dry but was nicely seasoned although a little spice would have been nice. Our total was $35-- Aloo Ghobi (~$9), India Special ($18), Mango Lassi ($2), Naan ($3)-- too expensive. Overall, will not be returning. Seems like Indian food in Irvine falls short of expectations.
(2)
Freshta M.
I only had the chicken tikka masala so i can;t judge too much but it was ok not too great and not too bad.... They give you a lot to go and the price is not bad. The service was great.
(3)
Debbie M.
This is a mom and pop styled restaurant that offers a value lunch buffet. It's a decent selection of popular indian dishes and of course, garlic naan! =) Yum. It's secretly hidden in the corner of the culver plaza. I admit I had a hard time finding the place but I made it! =) The decor is nothing but simple: tables, chairs and old linen. Don't expect something fancy. Come for the food which is the most important. My rating is based on value and food quality for the lunch buffet.
(4)
Karthik S.
India Cook House is an average Indian restaurant that serves relatively authentic semi-fresh food. I have yet another reason to miss the San Francisco Bay Area now. The spot might have nabbed a three-star rating had the service been slightly satisfactory but, no; that was not the case but I will get to those details later. I had opted for the $8.99 lunch buffet and I must say -- the selection was rather average in terms of quantity. They had offer all the basics: Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Tandoori, Khorma, Saag Paneer, Gulab Jamun, Samosas, etc. As with most Indian lunch buffets, a basket of Garlic Naan is brought to the table shortly after being seated. All of the food was rather average in quality too, and some, mainly the Aloo and the Chicken Tandoori were undercooked. And the chai. Oh, the chai was simply the most atrocious chai to have ever enter my mouth. Avoid the oversmoked chai, please. One of the biggest perks about India Cook House is for the persons that drink a large amount of liquid, like myself. They voluntarily fill your glass every five minutes regardless of whether you took a few sips or already emptied the glass. Unfortunately, the service ends there. Prior to being seated, parties of non-Indian people that arrived after us were given special admission ahead of us. The same situation had occurred when getting our Garlic Naan and our check, as well. The acts were very noticeable and highly unappreciated by my party. A couple members of my party politely expressed frustration to the manager, to which he was simply rude in return. I will not return here.
(2)
Jackie P.
Only been here for the lunch buffet, great deal for AYCE -$9! They have a great selection with some greens, fried items like samosas and pakoras, maybe 2 chicken dishes, a veggie option, a lamb dish, and desserts! One of the better Indian buffets in OC. Some of my faves: - Butter chicken: In an orange-ish colored sauce. Has a great smoky flavor. - Khorma: A veggie dish in a yummy sweeter sauce, sometimes they put paneer cheese cubes in this, yummy! - Saag paneer: Indian creamed spinach, so tasty with all the provided naan! - Yellow dessert: Basically fruit cocktail in a yogurt sauce, forget ordering mango lassi, get your fix in this dish. - Kheer: Indian rice pudding with cinnamon.
(4)
Alex P.
To start, I found that the food was tasteful. They have about 3-4 chicken dishes, 3-4 desserts, 1 fish, some "fried" appetizers, a salad/fruit bar, as well as a sizeable vegetarian area. The garlic naan is amazing. The price is very reasonable and goes for about ~$11.50 after tip/tax. The service was outstanding with the wait staff always keeping your water glass topped off. The food line backs up quite fast as the buffet is in a small corner but it moves quickly. Atmosphere was average. It's located in a small strip mall and doesn't look like much on the outside. Dining area is not super large and I could see if a large party were in the house, it could get quite noisy. Bottom Line: This was an average restaurant. Food was OK. Service was GOOD.
(3)
Sam C.
the food was really delicious... but one of the employees was not very welcoming
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Meredith M.
I am a New Yorker. I truly am a New York Bitch. I hate everyone and everything. When I find a place, like India Cook House, that I love this much, I tell everyone how fantastic it is, and they know...it must be that good. My manfriend and I go there on the weekends for their brunch/buffet. They have a really good selection and a really great price, with both meat and meatless selections. Everything is made fresh and always comes out piping hot. They have samosas, pakora, tandoori chicken, eggplant, saag panir (I think that's what it's called), naan (both garlic and plain) and my personal favorite, cold chick pea salad. They have tons of other delicious dishes, and usually switch up one or two of the dishes to really keep you on your toes. The service is also top notch. My glass of water is ALWAYS full. With the amount of spice they add to the dishes, they certainly watch your back and provide you with a full glass of water. The staff is very polite and will answer any questions you may have regarding their dishes. The bathrooms are also very clean, something I personally find to be very important. This is one of my favorite places to eat. Living in Orange County often makes me feel limited as to my dining selections. If I'm looking to go to either Starbucks or Chilis, then I guess I'm in luck. There certainly is no shortage of average tasting chain restaurants in Orange County. India Cook House, however, is a beacon of hope in this sea of blah. The food is phenomenal, it's consistently phenomenal. I won't give out five stars unless I truly think it deserves it. ICH, as I've coined it, deserves all five.
(5)Peter Y.
More like 3.5 stars. I have been steadily coming here over the years and it always satisfy my craving for Indian cuisine. I used to work near Pioneer street in Cerritos and tried many different restaurants. However, I really enjoy coming here from time to time. I'm definitely not an expert in Indian food BUT it all tastes good to me - especially the warm naan breads. The service can be somewhat challenging at times but I still enjoy coming here. Cheers,
(3)Selena H.
Review is for the lunch buffet only. Come with coworkers about once a month. The lunch rush does make this place fill up so get here asap. The selection is standard with a salad/veggie bar, chicken masala, fried veggies, saag paneer, chicken tikka, some lamb items and other misc/standard fare (according to my indian coworker). They do provide a basket full of fresh naan bread which is delish. Overall, the food is pretty good but nothing too special. But for the lunch price, it will keep our group coming.
(3)Aryn F.
I'm giving India Cook House three stars, not because I really think its a good restaurant, but because I think its pretty good for what and where it is. I'm from New York, I've had lots of indian food from a few different regions. India Cook House offers some of my favorites (saag!), but certainly isn't the best I've ever had. Rather, its the best I've had in Irvine. Service, like others have said before me, is a bit off. Yes, i've had to wait for a long time to get my water glass refilled, but it wasn't the end of the world. Yes, the waitstaff isn't always friendly, but I don't let that interfere with my meal. Also, if you're worried that the food will be too bland, just reassure the waiter that you like spicy food when you order. I find that it produces better results.
(3)Nicole S.
Awesome Indian Buffet. Food is good, service was ok. Servers could be more attentive to customers. We needed more water and naan and they kept passing us or telling us to wait...kinda frustrating. I would still go back for the food.
(4)Jade K.
food was great. alot of choices. very inexpensive
(5)Magi Y.
I love this place, but do NOT go for their lunch buffet. The lunch buffet was NOT worth it. Their dinner menu is much better. I always get the chicken tika masala with their garlic naan. It's just sooo good.
(4)Esther K.
This place is not bad. I went there with a couple friends for lunch, and the food was all pretty good. The service wasn't great, but the food was enjoyable. I think our only problem was we went there after the food had been out for a while, so it wasn't AS enjoyable as it could have been if it was fresh. But overall it was good and yummy and I wouldn't mind going back :)
(3)Josh C.
My first visit to Irvine, I made a point of checking out the local Indian buffet. I was coming from the UCI campus, and boy did that stretch of Culver give me a feel for Irvine - shopping plaza after fast food joint after gas station after shopping plaza. Would I ever get my hands on a piece of naan gripping some saag paneer? Eventually I stopped at a T.G.-appleb-chili-steakhouse-type of place to make sure that I hadn't actually gone too far. An involved consultation process with three of the employees there concluded with the verdict that I should keep going because there was a plaza a little further up the road that had "a lot of foreign style foods there." Perfect. As it turned out, the lunch buffet at India Cook House was the turning point for a nice Sunday afternoon in Orange County. The place was pretty packed, which seemed like a good sign, and it also meant that the food on the line was being regularly replenished and thus was hot and freshly prepared. I was very pleased with the selection of dishes, as well - most of the stand-bys and a few variations in addition. The food was also not too oil-heavy, which is a common problem at Indian buffets. The chutneys were excellent, naan was great, and the kheer finished things off nicely. I am sure to make numerous repeat trips to India Cook House.
(4)Grace J. L.
Came here for lunch with my mom on a weekday and the lunch buffet was amazing + relatively cheap ($9 per person)! I love Indian food and I think this is one of my favorites in Irvine.
(5)Bido C.
Went there last month on a Saturday for lunch buffet at the price of $8.95, it was awesome! Definitely exceed the price value. Even though not a wide variety of selection of food, ALL the food is good! Their chicken tandoori and two or three (forgot) types of chicken curry were all delicious; I ate too much naan because of their curry sauce. Lamb curry was good, too. I give 5 stars for food and 4.5 stars for service. Absoutely a MUST TRY
(5)Landon Y.
Yuka K's review is disturbing, so i am certainly going to be on the lookout on my next visit there. Thanks Yuka for the heads up. Yes, I dare to go back! Of all the Indian buffets i have tried in the OC and LA, India Cook House is still my all time fave. They always have my personal favorites, saag aloo, chicken tikka masala, lamb shank and lots of naan that keeps coming. Oh, and don't forget the fruit cocktail yogurt! For $8.95, their lunch buffet is a great deal and is one of the most comprehensive of all that i have been to. I think the one thing that sets them apart from other Indian restaurants, is that their lunch buffet is everyday of the week, even Saturday and Sunday! Take my advice and wear your stretchy pants for this one. You will not be disappointed. Come hungry.
(4)Jess P.
This place has good service but nasty food. I did not like a lot of the food here compared to other indian food i had. The best thing here was the chicken tikka masala and it was only alright. First and last time I'll go here again.
(2)Rick W.
Initial intention was Mentatsu which was right next door to it, and they were closed, so freaking hungry which I eventually gave this place a shot. What's worse can happen when you're already hungry, right? Everything will taste good no matter what, that's my theory! Ha! So don't try it without any adult supervision! But hey, 7.95 for lunch buffet ain't so bad after all, i mean attractive and tempting. Although the selection is not much, but how much can a person eat at lunch hour especially on a working day. I hate food comas. Getting caught passed out in your office by your boss ain't pretty. I really don't know what the names of the food, but I can only remember so much. I know I had the red sauce chicken thing and some eggplant stuff. Also I had another yellowish brown curry with I had it with the rice and over with my Canaan. The food is really decent for its price. There are a few better ones, but of course they cost more. This place is great for a quick fix and when one's really hungry. Maybe next time I'll come back during dinner times, just based on the reviews from others, they seemed worthwhile for another trip back.
(3)Christopher S.
Ahh, my very first Indian Buffet! Everything was fantastic, from the Tandori Chicken, to the various vegetable dishes to the rice and fresh Naan. Bread and water service was poor, but the food more than made up for it. If you find yourself in Irvine, stop punching yourself in the nuts and eat here, you'll feel better.
(4)Mimi L.
Ok, I know this place completely lacks décor so I'm reviewing the Cook House based just on food and service. Ordered chicken tikka masala and lamb vindaloo. The chicken tikka masala was rich, creamy, thick, and just enough heat (asked for medium spicy). FYI, if you ask for spicy they will give you spicy, like really spicy, not like American people spicy where I have to add extra chili sauce, like fiery spicy. The yogurt marinated chicken in the masala was tender and juicy. The lamb vindaloo had so many different layers of spices and flavors. Garlic naan was warm, chewy and full of garlic which was killer on the breath but happy with the tummy. Very quick on service, maybe because we were the last table but regardless they were on top of things.
(4)Tam D.
Hands down the best Indian buffet with the best selection and price- only $9! Bonus star for being close to where I live! I've only been here during the lunch buffet (11AM-2:30 PM) since dinner costs $11 per entree which is steep if you want to try different things. I always look forward to the Chicken Tikki Masala, the Palak Paneer (spinach and cheese cubes, when available) and the fruit salad in the dessert bar (it tastes just like mango lassi). I always eat too much when I come here. Not convinced? If your Indian friend eats there and likes it, then it has to be good. NOTE: beware of parking,, there are many compact parking spaces and a lot of bad drivers. :oP
(5)Micah W.
I can't say enough about this place. Not your everyday tikka masala americanized indian place. This is as close the real deal as it gets (according to dr. patel)
(5)Ana T.
I'd like to thank my vegetarian besty for enlightening me of the fact that not all vegetarian dishes in the world have to taste like tofu or cardboard. mhmm~! malai kofta + garlic naan! soo goood!
(5)Doug W.
This is good authentic and reasonably priced, appropriate for Irvine. We get takeaway of the chicken tikka masala (they have a 1-10 spice scale), saag paneer and a variety of naans. Also, a good lunch time w/variety!
(5)catherine k.
My friend first took me here a year ago, and we ordered the fish masala and chicken masala, two exquisitely made dishes. Indian food is naturally rich in flavor with all the curry and spices, but it's also rich in calories as well. If you're gonna eat curry, either get the garlic naan bread or enjoy it with the rice. This is definitely not a place for the health conscious or carb-conscious crowd. Otherwise, the taste is DIVINE. Try it at least once in your life. The staff are friendly, and you know it's a genuine place when Indians come to eat here with their family. The chefs are also Indian as well, a plus!
(4)Helen K.
If I could, I would go to their buffet every weekend. The chicken makhni is really well done, and the palak paneer is addictive. (You might have to badger the staff to get naan, or drinks, but the palak paneer should distract you from the unpleasantness.) At night (possibly for environmental reasons? to help you sympathize with people who suffer from partial blindness? to create ambiance?) they only turn on three small lights in the middle of the ceiling. The vegetarian thali is big enough for two people (even two hungry people) and almost too much if you have a mango lassi with it. Service will be non-existent, and you won't get the array of deserts at the buffet, but if you split a meal, it's still worth it, and reasonably priced.
(4)calvin a.
For dinner i always order the chicken tikka or the tikka marsala which is 12.95. For lunch i love coming to their buffet its about 8 dollars a person that will keep you full and smelling indian for the entire day
(5)Jonathan E.
Best indian food I have ever had. Good service. Great and fresh naan. My go to spot. Go with the chicken tikka masala and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Charity '.
i tried this place because it's what many recommend. But honestly, Tandoori in Marketplace serve better food. I ordered the "buttered chicken", and vegetable samosa, and they are both bland. What a waste of money!!
(2)Ylissa A.
I don't remember what I ate, and I honestly don't know the difference between good Indian food and not so good Indian food is. However, you know it's good Indian food when you see A LOT of Indian people eating here. On the outside, this place doesn't look like much. It's kinda tucked away in a shopping center. But this place is a true hidden gem. The food was AMAZING. The buffet had a HUGE selection and there was not one thing I ate that I did not like. Everything was rich and oh so yummy. I'm definitely coming here again if I'm in there area again.
(5)Stephanie S.
I love the Chicken Tikka Masala here! I'm not sure how the dish is supposed to taste, but I've been told the authentic version is less creamy. India Cook House's version is very creamy, but it works. They give huge portions of sauce, but meager amounts of chicken. The service is decent except for this one time when the waiter accidentally charged us double for dessert and decided to avoid telling us by pretending to give us an additional dessert "on the house".
(3)Nick J.
Great lunch buffet at a great price. Dinner prices are pretty standard for Indian restaurants, but the food quality is hard to beat in this area. I'd compare it to Mayur (which is way more pricey) - but I've never actually eaten there. Food is quite authentic - not that Indian food at a house is ever ANYTHING like indian food in restaurants, but if you look at the crowd, you'll see quite a few Indian's here (always a good sign of Indian food restaurants).
(4)K W.
Dinner menu beats the lunch buffet hands down. The buffet is sort of instructive to sample different items. However, made-to-order makes all the difference. The freshness factor and not sitting there under heat lamps for hours is key.
(4)Szu L.
CALLING ALL BUFFET LOVERS OUT THERE!! India Cook House has a great lunch buffet for $8.95 per person. With a great assortment of Tandoori curries with chicken and lamb. Try the Mango dressing for your salad. It tastes really good! The chick pea salad with onions is also a good one to try. They also have vegetable curries and fried seafood. For dessert they offer an indian milk cheeseball, rice pudding, carrot pudding, and a mango treat. Today was my first time here for lunch and I liked almost every single item I ate. I am definitely going back!!
(4)jen L.
Oh my, I dont' know why this place is not reviewed that high. I don't get it because I LOVE this place and have been coming here for about a year now. I introduced my friends to it and they LOVE this place. Everyone at the restaurant is so friendly and nice too. I haven't gone for the buffet that most people have gone too. I usually go for dinner and order dishes I like. My favorite here is MURGH MAKNI!!!! It's a little bit of heaven. It's really creamy and tomatoey and I always ask for more sauce and less chicken because I love dunking my garlic naan in there. The garlic naan is great. I have had their palak paneer too and it's great too, if you like the homemade cheese. It's kind of a hit or miss kind of thing for some people. The fish masala is tasty too. I would recommend this place for sure. I seriously crave this place sometimes.
(5)Ted M.
This is as good as it gets for India food in my books. I have travelled to India many times and this place still gets it right about how to make good Indian food. They're gravy is thick and not soupy like other places, the rice is also unique and I like it a lot. I don't go into the buffet much, I find the buffet food to not be that tasty and spicy enough. If your craving Indian food it's still good but I prefer the dinner. Whenever a friend or family come into town and want Indian food I always point them in this direction. Prices are also very reasonable for the type of food they have.
(4)Lady V.
I say don't come here for their buffet but go with their menu items. I just had their Lamb Malai and so wonderful that is. The sauce complement with the lamb. I am picky with lamb because they are like goats that if cooked wrongly it is a disaster but here they know how to do it.
(4)Goutham G.
I have only been here for the lunch buffet, and it is truly nothing special. I always go in purposely fasting in the morning, hoping to stuff myself silly. Then, I finish my first plate and realize I don't really want anything else. The pakoras and samosas are a nice touch, but like most of the food, both are too heavily fried. The vegetarian options are also somewhat limited and bland. When I was last there, there was a thoroughly unimpressive palak paneer. Alas, I am still trying to find a buffet here that can hold a candle to Woodlands vegetarian in Langley Park, MD.
(2)Seth G.
Stopped in for dinner last night with a friend for the first time. The India Cook House did not disappoint. Both the vegetable samosas and chicken tikka masala were very good. The latter's sauce was so good that it was only right to finish it off after the chicken had been consumed. The garlic naan wasn't too shabby either, although it seemed it was a bit light on the garlic side strangely enough. The price is extremely reasonable considering the quality and quantity of food presented; generous portions will make it difficult for you leave this restaurant feeling hungry. The waiter we had was congenial and performed his job very well. I'll be sure visit if I find myself in Irvine with a craving for Indian food.
(4)Jinra I.
6 words: ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT-LUNCH-BUFFET. 3 numbers: $8.95 Infinite: water refills.
(4)marilyn v.
NO DOUBT MY FAVORITE INDIAN RESTAURANT. I've only been to... 2 other indian restaurants so I guess i'm not an expert but its damn good here. I was introduced to this place by a friend that is Indian, she said this place is her favorite too! Everytime I go, I always have left overs. The leftovers still taste good after you bring it home! YUM, i'm salivating just thinking about this place. oh.. slow service, but what-evs. Decor is okay too, but I'm still give 5 stars because the food is so goood. MY FAVS: Matter Paneer : vegetarian dish, very flavorful.. has peas and cheese Chicken Masala: yum.
(5)Teresa H.
$8.95 for a clean delicious buffet is more than I can ask for. Had the garlic and plain naan, chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, fish pakoras and dessert. All delicious. Oh and don't forget to try the chutneys.
(4)Ian J.
Good prices and good flavors. I'm no expert on Indian cuisine, so I can't vouch for how Americanized India Cook House is, but in my experience with Indian restaurants in the US, ICH is above average. The evening atmosphere was fairly nice compared to what I had expected, and both my co-diner and I enjoyed our food. The chana masala was a little more tomato-y than she's used to, but it had a good depth of flavors and a little spice. My chicken malai was very rich (tons of oil or ghee in the sauce as I found out when I reheated it the next day and the emulsion broke), but lacking the depth of the masala. The samosas were tasty although not extraordinary. We'll definitely be back.
(3)Cathy W.
For the love of Indian food, my entire department had a department lunch here! I called ahead of time and let them know that our party of 17 would be arriving. They were very willing to take our reservation and our table was ready when we got there. One person was not able to make it and they sort of gave us a tough time about the extra chair since the restaurant was very full during lunch time (guess everybody was there for the lunch buffet!). I think we did end up having another person come after the empty chair was taken away and they were still a little snooty about the change.. but hey, I would be too if you brought such a large party! The food, overall, was pretty good and I was surprised that they didn't run out of anything during the lunch rush. We had a couple vegetarians among our group that loved the food as well. :) I definitely recommend the lunch buffet - just don't anticipate 5-star service because after all, you are just going for a $8.95 lunch buffet.
(4)Roxi M.
This place serves decent Indian food. Don't order anything TOO spicy, though. I am a big fan of spicy food, but once when I asked the waiter to make a dish super spicy, it overtook the flavor :-\. Compared to other Indian restaurants, this place is A-OK. The service (with some certain waiters) can be a bit slow sometimes.
(3)Melody K.
Just had lunch here today. The food was decent, buffet style. My Indian friends told me about this place so I think it is authentic. I only gave it 3 stars because of the service. You may think what service its buffet. You stand in line to get your own food. They were good about refilling your drink. The thing that really got to me was that we were JUST another customer. They kept rushing us to get out. I went with 12 people so we took up a few of their tables. We got here at 11:30 so we would not have to wait long. (It gets really crowded in there) After they left the bill we were calculating how much each person owed. Some people needed to pay with a credit card and so we gave them that first, that we we would know the balance of the bill. One of my coworkers had all the cash and the waiter kept trying to take it from her. Dude wait till we give it to you!! He stood behind my coworker for a few minutes still trying to get the cash. Do people really dine and dash that often?! Or do we just look that shady?
(3)Amy K.
I haven't tried the lunch buffet, but dinner is pretty good, depending on what you order. It's not as good as some of the Indian restaurants in Artesia, but if you don't want to drive up there from OC, India Cook House isn't bad. We had no trouble getting a table on a Saturday night. The appetizer combo was an assortment of fried chicken and assorted vegetables, and it was hard to tell one from another until you bit into them. I really liked the garlic naan and the okra. I would have those again, but skip the appetizers.
(3)L P.
Food was good but the service was great. Ate here on a Wed night and my date arrived really really late - about 20 mins before they closed. The owners were nice enough to let us in, get situated, and order whatever we wanted. They never rushed us, even though most, if not the entire, staff had already gone home. At the end of the night, the owner just gave us our check with a smile! Prices aren't cheap but aren't prohibitively expensive either. Pretty much in line with all other decent Indian restaurants.
(4)Ranz N.
Me and my co-workers usually come out here for lunch on our slow days. It's even better when we let our VP, CFO. CEO. and company owner know we're heading to the cook house, we end up getting free lunch because it ends up getting expensed. The only good thing about this restaurant is their brunch/lunch buffet and it is freakin good! Their vegetarian selection is great. Pakoras, samosas, rice, naan, masala, gulab jaman. The ambience is relaxed, mix of college students and business people. The waiters are attentive despite it being a buffet. On top of all that, it won't break your wallet. Parking is plentiful since it is located in a big plaza, although that might make it hard to find for first-timers. I suggest to get there before the lunch hour rush, because the line get's long. Dinner is not as promising as their lunch. why? NO BUFFET! duh!
(4)Shams N.
I love this place! This little place is in the strip mall with Caspian restaurant and the Arabic market. The outside looks really dingy especially with all the construction but it is cute on the inside. Their food is fantastic. I usually stick to what I like so we usually order 2 orders of the chicken tikka masala mild, the veggie rice, and the cheese non. I have tried the sweet non and the garlic one and they are all fantastic!!!! The non is warm and crispy and soft just YUM! The chicken tikka masala is always on point, the flavors are delicious I just don't know what they put into it! The rice is always great too. The only thing I hate about this place is the guys that work there. They just stand there and stare at you! I am not kidding they fix themselves at the other side and just stare. I would totally give this place 5 stars but the creepy waiters that stare and look like they are trying to x-ray my chest every time they come to the table just makes it a very uncomfortable dinner. So we have decided to just order it to go from now on! My boyfriend gets all frustrated and its not like you can say something...because then you know your food is coming out with someones spit in it. So the clear solution just take it to go.. But as for their food it is amazing it tastes home cooked and delicious!!!
(4)Tina L.
Mmm the food here is sooo good! We went here because it was in the Entertainment book and it was so worth it. Kenny loves the curry here and swears by it. We had the Chicken Marsala with rice and nan. The curry was cooked to perfection and my favorite part was that it was nice and creamy. Yum! Can't wait to go again but beware, the food is heavy!
(5)Jenny Q.
Great lunch buffet but I wouldn't head there for dinner. Very pricey. Service is ok, but I usually go for buffet and they are aiming for the numbers. By that I mean, I have low expectations for service and moderate hopes for good food. If someone asked to go for lunch, I wouldn't say no. For dinner, I'd rather head to Dosa Place.
(3)Caroline B.
This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Irvine. I was recommended this place by my Indian roommate when I was looking for a good place. The Indian food here is some of the best I have ever had. The Chicken Tikka Marsala is amazing. I took my boyfriend here who had never had Indian food at all and he is hooked. He compared it to crack, it is so delicious and addictive. I also think that Palak Paneer is very good here. The service is very friendly and they always remember me. They are very attentive with water and asking if everything is alright. On more than one occasion I have gotten free dessert. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for Indian food in Irvine. DInner for 2 is usually around $30.
(5)Paul A.
This place has a badass lunch buffet. I love Indian food, especially Samosas. I could come here for the lunch buffet and just eat the Samosas. Anyway, they have a decent spread and everything is good. I've been here for dinner too but quite frankly, it's a bit pricey off the menu so I just stick to the lunch buffet.
(4)Karen K.
Best Indian food I've ever had. My favorite is the Murgh Makni which is chicken in a red sauce made of spices and yogurt. Shrimp Masala is also a favorite of mine. I love going to this place for dinner but their lunch buffet is a great deal. For dinner, I suggest the Non-Vegetarian combination meal. It comes with Chicken Tikka (chicken baked in a clay oven), Murgh Makni, Saag (spinach sauce), Lamb, and some other side dishes that I cant remember, but everything is delicious. The portions are generous. Two people can easily be full off of just one combination meal. However, my husband and I always order this as well as another dish and we finish everything! The prices are reasonable and the service is great.
(4)Alisha C.
my friend and I ran in, just as the lunch buffet was ending. they told us to hurry up and let us Indian food binge for twenty minutes. I didn't taste a terrible amount of the food, but I'm pretty sure it was delicious. they rushed us, but the food was good and the price was right so i'll be back
(3)Emm C.
i give it a 4 to keep the average at 4 stars. Any more and it's over rated! We had the Chicken tandoori and palak paneer. I am usually wary of tandoori bc if done wrong, it's all dried *but* to my surprise it wasn't. In fact it was SO juicy. Palak paneer was good but only had a cube or two of cheese - a bit too little cheese for its namesake (palak or paneer? whatever). agreed, food was heavy. Nice decor and waiters were in pants and button-downs. this is a cool part of Irvine where you can find persian next to korean next to chinese next to japanese.
(4)Fak U.
good price. good food. nuff said.
(4)Alexander L.
Decent eats for a price that's surprisingly low for the amount of food you can pig out on. The food gets a little repetitive, but that's really okay since so many people are going through and stuffing their faces. It's a great place to go to make sure your money goes a long way. I wasn't a huge fan of their small dessert bar. They did however, have Howitzer 10000 which is an extremely difficult to find beer - even if you're in an Indian restaurant. I would have gone, if I didn't have to drive back home to San Francisco in like 30 minutes.
(3)Bhanu S.
Horrible customer service n bland curries
(2)Steven L.
This is a good alternative for the LA folks craving for some Indian food when you're in the OC area. Located inside a strip mall. Good tasty Indian food. Buffet style...All you can eat for one price. Just because it is all you can eat doesn't mean it lacks the great cooking. On the contrary, India Cook House has all of the usual meats: chicken, beef, lamb. Enough varieties to keep your taste buds entertained. Friendly staff. Happy Eating.
(5)Duncan M.
i'm so torn about this place. my family and i have eaten there on many an occassion and i found the food to be quite good, somewhere in the 3 1/2-4 star range. they even catered my wedding with what i thought was their best food to date. however my wife and i went back for the buffet a few months ago, i went back for seconds which was a massive mistake. i took a bite of the tikka masala and got a slimy bit of chicken. while i immediately stopped eating it never really dawned on me how bad uncooked chicken was until a day later i came down with what i thought was initially a fever. it turned out to be salmonella. i have never felt so miserable in all my life. after reading Yuka K's review i can't say i'm surprised. decent to good food, just be very careful.
(1)Jalop N.
A strip mall gem in a non-descript section of Irvine (yea, this one is even MORE non-descripter than usual). Easier than ordering at McDonald's since you grab a seat and then go at it at the buffet. No niceties besides the offer of a drink. I recommend the delicious Chicken Makhni. The garlic naan was out. of. this. world. Chunks of garlic were baked on the naan and functioned well in sopping up the various sauces that drenched the entrees. I wished they had saffron rice as the regular rice was bland. Good food for a good price and you don't have to fight for parking. Aaah, OC's small victories against LA.
(3)Andy K.
I have been here for lunch buffet a few times. The food is reasonably good. The only negative is that there is a waiting time and long lines, during lunch hours. If you want to go for the lunch buffet, avoid the peak time (12 to 1:30).
(4)Crissy Crissy B.
3.5 for an awesome lunch buffet, one of the best in the area. I like this place. I would have to say that I rank Indian food in my top list of ethnic dishes, so i've eaten at many Indian places, and i'd have to say that this place is pretty damn good especially here in Irvine. lighting is dim, but the place is spacious and perfect for large groups. the wait is long though, and it can get very busy during dinner hours. the expansive array of curries here are quite abundant, so you have something new each time you come here if you plan to eat here 50 more times. i highly recommend the lamb tikka massala, matar paneer, and most of the chicken dishes. get the garlic naan too. one thing that i didn't like was that the glasses for water were small, and needed to be refilled constantly. however, service wasn't so quick to deliever that. give the place a try
(3)De Z.
Typical Indian buffet. Everything was tasty except some funky lamb dish that was more fat and bone than anything else and a fried fish entree that looked like it had spent way too much time under the heat lamp. Every time I have visisted they have been very busy which is a good sign for any buffet place. The waiters are always replenishing those items that are running out. This place is always very clean. For the quality and quantity of the food I have nothing to complain about. Does anyone recommend an indian restaurant that does not offer a buffet for lunch????
(4)Krys G.
Oh I'm so bummed someone had a bad experience here. I've been there with friends and even for my birthday, and they seem to do well with large parties. Never tried the buffet lunch deal, so I can't say much on that, but the chicken tikka masala here is pretty much orgasmic. We usually order it "medium" in terms of spiciness, since the one time recently we did "hot," I was unable to eat the leftovers. Nuclear. Anyway, the lamb chops are fantastic, as are many of the curries. I'd never claim to be an Indian food connoisseur, but this is a great hole-in-the-wall place for tasty Indian. One thing I can say is that their service can be hit or miss. There seem to be a lot of guys wandering around (never a woman on staff in sight, mind you,) but oddly no one can be flagged down. Also, don't ask the bussers for much, they're pretty useless. Also, the parking lot is a total death trap. Lots of people backing in and out, not looking, running people over, driving too fast, too slow, whipping around corners, you name it. You may not survive. Oh, and their sister restaurant (same owner, same great quality food) is the India Restaurant on Pioneer in Artesia, which is much closer to me in the LBC. Smaller square footage, and crammed on Saturdays but great for take out.
(4)Kat L.
The only Indian lunch buffet I like. And I've tried practically every buffet location in Southern California. The variety isn't too great, but the food is goood! My favorite was the mushroom masala and tandoori and I love their desserts
(4)Brian D.
Buffet is definitely selling this place short. Go for the dinner during non-buffet hours. Far better preparation and selection.
(3)Jason K.
I'm giving this place 4 stars because of the variety they offer at their lunch buffet compared to the other Indian buffets I've been to. They usually have 3 chicken dishes, 1 lamb, 1 fish and 3 or 4 vegetable dishes to choose from. They've also got samosas, salad items and desert. You can also request fresh naan. For $8.75 for lunch, I consider it a great deal.
(4)Daniel w.
Not impressed... with the food nor the service. I usually write longer reviews... but this one isn't worth it. Skip this one. Try Tustin's Dosa Place, or Long Beach's Natraj
(1)Linda Y.
I really like this place. $9 for a lunch buffet = happy Linda! The variety might not be as wide as other places, but they have the essentials: palak paneer, samosas, chicken masala, tandoori chicken, lamb shanks, yogurt salad. I really like the chutneys. Don't eat too much rice though. I heard most Indian buffets add baking soda to the rice so it'll fill you up more. I friggin love the fruit cocktail in mango sauce. SO GOOD. I can eat like 10 little dishes of those just for dessert AFTER eating the buffet food hahaha. Fresh naan? Heck yeah! The only thing that sucks about going here is the parking. The parking spaces are teeny teeny tiny so be careful when you park here.
(4)Giselle U.
I come here for the garlic shrimp tandoori. This place definitely gets crowded during weekends, but weekdays are fine.
(4)Irvine R.
Exceptional food. Great ambiance. I go to this place so often. I usually don't react well to spicy food but this place has just the right amount of spice.
(5)Camilla T.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is delicious - I love the murg makni and the chicken palak. I have brought several friends to this place, and everyone has really enjoyed it. The staff is very friendly, and they always provide great service. My 6 year-old nephew and 11 year-old niece can't get enough of the yogurt sauce :)
(5)Brian E.
By far the best Indian food in Orange County. I have been going there so long and so often that I am now on a first name basis with many of the servers there. The dinner menu is better than the buffet, but the buffet is excellent as well. My favorite dishes are the Karahi Chicken and the Chana Masala medium spicy on either. Their portions are ample, the naan and rice are great. Everything about this place rocks: eat there!
(5)Marian B.
For the lunch buffet price, the food was very good. The service isn't excellent. It took them forever to bring us water and naan, but it's ok. The food made up for that.
(4)Tanya M.
I have only been there for the lunch buffet during the week. It's pretty darn good! One of my favorite Indian dishes is Tandoori Chicken and it rocks there! Obviously I am not Indian, but having lived with Indians and tried home cooking as well as various restaurants, I would say that this place makes pretty good food. I love spicy food, so I say that the food is not too spicy. I still pile on the green chutney and achar (aka: pickles). For $9 you get a good variety of freshly prepared dishes as well as deserts, unlimited Naan, real table cloths and napkins, friendly wait staff, and pretty clean surroundings. Whether you've tried Indian food or not, I would recommend this place. Oh! one more thing I like about this place, is that I always see a huge variety of cultural backgrounds there.. Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Caucasian, Pakistani, etc... Happy eating!
(4)Kenny B.
Ordered catering here for lunch at work a few times, and I've been pleasantly surprised. Lots of good flavors here, and some of the spicy dishes are well worth the pain you might be feeling later on. Eaten chicken, lamb, etc. here and I enjoyed it all. Naan is excellent, sauces and spices can be too hot for some, but I like my spicy food! I haven't been to the lunch buffet, but must try it out sometime.
(4)Oliver T.
Great lunch buffet, but iffy dinner items. In fact the dinner items might even be just lunch items that were reheated. I hope I'm wrong on that one but that's how the palak paneer (creamed spinich and cheese) and chicken tika (both items that you can get from the buffet bar) came across. I would have given this place another star were it not for that dinner experience.
(3)Michael A.
went here for the lunch buffet, mmn... i was the first one there, got there right at 11, nobody else came in until about 11:20. this was a sunday mind you. everything was warm and NOT hot, which is NOT something i'd expect being the first people to get to take a stab at the food. honestly, meh, even though 8 something sounds like a steal, it's not, i'd say maybe 6 bucks for the meal. we only made 2 rounds before we left, 3 if you include my last round of fruit which i ditched because it tasted like crud. i HAVE been here for dinner, twice maybe, and the chicken tiki marsala is absolutely DELICIOUS. i would come here for dinner, the portion is big enough so that you don't leave hungry but the quality is about 5 million gazillion times better than the lunch buffet. 2 stars for the lunch buffet, 4 stars for dinner, so all in all, a 3 star establishment.
(3)Patricia F.
Frequently eat here because of proximity to home. Not bad, not amazing... decent buffet. Good service. The curries are heavy and can leave you feeling waaaay too full. They give you generous portions for take-out too so good for sharing. Good Nan and Paratha bread.
(3)Cindy C.
India Cook House by far this is my favorite Indian restaurant. They have a great lunch buffet for $8.95 with all your usuals. Samosas, Frittas, Chicken Tikka, Palak Paneer, Chicken Curry, Tandori Chicken, etc. A must try the next time you're in Irvine!
(4)M B.
The best Indian food in Irvine, and at a decent price. The restaurant itself is sort of a "hole in the wall" kind of place that doesn't look like much from the outside and definitely looks like it was converted from an old diner-type restaurant on the inside, so we probably never would have found it or chosen to come in if one of our coworkers hadn't recommended it. But, we're so glad he did! The food is fantastic, and even though we've tried other Indian restaurants in the area, we keep returning to this one because the food is so much better even though the prices are generally lower. We've ordered several things from the menu, and have never left disappointed. My only words of warning: dress warmly (the air conditioner is always a little too high) and be assertive about asking to have your drinks refilled (beverages like iced tea often sit empty for quite a while otherwise-- not good if you're eating spicy food). Note-- I have only been here for dinner, never for the lunch buffet.
(5)Carrie B.
This is the very first place I tried Indian food and while I admit I thought it was just okay at first, I probably wasn't in the right place to rate the restaurant. Now after numerous Indian restaurants and a more refined palate, I totally look forward to eating here. Lunch buffet or not, this place is great. The chicken tiki masala and garlic nan is delish!
(4)Gary Royale T.
I am going to have follow everyone else and give this place a 5 out of 5 simply for their taste and the quality of food they provide during the buffet lunch hour. The only thing I highly recommend doing is showing up a bit earlier at aboout 11-11:30. If you get there during the lunch hour, it would take you a long time to get a plate of food because of the line. I dont blame the crowd there because the food is delicious. I would come here instead of Natraajs anyday of the week.
(5)Kendra D.
we've eaten here a few times now and have been more than satisfied every time. we've had take out for dinner, and also gone for the lunch buffet. i can't say that i'd be wiling to drive much farther than the 10 miles i drive to get there though. the decor inside is your usual tacky indian restaurant but i've learned that the cheap decor is no indication of what the food is like. the food has a nice flavor and is seasoned well. i particularly like the lamb baryani and vegetable korma. my husband usually goes for chicken tikka masala as it's one of his all time fav's and he's pleased with how they prepare it. the only thing we weren't all that thrilled about was the mix tandoori grill. it's kind of a rip off because you really don't get that much food for the money. you're better off ordering two curries. you'll also be pleased with their portions as they are very generous. we usually order 3 different dishes/curries with some naan and the two of us can eat 2 full meals off of those 3 dishes.
(4)Samuel C.
Good ambience, decent food, but no wow factor here.
(3)Craig C.
this place hasn't changed one bit in years, which is a good thing! Their lunch buffet has the best Indian food in Orange County and usually without much of a wait no matter how busy it is.
(5)Veronica P.
really good indian food. The chicken curry, vegetable curry and the chicken tikka masala are all really good. The meat in all the dishes is tender and they have big pieces in all the dishes, so you definitely don't feel gipped. They always have items to make a salad and fresh fruit as well. The desert selection is decent, but they only have like 3 things. the place is decorated nicely. The service is nice and they give your a basket of fresh naan at your table. I always feel as though they don't give enough though. We always ask for more and the service is a little slow and usually forget to bring it to us. That would be my only complaint about the place and that they should have more items in their buffet, but for 8.95 it really is a good deal so eat up!
(4)P S.
Pretty poor quality indian food. Clay over is quite a bit better, but they have problems as well. Surprised by the poor quality of Indian food in Irvine.
(2)An D.
I love their all-you-can-eat lunch buffets!! It's only $9.00 and sooo satisfying! My favorite is the chicken masala! Oh! And you get unlimited naan...which is great!
(4)J. N.
The best Indian food I've found in Orange County, so far, but not the best I've ever had.
(4)Anh N.
I used to frequent here with my co workers when I worked in Irvine. On a recent visit to the lunch buffet, the food was lackluster and like Anita points out the naan was kinda yucky. The place was packed as usual with the office lunch crowd, but for some reason the food just wasn't as good as I remebered. Chicken tikka masala and chicken curry were bland, the spinach paneer was a bit watery (yuck), and the tandoori chicken was kinda dry. The best thing was actually dessert. Galub Jamun wasn't too mushy, the kheer was creamy and not too sweet , and mango pudding with fruit cocktail wasn't half bad. If it weren't for the desserts I probably would have given this place a 2. Sheesh...sweet tooth gets me every time....
(3)evan p.
This is quite possibly the best indian food in the area. Everything is good. The lunch buffet tends to be lower in quality than a dinner, but it's also $8 compared to whatever like, $15 a person at dinner. stuff sits around a little, it's worth the price difference. I drive here from orange to get indian, past 3 good indian places on the way. All of the waiters are very nice, and I go here monthy, and have never had a single order, drink, or service issue. That's a pretty good track record. Especially for 'foreign' food.
(5)Gudia A.
Always go there for their lunch buffet. It is the mos exntensive buffet I have seen ANYWHERE. the have about 20 dishes and 4 dessesrts... their lamb curry, tikka masala, saag, are awesome.. and their carrot pudding, rice pudding and gulab jamuns are always fresh.. have a opton of garlic and regular naan, the waiters ar always walking around filling your water cups.. great service for the price..the buffet is 7.95 or 8.95
(5)Rob R.
yea like the other reviewer below me i really dont think you should count on me as an authority on indian food cos i really havent had enough of it to know what is good & authentic & what isn't, but for this review im listening to my taste buds and everything i tried here was really good. comparing this to the last place i went (Crown of India) in Los Anglees this place is much better and around the same price .
(4)Hash k.
Love their lunch buffet. Lot of options great tasting indian food in town. If you really like Indian food you should try their dinner. It's very authentic and very tasty. Service is the best.
(5)Shelley T.
I have select tastes in Indian dishes, so I will not advertise myself as an Indian connoisseur. I admit, I have more of the lame American tastes, but alas... Their Chicken Tikka Masala was great. The Tandoori Chicken was very good - not as dry as it usually is. The Naan was great. Their Chai Tea was smoky - none of us liked it - but my parents said that they go there all the time and it's usually great. I don't care for most Indian vegetable dishes because they mostly contain peas and potatoes, which feel heavy, taste like Thanksgiving dinner, and are not my thing, but I LOVE the spicy green sauce and I add it to just about every bite of food. Their sauce was delicious and spicy.
(4)chair n.
i've been here a few times and it's been good everytime EXCEPT once when my chicken was undercooked. that kinda killed it for me.. but i still go once in while, i just don't order chicken. -_-; their lamb tikki masala is delish but even "very spicy" is not that spicy. gets kinda crowded on the weekends but i've never waited more than 10 minutes.
(4)Simon H.
i can't say much about the specific ordering of dishes for this indian restaurant. however, i can tell u a good amount of what the lunch buffet is all about! for $9 dollars, you can have a full indian lunch buffet. it's not some tiny buffet section in the restaurant, it's actually a decent size with a good amount of selections! all sorts of curry, chicken, lamb, desserts, all you can eat naan, a few kinds of indian fried foods, vegetables and a lot of other stuff! seriously, 9 bucks, not a lot for something like this! i've been to the lunch buffet about 3, 4 times and everytime it tastes consistent from each other and very good! of course, it's a buffet after all, so the quality isn't top notch. however, judging it according to buffet quality, it really is better than a lot of places i've been to! if you want buffet, got a lot of room in your stomach and want some indian food, i totally recommend you this place. it's next to caspian, hidden behind the dennys on culver. anyhow, hope this helps!
(4)Dave S.
We had been intending to try India Cook House for a while and we finally popped in recently. After they sat us and gave us menus, the staff proceeded to ignore us for a long while. After we finally got their attention and ordered the food took a long time. We had chicken tikka masala and yellow dal. The chicken had little taste and it was actually kind of sweet which was really weird. The big downer was the Dal. It was watery and completely tasteless. This was in general the most tasteless Indian we've had in a while. It was disappointing especially considering the good reviews. In terms of service, as mentioned they took forever to take our order. When the check came, my GF noticed they hadn't charged us for the Dal. She pointed it out and the server took the check away without a word. Five minutes later he reappeared and just handed it back to us...not a word. I don't know what I expected from them, but maybe a thank you, or something? Anyway, this was just really a disappointing experience.
(2)Jonathan W.
Went here last summer on the advice of a coworker who is Indian. I have only been during the lunch buffet because there is too many delicious options for me to choose. The buffet was priced well, $10ish, for all you can eat, I got like three plates full and a couple baskets of naan. The Chicken Tiki Marsala is good along with the samosas. I prefer to get alot of there food with thicker sauces and use the naan to soak it up. They also had plenty of vegetables and different meat options like lamb. I went back several times during the summer but haven't been in several months due to school, but I try and go when I am in Irvine.
(4)Diana P.
WAIT. I came with a friend my first time for lunch when they opened an hour before, so there wasn't a wait. A lot of people came in after us while we were there. SERVICE. Slow. They never asked if we wanted to order off the menu or eat at the buffet. Water took awhile and naan took one round of food before it came out. FOOD. 4 stars goes to the Chicken tiki masala with garlic naan. That's the only thing I remembered because it was undeniably my favorite! Other foods were good or decent, but nothing compared to their CTM. If you need some greens/veggies, I definitely recommend the cauliflower. None of the dishes were that spicy which is good for me because I can't handle spicy too well. I tried one of each of the foods on the left (more authentic) side of the buffet and loved them all!
(4)D B.
Very horrible service and below average quality food!!! Please do not step foot in this restaurant if your are looking for good Indian food. The waiters curse at each other and just don't care about the service and food. We waited for everything and our food didn't taste good at all.
(1)K W.
I was itching for some Indian food. Ok let's begin. I've been to enough places to know if it is good or not. The garlic naan had very little garlic if it had any and burnt was the predominant flavor. The buffet had some options but not the good ones. The rice was the best part of the experience. Should have gone to Annaporna on the south end of the center near walnut. Sorry cookhouse we won't return.
(2)Tanya S.
I came here with a few friends for dinner so they could try Indian food for the first time. There weren't enough plates, glasses, or napkins on the table, and every time one of the waiters poured out water, we got an unwanted shower as well. We waited about 25 minutes without anyone asking us if we were even ready to order, and had to ask twice for someone to serve us. And then for the real problem. We waited over an hour for our food, with the waiters all lying to us about how much longer our food would take. We waited patiently for the first 30 minutes but every time we asked how much longer, we would get the same "5 minutes" line. And they weren't even genuine about it, no eye contact, no apologies, just the same excuse to us and every other table waiting. About 4 other tables were complaining too, and after the first hour, the waiters actually lied about which table's food they were bringing out next in order to keep all their customers. This was the last straw and we left another 15 minutes later without ever seeing our food. If you're not able to serve all your customers, please admit to it rather than wasting an hour and a half of our time. Not only were we in a sour mood because of that ridiculous service, but I'm personally embarrassed that this is the experience my non-Indian friends have with Indian food. I've been here once before (also a rather long wait) and I know the food is well prepared and tasty, which is the only reason I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1. Basically, they need to really up their service, honesty, and attitude towards customers.
(2)Tom S.
Today I was majorly disappointed in their lunch buffet, and their service. Sure, it's a buffet and we get our own food. They close at 2:30 and I arrived at 2:00. The tandoori chicken was empty and I asked one of the Indian waiters if they were planning on replacing it. He snarled something unintelligible in his language which he knew I did not understand, and then walked away. Long story short, it never was replaced. Their naan bread is good. But not when you are just about to finish your meal. I asked another server if he was bringing some and he assured me he was. As I was almost finished, he brought a basket of bread to my neighboring table, and she didn't want it so he just gave me to me. It was lukewarm. Neither the surly Indian nor the nice, but incapable Latino guy ever filled my water. I've never had such shoddy service, but the man I usually presume is the owner/manager was not there. There was some guy looking like a real slob in a blue shirt that might have been in charge. He looked as though he just wandered in off the street and should have been thrown out. ICH was always my go-to Indian restaurant. Now I swill try Anapurna, at the other end of the shopping center. I ate there once before, and as I remember, it was pretty good! Adios Cook House! Your crappy service today lost a regular customer!!!
(2)Mai T.
Food is very tasty and are good shareable sizes for the amount that you pay. I would highly recommend the sweet naan, it's stuffed with potatoes and peas and is sooo good. The service however just does the bare minimum and we waited for our food for an hour. HOUR. We were there around 9 p.m. on a Sunday night and there weren't many other people seated before us. Maybe order to go to avoid the wait, because the food isn't worth that much time.
(3)Cathy W.
Let's get to the bottom line. This is my 2nd time that made me come back. 1. The food especially the naan bread. Served after you got your buffet. Choice between regular or garlic bread. The bread was so fresh, warm, crispy and soft inside. In addition to the curry and tandoori chicken that's my favorite. Flavorful, savory and best to go with the bread. 2. They have wines!!! 3. Ambiance is kind of meh.. Old dated but get you a feeling that you are dining at the 60-70's era restaurant? 4. The younger servers are pretty attentive and thumbs up for that. So if the owner sees this review, please appreciate the staff you hired. 5. Salad bar can be improve further with more selections.
(5)Guru Kaustubh T.
Hello, The food lacked the basics at this place. Food at this place lacked the spices and the vegetables used appeared to be frozen veggies. Who so ever cooked appeared to be an amateur. I'm surprised they got 3.5 stars from others. I know I will not go back to them.
(2)Michelle T.
I have never gone out for Indian food before. The only Indian food I've been exposed to is my mom's curry. Which is not authentic in any way, but it definitely had that curry flavor. Anyways, this place was great! I came here for dinner with some Indian friends, and they ordered everything for us. Therefore, I have no idea what the names of the dishes are. So I am apologizing for not being able to provide the names to any of the dishes :/ All I know is that everything was delicious. The appetizers came out first; we had some samosas (oh hey, I remember the name of this one!), chicken curry sautéed with tomatoes and onions, fried cottage cheese sautéed with tomatoes and onions, and a meat that resembled a sausage. For the entrees, there were 3 different types of curry: chicken, cottage cheese, and lamb. These were all served with a side of rice and garlic & buttered naan. Everything was delicious! The chicken and cottage cheese curry were creamy and luxurious and wonderful. I am not fond of lamb, so I didn't try that. I'm sure it's delicious for those who do like lamb though. My boyfriend and I had mango and pistachio Indian ice cream. This was definitely a different take on ice cream, and it was a great palate cleanser and a great way to end the meal. I would definitely come back here again, and when I do come back, hopefully I know what to order!
(4)Tyler L.
I have to change / update this to a 5-star. Now that I have been to many different Indian Restaurants only to be disappointed. I always compare others to India Cook House. India Cook House..their food is somewhat fresh and consistent. Maybe due to the volume of customers which causes constant food being brought out. There has been a change in the employees. The waiters are now the young generation that are serving you at the tables.
(5)Aarun V.
Decor - 6/10 Food - 8/10 Service - 5/10 I remember we sat next to a table who had a steaming hot dish. The ceiling was so low, and ventilation was so poor that the smoke descended upon our table and caused a coughing fit. I have been here in the past for the lunch buffet, this time I had taken my entire family plus relatives from overseas to dinner. Perhaps it was an off night, because the food and people working there in the past I recall were very helpful and kind. Unfortunately, such wasn't the case this time.
(2)Ahmed E.
Great food and service. Second time here great food and good service. Took some time for food to get ready for the buffet
(4)Diana T.
Came here on a Sunday around 11:30ish and it was not crowded at all. We did the all you can eat buffet lunch special which was only $8.95!! What a deal for all you can eat! There are limited items to choose from but everything was so good! You pretty much just walk in, wait for a server to seat you, then you just get up, grab a plate and then pile on your food. Everything was flavorful. I'd describe the dishes but I forget the names of everything!! The limited variety of foods that they serve is good because it will let you get the chance to try a little bit of everything without unbuttoning your pants! NOTE: -Ask for a basket of garlic naan
(4)Julie S.
The food was amazing!! Really fabulous Indian food. I had the shrimp masala and my husband had one of the combo plates. We both loved everything. The only bad part was that the service was slow. We went at 5:15 for dinner and there was only one other party there. But it took at least 30-40 minutes for them to bring our food. However, I would definitely go back, and maybe order take-out instead
(4)Danny N.
This place used to be my favorite Indian restaurant but after trying out several others in and around the area I must say the quality and variety of food available is now very poor. Even the service is below average. This is officially my last time coming here. Hasta la vista baby!
(3)Christy W.
I like th food ,but it would b nicer if they bring out the Nah bread quicker instead after 20minuts when my lunch about over !
(3)Moe K.
We got there 1.15pm, and I was waiting for BBQ Chicken and each time I check on buffet they where out and I keep asking why don't you bring it and we find out if you are even inside the Resturant they don't want to waist money and make chicken, if they ready to closed the after 2 pm, another word Make sure go early, and their service is very poor. Their food ok for what they charge.
(2)Lannie N.
Let me say this, I enjoy coming here. The food is good, it's just I feel like there are so many Indian restaurants that offer a good lunch buffet. I do think the servers are super nice here, however I've just had better. I really like Haveli in Tustin and some other places in Anaheim. So I would definitely come here when I'm in the area, and when I'm with my friends, becaus
(3)Amy S.
The food was awful, the service was even worse. This use to be our standard go to place, but the quality of food and service has declined drastically. The food tasted watered down with no flavor. All the gravy was so thin and unflavorful. I will never return to this establishment.
(1)Armie T.
Went here yesterday with my boss and coworkers to celebrate the closing of a case. This review is for the buffet and service. Because my boss loves buffets. I, myself, don't understand the appeal, but whatever. We went around 12:30 and the place was PACKED! Noisy and bustling, filled with business people and Indians. Which is always a good sign. The place was super clean, though, for the middle of lunch rush. I packed on salad, watermelon and melon in my plate. Here's a plus about this buffet that's rare some other places: no rotten veggies in the salad bar. Also no stray veggies or sauces. Amazing job y'all. From the buffet I got dal, lamb curry, chicken makhani, allu gobi, fish pakora, gajjar ka halwa, gulab jamun. We also got wine and chai. The curries. Decent. Nothing really THAT special. There were others, but I just wasn't interested in them, my coworker liked them, so maybe next time. Fish pakora was awesome, the only drawback being it was a bit salty. But hey, I'm just happy with the fish pakora. Did end up drinking am entire glass of water to get rid of the saltiness. That chai though. Not the best. We asked for no sugar, but I guess they make it with sugar because we got sweet af chai. And it was cold. No thanks. Gajjar ka halwa was lackluster. Gulab jamun was okay. Good, but not great. Service wasn't that great. Besides the guy who brought us our first basket of naan, no one came back to check our water or naan. Oh well. Overall I'd say this place is probably best suited for quick lunch at the last moment. Nothing that lasting about it though.
(3)Michelle J.
Tried India Cook House based on recommendations from Indian friends who rave about this place being authentic and homestyle. I find the flavors a bit on the bland side, but still delicious and it doesn't give me gas or bloating like some other restaurants do. I would give them 3 stars, but their chicken tikka masala knocks it up a star because it is the best that I have ever had. The tender chicken melts in your mouth like butter and the sauce is knock your socks off good. I would come here for the chicken alone. Lunch buffet is a great value that offers many selections to try including their famous chicken tikka masala for under $10. Buffet items are not as fresh as other places that I have tried, but I would come here for the selection.
(4)Sydney T.
Craving for indian food so we stopped by for a quick lunch. Service: friendly and pleasing to the eyes compared to many other indian places we've been to...ie they are not sloppy looking. The place looks clean and organize. Their chicken dishes are tender and tasty. Price is reasonable and plenty of parking. Tips: on weekend, parking lot is very busy.
(4)Amanda D.
I don't understand why this place gets anything less than a 4 star. I say the food and service are both impeccable. They have a good wine list compares to other ethnic restaurant Buffet is fully ready by the time they open ( I am a open bird) Greeted by the owner to see how I was doing. I love the cauliflower!!! the curry cabbage with peas are pretty good too. They also have precious fish curries.
(5)JoAnne M.
This review is strictly with regard to the service. Food, although pricey for the amount you get, is very tasty. I called in at 10:30 to place an order of 8 lunch meals and asked if I could come in at 11:45. I was told no, 'you come in at 12:15. I have the lunch buffet to set up' Um, excuse me? No, setting up the lunch buffet and balancing your job duties isn't my concern, and a togo order should not take over an hour and 1/2. Then I get there and I ended up waiting 1/2 hour anyways for it. The one older gentleman, started to help me, walked away, poured coffee, left that, walked to the buffet, disappeared into the kitchen, came back and added up my check, walked off somewhere else, took his time and couldn't complete one task at a time. Other people were complaining they hadn't received their naan, or a waiter at the table etc. 3 younger guys were standing around shootin the breeze with one another, not lifting a finger to help any of us waiting and frustrated. The I was handed two heavy bags and a hot try of rice. I asked for a box or bag for the rice. You would have thought I asked them to stick the tray up their ass, three of them stood there staring at me, like, I was nuts for not being able to carry all this food back to my car... And this is not the first time this sorta thing happened. So sorry this place has such lousy service and a wait staff that is a joke
(2)Kannan M.
We have been a regular for lunch and dinner for quite some time now. It was our go to restaurant for Indian. It gradually fell out first on service and then on taste. Gave it one last try today, and definitely black listing it from our options. These days I can never expect a courteous service here. Calls to refill empty food bins in lunch buffet goes unanswered. Naan served is either too dry or outright inedible. Not much options for people who don't eat meat either. Service should get better first.
(1)Jen L.
I've been here twice, tried both the buffet and the dinner menu. The buffet is average, nothing great. The selection is limited and the quality of food is mediocre. Their curries and sauces that were out were all mild and lacking taste. On the flip side, when I have come here for dinner the food I ordered off the menu was spectacular. Not sure why! I suggest ordering the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Chicken Vindaloo, those were my two favorite menu items here! Service is just okay, nothing to rave about and nothing to complain about either.
(3)Jon P.
First time here. Dirty place. Fruit was expired. Told waiter and he didn't do anything. When we paid, they double charged me and took forever.
(1)Eve C.
It's an authentic Indian food restaurant. I've lived in South East Asia for yearsss. Having said that, the food tastes just like the ones that my Indian friends made. In other words, some are slightly "too authentic" and pungent for non Indians, like me :D Five stars for *the price, $9+ for lunch buffet. *Chicken Makhani *Fruit Cocktail (Tastes like Mango Lassi) *Basmati Rice *Food varieties Minus one star for (These are okay) - Lamb shank - Chicken Tandoori - Salads - Desserts - Spinach I'll come back again to dip my garlic naan and top my Basmati rice in the Chicken Makhani sauce :)
(4)Zz Y.
I don't usually write reviews, but India Cook House made me write it. I usually like buffets, but this place is the worst for Indian Buffet. They call it chicken Biryani which is not actually a biryani. It is a mix of chicken curry and rice with absolutely no flavor. This is the first place, where I chose white rice over Biryani (because it tested so bad) The Samosa's are not crunchy, pakora's are too salty, Curry has no salt. Other vegetables are stale and SERVICE IS HORRIBLE. VERY VERY SLOW I had tried this place few months ago and had experienced the same. I thought, that was one of those days, but I think that's how it is. No Wonder they charge less and still the whole place is empty. Yelp, if you could give zero star, I would like that. THE WORST PLACE
(1)Eric C.
Wow, this lunch buffet is great. How the hell do they make money after I downed 4 plates of curry/ veggies/ masala/ garlic naan/ rice/ fried fish. Just 9 dollars for lunch and I skipped dinner. Pretty dark place, so just ask the waiter for a seat next to a window.
(4)Michael P.
Come right when it opens al the food is really fresh. The knon takes a while at this time but definitely worth the wait. $9 for ayce, worth.
(5)Karthik K.
Fud is mediocre, and service is poor.. The only reason u wud want to get into this restaurant is if u want a taste of pathetic service.. Ambience 6/10 Fud 5/10 Service 2/10 Personal opinion - not worth the single star rating fr the fud, not worth a single penny tip fr the service..
(1)Darin W.
Some of the best Indian food in OC! Dimly lit and the place looks questionable, that's where the best Indian food comes from :). Love their Chicken Makhni, a nice alternative to Chicken Tikka Masala, and there Chicken Tandoori is wonderful. The buffet is a great value if you eat two or more plates.
(4)Hema K.
We were a party of 20+ and service really sucked. One of my friend asked for a bottled water for her infant and seal was already broken. We were served with appetizers - samosa, veggie pakora. Both were terrible. I really have tasted better. Oily samosa and chewy pakora instead of crispy. Main course: dal makhni - it was so so paneer masala - this tasted better with good amount of creaminess tandoori chicken - by all means disliked it. It was too dry and overcooked. kadai lamb - there was no hint of spiciness and tasted sweet shrimp manchurian - my friends got sick and some complained that the shrimp tasted raw. My experience was not that great dining here for dinner and not visiting again!
(2)Simar M.
Me and my family came here for the first time for the buffet and I absolutely loved the food. It had right spice, it was fresh. Good to have a new place in my list for good indian food.
(5)Queen T.
Love this place! The food is really authentic. And the flavors are spot on. My favs are the ck tikka masala, tandoori ck, the lentil soup, veggie samosas, cauliflower and potatoes. Of course u come here just for the food. The place is not fancy or anything by all means. However it is clean, adorned with many table tops, so If u wanted to bring in a large party they could definitely accommodate you. And I must say the few times that I have been there the service has been right on. This may be due to the fact that I'm always there during slow hours, and they really don't have much else to do. Even so, they are always kind and very catering. If u love Indian food as much as I do. This is a great place to try! So lucky that we have one in OC! 5 stars bcz it's exactly what I'm looking for in a place like this.. Food, service. And they are both superb.
(5)Tiffany L.
Wow. Possibly worst dining experience IN MY LIFE. Came in on a Friday night and the place was relatively busy, but we thought no biggie- just one or two big parties and small parties here and there. BOY WAS I WRONG. Waited an hour just for the food to even come out and at one point we just wanted to leave because it was so ludicrous that we had to wait so long for some damn curry. Just as we got up, all the people working there got into a frenzy- insisting that our food is "already coming out" (something they had said 15 minutes ago). So they give us some complementary tea, but at this point I'm so tired of their bull crap that all I want to do is get up and not be accosted by three waiters while doing so. Whatever- food comes and everything is fine.. UNTIL WE NOTICED THAT THE CHICKEN WE ORDERED WAS PARTIALLY RAW. You know yeah, we did rush you.. But did we say we wanted to forsake our health for expedient service?! NO! Seriously undercooked raw meat was shown to the manager himself and he denied these accusations even when he cleared the plate for us. If it's (as you insist) "cooked in 800 degree temperature".. Why does it look and taste raw? None of the food was out of the extraordinary-amazing and it definitely was not worth my time. Our waiter was also extremely rude and did not seem apologetic at all. Four of us ordered four entrees and he kept pushing us into ordering naan when we already ordered more than enough food. Attitude was out of the roof, as every single time he would bring food I expected the comment "can you move that so I can put your food down.". UM the table clearly has more than enough space- put it down yourself. "Can you hand me that plate". Dude am I the server or are you the server here? Whatever man. The one highlight of this establishment is that they refill your water like they think you've been dehydrated for years. In the two hours we spent here we probably downed two jugs of water from how often one of the waiters came by to give us water. Experienced mild stomach discomfort after leaving and I will not be back. Service and management is enough to deter me from coming back.
(1)Isheeta B.
Their food is good, but it can be a little inconsistent. Their service is like any typical Indian joint. When they are busy, it takes time to get food if you are ordering by menu. I really like their paneer masala and mushroom bhaji!
(4)Izzat A.
Came here for dinner with a coworker Wednesday night. We asked for some mango lassi and the waiter said it wasn't available, then a few minutes later, another person (perhaps the owner) stopped by and we mentioned it and he said of course we can get you mango lassi. Ordered some pakorey and samosas as appetizers. The pakorey were fine but the samosas were not very good at all and I suspect were frozen store bought ones. Anyways, I ordered Paneer Tikkah Masala and it was really good. Also tried the yellow daal which was also good and the aloo matar which was decent as well. Ordered garlic naan and parathey and they were solid. Finished it up with ras malai and it was pretty good. I'm Pakistani so I've got a pretty high standard for Indian food. This place wasn't bad. Certainly not the worst but definitely not the best. The service (outside of the one guy who got us mango lassi) was lackluster. Overall, I'd come back here again.
(3)Down L.
The hubby and I are frequent visitors to India cook house. Growing up in the Bay Area, I know what good Indian food consists of and unfortunately OC doesn't deliver- until you go to India Cook house. The CTM, lamb kabob, & garlic naan are perfect. The waiters here are nice and they remember my order (including drinks!). They're nice and respectful and always willing to help you decide based on your taste that day. India cook house is my go to restaurant for Indian food in Orange County. No doubt. :)
(5)R P.
This place used to be one my favorite but after my experience last night I will never return here again. I went with my husband and 2 year old for dinner on Saturday night and it was pretty empty. There were 4 waiters there all looked like they did not want to be there. Half of them didn't even have their shirt tucked in they just looked sloppy. I got an appetizer which came out pretty quickly but when I wanted to order dinner no one was coming over to take the order. I was watching the waiters just standing around drinking water. They kept looking on their cell phones but no one bothered to come over to take our order. Finally we had to call one of the wairers over and placed our order. 35 mins go by not a single person came by to tell us what was going on with our food. Finally we got so frustrated we just got up and left. My husband went to the counter to ask them if they could just pack our food to go they tell him the order was never placed. To wrap it up this place needs a major lesson on customer service. It does not exist here. Noone gives a damn. Everyone there looks like they are miserable to be working there. My advice to the owner keep this crap up and you're gonna get shut down very fast. There needs to be some major changes here.
(1)Awesome G.
I JUST LOVE THIS PLACE One day, I decided to take a trip to a place called "India Cook House" I haven't been to many Indian places before but, I really liked how clean and nice the ambiance was. My server offers me a nice booth even though I was only one person! As soon as I sat down I was giving naan. They asked me what I wanted to order, I ordered a chicken tikka, YUMMY IT WAS DELICIOUS! It came out sizzling hot! I was just about to cry, it was delicious! I fell in love and now whenever someone says "Indian Food" I think of this place. If your fooling for quick service, or a nice place to grab a bite, but still get quality. This is the place to go!
(5)Jayson O.
When I write reviews, I like to think of a word or two that really summarizes my overall experience, and in this case, the best word I can come up with for India Cook House is....'Average'. Admittedly, I have not been here for dinner, but I have been here a handful of times for the luncheon buffet ($8.95) and I always walk away with the same thought "I just didn't live up to what I had in my head." First thing you should know is that it is tucked away in the corner one of the most ridiculous south Irvine parking lots ever. At peak hours, navigating the lot and its extremely small painted car stalls is an exercise in patience, but that shouldn't be a reflection on India Cook House, the lot can be madness at times. Second, it feels a bit crowded inside. The wall mounted mirrors attempt to make the place look much larger than it really is, but during the lunch rush, you'll take note that the buffet line can easily weave in and out and curve around tables on the perimeter making is slightly distracting, awkward, and even annoying when you are trying to relax and enjoy a meal when there's a constant shuffle of people walking by your table if you are seated there. But the real reason you're there is for Indian food, right? Well, while I give them credit for a large selection of items, and freshness, there's nothing there that has just knocked my socks off. Last time my coworkers and I were there, we all took note that our curry was 'bland' at best. Some of my chicken wasn't trimmed properly resulting in some bites of gristle, and lastly I thought some of the sauces seemed a bit thin. I love tika masala, and I am just 'okay' with theirs. On the plus side, staff does seem attentive at lunch, tea is fresh, Tandoori chicken is ample, and a nice supply of warm naan is available to all (but this pretty much is standard, staple fare for all Indian buffets anyway, no?). I also like that they have lamb in the buffet, not too many Indian buffets do anymore.
(3)Sunha P.
Worst restaurant, worst food and worst service. if there would have been any rating in the negative i would I have given the same. This is first and last visit here. People are making faces continuously like why we are here and need to call them again and again if we want anything. Opened the restaurant but don't know what is cutlery. ZERO customer service and customer satisfaction. Pathetic food, people,service, restaurant. Don't waste your money and time guys and don't spoil your precious family time.
(1)Nola C.
Used to really like this place. The last few visits haven't been very great. Ordered to-go on my last visit because I figured I wouldn't have to deal with the lack of service if I ordered to-go. I was wrong. The two younger guys working the front have no service and even proceeded to make comments I would only assume are about me, mumbling "only in America." And then when I left saying thank you he just stared at me blankly. It's uncomfortable to say the least. The food was just average. chicken tikka masala wasn't as flavorful and the naan was soggy. I think that's probably my last visit. Will have to see what else is in OC for Indian food.
(1)Sanj M.
This update is just on service- We still love the food! My husband and I have loved coming to this place.But off lately the service is really bad- if you have read my previous reviews- Service is something that I like it more than just ok kind. My husband and I have loved the service here, but they have hired some middle-age men- who talk very poor english and one waiter actually made a hand gesture when my husband ordered beer. It is kinda offensive because its lower class men in India, who do not drink alcohol do this hand gesture to indicate alcohol or people who drink alcohol. We literally burst into laughter when our waiter did this, we just couldn't wrap our head around someone who would work at a restaurant which serves alcohol, to do this. As bad the service was, we still love their food. When we decided to box some of the food, our waiter just bought boxes for us to box the food; which they hadn't done before. Hmmph, wasn't really happy! I will give 3 out 5 on service.
(3)Bosun O.
This food was what the kids of nowadays would call "LEGIT" or "THE BOMB". I came in about fifteen minutes before they closed(I'm sorry). They didn't make me feel hurried at all. It was a pleasant experience. The waiters were awesome, attentive and polite. I ordered the chicken tikka masala. It was the most delicious thing I've tasted since I firsted success. I will be back!!!
(5)L I.
Our family went to eat there yesterday 1/10/2015. I was shocked by charging double. I asked a guy what was the price for lunch buffet. He was saying price plus tax. He did not answer me directly. After I asked him again, he told me sorry he charged me twice. !!! I knew Indian is cheap (nothing wrong with cheap, I am cheap too), but this guy did was bad business practice. The food was horrible. No spice and flavors at all. I do not understand all high ratings people gave to this restaurant.
(1)Tony B.
Very poor service. Waiters seem clueless and we were left waiting to order and for food far to long. Waiter looked like he walked off the street in his sweatshirt! Food was plentiful enough but little to no taste, throughly disappointed as we love Indian food. Will not go back there again as there are so many better places in the area.
(1)Erica S.
We have been here for dinner twice and lunch buffet once. We have absolutely no complaints. We always share the vegetarian combo dinner with garlic naan and the lamb tika Marsala. It's all delicious! We always have leftovers for both of us..so portion sizes are really good. Haven't tried any of the desserts yet...the staff has always been friendly and we never have an empty water glass which I greatly appreciate.
(5)Eric B.
My favorite indian restaurant and perhaps my favorite restaurant in all of Orange County. However, they say they open at 5 but they usually aren't open then. I appreciate punctuality and it was disappointing that they weren't open when they said they would be.
(5)Su C.
$8.95 for lunch buffet not a bad price, very reasonable however... No air conditioning on a day when it's 102 outside makes for a less than enjoyable experience. The food was bland. But you can't beat the price however I'd rather pay more for a good meal and good experience than for the opportunity to stuff myself till I'm obese
(1)Ritika T.
Whoa! An Indian buffet I actually like? What? I fell in love with India Cook House. First of all, the place was filled with multiple parties of Indian people who were probably fresh off the plane. I saw a huge birthday party table filled with Indians. You KNOW it's a good spot if the natives are flocking to this place. The lunch buffet is amazing! $8.95 for all you can eat fresh, delicious, flavorful courses. Start with a little samosa and pakoras. The pakoras are to DIE for, but try not to fill up on them. Move on to the rice and daal. Fill up on naan and paneer. And finish it all up with some carrot cake. What else could you want?? (Oh, and I'm a vegetarian, but I hear the chicken is amazing). The people here are friendly. I'm very impressed by the quality and taste of the Indian food here...and that says a lot because most I've been to are mediocre.
(5)Simon J M.
One of my favorite Indian restaurants to date. The only unfortunate thing is it its half a country away from where I normally live in Michigan. I come from a place for the high Indian population of we have lots and lots of good restaurants. This place could easily compete with all of them. We had the mutant paneer, the naan, samosas, mulligatawny soup, and some sort of mushroom dish. All fresh, tasty and well spiced. We got the medium spice because we have never been to this restaurant before, or we could go much hotter. It was just at the right level to be tasty. I did however have some problems with the restaurant, like they were looking out of the windows at me at 4:59 waiting for the five o'clock bell to ring so they can open the doors and turn the sign to "open". This is just terrible business practice. I'm also pretty sure they were trying to commit some sort of psychological exercise on me, as with all the directions ahead with the wait staff, I never had one person repeat a visit. There was a new person every time. It was like one of those videos with a change something small every time like the color of the person you just see if you're paying attention. They were all happy and attentive, very professional, but every time they went into the little double doors to the kitchen they... transformed. Either that, or the cloaking device the aliens used in order to study us, was not functioning properly. Overall, I will happily go back in the future. Even when I do figure out when the implant came from.
(5)Ryan J.
Came here a few years ago for the buffet and really enjoyed the food and selection. I've been meaning to go back and have some more.
(4)Chris F.
This place is in my top six Indian buffets of all time. The selection is good and the quality consistent. If you are not familiar with Indian buffets the main thing you must realize is that quality can vary greatly with each visit. Tikka Masala is one of my favorite Indian dishes and a plate of that with some aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower) along with some naan would make me a happy camper.
(4)Sam L.
The buffet is okay and the place is pretty clean but what I wanted to address and complain about are two of my three biggest pet peeves when dealing with the restaurant's procedures and staff interface. 1) Bringing out the check too early or before I even ask for it. As if to say "hurry up asshole" and pay me. Chinese restaurants are notorious for doing this and I've been to plenty Indian joints but this was seriously too early...they brought my check over before I was even done with my first plate! 2) As the table adjacent and behind us emptied out...guess whose going Windex cleaner spray bottle happy?!?! WTseriouslyF!?!? I could taste the Windex and even felt it on my arm! If my table wobbled, I would've flipped it over, made unpleasant remarks about Russel Peters and stormed the F out.
(1)Patrick N.
At $8.95, this lunch buffet is one of the best meal deals in Irvine. In fact, regardless of price, the food at India Cook House is some of the best Indian food I've ever had. I went during a busy Saturday lunch rush and new trays of fresh food were periodically being brought out. As a result, a lot of the food was still fresh tasting and the meat didn't dry out. And the gulab jamun dessert was perfect! I had to get two.
(4)Nandakumar R.
Have visited plenty of Indian buffets, but this is the only place where its economical and best. In $20 two of you can leave stomach full and satisfied. Just taste their mutton gravy in the buffet, you will want to come here daily.
(4)Ed S.
Food is meh, customer service is very bad. Waited over 20 minutes for naan after asking three times, and after they started distributing it they skipped our table completely and served people who came after us. The guy at the register and they waiters are not very friendly in general.
(1)Joy H.
4.5 stars. I've been here for both lunch buffet and regular dinner service, and am fully pleased with both. Buffet has a good variety, if a bit typical, and everything is consistently fresh. My favorites are the tandoori chicken, which is always hot and perfectly tender; and the palak paneer, which is very creamy. Spinach and chicken biriyani are also great here. Ask for garlic naan and definitely get the desserts - all four options are great. Their carrot pudding especially stands out. At $8.95/person, it's cheaper than nearby Annapoorna and tastier too. Dinner service is decidedly less busy. Usually, there's just a couple family groups and small parties. Pappadam is served with spicy mint and mango chutneys as you browse the menu. The waiters are patient, though not personable. If you're looking for a filling meal for two with guaranteed leftovers, the combo meals are a nice mix at $17.95/person. This includes naan and rice. I usually choose the Special and Non-vegetarian combos. Overall, this is a solid choice for authentic Indian food in the area.
(5)Prashanth S.
Buffet is ok. Not the best in town.
(3)Christie B.
Great Indian restaurant in Irvine. Food is delicious and authentic. The hubby and I ordered chicken korma, garlic shrimp masala, garlic naan and onion petals. All were great choices, we were very happy with our meal. The only minus was the wait time for the food. It did take quite some time to get our order out. But it's not a fast food place, so I'll let it slide. Besides, they make it fresh to order, so if it came too fast that might be concerning. Our drinks were always refilled at a timely manner. Overall will definitely return!
(4)Franklin Y.
After eating "the best Indian food in SD" and being a tiny bit disappointed I came here at my friend's recommendation and boy was I glad he told me about this place! The Good :D! - The Lamb Palak was DELICIOUS. My friend warned me that it would look like turd (which it totally did!), but looks are always deceiving! I found myself NOMing away at it with their rice and nan bread! - Service was good! They came around for water and cleanup consistently! They were friendly and very helpful! - The price is soooooo much better than the place I went to in SD. Around $10-15 for a curry dish. - Portion size is reasonable! My friend and I ordered 2 main dishes and naan bread and we were too full to eat the whole thing. I was happy to eat the leftovers for lunch the next day! The Not so Good D:! - The place is kind of dark and a bit empty so it might feel a bit awkward even walking in here. - Our other dish the Chicken Paryani (Chicken Rice Dish) was a bit on the dry side and could have been a bit more flavorful. But in the end it worked out well with the curry (which I should not have to have to do) and the nan bread (which I should do) - That parking lot is a bit crowded and tight sometimes :[ Definitely want to come back here to try their Lunch Buffet and other Curries!!!
(4)Andrew P.
Came back for the lunch buffet and pretty similar experience to years past. The food's ok, would have liked more choices, the stuff present was well made. The service continues to disappoint however. Lots of servers standing around, trying to look busy and pretty at the same time, not really paying attention to the customers. We never got our water refilled and at the end, I spent several minutes waiting at the counter to get someone to recognize that I wanted to pay our check.
(3)Bo D.
This place is truly amazeballs. The lunch buffet is sooooo good, and I fill to the brim every time. I love the chicken Tikki masala. Yes and Yum!!! Please do go for lunch at some point the staff were pleasant you will not regret it. I cant wait to go back. I wish i was still a student at UCI.
(5)Samantha H.
Indian cookhouse is hands down.. the best indian food restaurant on the entire planet! The papadam, the garlic naan, the vindaloo, the tikka masala... just wow. I thought Indian food was gross until my boyfriend introduced me to this wonderful place. Must try!
(5)Arthur S.
My wife and I come to this Indian restaurant a couple times a year, and think it's a decent place - thus the three star rating. We both enjoy Indian cuisine and include India Cook House in the rotation. Our visit this week ended up being a bit curious. The restaurant wasn't crowded, and we were immediately seated. They brought the menus quickly, and it was a bit of a wait for the obligatory (and tasty) popadums and chutneys. I ordered somosas - I prefer the ones with lamb but these folks happen to only serve the potato/pea meatless ones; that's OK - I'll live. I tried for the first time a lamb and lentil dish, whereas my wife got the non-vegetarian special. The waiter was really confused about the wine list; I wanted a glass of white zin (just proletarian Beringer) and he had absolutely no idea what that was, asking several times if it's a red or a white. I had to point it out to him on the menu. When I was about halfway through the appetizer, they brought over all the main courses. I was hardly eating slowly, so I have to confess that this was irritating. I thought I had an ample quantity of food, and I have a pretty good appetite. No complaints about the quantity or the quality; it was really tasty and spiced appropriately for the level I had requested. My wife ended up with a rather staggering amount of pretty good food, and ended up taking at least a third of it home. The rice that came with the meal was good but not particularly a large amount; I would have preferred a little more. With one exception, although we had our water glasses constantly filled and a number of waiters coming by during the evening, they were hardly friendly - I'd say politely civil, similar to what other reviews here have noted. One gentleman in "civilian clothes" with his wrist in a huge cast was very outgoing and personable; he may have been the manager. It took a surprising amount of time after we were obviously done to receive the check. I had brought a coupon from a monthly mailer - I think the first time I can recall this restaurant having a coupon in my (Lake Forest) area. They had taken the coupon during the meal, but when the check arrived it hadn't included the reduction for the coupon (I think it was 50% off the second entree, or something close to that). I mentioned it to the waiter, and he nodded, and took the bill away. A little later, a new bill arrived and it was MORE than the first one! That irked me; I just paid the second bill, which had somehow grown to an even fifty bucks for the two of us with no specific itemization, threw on the ten buck tip, and left in a moderately foul mood. The coupon really wasn't a deal-breaker for us - as I said we're sporadic customers of the place - but this was a bit over the top. We enjoyed our meals but as stated above were a bit perturbed by the service. I'll continue to visit once in a while, but it isn't much further to hit the Guru Palace or several other nice places in the area.
(3)Alia C.
This place is really good! I'm from la but have a sis who lives in Irvine so she brought my mom and sissy here and boy were we impressed. Variety for vegetarians and non vegetarians... Food is fresh, Tasty and service Is very fast and efficient. They keep bringing fresh food. It gets pretty busy so prepare to wait a bit but well worth it. They try their best to accommodate everyone in a timely manner. Will definitely be hitting this place up again soon. =] overall must try if your in the area!
(4)M.B. R.
For the past few months. my husband and I have gotten food from here. For the most part the food is ok, but there've been several issues. First off, when you order to go, the containers are not well sealed and by the time the food gets home, it's soaked through the bag. Secondly, they add bread on the top of the food, than drop in the sauces, which breaks the thin breads, leaving a bunch of pieces of bread in the bag Thirdly, when you order on line, no matter what time it says it'll be ready, always add an extra 15-20 minutes, so if the order says it'll be ready in 30 minutes, and you get there in 30, it will NOT be ready and you'll just have to sit and wait. Finally and this is the reason i'm frustrated tonight. I really craved Indian food and was looking forwards to this for weeks. Finally I ordered it and came home. The chicken tandoori, which i really like was completely RAW. like pink and bloody on the inside. I'm pretty disgusted by this. I'll be looking for other Indian places from now on.
(2)N C.
Good value for lunch buffet, even for vegetarians. For $8.99 you get about 3-4 veggie dishes, 3-4 meat dishes and 3-4 appetizers along with 4 desserts, endless condiments and fresh hot naan :). Taste is pretty good too.
(4)Dave B.
I love Indian food so I've been to many Indian restaurants. Of the 4 that I've tried in the Irvine area, this is, so far, my favorite. The selection is good and the flavors are good too. They use an acceptable level of spice (more spicy would be fine with me, but its not so bland that they lose me on that basis). I would recommend it. I eat here at least twice a month.
(4)Elaine N.
I seriously can't remember the last time I went out for Indian food. When my friend mentioned this restaurant for his birthday, I was totally down!! I'm always a little skeptical when it comes to trying new Indian food places because I know the flavors are very vibrant and sometimes I'm not entirely sure if my stomach can handle it... Nonetheless, my friend insisted that this place would be great, and I'm always up for trying new things. Anyway.. I ordered the Lamb Tikka Masala - lamb marinated in spices and yogurt and blended in curry sauce with a side of Naan and Rice. Wow, this dish was awesome!! I loved the lamb and the flavor of curry sauce, I wish I would have gone medium spicy though... mild was just not cutting it. All of my friends ordered something different, so we got to try lots of dishes. My favorite was probably the Chicken Korma, diced chicken flavored with kashmiri herbs and cooked with yogurt and cream.
(4)Harold V.
Tried the lunch buffet with a group from work. The food was just OK, nothing outstanding. The selections were limited and those items that were available were mediocre. This won't be a "go-to" restaurant for good Indian food, but the price is very reasonable.
(3)Caroline D.
I love Indian food and this is by far the best place I have ever been to! I have gone to places in every city I have lived and nothing compares to India Cook House! The Chicken Tikka Masala is amazing, the sauce is very creamy and the chicken is tender. I have tried other dishes as well and have never ordered something I have not liked. The owner is there every time I go and is very friendly! I don't know how anyone could not love this place!!
(5)Jade C.
The daily Luncheon Buffet (11am-2:30pm and 5-10pm) for $8.99/per person here is a great deal! You get to choose from over 25 items including salad, desert, fruit, tandoori chicken, naan bread, rice, and a bunch of sauces (spinach, chicken marsala, and more). It's not the best Indian food I've tried but it's pretty good. My favorite hot dish is the naan with chicken marsala and the tandoori chicken! The sauce is delicious and the tandoori chicken is well seasoned. I really love their rice pudding desert! I would advise you to not come here during rush hour. I came here around 1:30pm on a Friday and the place still was half full but everyone had already gotten their food so there was no line to wait in. I can easily see how someone can get frustrated if they had to wait in line for the buffet.
(4)B G.
so went here as my dinner date wanted Indian food. We had the veggie samosa as an app. They came out hot on the outside but still cold on the inside. Fail. We got the chicken tandori and chicken korma. It was serviceable. Nothing too memorable about it. I wouldn't be thrilled if someone asked me to eat here again. Naan was good though! Oh and beware of parking during the busy times as this center gets super packed.
(2)Olivia G.
I've been looking for an Indian restaurant in the Irvine area that matches the quality of the one I miss back in England, without a massive price tag, and I've finally found it. Loved this place, friendly staff with attentive yet unobtrusive service, great food. Had dinner rather than the buffet lunch. Three main courses, rice and naan, two beers, under $50. First of many trips!
(5)Brad M.
Food was good, but service was awful. I was eating dinner by myself. Restaurant wasn't very busy, yet it took 15 minutes for them to take my order. It then took about 20-30 minutes for my food to show up. Unfortunately, they brought just a platter of chicken even though I had ordered a combo. The waiter said the rest would be right out. Ten minutes later, he brought naan. Vegetables took another 10-15 minutes. When they finally brought the bill, they tried charging me for everything a la carte ($35), not the combo I ordered ($13). After about five minutes of waiting for them to bring the corrected bill, I got up and walked over to their counter area so I could pay and leave. I didn't intend to spend anywhere near this much time on dinner, so it pretty much ruined my plans for the evening.
(2)Angela C.
Lunch buffet 7 days a week from 11am-2:30pm. They have not changed the lunch buffet price in at least the last 5+ years we've been going. A lot of options to choose from for a reasonable $8.95 which includes Naan which you can choose plain or garlic. The hubby and I have been to several Indian buffet places in Orange County and this is still our favorite spot due to food quality, options & flavor. We like variety and we're cheap, so we stick to lunch rather than going for dinner. If one of these days they decide to offer dinner buffet, I'm sure we'll start visiting in the evening. There's something about Indian buffet though...perhaps because it's AYCE but more so I think it's because of all the spices, but the hubby and I always get FOOD COMA and end up passing out & napping for several hours after we get home. We often times are so full that we end up not eating dinner. Sometimes we've even skipped breakfast so that we can eat more. So if you think about, we're kind of getting 3 meals for the price of 1. Now that's a great deal. Woot woot! Tip: If you go on a weekday, then I suggest going early for the freshest food. Ideally it's best to go during the weekend since it's a lot busier therefore the food is turned over more quickly.
(4)Jen H.
We had such a terrible experience here. Literally waited an hour for our food and when it came it was mediocre at best. The curries lacked flavor and our paratha was burnt. Really disappointed.
(1)Ronjini M.
I've been here many many times over the past 5-8 years and always been about the same. It has a great priced brunch. The food is predictable, but good. The servers are funny and nice, but maybe that's just because I'm Indian. There's an older gentleman that speaks like 5 languages, Bengali is one of them (the one I speak). I generally find this is great for groups, we can all have what we want and don't have to spend an arm and a leg. I have definitely had better Indian food, but they set a pretty good standard for what you should expect in and Indian restaurant. Lunch time special is $8.95, can't beat it.
(3)Alan B.
We had a perfectly mediocre meal highlighted by: watery chicken tikka masala served with a stingy quantity of chicken, so-called rack of lamb that arrived with most of the heart of the chops removed ("there's nothing wrong with them, that's the way they come") and tasteless bengan bharta. The onion kulcha and vegetable biriyani were actually pretty good.
(1)Angel Q.
Came here on the weekend, but I feel like the food isn't too fresh. Maybe its not the freshness, but I felt that something is missing. Maybe its because I've had better tasting Indian food else where. I think this place is authentic though, which is what I liked. Its not bad for a buffet, and I won't mind coming back occasionally. My favorite dessert that I remember was the donut hole fried dough dipped in sugary syrup. The service is very good and I had a very good experience here. The reason I put a 3 star is because the actual buffet food didn't quite impressed me. Its not bad of course, it just didn't impress me or was very memorable.
(3)Gabriel S.
Nice atmosphere and a well-priced, varied buffet during lunch time. Dinner menu is even better, though pricier. The service is mediocre, but the food is good enough that it's forgivable. The palak paneer, tandoori chicken, naan, and all the Indian cold basics are top notch.
(5)Roger R.
Whenever my boyfriend and I find ourselves in Irvine during lunch, we thank the lord for this place and rush our booties over to their selection of awesome buffet styled food. I usually HATE buffets because food is poor quality but not this place. I LOVE everything they have, especially the chicken makhni and those dessert cheese balls thing. Definitely our go-to place when we're hungry! All the other Indian Buffets that we been to do not compare to this place.
(5)Surya V.
The food is good enough but I felt like an intruder the whole time I was there. It could probably be because the waiter at the front door gave me a nod instead of pointing me to a table, it could be the guy who asked me "you're only one right??" while pouring me some water after I signaled to him, it could be the fact that they did not clear the plates off my table the whole time I was there, it could be because I was never offered naan while the neighboring table got seconds, it could be because I said 'thank you' first after paying the bill or it could be the fact that the waiter checked how much I tipped right in front of me. The dessert was excellent though.
(2)John K.
India cook house is the best indian restaurant. Mr. Singh is a cool owner and always enjoys serving us. Other waiters like manny and shiv were also really good and fast. The food is awesome. The indian buffet has so many items on it and it was all so good especially the chicken makhni spinach lamb paneer and more. The dinner has many awesome selection and the owner and waiters always recommend. I personally love the chicken tikka masala, aloo gobi, lamb, paluck paneer and alot more. Every time i have a chance to come to irvine i drop by to india cook house
(5)Justin L.
Had the pleasure of dining here last Sat nite,originally had planned on going B-Dubs aka Buffalo Wild Wings,but they wanted to extort errrr charge patrons $10 a head to watch boxing and MMA.No thanks,I smelled the aroma of curry in the air from the same stripmall and much like the grilled onion smell of In N Out,the curry had my mind. They seemed to be doing a very brisk business inside which was a good sign. I had never dined here,but am a big fan of Indian Food,all thanks to my fellow Foodie and Buddy.We figured,WTH and went in. Service seemed a bit discombobulated possibly due to a lil miscommunication on the wait staff's part,but the staff was cordial enough.The highlight of the meal WAS the meal itself. The food was fresh,tasty and served with good-sized portions. Chicken Curry-Phenomenal Reg Naan & Garlic Naan-Phenomenal Aside from the interior motif/décor,which reminded me of an old-school(former) Chinese or Italian restaurant,I have NO complaints. The owner came by each table and paid attention to his patrons. Awesome food and I highly recommend India Cook House.
(5)Anita L.
BOY I must've gone on a bad day or something because every other review here is super positive. I stopped in here for a quick bite. It was kinda late.... around 1.40pm. The restaurant still had around 5-7 tables eating or getting ready to leave. The person who led me to a table, led me to a dirty table. I couldn't understand why since there were a bunch of already set up tables all over the restaurant, but he HAD to lead me to a dirty table where he made me wait while he cleared it and then replaced the soiled tablecloth with a clean one. I informed him I was having the buffet and promptly walked off while he set the table. I filled my plate with a little of everything and returned to find cutlery, a glass of water and an unclean napkin waiting for me. There were spots of food on the napkin. I started to motion for someone and then changed my mind. It was already a bad start and I just wasn't in the mood to be argumentative seeing it was late, I was hungry and I had a lot of stuff on my agenda for the rest of the afternoon. The food tasted average, some were good like the spinach, the dahl, the cauliflower pakora and a fish pakora thing. The only problem was, everything was at room temperature even though the buffet trays are supposed to keep everything warm at best. Even the naan the server plopped on my table was at room temperature and didn't taste like it was freshly baked. I'm not sure if I would return even though at $8.95, the selection was pretty good. For the same price, I got an outstanding buffet at Dosa Place in Tustin where everything was piping hot and the complimentary dosa was made fresh, unlike the naan at India Cook House. Perhaps a la carte would've been better, or even, if I had gone in there earlier, maybe the food would've been warm or tasted fresher. However, the key to running a successful buffet is to have the food taste the same no matter what time your customer walks through the door. Throughout my meal I was torn between whether or not I should leave a "You've Been Yelped" card on the table. Considering I don't really have many (I was lucky to scrounge some of Jenny J's) to begin with, I ran it over and over in my head and in the end, didn't leave one. By the looks of things, it doesn't matter what kind of meal I had, or what kind of service I received. It seems this place was popular before I ever went there and probably will remain so regardless.
(2)Richard T.
Lunch is the bomb, a much better value than dinner. Full lunch buffet for $8.99. Get there before noon so you don't have to wait because the line gets very long. As you walk in, you get seated and immediately get in the buffet line. The meat dishes here are very good. I had the Chicken Tikka Masala, Tandoori chicken, and the Lamb shanks. The veggie dishes are also very good. I had: Aloo Gobi (Calliflower), Saag Aloo, and Veggie Korma. But what sealed the deal was the garlic Naan with the Mint/Mango chutney. The dessert is typical, but you probably won't have room for it anyway.
(4)Dave L.
The lunch buffet here is excellent. The food is fantastic with multiple choices to pick from. Make sure you come hungry because it is all you can eat. One thing to watch out for is how crowded it gets during the week around lunch time. Get there early. The desserts are excellent. One of my favorite places to go if I'm really craving Indian food and hungry.
(5)Resh A.
The food here is so good! I love the chicken tikka, lamb keema samosaS, and lamb or chicken kabobs, oh and the garlic naan- mm!! The service is okay and not very friendly so I normally like to do take-out.
(4)chris b.
Why 5 stars? Maybe I just don't know any better since I have only been to two Indian restaurants, but the food here is pretty f-ing delicious. It's right up there with the authentic food I had at my friend Rahul's house a while back. Chicken tiki marsala is the way to go for the non-native eater in general and its artery clogging goodness is amazing here. The sauce is good on everything. Chicken, rice, nan, everything. The food goes great with India's nationally treasured King Fisher beer. I like to roll here with Taylor A-L and friends on Friday nights to get our carb on. We pretty much pig out, swear loudly and rabberrouse amongst the mature couples and sophiticated yuppies that seem to have a tendency to go on dates here. We tend to order things here as spicy. One time my friend Kan tried to order extra spicy and the convo went something like this: Kan: Extra Spicy please: Waiter: Extra spicy too spicy, just regular spicy. Kan: I like spicy food though Waiter: This too spicy Kan: Then who orders the extra spicy? Waiter: Me. Kan: Fine. regular spicy then. As it turned out I recall Kan did find the regular spicy to be quite spicy.
(5)Kevin F.
Buffet! Ugh, the name strikes fear into my heart. The thought of buffet always leaves me conflicted as I try to balance getting my money's worth with staying fit and trim. And then sometimes buffets are hit or miss as a place might balance quality with quantity. However, the price is right at Indian Cook House. Come on dowwwnnnnn! For about $11, there was a solid and flavorful selection! Suprised was I! The fruit was fresh, the rice was chewy (how I like it), and the chickens and lamb (the meat part is what I care most about) was juicy and soft to eat. The meats proved so good that I went back a second time and just got a plate of meat. Sadly, it seems like a whole family of chickens had to die for my sake. But yeah, what an awesome buffet for the price. Its a bit hidden though, in the corner of the Hertiage plaza, right by Caspian, but its worth the hunting.
(4)Sonia M.
A lot of Indian restaurants have a tendency to be tragically inconsistent. A place that delivers delicious food one day, will be mediocre the next. That's why India Cook House, although a little rough around the edges, is still, in my opinion, a solid OC Indian restaurant. I was quick to assume India Cook House would be the same sad story, but so far, so good. The ambiance can be a little interesting, not to mention the mismatched decor and socially awkward staff- but if you can get passed that, you can enjoy a delicious meal for an affordable price. We always get a tandoori dish and a few starters to begin, but everyone does things a little differently. The chicken seekh kabob is solid- I order it every single time. Most of their tandoori dishes are good. The chicken tikka is delicious also. If you are a little more adventurous- try it a little spicier. The main dishes that have been consistently good for me are: Murgh Makhani, Palek Paneer, Veggie Korma and Paneer Masala. I also recommend the daal makhani if you like lentils.
(4)Sandra S.
Alright let's make this simple: Ambience-1 star Service-1.5 stars Food-5 stars I must admit that I'm a newbie to Indian food and Indian restaurants so I really don't know what's out there but if this place can make me a fan of Indian food after being resistant to it for eons, I'd have to say it's pretty darn good. The naan is to die for. Try the garlic naan, it is divine.
(4)Derrick G.
3 stars = A-OK That is exactly how I feel about this place. It must because I am one of those rare few that went here for dinner instead of the lunch buffet. There were four of us here for dinner on a Sunday night and everyone ordered a dish to their liking and we still ended up sharing some with everyone else. There were two orders of the veggie malai - one medium and one hot. Unfortunately there must be a fine line between hot and medium because the hot had an immediate in your face spiciness and the medium left you wanting just a little more kick. Another friend went with the veggie korma - medium spicy and I would give it the same critique on the spicy factor. I was the only one that went with some meat by getting the lamb tikka masala. I must say, I think i figured out why everyone else opted for some veggies - mine didn't have any. So in conclusion, I think on a normal family style circumstance, I would have to mix up getting a veggie dish and a meat dish so that I can get my fill of each. The curries all had good flavor. I wish that this place would take the same hint from most other indian places and not charge for having naan with your indian food. Its almost like going to a chinese restaurant and not getting rice with your meal. Speaking of chinese, you might end up with better service at a chinese place than this indian restaurant. The service is lacking and they came back several times to try to grab our bill while we were talking and even picked up the bill and looked to see if we "hid" the credit card under it. So yeah... when they packaged up the food, they must have thought we all wanted to share the leftovers and that both couples lived together because they separated 2 curries and put two of them in the same container. Still doesn't make sense to me. oh well... maybe a try for the lunch buffet instead.
(3)S. A.
If you go during their lunch buffet hours; you'd love it. Plenty of items - yummy items. However if you go during their dinner time, you'd better have a group of friends with you because most of their items are good for sharing, so if you go alone you will be stuck with one item that seems a lot of only one thing. Their menu is not like ehhh most American restaurants where each plate come complete with several items in it. You get the picture. No Pork or Beef here. only chicken, lamb and seafood. The food is good (really spicy though) but go during their buffet hours and you won't be disappointed. Remember to try their Feature dessert (Gulab Jamun). Otherwise grab 3 or 4 of your buddies and go for the exotic dinner, where each of you can order different items and share it.
(4)Mico C.
Red chicken tandoori, orange chicken masala. yellow potatoes, white rice pudding. Clay oven delicacies include: jumbo shrimp, seekh kabab, lamb tikka with curry sauce- vindaloo, jalfrezi, korma and makhni. real cutlery and glass, that's class. Birds are prepared in a clay oven (tandoor)- the result: crispy outsides, tender insides. Seasoned with cayenne pepper, red chili powder and yogurt. The invention of Kundan Gujral from Peshawar (1947). Masala (sauce mix) is made of tomato, coriander, coconut cream, turmeric, and paprika. Next to Caspian, Curry House & Mochilato
(4)Justin W.
Asked my friend from India where the best Indian food around was and he turned me onto this place... I went at like 9:30 one night like 30 mins before they close to get a togo order after work... The staff was extremely welcoming and friendly offered me a drink while I waited for my togo etc definitely a great experience... Then I got home with the food I got a mixed grill with fish lamb chicken beef it was AMAZING everything cooked to perfect spiced mmmm yum.. also Chicken Tikki and a Chicken Tikki Masala.. their rice and Nan bread was sooooo delicious wow... they also give you free cracker type bread with a spicy and a sweet dip... I literally have no complaints about this place I only want more.
(5)Anita C.
Love me some India Cook House lunch buffet. The number of dishes is plentiful. Lamb? Check. Chicken. Check. Mushroom masala. Check. So much tastier and a better deal than Clay Oven. Not the best ambiance, but the food more than makes up for it. My big clunker can't squeeze into the narrow parking spots near the restaurant so I have to park further away. Good way to walk off all that food.
(4)Black X.
If you live within ten miles, or wear Depends feel free to eat here. If not be prepared to stop every few exits to run for your life or to clean your soiled shorts. After eating your stomach might begin to growl. This will not mean that you are hungry. This is a warning. For some reason Tandoori Chicken, fried vegetable fritters, mango chutney, and rice pudding do not mix very well after ingestion. It also doesn't help being served by a rude staff--with the exception of the 6'4" giant Indian Manager who is always nice. He needs to take his waiters out back and kick their ass--then drag them over to The Clay Oven for customer service training. So overall--the food is pretty good for the short time it will be with you.
(3)Yong Oh C.
I had the lamb vindaloo and my friend got the aloo gobi. The vindaloo was watery, bland, and not spicy at all. Same story with the aloo gobi: bland and flavorless. The lighting here is too dim in my opinion. I like the vibrant colors of indian food (especially masala), but the dim lighting doesnt help bring out the color, failing to make the food visually appetizing. It would have been one star but the service was very attentive.
(2)Charlie S.
I come here for the lunch buffet when I'm in the mood for Indian food. Food is amazing, I'm a huge fan of their lamb and chicken tikka masala, I prefer to eat these with their fresh naan! The lamb is meaty and tender, and if you're a fan of bone marrow, you're in luck ;) Scoop out the big bones and often times that marrows just waiting for you to spoon it out! Their chicken tikka masala has never disappointed me, its tomato-ey, creamy, and rich. The chicken is again tender and flavorful. I've NEVER had bad service here, even when they're busy our plates or constantly cleared and waters refilled without being asked. Their fish pakora is OK. Their curried vegetables are awesome- I love the cauliflower and potato combination! Their desserts are a sweet ending: the warm carrot mash-like pudding is sweet and retains a carrot flavor, and their gulaab jamuns (fried milk balls in rose-water) are soft and ooze sweetness. If you're unsure to try it, just do it. They're delicious!
(4)Mr R.
Wow before you eat here you need to google the OC Restaruant Inspections by the health department. I will never eat here
(1)Jeremy L.
These guys probably, by far, have the largest buffet selection above Swaad and Clay Oven. I've been here a few times and it gets super crowded. It is good though. I don't know if I like it any more than Swaad or Clay Oven, and feel like if it's crowded here I could just go to either of the others and be fine with it.
(4)Sandie V.
I think in general, Indian food is a Hit or Miss. In this case, it was ALRIGHT. I got the Chicken Tikka Masalla, which was okay. My friend got the Lamb chops--please do not get! It was super duper dry and puny. =/ Should of stuck with a curry dish?? The garlic nan bread was pretty decent, I liked it because the garlic wasn't too strong. For the price, this place is just OKAY.
(3)S R.
Love this place for their lunch buffet! Cheap (8.95 per person) and delicious. The service is very good and the owner is always friendly. The food is better than the average Indian food joint and I really like the naan bread as well as the different curries available for their buffet. Never been for dinner - but try the lunch buffet for a taster!
(4)Gigi M.
Not as good as Saagar but good. Good lunch buffet deal. Love the carrot dessert, helva? Haven't been here for over a year so maybe I shouldn't even be reviewing it!
(4)Calvin D.
A decent india buffet for lunch for under $10... compared to many other indian lunch buffets i have been to, this place has a huge selection! They had all of my favorites which included samosas, chicken masala, tandoori chicken, lamb shanks... the only thing i wish they had here was some more spicy dishes! I think they had a salad bar too but i wouldn't know because i don't eat salad... I wasn't a fan of the desserts though, because i am a cake and ice cream kinda of person haha The best part was the curry smell wasn't too dominating here so I didn't smell like curry when I came back from lunch... which i'm sure my coworkers appreciated haha
(4)heather l.
i'm no indian food expert.....but this is my FAVORITE india restaurant....i don't really want to go anywhere else i've been dining at indian cook house for probably over 5 years now...i love their $8.95 daily lunch buffet! i bring a lot of friends by to taste their menu and everyone loves it! dishes i LOVE: mango lassi - not too sweet, very thick and smooth (that's what she said...haha), just the right amount of mango flavor....mmm...i get this every time i go there garlic naan - YUMMMMMMMMM....i think i could eat endless baskets of this (until i get full)....so flakey and chewy....i love the garlic flavor.....i use this to dip in all the different curry sauces....mmmmm..i can't get enough.... tandoori chicken - mmmmmmmmmm cooked to perfection...nice and juicy legs (i really only like eating drumsticks on chickens...it's handheld!)....amazing flavor lamb chops - only problem with these is they don't give you enough.....i inhale these.....sooooo flavorful and juicy chicken tikka masala - i know i know...typical dish an "american" would order....but who cares??? it's freakin GOOD......i love pouring the sauce over rice and dipping my garlic naan into it.....i NEVER waste any of the sauce...i actually think i could be happy just eating the sauce and don't even need the chicken PS parking is super sh***y there....all the spaces are really really tiny....trust me..your car will fit in between the lines but you might be concerned about not being able to get in and out of your car, and definitely be worried about people dinging your doors.....there's a persian super market and persian restaurant in the same lot...so it's pretty packed most of the time we had the buffet today and i don't remember the names of all the curries.....the lamb one was had a nice spicy kick to it....i loved the cheese in the vegetable one....and the chicken one looked and tasted similar to the tikka masala.....the vegetable samosa and pakora were delicious....wasn't a fan of the desserts except for the yogurt fruit cocktail.....the rice pudding and the ball one have a ginger flavor to it and i'm not a fan of ginger i also love how majority of the guys that work there are indian....i don't know...i just like it when people of the same ethnicity as the restaurant cuisine work there...so far...i've loved their service....they're very quick and efficient....keep our water glasses filled....some of them recognize me and give me a friendly hello and smile....i also notice that they clear out plates quickly as well... feel free to share "better" indian restaurants...i'm always looking to try something amazing.....for everyone else.....try out their buffet!!!!!! i really do love this place....and after having their buffet...go in for dinner and order off their menu...mmmmm...=)
(5)Faisal L.
The best authentic Indian food in Socal. Service is friendly, food is amazing, specially the Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer and the Lamb curry. Afternoon buffet is unparalleled - less than $10 for high quality food and dessert.
(5)Robert W.
Great lunch special and amazing mushroom masala. Waiters could be more energetic, one of them was giving me a real zombie vibe.
(4)Josh K.
This place is pretty gooooooooooooooooooooood.
(4)Ashley D.
Good, but there are way better places in the area.
(3)Ash L.
Located in a busy shopping center just off the 5, India Cook House looks like it is a small place from the outside, but using Time Lord technology its actually bigger on the inside - I think the use of mirrors helps. They have a buffet lunch, but this review is strictly based on dinner service. They can fit a bunch of people into this place, and yet it still feels intimate when you are at you table. It's decorated very nicely with a toned down (tasteful) Indian theme, which I appreciate. The wait staff is also very professionally dressed and all look very sharp, adding to the nice atmosphere. The food is very well priced and I was impressed with the portion size. I see lots of people leaving with doggie-bags, and I have had plenty left over myself. The food is really great and comes out hot. I like my Indian food SUPER mild (I am a wimp) and I was very happy that my dish was served at my spice level. One minus is that the staff is not in a hurry. Especially if it is busy, it takes a while to get a server over to your table. I had to ask several people for my check last night - I was in a hurry, and they weren't. Other than that, I'm a fan.
(4)Hannah J.
My Indian friend introduced me to this place my freshman year and it has been my favorite Indian restaurant that I've been to so far. The buffet is ALRIGHT, but if you come here for a regular meal... you can close your eyes and you're transported to India.. no joke. The tikka masala is DELICIOUS and so is the mater paneer :) garlic naan is always DELICIOUSSSSSS. Just a quick tip: Apparently in Indian culture, it's rude to call the waiters -- they will check up on you periodically to make sure everything is okay, then again you can't expect everyone in America to know how to comport them self in an Indian restaurant.
(4)Sue T.
This is my default place for Indian food in OC. It's a small location but with full of good food and friendly service. The chai is great and they're very generous with it too. I was introduced to this place by one of my friends who's a big foodie (mind you, this girl knows her indian food as she's probably been to india more often than me :) and the place definitely served the purpose. I've had everything from chana masala to baingan bhartha and liked them all. Will have to go back sometime soon.
(4)Dena D.
We went for dinner on a Sunday night. I was happy with the selections on the menu (many delicious sounding appetizers.) We ended up with some vegetable pakora, which were very good. The portion size was actually huge! For the main dish we had Chicken Tikka Masala and Chana Shaag, as well as some garlic naan. While I thought the chicken in the CTM was good, the sauce was a little sweet for my taste. The Chana Shaag, however, was a little bland, and I ended up mixing in a lot of coriander chutney. But, overall, Ienjoyed my India Cook House experience, and the price was decent. What keeps me from giving them that 4th star was the service. It was SLOWWWWWW (and there was basically no one in the place. ) I would definitely go back for another try. With such a small sampling of dishes my first time out, I think I would like to go back for the lunch buffet to see what their star dishes might be.
(3)Bridgette A.
Came here for a business lunch with colleagues... generally enjoyed our time. As usual, I ate way too much at their buffet, but it was because the food was quite tasty. I have to say, I think I liked this better than the indian food I've had in Artesia, which surprised me. However, it still was not 5-star worthy. It was delicious, but not knock-your-socks-off great. A bonus was that we ended up staying in there for a looong time and the staff was great about it... they didn't rush us out or anything. I'd recommend it, and I'd head back if I was in the neighborhood.
(4)D R.
I LOVE India Cook House, but just a warning...if you're going to the buffet, you better go with an empty stomach. Also, don't make any intense plans after the buffet, you will be sooo full and sooo sleepy. zzzzz... As far as best vegitarian items to order outside of the buffet (see here: indiacookhouseoc.com/ima… ), you can't go wrong with any of the creamier savory curries like malai kofta and shahi paneer (this is my current fave!). If you want something with less sauce, but still a lot of flavor, go with the mushroom masala. And don't forget to try the palak paneer, it will make you a spinach lover. As far as naan, you don't have to go all out with the garlic naan (and this goes for all indian restaurants) as you're going to have a lot of flavor in the curry dish anyway. But if you want to shell out a little more, go for it, esp if you're a garlic lover :) Desserts (should you have room in your belly) Gulab Jamun is very popular--you'll see it pretty much everywhere. I highly doubt you will not enjoy it, although, be sure to keep a nice tall glass of water around as it can be quite sweet. Kheer is a fave of mine. Think rice pudding so it has a lighter sweetness than gulab jamun and is quite refreshing after a heavy meal. If you want something more like an ice cream, go for some pista kulfi--another fave.
(5)Yuka K.
BIG EEK. I am freaked out, perturbed, disgusted, scared. OK first off, I ate here last night, and of course, the meal was delicious, the mango lassi was yummy with hints of pineapple, and C said his Karahi Gosht was awesome. On the way out, I heard big clanging in the kitchen, which is behind the blacked-out windows adjacent to the main dining room, and faces the parking lot. I looked in that direction, and down at the shin-level grate area beneath the blacked-out windows... and gasped. There were two FULL serving trays of meaty curried something on the kitchen FLOOR maybe on a mat, behind the grate. I could poke my fingers through and touch. C mumbled, "LET'S GO. I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT OR I'LL BARF." Because it looked like what he had just eaten. FYI-- OC code allows restaurants to prepare large quantities, and to cool in containers 6" off of the floor... but so close to the gusty foot traffic and ground level debris from the parking lot is worrisome. I suggest you pay attention to this grate area before entering. If I do ever get over this, I certainly will take a look into the kitchen first, and secretly go without C, because he's done.
(1)Rose T.
This place used to be great back in the day but they have slowly gone downhill and i really don't enjoy a lot of their dishes. None of them are very flavorful compared to really good indian food. If you want great indian food check out some of the places in tustin. The selection is very slim for vegetarians sometimes during the lunch buffet.
(2)Kenneth G.
I have been coming here for years and I think this is *the best Indian food in Orange County*! Period. End of story. The food is consistently good and is ver reasonably priced. I think that their lunch buffet is probably one of the best I've had at this price point. They even offer garlic naan now with the lunch buffet and I was very pleased about that. Their dessert bar (for the buffet) is just rock in'. I always have the gulab jamun and the carrot pudding -- they are sweetened *just right*. Either can be spoiled by having it be too syrupy sweet. And the gulab jamun is never hard or leathery. I obviously cannot say enough good things about this place. I use this as my go to when I have "Indian virgins" or those that think they "don't like it." I've got a good track record on this tactic here! If you love your Indian food like I do, make the time to eat here. You'll be very glad you did!
(5)Naomi M.
Delicious~! I love the flavorful food here. The chicken Tandoori is amazing! I also like the Indian music in the background! It adds to the whole experience. :)
(5)Garth R.
I use to frequent this place when they were in the Entertainment Guide since my friend is a fan of that guide. I loved the Chicken Tikka Masala, the creamed spinach, and the fresh nan. Their mango lassi is is good and the fluffy rice with "saffron" is so palatable. Unfortunately, I have a story about this place which kills my rating... One week night evening we were there having dinner and while we were waiting for our dinner to be served a cockroach crawled across the table. I could not believe it and I would probably never have noticed the fast little mofo but my friend trapped it in their cloth napkin. He asked me what to do and I said tell the staff! He flagged a wait staff and said "I have a little friend in my napkin you need to dispose of". Needless to say, I would have stated it a bit differently. The wait staff took the napkin from my friend and proceeded to open it, I'm assuming because he did not understand wtf my friend was telling him. Luckily, the little bugger did not escape but he closed that napkin real fast and ran away with it. Now, one would think, even if the staff thought we planted that little bugger, they should have offered some compensation. They offer nothing but an apology and it was a poor one at that. I wish I could get over this incidence, but it is stuck in my head, cause I really want to go back for the masala.
(1)Mike S.
I've been here for both lunch and dinner. Lunch, just make sure you get in early as it can get packed, and the food is fresher (just my experience). However, I am a huge fan of their dinner items, particularly their vegetable korma and malai kofta. As far as punjabi cuisine goes, the variety is excellent and accommodates both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. I definitely recommend giving it a try.
(4)Jon T.
I've been here twice for their all you can eat buffet, it's a pretty good deal but I always tend to dissapoint my cheap asian side and fill up on rice, but it's just because i LOVE rice with chicken tikki masala. the chicken tikki here was a lot sweeter than most places i've been to in the past but its neither better or worse, just different. Their garlic naan is pretty good to dip in the curries and most items are pretty good! They also have fruits in the buffet, and all for just around 10/11 bucks a person with tip! not bad at all! I definitely knocked out after i got home from intense food coma, but i'd do it all over again! :)
(4)Jewel A.
I usually go to Artesia to get real Indian food, but I was craving for Indian and was headed to Tustin so I stopped here for the lunch buffet. What a mistake... The chicken curry: chicken was very dry and very hard to chew. The sauce tasted strange... The basmati rice: hard and dry... The naan: very oily and flavorless... The tandoori chicken: strong red food coloring... I couldn't even finish one plate...what a waste! This place is located on a strip mall, so far less attractive than the streets of Artesia. The only reason I gave 2 stars instead of one is because the service was friendly...
(2)Christine J.
My absolute favorite indian buffet place in orange county. Whenever I get the cravings for some gooooood authentic indian food, I bee-line it for indian cook house. Their food is amazing and they have all the classics. Their desserts - they are half the reason I come here! I practically eat just to get to dessert. They have rice pudding, mango pudding, the sugar dough balls and the carrot sweets (so sorry I have no clue what they are actually called). The staff isnt always the friendliest but who cares? You came for the grub!! Almost always enough seating unless you come in during rush hour which is surprising since you get the linch buffet of your life for only $9!! I can never stand up straight after I leave cuz my nelly is so full of delicious Indian happiness.
(4)Saloni M.
This place is delicious!!! Very rich Indian food made to your taste. The service is fabulous and the prices are reasonable.... Garlic naan and onion kulchas yummmmm I've been going to this place for past 10 years....can't go wrong
(5)Travis C.
I've been to 10 different Indian buffets in OC and this is the BEST one! And definitely the best in Irvine. The buffet meats are wide in variety and cooked very well!
(5)Eko K.
One of my favorites indian restaurant to go to. The brunch is amazing, has a lot of variety of dishes.
(5)Shan C.
Best indian buffet I've been to ever. Staff was really alert and on point with naan and water. A buffet that was $8.95 with chicken briyani and a lot of meat dishes...wow!
(5)Mike P.
It's official, Indian curry in Irvine sucks. It must be catered for the customer's taste buds. For dinner my friend ordered a lamb curry that was supposed to have the "chefs secret ingredients" while I ordered the plain lamb curry. His was ordered hot while mine was ordered medium. Both of ours tasted almost the same, bland and not really spicy (his seemed like it had a little tomato flavor in it). The lamb was moist but not super flavorful, it just tasted just like the curry, bland, without the lamb itself having any contributing flavor. My other friend got the chicken tikka masala, which came out red. In my experience, the best chicken tikka masala is usually an orange and brown color, with the curry being a little oily. His tasted like a lot of cream and stretched with tomato paste or something. I didn't even ask to try his chicken. The differences in chicken tikka masala may be due to differing cuisines between the regions that I'm ignorant about, but I do know what I like and why. Indian curry is supposed to be super flavorful with lots of spices, most of the spots in Irvine I've tried so far fall flat. The good was the naan, which was soft and a good size. I prefer my naan to be soft and fluffy vs thin and crispy which some places do. They also give you this thin crispy bread that you put this green stuff and orange jam with. Seriously, if you were to buy anything here, you should buy this if you can. 15 bucks for curry, rice, that appetizer bread thing, naan and curry. Way overpriced for less than mediocre food. Check out Nina's Indian grocery in Lake Forest. Although it's set up like a panda express, there's less emphasis on trying hard to look like a legit restaurant and just providing good food. It's a more casual dining experience at a much cheaper price for way better food. Check out that spot, avoid this place.
(2)Mi G Y.
Onion Kulcha (naan) is the best I've had in Irvine. The food was good but it took about twenty minutes to prepare. If you want something a little spicy, don't order MILD, in the restaurant, it means NOT SPICY AT ALL. Maybe next time I will ask for little spicy, rather than mild. The food is better, even with the sweet curry like Malai, phlegm generated in my throat after the meal was much less than in Annapoorna ( I guess Annapoorna uses sweeteners other than sugar in the sauce). I am happy that I visit this restaurant because Annapoorna had a long line of customers.
(4)Teshia O.
The food is amazing & the staff are very helpful!!!! I highly recommend this restaurant if you like Indian food!
(5)Johnson L.
In the Costa Mesa area? Craving some genuine and great tasting food? Want a great bargain on a lunch buffet? Come here and don't waste any time thinking about it. The atmosphere is more upscale than some other Indian buffets and the food here is top notch. They even have lamb shank! Everything else from their curry chicken to naan is very good. Two thumbs up!
(5)Edwin D.
Good food, but not the best Indian food I have ever had. If I am in the area, I would eat there again. But I would not go out of my way to return. The service is good and the food is what I would expect from a buffet style restaurant.
(4)Arash M.
Went for the buffet and I mean you cant ask for more for the price they gave but it was okay at best. The atmosphere was very old with a popcorn ceiling and such but the food was not to bad. One thing that made me upset was that the waiters pretty much have 2 jobs. Get water and nun. They were not doing those 2 jobs in a timely matter. Bang for your buck if youre going to the buffet.
(3)Andrew L.
Lunch buffet $8.95. They serve a decent variety that includes rice, chicken masala, chicken curry, lamb, fried fish. I've only eaten here for the lunch buffet. Also the buffet deal is everyday which is a plus Verdict: food is pretty good. It's authentic Indian food that is served warm and fresh, which isn't always the case with buffets. Chicken masala is one of y favorites. It's got a creamier sauce. While the chicken curry has got a kick. The chicken curry could be better tho. It's not too creamy. More of a liquid consistency but I'm a little biased cuz I'm normally a fan of Thai curry. Another plus. You expect these places to be stubborn and rude. Think again. Servers and staff are friendly, welcoming and attentive. Did I mention you get garlic naan brought to your table too? Just for fun, here's a punny joke: sCURRY on down to India cook house. Pay NAAN attention to other reviews. Food is decent. Pretty good. Service is satisfactory
(4)Rajeev S.
Plus-Price-Price-Price!!, much better Indian food compared to other Indian Joints,good seating,etc Cons-Parking,Waiters and general tidiness of the hotel.Its kinda stinky inside...and some of the dishes can be made better...
(3)Nick H.
Bargain and Old School! India Cook House is a Staple! Back in the very ealry 2000's, Irvine was still relatively new at the "corporate" setting. There were not too many places around for Indian food, yet alone a buffet. Yup, this place sports many countless memories of the "extended lunch" for me. Old School to say the least. This place still manages to put out a decent buffet. Not the best and not the worst..but pretty good for the area. I am not sure about the Indian population in the area, but this place is a toned down restaurant compared to others in such areas as Artesia and Cerritos. Lunch Buffet is your best bet for a pretty good bang (pop) for your buck, Put your spicy dial on low and enjoy a pretty decent meal. Me, I like my curries and I like them strong. 3 Stars and AOK!
(3)Mike P.
This is the best Indian food around. I have not had better Indian food except in the UK. The Chicken Tikka Masala is amaxing & garlic Nan is great. This is our favorite Indian restaurant.
(5)Chris K.
Came here for dinner, and it was pretty good. We first ordered some garlic nan. Really yummy. If I could, I would just sit there and eat nan all day! For our entrees we ordered Chicken Tikka Masala. I think everyone recommends this dish (and I can see why). Although I wish they gave a little more chicken in the dish. We also ordered this tofu plate, but I don't remember what it's called. I tried looking on the menu on their website, but could not find it. (If I ever find out, I will re-edit this post.) For dessert we ordered three different ones and just split them all. 1. Gulab Jaman (indian cheese ball). Don't let the american translation fool you. I don't think there was cheese in it...(i could be wrong though). It was more like a soggy doughnut. Soggy because they drench it in this sweet syrup like liquid. It was a cinnamon taste. 2. Kulfi (pistachio ice cream)- Interesting texture for ice cream. But I think this was my favorite dessert of the night. 3. Kheer (rice pudding)- They put way too much rose in this dish. Overpowering! But if you like the taste of rose, you might like it. Prices are decent and they give you a good amount of food.
(3)Bara T.
Had a craving for Indian food, so last weekday stopped by for the buffet lunch. Since I was by myself, and being female, it was hard to get noticed to be seated, I don't know, I was just ignored. After waiting for like 10 minutes, I just left and went to Trader Joe's to get some frozen spinach paneer and head back to the studio for a microwave lunch.
(2)Andrew T.
A friend had shown me this place and was not disappointed. The chicken tikka masala was one of the best I have ever had. It was a bit more creamy that I am used to and I loved it. The samosas were alright. We ordered the lamb ones and I was surprised it only had lamb in it. The naan was fresh and a perfect compliment to the curry dishes. The service was not the best, but the very tall man who seems to be the manager was very friendly. My party definitely over-stayed but he would come by with a smile making sure we were content. The ambiance is great, maybe even a little too dim as I saw the table next to us use their phone lights to see the menu. Great food, reasonable prices, good service. Definitely will be back for the lunch buffet.
(4)Mem D.
Chicken korma mild, garlic naan, and a side of samosas. We've been coming here for 10 years now and this never gets old. The best Indian food in the OC!
(5)Sara Y.
Not the best Indian food out there, but it is certainly great for those new to Indian cuisine, such as me! I first tried Indian food because my friend said this place was where she first tried Indian food as well. This place is always busy for lunch and such a great price for the lunch buffet! We always come in, get 2 waters, and then start loading our plates with curry! The chicken curry, spinach lentil, and the spicy tofu curry are my favorites. I love love love the garlic naan, I could easily go on a carb overload! I also love those goat cheese donuts in honey for dessert as well as the mango pudding with fruit cocktail. I went to other Indian buffets but their mango pudding tasted fake and gross. I prefer the food here compared to other places and this place is the most affordable. I have since then tried other Indian places in Newport Beach which were outstanding but were very pricey! At least here you get a quick fix for cheap! The service is always spotty here but all Asian places have shitty service anyway. You go there for the food, not the service. $8.95 is an awesome deal and other yelpers are right... You also get an immediate bowel movement afterwards for some reason. Anyway, it's a plus I guess, and I feel less guilty about stuffing my face!
(3)Lily A.
I came for lunch ... AYCE buffet at $8.95 and if you add tax and tip it's around $11! The food is decent. The servers are all male. Hmmmmm...I won't say anything. The tandori chicken is pretty damn tastey. And there is a cheese curry with peas made with homemade cheese which I had seconds because it was that good. It reminded me of tofu. Also the naan is delightful especially with the spinach thingy! Sorry I have no idea what it was called, it just said "spinach" on it. The music is fantastic, although I wish they would bust it louder and start a bollywood dance routine...that would have locked in the 5 star rating for me. So for now India Cook House, I leave with 4 happy stars. Plate 1: yelp.com/user_local_phot… Plate 2: yelp.com/user_local_phot…
(4)michelle k.
I've heard great things about this place and today was my first visit. I'm in no way an expert w/ Indian cuisine but I do love the spices in their food. The dishes were overall tasty but I was disappointed w/ the bland eggplant and the fish that was sitting out for too long, so the batter didn't hold up. Service could have been better. There's an older gentleman that may not understand English or is very forgetful. I had asked for more naan and straws. He said ok but never came back with it. I had to ask another gentleman but we still never received our naan. They have a mango beverage that is absolutely tasty and worth the try. I saw half the restaurant drinking this so of course, had to try it. The price is amazing, $9/person for the lunch buffet. Definitely worth it. Give this place a try!
(4)Nancy C.
India Cook House provided food for 40 people for my husbands birthday. Raj took our order and made sure I had everything I needed. Since it was a surprise party we were really tight on the timing and when we arrived to pick up the order everything was ready to go! Everyone commented on how great the food was. We had Chicken Tikka, Veggie Korma, rice and naan. Some people commented that it was the best Indian food they had ever eaten (myself included) and we felt really good at our choice especially given our guests reactions :-) Some of my friends that were at the party are already thinking of calling India Cook House for their next party-I highly recommend them- Hats off to Raj and staff for a great job and to the chef for the delicious food!!!
(5)Theresa V.
I LOVE India Cook House. I went here when I was in high school and then throughout my UCI days, and now that I have moved back to Orange County, I continue to go here. The food is consistently flavorful, the fresh nan they send out to you as you sit down is always warm and tasty, and the staff and service are great. It's a place to get your Indian fix at a great price!
(4)G M.
Have been coming here for years but the last two visits have been very disappointing. The food is very good but if they are busy the wait after you order can be as much as an hour!
(3)Lauren B.
Nothing fancy, dector is a little out dated but the food here is excellent. Chicken tikki masala is super tender and so is the chicken tandori. I have discovered raita here which I LOVE it is a yogurt dipping sauce you use with naan. good stuff, hits the spot. :)
(4)James J.
I have a five star foe india cook house
(5)Paul L.
This sad but charming little restaurant tucked away in the corner of Heritage Plaza probably deserves more attention than it gets. On the two separate nights that we ate here, the trickling sounds from the peculiar indoor water fountain were livelier than many of our fellow diners, of which there were not many. But the Chicken Tikka Masala was excellent. Tender and creamy, it's probably one of the better curries that I've had in a while. The Tandoori Chicken was also a standout. The Lamb Palak was less successful, however, for the meat was dry and a little tough to chew. The Palak Paneer could have used more seasoning, but the rest of the vegetable dishes were on point. We especially enjoyed the Raita, which added just the right amount of tartness to balance out our meal. 3.5 stars
(3)Jennifer T.
This is what I call an Indian restaurant. Daily Lunch special is $8.95. Great variety of spread. Service is good. Orders came pretty quickly. Menu prices are not that expensive. Chiken Tika Masala and Veggie Korma are super delicious! The restaurant is somewhat "dark". But the overall place is very clean. This place gets crowded during dinner time (especially weekend)
(4)Annie H.
This is one of the best deals for a tasty lunch buffet! Came here because the boyfriend missed Indian food, and both of us left satisfied. I tried everything but the desserts (not a fan of Indian sweets aha). The fried fish was not too oily, but had a lot of batter compared to fish. The tandoori chicken and chicken curry were moist and very flavorful. The samosas were tasty, but the dough was sometimes over fried. Complimentary naan was very tasty and we were given seconds! Ambience was really nice, and service was prompt and friendly. Definitely coming back again!
(4)Alre H.
Eat It or Beat It? **EAT IT!!** So years back, I was very skeptical about Indian food, profoundly due to the strong curry taste and smell. However, after trying Samosa House in Culver City, my taste buds have completely 180'd. So when I was referred to India Cook House by a family member, I didn't hesitate to try the place out! ICH has a lunch buffet 7 days a week for $8.95 and boy is it worth it! They have many dishes ranging from chicken curry, lamb curry, and their amazing tandoori chicken to unique kinds of dessert! The inside of the restaurant is very nice and has very friendly service! CONCLUSION: EVERY buffet item is very delicious and not too strong tasting or smelling and the crowd is a great mix from white, brown, yellow, and all the way to their own people! So I say, EAT IT!!!
(4)James D.
$8.95 for an all you can eat lunch buffet that's actually really good. Don't forget to try that mint sauce by the salad bar. You can dip your bread in it. Tasty.
(4)Kriti J.
delicious food.. I ordered sumting out of the menu... "panner pyaz ki burji"... .. as it ws made 2 order... it ws so yummy.. nd flavour.. of ginger ws so good... on the other hand.. i odered... malai kofta.. they were jus ok in frnt of paneer burji.. luv da food!!
(4)Lily L.
Food is good. Service is bad. Asked for naan 5 times and nothing. The only thing they actually do and they cannot even do that. 4 waiters standing around starring at you and nothing.
(3)Qui C.
To be honest, we were looking for Annapoorna. (Where the heck is that place!?) This is really good. $8.99 for lunch buffet with lots to offer. The chicken curry and lamb shank stew were my favorite. The dessert are delicious. The naan is very yummy here, soft and warm.
(4)Alexis T.
Probably the BEST indian food in the world. the watermelon is my favorite!
(5)Bree G.
Came here today for the Lunch Buffet! :) Today, I came for the Buffet after seeing on my phone that it got some good reviews on yelp and I was pleasantly surprised at really liking it! The deal-- $8.95 all you can eat is AMAZING. Basically, this is a great opportunity to try tons of yummy Indian food and see what you like best! They have Channa Masala, Samosas, etc. and tons of vegetarian options (which I really appreciated). It's also cool that they have deserts to choose from and also provide naan. I think the service was a little slow due to how popular the place is, there were a lot of people there for lunch and I can see how it can get confusing for the waiters to keep a good eye on the table. Although it was slow, everyone was super nice and my boyfriend and I were not in a hurry, so this was not a problem! :) Everything tasted great and it was a great price, so I'd definitely come again! :) One of my new faves! Just be warned, you will be stuffed when you leave! :D :D :D YAY!!!
(5)Anand S.
I really couldn't have asked for a better experience. Our server Gagan was extremely helpful and responsive to all of our requests and the food was of the utmost highest quality. If you're looking for a pleasant ambiance, superb north Indian food, and great customer service I highly recommend India cook house.
(5)L W.
I love this place so much. I've been coming here since I moved to Irvine in 2009, and their dishes have the perfect combination of flavor, texture and spice. The waiters always remember me (even though I only go a few times per year) and are very friendly. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because I wish it was a tad less expensive. The chicken tikka masala and veg. korma are delish!
(4)Jun C.
Probably one of the best Indian restaurants in OC. Very reasonable price for lunch buffet. Good choices of meat, veggies, deserts, fruits at lunch. I like their chicken the most! Unlike many other Indian buffet out there, chicken in India Cook House is always fresh and juicy. The managers are very polite and comes to your table for refilling water every now and then. They are pretty good in serving and I usually don't even have to ask them to refill my water because they notice ahead and refill my water. When you come in, they guide you to a table and you can choose between garlic and regular naan. Naan is included in the buffet price. I have been a regular in this restaurant and only had one occasion that I wasn't satisfied with their service. When I was guided to a table, a young waiter threw knifes and forks to the table. The knifes and forks bounced off the napkins and disarranged on the table. I didn't tip nicely of course on that day. I should have gotten the waiter's name but I was just in shock mode at that time.
(4)Lawrence L.
Came here recently on a Sunday for the lunch buffet and was pleasantly pleased that it was still here. I used to come here all the time when I worked closer in Newport Beach. The AYCE lunch buffet is all that I have ever had and there is enough of a variety to satisfy an indian food craving. Not bad for $8.95 per person.
(4)Vijay R.
India Cook House is my favorite Indian Restaurant ever! I am very picky when it comes to good Indian cuisine because I have such high standards with my mom's cooking. I honestly think she should open up a restaurant. India Cook House was a great find when I was back at UCI. I think they had some sort of coupon in the University newspaper. I have gone for buffets and dinner time, and the quality of food is the same, excellent! They have amazing garlic naan, palak paneer, chana masala, and much more. One thing is if you think you can handle the spice, be cautious. I normally order medium spiced at most Indian or Thai places, but one night I decided to go for the hot spice. My mouth was on fire the entire evening! One last tip is that it may be a little difficult to find the place. If you are going on Culver coming from UC Irvine side, you want to make a right on the last light before the 5 freeway. The restaurant is hidden on the very end corner of the huge shopping plaza.
(5)Alina M.
I go here for one thing only and so I'm gonna write about that one thing only: my kryptonite--chicken malai--the chicken in coconut sauce. Mind you, this is not like those Thai coconut curries where they're nice and refreshing, no, not at all. This is a ridiculously fatty dish with full Indian flavor, so be warned. But you will also get addicted to the incredibly rich coconut taste. I savor this dish. I almost think of this as chicken coconut frosting that I'm slurping up with my naan. Slurp, slurp, slurp, as it goes to my thighs, my butt, all of my chins. Do I care? Not while I'm in my coconut zone. Truth be told, you can't do more than about five full bites of this before you go into a pleasure coma. And when you take the leftovers out of the fridge, they're congealed solid. Don't overthink it. Just pop it in the microwave, and get it to a liquid state. By the way, they also make lamb malai which is also very, very good--same sauce. But, although I am a lover of all things lamb and all things coconut, I go with the chicken malai on this one. It's divine!!!!!!
(5)TiffandSai K.
For those who do not want to read thru, here is a breakdown! -1star for being very dirty -2star for horrible food that is nothing but ketchup/spaghetti sauce based -3star non exsitent customer service *TIP save your money and eat elsewhere, and if you take a chance to eat here, then pay w/a cc cause you may be disputing your charge! Yelp needs to offer -(negative) stars, this one would be a negative 3stars here's why. Ok, so my husband and I tried this place out yesterday my husband being indian we have tried almost every indian buffett from La to OC. So I pretty much know what we are looking for,and not! We walk in and are seated next to the wall, don't get too close because everything that everyone has ever ate is on that wall that your elbows are rubbing against gross! ( a gallon of paint is like $15.99 @walmart! I mean let's take some pirde in your establishment!!!) Here's the -2star, the table cloth already had the last persons meal on it ya know how they hang down and you end up wiping your hands on it instead of your napkin; ok so your busy and you don't have the time...NOT! It takes 2 seconds to throw on a clean table cloth! Ok so the most important -3stars THE FOOD! Yuck!! First of all your rice is old and moldey ( hubby being in the rice biz we knew what we were talking about) on my plate was chicken curry: horrible they must've been in a quick hurry because the spices were raw!(1st rule of indian food..cook your spices very well!) I spit it out. Next on my plate of grossness the all time american favorite the Chicken tikka Masala, the pieces of chicken were big chunks of dry unflavorful(most likely because of the fact they were so big and not marrinated enough). And took some water to get down yuck! On to the veggie korma(1 of my favs) this was really nasty, as the 'gravy' if you will tasted exactly like spaghetti o's sauce; korma would normally be made with a buttermilk base and is (typicaly) yellowish in color NOT red! It was so nasty. Last and FINALLY least the baigan bartha(eggplant which would be another fav) well...I can't really describe except to say It was just the thing to make me look at my husband and say let's get the hell outta here! Now all we took 1 bite of everything on our plate never touch the Naan or our drinks, so we went up to the counter and my husband asked for the bill, the man gave it to us and then realized we had just walked in(we were here all about 10min) and he asked if something is wrong, husband said no, but I of course feel the need to express my opinions, yeah I said the food is horrible! He said oh sorry come sit down and we will make you something from menu...don't thinks so, when we refused he said well what's the problem I once again try to express what was wrong w/the food, as I'm doing this the man is charging my credit card WTF!! Our plates did not even look touched. Oh well thats why you pay for things on your cc so if something like this happens you can disput it(which we are doing as I write this!) Lesson for the owners of this....'establishment' get an indian cook book, take a little pride your business and learn some most needed customer service! ***this review was written about a year ago, and just decided to post. We have not been back since nor will we ever!
(1)Kaung K.
I go to this Indian Cook House often. Environment: It is close to the college and only a few miles away from university, so commute to here is not that bad. It is also located in the compound with other restaurants, ATMs, stores, and shopping markets so there are so many to do before or after you have lunch or dinner here. Service: There is no wait time to be seated at all 99% of the time! Well, I might be making up percentages, so let's make it 98.9999% of the time to be realistic. The same goes for both lunch buffet and dinner. The greeters and servers may look as if they are staring at you, without smiling but let me tell you, very friendly and nice people there! They attend at all your needs from water refills to anything you want promptly. Food (Full Menu and Price Here: indiacookhouseoc.com/men… ): BUFFET. $8.95 Buffet is at a very good price and in my opinion; it's worth it for what you pay for. Must be a personal bias but I'd say if you want to make it really really really REALLLLLY beyond worth it, just go for the food you like, instead of tasting varieties and having yourself full. I always have rice and Chicken Tikka Masala and I get full only after 3-4 mounted plates!!!! Good deal for me! They have varieties of curry and desserts for you to try. There is food for vegetarians too just in case you are curious. Mainly the place is for everyone. No need to worry about being spicy or not too because they're not! You should try all their desserts too! I forgot the names but they're all easy find at the left corner. Rice pudding dessert is good and so are other sweets available there. DINNER: Dinner is not buffet but still at a good range $9-$16 per plate. Don't worry of not getting enough in the plate they serve with! I ordered curry for dinner and got as much as I can eat during the buffet!! Well, not as much but very comparable because I always get full and need to make it to-go! DRINKS: Drinks are not included in the buffet price but you can order for a nominal price. SIDES: Their NAN is pretty good too! You can have many sides from the buffet counter or order separately as well, especially for dinners. Either way, the prices are really good. TABLES: They have tables for from couples to groups; all tables are easy to combine to give you a huge group table too. So, no big deal and no need to worry if you are going with large groups. However, I am not sure if you'll need reservation or not for that many people though. Tables are always clean and have layers of covers to ensure they stay clean in case one group of customers needs to be seated as soon as the previous group left. You can ask for any seats too if they are available to suit you. NOISE: Except for chats, which you can hear as whispers anyways, there is no noise at all; except for the music playing in the background. And no no. Their music is not loud at all, in fact, it's a very soothing music that put you in a peaceful mood while you eat (and socialize with your family or friends). TIP: Well, personally, I make sure I don't drink as much water while there during Buffet hours!! Simply because I want to stuff more food than water! Haha. - Ko (Tweeper @KaungKo on Twitter)
(4)Rosemary T.
Like any other Indian buffet. I like it a lot since they have lots of choices to choose from. My favorite was the lamb curry. It's hard to find lamb curry that doesn't have a real strong of lamb taste; their is done perfectly. Also, their chicken tandori is great and amazing. It was one of my other favorite to eat there. Yummoo. Would definitely come back again, just not quit worthy of a 4 star yet, but definitely a 3.5.
(3)Payal L.
One word: BLAND. Would it kill the cooks to use some herbs and spices?! The only thing with some taste/flavor was the gulab jamuns. Palak paneer means spinach purée with cheese cubes. At india cook house, it's just spinach purée. And don't get me started on customer service. When I asked for lemon slices for my water, I was rudely told to walk up to the buffet line and get them myself. As soon as the clock hit 2:25, they went around to each table to "politely" hurry up and get out of there every 5 minutes. Hmmm, that sounds like no tip, no referrals and 1 yelp star :(
(1)DelishDotCom S.
Excellent food and service, every time we dine here. My boyfriend is from England, and looooves a good curry, so we had been searching for months before finding this restaurant. It is a little hidden, in the corner of the parking lot where Caspian is, next door to Super Irvine. We have always been here for dinner. My favorites are: Shah Paneer, GARLIC NAAN, and rice. The shrimp and veggie dishes are also very good. The portions are large and the prices are great. We are always impressed by their service, too. Our water glasses are never empty and the waiters are friendly. The owner?/Manager is always there supervising and walks around to ask customers how they are enjoying the food. I encourage you to eat here if you haven't already! Delicious and fresh Indian food.
(5)A A.
We have been going here for years and the food has always been excellent. But, the service has continually gotten worse. Tonight the service was horrible from start to finish. First, we never got any appetizer plates so while we ate our appetizers, food and sauce fell all over the table and the menus. After waiting for a long time, we had to get up to bring a waiter to our table to take our order. Waiters were just standing around together instead of checking on guests. Waiters only brought water when we flagged them down even when they were already pouring refills for the table next to ours. At the end, we asked three different people, one person appeared to be the manager, for the check so we could pay our bill and after 10 minutes, the bill never came. We finally just got up and paid at the door. We've always had a problem with waiting a really long time to get the bill. How hard can it be to print out a bill? If you are on a timed schedule, I suggest you eat somewhere else. The service is so bad, you will be late.
(3)Glen L.
Got some chicken tikka masala and lamb vindaloo for takeout. The rice was very good and the entrees looked and smelled good too. But somehow they managed to make spicy Indian food bland. The chicken tikka masala was barely passable. The sauce was a little underseasoned but the chicken itself was tasteless. It should be a crime to serve tastless lamb vindaloo. Come to think of it, how is it possible to make bland Indian food?
(2)Mala N.
I am disappointed with their buffet. And the restaurant could do with a facelift. Same deco for the last 15 years!
(3)Lara D.
Nice small Indian food place. Have been several times and the food is always good. Love the Chicken Tikka Masala. Friendly service and the food never takes too long.
(4)Duncan W.
Here, the price is CHEAP, but the quality is a bit lacking. Indian food certainly has a lot of flavor potential compared to a lot of other cuisines, but I noticed things were just done "alright". The chicken was very dry, but people scoff that thing down (I admit I was one of them). Lamb curry was actually really good. Still, I much prefer Annapoorna.
(3)Dylan M.
This restaurant is great! Love this place for a good lunch place. Their buffet is a definitely reasonable price and their selection is really good. Love.this.place . This is a really approachable place for those who have never had Indian food before. NOMNOMNOMMM
(4)N S.
Great lunch buffet, and very reasonably priced! It's not a gourmet place, but has the Indian food you're craving when you think "Indian sounds good." Put the achar (fermented/pickled veggies) on top of your dishes for an instant awesome flavor. I ate it alone first and it reminded me of Windex, then someone told me to use it as a condiment and wow- amazing!
(5)Neil W.
Good food and they serve popadoms while you are browsing the menu. That's all it takes for me.
(4)Yasaman J.
I really like their Chicken Tikka Masala....There service is always fast and the staff are always very nice.......There naan is always so fresh.... The only thing is that inside the restaurant is too dark....I had their lunch Buffet once and for sure I will be going back for it again....:-)
(5)Neha C.
The food here is great especially for dinner. The garlic naan is delicious as well as the paneer and channa masala. Mango lassi is great too! Sometimes the servers get jumbled up with orders and forget or mix up your order. Other than that, I've been here many times and have taken food to go! Great place for normal Indian food.
(4)Cat N.
yay i love indian food! i came in with my girlfriend for the lunch buffet. the bill came out to be $20.00. not bad... the food overall was pretty good and tasty. the only thing i disliked was the naan. it was boring and lacked favor. seemed like it was done lazily. everything else though was pretty satisfying. the service here was pretty good. the water guy is really on top of things =). our naan took forever to come out and that was my only complaint (sorry i like naan). bottom line... if your in irvine and feel like some cheap indian food with variety, then come here.
(4)Rami D.
Only $8 for the lunch buffet! The chicken was delicious and was not fatty. The buffet came with an assortment of samosas, rice, veggie and non-veggie dishes. This was truly one of the best Indian Restaurants that I have ever been to. They have a large space, and it was pretty packed. The buffet line moved very smoothly and the staff was very helpful and pleasant.
(5)Kathleen H.
Really unsure if I would want to come back here again for lunch or for dinner. My husband and I came for dinner recently and thought it was quite nice (we got a set menu...) So, I invited a girlfriend from London who loves Indian food to experience India Cook House lunch buffet. BOY was that a mistake. I later learned, London probably has the best Indian food in the world. But, I digress. Point I was trying to make...it was a mistake inviting here there because: - the waiters are so rude! They took away her plate even before she finished eating - instead of asking whether she wanted garlic or regular naan, they just brought a basket and tossed it on the table... - no one came back to refill her diet coke and once we got the bill and sat there talking, no one even came back to offer us water. - The Tandoori chicken at the buffet was totally dried out ...and the list goes on... What a disappointment.
(2)Rachael S.
We've been coming to India Cook House for years. My husband and his grandma introduced it to me a long time ago. We always come for the lunch buffet. You can't beat the price and the various dishes. The service isn't the best but it's a buffet so what difference does it make. However, there is one server that I adore. He's an older gentleman. He always greets us and welcomes us as if it were his home. He always provides us the best service, unlike the other servers. This particular server is one of the reasons we come back. The buffet is an excellent way to learn what you like so you can order it the next time. I highly recommend ordering the garlic naan instead of the plain naan - it tastes better. It's a great place to come if you're vegetarian or you have people in your party who are vegetarian.
(4)Amy K.
Came here for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I ordered the chicken tikka masala and the chicken was so tender and moist! The flavor was slightly sweeter than I have had before at other places, but it was very good! I loved that you could customize how spicy you wanted your dish to be, I got mine on medium and it was just right. It was creamy and so delicious. The tikka masala came with rice and a crispy bread. The rice was good, not a ton of flavor but it balanced the tikka masala perfectly. I also ordered the garlic naan, and it was really good. It has a really strong garlic flavor and was fresh and soft. Total bill (with no drinks) came out to about $16 with tip. Not bad, and had leftovers! I liked the atmosphere here, people were friendly kept our water glasses full and took care of any empty plates quickly. The inside of the restaurant is very clean, with pretty place settings. Will definitely be back to try their lunch buffet!
(5)Keith S.
My favorite restaurant. I normally get the vegetarian combo, unless I'm there during the lunch buffet, and it feeds two people. Try the sweet nann. Lunch or dinner, I always eat too much of this delighful fare. I've never had bad services. There is always someone eyeing the table from across the room, which seems creepy at first, but it's to monitor your needs; i.e. water glasses, empty plates, etc. Five stars every time.
(5)L H.
Food - eh, if that. Service - AWFUL and the staff doesn't care. Waited over 35 minutes for our food. Asked at least 6 times where it was. Never refilled our water. We ordered naan and that showed up 5 minutes after our food, only because we asked twice. Restaurant was freezing cold and asked repeatedly if they could adjust the a/c. Never happened. We moved tables and had to take silverware and napkins from the empty table next to us. Will never go back again.
(1)Maria M.
This place is the bomb! Its not expensive and the food is really good. I recommend going when the buffet starts to get the freshest food. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you like Indian food.
(5)Kaan K.
You just can't beat the lack of AC on a hot day. So sweat it out with extra spicy chutney.
(3)W M.
Great buffet, lost of food and verity too. They have chicken kabob which is great for a buffet. Large dining area with lots of tables
(4)Seth E.
So, having a British hubby, I happen to have a weak spot for Indian food. This definitely tickles that spot, oh, so good! First off, the price of the buffet at $8.95 is a super good value. Their lamb shanks were tender, the butter chicken in coconut milk and chicken curry were all particularly wonderful. A special item not to miss is the "Milk Cheese Balls" for dessert. Seriously delicious. They look like big floating burgundy spheres, but the interior is moist, delicious goodness. I could tell you what is in it, but the owners might get mad at me. Mr. Singh did welcome us as we arrived and service was quick, efficient and courteous.
(4)Gayani D.
The food was very tasty, but the ambiance was awful. The restaurant is SO loud that I could not appreciate the nuances of the taste of the food (which is essential to appreciating Indian food!). I felt like it was a herding house for cattle. The tables as too close together, and they need some sound elements to absorb the din. I will not be dining there again if I can help it.
(3)Mimi P.
I really think the best way (and the cheapest way) to enjoy Indian food is to go for the lunch buffet. Almost all Indian restaurants offer Indian buffet, and it usually cost under $10. Dr. P and I were both craving for some Indian spices. A little googling, and we found India Cook House in Irvine. We parked our car, walked up to the restaurant, and immediately we were welcomed by Indian spices aroma. It made us even hungrier. Lunch buffet is $8.95/person. There were about 5 meat dishes and 8 vegetarian dishes, as well as a salad bar and 4 desserts. For my first plate, I got Chicken Curry, Chicken Makhni (tomato cream butter sauce), Fish Pakoras (fried), Lamb Shank, Veg Korma, Aloo Bengan (Eggplant with Potato), Aloo Gobi (Cauliflower with Potato), and Spinach. The most unique offering was the lamb shank. I have never seen lamb shank in any Indian buffet. There were tender meat and tendon near the big bone. The meat was very flavorful. I had 4 big pieces of it! The Chicken Makhni and Veg Korma were my favorite. Everything on the plate was delicious. Tandoori Chicken was moist and tender. Yum! Vegetable Samosa was stuffed with potato with Indian spices. It was tasty. Nan Bread was the only disappointment. It was thin, hard, and dry. I only had a few bite and didn't touch it again. Dr. P grabbed some desserts. There were rice pudding, Gulab Jamun (Milk Cheese Ball), Fruit Cocktail, and watermelon. I never liked Glab Jamun, but Dr. P insisted for me to try a bite. I did, and the one at India Cook House didn't taste all that bad. It tasted sort of like a wet donut. But I'm still not a big fan of Glab Jamun. But we both love the Fruit Cocktail. It was made with mango yogurt with can mixed fruit. The mango yogurt tasted like lassi. We had two plates of the dessert. The food at India Cook House was tasty. But if we have to compare, we both thought Haveli's food tastes better. But we don't want to be too picky, and India Cook House is closer to our home. We enjoyed India Cook House's lunch buffet a lot. Will be back again.
(3)Natalie P.
Good for a cheap lunch buffet which was $8.95 but overall it was just average to me. The garlic naan the server brought out didn't have much garlic flavor and was a bit limp/soggy looking and . I also was disappointed to see that their spinach curry dish didn't have the usual cheese cubes and wasn't creamy. It looked as tho they blended spinach and water in blender. Other than that, the variety was decent. They had mushroom marsala, chk marsala, lamb shank, chk curry, tandoori chk, and some fried food. My favorite item there was their mango pudding dessert.
(3)B O.
Wonderful restaurant that my fiancée and I have been going to for a couple of years. Their Malai Kofta is amazing; I don't remember having better anywhere else. Chicken Tikka Masala and Palak Paneer are also delicious. They will adjust spiciness according to your wishes. Our regular waiter is very friendly and attentive; prices are more than reasonable; place is seldom crowded and is always clean and comfortable. If they upgraded the decor they could call themselves a fancy restaurant and easily increase prices; I hope they never do - we love not having to spend a lot of money for food this good.
(5)Vanessa B.
Meh... This was like the worst Chicken Tikka Masala I had ever had. the sauce was quite watery and non creamy. Food was a little on the pricey side.... The naan was pretty good... It was fresh and our service was great but I just really wasn't impressed with the quality of the food.
(2)Grace C.
I love Indian food, it's probably my favorite cuisine after Chinese. I'm from the Bay Area - I've been spoiled with lots of hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurants that serve delicious, flavorful (not just creamy) and fresh food. I'm about to relocate to So Cal and I must admit, I'm a little worried about the Indian-scene down here. India Cook House was the first Indian place I checked out. I went during lunch and had the buffet (I didn't really check if you could opt for the regular menu), which was at an affordable price of $8.95 per person. The restaurant was very clean, though a little dim, with a good number of servers. There weren't a lot of items - maybe around 12 - but all of the most common dishes were available (tandoori chicken, lamb shank curry, two kinds of chicken curries, aloo curry, samosas, fried fish, daal curry, saag, paneer curry, kheer, to name a few.) Nothing was particularly memorable, but everything was decent/average. It would have been great if things were a little spicier and more flavorful. The chicken in both of the curry dishes was very moist, which I was surprised since it's usually dry at other places. The complimentary naan was so-so. It was thin and crispy, not the fluffy, soft and buttery kind. It was on the bland side of things... In sum, this place was mediocre. Not bad enough to bash, but not good enough to praise. I took a look at their regular menu and depending on how desperate I'll get, I might consider returning to try it out.
(3)Lizzie C.
Love this place. This review is just for the lunch buffet. Usually the places i've been taken to for indian food gets kinda expensive. This place is so cheap for AYCE lunch buffet! AND it comes with hot delicious naan! Which you can get plain or with garlic. I always get with garlic. Everything is great here. You have chicken, beef, lamb, and this awesome cheese thing that i eat way to much of. They also have a salad bar and fruit too. And a small dessert bar! I always come here when I can. It's also next to an indian grocery store and a chinese mom and pop bakery as well as a Persian or maybe indian bakery too. Oh man food food food!
(5)Jeff P.
I came across this place when doing some errands. Service is average, as waters walk around with a relatively grumpy face... Nonetheless they were polite. I am not crazy for Indian food, but this place had very good food selection. As it is a buffet style, it made it easier for me to pick and choose. Decor needs some TLC.
(3)Philip S.
I was shocked. I went for dinner and it was really good! I had the chicken masala and lamb as well. The quality of the curries is much different from the buffet and worth it if you prefer quality over quantity. Let me put it this way. Tuesday night at 9pm, the place was half full and all the clientele were Indian. This place must be doing something right.
(4)M S.
The chicken curry has the best sauce. Food is very good and they have a large selection at the buffet. Service is poor.
(3)Sid A.
Now I must preface...being Indian, I want to say that I'm especially hard on this place because it is rare that an Indian restaurant comes close to serving high quality food. That said, if I was to recommend an Indian restaurant to a friend, this is one of the few places that would pass the test. The place is clean, the service is good, and their lunch buffets are very well priced. It comes with good naan (garlic or plain) and plenty of choices for entree. The quality of the appetizers (samosas and pakoras) are generally very good, and the desserts are excellent (gulab jamuns in particular). The weaknesses come in the form of poor quality of main entrees. They are mediocre at best. Some who have had little experience in Indian food will find the large selection amazing and well worth it, but I am still looking for the restaurant with a buffet at a great price that serves quality throughout the meal. The food is edible and clean as one would hope, but it is not up to the flavors of what proper Indian cuisine is like. This place is good, and it makes it in my top 5 Indian restaurants of the general OC area. But it barely makes the cut... 3 stars are given just based on value alone. Just goes to show how hard it is to find a quality Indian restaurant...this is not a bad place to start though.
(3)Les L.
Saturday lunch buffet for $9 - ya! Their chicken tikka masala is wonderful. Their pakoras a little on the bleh side and a bit overly spiced with rye? Rice pudding wonderful. Naan bread just decent.
(4)Dave T.
Fairly easy parking and consistently tasty buffet. I'm not Indian, but my Indian friends enjoy this place as well. The food is not very spicy, but it is flavorful. The variety offered at the buffet could be a little greater, but we always find favorites to enjoy. The dining area is spacious and kid friendly.
(4)English G.
Great Indian lunch buffet for $9.95! Come before 12pm as after that you will not find a table. Food is great for the price for meat lovers & vegetarians alike.
(4)Michele W.
Great bang for your buck for an indian buffet. And decent food. no explanation necessary.
(4)Ilina L.
Food is not all that great. Service is ok.
(3)Bryan D.
Pretty good. Nothing special just a ok but the buffet is a good value.
(3)Joseph T.
The food here is divine! I will come back soon.
(5)David v.
India Cook House is all about the lunch buffet. They do the buffet everyday (including the weekends) for lunch and it only costs $9. Yes, you heard right... $9 for a buffet. And yes... The selection is decent, the food is pretty good, and the service is great. I love this place for the Tikka Masala. Just drop some rice on your place and then drop a heap of the stuff on top of your rice. Then spoon my of the sauce on stop.... Oh the insanity! Some of there other stuff is pretty good like the Palak Paneer and on this past visit, they has some interesting fish croquette or something that was awesome as well. The plates get picked up when you go back for more and your water gets refilled frequently. For the price, you can't beat India Cook House. I don't understand why someone would pay $7 for fast food when you can just drop another 2 and get food that isn't microwaved or severely processed. India Cook House gets a 4... out of 5!
(4)Stephane G.
Consistently good quality fresh food at this all you can eat buffet. The spicyness has been tone down for American taste, but very tasty. Naans are outstanding. Service prompt, friendly, but not overly so.
(4)James B.
Great place. We were seated very quickly even though it seemed like a pretty busy night. The service staff here was very polite and prompt from ordering and throughout dinner. We got a mushroom appetizer, samosas, garlic naan bread (delicious), tandoorish fish, and fish masala. Everything was good, especially (IMO) the fish masala. Lots of food too so had enough for a good sized reheated lunch the next day as well. Definitely will be back. One word of warning: this is in a shopping center with horrible parking if you are there during any high activity period so be prepared to drive around a while waiting for a spot or park farther away and have a walk.
(4)Nick K.
Best Indian lunch buffet in Irvine. It was so good I got some Masala on my work shirt, but wore it with pride! Lots of variety from entree to desert, all full of flavor. Service staff seemed quiet but nice. The place could use a renovation, but the fresh and great tasking food still makes up for it.
(5)Dee S.
I forgot about Indian buffets until I came back to Irvine from KC! I love the buffet. I've been for dinner as well. I will say that both meals are quality. I want to see that the restaurant is clean. They replenish with fresh warm food and it's a great bang for your buck and tastebuds!
(4)Caitlin R.
Really glad to have found this place. My husband & I used to go to our favourite Indian restaurant at least once a week back home, but since moving to Irvine, it's something we've really missed. We've tried a couple other places but haven't been very impressed. I ordered chicken tikka masala, and my husband ordered lamb tikka masala - I know, we should have mixed it up a bit! Next time. They were both delicious, and the garlic naan was really, really good. We went on a Friday night and the place was about half full. While the service was quick, our server wasn't very friendly. He seemed a bit annoyed when my husband asked him for a beer recommendation. It didn't bother us much, because we came for the food, not the service, but a friendly server would have made the experience even better. All in all, delicious. We will definitely be back.
(4)Jocelyn K.
Indian cook house is one of the best Indian restaurants in Irvine. It is decently priced compare to many of the other restaurants and the food is pretty flavorful and delicious. Best of all, the price of the $9 all you can eat lunch buffet can't be beat. I have to admit that the food during lunch isn't as good as it is during dinner, which is understandable since they are mass cooking it for the buffet. On the other hand, the food for dinner is good but it is kind of pricey, even though it is much cheaper than most. The service is super good in my opinion. When I wanted to take my left over curry home, I only had a bit of rice left so the waiter gave me more fresh rice to take back, for free! I thought this was really nice of him. Compared to most of the restaurants in Irvine, this is rated among the best. However, outside of Irvine, there are better Indian places to eat at. I would have liked to give Indian cook house 3 1/2 stars but since there is no option like that, I give it four for it's great service and food.
(4)Jennifer S.
This is THE place to go in OC for indian buffet. It's cheap - 8.95 It's open for lunch buffet 7 days a week. The food is delicious and not too ghee-y. They are always busy (a sign of a good restaurant), but not so busy that you have to wait, usually. Consistent quality. I have been coming here with people from work for years, and it's always good. It's in the corner, by the Super Irvine. Oh yea, and the parking in that shopping center sux.
(5)Ralph S.
So very close to work and the price is very reasonable (for a buffet) goes for about $11.00 after tip/tax. They have about 4 chicken dishes but my two favorite are chicken makani and curry chicken. The lentils are great and the naan is always warm. When you walk in you might get the impression you will have to wait but they actually sit you right away and the service is pretty good too. They keep your wated glass full and you could be in/out of there in less than 45 min if you wanted to. I recommend you start off with salad/fruit bar and dont forget to save room for dessert which include sweet carrots and rice pudding so yummy! in my opinion, this is one of the best indian buffets in OC...
(4)cherry l.
This is my all time favorate indian place! The korma is heaven sent creamy deliciousness. The palak paneer has the right blend of spices. Their chicken tikki bbq is soft and tender full of flavor. The service is friendly and the buffet price very reasonable. I've been to just about every indian resto in orange county and this is the best. I only gave a 4 and not 5 stars since the decor needs an update but that doesn't even matter since the quality of food exceeds everything else.
(4)Rajat J.
I was pretty disappointed by this place. I was hungering for some indian food and I remembered seeing this place so I went by to get takeout. It was kind of pricey (20 bucks for an entree and naan) but then I got home and realized there was quite a bit of food (I had two meals out of it). Unfortunately what they had in portion they messed up in taste. The chicken tikka was incredibly watery, and while it was edible it was not anything special. Probably not going back again.
(2)Izajah G.
This place is amazing! My family and I have been going here for over 10 years and the managers always remember us! Amazing food, great service, very reasonable prices, and the best rice I've ever had. The Chicken Tikka Masala is a must, but everything is amazing, especially their vegetarian dishes!
(5)Sunny B.
Nice clean place, staff is friendly, food is good! Worth$$
(5)Joanne C.
We've been trying out other Indian Lunch Buffets, and everytime, we keep saying that Indian Cook House is better. SO.....we're done trying other places... this is THE INDIAN RESTAURANT we will go to only from now on. Therefore, they get a 5 stars! :)
(5)Julian F.
Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the expectation. Our vindaloo was basically tomato soup, vinegar, potatoes and chicken. No spices and no flavor. Apparently, the head chef is off every other Wednesday, so they don't make good food on the alternate Wednesday. I think that information should be clearly posted on the door!
(1)Simir S.
Good Indian food, excellent spice levels, very good staff. The onion bajia and chicken tikka are excellent.
(5)Won P.
This is my 4th time here and I noticed that I never wrote a review for this place. I come here on the rare occasions that I have time to drive down to irvine to have lunch with a few friends and get the 8.95 all u can eat buffet lunch. Man wat a deal! and for $9 bucks, the buffet is pretty darn good. The main thing I like about this place is that its not too spicy. When u come in, they take your drink order and give u a fresh basket of nan (which is their indian bread). In terms of the actual buffet, the chicken dishes ( i apologize. i totally dont know their names but their the 2 chicken dishes there) are really good. its like a chicken curry or something. My favorite dish there all the time is their samosas. I love the filling on the inside along with the casing on the outside. be aware, because this place is so good, a lot of people come here at bout noon so get there at 11 30ish and ull be good :) o and a quick note though, the place is a bit hard to find though cuz its like in the corner of the plaza there but once u find u, ull be so happy u went.
(5)Alex P.
*This review is for the lunch buffet only. I can't believe that I haven't reviewed this place yet. But then again, it has been a while since I've been here - I used to be a regular here in my Pre-Yelp days, which was many years ago. Anyway, I came here for lunch with a friend today and it was just as good as I remembered. For $8.95 (which you can't beat considering that if you go to any take out Indian place, a two item combo will set you back about the same amount) you can eat all the Indian food your heart desires and your stomach can handle. They pretty much have your typical fair set out, all of which seems to be refilled and moved along pretty regularly so you don't have to be afraid that something has been sitting out for too long. From the samosas to the saag paneer to the chicken tika masala, they have something for anyone, all of which is pretty damn tasty. All this served up with some freshly made naan and you've got yourself the makings of a gluttonous afternoon. I know that I walked out of there with a food baby. It was borderline painful, but it hurt so good. Thanks India Cook House! I won't wait too long to come back for lunch.
(4)Pink D.
This is my new favorite Indian restaurant. My favorite dishes are Veg Korma and Potatoes and Cauliflower. Both are excellent here. I asked for them to be less salty and VERY spicy and they come out perfect!!
(5)sheree k.
For $8.95 all you can eat Indian food, it's pretty freakin awesome! There so many choices of food and they give you the free bread (nan) as well. The service is nice. Check this place out if you have an empty stomach and if you have a big craving for Indian food.
(5)Ivana Y.
Awesome lunch buffet that stays fresh and refreshed--I don't think I ever saw an empty chafing tray, the staff keeps coming out to refill the buffet with food! Good times. The tandoori chicken is as good as I ever had, whatnot with the crisp red layer and juicy moist meat inside. There is a large assortment of curries and lots of vegetarian options too. I was very fond of the vegetable korma (I really enjoy the texture of the cheese cubes) and LAMB SHANK curry. The staff was very quick and efficient--I don't think my water glass was ever empty. The dessert station was quite nice too, separate from the rest of the buffet line so that there won't be traffic jams. If there's one thing I would like from India Cook House, it would be complementary chai tea to be served at a DIY station, to help me digest the massive amounts of food I eat. Next time, I'll just order it a la carte. I highly recommend India Cook House otherwise, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Maite H.
I had another great lunch buffet at the India Cook House. I'm a fan of the food quality, buffet selections, and good service! The restaurant is still one of my fav Indian restaurants! 4 Stars
(4)Bob E.
Never did lunch buffet. Have only eaten dinner here. GREAT curries and breads. Very well made and fresh. Indian coworkers directed me here, and, yes, they were right. One of the best Indian eateries in this area (Irvine)
(5)ReBecki P.
To review an Indian place, you must have tried the following: the buffet, the vegetarian items, and the naan! LOL at least that's what I look for! My boyfriend's family invited me here for my birthday and what a treat it was! Plenty of room for a big family and the servers give you recommendations (probably because of our white and Chinese faces). Tasty to the last swipe curry on your dish: chicken palak (spinach), vege jalfrezi (mixed), and chicken tikka masala. Just had their buffet lunch last Sunday and it wasn't too crowded, plenty of dishes to choose from, rice pudding with a gulab jaman (sweet ball in syrup) to top it off. Mango lassi is sweet and they never stop serving you water. Prices are decent for the portions. I live near Little India in Artesia, but India Cook House is definitely my go-to for Indian in Irvine.
(4)Shashank S.
This review is about the buffet. It includes a wide verity of food, so dont make the mistake of filling up your stomach with just one dish. The food quality is very good, that is the veggies are fresh and the chicken tastes fresh too. I am a little disappointed with the taste, but only by a little. The curries are not as thick as it needs to be, and the spice levels are medium (for an East Indian its quite low ). Desserts are interesting. But you will enjoy the ambiance. This place is crowded during lunch hours and gets a little noisy. Overall its a good place to have lunch, but I wouldnt visit this place too often.
(3)Alea G.
I came here for the lunch buffet a couple of days ago. The buffet was pretty decently priced and the restaurant is kind of cute. They've got quite a few options in the buffet, but I wasn't overly impressed. Apart from maybe the Chicken Tandoori, everything was super bland. I've had better tasting chicken curry from Trader Joe's (no hate to TJ's curry). What I did love here was the garlic naan. Oh man. That stuff was legit. In the end, it was okay Indian food. Not my top choice for Indian food in the area, but it also wasn't bad.
(3)Richard T.
I love Indian food and this place fit the bill. They offer a great lunch buffet for a good price. Vegetables are very fresh while the chicken appears freshly cooked, especially the Tandoori chicken while considering it's a buffet. However I did experience dry chicken masala on one occasion. Naan comes out warm. They frequently fill your glasses with water and pull dirty plates from your table. Server could use a lesson on pleasantries and how to smile. The restaurant has a 1970 Las Vegas feel with dim lighting. More lighting and model décor would significant improve the eating experience. India Cook house offers good food, decent service at a fair price.
(4)Jen B.
Two Punjabi Indian people I know recommended this restaurant. I figured it HAD to be amazing! Ummmmmm...am I missing something here? I thought the food was very Americanized (bland and not spicy when certain dishes usually are). A huge disappointment. I would not return here.
(2)Vivian M.
My sister in law's uncle recommended this to me because I wasn't sure which Indian restaurant to try out here. This was clearly a winner. After reading through some of the reviews on here my boyfriend and I decided to hit up the lunch buffet last week. So the best way to know where this place is, is that it's in the same parking lot as the Irvine Family Medical center. It's to the left of the HUGE building if you're facing it, just a quick tip for that. Thanks to some of the other reviews on here for suggesting to come before 12pm to avoid waiting to be seated and a longer line for food. They weren't kidding. We got here at 11:55am and this place was PACKED. We got the last table available without having to wait, which was awesome. We did have to wait in line for food though, but that took about five minutes, so it wasn't so bad. The selection of food was probably the best I've seen out of the Indian buffets I've been to. There was plenty of salad, fruit, garbanzo bean salad, dipping sauces, fried amazingness, and chicken/lamb/veggie/fish options. All are awesome. Also, they give the standard basket of naan as soon as you sit down with your plate of food so that the naan is hot. The desserts were awesome too. I can't remember their names but I tried a little of most of them and they were awesome. For their buffet the food is not spicy, so for most people this is perfect. I however, can't wait to try this place for dinner so I can see how spicy they make it.
(5)Justin B.
Pros: Bread, $9 all-you-can-eat lunch buffet Cons: If you don't get here early, you'll have to wait My coworkers and I go to this place a lot. At least once a month probably. Anyway, for $9, you can stuff your face with some tasty Indian food. I love getting their chicken tikka, chicken tandoori, and the lamb. I also like dipping their bread into all those different sauces. Anyway, great place if you're looking to eat like a pig for cheap.
(4)Lai T.
This lunch buffet is ok, but there are better lunch buffets in the area.
(3)Chris S.
Mmmm mm good! Great food, quality and price
(5)Christine K.
I'd like to start by saying that there are BETTER Indian buffets in the Irvine area for either the same price or a dollar more. Swaad, on Alton, is one of them. Go there instead! I've had better Indian food, and much better service elsewhere, so this place only gets 2 stars. I always look forward to the lamb shank, and here, it was really salty and the meat was not on bone, but mixed in with the actual curry. This leads me to believe that they reuse and reheat older food for the buffet. The chutneys were good, though. I will admit that.
(2)Louie L.
Wasn't impressed. Their chicken tikka lacked flavor, and the shrimp vindaloo was a bit watery. But I did enjoy the tandoori chicken and the paneer. The wait is short, service is ok, and the parking in this area is not so good. Overall, the quality of the food is almost similar to that of a fast food Indian restaurant.
(3)Diana Y.
I was hemming and hawing between 3 or 4 stars, but had to go to three because it took them FOREVER to bring us naan. It wasn't super busy when we were there, but for some reason it was never ready, and we kept having to wait for it. One thing that I did like was the the garlic naan had a good garlic kick but wasn't over powering, unlike the garlic naan I had at their sister restaurant in Artesia. The food was the usual Indian buffet fare. I like the spicy chicken masala, the sauce is really flavorful, that was actually the favorite of my whole group. Tandoori chicken was good too, very moist, even though it looked like it might not be. I liked the mango dessert they had. Ended up having 2 big bowls at the end of my meal even though I was already stuffed. It's kind of like a more watery version of the mango lassey with canned fruit cocktail. I know it doesn't sound too good, but I liked it a lot. =) For the price, I think it's a good deal for what you get. I don't think I would come back here for dinner though, this would be a purely lunch buffet, stuff your face for $9 type of place.
(3)Annie D.
Ah, the infamous Indian Lunch buffet. I usually am pretty lenient when it comes to indian buffets, but I was very disappointed with India Cook House. First, they did not ask whether we wanted garlic or regular naan. And secondly, they did not refill the steam trays which were getting pretty low. The chicken in the Tika Masala was dry and the sauce was bland. The saag was a very dark green color that looked almost inedible. Thank goodness the iced teas were good. I probably would not come here again.
(2)A B.
I came here for dinner, and was very disappointed. The waiter was politely rude. The fish was stale and stinking. The chicken karahi tested bad. I rate it one of the worst Indian food i have had since i came from India, ages ago. I was even going to throw up, but I didn't want to make a show. I have been here for lunch buffet, and they seem okay. Maybe for dinner, when the restaurant is mostly empty, the assistant chefs might be taking over. Update - today was a Wednesday, and another post on Yelp says the head chef has the day of on Wednesday. So stay away from this place middle of the week
(1)Angela C.
I've been wanting to try different ethnic foods and a friend recommended this Indian Restaurant to us. Since it's literally less than 5 minutes from my apt, my BF and I decided to spontaneously pop in. I've only had Indian food twice before (once was in Hong Kong and it was delish!). I gotta say, I love Indian food even though a lot of people seem to have an aversion towards it. From the outside it appears pretty tiny and dinky, so I was quite surprised when I walked in and felt like I was in some fancy, high class restaurant! I ordered the "exotic curry dish" which was a mix of lamb and chicken in their special chef's curry sauce. It was really good! What was even better was what my BF ordered, which was the "garlic chicken marsala" (cooked tandoori/clay oven style)... both dishes were about $12 and comes with a flatbread and jasmine rice. We ordered the garlic nan for $2.50. It was not as good as the nan I've had in the past. It tastes a lot healthier hahaha... the nan is less oily and less garlicky than the ones I've had before, but it was still good with the rest of the meal~ The service was good and our food arrived quickly. They also have an all-you-can eat luncheon buffet daily that lasts till 2:30 pm... it's only $8.50, how worth it is that?! I must try next time!
(4)Eric M.
A little spicier than I expected but pretty good first time (except for the child in the next booth screaming in Chinese). I've never seen curry cabbage but it was yummy, as was the fresh watermelon, salad (I know, how can you screw that up but I have seen it happen), and those milk-cheese balls floating in liquid sugar. And fresh naan bread! Mmmm
(4)Marilu G.
Friend and I found ourselves in this part of town late at night and craving some indian cuisine. Went online and found this place. Upon entering, we both liked the dark ambiance of this place due to the dim lighting. The place was not that full but then again it was pretty late and past dinner hours. We were starving...i ordered the vegetable korma (a vegetarian dish) and my friend ordered the chicken korma. we ordered a side of rice and naan to go along with our dishes. the food was pretty great. i have ordered this same dish at other places and really enjoyed the taste of the spices at this location. in addition, at other indian restaurants i have asked for "hot" (meaning spicy!) and have been dissapointed. i ordered hot and i got hot! good thing the server kept coming to your table and refilling my water. I ordered some take out and was pleasantly surprised that they did not skim on the takeout portions. overall, a great dinner. i will definitely be checking this place out again if i find myself in the area.
(4)Eric G.
Had lunch here great deal and really good food. Will return for sure
(4)Jin L.
the host dude was a meanie. i had no idea what he was saying because he kept mumbling to himself, and then he yelled "stop! stay there" when i started walking because i thought he said follow me... he needs to stop mumbling! i went for lunch. 8.95 ayce not so bad. food was just eh for me. this was my first indian cuisine experience so i had no idea what half the stuff was. they had labels for the most obvious dishes like "chicken" but the rest of the stuff had no labels so i just grabbed a lil bit of everything. everything that i tried was just ok. nothing struck out to me. and it was a bit dirty. i get that it's a buffet, and not everyone has the skills nor the coordination to scoop food and bring it allll the way to their plate without dropping shit here and there, but i mean it wassss messsssy EVERYWHERE. it almost made me iffy about how clean it was in the back.... regardless, all in all it was just ok. cheeer up host dude!
(3)Hemesh P.
good north indian food we feasted here in celebration of our friend's 30th bday ordered the onion bhaji to start: kind of like fried onion straws the papad was good with chutney we ended up creating our own buffet. the star was probably the malai kofta. sauce was really good. also ordered the paneer curry, palak paneer and veg biryani. samosas were good too. wow that's a lot of food but it hit the spot parking is a little cramped and the interior was dark but other than that great place with great food! i think i've been to the buffet for lunch several years ago. can't remember what it was like but its pretty legendary
(4)David S.
This one of my favorite places for Indian buffet in Orange County. Just Don't expect a smile and a warm greeting when you walk through the door. I give the service overall one star. I gave four stars for the buffet food quality. I've never been here for dinner. That sag paneer has a pasty texture, rather than pureed.
(4)Fred T.
The lunch buffet is OK. With tax and tip, the buffet was about $11/person. It is a tad pricey for the selection and quality. Dinner is OK as well. The food is about the same but there's table service. You pay a slight premium for the wait staff.
(3)Nisha S.
my friend and i came here today for the lunch buffet. the food itself was average... nothing to get really excited about. you can probably find the same dishes in almost every buffet. however, the service was pretty bad... it took a long time for a waiter to come by our table when we were asking for more naan and it took forever to get them. we also saw people walking in who had ordered naan for takeout and even they had to wait because the owner messed up something. they were obviously getting upset and the owner did not seem to care, which is no way to treat paying customers. the only good thing about this place is that the price of the buffet is cheap and they refill the banquet pretty frequently. overall, if you're craving some indian food and don't want to spend too much money, this could be an option. however, there are definitely better options out there.
(2)Mike I.
Less than $10 a person for the buffet is a pretty good deal. I liked the chicken makhani the most, the chicken curry was pretty good too. Naan was warm and fresh, plain and garlic available. The lamb was not that good and more bones than anything. I liked the vegetable curry a lot. Overall a competent and good indian buffet, but nothing super special.
(3)Alice Y.
If you're a noob to Indian cuisine, this is the place you want to go to take that first bite of mouthwatering curry and naan (a Punjabi flatbread that'll make you wonder where it's been all your life). I first came here for dinner with my roommates and we ordered two curries, garlic naan, and a shrimp fried rice. Everything was delish and that's when I got hooked into Indian food. We later found out that India Cook House has a lunch buffet for a low price of $9! Since then, my roommates and I have gone out of our way for this buffet; and if one of us craves Indian food, we make sure we get some in our belly real soon. It's a great deal, and the best part is that they have chicken tandoori and chicken tikki masala in the buffet. Chicken tandoori is similar to barbequed chicken without the marinated part. Chicken tikki masala is my fave, along with all the other Yelpers before me, and for a good reason at that. None of the curries here are all that spicy which makes me a bit sad because spicy = love, but I'm still a huge fan of all their other curries. So if you can't handle the spiciness, don't fear for they have plenty of non-spicy and mild curries to go around.
(4)Geraldinne E.
So my husband and I were craving Indian food and we had visited this restaurant once so we said what the hell let's go there again. Once we were done we remembered why we hadn' t been there since we went there a year ago. To sum it up the place is very :shoulder shrug: meh. Here's the break down: The good: The chicken tikka massala and the garlic naan are very good. The bad: Staff are a little bit rude. The host who sat us bang things against the table as he was placing them down for us. Also, I feel like the price is a little steep for the portions they give you. My husband is a big guy so you can't expect him to get full with a little bit of rice and like 6 sausage links. (The menu said it was kabobs but I call shennanigans on that one) The ugly: The place is always dark! Wtf! I strain my eyes to read the menu. It's also creepily quiet. Idk if it's just me but I feel eyeballs on me the entire time I was there.
(3)Akta A.
I usually get my food to go and it is ready within minutes of me calling in. Their food is tasty and their portion size is pretty good for the price they charge. Their lunch buffet is better than other Indian restaurants in the area.
(4)Elisa C.
I've only ordered take out for dinner before. And it was alright. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and they gave a lot of sauce, but there weren't many pieces of chicken. I'm not sure how Tikka Masala is genuinely supposed to taste because so far, they have all tasted different at each Indian restaurant I've been to. Really different. But if I could make a suggestion, I wish that the Tikka Masala was a little creamier and they should add more meat! One order, I got only like...7 pieces of chicken, and its not that cheap either ($12.99)... I would come here for lunch, but I'm not sure if I'd like it considering that the dinner I had here was only alright. Oh well either way, its been the better Indian food I've had in Irvine. I'm still waiting on a really tasty place! Any suggestions?
(3)Richard M.
This place is tucked into a strip mall with quite a few ethnic type restaurants. I came here for the lunch buffet and wasn't disappointed. They had a good choice of dishes, and all the entrees were HOT, that's worth the price of admission alone. The service was good, kept refilling the drinks and bringing more nan bread. The curry dishes had varying degree's of heat, not everything was super spicy. And the tandoori chicken was good, I'm not big on tandoori chicken. But I did enjoy the curried goat.
(3)Lisa D.
I've never been here for dinner before - butt the lunch buffet is actually one of my favorite Indian lunch buffets. I am CRAZY about the desserts. I'm not sure what it's called butt the one dessert that is made out of carrot is to DIE for. ugh. i seriously could just go there just for that. I really like the fact that they have a lot of options here - unlike some other Indian buffets. and the bread is DELISH! My favorite - other than the carrot dessert - is the chicken! I'm not sure what it's called butt it's red and it's sooooo goooooooood. i always have to have another helping of it! YUMMY.
(4)Sassy-and-Pablo D.
Delicious and fairly priced lunch buffet (on weekends too!) Down side: Parking... Be ready to fight with a persian for some parking... or be a whimp and park in the next lot!
(4)Kris C.
I've been to India Cook House twice, and during the most recent visit I wondered why I don't eat there more often. The lunch buffet is served everyday and is pretty cheap- around $10. The food is really good, and there is a variety of vegetarian dishes- vegetable korma, curry, lentils, paneer- along with non-vegetarian dishes- lamb, chicken, etc. The quality is great, and it's not spicy (in case you're not into that sort of thing). There is a good turnover on the food, so it's always fresh. Appetizers (samosas, pakoras), salads, fruit, desserts, and an assortment of sauces and chutneys round out the buffet. India Cook House is tucked away in a shopping plaza, but it is well worth the hunt.
(5)Brinda J.
I LOVE THE BUFFET!!!!. THE BEST SATURDAY LUNCH BUFFET IN THE AREA!!! There is always a wait because this stuff is amazing. The best bang for the buck!
(5)Karen C.
This place is less than decent. I'm mostly vegetarian so I ordered Aloo Gobi and my friend had the India Special which included Lamb Curry, Vegetable Korma, Raita, Chicken Tandoori and Chicken Tikka Masala (which we did not get for some reason). I don't know what other Indian places all these reviewers have been to but this was not at all what I think of when I think of authentic Indian food-- or at least what I expected. Aloo Gobi had huge pieces of cauliflower and potato but were very mildly spiced. I asked for mild not knowing that their definition of mild means absolutely zero spiciness or flavor. Our waiter did not explain what any of our dishes were in the India Special when we received all the dishes and only until later did we realize we did not receive two chicken dishes. The Raita was a pathetic watery yogurt with little vegetables and the veggie korma was mostly cheddar-y paste-- overcooked and decently fragrant. The lamb curry and chicken tandoori were the highlights of the India Special (which is not saying much). Lamb curry had three pieces of lamb in a tomato curry that was pretty flavorful (but reminiscent of chili in flavor while I expected more of a traditional spicy and fragrant curry). The chicken tandoori appeared dry but was nicely seasoned although a little spice would have been nice. Our total was $35-- Aloo Ghobi (~$9), India Special ($18), Mango Lassi ($2), Naan ($3)-- too expensive. Overall, will not be returning. Seems like Indian food in Irvine falls short of expectations.
(2)Freshta M.
I only had the chicken tikka masala so i can;t judge too much but it was ok not too great and not too bad.... They give you a lot to go and the price is not bad. The service was great.
(3)Debbie M.
This is a mom and pop styled restaurant that offers a value lunch buffet. It's a decent selection of popular indian dishes and of course, garlic naan! =) Yum. It's secretly hidden in the corner of the culver plaza. I admit I had a hard time finding the place but I made it! =) The decor is nothing but simple: tables, chairs and old linen. Don't expect something fancy. Come for the food which is the most important. My rating is based on value and food quality for the lunch buffet.
(4)Karthik S.
India Cook House is an average Indian restaurant that serves relatively authentic semi-fresh food. I have yet another reason to miss the San Francisco Bay Area now. The spot might have nabbed a three-star rating had the service been slightly satisfactory but, no; that was not the case but I will get to those details later. I had opted for the $8.99 lunch buffet and I must say -- the selection was rather average in terms of quantity. They had offer all the basics: Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Tandoori, Khorma, Saag Paneer, Gulab Jamun, Samosas, etc. As with most Indian lunch buffets, a basket of Garlic Naan is brought to the table shortly after being seated. All of the food was rather average in quality too, and some, mainly the Aloo and the Chicken Tandoori were undercooked. And the chai. Oh, the chai was simply the most atrocious chai to have ever enter my mouth. Avoid the oversmoked chai, please. One of the biggest perks about India Cook House is for the persons that drink a large amount of liquid, like myself. They voluntarily fill your glass every five minutes regardless of whether you took a few sips or already emptied the glass. Unfortunately, the service ends there. Prior to being seated, parties of non-Indian people that arrived after us were given special admission ahead of us. The same situation had occurred when getting our Garlic Naan and our check, as well. The acts were very noticeable and highly unappreciated by my party. A couple members of my party politely expressed frustration to the manager, to which he was simply rude in return. I will not return here.
(2)Jackie P.
Only been here for the lunch buffet, great deal for AYCE -$9! They have a great selection with some greens, fried items like samosas and pakoras, maybe 2 chicken dishes, a veggie option, a lamb dish, and desserts! One of the better Indian buffets in OC. Some of my faves: - Butter chicken: In an orange-ish colored sauce. Has a great smoky flavor. - Khorma: A veggie dish in a yummy sweeter sauce, sometimes they put paneer cheese cubes in this, yummy! - Saag paneer: Indian creamed spinach, so tasty with all the provided naan! - Yellow dessert: Basically fruit cocktail in a yogurt sauce, forget ordering mango lassi, get your fix in this dish. - Kheer: Indian rice pudding with cinnamon.
(4)Alex P.
To start, I found that the food was tasteful. They have about 3-4 chicken dishes, 3-4 desserts, 1 fish, some "fried" appetizers, a salad/fruit bar, as well as a sizeable vegetarian area. The garlic naan is amazing. The price is very reasonable and goes for about ~$11.50 after tip/tax. The service was outstanding with the wait staff always keeping your water glass topped off. The food line backs up quite fast as the buffet is in a small corner but it moves quickly. Atmosphere was average. It's located in a small strip mall and doesn't look like much on the outside. Dining area is not super large and I could see if a large party were in the house, it could get quite noisy. Bottom Line: This was an average restaurant. Food was OK. Service was GOOD.
(3)Sam C.
the food was really delicious... but one of the employees was not very welcoming
(3)