In Detroit, good quality, traditionally-prepared indian food seems to be a hard thing to find. Star of India (while not totally traditional) does serve up a tasty meal. The atmosphere was dark and ambiently lit with a wonderfully scented incense hanging in the air that mixed with the curry smell wafting from the kitchen in a delightful way. The entryway from the back parking lot was a little grimy. A strip of new carpeting might do a lot for the place. The naan and veggie samosas were pretty good. The curry shrimp was alright. Not terrible, not great. The service was surprisingly fast compared to the other reviews I've read on this site. The place was pretty dead, even for a week night. I think there was maybe one other table consisting of two people the entire time we were there. All in all, I'd try it again, if only for the naan and samosas.
(3)
Mike W.
Seems like almost every review tears this place a new one and to be honest I can't really blame them. Many of the reviewers are huge Indian food fans that have been to many places around the city/state/country/universe so if you're a fellow Indian aficionado I may follow their words. On the other hand, I can say that I do love Indian food but I have not been to many places around. Coming from a passive Indian food fan I would have to say Star of India will get the job done but is not exactly a Holi celebration in your mouth. I wanted to try something different so I decided to try the cheese naan. Do they have shredded Kraft cheddar cheese in India? Let's just say I felt like I was 12 years old again "cooking" pita bread with cheese on it in the microwave. I had a chicken and curry based dish (vague, right?) that was pretty decent. No heat but it was flavorful on a bed of can't-screw-up white rice. The bathrooms kind of threw me for a loop. Dirty, dim, and they used the rotating towel machine to dry of hands. Something about those machines screw either "we're super green" or "we don't really care about the cleanliness of our bathroom." I wouldn't go again unless it was in a pinch (see also: curry addictions).
(3)
Ms.Brie C.
LOVE the food here! The prices are very reasonable and the flavors are blended nicely. Additionally this is the only Indian restaurant where the waiter actually respects a patron's desire to avoid heavy spice. Yes, the service is slow-ok, VERY slow- but the food is worth it. I have yet to find an Indian restaurant I'm as excited about in the Farmington area. For now, this is tops when it comes to Indian food in Metro Detroit.
(4)
Doreen M.
Some of the blandest food I've ever had in my life. I don't know if they're reheating from frozen or what. Service was fine (our waiter was very nice), although there was only one other table of customers. The decor is old and worn but that wouldn't matter if the food was good. Instead, the combined effect of sad interior + blah food = unappetizing. The Palak Paneer was watery. Chicken Koorma was blah. An order of naan for 2 people was one piece but that didn't matter because our appetites were not exactly stimulated. It was the first time in my life that I didn't want to take home Indian dinner leftovers. I wanted to try this place based on the reviews here and I'm sorry to say I side with the haters. It was sad because I really wanted a good Indian place in Ferndale! Oh well. Back to Priya!
(1)
Lorna D.
Yeah, the food's on the bland side. I still find myself here a couple of times a year though because it's #1. not inedible, and #2. a pleasant, unhurried place to sit and gab at length. The decor is amusing-I enjoy the fake palm tree with the green light trained on it and the faux aquarium above the front door. There used to be a painting on their back wall featuring a woman with hilariously lopsided boobs. Tonight I turned, camera phone in hand, to get a shot of those mismatched mammaries only to find a photo of some palace in its place. Foiled! Three waiters thought I was trying to get their attention and ambled forward. The lighting is deliciously dim, allowing my retinas respite from the blinding glare of life. Another fun thing is the demeanor of the waitstaff. My pal, a former server, admired the elegant, old-fashioned cart serving style while I marveled at their utter lack of expression. "Thank God some things are consistent in this world!" I thought as I took in their Lurch-like stares. A traipse through the trippy, colorful dollar store next door completes a relaxing, slightly offbeat evening.
(3)
Natalie R.
This is the worst Indian Restaurant I have ever been to. Indian is one of my favorite cuisines, and I didn't think that any restaurant could go so terribly wrong. We ordered four dishes, Matar Paneer, Navratan Korma, Chicken Tiki, and one other I can't remember the name of. When they brought the dishes out, they each looked identical to each other. This is not typical for these dishes, they are always distinct in color. They all tasted the same. The food didn't come with naan, which is the best part of Indian cuisine. The service was terrible, the waiter was either pretending to not speak english or just really couldn't speak english. The water and other beverages didn't have ice. Everything was awful. Don't go here, go to ASHOKA in troy, which is by far the best. Just a sidenote, they must've changed owners, because I had been here years back and it was not the same.
(1)
Keith C.
Been going here for years. Good food at inexpensive prices. They do a large amount of carryout. Huge number of menu items. Great stop when you want something a little less typical. Authentic? I don't need authentic. Just food I enjoy. I recommend the Chicken Mahkni and explore the menu from there. Really like their Mango Ice Cream when I'm in the mood.
(4)
Kelli A.
Update: The past two times we've had carryout, it has been terribly disappointing! The appetizers were dripping with grease, esp. the eggplant, which were inedible. The malai kofta (vegetable balls), my fave, have been overcooked...resulting in a mash of vegetables in curdled sauce. Even the rice had a day-old texture and taste. Star, did you hire a new cook? He sucks. Big time. We've been eating with you for years and now it's time to say good bye. There's a place in RO that opened not long ago, we'll be visiting them next time. I'm sad.
(2)
Dil F.
A good place for newbies to start sampling Indian cuisine if you have never tried it before, Meena B. is totally right about this point. Everything I've tried there (on four occasions) is just OK. Chicken Korma is maybe the tastiest thing on the menu. But all the gravy-based dishes I've tried are a little too thick and not expressive enough in the spice department. I've had heat-&-serve packets of Indian food from Whole Foods that taste about the same - though you can get far better naan and rice at Star of India than at any grocer. The mango lassi here is also just fine - a bit weak on the mango, which makes me suspect they use mango juice instead of puree. If you are familiar enough with Indian restaurant food that you can name a few dishes that you like, this is probably an experience that will only disappoint. If you've been hesitant to give it a go, this might be a really great place to experiment. The food is fine, just not that exuberant. _____ [[ so i've since taken some flak for this review... friends asking, why would anyone recommend a place to the inexperienced that wasn't that recommendable to begin with? This is a fair question. I guess my theory was that people living in Ferndale who possibly fear the idea of "spicy" or "Indian" food might be convinced that the dishes here are representative of a certain flavor palette, while not being full of serious spice or heat, so that the experience wouldn't be too intense for the hesitant but would give you a sense of some flavorful foods that you won't find down the street at Buffalo Wild Wings. OF COURSE, if you are a culinary adventurer, then the clues in this review should be clear enough that it's not the best Indian food around. Maybe I'm wrong to send the hesitant here at all... I'll let you all decide]]
(2)
Traci A.
We enjoy Star of India when we're in the mood for a comfort curry. My husband especially likes it because it reminds him of curries he's had in England. Sure enough, we found out the chef is from England - which explains anytime we're in the restaurant - despite the fact there are few people, we tend to hear the Brit accents. One of my favorites is the Chicken Korma. We also enjoy the Onion Bhaji appetizer. And the coconut naan bread (Peshwary) is part yummy meal accompaniment, part dessert. We like the fact that we can bring our own beer and wine. Makes it a cheap meal for large groups - although the service gets really slow the bigger the group. I only wish the Star of India would clean their carpet. The long dingy hallway from the back of the restaurant is a little bit ick - and make me want to enter from the front of the restaurant on 9 mile.
(4)
Ronnie L.
I haven't eaten enough food from India to know good from bad. I got carry out from here a couple times and it wasn't that bad. It was OK. The first time I went here I remember leaving and not eating anything. I had just got done working out but I wanted to sit down ad grab a bite to eat. They have tables up in the front window. I started to sit in one and the guy working there told me those tables were not available. The restaurant was EMPTY. Not cool! So I eventually gave them another shot. The food was better the first time than it was the second time if I remember. They give you a decent amount of food but spending the same amount of dough at a Chinese place like Hong Kong 1 will give you a HUGE meal. So it was not bad. Sure, try the Naan. I mean, that's flat bread and you can never go wrong with that kind of thing. The rest of the menu... You're on your own, but the staff are friendly enough to help you decide what's what. Not bad, not great. Just like the rating says, A-OK.
(3)
Seoung L.
I have been here few times. My 1st time experience was pretty good. But then the next 3 times got worse by each visit. Now I get Chicken Tikka Masala most of the time I go to any Indian restaurant and last few times I went, they didn't serve me that! It was light brown in color and it just tasted like typical curry. I know my Tikka Masala and it's usually red in color. It didn't taste that great and it was missing something. I think they just served whatever they had in the back just to get rid of it. The service isn't great at all and the waiters seem very mad all the times I go there. Not friendly. The prices aren't that great either. I have had way better Indian food and I wish there were more Indian choices in this neighborhood because Star of India has a great location. Too bad it's not a good place to eat. Good - Nann bread was tasty Bad - Service, curry,
(2)
Misty J.
Star of India is pretty tasty. I love the samosas! When the dish says hot, it really does mean 5 out of 5 stars hot. Which, to my delicate tongue, is in fact almost torture. But it was tasty enough for me to continue eating. Some of the dishes I've had were a bit bland but overall I don't mind going here since my bff lalaloves it.
(3)
Hitesh C.
The chef is from England and claims the curry will taste just like a UK curry.. LIE!! I'm from England and not far from the famous UK Balti Triangle.. a road of 100+ indian restaurants... those curries are heaven.. Star of India is not. Again i asked for the usual, hot - spicy shrimp madras.. The curry had the right look to it, but all i could taste was Tabasco sauce!! maybe the chef just did not have the right herbs and spices to make it hot or didn't have any green chillies that day? Its the first time i've tasted a curry with Tabasco and its not enjoyable at all!! However, if you like mild curries then i guess you may like this place (as the chef will probably leave the Tabasco out!), On a positive note the garlic nan at Star Of India is authentic and the way it should be made. The garlic nan has pushed the rating from 1 star to 3. If you go there then make sure u order the garlic nan.
(3)
Dan S.
Not a fan. I've given this several tries, and either the food isn't spicy/interesting enough or incredibly greasy (like State Fair concessions greasy). Why suffer through Star of India when Priya or Rangoli are within reach?
(1)
Kate R.
My friends and I were in Ferndale and simply decided that we were there and hungry and Indian sounded really good so we stopped in. ... Honestly the exterior appearance is enough to make you question going in. Our server was nice, can't complain about that. Ultimately, both myself and a friend weren't overly overwhelmed. One friend ordered the Chicken Tikka and she was happy with it. I had the Chicken Tikka Masala, which was good - but oddly sweet.... My other friend - - honestly, I don't even know what she ordered. I know the waiter told her that it was spicy - and she was not an Indian food novice and understood that.... but two minutes into her meal she was nearly crying. She tried removing the sauce from the other contents and switched to plain rice, but it was still too much. Ultimately, she ended up sharing the rest of our food and eating the naan because it just was inedible. In a pleasant twist, when the waiter realized the situation and talked about it, he offered to have a more mild version made for her to take home - exceptionally courteous! Bonus points for that, just don't know if I'll be a regular.
(2)
Brandon C.
I guess I can't say I'm an Indian cuisine aficionado, but I absolutely love Indian food and have tried quite a few different places (although, this is the only one I've been to in the metro detroit area as it seems to be the closest), and I quite like it! The atmosphere isn't all that great, but I have yet to find an Indian restaurant that really has a good atmosphere. I've been there twice so far, and both times the waiters were incredibly nice, helpful and never shy to refill my drink and the food has always been quite delicious--plus it's pretty cheap! My favorite Indian dish is probably Chicken Jalfrezi so I tend to use that as a measuring stick. I asked for it "between medium and hot" since they don't seem to go by the number system a lot of other Indian restaurants I've been to do, and it was perfect! Definitely the kick in the back of my throat I was craving and the garlic naan was buttery and delicious and tasted very fresh. It seems a little closer to street fair quality than super fresh ingredients, but it was delicious and filling and totally worth what it costs. I have heard that the restaurants in Troy are really good, but until I end up trying those, this definitely satisfies my ever-present craving for Indian cuisine.
(3)
Lauren S.
I hope this place can get better and stay in business. To my knowledge it's the only Indian restaurant in ferndale. The food is not the best, but it's still ok. It is pretty bland. It doesn't have that full flavor I've had other places. But there is flavor. And it's good enough to eat. The menu is pretty Americanized. Like it says spinach or peas instead of saag or mutter. And it seems maybe the food is trying to be more American-friendly too, with the lack of deep, intricate Indian flavor. The ambiance is really not that bad. It's not clean and pristine but it's not THAT dirty. I've never seen the kitchen but I'm sure it's fine. I didn't get sick at least. The service was great, in my opinion. They gave me free chai as I waited for my carry out. And they all seemed really nice and happy to serve me. I would go back for the service alone. Edit: recently got new management and the food is better!
(4)
Honestly A.
Star of India is the Chef Boyardee of Indian restaurants. Shrimp Madras at this restaurant consisted of 4 shrimp covered in bland tomato-based sauce. If you want Indian food in this area, there are many good options... Check out Mazza, Moti Mahal or Priya instead. You'll be much better off!
(2)
Christin R.
I love this place!! The food is excellent and the staff is incredibly nice. I usually get a vegetarian dish with rice and naan bread. To be honest, I don't know why this place is empty all the time. It's sad to see because the food is sooo good!! Going again tomorrow...
(5)
Kate M.
Great Indian food! I love the spinach chicken, and the dal makhni is alright (I was spoiled in India, I have to admit). The fried eggplant appetizer is AMAZING. It tastes like tempura and eggplant had a beautiful, crunchy baby.
(4)
Joe B.
Unable to decide between sushi or Indian, my girl and I ordered both and procured the Indian from Star of India...my first time here. When I arrived to pick-up our food it had just came out and the gentleman working the register was quick and polite ringing me up and sending me on my way. When I got home and unpacked the bag I found two small cups of unmarked sauces, an unmarked cup of pickled something, I'm guessing both were for the samosas. There was also two tubs each of rice and curry, the samosas wrapped in foil and then the naan, which was a little steamed and doughy perhaps from the trip to Tai Fai after picking up the Indian. Regardless, the samosas were huge but not huge on flavor. The shells were thick and a little over-fried for my liking...I'd pass on these next time. As I mentioned the naan was a little doughy and really thick and gummy in certain areas but maybe that's what it's supposed to be like. The Chicken Curry was fragrant and tasty but it lacked depth of flavor. We ordered it mild so maybe that had something to do with it. I think I'd order the vindaloo next go around. All in all I liked S of I well enough. I wasn't blown away but it'll do in a pinch. I'll be back to try their play on Chicken vindaloo.
(3)
Barbara B.
Delicious food, unassuming decor, nice staff (but you have to ask for the check or they will let you linger!). Love the soup, chicken korma and chicken tikka, chana sag.
(5)
Shey D.
It was...ok. I haven't eaten a lot if Indian but what I've eaten before this place has been a lot better. Also I'm a lover of all things savory and seasoned, as a Jamaican, and I felt thus food was bland and under seasoned compared to what I've eaten before. I won't be coming back
(3)
Will B.
I finally got around to trying this place, and I have to say, I was super disappointed. It was suggested to me to come here during their lunch buffet, so I could try a few different things. It was a huge miss. They had a garden salad consisting of wilted lettuce and underripe tomatoes, ranch and only ranch dressing, two different choices of rice, a bean dish, a squash dish, a beef dish, and this red colored chicken that looked like it would have been good, if it had some flavor and wasn't cooked yesterday. All in all, nothing had any spice whatsoever. Everything was super bland, and boring. Definitely not what I would consider "authentic" or anything remotely tasty. This isn't a place that I'll consider coming back to. I'm all about Ferndale cuisine, but I can't support this place. I hope they decide to offer authentic, good food, stop serving generic garbage, and put better options on their lunch buffet.
(2)
Jmv Y.
Not impressed. Will not return. Food is not good. Taste is so bland. Was not sure I was even eating Indian. They make it hard to get your food from the buffet. All food remains covered. Nice interior. Good place settings. Ordered mango lahsse and they served in styrofoam cup. It was not good. Would give only one star if not for the interior. If you want good Indian, steer clear of here.
(2)
Cari M.
If you want indian without leaving the Ferndale/Royal oak area than this place is just fine. It is no where near as good as Ashoka/Royal up on Rochester Rd. But it was still decent. We got carry out. Service was polite and fast. Palak Paneer - spinach part was awesome but the cheese lacked as much flavor as I'm used to. Aloo Matar Gobi was tasty but nothing special enough that I need to order it again. Butter chicken was very flavorful. Sauce was super good in it. Rice and naan were good too. I'm not in a rush to get back but it's definitely good enough to have again someday since it's in the neighborhood.
(3)
Paul N.
It was just average, nothing to brag about. The waiter was friendly, but the food was ok, not great.
(3)
Jenny S.
Make sure you order your food extra spicy, otherwise they'll white spice it. Totally bland. We ordered the vegetarian dinner for two.The lukewarm chai tea had milk already added and tasted like a regular black breakfast tea that hadn't steeped long enough. Highlight was the naan. Needless to say, I won't be coming back. Detroit is starving for some decent Indian.
(1)
M Q.
Terrible food. I'm a big fan of Indian food and this is by far the worst restaurant in the area.
(1)
Alan H.
I've been in Ferndale for close to a year and a half now and I've always been curious about this place, but never rushed towards it because it always seems empty. I have no clue how now! I was really impressed with the service and the food. I think I had some of the best spicy Palak Paneer I've ever had here. The rice and naan were also cooked perfectly. My girlfriend got the chicken tikka masala, which was also packed with flavor. All in all, this low-key place won us over and we will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Andrew B.
So I have a small problem with this place. While I think the food is delicious, and I thoroughly enjoy the buffet, the whole needs to be cleaned. The carpet is disgusting. Everything about the place just reeks dirty. But the people are very friendly. I've only had the buffet here, and cannot speak to the other food items, but I must honestly say that I simply love the buffet. For $7.50 you cannot beat it. So maybe one could look over the layers of filth to actually enjoy the food because of the price. Oh by the way, a little music would be nice. Just a little, otherwise the place is just absolutely silent
(3)
Anna S.
I don't see why everyone keep dissing this place. The ambiance is not much, but the food is always excellent! I have been going here since I got my driver's license - one of the best Indian places I have found. If you travel to Asia, you'll find many of the best restaurants don't really worry about the decorum, the food is what matters and that's how it is here. I guess that makes it authentic... lol. Had the lunch special today. For $6 we got soup, rice and a decent-size portion of the paneer with peas and cheese. I got it mild and it was tasty! Mango lassi was great while the garlic on the naan could have been precooked a little.
(4)
Judy F.
So sorry to say that this was disappointing. We decided to go more local and try this instead of Moti Mahal in R.O.. We got a carry out and after telling us it would be 25 minutes, we arrived at the appointed time. There were only 2 tables taken and one woman who left shortly after I got there with a carry out. I sat there for an additional 25 minutes AFTER they said to arrive. Thought about leaving, but I'd already paid and I was hungry. Everything was piping hot when I got home. The Dall Soup was totally tasteless and I mean totally! The sag aloo didn't have much flavor either and the spinach looked like it was straight out of a box from the freezer. Tikka Masala and Lamb Pasanda were just so-so and the garlic naan was strange. On the plus side, the rice was very good. The restaurant was very clean and the 2 wait staff there were both very nice. I was offered tea while I was waiting.
(2)
Holly Z.
I tried this place tonight after seeing it recommended in the Metro Times. Really disappointed. It took forever to place my takeout order and the staff was not very helpful. More importantly, however, the food was nothing like other Indian food I've had. It was so bland! No spice at all. The naan was pretty good, but the main dishes tasted like the instant Indian meals from the grocery store. Think I'll drive to Priya for Indian food from now on.
(2)
Rese D.
From the front sign, the restaurant didn't provide a promising meal. My boyfriend and I were the first ones for dinner, a few other parties showed up not too long after us and there were a good number of take outs. The ambience was more traditional, not modernized. The style of the food was a lot different compared to the Indian restaurants I've eaten at in the bay area. The spices here aren't as strong, barely any curry taste. We did enjoy the meal, but at the end our palates still craved the stronger taste. I do have to give a star for their naan. I'd have to say it's one of the best naan I've ever had. I tried the garlic naan and cheese naan, they have a variety to choose from. The naan was not greasy, fresh and light. I will definitely go back for the naan!
(3)
Sarah L.
Unfortunately this place has lost their touch. Not only do they not have a yummy buffet any more, but they fail to mention a few of their hidden extra costs for a few of their menu items. Plus their hours of operation aren't like normal business hours. They still allow you to bring your own wine which is a plus. Other than that I'd suggest going somewhere else.
(2)
Tara B.
This restaurant gets a 85% on the 100 point scale Food taste/quality: 40/50, Appropriate ambiance: 5/10, Service: 10/10, Selection: 10/10, Value: 10/10, and cleanliness: 10/10. I feel sad that this restaurant was completely empty on a week night...it deserves much more! It is simple, but very tasty! The decor is perfect for a mid-range traditional indian restaurant (I haven't been to India but I feel like it is appropriate). It is not as nice as Priya, but it works. I like the service style, the food selection, the prices, and most importantly the tasty, hot food!
(4)
Kimberley S.
Ill Pass. Coming through the back door , first thing you smell is urine from the bathrooms, that was my first turnoff. Then When I made my carry out It came to a lil under 15.00. I gave then my debit and they said it has to be over 15.00. I said my order is only a few cents under. He said it doesnt matter. So I just walked out. He tried to stop me, But I said NO THANKS! And I also said while your at it CLEAN your damn bathrooms! Will never go back, and I still cant believe this place is still up and running. The health Dept needs to come and take a look around!
(1)
Caitlin S.
Truly the worst Indian restaurant I've ever eaten at. Okay service, but terrible food. And they have a fruit fly infestation...in winter. That's a pretty bad sign. We ordered onion bhajee (oily and dense), vegetarian samosas (over-fried, filled with stale potato and not much else), onion kulcha (I think it was really Trader Joe's garlic naan), Tandoori mixed grill (no flavor to any of it, awful texture to the seekh kabob), and a side of Bombay potato (bland). Even the rice was sub-par (undercooked). Had I realized how bad the appetizers were, I would not have ordered a main course. The only thing that was passable was the tea.
(1)
Steve T.
There are much better Indian restaurants in the area. We are regulars at Royal and Ashoka in Troy so I guess we are spoiled. We tried The Star of India on Jan 25th and wondered why the restaurant was nearly empty on a Saturday evening. Now we know. It's not that anything was terrible per se, just mediocre at best.. Luckily we had a coupon from Entertainment to use so it was a cheap meal. It looked to be on it's last days given the lack of patrons so would recommend going to one of the many, nicer Indian restaurants around town.
(2)
Heather J.
In my mind, it is the duty of good Indian food to be fragrant, spiced, and as much a feast for the visual and olfactory senses as it is for taste. The riotous beauty and pageantry of an Indian market speaks of a bewildering array of colourful spices, mysterious grains and vegetables, and prepared meats. I expect my plate to be the same when I go to an Indian restaurant. Star of India performs the role of local Indian fare for my Ferndale neighbourhood. Sitting right on Nine Mile, the restaurant runs par for the course of standard Indian restaurant: relaxed atmosphere, wide open spaces, and a lengthy menu with standard entrees and sides ranging from dhals and aloos to curries with every possible meat you can imagine brought to you on a rolling serving cart! What a treat that was, a touch of class that popped up. I went here to celebrate an early birthday with friends who highly recommended the place for its aromatic cuisine. I agree with them on the naan: it is utterly worth ordering alone and I might have eaten the entire basket (much to the dismay of my fellow three diners, including the beau, who knows full well how good it is). But I shared, and for that, the birthday faerie was sure to be kind. The many different entrees are sure to appeal to both vegans and standard omnivores, and it is fully possible to gauge how spicy you would like your meal. Indian food-philes, take note. You can have that ridiculously spiced tandoori chicken and curry just the way you want it, instead of watered down for the American palate. I was satisfied my choice was relatively well spiced and it came out right away. Service was polite if a bit distant, reserved and prompt when they were signalled. We were one of only two or three couples dining in the early evening so perhaps they were preparing for a rush or giving my friends and I privacy. Star of India, though, doesn't particularly stand out for any given quality. The food was enjoyable, the rice in heaps and the aforementioned naan out of this world. Everything settled into a blur of a dining experience though; I was neither appalled or particularly thrilled, chewing happily and declaring myself full at the end of the night. Though not a bad thing, it falls short of the mark needed to leave a lasting impression. I love Indian food, I truly adore it. So I was disappointed that dinner was so uniform when I wanted explosions. I'll give the restaurant another check in later if I'm craving Indian and not up for driving farther out. It is a local option and I am not sure if they have takeout.
(2)
Monica W.
Okay folks, lets cover the ambiance of this place first. Pineneedle and cone carpet, Blue lighting, pink table cloths, retro red pleather booths, and paintings of old trains. If you are not loving that combo as much as I was then I'm not sure what to tell you. I realize the decorum was probably not intentionally wacky, but, I dig it. Now to the nitty gritty, the food. Our naan was burnt on one side, and the food's spices didn't seem to blend well making it slightly bland. Imagine putting cinnamon sugar on toast, yet all cinnamon and a sprinkle of sugar. Everything just tasted like there was one spice in it, even though I know that isn't the case. We did enjoy ourselves there though. Provided with great service, an inexpensive menu, and decent food I will definitely go back for a quick meal and navigate through the menu to find a winner,but, look elsewhere if I am on the hunt for mind boggling indian.
(3)
Abigail C.
Highly disappointed. I should have realized when I saw the completely empty, barely lit restaurant at the peak of dinner hours that the food may not be what I was looking for and I was right. Figuring it was hard to mess them up, I had two standards: chicken curry and matar paneer. The matar paneer was basically just peas in a tasteless sauce. Also, my hands and nails were stained from the matar paneer sauce for almost a day and a half even after vigorous scrubbing. What was in that sauce to have it stain my skin for that long? The chicken curry wasn't much better. While it didn't work as a skin dye, it was barely seasoned. Admittedly the menu does say "mildly spicy", I assumed it meant there would be some spiciness to the dish. To get any taste of the tough chicken, it took several mouths fulls and even then, it barely added up to any amount of taste. Basically, I had a bland food for more money than it was worth. On that note, the prices where rather high for the quality and quantity of food. Plus, one piece of naan bread for $1.59? The bread was good, but geez, most places have it for free or less than $.50 a piece. Really it was not worth it. Lastly, the people were friendly. Besides taking five minutes trying to promote the restaurant instead of putting in my order (I'm already here, why not just wow me with the food and speedy service?), the server sat and talked with me while I waited for my carry out order. He did ask a few too many personal questions, but it was nice having a chat while waiting for my food. I would say avoid it and go find a better Indian place or even just one of the other many delightful restaurants on the Woodward strip of Ferndale.
(2)
Neil E.
It may not look like much from the outside and the decor may be a little dated, but the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The wait staff might be described by some as aloof, but I rather think of them as not being as in your face, as at some restaurants. All too often, you can have servers ask you three times in 10 minutes if your food is OK, but at Star of India they are present but not bugging you constantly. I'm from England, which has a rich tradition of Indian restaurants and this restaurant makes me feel at home. The chef I am informed is actually from England as well, which may be the reason that the food is so familiar to me. I usually opt for the chicken vindaloo, which is always done perfectly and as one of the spiciest options on the menu, is packed with flavor. My wife is not a big fan of heat, but she enjoys the mild pasanda's and is a huge fan of the samosa's. Overall the food is great and always flavorful. Service is prompt and unobtrusive, with a polite respectful wait staff. This is the only Indian that my wife and I frequent and that is not just because it is the closest. If you're on a night out in Ferndale and want Indian food this is the ideal place. It does not however have a liquor license but they do allow you to bring your own drinks so come prepared with some cold beers. If you plan to take on one of their hotter dishes also remember dairy helps to soothe the burn so try one of their yogurt based Lasi's.
(4)
Matthew D.
Though probably not the best place in the metro area, I still go hear every time I am nearby for work. The staff is friendly, helpful, and there are quite a few choices on the menu. Very quiet, no pressure to leave, so you can sit and take your time enjoying the food. I feel that the portions are a very nice size, and as some have said, the food can be a little bland. Not quite the amount of spice that you get at most other Indian restaurants, but all in all, I really enjoy the food. The coriander chutney is really good, and I really love their samosas. Give them a try!
(4)
Jessica Y.
I feel quite blessed that this place is so close by. I used to go to Indo Pak for my Indian yummies, but this place is not only a different style, but more varied too. The yogurt quality is exceptional, the samosas were to die for, everything was piping hot, and delicious the next day. Perfect vegetarian fare.
(4)
Susan R.
i have eaten here since they opened and used to like eating here. Today I made an unplanned stop. I picked up a plate for the buffet and the bottom seemed to have a grease coating on it. Yuck. So did the next plate. Yuck. I asked the waiter for a clean plate and this one did not have the grease on it. I was the first customer and the buffet looked like one would expect at the end of a busy lunch shift. I really felt like leaving but stayed despite my apprehension about health and cleanliness issues. I ate it wasn't too good and I won't be back.
(1)
Paul T.
We love the star! This place Is special... The staff is friendly, and we have never been disappointed. The vegetable curry hooked me on Indian flavors!!
(5)
Meena B.
I was in Detroit visiting some family and had some time to kill. I should have looked on yelp before going in here. The meal was average and not that flavorful. This would be a good option for someone who wants to try food that is somewhat like indian food with less curry and less spice, for people who want to work their way up to authentic indian food. Naan was good but I didn't want to finish my food otherwise and left still hungry. After lunch I was left yearning for a better option and it only made my desire stronger to find a more authentic restaurant. I knew Detroit would have much better options.
(2)
Dann A.
All right, I might just be an Indian food snob, but I've eaten at this place twice, about a year or two apart. And the Star of India is anything but. I can say without reservations that this is the worst Indian restaurant I have eaten at in the COUNTRY. Seattle, New York City, Columbus, Detroit, nothing comes close to disappointing like this place. If you thoroughly enjoyed your meal here, I can say only that you either got incredibly lucky, or you have never had good Indian cuisine. There is a chance that I've been extremely unlucky on my two trips, but I shan't be back for a third round. The service was horrible on both occasions. The first time, there were a couple of other tables in the restaurant, and we waited nearly an hour for our food (not counting the samosas that came to us cold). The second, there was only ONE other table, and it STILL took 40 minutes to get our food. Now, a 40-minute wait might be tolerable for some people, but the grub was hardly worth the wait. It didn't taste bad so much as it didn't taste at all. Bland. No spice. Boring. It was a dish I've had many, many times before (aloo gobhi), so I know how it SHOULD taste. I ended up leaving half of it unfinished; it simply wasn't worth the calories. If the food were dirt cheap, it might be excusable, but it charges just as much as most other Indian restaurants for its entrees. The final straw was that the waiter didn't even apologize for the snail's pace service - even after we asked several times what was taking so long. It's sad that the Detroit area (I don't consider Troy to be in it, too far) we can't get many delicious Indian restaurants. But I'd rather go without than try this place again.
(1)
Jonathan W.
I would say Star of India is average for an Indian restaurant. It is good for the Detroit area, because you don't have much to pick from for India. I have been to the buffet at lunch and I have had take out. It is always good. Staff is always great. If you are looking for good Indian food in the Royal Oak / Ferndale area try this place. It is always a safe bet.
(3)
Jocelyn D.
After ordering/eating six different dishes,three breads and Samosas, from Star of India I think i can sum up the restaurant in three words: DO NOT GO, This was the worst Indian food I have ever eaten. I ordered Six different dishes, three breads and Samosas. The dishes were awful, greasy, and tasteless; the breads were flat, tasteless and dry; the Samosas were the WORST. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but I would not walk through the doors of their restaurant again. The bummer was, I had eleven people for a birthday dinner, two had never had Indian food before, and this restaurant did not provide the experience of dining I was looking for. Keep driving and do not enter.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Jessica S.
In Detroit, good quality, traditionally-prepared indian food seems to be a hard thing to find. Star of India (while not totally traditional) does serve up a tasty meal. The atmosphere was dark and ambiently lit with a wonderfully scented incense hanging in the air that mixed with the curry smell wafting from the kitchen in a delightful way. The entryway from the back parking lot was a little grimy. A strip of new carpeting might do a lot for the place. The naan and veggie samosas were pretty good. The curry shrimp was alright. Not terrible, not great. The service was surprisingly fast compared to the other reviews I've read on this site. The place was pretty dead, even for a week night. I think there was maybe one other table consisting of two people the entire time we were there. All in all, I'd try it again, if only for the naan and samosas.
(3)Mike W.
Seems like almost every review tears this place a new one and to be honest I can't really blame them. Many of the reviewers are huge Indian food fans that have been to many places around the city/state/country/universe so if you're a fellow Indian aficionado I may follow their words. On the other hand, I can say that I do love Indian food but I have not been to many places around. Coming from a passive Indian food fan I would have to say Star of India will get the job done but is not exactly a Holi celebration in your mouth. I wanted to try something different so I decided to try the cheese naan. Do they have shredded Kraft cheddar cheese in India? Let's just say I felt like I was 12 years old again "cooking" pita bread with cheese on it in the microwave. I had a chicken and curry based dish (vague, right?) that was pretty decent. No heat but it was flavorful on a bed of can't-screw-up white rice. The bathrooms kind of threw me for a loop. Dirty, dim, and they used the rotating towel machine to dry of hands. Something about those machines screw either "we're super green" or "we don't really care about the cleanliness of our bathroom." I wouldn't go again unless it was in a pinch (see also: curry addictions).
(3)Ms.Brie C.
LOVE the food here! The prices are very reasonable and the flavors are blended nicely. Additionally this is the only Indian restaurant where the waiter actually respects a patron's desire to avoid heavy spice. Yes, the service is slow-ok, VERY slow- but the food is worth it. I have yet to find an Indian restaurant I'm as excited about in the Farmington area. For now, this is tops when it comes to Indian food in Metro Detroit.
(4)Doreen M.
Some of the blandest food I've ever had in my life. I don't know if they're reheating from frozen or what. Service was fine (our waiter was very nice), although there was only one other table of customers. The decor is old and worn but that wouldn't matter if the food was good. Instead, the combined effect of sad interior + blah food = unappetizing. The Palak Paneer was watery. Chicken Koorma was blah. An order of naan for 2 people was one piece but that didn't matter because our appetites were not exactly stimulated. It was the first time in my life that I didn't want to take home Indian dinner leftovers. I wanted to try this place based on the reviews here and I'm sorry to say I side with the haters. It was sad because I really wanted a good Indian place in Ferndale! Oh well. Back to Priya!
(1)Lorna D.
Yeah, the food's on the bland side. I still find myself here a couple of times a year though because it's #1. not inedible, and #2. a pleasant, unhurried place to sit and gab at length. The decor is amusing-I enjoy the fake palm tree with the green light trained on it and the faux aquarium above the front door. There used to be a painting on their back wall featuring a woman with hilariously lopsided boobs. Tonight I turned, camera phone in hand, to get a shot of those mismatched mammaries only to find a photo of some palace in its place. Foiled! Three waiters thought I was trying to get their attention and ambled forward. The lighting is deliciously dim, allowing my retinas respite from the blinding glare of life. Another fun thing is the demeanor of the waitstaff. My pal, a former server, admired the elegant, old-fashioned cart serving style while I marveled at their utter lack of expression. "Thank God some things are consistent in this world!" I thought as I took in their Lurch-like stares. A traipse through the trippy, colorful dollar store next door completes a relaxing, slightly offbeat evening.
(3)Natalie R.
This is the worst Indian Restaurant I have ever been to. Indian is one of my favorite cuisines, and I didn't think that any restaurant could go so terribly wrong. We ordered four dishes, Matar Paneer, Navratan Korma, Chicken Tiki, and one other I can't remember the name of. When they brought the dishes out, they each looked identical to each other. This is not typical for these dishes, they are always distinct in color. They all tasted the same. The food didn't come with naan, which is the best part of Indian cuisine. The service was terrible, the waiter was either pretending to not speak english or just really couldn't speak english. The water and other beverages didn't have ice. Everything was awful. Don't go here, go to ASHOKA in troy, which is by far the best. Just a sidenote, they must've changed owners, because I had been here years back and it was not the same.
(1)Keith C.
Been going here for years. Good food at inexpensive prices. They do a large amount of carryout. Huge number of menu items. Great stop when you want something a little less typical. Authentic? I don't need authentic. Just food I enjoy. I recommend the Chicken Mahkni and explore the menu from there. Really like their Mango Ice Cream when I'm in the mood.
(4)Kelli A.
Update: The past two times we've had carryout, it has been terribly disappointing! The appetizers were dripping with grease, esp. the eggplant, which were inedible. The malai kofta (vegetable balls), my fave, have been overcooked...resulting in a mash of vegetables in curdled sauce. Even the rice had a day-old texture and taste. Star, did you hire a new cook? He sucks. Big time. We've been eating with you for years and now it's time to say good bye. There's a place in RO that opened not long ago, we'll be visiting them next time. I'm sad.
(2)Dil F.
A good place for newbies to start sampling Indian cuisine if you have never tried it before, Meena B. is totally right about this point. Everything I've tried there (on four occasions) is just OK. Chicken Korma is maybe the tastiest thing on the menu. But all the gravy-based dishes I've tried are a little too thick and not expressive enough in the spice department. I've had heat-&-serve packets of Indian food from Whole Foods that taste about the same - though you can get far better naan and rice at Star of India than at any grocer. The mango lassi here is also just fine - a bit weak on the mango, which makes me suspect they use mango juice instead of puree. If you are familiar enough with Indian restaurant food that you can name a few dishes that you like, this is probably an experience that will only disappoint. If you've been hesitant to give it a go, this might be a really great place to experiment. The food is fine, just not that exuberant. _____ [[ so i've since taken some flak for this review... friends asking, why would anyone recommend a place to the inexperienced that wasn't that recommendable to begin with? This is a fair question. I guess my theory was that people living in Ferndale who possibly fear the idea of "spicy" or "Indian" food might be convinced that the dishes here are representative of a certain flavor palette, while not being full of serious spice or heat, so that the experience wouldn't be too intense for the hesitant but would give you a sense of some flavorful foods that you won't find down the street at Buffalo Wild Wings. OF COURSE, if you are a culinary adventurer, then the clues in this review should be clear enough that it's not the best Indian food around. Maybe I'm wrong to send the hesitant here at all... I'll let you all decide]]
(2)Traci A.
We enjoy Star of India when we're in the mood for a comfort curry. My husband especially likes it because it reminds him of curries he's had in England. Sure enough, we found out the chef is from England - which explains anytime we're in the restaurant - despite the fact there are few people, we tend to hear the Brit accents. One of my favorites is the Chicken Korma. We also enjoy the Onion Bhaji appetizer. And the coconut naan bread (Peshwary) is part yummy meal accompaniment, part dessert. We like the fact that we can bring our own beer and wine. Makes it a cheap meal for large groups - although the service gets really slow the bigger the group. I only wish the Star of India would clean their carpet. The long dingy hallway from the back of the restaurant is a little bit ick - and make me want to enter from the front of the restaurant on 9 mile.
(4)Ronnie L.
I haven't eaten enough food from India to know good from bad. I got carry out from here a couple times and it wasn't that bad. It was OK. The first time I went here I remember leaving and not eating anything. I had just got done working out but I wanted to sit down ad grab a bite to eat. They have tables up in the front window. I started to sit in one and the guy working there told me those tables were not available. The restaurant was EMPTY. Not cool! So I eventually gave them another shot. The food was better the first time than it was the second time if I remember. They give you a decent amount of food but spending the same amount of dough at a Chinese place like Hong Kong 1 will give you a HUGE meal. So it was not bad. Sure, try the Naan. I mean, that's flat bread and you can never go wrong with that kind of thing. The rest of the menu... You're on your own, but the staff are friendly enough to help you decide what's what. Not bad, not great. Just like the rating says, A-OK.
(3)Seoung L.
I have been here few times. My 1st time experience was pretty good. But then the next 3 times got worse by each visit. Now I get Chicken Tikka Masala most of the time I go to any Indian restaurant and last few times I went, they didn't serve me that! It was light brown in color and it just tasted like typical curry. I know my Tikka Masala and it's usually red in color. It didn't taste that great and it was missing something. I think they just served whatever they had in the back just to get rid of it. The service isn't great at all and the waiters seem very mad all the times I go there. Not friendly. The prices aren't that great either. I have had way better Indian food and I wish there were more Indian choices in this neighborhood because Star of India has a great location. Too bad it's not a good place to eat. Good - Nann bread was tasty Bad - Service, curry,
(2)Misty J.
Star of India is pretty tasty. I love the samosas! When the dish says hot, it really does mean 5 out of 5 stars hot. Which, to my delicate tongue, is in fact almost torture. But it was tasty enough for me to continue eating. Some of the dishes I've had were a bit bland but overall I don't mind going here since my bff lalaloves it.
(3)Hitesh C.
The chef is from England and claims the curry will taste just like a UK curry.. LIE!! I'm from England and not far from the famous UK Balti Triangle.. a road of 100+ indian restaurants... those curries are heaven.. Star of India is not. Again i asked for the usual, hot - spicy shrimp madras.. The curry had the right look to it, but all i could taste was Tabasco sauce!! maybe the chef just did not have the right herbs and spices to make it hot or didn't have any green chillies that day? Its the first time i've tasted a curry with Tabasco and its not enjoyable at all!! However, if you like mild curries then i guess you may like this place (as the chef will probably leave the Tabasco out!), On a positive note the garlic nan at Star Of India is authentic and the way it should be made. The garlic nan has pushed the rating from 1 star to 3. If you go there then make sure u order the garlic nan.
(3)Dan S.
Not a fan. I've given this several tries, and either the food isn't spicy/interesting enough or incredibly greasy (like State Fair concessions greasy). Why suffer through Star of India when Priya or Rangoli are within reach?
(1)Kate R.
My friends and I were in Ferndale and simply decided that we were there and hungry and Indian sounded really good so we stopped in. ... Honestly the exterior appearance is enough to make you question going in. Our server was nice, can't complain about that. Ultimately, both myself and a friend weren't overly overwhelmed. One friend ordered the Chicken Tikka and she was happy with it. I had the Chicken Tikka Masala, which was good - but oddly sweet.... My other friend - - honestly, I don't even know what she ordered. I know the waiter told her that it was spicy - and she was not an Indian food novice and understood that.... but two minutes into her meal she was nearly crying. She tried removing the sauce from the other contents and switched to plain rice, but it was still too much. Ultimately, she ended up sharing the rest of our food and eating the naan because it just was inedible. In a pleasant twist, when the waiter realized the situation and talked about it, he offered to have a more mild version made for her to take home - exceptionally courteous! Bonus points for that, just don't know if I'll be a regular.
(2)Brandon C.
I guess I can't say I'm an Indian cuisine aficionado, but I absolutely love Indian food and have tried quite a few different places (although, this is the only one I've been to in the metro detroit area as it seems to be the closest), and I quite like it! The atmosphere isn't all that great, but I have yet to find an Indian restaurant that really has a good atmosphere. I've been there twice so far, and both times the waiters were incredibly nice, helpful and never shy to refill my drink and the food has always been quite delicious--plus it's pretty cheap! My favorite Indian dish is probably Chicken Jalfrezi so I tend to use that as a measuring stick. I asked for it "between medium and hot" since they don't seem to go by the number system a lot of other Indian restaurants I've been to do, and it was perfect! Definitely the kick in the back of my throat I was craving and the garlic naan was buttery and delicious and tasted very fresh. It seems a little closer to street fair quality than super fresh ingredients, but it was delicious and filling and totally worth what it costs. I have heard that the restaurants in Troy are really good, but until I end up trying those, this definitely satisfies my ever-present craving for Indian cuisine.
(3)Lauren S.
I hope this place can get better and stay in business. To my knowledge it's the only Indian restaurant in ferndale. The food is not the best, but it's still ok. It is pretty bland. It doesn't have that full flavor I've had other places. But there is flavor. And it's good enough to eat. The menu is pretty Americanized. Like it says spinach or peas instead of saag or mutter. And it seems maybe the food is trying to be more American-friendly too, with the lack of deep, intricate Indian flavor. The ambiance is really not that bad. It's not clean and pristine but it's not THAT dirty. I've never seen the kitchen but I'm sure it's fine. I didn't get sick at least. The service was great, in my opinion. They gave me free chai as I waited for my carry out. And they all seemed really nice and happy to serve me. I would go back for the service alone. Edit: recently got new management and the food is better!
(4)Honestly A.
Star of India is the Chef Boyardee of Indian restaurants. Shrimp Madras at this restaurant consisted of 4 shrimp covered in bland tomato-based sauce. If you want Indian food in this area, there are many good options... Check out Mazza, Moti Mahal or Priya instead. You'll be much better off!
(2)Christin R.
I love this place!! The food is excellent and the staff is incredibly nice. I usually get a vegetarian dish with rice and naan bread. To be honest, I don't know why this place is empty all the time. It's sad to see because the food is sooo good!! Going again tomorrow...
(5)Kate M.
Great Indian food! I love the spinach chicken, and the dal makhni is alright (I was spoiled in India, I have to admit). The fried eggplant appetizer is AMAZING. It tastes like tempura and eggplant had a beautiful, crunchy baby.
(4)Joe B.
Unable to decide between sushi or Indian, my girl and I ordered both and procured the Indian from Star of India...my first time here. When I arrived to pick-up our food it had just came out and the gentleman working the register was quick and polite ringing me up and sending me on my way. When I got home and unpacked the bag I found two small cups of unmarked sauces, an unmarked cup of pickled something, I'm guessing both were for the samosas. There was also two tubs each of rice and curry, the samosas wrapped in foil and then the naan, which was a little steamed and doughy perhaps from the trip to Tai Fai after picking up the Indian. Regardless, the samosas were huge but not huge on flavor. The shells were thick and a little over-fried for my liking...I'd pass on these next time. As I mentioned the naan was a little doughy and really thick and gummy in certain areas but maybe that's what it's supposed to be like. The Chicken Curry was fragrant and tasty but it lacked depth of flavor. We ordered it mild so maybe that had something to do with it. I think I'd order the vindaloo next go around. All in all I liked S of I well enough. I wasn't blown away but it'll do in a pinch. I'll be back to try their play on Chicken vindaloo.
(3)Barbara B.
Delicious food, unassuming decor, nice staff (but you have to ask for the check or they will let you linger!). Love the soup, chicken korma and chicken tikka, chana sag.
(5)Shey D.
It was...ok. I haven't eaten a lot if Indian but what I've eaten before this place has been a lot better. Also I'm a lover of all things savory and seasoned, as a Jamaican, and I felt thus food was bland and under seasoned compared to what I've eaten before. I won't be coming back
(3)Will B.
I finally got around to trying this place, and I have to say, I was super disappointed. It was suggested to me to come here during their lunch buffet, so I could try a few different things. It was a huge miss. They had a garden salad consisting of wilted lettuce and underripe tomatoes, ranch and only ranch dressing, two different choices of rice, a bean dish, a squash dish, a beef dish, and this red colored chicken that looked like it would have been good, if it had some flavor and wasn't cooked yesterday. All in all, nothing had any spice whatsoever. Everything was super bland, and boring. Definitely not what I would consider "authentic" or anything remotely tasty. This isn't a place that I'll consider coming back to. I'm all about Ferndale cuisine, but I can't support this place. I hope they decide to offer authentic, good food, stop serving generic garbage, and put better options on their lunch buffet.
(2)Jmv Y.
Not impressed. Will not return. Food is not good. Taste is so bland. Was not sure I was even eating Indian. They make it hard to get your food from the buffet. All food remains covered. Nice interior. Good place settings. Ordered mango lahsse and they served in styrofoam cup. It was not good. Would give only one star if not for the interior. If you want good Indian, steer clear of here.
(2)Cari M.
If you want indian without leaving the Ferndale/Royal oak area than this place is just fine. It is no where near as good as Ashoka/Royal up on Rochester Rd. But it was still decent. We got carry out. Service was polite and fast. Palak Paneer - spinach part was awesome but the cheese lacked as much flavor as I'm used to. Aloo Matar Gobi was tasty but nothing special enough that I need to order it again. Butter chicken was very flavorful. Sauce was super good in it. Rice and naan were good too. I'm not in a rush to get back but it's definitely good enough to have again someday since it's in the neighborhood.
(3)Paul N.
It was just average, nothing to brag about. The waiter was friendly, but the food was ok, not great.
(3)Jenny S.
Make sure you order your food extra spicy, otherwise they'll white spice it. Totally bland. We ordered the vegetarian dinner for two.The lukewarm chai tea had milk already added and tasted like a regular black breakfast tea that hadn't steeped long enough. Highlight was the naan. Needless to say, I won't be coming back. Detroit is starving for some decent Indian.
(1)M Q.
Terrible food. I'm a big fan of Indian food and this is by far the worst restaurant in the area.
(1)Alan H.
I've been in Ferndale for close to a year and a half now and I've always been curious about this place, but never rushed towards it because it always seems empty. I have no clue how now! I was really impressed with the service and the food. I think I had some of the best spicy Palak Paneer I've ever had here. The rice and naan were also cooked perfectly. My girlfriend got the chicken tikka masala, which was also packed with flavor. All in all, this low-key place won us over and we will definitely be back for more!
(5)Andrew B.
So I have a small problem with this place. While I think the food is delicious, and I thoroughly enjoy the buffet, the whole needs to be cleaned. The carpet is disgusting. Everything about the place just reeks dirty. But the people are very friendly. I've only had the buffet here, and cannot speak to the other food items, but I must honestly say that I simply love the buffet. For $7.50 you cannot beat it. So maybe one could look over the layers of filth to actually enjoy the food because of the price. Oh by the way, a little music would be nice. Just a little, otherwise the place is just absolutely silent
(3)Anna S.
I don't see why everyone keep dissing this place. The ambiance is not much, but the food is always excellent! I have been going here since I got my driver's license - one of the best Indian places I have found. If you travel to Asia, you'll find many of the best restaurants don't really worry about the decorum, the food is what matters and that's how it is here. I guess that makes it authentic... lol. Had the lunch special today. For $6 we got soup, rice and a decent-size portion of the paneer with peas and cheese. I got it mild and it was tasty! Mango lassi was great while the garlic on the naan could have been precooked a little.
(4)Judy F.
So sorry to say that this was disappointing. We decided to go more local and try this instead of Moti Mahal in R.O.. We got a carry out and after telling us it would be 25 minutes, we arrived at the appointed time. There were only 2 tables taken and one woman who left shortly after I got there with a carry out. I sat there for an additional 25 minutes AFTER they said to arrive. Thought about leaving, but I'd already paid and I was hungry. Everything was piping hot when I got home. The Dall Soup was totally tasteless and I mean totally! The sag aloo didn't have much flavor either and the spinach looked like it was straight out of a box from the freezer. Tikka Masala and Lamb Pasanda were just so-so and the garlic naan was strange. On the plus side, the rice was very good. The restaurant was very clean and the 2 wait staff there were both very nice. I was offered tea while I was waiting.
(2)Holly Z.
I tried this place tonight after seeing it recommended in the Metro Times. Really disappointed. It took forever to place my takeout order and the staff was not very helpful. More importantly, however, the food was nothing like other Indian food I've had. It was so bland! No spice at all. The naan was pretty good, but the main dishes tasted like the instant Indian meals from the grocery store. Think I'll drive to Priya for Indian food from now on.
(2)Rese D.
From the front sign, the restaurant didn't provide a promising meal. My boyfriend and I were the first ones for dinner, a few other parties showed up not too long after us and there were a good number of take outs. The ambience was more traditional, not modernized. The style of the food was a lot different compared to the Indian restaurants I've eaten at in the bay area. The spices here aren't as strong, barely any curry taste. We did enjoy the meal, but at the end our palates still craved the stronger taste. I do have to give a star for their naan. I'd have to say it's one of the best naan I've ever had. I tried the garlic naan and cheese naan, they have a variety to choose from. The naan was not greasy, fresh and light. I will definitely go back for the naan!
(3)Sarah L.
Unfortunately this place has lost their touch. Not only do they not have a yummy buffet any more, but they fail to mention a few of their hidden extra costs for a few of their menu items. Plus their hours of operation aren't like normal business hours. They still allow you to bring your own wine which is a plus. Other than that I'd suggest going somewhere else.
(2)Tara B.
This restaurant gets a 85% on the 100 point scale Food taste/quality: 40/50, Appropriate ambiance: 5/10, Service: 10/10, Selection: 10/10, Value: 10/10, and cleanliness: 10/10. I feel sad that this restaurant was completely empty on a week night...it deserves much more! It is simple, but very tasty! The decor is perfect for a mid-range traditional indian restaurant (I haven't been to India but I feel like it is appropriate). It is not as nice as Priya, but it works. I like the service style, the food selection, the prices, and most importantly the tasty, hot food!
(4)Kimberley S.
Ill Pass. Coming through the back door , first thing you smell is urine from the bathrooms, that was my first turnoff. Then When I made my carry out It came to a lil under 15.00. I gave then my debit and they said it has to be over 15.00. I said my order is only a few cents under. He said it doesnt matter. So I just walked out. He tried to stop me, But I said NO THANKS! And I also said while your at it CLEAN your damn bathrooms! Will never go back, and I still cant believe this place is still up and running. The health Dept needs to come and take a look around!
(1)Caitlin S.
Truly the worst Indian restaurant I've ever eaten at. Okay service, but terrible food. And they have a fruit fly infestation...in winter. That's a pretty bad sign. We ordered onion bhajee (oily and dense), vegetarian samosas (over-fried, filled with stale potato and not much else), onion kulcha (I think it was really Trader Joe's garlic naan), Tandoori mixed grill (no flavor to any of it, awful texture to the seekh kabob), and a side of Bombay potato (bland). Even the rice was sub-par (undercooked). Had I realized how bad the appetizers were, I would not have ordered a main course. The only thing that was passable was the tea.
(1)Steve T.
There are much better Indian restaurants in the area. We are regulars at Royal and Ashoka in Troy so I guess we are spoiled. We tried The Star of India on Jan 25th and wondered why the restaurant was nearly empty on a Saturday evening. Now we know. It's not that anything was terrible per se, just mediocre at best.. Luckily we had a coupon from Entertainment to use so it was a cheap meal. It looked to be on it's last days given the lack of patrons so would recommend going to one of the many, nicer Indian restaurants around town.
(2)Heather J.
In my mind, it is the duty of good Indian food to be fragrant, spiced, and as much a feast for the visual and olfactory senses as it is for taste. The riotous beauty and pageantry of an Indian market speaks of a bewildering array of colourful spices, mysterious grains and vegetables, and prepared meats. I expect my plate to be the same when I go to an Indian restaurant. Star of India performs the role of local Indian fare for my Ferndale neighbourhood. Sitting right on Nine Mile, the restaurant runs par for the course of standard Indian restaurant: relaxed atmosphere, wide open spaces, and a lengthy menu with standard entrees and sides ranging from dhals and aloos to curries with every possible meat you can imagine brought to you on a rolling serving cart! What a treat that was, a touch of class that popped up. I went here to celebrate an early birthday with friends who highly recommended the place for its aromatic cuisine. I agree with them on the naan: it is utterly worth ordering alone and I might have eaten the entire basket (much to the dismay of my fellow three diners, including the beau, who knows full well how good it is). But I shared, and for that, the birthday faerie was sure to be kind. The many different entrees are sure to appeal to both vegans and standard omnivores, and it is fully possible to gauge how spicy you would like your meal. Indian food-philes, take note. You can have that ridiculously spiced tandoori chicken and curry just the way you want it, instead of watered down for the American palate. I was satisfied my choice was relatively well spiced and it came out right away. Service was polite if a bit distant, reserved and prompt when they were signalled. We were one of only two or three couples dining in the early evening so perhaps they were preparing for a rush or giving my friends and I privacy. Star of India, though, doesn't particularly stand out for any given quality. The food was enjoyable, the rice in heaps and the aforementioned naan out of this world. Everything settled into a blur of a dining experience though; I was neither appalled or particularly thrilled, chewing happily and declaring myself full at the end of the night. Though not a bad thing, it falls short of the mark needed to leave a lasting impression. I love Indian food, I truly adore it. So I was disappointed that dinner was so uniform when I wanted explosions. I'll give the restaurant another check in later if I'm craving Indian and not up for driving farther out. It is a local option and I am not sure if they have takeout.
(2)Monica W.
Okay folks, lets cover the ambiance of this place first. Pineneedle and cone carpet, Blue lighting, pink table cloths, retro red pleather booths, and paintings of old trains. If you are not loving that combo as much as I was then I'm not sure what to tell you. I realize the decorum was probably not intentionally wacky, but, I dig it. Now to the nitty gritty, the food. Our naan was burnt on one side, and the food's spices didn't seem to blend well making it slightly bland. Imagine putting cinnamon sugar on toast, yet all cinnamon and a sprinkle of sugar. Everything just tasted like there was one spice in it, even though I know that isn't the case. We did enjoy ourselves there though. Provided with great service, an inexpensive menu, and decent food I will definitely go back for a quick meal and navigate through the menu to find a winner,but, look elsewhere if I am on the hunt for mind boggling indian.
(3)Abigail C.
Highly disappointed. I should have realized when I saw the completely empty, barely lit restaurant at the peak of dinner hours that the food may not be what I was looking for and I was right. Figuring it was hard to mess them up, I had two standards: chicken curry and matar paneer. The matar paneer was basically just peas in a tasteless sauce. Also, my hands and nails were stained from the matar paneer sauce for almost a day and a half even after vigorous scrubbing. What was in that sauce to have it stain my skin for that long? The chicken curry wasn't much better. While it didn't work as a skin dye, it was barely seasoned. Admittedly the menu does say "mildly spicy", I assumed it meant there would be some spiciness to the dish. To get any taste of the tough chicken, it took several mouths fulls and even then, it barely added up to any amount of taste. Basically, I had a bland food for more money than it was worth. On that note, the prices where rather high for the quality and quantity of food. Plus, one piece of naan bread for $1.59? The bread was good, but geez, most places have it for free or less than $.50 a piece. Really it was not worth it. Lastly, the people were friendly. Besides taking five minutes trying to promote the restaurant instead of putting in my order (I'm already here, why not just wow me with the food and speedy service?), the server sat and talked with me while I waited for my carry out order. He did ask a few too many personal questions, but it was nice having a chat while waiting for my food. I would say avoid it and go find a better Indian place or even just one of the other many delightful restaurants on the Woodward strip of Ferndale.
(2)Neil E.
It may not look like much from the outside and the decor may be a little dated, but the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The wait staff might be described by some as aloof, but I rather think of them as not being as in your face, as at some restaurants. All too often, you can have servers ask you three times in 10 minutes if your food is OK, but at Star of India they are present but not bugging you constantly. I'm from England, which has a rich tradition of Indian restaurants and this restaurant makes me feel at home. The chef I am informed is actually from England as well, which may be the reason that the food is so familiar to me. I usually opt for the chicken vindaloo, which is always done perfectly and as one of the spiciest options on the menu, is packed with flavor. My wife is not a big fan of heat, but she enjoys the mild pasanda's and is a huge fan of the samosa's. Overall the food is great and always flavorful. Service is prompt and unobtrusive, with a polite respectful wait staff. This is the only Indian that my wife and I frequent and that is not just because it is the closest. If you're on a night out in Ferndale and want Indian food this is the ideal place. It does not however have a liquor license but they do allow you to bring your own drinks so come prepared with some cold beers. If you plan to take on one of their hotter dishes also remember dairy helps to soothe the burn so try one of their yogurt based Lasi's.
(4)Matthew D.
Though probably not the best place in the metro area, I still go hear every time I am nearby for work. The staff is friendly, helpful, and there are quite a few choices on the menu. Very quiet, no pressure to leave, so you can sit and take your time enjoying the food. I feel that the portions are a very nice size, and as some have said, the food can be a little bland. Not quite the amount of spice that you get at most other Indian restaurants, but all in all, I really enjoy the food. The coriander chutney is really good, and I really love their samosas. Give them a try!
(4)Jessica Y.
I feel quite blessed that this place is so close by. I used to go to Indo Pak for my Indian yummies, but this place is not only a different style, but more varied too. The yogurt quality is exceptional, the samosas were to die for, everything was piping hot, and delicious the next day. Perfect vegetarian fare.
(4)Susan R.
i have eaten here since they opened and used to like eating here. Today I made an unplanned stop. I picked up a plate for the buffet and the bottom seemed to have a grease coating on it. Yuck. So did the next plate. Yuck. I asked the waiter for a clean plate and this one did not have the grease on it. I was the first customer and the buffet looked like one would expect at the end of a busy lunch shift. I really felt like leaving but stayed despite my apprehension about health and cleanliness issues. I ate it wasn't too good and I won't be back.
(1)Paul T.
We love the star! This place Is special... The staff is friendly, and we have never been disappointed. The vegetable curry hooked me on Indian flavors!!
(5)Meena B.
I was in Detroit visiting some family and had some time to kill. I should have looked on yelp before going in here. The meal was average and not that flavorful. This would be a good option for someone who wants to try food that is somewhat like indian food with less curry and less spice, for people who want to work their way up to authentic indian food. Naan was good but I didn't want to finish my food otherwise and left still hungry. After lunch I was left yearning for a better option and it only made my desire stronger to find a more authentic restaurant. I knew Detroit would have much better options.
(2)Dann A.
All right, I might just be an Indian food snob, but I've eaten at this place twice, about a year or two apart. And the Star of India is anything but. I can say without reservations that this is the worst Indian restaurant I have eaten at in the COUNTRY. Seattle, New York City, Columbus, Detroit, nothing comes close to disappointing like this place. If you thoroughly enjoyed your meal here, I can say only that you either got incredibly lucky, or you have never had good Indian cuisine. There is a chance that I've been extremely unlucky on my two trips, but I shan't be back for a third round. The service was horrible on both occasions. The first time, there were a couple of other tables in the restaurant, and we waited nearly an hour for our food (not counting the samosas that came to us cold). The second, there was only ONE other table, and it STILL took 40 minutes to get our food. Now, a 40-minute wait might be tolerable for some people, but the grub was hardly worth the wait. It didn't taste bad so much as it didn't taste at all. Bland. No spice. Boring. It was a dish I've had many, many times before (aloo gobhi), so I know how it SHOULD taste. I ended up leaving half of it unfinished; it simply wasn't worth the calories. If the food were dirt cheap, it might be excusable, but it charges just as much as most other Indian restaurants for its entrees. The final straw was that the waiter didn't even apologize for the snail's pace service - even after we asked several times what was taking so long. It's sad that the Detroit area (I don't consider Troy to be in it, too far) we can't get many delicious Indian restaurants. But I'd rather go without than try this place again.
(1)Jonathan W.
I would say Star of India is average for an Indian restaurant. It is good for the Detroit area, because you don't have much to pick from for India. I have been to the buffet at lunch and I have had take out. It is always good. Staff is always great. If you are looking for good Indian food in the Royal Oak / Ferndale area try this place. It is always a safe bet.
(3)Jocelyn D.
After ordering/eating six different dishes,three breads and Samosas, from Star of India I think i can sum up the restaurant in three words: DO NOT GO, This was the worst Indian food I have ever eaten. I ordered Six different dishes, three breads and Samosas. The dishes were awful, greasy, and tasteless; the breads were flat, tasteless and dry; the Samosas were the WORST. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but I would not walk through the doors of their restaurant again. The bummer was, I had eleven people for a birthday dinner, two had never had Indian food before, and this restaurant did not provide the experience of dining I was looking for. Keep driving and do not enter.
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