Have been in JAX on business for last 6 weeks, and have eaten at Apna 3 times. Would have been there more often if I was staying a couple of miles closer. The first time I had my favorite thing in the world, Behari Kabob. It was slightly different than I've had it homemade, but still very delicious. Beef was tender, flavorful, just the way it should be. Actually, I saw some posts saying it wasn't on the menu anymore before I had gone, and didn't even check the menu for it. I just asked them if they could make it and they happily accomodated my request. It really was good. The second time I went for the weekend lunch/brunch buffet. I almost knocked my rating down to four stars, because on this trip, someone had completely forgotten the salt in the briyani. HOWEVER, the aloo bhaji (potatoes), cholay (chickpeas), sooji ka halwa (sweet dish made with cream of wheat) with puri (deep fried light bread) was perfect. All perfectly seasoned, very authentic. The next time I was there I again had the buffet, this time the briyani was perfect, the tikkas were moist and spicy, there was an eggplant and potato dish I can't remember the name of (aloo behngan most likely) that was fantastic. As for the staff, I've found them to be wonderfully friendly and helpful. The first time I came in it was obviously a bit early by Pakistani/Indian standards for dinner, so I was the first customer, and I kind of had to wait around for a few minutes before I was greeted. But that was okay, because I was treated very well thereafter. Each time I've been back they've remembered me and always check to make sure I'm enjoying my food and if I want or need anything. Which is nice when you're stuck in a hotel eating in restaurants for every meal and go to bigger places where you can spend 20 minutes trying to catch someone's eye to refill your drink or bring your check. Apna has been a highlight of my stay and I'll probably go back again before I leave for home. This place rivals even the best Pakistani/Indian places in Atlanta, where, believe me, there is a lot more competition. Great Pakistani food, warm and friendly people, reasonable prices. Who could ask for better?
(5)
Vrushali K.
To be fair, I would give this restaurant 2.5 stars. My bf and I ate dinner at Apna, and we are both Indian. The chicken karahi and vegetable samosas were good (not great or excellent). The aloo palak was severely undersalted, and the naan was dry. The killer of this meal was the ambiance. The entire time, 3 men were sitting in the corner on the sofa staring at us, and one man (probably the owner) was yelling orders at the waitress and the cook. It was an uncomfortable meal. Maybe the ambiance is better during lunch. Mayuri is stlil my favorite indian cuisine in Jacksonville.
(2)
Joyce M.
bangan baratha (eggplant) exceeded my expectations. i love this place.
(5)
Todd A.
The food was really good! However the service received today 10/27 was horrible. A group of 8 of us went to the restaurant. The restaurant was empty except for one noticeable worker. A white girl in a white shirt noticed us walk in, but she never walked up to our table. We first had to walk up and ask her if we could start taking food from the buffet after waiting a few minutes. She filled water glasses while we were all at the buffet, and asked no one if they wanted anything else to drink. Some of us wanted soda. One of us had to walk up to her and ask her for soda. She then returned with 3 cans, acting mad that she had to ask which can was for which person. She didn't come to the table at all thorough the whole meal. Plates from the first buffet trip remained on the table while eating from the second plate. Then it was time for the checks. We had to again walk up to her, and ask her for the checks. She returned to our table with 1 check, $97 for us all. Note no one wants to pay a $97 bill for everyone else's dinner. Of course we wanted the payments split. It would be hard for people from 3 different countries trying to withdrawl cash from an ATM machine/currency conversion...etc, and hand the money to one individual to pay them back. She asked if we wanted it split in 1/2, or 1/4ths, and we were like 1 check per 1 meal. She then stormed away, and loudly said to someone else about us having to pay separate. She would bring 3 checks to the table at a time, and became upset when the folders were not handed to her in the order in which she handed them to us. She asked one person to keep theirs until she was done with the first two. Then the next checks, she was hollering for the person in the black shirt to come up to her counter. Then one by one, she wanted each person to walk up to the counter. Through the whole process, she was very mad acting. I dont understand why it was so hard to hand out the various bills, and pick them up in any order. All she would have to do is look inside of the black folder to see the amount, and return them to the table in the same order. She almost acted as she would have preferred us not to spend $97 at their restaurant today, and to have no business at all. Yes I understand separate payments might be a little annoying if you're having a bad day but other restaurants force a gratuity if so. Note, there were no other customers there eating, so she had nothing else to do. No wonder why this place was completely empty at noon on a Saturday. AKA fire her and we'll return :-)
(1)
Jim H.
Worst Indian food ever, swimming in oil, rice undercooked, vegetable dish only had potatoes. Environment poor, large tv showing Indian movie the one we saw was of a women giving birth as our food arrived
(1)
Hunter B.
Hat tips to Jay and Julie for posting about Apna. Great find. We went a few weeks ago and didn't get around to posting, and I don't recall everything we had, but I at least wanted to pitch in a rating. Even though I'm drawing a blank on some things, I remember the mango lassi was huge and tasty. I had lamb biryani and it was good, but slightly overdone. LDC enjoyed her food and we felt it was a close runner-up to Flavors, worth a four-star rating. Wish I could remember more details, but I guess we'll just have to go back and I'll post an update afterward. Also, check out their market next door. Got some food items and yes, even a Bollywood DVD -- for $3 how can you go wrong?
(4)
Abhijeet R.
Love their biryani
(4)
Virginia M.
This ladies and gentleman, is why I love Yelp. I would never find a place like this on my own. I had a wonderful dinner here last week and enjoyed the lamb vindaloo with nann, and the veggie samosas. It was excellent. The owner was also very welcoming. The restaurant is about 6 tables and it is attached to the grocery store, which has a meat counter in the back. Come here is you want to try something different! I would return.
(5)
Juliann P.
Nothing to rave about. I was surprised to see only 5 vegetable dishes, as in my experience Indian food tends have a plethora of them. They didn't have the staple vegetable dishes most Indian restaurants have that I love, so I settled on bhindi masala which was an okra dish. It was good, nothing to write home about and not something I'd get again. Probably won't be back. The women who waited on us was kind and soft spoken, seems to be a family run place which is tucked inside a market. The market itself was lovely, lots of bulk spices- I enjoyed strolling through the small aisles. If I ever need something like rose water or bulk spices/legumes I'll return to this market but most likely not the restaurant.
(3)
Hector G.
Stopped by today for lunch and had the Veg Biryani which is a veggie rice dish and it was pretty good. Nice atmosphere and young lady who waited on me was extremely nice and helpful. This place has nice music and nice people,stop by give them a try. I don't give many joints my approval in J' Ville but this one is tops in my book. I heard they used to have a buffet I hope they bring it bnack.
(3)
Melissa B.
We came for the lunch buffet and were warmly greeted by the owner who educated us about the buffet and gave us and an extra pickled ingredient which enhanced the flavor of The chickpea dish.(my favorite) The buffet for $9.99 was an excellent deal with above average tasting Indian food. I've had Indian food many times and I would give this an 8 out of 10. Overall the restaurant has a delightful atmosphere, feels clean and is run by someone who cares.
(5)
Elan F.
Great service great food great experience!!!! Butter Chicken is so yummm and the lamb vindaloo is to die for!!!!!! Def will be going back for another round sometime soon!!!!!
(5)
Rojan S.
Avoid. Horrible service. I went to this restaurant for lunch buffet. The manager was so rude. The food was so horrible as well. They were very negligent in hygiene and sanitation. I saw flies flying over the food. Will recommend all the yelp users to avoid, run away from this place.
(1)
George I.
Horrible service and leaking roof. I walked in and the only waiter was catering to a table. I didn't mind and was waiting to be seated. He walked by me and did not even acknowledge that I was there. Waited another 5 minutes while he went to the cash register. And then decided to seat myself. I walk to the left and I left a drop of water on my shoulder. And the floor was wet. The roof was leaking. That was my sign to get out of there. Not again.
(1)
Julie A.
On the good side, I had a delicious freshly made potato-filled bread dish here called Paratha. Highly recommended. And of course the delicious mango lassi ($7.00). Otherwise, my last visit was not as good as my visits in the early days (I used to come here regularly). We had friendly service from our waiter, but there was another staff member who made me feel like I had to like the food or he'd get mad. The chicken karahi ($8.99) was delicious, but the goat karahi ($9.99) needed work. Overcooked meat and the sauce was starting to coagulate. It looked oily and lumpy... Bleh... I asked him (the other staff member) if it was supposed to taste that way. He said it should. Really? I highly doubt it. To top it off, the guy said my gift certificate was not valid since it was purchased 3 months ago. Come on, the darned thing said "This coupon does not expire" in bold print on it. I also used a year-old coupon at another business nearby and they were OK with it. Meh... I've experienced better. Sad to see one of my fave restaurants fade away...
(2)
Hilary L.
Apna Restaurant is the place to go in town if you are looking for some delicious, affordable [very affordable] Indian/Pakistani food. The menu leans a little more towards the Pakistani side of the equation as far as their menu--and that's not a bad thing. While they do have traditional Indian fare such as biryanis and curries, it is a tad different. The flavors lean more towards the slightly more savory and not as spicy. I'm not an expert exactly, but I am a huge fan of Indian food, and Apna was a nice change of pace while still satisfying my Indian craving. I cannot recommend the Frontier Chicken [$7.99] more highly. Delicate, spicy, wow. The chicken is so well prepared, it basically falls apart with the slightest tug of the fork. And the sauce coats the chicken perfectly, but does not overwhelm the dish. On the wow note, I've got to say the service was excellent and very personal. I wouldn't go as far as saying it was like eating at a friend's house, but the staff seems to genuinely care that you enjoy yourself. Also, this restaurant is located in a great strip mall [wait, hear me out] that is almost like a little United Nations of food. There is a Mexican, Mediterranean, Thai, and a couple of ethnic groceries. Not a bad general destination if you haven't exactly decided what's for dinner.
(4)
Andrew B.
Great naan, great tikka masala, great service. And, it doesn't smell like an old sweaty Indian dude - which I thought, at first, was a bad sign - but it's not...the food is excellent. Thank the creator it's not on flippin' Baymeadows and Southside!!! (Why in the world are there seriously 4 Indian restaurants in the span of like 2 miles on Baymeadows but NOTHING toward the beach?! or anywhere else?!) Anyway - coming from a fairly critical opinion and experienced palate - the food was fantastic and this place has become our go-to for Indian cuisine. And, the neighboring grocery is cool too..they folks are very accessible and friendly!
(5)
Susan H.
I ordered a coupon from restaurants.com , as I love ethnic food. Finally went to the place yesterday. I went up to the counter, knowing some places want to know right away you have a coupon. As they had a buffet, and I planned on spending some money, I advised I would be ordering from the menu. The pleasant young woman told me they no longer accept their coupons. I was surprised, but offered to accept my money back. You have to buy the coupons ahead of time. She went to get the owner. The owner arrived and also told me he would not accept my coupon. I said I was fine with that, could I have my money back. He refused. He wanted me to contact restaurant.com and switch for another coupon from another vendor. At this point, I am very annoyed. The place only had one table of patrons, a full buffet out, and I was there to give him business. I said, if you prefer I fill out a report (on you) I will. That you would prefer to turn away a customer I will. He agreed the whole time. I have shopped in his store next door, and probably would have been a repeat customer at the restaurant as well. Clearly customer service is not the focus or an afterthought in this establishment. He could have made the situation acceptable but he chose to turn me away.
(1)
Jeremy S.
Went to Apna and the food was ok. I thought it was a good thing when I walked in and I was the only white person in the place. The menu is your standard Indian food, goat, lamb, chicken, etc... I was upset when I ordered the Chicken Tikka and they used left over Tandoori chicken meat instead of chunks of chicken. The lamb we ordered was excellent on the bone lamb bites. Portions were small, so the prices are cheap but you definitely need three entrees for two eaters. 3 stars is for the food, not the cleanliness of the restaurant or decor. The bathrooms are disgusting and I would recommend not using them unless it's a must.
(3)
Pete J.
Went there yesterday, I was the only one there for lunch so that was a little strnage, it was Monday at 1pm. So it was quiet. They had a buffet spread, it was ok for lunch. I've had better. The food was seemed more Indian than Pakistani, though I don't know the difference.
(3)
Nichole H.
OK, so I'm not an avid writer/reviewer- but I was inspired to write one after eating some of my leftovers (ha ha, I know!). My husband and I are couponers, so we love to try new places that we see coupons for. We walked in and were greeted right away- told to sit where we liked, and since there was only one other table taken, we had our choice. There was one other table with 3-4 guys at the backside of the restaurant that were talking and starring at us (or maybe the front windows, who knows). Either way, it made for a bit of an uneasy feeling. Anyway, we decided to try the vegetable samosas to start, which were pretty good. For the main course, we ordered chicken biryani, murgh makhani (a.k.a. butter chicken) and chana masala and for dessert, a mango shake. The chana masala came out looking pretty good, and smelled great. When the waiter came back, we asked if there was any rice that came with it. He said no. NO? Yep, no rice. I found this a bit odd, but ok I guess. The waiter was nice and very quick about bringing out a bowl of rice for us. No issues there. The murgh makhani had a great flavor, but once we started eating it, we noticed they used tandoori chicken in it. Leftover chicken, maybe from the lunch buffet? Perhaps. Rice with the chicken & sauce? Nope. The chicken biryani, (I do believe I read on the menu) was supposed to come with "yogurt sauce". But, you guessed it, none to speak of. Well whatever- I've moved on. So I start to scoop out the confetti looking rice off the plate, looking for the chicken. Found a leg! A leg??? Oh, here, I found another hunk of (insert an unidentifiable chicken part). So I start to look a little closer. They actually used cut up, bone in, FRIED chicken in there. Yup, found small pieces of the breading on the chicken and mixed in with the rice. So, they give you just pieces of cut up chicken, bones, fat, tendons and gristle. Beware while eating it. The mango shake, I'm still not sure what to think of. We saw on the menu where it said, and I quote, "so thick it will stick to the roof of your mouth". We thought, wow, that sounds great, let's give that a try! It was a total and complete let down. This "shake" came out as mango juice, milk and ice. No, not ice from a blender, but rather juice and milk with ice cubes in it. When we asked he made the lassi (maybe by mistake?), he said no, that was the shake. In the trash it went (and the $3.50 they charged for it). I'm not sure that I have to actually say it, but I will anyway. They will never see my smiling face or DH in their restaurant again (or in the store they have next door). Just a side note on that--- I'm a beef, chicken and pork kind of girl, so I don't know what other raw meats are supposed to smell like, but it smelled like a pet store in there. Ok, so you have my two cents, so do with it what you will. Happy eating!
(2)
Jay L.
Doh, I shoulda brought a menu home cuz I can't remember the names of 2 of the dishes I ordered. By the star rating, I obviously liked the food. I'm gonna show my ignorance here, and say that I don't REALLY see the difference between Indian and Pakistani food. I know there is a difference, but I've not really seen it on menus n' stuff. Seems like many of the same dishes. But I've had Indian friends tell me, "I don't like Pakistani food, I don't like the flavors." So to them, there is some difference. Perhaps I always order familiar Indian things at Pakistani restaurants though, cuz they sure seem the same to me. Anyway, Glabella had chicken tikka masala. Aside from one point, it was really great. The one point though, was that the chicken was overcooked. It was hard and dry. I wonder if they precook the chicken and then dump it into some sauce to reheat...The flavors were good though, it was a smooth orange curry sauce, set to a good spicy-spice level. I also got a veggie dish, with cauliflower, potatoes and peppers. It was really good and not anything like I've had before. I wondered if that was a Pakistani dish. It had an almost Chinese flavor, like something cooked in a hot wok. The ingrediants were seared a bit as well. Tasty and not a generic curry. A new fave, despite it being oily. The other dish was another I've not had before. It, unfortunately, had the same dry, hard deboned chicken as the masala. Again though, the flavors won me over. It was slightly salty and spicy, with hint of a more traditional curry flavor. It was pretty oily too. We also had cheese naan which was good, but similar too all other naans I've had. The basmati rice was ok, a little loose and dry to my liking. They also didn't give very much of it. Oh, and I also had a mango lassi that was tasty and filling. Think the lot of it cost about $45.00. We'll be going back for sure as it offered new tastes and dimensions to food from that region for me. I still like Flavors though too.
(4)
Shahid M.
Visited during lunch time on Friday, there were about 10 other customers there. Buffet does not have a large veriety, however the vege and meat dishes are closed to authentic cuisine. The flavors are more closer to Pakistani taste. Deserts were bland. Will love to go there again.
(4)
Ryan M.
Read the great reviews and wanted to give it a try, but was not wowed by the lunch buffett. The coconut green beans were the best green beans I've ever had in my life, but other than that the food seemed just middle of the road. The naan was pretty plain and the sauces weren't incredible. Seems like a very solid bet for decent food, but we weren't too impressed. I would pick Flavors over Apna any day of the week.
(3)
Maithreyi G.
not happy at all...i should've gone by the ratings for this place but everyone kept raving about the food..so i thought it was one of those bad- -service- but- great- food kinda spots...wrong wrong wrong! the food was far from palatable..it wasn't fresh, the cottage cheese was rubbery and the chicken was tough...we ordered 2 dishes but got the same gravy in both..??...not for me.......
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : 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.
Tahira S.
Have been in JAX on business for last 6 weeks, and have eaten at Apna 3 times. Would have been there more often if I was staying a couple of miles closer. The first time I had my favorite thing in the world, Behari Kabob. It was slightly different than I've had it homemade, but still very delicious. Beef was tender, flavorful, just the way it should be. Actually, I saw some posts saying it wasn't on the menu anymore before I had gone, and didn't even check the menu for it. I just asked them if they could make it and they happily accomodated my request. It really was good. The second time I went for the weekend lunch/brunch buffet. I almost knocked my rating down to four stars, because on this trip, someone had completely forgotten the salt in the briyani. HOWEVER, the aloo bhaji (potatoes), cholay (chickpeas), sooji ka halwa (sweet dish made with cream of wheat) with puri (deep fried light bread) was perfect. All perfectly seasoned, very authentic. The next time I was there I again had the buffet, this time the briyani was perfect, the tikkas were moist and spicy, there was an eggplant and potato dish I can't remember the name of (aloo behngan most likely) that was fantastic. As for the staff, I've found them to be wonderfully friendly and helpful. The first time I came in it was obviously a bit early by Pakistani/Indian standards for dinner, so I was the first customer, and I kind of had to wait around for a few minutes before I was greeted. But that was okay, because I was treated very well thereafter. Each time I've been back they've remembered me and always check to make sure I'm enjoying my food and if I want or need anything. Which is nice when you're stuck in a hotel eating in restaurants for every meal and go to bigger places where you can spend 20 minutes trying to catch someone's eye to refill your drink or bring your check. Apna has been a highlight of my stay and I'll probably go back again before I leave for home. This place rivals even the best Pakistani/Indian places in Atlanta, where, believe me, there is a lot more competition. Great Pakistani food, warm and friendly people, reasonable prices. Who could ask for better?
(5)Vrushali K.
To be fair, I would give this restaurant 2.5 stars. My bf and I ate dinner at Apna, and we are both Indian. The chicken karahi and vegetable samosas were good (not great or excellent). The aloo palak was severely undersalted, and the naan was dry. The killer of this meal was the ambiance. The entire time, 3 men were sitting in the corner on the sofa staring at us, and one man (probably the owner) was yelling orders at the waitress and the cook. It was an uncomfortable meal. Maybe the ambiance is better during lunch. Mayuri is stlil my favorite indian cuisine in Jacksonville.
(2)Joyce M.
bangan baratha (eggplant) exceeded my expectations. i love this place.
(5)Todd A.
The food was really good! However the service received today 10/27 was horrible. A group of 8 of us went to the restaurant. The restaurant was empty except for one noticeable worker. A white girl in a white shirt noticed us walk in, but she never walked up to our table. We first had to walk up and ask her if we could start taking food from the buffet after waiting a few minutes. She filled water glasses while we were all at the buffet, and asked no one if they wanted anything else to drink. Some of us wanted soda. One of us had to walk up to her and ask her for soda. She then returned with 3 cans, acting mad that she had to ask which can was for which person. She didn't come to the table at all thorough the whole meal. Plates from the first buffet trip remained on the table while eating from the second plate. Then it was time for the checks. We had to again walk up to her, and ask her for the checks. She returned to our table with 1 check, $97 for us all. Note no one wants to pay a $97 bill for everyone else's dinner. Of course we wanted the payments split. It would be hard for people from 3 different countries trying to withdrawl cash from an ATM machine/currency conversion...etc, and hand the money to one individual to pay them back. She asked if we wanted it split in 1/2, or 1/4ths, and we were like 1 check per 1 meal. She then stormed away, and loudly said to someone else about us having to pay separate. She would bring 3 checks to the table at a time, and became upset when the folders were not handed to her in the order in which she handed them to us. She asked one person to keep theirs until she was done with the first two. Then the next checks, she was hollering for the person in the black shirt to come up to her counter. Then one by one, she wanted each person to walk up to the counter. Through the whole process, she was very mad acting. I dont understand why it was so hard to hand out the various bills, and pick them up in any order. All she would have to do is look inside of the black folder to see the amount, and return them to the table in the same order. She almost acted as she would have preferred us not to spend $97 at their restaurant today, and to have no business at all. Yes I understand separate payments might be a little annoying if you're having a bad day but other restaurants force a gratuity if so. Note, there were no other customers there eating, so she had nothing else to do. No wonder why this place was completely empty at noon on a Saturday. AKA fire her and we'll return :-)
(1)Jim H.
Worst Indian food ever, swimming in oil, rice undercooked, vegetable dish only had potatoes. Environment poor, large tv showing Indian movie the one we saw was of a women giving birth as our food arrived
(1)Hunter B.
Hat tips to Jay and Julie for posting about Apna. Great find. We went a few weeks ago and didn't get around to posting, and I don't recall everything we had, but I at least wanted to pitch in a rating. Even though I'm drawing a blank on some things, I remember the mango lassi was huge and tasty. I had lamb biryani and it was good, but slightly overdone. LDC enjoyed her food and we felt it was a close runner-up to Flavors, worth a four-star rating. Wish I could remember more details, but I guess we'll just have to go back and I'll post an update afterward. Also, check out their market next door. Got some food items and yes, even a Bollywood DVD -- for $3 how can you go wrong?
(4)Abhijeet R.
Love their biryani
(4)Virginia M.
This ladies and gentleman, is why I love Yelp. I would never find a place like this on my own. I had a wonderful dinner here last week and enjoyed the lamb vindaloo with nann, and the veggie samosas. It was excellent. The owner was also very welcoming. The restaurant is about 6 tables and it is attached to the grocery store, which has a meat counter in the back. Come here is you want to try something different! I would return.
(5)Juliann P.
Nothing to rave about. I was surprised to see only 5 vegetable dishes, as in my experience Indian food tends have a plethora of them. They didn't have the staple vegetable dishes most Indian restaurants have that I love, so I settled on bhindi masala which was an okra dish. It was good, nothing to write home about and not something I'd get again. Probably won't be back. The women who waited on us was kind and soft spoken, seems to be a family run place which is tucked inside a market. The market itself was lovely, lots of bulk spices- I enjoyed strolling through the small aisles. If I ever need something like rose water or bulk spices/legumes I'll return to this market but most likely not the restaurant.
(3)Hector G.
Stopped by today for lunch and had the Veg Biryani which is a veggie rice dish and it was pretty good. Nice atmosphere and young lady who waited on me was extremely nice and helpful. This place has nice music and nice people,stop by give them a try. I don't give many joints my approval in J' Ville but this one is tops in my book. I heard they used to have a buffet I hope they bring it bnack.
(3)Melissa B.
We came for the lunch buffet and were warmly greeted by the owner who educated us about the buffet and gave us and an extra pickled ingredient which enhanced the flavor of The chickpea dish.(my favorite) The buffet for $9.99 was an excellent deal with above average tasting Indian food. I've had Indian food many times and I would give this an 8 out of 10. Overall the restaurant has a delightful atmosphere, feels clean and is run by someone who cares.
(5)Elan F.
Great service great food great experience!!!! Butter Chicken is so yummm and the lamb vindaloo is to die for!!!!!! Def will be going back for another round sometime soon!!!!!
(5)Rojan S.
Avoid. Horrible service. I went to this restaurant for lunch buffet. The manager was so rude. The food was so horrible as well. They were very negligent in hygiene and sanitation. I saw flies flying over the food. Will recommend all the yelp users to avoid, run away from this place.
(1)George I.
Horrible service and leaking roof. I walked in and the only waiter was catering to a table. I didn't mind and was waiting to be seated. He walked by me and did not even acknowledge that I was there. Waited another 5 minutes while he went to the cash register. And then decided to seat myself. I walk to the left and I left a drop of water on my shoulder. And the floor was wet. The roof was leaking. That was my sign to get out of there. Not again.
(1)Julie A.
On the good side, I had a delicious freshly made potato-filled bread dish here called Paratha. Highly recommended. And of course the delicious mango lassi ($7.00). Otherwise, my last visit was not as good as my visits in the early days (I used to come here regularly). We had friendly service from our waiter, but there was another staff member who made me feel like I had to like the food or he'd get mad. The chicken karahi ($8.99) was delicious, but the goat karahi ($9.99) needed work. Overcooked meat and the sauce was starting to coagulate. It looked oily and lumpy... Bleh... I asked him (the other staff member) if it was supposed to taste that way. He said it should. Really? I highly doubt it. To top it off, the guy said my gift certificate was not valid since it was purchased 3 months ago. Come on, the darned thing said "This coupon does not expire" in bold print on it. I also used a year-old coupon at another business nearby and they were OK with it. Meh... I've experienced better. Sad to see one of my fave restaurants fade away...
(2)Hilary L.
Apna Restaurant is the place to go in town if you are looking for some delicious, affordable [very affordable] Indian/Pakistani food. The menu leans a little more towards the Pakistani side of the equation as far as their menu--and that's not a bad thing. While they do have traditional Indian fare such as biryanis and curries, it is a tad different. The flavors lean more towards the slightly more savory and not as spicy. I'm not an expert exactly, but I am a huge fan of Indian food, and Apna was a nice change of pace while still satisfying my Indian craving. I cannot recommend the Frontier Chicken [$7.99] more highly. Delicate, spicy, wow. The chicken is so well prepared, it basically falls apart with the slightest tug of the fork. And the sauce coats the chicken perfectly, but does not overwhelm the dish. On the wow note, I've got to say the service was excellent and very personal. I wouldn't go as far as saying it was like eating at a friend's house, but the staff seems to genuinely care that you enjoy yourself. Also, this restaurant is located in a great strip mall [wait, hear me out] that is almost like a little United Nations of food. There is a Mexican, Mediterranean, Thai, and a couple of ethnic groceries. Not a bad general destination if you haven't exactly decided what's for dinner.
(4)Andrew B.
Great naan, great tikka masala, great service. And, it doesn't smell like an old sweaty Indian dude - which I thought, at first, was a bad sign - but it's not...the food is excellent. Thank the creator it's not on flippin' Baymeadows and Southside!!! (Why in the world are there seriously 4 Indian restaurants in the span of like 2 miles on Baymeadows but NOTHING toward the beach?! or anywhere else?!) Anyway - coming from a fairly critical opinion and experienced palate - the food was fantastic and this place has become our go-to for Indian cuisine. And, the neighboring grocery is cool too..they folks are very accessible and friendly!
(5)Susan H.
I ordered a coupon from restaurants.com , as I love ethnic food. Finally went to the place yesterday. I went up to the counter, knowing some places want to know right away you have a coupon. As they had a buffet, and I planned on spending some money, I advised I would be ordering from the menu. The pleasant young woman told me they no longer accept their coupons. I was surprised, but offered to accept my money back. You have to buy the coupons ahead of time. She went to get the owner. The owner arrived and also told me he would not accept my coupon. I said I was fine with that, could I have my money back. He refused. He wanted me to contact restaurant.com and switch for another coupon from another vendor. At this point, I am very annoyed. The place only had one table of patrons, a full buffet out, and I was there to give him business. I said, if you prefer I fill out a report (on you) I will. That you would prefer to turn away a customer I will. He agreed the whole time. I have shopped in his store next door, and probably would have been a repeat customer at the restaurant as well. Clearly customer service is not the focus or an afterthought in this establishment. He could have made the situation acceptable but he chose to turn me away.
(1)Jeremy S.
Went to Apna and the food was ok. I thought it was a good thing when I walked in and I was the only white person in the place. The menu is your standard Indian food, goat, lamb, chicken, etc... I was upset when I ordered the Chicken Tikka and they used left over Tandoori chicken meat instead of chunks of chicken. The lamb we ordered was excellent on the bone lamb bites. Portions were small, so the prices are cheap but you definitely need three entrees for two eaters. 3 stars is for the food, not the cleanliness of the restaurant or decor. The bathrooms are disgusting and I would recommend not using them unless it's a must.
(3)Pete J.
Went there yesterday, I was the only one there for lunch so that was a little strnage, it was Monday at 1pm. So it was quiet. They had a buffet spread, it was ok for lunch. I've had better. The food was seemed more Indian than Pakistani, though I don't know the difference.
(3)Nichole H.
OK, so I'm not an avid writer/reviewer- but I was inspired to write one after eating some of my leftovers (ha ha, I know!). My husband and I are couponers, so we love to try new places that we see coupons for. We walked in and were greeted right away- told to sit where we liked, and since there was only one other table taken, we had our choice. There was one other table with 3-4 guys at the backside of the restaurant that were talking and starring at us (or maybe the front windows, who knows). Either way, it made for a bit of an uneasy feeling. Anyway, we decided to try the vegetable samosas to start, which were pretty good. For the main course, we ordered chicken biryani, murgh makhani (a.k.a. butter chicken) and chana masala and for dessert, a mango shake. The chana masala came out looking pretty good, and smelled great. When the waiter came back, we asked if there was any rice that came with it. He said no. NO? Yep, no rice. I found this a bit odd, but ok I guess. The waiter was nice and very quick about bringing out a bowl of rice for us. No issues there. The murgh makhani had a great flavor, but once we started eating it, we noticed they used tandoori chicken in it. Leftover chicken, maybe from the lunch buffet? Perhaps. Rice with the chicken & sauce? Nope. The chicken biryani, (I do believe I read on the menu) was supposed to come with "yogurt sauce". But, you guessed it, none to speak of. Well whatever- I've moved on. So I start to scoop out the confetti looking rice off the plate, looking for the chicken. Found a leg! A leg??? Oh, here, I found another hunk of (insert an unidentifiable chicken part). So I start to look a little closer. They actually used cut up, bone in, FRIED chicken in there. Yup, found small pieces of the breading on the chicken and mixed in with the rice. So, they give you just pieces of cut up chicken, bones, fat, tendons and gristle. Beware while eating it. The mango shake, I'm still not sure what to think of. We saw on the menu where it said, and I quote, "so thick it will stick to the roof of your mouth". We thought, wow, that sounds great, let's give that a try! It was a total and complete let down. This "shake" came out as mango juice, milk and ice. No, not ice from a blender, but rather juice and milk with ice cubes in it. When we asked he made the lassi (maybe by mistake?), he said no, that was the shake. In the trash it went (and the $3.50 they charged for it). I'm not sure that I have to actually say it, but I will anyway. They will never see my smiling face or DH in their restaurant again (or in the store they have next door). Just a side note on that--- I'm a beef, chicken and pork kind of girl, so I don't know what other raw meats are supposed to smell like, but it smelled like a pet store in there. Ok, so you have my two cents, so do with it what you will. Happy eating!
(2)Jay L.
Doh, I shoulda brought a menu home cuz I can't remember the names of 2 of the dishes I ordered. By the star rating, I obviously liked the food. I'm gonna show my ignorance here, and say that I don't REALLY see the difference between Indian and Pakistani food. I know there is a difference, but I've not really seen it on menus n' stuff. Seems like many of the same dishes. But I've had Indian friends tell me, "I don't like Pakistani food, I don't like the flavors." So to them, there is some difference. Perhaps I always order familiar Indian things at Pakistani restaurants though, cuz they sure seem the same to me. Anyway, Glabella had chicken tikka masala. Aside from one point, it was really great. The one point though, was that the chicken was overcooked. It was hard and dry. I wonder if they precook the chicken and then dump it into some sauce to reheat...The flavors were good though, it was a smooth orange curry sauce, set to a good spicy-spice level. I also got a veggie dish, with cauliflower, potatoes and peppers. It was really good and not anything like I've had before. I wondered if that was a Pakistani dish. It had an almost Chinese flavor, like something cooked in a hot wok. The ingrediants were seared a bit as well. Tasty and not a generic curry. A new fave, despite it being oily. The other dish was another I've not had before. It, unfortunately, had the same dry, hard deboned chicken as the masala. Again though, the flavors won me over. It was slightly salty and spicy, with hint of a more traditional curry flavor. It was pretty oily too. We also had cheese naan which was good, but similar too all other naans I've had. The basmati rice was ok, a little loose and dry to my liking. They also didn't give very much of it. Oh, and I also had a mango lassi that was tasty and filling. Think the lot of it cost about $45.00. We'll be going back for sure as it offered new tastes and dimensions to food from that region for me. I still like Flavors though too.
(4)Shahid M.
Visited during lunch time on Friday, there were about 10 other customers there. Buffet does not have a large veriety, however the vege and meat dishes are closed to authentic cuisine. The flavors are more closer to Pakistani taste. Deserts were bland. Will love to go there again.
(4)Ryan M.
Read the great reviews and wanted to give it a try, but was not wowed by the lunch buffett. The coconut green beans were the best green beans I've ever had in my life, but other than that the food seemed just middle of the road. The naan was pretty plain and the sauces weren't incredible. Seems like a very solid bet for decent food, but we weren't too impressed. I would pick Flavors over Apna any day of the week.
(3)Maithreyi G.
not happy at all...i should've gone by the ratings for this place but everyone kept raving about the food..so i thought it was one of those bad- -service- but- great- food kinda spots...wrong wrong wrong! the food was far from palatable..it wasn't fresh, the cottage cheese was rubbery and the chicken was tough...we ordered 2 dishes but got the same gravy in both..??...not for me.......
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